Gold Medal Cooking with American Culinary Federation

Food is sport, especially at the IKA/Culinary Olympics.   Chef Stafford DeCambra, President of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) has brought home 11 gold medals.  Recently, Chef Jaime Laurita and I had a pop-up Kitchen Chat with Chef DeCambra at Middleby’s booth at the National Restaurant Show.   ACF is celebrating its 90th birthday this…

Read More

Bolay and Chris Gannon: Creating “Comeback Flavor”

“We want to inspire Americans to be the best version of themselves.   That’s our goal.”  Chris Gannon, Founder of Bolay     You never know where my Kitchen Chat journey will bring me.  Recently, I attended an incredible Mastermind Group in the South Florida TikiHut of Fred Fishback.  What was extra special about this…

Read More

Middleby Corporation: Authenticity and Innovation

“The fun thing about innovation is that it’s exciting.”   David Brewer, COO of Middleby Corporation Today’s foodies appreciate the full experience of what it takes to create and curate a meal, whether it’s in their own kitchens or in restaurants.  We like to understand the chefs’ inspirations and techniques.  We also like to know…

Read More

Drew Nieporent: Master of Hospitality

“Our job is anticipating the guests’ needs.” Drew Nieporent, Founder of Myriad Restaurant Group Drew Nieporent, founder of Myriad Restaurant Group including Nobu and Tribeca Grill, is the perfect matchmaker for the pairing of food and film.  Just hours before joining Chef Jaime Laurita and me for a Kitchen Chat in the Middleby Residential Showroom,…

Read More

Danny Meyer: A Heart for Hospitality

“Quality almost always finds its audience.”  Danny Meyer, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group   Danny Meyer is a Renaissance Restaurateur who leads and lives by the tenets of Enlightened Hospitality.  The salient core is that each business has the same stakeholders and “choosing how the stakeholders are prioritized will often create a virtuous cycle…

Read More

Four Roses Bourbon Legend: Al Young

“For a long time, the American public was kind of fickle. They fell in love with gin, vodka and wine.  Those are all good beverages, but they kind of kicked bourbon to the bottom shelf … Now drinkers are taking another look at it. There’s more interest in the category and people are becoming more…

Read More

No Crumbs Left with Teri Turner

Teri Turner aka No Crumbs Left is a modern day Julia Child.  She is passionate and articulate about sharing her recipes and cooking tips all while making us feel like we are in her kitchen.  Recently, Teri joined Chef Jaime Laurita and me for a Kitchen Chat in the Middleby Residential showroom in Chicago to…

Read More

International Association of Culinary Professionals CEO Tanya Steel

International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) is “taking it to the next level” under the leadership of its new CEO, Tanya Steel.  Some of the founding members of IACP include Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, Nathalie Dupree and Anne Willan.  Steel’s impressive resume includes being Editor in Chief of both Epicurious and Gourmet, a best selling cookbook…

Read More

The Iconoclast Dinner Experience: All Star Culinary Bash

“Our Chicago event is our way of kicking off the James Beard Foundation Awards weekend.  And this particular event celebrates JBF recognized chefs of color.”  Lezli Levene Harvell, Founder and Curator of Iconoclast Dinner Experience Make late night plans for May 4th and join the delicious celebration of Iconoclast Dinner Experience (IDE) with Lezli Levene Harvell, founder and…

Read More