Carol Blymire: Colicchio vs. Eater

by jbfauthor on May 03, 2010

There are a lot of old-school food media here—mixed in with bloggers and websites—so I asked tonight's Outstanding Chef Award winner Tom Colicchio about what new media can learn from the legacy of professional journalists. "It's all about responsibility. There are some websites out there that write and post the most horrible untruths about chefs and restaurateurs. I mean, they do a Deathwatch column. That's so irresponsible and wrong. These chefs employ hardworking people who depend on an income...I guess some bloggers and websites just think they can do whatever they want with no regard for the truth." Colicchio did say there are some websites and bloggers out there doing good work (and I appreciated—and nearly swooned over—the nod and finger-pointing he directed my way when he said it). But when it comes to a media legacy, whether it's in the food world, business, entertainment, politics, or finance, Colicchio says we need to be respectful of the facts. It's no secret Colicchio has a long-standing disdain for Eater.com, so when we asked if he'd grant Eater an interview tonight, he said he wouldn't...that he'd rather just walk away. Ouch.

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Carol Blymire: Backstage with David Kinch

by jbfauthor on May 03, 2010

David Kinch, Manresa, is backstage with his girlfriend, the lovely Pim. Kinch, who won Best Chef: Pacific, loves the weight of his medal. He keeps holding it up against his knuckles, saying it is heavy enough to be a lethal weapon. He might need a weapon to fend off fans if he went on a cross-country road trip with his friend, Eric Ripert. Kinch says traveling wih Ripert would be awesome because "that charming accent and his good looks will open all kinds of doors. And, he's the only Frenchman who will eat barbecue."

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Carol Blymire: Grant Achatz? Also My Homeboy

by jbfauthor on May 03, 2010

Sporting some hot Ermenegildo Zegna shoes, chef Grant Achatz (with his lovely girlfriend, Heather) heckled me as I tried to ask him some very serious questions: Q: What if I told you part of your presentation was that you had to dance across the stage with Kate Gosselin? A: :::::crickets::::: (eyes rolling) Q: What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to food? A: Ice cream. Any flavor. Q: What superhero power do you want most? A: (answered by his girlfriend) X-Ray vision!!!!!! Q: What did you have for breakfast? A: Juice and pizza from room service. Q: What's your favorite swear word? A: Carol, I don't swear. (At this his colleague, friend, and business partner Nick Kokonas busted out laughing. For a good five minutes.) Q: When can I come have drinks at Aviary? A: Soon...very soon.

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Carol Blymire: Thomas Keller is My Homeboy

by jbfauthor on May 03, 2010

I had a chance to stroll with the one, the only, Thomas Keller. My Internet godfather. I asked him who would win an arm wrestling contest between Mario Batali and Eric Ripert, and he said it depended on a ton of variables: the time of night, how much gin had been consumed, and a host of other things he wouldn't divulge. Then we got serious for a minute (no, we didn't) and I asked him if he could have one superhero power, what would it be? His answer? The ability to fly, of course. The last book he read was The Shack and the last movie he saw was Avatar.

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