TX

Posts regarding food, wine, restaurants, chefs, technology, or travel in the state of Texas.

2011 Wine Ride – Somm Spotlight – Dallas’ Jason Huerta

December 20, 2010 in Austin, Events, TX, Wine | 7 comments

With the 2011 Wine Ride™ 1 month away, it’s about time you get to know that 5 Top Texas Sommeliers who will be competing on January 16, 2011 in The Race for the Perfect Pairing. We are fortunate to have some of the “industry’s best” along for the ride and now is their chance to prove it.

Jason Huerta, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse – Dallas

Jason Huerta, Pappas Bros. SteakhouseJason Huerta has been an integral part of the Pappas Bros Steakhouse team since 1997.  Although an asset to the Texas wine scene, from 2002 – 2005, Jason also was the Bar Manager at The Shack Restaurant in Kapaa, Hawaii.  As a Certified Sommelier, he also performs as a Wine Writer for EscapeHatchDallas.com. Most recently, Jason has been celebrated for being awarded the title of 2010 Texas’ Best Sommelier, winner of the annual TEXSOM Sommelier Competition.

For more information about the Wine Ride, please visit our Wine Ride Information Page and follow Keeper Collection on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates and announcements. Tickets for the 2011 Wine Ride Finish Line Wine Tasting may be reserved and purchased by phone only. Please contact Keeper Collection at (512) 970-3456 for more information.

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2011 Wine Ride – Somm Spotlight – Houston’s Eric Hastings

December 17, 2010 in Austin, Events, TX, Wine | No comments

With the 2011 Wine Ride™ 1 month away, it’s about time you get to know that 5 Top Texas Sommeliers who will be competing on January 16, 2011 in The Race for the Perfect Pairing. We are fortunate to have some of the “industry’s best” along for the ride and now is their chance to prove it.

Eric Hastings, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood – Houston

Eric Hastings, Eddie V's Prime SeafoodA hospitality veteran of nearly 14 years, Eric Hastings began his career as a line cook before moving to the bar.  While not very wine-focused, the first restaurant of his employ had a significant impact on his passion for beverage, as they offered over 130 different labels of beer ranging from macro-brews to uniquely hand-crafted ales.

His first Sommelier position, in 1999, was at an immensely popular Italian restaurant in downtown Denver, Santino’s.  Here he learned about the culture of Italian food and wine.  From there he managed other bar/wine programs in restaurants and retail outlets before returning to the dining room as the Sommelier for the Denver Country Club.

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2011 Wine Ride – Somm Spotlight – Dallas’ Scott Barber

December 16, 2010 in Austin, Events, TX, Wine | No comments

With the 2011 Wine Ride™ 1 month away, it’s about time you get to know that 5 Top Texas Sommeliers who will be competing on January 16, 2011 in The Race for the Perfect Pairing.   We are fortunate to have some of the “industry’s best” along for the ride and now is their chance to prove it.

Scott Barber, Centennial Fine Wine & Spirits – Dallas

Scott Barber, Centennial Fine Wine & SpiritsScott Barber, like many wine professionals, came to wine indirectly after a career in fine art. After graduating from Middlebury College with a major in Art History and Italian he spent 10 years working out of New York selling 19th Century American Paintings with Sotheby’s, Christie’s and various galleries in Manhattan. He developed an interest in wine after moving to San Francisco to work for Butterfield’s auction house. This interest ran parallel to his art business as he worked in retail part-time, both with large chains and boutique shops, until he made the jump full-time into the wine business taking a position as wine director with Stephan Pyles restaurant in Dallas. Scott also spent 3 months as an extern at Read the rest of this entry »

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Dai Due Chorizo Makes for a Memorable Eat Local Week Finale

December 14, 2010 in Austin, Cooking, Recipes, TX | No comments

Inspired by hearing Michael Pollan live as part of Edible Austin’s Eat Local Week, the Keeper Team got more excited than usual about the Saturday Farmer’s Market.  An issue that Pollan clearly discussed was the valid concern that people have about the cost of locally grown food versus that from large agribusiness.  At first glance, one may be shocked at paying $10 for one pound of freshly made Chorizo Sausage by one of our local artisans, Dai Due.


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Great Wine Brings Good Luck – Words of Wisdom

November 29, 2010 in Austin, Chefs Under Fire 2010, Events, TX, Wine | No comments

After much-needed rest from the excitement of the 2010 Chefs Under Fire Culinary Competition, the Keeper team is excited to get back to the fun of blogging on “Where in the World is Keeper?”.  And, speaking of world travels, we hope 2010 Chefs Under Fire Champion Chef Christina Lee of Central Market Cooking School is looking forward to enjoying her grand prize trip to Cabo San Lucas. We can’t wait to find out what delicacies she created in her private kitchen in Cabo. Read the rest of this entry »

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Uchiko – What would it feel like to win the US Open, the College World Series, or the World Cup?

June 19, 2010 in Austin, Chefs, Chefs Under Fire 2010, Restaurants, Reviews, TX | No comments

If there was a tournament for new restaurants today, UCHIKO would know how winning would feel, as this restaurant deserves a trophy.   Chef Tyson Cole unleashed his creative Executive Chef, Paul Qui, to create the menu for their “Japanese farmhouse”.  The food spoke of the huge talent Chef Qui possesses.  Just like Uchi, Uchiko is aiming for perfection.  As we sat down and were greeted by Chef Cole, he told us that we were in for a night to remember. And WOW, we are still remembering!
Uchiko was designed by Michael Hsu, aiming to provide an interior that is said to be of “aesthetic, crafted materials and warm finishes to round out the dining experience”.  We really like the feel of the restaurant, starting with the backdrop at the entry, to the openness of the kitchen at the sushi bar, and continuing to the glass-front private dining room.
Uchiko

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Creative, Clever, Crafty Creations at Foreign & Domestic

May 22, 2010 in Chefs, Restaurants, Reviews, TX | No comments

It’s time to take a short break from our New York blogging and return to our beloved Austin food scene.  Thanks to Chef Paul Qui of Uchi, we were directed to the newly born, Foreign and Domestic, led by a husband and wife duo with dynamic, culinary experiences.  From the moment we drove up and eyed the quaint joint, we were enamored to see what Chefs Ned and Jodie had in store for us.

Foreign & Domestic

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Flames of Success!

December 2, 2009 in Austin, Chef David Bull, Chefs, Events, TX | 4 comments

Chefs Under Fire™ came and went and left us smiling from its success! From the fervent competition in the kitchen to Jim White’s flavorful commentary to the judge’s insightful remarks, Chefs Under Fire was chock-full of excitement, laughs, and entertainment. At the end of the night, our adept celebrity judges, Chef David Bull, Chef Tyson Cole, and Chef Kent Rathbun, were proud to finally announce the three outstanding winners. After quiet deliberation, Chef Bull selected Keith A. Hildebrandt II (of Texas Culinary Academy) for his exquisite (and inverted!) chicken and pancetta cacciatore, Chef Cole chose Loren Root for his unique, refined version of Cole’s Uchiviche dish, and Chef Rathbun picked Martin Weaver (also a graduate of Texas Culinary Academy) for his original, pumpkin-infused barbecue sauce and pork tenderloin.  And as an additional surprise from the judges, they even awarded Keith Hildebrandt the Best in Presentation award for his beautiful Deconstructed Chicken Cacciatore!
Keith Hildebrandt's Deconstructed Chicken Cacciatore

Keith Hildebrandt's Deconstructed Chicken Cacciatore

 

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Great meeting with Chef Josh Watkins about His Chefs Under Fire Food Creations!

November 21, 2009 in Austin, Chefs, Events, TX, Wine | 1 comment

The Keeper Team had a great meeting to plan the food and festivities for Chefs Under Fire with Executive Chef Josh Watkins of the A T & T Executive Education & Conference Center.  No doubt the lucky people who purchase a ticket to this event will enjoy some tasty treats!  Josh also told us that he saw several of the Chefs Under Fire contestants at Big Reds and Bubbles last night, the Wine and Food Foundation‘s premier event of the year.  The contestants were quick to admit that they hope to be one of the Finalists, which will be announced on this Keeper Blog on Monday, November 23rd.  Come see the heat turned up in the Tejas Dining Room kitchen for this competition on November 30th.  Thanks again, Josh for all of your hard work on this event – can’t wait to see you there!

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Exceeding Expectations: A Food & Wine Pairing Extraordinaire – Thanks to an Extraordinarily Talented Master Sommelier

November 10, 2009 in Restaurants, Travel, TX, Wine | 2 comments

Not too long ago, the Keeper Team had the opportunity to support TEXSOM, during a dinner at Mirabelle Restaurant in Austin, TX.   Combining our resources with some close friends, we decided to advance the TexSom cause by experiencing how a “full-blown” Master Sommelier (or “MS” as they call it in the biz), James Tidwell – and Founder of TexSom-  would pair wines from the Four Seasons, Las Colinas Wine List with the menu of Executive Chef Katie Natale.   Wow, what a smart move we made – James exemplified the Four Seasons mark of exceptional product and service, resulting in a dining extravaganza that exceeded our expectations.   It was a unique experience to have two wines paired side by side with each course, both from a wine perspective and a wine/food pairing.  To heighten the experience, each course included two different food preparations to share among each couple.  The combined thought and effort by Chef Natale and MS James resulted in each couple sharing 12 food presentations, matched with 2 wines each!!  Next is a brief highlight on the food and wine- we invite James to add his comments about the unique wines as he so aptly and interestingly shared with our group.

Let the pairing begin!

Amuse Bouche:

Four Seasons Las Colinas

Crispy Calamari, with Basil Pesto Aioli & Orange-Sweet Chili Vinaigrette

• Txomin Etxaniz, Getariako Txakolina Spain 2006
• Jim Clendenen Skin & Bones Reisling, Santa Barbara California 2006

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