Awards Watch: Awards Theme and Hosts Announced

by jbfauthor on March 02, 2010

Italian maven Lidia Bastianich, fusion pioneer Wolfgang Puck, and kitchen science cognoscente Alton Brown will share the podium at this year's James Beard Foundation Awards, which will go down on Monday, May 3, at Lincoln Center. The theme of this year's ceremony is "The Legacy Continues," a nod to the lasting impact that James Beard and his successors have had on American cuisine. We're asking every chef who has won our Outstanding Chef award (Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz, and others) to shine a spotlight on chefs whom they believe are extraordinary examples of excellence in our culinary world. The 2010 Awards Gala Reception will feature dishes from these established and emerging talents from around the country. (Some of our Outstanding Chef winners will be handing out this year's medals, so expect to see some of the big names in the house, too). We've also tapped Kelly Choi, host of Eat Out NY and Top Chef

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Field Trip: Going for the Gold at Bocuse d'Or USA

by jbfauthor on February 09, 2010

Even with the Winter Olympics on the horizon, it’s hard to imagine a display of patriotic pride—or foodie frenzy—greater than what we saw in the Bocuse d’Or USA bleachers at the Culinary Institute of America this weekend. Scores of boisterous culinary students and gastro fans gathered to support the 12 chefs competing for the chance to represent America at the Bocuse d’Or in Lyon in January 2011. Each chef, assisted by a commis, faced the same challenge: prepare a salmon dish and a lamb dish for an intimidating all-star lineup of judges that included Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, and Grant Achatz. It made Iron Chef look like a school talent contest.

MacKenzie Arrington (CIA, Bachelor’s, 2009) and Vinny Dyevoich (CIA,... Read more >

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News Feed: November 13

by jbfauthor on November 13, 2009

Unlike other New World wine regions, South Africa has a predilection for blending grapes [Forbes] Thomas Keller's new cookbook is already on the New York Times bestseller list [Michael Ruhlman] Australian scientists have developed an apple that stays fresh for months [Slate] Eight videos of deep-fried turkey gone wrong [EMD]

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What's in a Name: Per Se

by jbfauthor on July 30, 2009

“Per Se, quite frankly, was named because we were looking at the ampersand symbol and found that in the word ‘ampersand’ is the word ‘per se.’ We researched the definition of “per se” and found it meant something unique—something ‘in and of itself.’ It really personified what the restaurant was going to be. Despite the fact that its philosophical and culinary roots are based on the French Laundry, Per Se has its own personality; it is its own restaurant.” –JBF Award Winner Thomas Keller

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