On Monday, May 9, Tom Colicchio, Emeril Lagasse, Gail Simmons, Andrew Zimmern, Anne Burrell and many others in the food industry — will don their best as they join the James Beard Foundation at its annual Restaurant and Chef Awards Dinner.
In honor of the Rising Star Chef of the Year Award, we’re chatting with the 2011 nominees for this category. Yesterday we caught up with Thomas McNaughton, chef at flour + water in San Francisco. Today we’re talking with Gabriel Rucker, chef of Le Pigeon in Portland, Oregon. Being nominated is “the highest honor you can receive as a chef,” Rucker says. “And just being nominated makes me feel like a winner already.”
FN Dish: The theme of this year’s awards is “The Ultimate Melting Pot,” so what is your favorite type of ethnic cuisine?
GR: Mexican
Read what Gabriel would like to change about the food industry »
On Monday, May 9, Tom Colicchio, Emeril Lagasse, Gail Simmons, Andrew Zimmern, Anne Burrell and many others in the food industry — will don their best as they join the James Beard Foundation at its annual Restaurant and Chef Awards Dinner.
In honor of the Rising Star Chef of the Year Award, we’re chatting with the 2011 nominees in this category. Yesterday, we caught up with Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar in New York City. Today, we’ll get to know Thomas McNaughton, chef at flour + water in San Francisco. McNaughton says that the Beard Awards, “Are a testament to the people that I’m surrounded by, not only in the kitchen but in our organization. It feels humbling to be among such talented peers.”
FN Dish: The theme of this year’s awards is “The Ultimate Melting Pot,” so what is your favorite type of ethnic cuisine?
TM: Korean
Find out what classic rock band Thomas would love to cook for »
On Monday, May 9, Tom Colicchio, Emeril Lagasse, Gail Simmons, Andrew Zimmern, Anne Burrell and many others in the food industry — will don their best as they join the James Beard Foundation at its annual Restaurant and Chef Awards Dinner.
While categories like Best New Chef and Best New Restaurant tend to steal the spotlight, one category to keep your eye on is Rising Star Chef of the Year. According to the Foundation, “This award is given to a chef, age 30 or younger, who displays an impressive talent and who is likely to have a significant impact on the industry in years to come.” Past winners who hold this title include Nate Appleman and Andrew Carmellini.
Starting today, we’ll get to know each of the 2011 nominees up for this category a little better.
First up: Christina Tosi from the famed Momofuku Milk Bar in New York City. Tosi, who worked at WD-50 and Bouley before Milk Bar, is now known for her outrageously addicting desserts like Crack Pie, cereal milk soft serve ice cream and recently cake truffles.
“It’s an overwhelming honor to be singled out in a city and country of so many great chefs,” Tosi said when we asked her how it felt to be a James Beard nominee. “The awards have always been a great opportunity to get to know what’s going on in kitchens around the country, make new friends and celebrate one another’s passion for food, hard work and dedication to the job and industry.”
Find out what Christina can’t live without and the one person she’d love to cook for »
Introducing Cupcake Vodka: It’s a thing, and it comes in four flavors: original, chiffon, devil’s food and frosting. But if pie the new cupcake, we’re thinking this liquor may have a short shelf life. [blogs.villagevoice.com]
Food Bloggers Bare All for Japan: If there was ever any doubt that food bloggers are totally cute, check out the Nudie Foodies, who are posing sans clothes (safe for work!) for a good cause. The photos, accompanied by recipes of course, will be compiled into a book, with proceeds from it going to the relief effort in Japan. [gothamist.com]
Pesticide Exposure in Womb Linked to Lower I.Q.s: Three new studies reveal that women who had higher exposures to pesticides while pregnant gave birth to children who went on to have lower I.Q. scores (by about seven points) once they began school. Score one for organic produce. [nytimes.com]
Green Tips for Your Kitchen: Earth Day was just last week, so it’s perfect timing to get a little more eco-friendly. The good folks at Kitchen Daily have a few small tips (like how to keep that sponge out of the landfill a little while longer) that could add up to big results. [kitchendaily.com]
Here’s our round-up of food news, trends and happenings across the web. Check back for more, and tell us what else you’re loving in the comments.
Thieves Nab 40,000 Pounds of Tomatoes: The New York Times reports on a group of produce snatchers: “Last month, a gang of thieves stole six tractor-trailer loads of tomatoes and a truck full of cucumbers from Florida growers. They also stole a truckload of frozen meat. The total value of the illegal haul: about $300,000.” And that’s just the beginning of these criminals’ plot. [nytimes.com via gawker.com]
Mobile Produce Stands Hit Road in Urban Areas: Chicago-area organization Food Desert Action has created a solution for getting produce to poor urban areas lacking healthful food options: via a food truck. “Eventually, we want to be just like the ice cream truck,” neighborhood activist Steven Casey told the Chicago Tribune. “Everyone remembers the music, they hear it and they know ice cream is there. When they see our bus, we want them to know fresh fruits and vegetables are here.” [latimes.com]
The World’s Best Restaurants Named: The S. Pellegrino top 50 dining destinations in the world have been announced, with a few heavy hitters from the US making the list. Chicago’s Alinea fared best at number 6, and the other Stateside spots given recognition (Per Se, Daniel, among others) are all based in NYC. [newyork.grubstreet.com]
Gender Cake Parties Are a Thing? The funny folks at The Awl have turned us on to a new phenomenon, the Gender Cake Party, wherein an expecting couple learns their baby’s sex based on the color (pink or blue, obviously) of cake they receive after delivering their obstetrician’s report to a local bakery. Either way, as long as it’s delicious. The cake, not the baby. [theawl.com]
Here’s our round-up of food news, trends and happenings across the web. Check back for more, and tell us what else you’re loving in the comments
- Food Network's Signature Steak Sandwich, served at 9 MLB ballparks this season. Game on!
America’s favorite pastime has been known, unfortunately, for some of America’s worst food. To enjoy a game meant to overpay for stale pretzels, beer and hot dogs, and, if you’re lucky, some frozen pizza.
Those days are over. Food Network and partner Delaware North Companies are stepping up to the plate to serve Food Network Signature Sandwiches at 9 baseball stadiums across the country. The chefs in the Food Network Kitchens worked tirelessly (during spring training) to create a Signature Steak Sandwich, plus a locally-inspired sandwich for each stadium — 8 steak ‘wiches and one sausage with local twists. Read more »
- Can you resist? - Image Courtesy Food Network Magazine
Caffeine Addiction Linked to Genetics: Craving coffee? Science says your genes may be to blame, not the two hours of sleep you got last night. [usatoday.com]
Chicago Public School Bans Brown-Bag Lunches: With all the hullabaloo surrounding the poor quality of cafeteria food, it may come as a surprise that one school is actually banning lunches from home, too. What’s a kid to eat? [myfoxchicago.com via newyork.grubstreet.com]
Camera-Powered App Delivers Estimated Calorie Count: Impressive new iPhone app Meal Snap lets you take a picture of your plate then spits out how many calories it thinks you’re about to consume. The accuracy of the nutritional breakdown reportedly has some kinks, but it’s still fun to think of the service as Shazam for food. [reviews.cnet.com] [Food Network Mobile]
Proof That Candy Dishes are Irresistible: Is the office hampering your ability to eat healthfully? You’re not alone. “A four-week study of 40 secretaries found that when candy was visible in a clear, covered dish, participants ate 2.5 pieces of chocolate,” the Wall Street Journal reports. “Moving the dish closer, so the subjects could reach the candy while seated at their desks, added another 2.1 candies a day to their intake.” [wsj.com]
Here’s our round-up of food news, trends and happenings across the web. Check back for more, and tell us what else you’re loving in the comments.
- Cat Cora, shown here in her home kitchen, will soon launch a quick service restaurant in the San Francisco airport.
SFGate is reporting that Tyler Florence and Cat Cora are soon to launch quick service eateries in SFO’s Terminal 2. Chef Florence will bring a scaled down version of his Rotisserie and Wine restaurant. His menu will be offering roasted meats along with a variety of southern style side dishes. The Cat Cora Lounge will be a cocktail bar and the menu will offer fresh local seafood. The goal of the project is to support local and sustainable dining with a number of food offerings throughout the terminal, something never before seen at an airport.
Delaware North has partnered with Iron Chef Morimoto to launch a new restaurant in Los Angeles International Airport’s Terminal 5. The menu will consist of a selection of soups and salads as well as yakitori style skewers which will include meats and vegetables served with rice. The focus will be on tasty, healthy foods that can be served and eaten quickly.
Looking for more places to find something from a favorite Food Network star?
Sandra Lee is launching a new line of kitchenware for Sears and Kmart. The collection will feature small appliances and other kitchen items.
The Baltimore Business Journal is reporting that Duff Goldman will be offering a line of less expensive cakes. Priced around $250, these cakes feed 12 to 15 and will be available much quicker than the more pricey custom designs which need to be ordered months in advance.
Guy Fieri gave a sneak peek on Twitter this week of a new “Knuckle Sandwich” shoe being designed by Globe Shoes. No word yet on when they will be available.
The Food Network Fans are constantly looking for info and sharing links on where we can find favorite stars, discuss favorite shows, visit a book signing, or see an appearance in other venues. We invite you to stop by and visit at FoodNetworkFans.com
- Paula is putting on a new show.
Savannah Now is reporting that the Lady & Sons has added dinner theater to the dining experience at Paula Deen’s restaurant. Diners can now enjoy Hard-Hearted Hannah’s Playhouse presentation of ‘There’s a Bomb on Trolley 409!’ while sampling some of Paula’s best dishes. The Lady & Sons has rented basement space for the production and a buffet will be provided before the performance begins. For now, Hard-Hearted Hannah’s has dates available through October, and more dates may be added later. Tickets are $55 per person, which includes the dinner buffet and the performance. For information or reservations, visit www.hardheartedhannahsplayhouse.com or call 912-659-4383.
Alton Brown brought large crowds to Dauphin Island for a gumbo cook-off this past weekend, serving as judge for the gumbo competition. The al.com blog reported record attendance for the event in an area bouncing back from the BP oil spill. Alton is a big advocate for local and sustainable seafood. The event featured 21 different teams cooking variations of the dish competing for the best flavor in the seafood and freestyle categories. Before giving out the awards, Alton declared that gumbo is “the hardest thing I’ve had to cook” and took then questions from the audience.
The Food Network Fans are constantly looking for info and sharing links on where we can find favorite stars, discuss favorite shows, visit a book signing, or see an appearance in other venues. We invite you to stop by and visit at FoodNetworkFans.com
- Duff loves sweets and good causes -- buy a cake to help Japan!
Everyone loves to eat cake, but it’s not often you get to help people by eating cake. In the wake of the devastating Japan tsunami, Duff and the Ace of Cakes crew are holding an eBay auction for a custom-designed Charm City Cake, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross.
The lucky winner gets a cake consultation at the Baltimore or LA Charm City Cakes location, where you and the staff will dream up the most outrageous cake since this cheeseburger-dog-fry combo:
- Duff's Take on Fast Food
Hurry: The bidding ends on April 3 and the current price is at $1,826. Need inspiration? Browse Duff’s latest creations, or check out these custom cakes from FoodNetwork.com fans.
- You'll be as excited as Meredith Vieira when you get your custom-made cake.
Can’t shell out the cash for a cake? Help victims of the Pacific tsunami by making a donation at RedCross.org. Or, text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10.
