Articles about Celebrity Chefs

Dallas Does Food & Wine Classic in Aspen

The Grand Tasting Tent at the 2013 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. (Photography by Brad Murano)

The Grand Tasting Tent at the 2013 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. (Photography by Brad Murano)

We dispatched Brad Murano, otherwise known as The Brad as in The Brad’s Adventures in Food, to the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen this weekend. He files a photo essay of the glamorous event.

The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen isn’t just about the chef demonstrations, informative seminars, and massive Grand Tastings, it’s about parties. Press, trade, chefs, attendees and fence-jumpers jocky for placements on the coveted lists. Here are some snaps from various F&W shenanigans and some famous peeps from Dallas with famous peeps from around the world.

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Upcoming Opportunities To Taste

If you are in the mood for some tasty wine, there are more opportunities than ever to enjoy some great wine, often with a tasty meal.  Here are a few ideas to add to your calendar.

DWT_logo_final_webThe next Dallas Wine Trail is tomorrow and a few tickets are still available here for $39.95 each.  The fifth annual event taking place from 11am – 5pm tomorrow at all four of our Dallas wineries will include 3 tastes of the current release wines at each spot along with tasty food bites at each location.  This is a great opportunity to meet the winemakers of Fuqua, Times Ten Cellars, Calais and Inwood Estates.
Tickets won’t be available at the door, so buy now if you can attend.

Nancy named The Grape as her #11 in the Top 100 restaurants in Dallas….and I couldn’t agree more as this neighborhood gem owned by Chef Brian Luscher and his fabulous wife with a great palate, Sommelier Courtney Luscher, consistently delivers tasty bistro cuisine paired with an ever evolving wine list, made only better while enjoying an evening on their Greenville Ave patio.  Every Monday-Friday on that patio and in the bar you can enjoy 1/2 price wine from their by the glass list from 5:30-7pm, Monday until 8pm.  An ideal way to start the week.

A must attend wine dinner happens Thursday June 13 at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse featuring Nickel and Nickel wines with special guest Jim Doehring, Central Region Manager for Nickel & Nickel, Far Niente, En Route and Dolce.  Nickel and Nickel has become known for their single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from specially selected sites throughout Napa Valley.  The wines are robust, refined and always remarkable.  $225, reservations required – 214-366-2000 Continue reading "Upcoming Opportunities To Taste"

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Private Social in Dallas Chef Najat Kaanache Claims: ‘I Invented The Cronut!’

Cronut-Gate: Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I present Exhibit A.

Cronut-Gate: Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I present exhibit A.

Look out Dominique Ansel, Dallas chef Najat Kaanache claims she invented the cronut and she has proof the item was on the menu at Private Social on March 22, 2013.

Yesterday Carol posted the screen shot of tweets from Kaanache to Eater Dallas editor Whitney Falloon who posted a item on the cronut crazies in New York. I followed up the claim with an email to the passionate Ms. Kaanache. One of her replies:

“I can assure you that we’ve been making and serving creative donuts called “Cronuts” (in print since March 22nd, 2013) and I will continue to make them and sell them with full protection of the law regardless of any subsequent trademark attempts.  There is only one original. I don’t allege plagiarism against anyone I’m just protecting my right to market and sell my creation. I will be happy to make a batch for you.  I already offered to send some to poor Anderson Cooper who so publicly missed out on the NY cronuts for his birthday:)”

I asked for documentation.

 ”I always file and save ALL electronic AND HARD copies of all dupes, kitchen tickets, notes and menus and have done so since the day we opened.  I’ll go one further since we email the new menu every day I can forward you the original date stamped email with the attached dupe so you can quadruply verify its validity.  The lengths innovators must go to defend their creations!”

Late to the cronut frenzy? The pastry is a cross-dressed pastry that combines a doughnut and a croissant. The press picked up on the lines outside of the Dominique Ansel Bakery in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood and reported Dominique Ansel as the inventor.

Like Krispy Kreme (doughnuts), Pinkberry (frozen yogurt), and Sprinkles (cupcakes), the cronut is the current wait-in-line-for food. Who knows, perhaps Private Social will be flooded with customers craving cronuts. Let the cronutroversy begin.

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Uchi Chef/Owner Tyson Cole Reveals Plans To Open Uchi Restaurant In Dallas

Tyson Cole. (Photography by Brett Buchanan)

Tyson Cole. (Photography by Brett Buchanan)

Okay Uchi fans, the wait is over. Uchi is headed to Dallas.  This afternoon comes word: The owners of Uchi announced the long-awaited location of their fourth restaurant, and the third location of Uchi, to open late 2014 or early 2015. The restaurant will be located in the ArtsCenter on the corner of Maple Avenue and Randall Street at 2817 Maple Avenue.

Got something to say Tyson Cole? “We are so excited to bring Uchi to Dallas,” comments owner and Chef Tyson Cole. “It’s a thrill to start planning for another restaurant in Texas.”

Here’s a bit more:

The cuisine will meld the best offerings of the first Uchi and Cole’s second Austin concept, Uchiko, much like Uchi Houston which opened February 2012. Chef Cole’s signature menu offerings include hot and cool tastings, makimono, yakimono, tempura and, of course, sushi and sashimi. Each guest at the table may enjoy and share the experience of dining at Uchi together.  Every detail is thoughtfully managed so the guest may enjoy the progression of the meal in a seamless flow, each bite meant to build upon the last.

OMG. IJS. LOL. WTF? Is this a great city or what!

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Dinner at Dean’s Place

Dean Fearing's favorite place at home is the grill. Photo by David Higbee.

Last night, I went to Dean Fearing's house for dinner. (Believe me, I had a lot of fun telling people that was my Thursday night plan.) And I learned a couple things about Dean.

1. His house is very unassuming. When we turned onto his street, I told my husband/photographer that we had to have the wrong address. But it was correct. We peered beyond the valet stand and saw a black cat sitting on the doorstep, patiently waiting to be let in. I knew it was going to be a good night.

Roux on her perch and Dean's famous boot collection. Photos by David Higbee.

2. Dean is a great host. No matter who you are, if you're in his home, you're friends. He spent a great deal of time greeting guests. He's down-to-earth and seemed to generally care what you were talking about. But those of you who have spent time eating his meals probably already knew that.

3. Dean is a cat person. He has a dog, too, but the dog was being boarded for the evening so that people wouldn't be asked to play catch every five second. However, Dean's three cats (Roux, 18; Gumbo, 13; and File, 13) had the run of the place. My favorite was Roux. She got a lot of love last night. She started out on top of a chair and by the time I left, was sprawled out on a friend's lap. Continue reading "Dinner at Dean’s Place"

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D The Broadcast: Stephan Pyles Demonstrates Lobster Ceviche

Stephan Pyles appeared on yesterday’s D: The Broadcast. He demonstrates how to make  ceviche of lobster with vanilla-roasted fennel and almond gazpacho. The recipe is below.  Continue reading "D The Broadcast: Stephan Pyles Demonstrates Lobster Ceviche"

Chef Jason Maddy is Out at Oak

Jason Maddy (left); ; roasted Magret duck breast with sunchoke, ramps, and foie gras flan (right) photo by Kevin Marple

Jason Maddy (left); ; roasted Magret duck breast with sunchoke, ramps, and foie gras flan (right) photo by Kevin Marple

This just in from Lindsey Miller, the public relations representative for Oak writes:

It has come to my attention that a local blogger just posted something not long ago regarding talk that Jason Maddy is no longer Executive Chef of Oak. This email I am sending is to confirm that this is indeed the case and the rumor is in fact true. Out of respect for Jason and his family, we cannot go into details. But due to personal health reasons, he is no longer Executive Chef of Oak.  Thomas Gray (recently appointed Chef de Cuisine) is now acting Executive Chef for Oak.

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Join Us: 100 Best Restaurants in Dallas Party at 3015 at Trinity Groves

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Come on! Do it!

T-minus 57 hours and counting. At 6PM on Wednesday, May 22, the pre-release date editions of the June issue of D Magazine will be delivered to Sharon Van Meter’s 3015 at Trinity Groves. And we are throwing a party from 6-8PM to celebrate the cover story: 100 Best Restaurants in Dallas. At 7PM, we will announce the top ten best restaurants in Dallas. So far we have representatives from 64 restaurants which range from a mom-and-pop in Richardson to a swanky haute cuisine spot in Uptown. There will be food: an eclectic mix of haute cuisine, off-the-beaten-path barbecue, and a variety of dishes from ethnic restaurants. Along with the food tastings, there will be cocktails by Brugal Rum, beer by Trumer Pilsner, DJ Jose Guevara, Land Rovers on display and a See’s Candy buffet. Additional sponsors include Express Working Capital and Poggenpohl.

If you don’t like my picks, you can throw a pie at me. I’ll be right outside the front door waiting for you. It will cost you $20 to toss a pie but the money collected will go to the North Texas Food Bank.Click here for event tickets ($50.)

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Private Social Goes Under the Knife Again: Changing Menu From Modernist to “Awesome Texas Food”

The saga of Private Social continues. The trendy restaurant on McKinney that opened in September 2011 is already going for its third concept. According to the eagle-eyed Whitney Filloon on Eater, Private Social, recently renamed P|S, will showcase an Awesome Texas Food menu next week.  Opening chef Tiffany Derry stepped out in January and talented chef  Najat Kaanache, who studied under modernist chefs such as Ferran Adria, Thomas Keller, and Grant Achatz, took center stage.

I can’t imagine she will stick around to do awesome things with Texas food. Somebody needs to back her in a Moroccan restaurant. Remember our conversation about restaurant names? I think Private Social is a good example of a bad name. It was too insidery and confusing. P|S certainly didn’t translate either. They should ditch the whole idea of the name and call it Awesome Texas Food.

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Giveaway: Two Tickets to Central Market’s Cooking Class with Matt and Ted Lee on Tuesday, May 14

The Lee Bros. (from countryliving.com)

The Lee Bros. (from countryliving.com)

Everyone keeps telling me how cute and adorable the Lee brothers really are, so part of me wants to keep these two free tickets to Central Market’s cooking class for myself. Matt and Ted Lee, the hosts of The Cooking Channel’s Unique Eatsare also the authors of their new cookbook, The Lee Bros. Charleston KitchenDid I mention that you get a free copy of the cookbook along with the two tickets? Yeah, let me stress that again: two tickets to see the Lee brothers + a free cookbook. Happy Friday, y’all.

The class is on Tuesday, May 14, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Central Market on Lovers Lane. I’m thinking these tickets might be a great surprise for a mom  (or anyone, really) who loves to cook. Whatdyathink? I’m closing this contest off at 5 p.m. today. People who are interested in this $160 value should fill out the form below.

The winner, who I’ll email at 5, will get two tickets put on will call at Central Market.

Jump for it NOW. Continue reading "Giveaway: Two Tickets to Central Market’s Cooking Class with Matt and Ted Lee on Tuesday, May 14"

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Celebrate D Magazine’s 100 Best Restaurants in Dallas on May 22 at Trinity Groves

Top 100 winnerI have just completed D Magazine‘s  June cover story: The 100 Best Restaurants in Dallas. Yes, I wrote 100 restaurant reviews and ranked the top 100 restaurants in Dallas. To complete the task, I had to toss out Fort Worth, Grapevine, and the mid-cities. Maybe next time. (Which will not be in my life time.) I’m so tired I thought it would be a great idea to throw a party and celebrate the 100 best restaurants in Dallas. The marketing people agreed.

Join me and many of the 100 best restaurants in Dallas for a giant soiree on May 22 from 6-8PM at Sharon Van Meter’s 3015 Trinity Groves. The festivities will feature food from the top chefs in Dallas and the fare will feature an eclectic mix of haute cuisine, off-the-beaten-path barbecue, and a variety of dishes from ethnic restaurants. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to mingle with an unprecedented gathering of chefs and restaurateurs from the top restaurants in Dallas. Along with the food tastings, there will be cocktails by Brugal Rum, beer by Trumer Pilsner, DJ Jose Guevara, Land Rovers on display and a See’s Candy buffet. Additional sponsors include Express Working Capital and Poggenpohl.

I’m thinking about doing a “Throw a Cream Pie in Nancy’s Face” booth to raise money for my favorite charity. Could happen. Buy your tickets here. 

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First Lady Michelle Obama and Matrice Kirk Dined at Stephan Pyles in Dallas Last Night

Last night, Stephan Pyles  personally cooked for  for First Lady Michelle Obama and the Former First Lady of Dallas, Matrice Kirk. First, the ladies split a Caesar salad with polenta crouton.  Mrs. Obama’s entree was a seared halibut with a crabmeat-tamale tart. She also downed four bites of  a cowboy rib-eye with red chile onion rings.

The First Lady and Chef Pyles spoke of his decades-long efforts with Share Our Strength and childhood hunger, which she called the other side of childhood obesity (her passion).

Pyles shares some other details, including the other First Ladies he’s cooked for (7!), on his Facebook page:

The other “Firsts” were Laura Bush, Hilary Clinton, Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan, Rosalind Carter and Betty Ford. The one I most wanted to cook for but never did? Lady Bird Johnson. I adored that woman! Who does not think of her every time they drive through the Texas Hill Country in spring?

Madame O. was served Seared Halibut with Crabmeat-Tamale Tart, Caesar Salad and the Bone-In Cowboy Ribeye with Red Chile Onions Rings. I was impressed she ordered such a robust meal but she only had about 4 bites of the Cowboy Ribeye. Moderation! as my late and great friend Julia Child used to cry. “Eat it all”, she used to say, “just don’t make a pig of yourself”. Besides, she has to keep those terrific arms in good shape. And speaking of which, she wore sleeves last night!

Regretfully, he forgot to take a picture.

UPDATE: I can’t believe I went to college for this. I printed information above sent to me by a publicist. The details are a little off.

Here goes: Ms. Obama did NOT order two entrees. According to Pyles:  ”They ordered a Caesar salad to split and she (Mrs. Obama) ordered the cowboy rib-eye for her entree. When I got their order, I sent them out a halibut/tamale tart appetizer so by the time she got to the rib-eye she was probably full (my fault). She ate almost half the rib-eye which is more than most women eat.”

UPDATE: Okay, curious folks. More from Pyles: “Matrice had the same appetizer I sent out to Michelle, she of course split the Caesar and had the Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Yucca-Huitlacoche Hash and pickled Blackberries as her entree. Matrice picked up the check.”

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Turn Your TVs On: Watch Curtis Stone Charm the Ladies of D: The Broadcast

curtisBRAVOlebrity Curtis Stone (Aussie hunk and chef/author) is hanging out on the set of D: The Broadcast this morning, so be sure to tune in from 9 to 11 a.m.

Not gonna lie, I’m kind of in love with Stone’s Backstreet Boy hair, and I can’t decide which looks more yummy: the spinach and arugula salad he’s making or that mega watt smile.

Brush up on your Stone history and knowledge with this interview by intern Sheila Dang.

Chef Andre Natera of Village Marquee Cooks on D: The Broadcast

He was so nice, he cooked for them twice!

FT33′s Matt McCallister and Philip Speer, Pastry Chef at Uchi’s, Host Eight-Course Dinner

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The Philip

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The Matt

On your mark, get set, dial….214-741-2629. Philip Speer, the executive pastry chef and culinary director at Uchi in Austin will join chef/artist/owner Matt McCallister to present a color-themed eight-course dinner on May 13 at FT33. Speer and MM will create both savory and sweet courses and a color palate of red, yellow, blue, green, orange, violet, magenta, and black.

Jump for the deets. Continue reading "FT33′s Matt McCallister and Philip Speer, Pastry Chef at Uchi’s, Host Eight-Course Dinner"

22nd Annual Cotes Du Coeur Celebrated the Heart 1920′s Style

guests

Gershwin filled the air as Dallas wine lovers, dressed to the hilt in black tie and glitz, took a turn back to the 20′s to celebrate the 22nd annual Cotes du Coeur. The ballroom of the Hilton Anatole was transformed into a glamorous setting filled with lavish red roses in crystal vases sharing space with hundreds of bottles of stunning wine from around the world.  The tempting aromas wafted from the room, rising from the dozen chef stations situated throughout the ballroom, each paired with two award-winning wine selections.  I had a chance to attend as a guest of The American Heart Association Dallas Chapter. Continue reading "22nd Annual Cotes Du Coeur Celebrated the Heart 1920′s Style"

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On The Phone With: Curtis Stone, Host of Top Chef Masters and Author of What’s for Dinner?

 The following interview was conducted by D Magazine intern Sheila Dang.

WHATS FOR DINNER cover (1)If you’re not already familiar with Curtis Stone, then chances are you don’t know food. The Australian chef first appeared on the American television circuit in 2006 as host of Take Home Chef on TLC, and since then, has done everything from Celebrity Apprentice to guest appearances on The Today Show and Ellen.

Currently, Stone is on his fourth season as host of Top Chef Masters and will join the cast of Bravo’s culinary-adventure series Around the World in 80 Plates. To top it off, his new cookbook, What’s for Dinner? Has just gone on sale. The book features a ton of delicious recipes organized by a different theme for every day of the week. Stone will also be visiting Dallas on April 19 for a book-signing at Central Market (5750 E. Lovers Ln.) I was able to chat with him over the phone to hear more about his book (and listen to that great Aussie accent.)

Sheila Dang: So why did you decide to focus specifically on dinner in this cookbook?

Curtis Stone: I got to do a TV show when I first came to America, and I went around the country and spoke to hundreds of cooks in the kitchens and was able to really connect with people and their challenge with putting dinner on the table. Dinner is the main meal that we serve here in the states, and it’s the one we stress out most about.  I would love it if everyone was cooking for their families because I think there’s so much to be gained from it. You compare the two scenarios where somebody cooks, and then you walk in and you smell it, and you can appreciate what they’ve done for you. You communicate with each other, you cooperate. It’s such a difference experience as opposed to opening a box and scarfing down your food.

SD: I really like how you organized the book by days of the week. Is your busy life what inspired you to organize it that way?

CS: We are all busy and I thought the challenges that we face are the same depending on the day of the week. On Monday, you’re coming off of the weekend, and that’s why “Motivating Mondays” is a collection of healthy meals to start your week off on the right foot. Tuesday is a busy day in the office, so I have “Time-saving Tuesdays.” Wednesday is when I do all of my cleaning. My kitchen is spotless on Wednesday and the last thing I want to do is mess it up, so that was sort of the take-out day for a while. But what you really need is just one pot, so I have “One-pot Wednesdays” and there’s not much cleaning up to do. Thrifty Thursday is all about being budget conscious. Friday is about getting the weekend started, and Saturday and Sunday is when you entertain.

Jump for more… Continue reading "On The Phone With: Curtis Stone, Host of Top Chef Masters and Author of What’s for Dinner?"

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Fearing’s to Host Dinner With Guest Chef Jonathan Waxman

Jonathan Waxman, the chef/owner of Barbuto, the popular Italian-inspired bistro in Manhattan’s West Village, is coming to Dallas to cook at Fearing’s. Waxman, a pioneer in California cuisine, plans a meal that will focus on simple, fresh, and seasonal ingredients. Delicious idea! Los Angeles Times Restaurant critic Jonathon Gold refers to Waxman as “the Eric Clapton of chefs.” Whoa, Nellie! If he’s Eric Clapton, then that makes Dean Fearing the _________ of chefs. Fill in the blank. Details below…

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Kenny Bowers Cooks on D Living


Today, Chef Kenny Bowers appeared on DLiving. He shared his ideas for game day appetizers and how to make cheesesteak sliders. Recipes below. Continue reading "Kenny Bowers Cooks on D Living"

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Food & Wine Announces 2013 Best New Chefs

I’m only posting this news because I lost a bet. I put my money on Matt McCallister to be on this list and got smoked. This morning, Food & Wine editor, Dana Cowin, announced the winners of the magazine’s annual best new chefs issue. The following ten chefs, including Chris Shepherd of Underbelly in Houston, will be knighted at the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen in June where Bruno Davaillon (Mansion), Tim Love (Lonesome Dove, etc.), John Tesar (Spoon) are featured celebrity chefs. Oh, I buried the lede: Sissy Biggers is making a comeback. Remember Ready! Set! Cook! ?

Jump for them.

Continue reading "Food & Wine Announces 2013 Best New Chefs"

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