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Meet Bon Appétit's Chef of the Year: Michael Psilakis of Anthos

YumSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:13:06 -0700

The October issue of Bon Appétit unveils the winners of the 11th Annual Bon Appétit Awards. The honors are awarded to the "most inspirational, influential, and innovative" tastemakers in the world of food. The headline honor, Chef of the Year, went to Michael Psilakis, head chef at Manhattan's Anthos, for being the person who "totally reinvented" Greek cuisine. I'm not too surprised by the unveiling, as I met Psilakis at the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen. The chef, here with Anthos business partner Donatella Arpaia, has been one of the most talked-about chefs this year.

Psilakis follows in the footsteps of last year's winner, Momofuku chef David Chang. For a full list of all this year's Bon Appetit Award winners,

Bocuse d'Or Announces Superstar Judge Lineup

YumSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:00:59 -0700

The panel of judges for next month's Bocuse d'Or — the Olympics of the culinary world — were announced last Friday. Many of the judges, such as Laurent Tourondel and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, hail from New York, which makes me wonder if the giants of the gastronomic world really do believe that New York is the center of the culinary universe.

As if the list of uber-chef judges isn't intimidating enough, Paul Bocuse, the French founder of the competition will be on hand to observe and officiate.

The semifinals, which take place on September 26 and 27 in Orlando, determine which two of the contenders will represent the US in the Bocuse d'Or finals. To see the complete list of judges,

Rachael Ray Is the World's Richest Chef

partysugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:15:38 -0700

Last week Forbes released a list of the 10 top-earning celebrity chefs. The richest celebrity "chef" is Rachael Ray who, thanks to her four Food Network shows, daytime television show, magazine, and Dunkin' Donuts deal, makes $18 million a year. She's followed by Oscar caterer Wolfgang Puck ($16 million) and Gordon Ramsay ($7.5 million).

While owning a restaurant doesn't necessarily factor into a chef's riches (Ray owns no restaurants), it's clear that more exposure and countless endeavors amount to more money.

Puck owns 15 restaurants and has a soup line in grocery stores and a collection of knives sold on the Home Shopping Network. Ramsay has numerous restaurants and hit television shows in both the US and UK.

Although television played a huge role in the success of Ray, Puck, and Ramsay, it's interesting to note that the fourth and fifth richest chefs, Nobuyuki Matsuhisa and Alain Ducasse, have little to no television presence, but each own more than 15 restaurants worldwide. To check out the complete list of the world's richest chefs,

Can You Match the Dish to the Chef?

partysugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:00:03 -0700

Think you know a lot about your favorite celebrity chefs? Can you identify which dishes are their creations? I've put together a fun quiz that tests your knowledge on several big name chefs' cooking styles. Can you distinguish Giada's dishes from Mario's? Test yourself! Source and Source

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Which celebrity chef created this juicy burger recipe for his wife?

Bravo Announces Top Chef: Masters Series

partysugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:00:48 -0700

From teens to tours, Bravo's been busy announcing Top Chef spin offs. Yesterday at the TCA press tour in Los Angeles, they publicized another: Top Chef: Masters. 2009 will bring us a culinary competition that unites some of the brightest stars of the food world. Award winning, widely known chefs, some who have been guest judges on TC, will compete against each other in weekly challenges.

Although it sounds a bit like Food Network's Next Iron Chef, I'm excited to find out which chefs will be involved. How about you? Will you watch Top Chef: Masters?

Meeting Marcus Samuelsson

partysugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:20:16 -0700

Last week I was invited to a demonstration hosted by Chef Marcus Samuelsson. An awarding-winning chef and cookbook author, Samuelsson is known for his role as chef and owner of Aquavit, New York City's innovative restaurant devoted to Scandinavian cuisine. Taking inspiration from his Ethiopian roots, the chef recently opened his first African restaurant, Merkato 55. His love for African cuisine was illustrated at the demo where he cooked shrimp piri piri in lettuce wraps and rack of lamb with couscous. In San Francisco to promote BlueStar cooking ranges, Samuelsson took some time out of his hectic schedule to speak with me. To see where he likes to eat in San Francisco and hear what he has to say about his buddy Rocco DiSpirito,

Celebrity Chefs: They're Just Like Us!

partysugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:30:57 -0700

If there's one thing I learned at the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, it's that celebrity chefs are really just ordinary people! Over the course of the long weekend, Yum and I had our fair share of celebrity chef sightings. Although we saw them during the seminars and book signings, it was fun to see the chefs hanging out in regular clothes, acting like regular people. To check out the chefs we saw at the Classic, click through the slideshow.

Hey Good Looking, What's Cooking? Chatting With Rocco

partysugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:15:36 -0700

After serving the crowd his gloriously spicy lamb chop at the Bertolli booth at the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, celebrity chef Rocco Dispirito took some time to speak with me. The chef — whose even more insanely handsome in person! — was charismatic, friendly, and funny. He talked about his upcoming show, Rocco to the Rescue, explained what it's like to be a Top Chef judge, and revealed his guilty pleasure foods. To see what he had to say, watch the video below!

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What Do You Know About James Beard?

partysugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:00:34 -0700

Yesterday the James Beard Awards — check back later for more on the winners! — took place in New York City. You may know that the awards are the food industry's equivalent to the Oscars, but do you know anything about the legend behind them? To learn more about James Beard, take my quiz now!

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What Would You Do?

partysugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:00:08 -0700

We've all been in crazy situations, and I want to know how you handle entertaining fiascoes and bad restaurant behavior. I'll present a situation and you tell me what you would do. Here's this week's scenario:

You're the renowned chef and owner of a super popular restaurant in a big city. An important food critic is sitting at a table tonight with his friends. When his order is about to be sent out you realize one of the dishes is completely wrong. What would you do?

To see what I would do in this situation — true story, it happens to Gordon Ramsay all the time! —

Chef Roy Yamaguchi Talks About Life, TV, and Celebrating 20 Years of Roy's

YumSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:28:31 -0700

This year, award-winning Chef Roy Yamaguchi is celebrating 20 years of Roy's, his eponymous high-end restaurant chain. He's throwing himself a big party and is celebrating at his restaurants around the globe. I recently had a chance to talk with him, and he was such a delight! He has morning breakfast rituals with his son, and got into cooking to meet ladies! To find out more about Chef Roy, including what he thinks of the current celebrity-chef trends,

Food & Wine's Best New Chefs of 2008

YumSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:48:11 -0700

Yesterday we mentioned Forbes' Top 10 Up-and-Coming Celebrity Chefs, and today I'm ready to tell you about Food & Wine's Best New Chefs. The annual award was handed out to 10 of the nation's most creative new chefs, and this year's list features chefs who specialize in everything from modern Italian to completely vegetarian meals. Dana Cowin, F&W's editor in chief, said:

Food & Wine has been scouting extraordinary chefs for the past two decades, and I expect this year’s winners to make us as proud as any of the chefs who have preceded them. These great cooks come from all around America, from California to Missouri to Vermont, and I’m excited to introduce them to a national audience. They are incredible talents.

Previous winners — this is the 20th anniversary for the award — have included Thomas Keller, Rick Bayless, Daniel Boulud, and Tom Colicchio. To see who's joining them in the Best New Chef fame,

Forbes Names Top 10 Up-and-Coming Celebrity Chefs

YumSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:28:31 -0700

We all know Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller, and loads of other celebrity chefs, but have you heard of Zakary Pelaccio, Nate Appleman, or April Bloomfield? The folks at Forbes magazine think you should be paying attention because you soon will. In recent article, Forbes has named their top 10 up-and-coming celebrity chefs. These are the folks who are part of the next generation to step into the spotlight.

Many of their picks have seasoned careers — despite being young — and have been pegged as James Beard nominees and have previously graced the cover of Food & Wine magazine's Best New Chefs issue. Forbes chose to highlight them due to the fact that many are making waves with their back-to-basics techniques. Susan Ungaro, the president of the James Beard Foundation, agrees with them and says:

Today's rising stars are taking food in an artisanal direction. When they talk about the menu, they can tell you not only where the lamb was raised, but where the butter came from.

To find out who made their list — and if one of these chefs is in your neighborhood, go eat at their restaurant before it takes months to get a reservation! — just

Eating My Way Through the Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival

YumSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:18:11 -0700

This weekend marked the First Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine event, and let me tell you, it was definitely a lavish affair. While the full shebang would have cost you $4,750 — including lodging for the four-day affair, as well as admission to all the events, including classes, seminars, parties and tastings — a single-day Grand Tasting Pass cost only $165. Pennies in comparison.

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So what exactly did $165 buy you? Try access to over 200 wineries — one of my faves was Revana, whose wines are normally only available at restaurants and cost more than I normally spend on a bottle — nibbles by some of the most famous chefs in the world, and a wildly surreal surrounding — think models doing slow motion dancing in head-to-toe stretch material and a beautiful ocean nearby. Sure it's pricey, but it was definitely a fun event for a food lover. Oh and if you plan it correctly, you may even get to hob knob with celebrities. Rumor has it that several Top Chef faves were on hand, as was Thomas Keller, Todd English, and Ted Allen.

But enough talking, what you really should do is check out the full gallery. But before you do, grab a napkin, you're gonna need it! To see all the pictures,

What's the Deal With Chef's Hats?

YumSugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:18:33 -0800

Today is National Hat Day, and the thought of hats and food led me to the most logical place: the chef's hat. I started wondering more about it, and wanted to know how much you know about it. Do you know what it's called, or why it's shaped the way it is? If you think you do, test your knowledge by taking our quiz!
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2007's Favorite Restaurant Chef Is . . .

YumSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:28:31 -0800

We recently asked you to choose your favorite restaurant chef of 2007. The response was surprising and 28 percent of you said that Grant Achatz of Chicago's Alinea was your fave in 2007. Unfortunately, I've never made it to Alinea and am actually not that familiar with Achatz's work — which seems like a crime as his reputation is fantastic — so I'm going to have to go with my personal fave. Here at San Francisco-based Sugar HQ, we are gaga for Elizabeth Falkner. If you're not familiar with her, I think you soon will be. Her star is on the rise; she's been a guest judge on Top Chef and has just released Demolition Desserts, a book of recipes from her restaurant Citizen Cake. She's also set to open a new restaurant, Orson, where eaters can find "edgy California cuisine." I know I'll be making a reservation!

Who Is Your Favorite Restaurant Chef of 2007?

YumSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:29:30 -0800

We've asked you what you've thought of male and female celebrity chefs, but now we want to know what you think of famous restaurant chefs. We selected a few of our faves from across the globe, but now we want to know which one you think is the Best of 2007?Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, and Source

Where Are the Women Chefs?

partysugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 01:18:33 -0800

For most of history, women played a large role in the kitchen, and now in 2007, the majority of chefs that dominate restaurant kitchens are male. All three winners of Bravo's Top Chef were males. The final contestants on the Next Iron Chef are male. So where are the female chefs?

Star Chefs recently sought to answer this question by speaking with nine of the nation's top female chefs. They asked the chefs about having a family, prioritizing, the strength it takes to last in the kitchen, cooking with soul, and experimental techniques. Here's a snippet from their interview with San Francisco's Traci DesJardins:

"You never hear men talk or get asked about their kids as an issue — it’s because they probably have a wife who takes care of the kids. I have my son only two days a week and I’m not available to the restaurant on the days that I take care of my son. So if a critic walks in that day, I’m not going to be there, I’m going to be with my son. Period.

It's a sad truth that having children doesn't affect male chefs as much as it will female chefs, but this is something all female professionals have to deal with, not just chefs. What do you think? Will the role of females in the culinary work force change or will men continue to be in control?

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Would You Hire a Personal Chef?

YumSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:50:27 -0700

Would You Hire a Personal Chef? We all know that celebrities (and folks with a little extra dough) have personal chefs, and while it seems like a luxury, it turns out that more and more folks are ditching their house-cleaning services for private chefs. At $15 to $25 a head, it's really no more than going out to eat, and most personal chefs will tailor to your own food and diet preferences.

Do You Make Dishes Celebrity Chefs Make On TV?

partysugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 08:57:12 -0700

Image Source

Do You Make Dishes Celebrity Chefs Make On TV?

Yes! All the time.

Sometimes when I really like the way it looks.

Never.

I don't watch cooking shows on television.

Please see my comment below.

It's No Myth - Food & Wine's Best New Chefs of 2007

YumSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 11:33:44 -0700

In today's paper, I read that one of San Franciso's chefs was named one of Food & Wine Magazine's Best New Chefs. Sean O'Brien, of Myth, joined nine other chefs in the 2007 honor. After working many years at Gary Danko, O'Brien launched Myth in 2004. Known for its stylish entrees (like rigatoni with foie gras cream), one could say that Myth is known for its romantic and dramatic atmosphere.

I personally have never eaten at Myth (although I love the mac n' cheese, homemade oreos and bag lunches at Cafe Myth - the cheaper lunchtime option), but considering this news, and the fact that Myth also made the Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants list, I have a feeling it's going to take a while to get a reservation.

Here are the rest of the 2007's Food & Wine Magazine's Best New Chefs:

April Bloomfield - The Spotted Pig, New York, NY
Gabriel Bremer - Salts, Cambridge, MA
Steve Corry - Five Fifty-Five, Portland, ME
Matthew Dillon - Sitka & Spruce, Seattle, WA
Gavin Kaysen - El Bizcocho, San Diego, CA
Johnny Monis - Komi, Washington, DC
Gabriel Rucker - Le Pigeon, Portland, OR
Ian Schnoebelen - Iris, New Orleans, LA
Paul Virant - Vie, Western Springs, IL
Sean O'Brien - Myth, San Francisco, CA

I think I just added 10 new places to eat on to my list...

If you're interested, Food & Wine magazine has full bios and restaurant info for all of those on the list.

Which of These Celebrity Chefs Would You Want to Have Dinner With?

YumSugar — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:08:01 -0800

Everyone's got a favorite celebrity chef, and there were too many to list, so sorry if your favorite isn't here. However, out of these celebrity chefs, which one would you want to have dinner with?