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11
Mar
Judges Gail Simmons from Bravo's Top Chef and chef Michel Richard with Sophie Gayot
by Sophie Gayot
Well I told you I would keep you posted of what happened during the 7th “Almost Famous Chef” competition by Nestlé Waters North America under the Acqua Panna that took place in St. Helena, California on March 7th and 8th 2009.
Below are pictures of the “Signature Dish” competition, held on the second day, with the ten contestants prepping in the kitchen and showing us their creations before we judged them. With just a sous chef from The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, they had just four hours to cook two hundred plated tasting portions. to help
Continue reading “2009 Almost Famous Chef Competition” »
10
Mar
- Sophie Gayot judging along with Michel Richard, Gail Simmons, Michael White, Nick Stellino (visible on the picture)
by Sophie Gayot
If you have been following the
2009 Almost Famous Chef competition
by San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. Nestlé Waters North America
I am happy to present you the dishes that the ten contestants made from the Mystery Basket, which took place on March 8th as the first part of the contest. I was a judge along with eighteen others.
See the winners of the competition on the awards page. Continue reading “The Competitors with their Mystery Basket” »
08
Mar
The winners of the Almost Famous Chef 2009 competition
by Sophie Gayot
The winners of the seventh edition of Nestlé Waters North America “Almost Famous Chef” competition under the S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna brands have just been announced. After preparing their signature dish, the ten contestants served it to the nineteen judges, including me. Two hours later, the results were in, and were combined with yesterday’s “Mystery Basket” results to produce an overall winner.
They are:
- “Overall Winner”: David Awad, from Connecticut Culinary Institute
- “Mystery Basket”; David Awad, from Connecticut Culinary Institute
- “Signature Dish”: Kendra Orng, from International Culinary School at The Art Institute California, Los Angeles
- “People’s Choice”: Joe Branton, Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College.
Congratulations to the three winners!
Continue reading “And The Winners Are…” »
07
Mar
Chef Michel Richard, contestant Daniel Agregard & Sophie Gayot
by Sophie Gayot
See the opening party of Friday March 7th.
You can see the dishes all the competitors on a dedicated page.
Continue reading “The Mystery Basket” »
06
Mar
Harold Dieterle & Sophie Gayot at the opening ceremony of the Almost Famous Chef competition
by Sophie Gayot
Seven years ago to celebrate food, Nestlé Waters North America, under its brands S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, created a culinary competition in order find the best new young chef. The “Almost Famous Chef” competition was immediate a success. The seventh edition has just begun tonight in Yountville, California, and I am on the judging panel.
JUST IN! Sunday, March 8th: Find out who are the winners.
Read all about part 1 of the competition, The Mystery Basket, that took place Saturday March 7th.
Continue reading “New Talent Soon in the Kitchen” »
05
Mar
Tom Colicchio, Sophie Gayot, Matt Accarrino & André Gayot
by Sophie Gayot
To keep people enjoying their cuisine, chef Tom Colicchio and chef de cuisine Matt Accarrino have opened Craftbar within Craft restaurant in Los Angeles. We sat in the front lounge last night to sample some of the “small plates,” priced at $9 and under (after all, we are all at the same table with the current economic situation).
There are so many on the menu we couldn’t try all of them. But rest assured that they are all good and fun. We invented “Nouvelle Cuisine” in the ’70s; it looks like we now need to introduce “Fun Cuisine.”
04
Mar
Ferran Adrià of elBulli
A recent health scare at the world-renowned Fat Duck in England has forced the prestigious restaurant to shut its doors. Owner Heston Blumenthal, referred to as a “culinary alchemist” issued the closure when over 40 customers reported cases of illness after having dined at his establishment. These events have caused quite a stir in the culinary world, as many are now questioning the safety of molecular gastronomy – a cooking technique that relies heavily on chemicals that are intended to “deconstruct” the ingredients and transform the flavor and presentation of dishes. One of the most famous molecular gastronomists, Spanish-born Ferran Adrià (named best chef in the world by British publication Restaurant Magazine), implements similar techniques at his restaurant elBulli and has stood firm ground in support of cooking with chemicals.
03
Mar
Eric Frechon & Sophie Gayot already celebrating his high GAYOT rating
by Sophie Gayot
We were happy but not surprised to see executive chef Eric Frechon has finally earned his third Michelin star at his Paris restaurant Le Bristol, as we have raved about his culinary skills for years. Le Bristol, located in Hôtel Le Bristol, is one of just three dozen top restaurants in the world that we have rated as an 18/20.
While Michelin announced their honor in the 2009 edition of the famous red book that was published yesterday, we first gave our high mark way back in 2005.
Eric also has cooked a special dinner for us at Sylvain Rivet’s Amuse Bouche Fine Dining in Simi Valley (along with Josiah Citrin of Santa Monica’s Mélisse), and his talents are evident on both sides of the Atlantic. Take a bow, Chef!
03
Mar
Sophie Gayot in the kitchen with Mark Evensvold
by Sophie Gayot
Last night, Mark Evensvold was proud to show me his brand new kitchen. Mark is the operating partner at Paul Martin’s American Bistro in El Segundo.
Who is Paul Martin? He is Paul Martin Fleming, the founder of the Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar restaurants and the P.F. Chang’s China Bistros.
Easy to find on Rosecrans Boulevard, this location, which opened last week on Tuesday, is their second one, the first one being on Roseville, near Sacramento.
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