Chefs Under Fire

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Basking in Beaune – The Beaune Farmers Market

July 28, 2010 in Chefs Under Fire 2010, Cooking, Travel | 1 comment

**CHEFS UNDER FIRE CHALLENGE: Until Friday July 30, name an older Farmers Market than this one or give us details about the oldest Farmers Market you have visited in the comments section of this post and we will email you a code for a FREE ENTRY to Chefs Under Fire 2010!  You may not repeat a Farmers Market that has already been said.

Don’t know much about CUF? Learn more at www.ChefsUnderFire2010.com.

In honor of our French intern, Eleonore, Keeper is dedicating this blog to her – a quick look at a weekly staple of her life and a must-do when we visit Burgundy, the Beaune Farmers Market.  In general, one of the first things that we do before we take a trip is do some research on the local farmers’ markets.  If you find yourself in Burgundy, a Saturday visit to the Beaune Farmers Market is a no-brainer.  We thought that we are loyal patrons to this market as we have visited it for the last 6 years on our annual Burgundy trips, but it turns out that we are only blip on their radar screen as research says that this market has been around for 864 years!  Now that’s a tradition – can you tell us about any Farmers Markets that are older than this?

The Beaune Farmers Market is supported by locals and visitors alike. The locals have their favorite purveyors that they support every week, whether they are buying meats, cheeses, fruits, pates, breads, desserts, pastas, or just fresh flowers.  If you’re not in the mood to cook, want to have a picnic, or don’t have a kitchen to use while in the area, the Beaune Market offers many options.

Beaune, France La Boucherie; Butcher Shop

La Boucherie; Butcher Shop

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Cirque du Soleil de Dîner – Pierre Gagnaire, Paris

July 21, 2010 in Chefs, Chefs Under Fire 2010, Restaurants, Reviews, Travel | 9 comments

By Eléonore, Keeper’s French Intern

**CHEFS UNDER FIRE CHALLENGE: Until Friday July 23, correctly translate one sentence of this post from French to English in the comments section and we will email you a code for a FREE ENTRY to Chefs Under Fire 2010!  Each comment must translate a different sentence.  Give it a shot!  (Here’s a tip – Google Translate is pretty helpful!)

Don’t know what CUF is? Learn more at www.ChefsUnderFire2010.com.

Les créations extremes avec gout et texture, les combinaisons de nourriture avec des présentations étonnantes, planning incroyable et execution du service de nourriture-Quel spectacle nous attend? Un spectacle de nourriture par le chef Pierre Gagnaire a son premier restaurant a Paris. Le chef Pierre possède neuf restaurants dans les villes les plus célèbres du monde:

1. Paris, Pierre Gagnaire 1996
2. Paris, Gaya rive gauche 2005
3. London, Sketch 2002
4. Tokyo, Pierre Gagnaire a Tokyo 2005
5. Hong Kong, Pierre a Hong Kong 2006
6. Dubai, Reflets by Pierre Gagnaire 2008
7. Seoul, Pierre Gagnaire a Seoul 2008
8. Las Vegas, Twist by Pierre Gagnaire 2009
9. Moscow, Les Menus par Pierre Gagnaire 2010

Il a été un pionner de la cuisine moléculaire et au premier rang du mouvement de fusion.  S. Pellegrino a évalué son vaisseau comme numéro 13 des 50 meilleurs restaurants du monde. L’équipe de Keeper a mangé dans beaucoups de restaurants du top 50 inclus

#6 Alinea
#8 Daniel
#10 Per Se – Keeper Review
#15 Le Bernardin – Keeper Review
#26 Momofuku Ssam Bar – Keeper Review
#32 The French Laundry
#44 La Masion Triosgros
#45 wd~50
#50 Eleven Madison Park – Keeper Review, pour en nommer certain. Donc, pour voir le restaurant de Pierre Gagnaire baisser cette annee de six place est incroyable pour notre equipe.

Bien, assez pour les informations de base – laissez le spectacle de Pierre Gagnaire commencer! Nous présentons le menu et il parait si simple et elegant, imaginant que le repas va être le même, tipiquement francais.

Menu de Pierre Gagnaire

Menu de Pierre Gagnaire

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CUF Chats with 2009 Winner, Martin Weaver

July 6, 2010 in Chefs Under Fire 2010 | No comments

Martin Weaver, named winner of Chefs Under Fire 2009 by Chef Kent Rathbun, has grown up in the restaurant industry.  At the age of sixteen, he worked with his dad to open up his third barbecue restaurant.  Martin went on to attend the Texas Culinary Academy (now Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts) to further his knowledge of food.  As a TCA student, Martin also won the Texas Culinary Academy Barbecue Competition as well as Chefs Under Fire 2009 with his killer Pork Tenderloin and Fall Pumpkin Barbecue Sauce (see recipe below), a take on Chef Rathbun’s Wood Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Peach Barbecue Sauce featured in Plate & Vine Interactive Cookbook.   And to top it all off – Chef Kent Rathbun is confirmed to be a Celebrity Chef Judge for Chefs Under Fire 2010!  Follow Chefs Under Fire on Facebook this week for a chance to win a full case of Kent Rathbun Elements!

Q: How would you describe your style of cooking?
 A:  Modern American Backyard Cuisine.

Q: Who are your culinary influences?
 A: Other chefs like me who are not afraid to try new things and combinations that no one has tried before (and are successful at it).

Q: What’s your advice for Chefs Under Fire 2010 Contestants?
 A: Get to know what the judges look for in a dish, and just relax when you’re competing.

Q: What did you learn as a result of competing in Chefs Under Fire 2009?
 A: That it feels great to win.

Q: Will you compete in Chefs Under Fire 2010?
 A: Yes I plan to compete if my chef allows me to have off.

Think you’ve got what it takes to compete against Martin for his title?


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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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Calling all Chefs! Chefs Under Fire 2010 Entries Open Tomorrow – June 2

June 1, 2010 in Chefs Under Fire 2010 | No comments

Chefs Under Fire 2010

Calling all Chefs to the new & improved Chefs Under Fire 2010!  If you thought last year was fun, wait ’till you see what’s in store for 2010.   More events, more prizes, more chefs, and of course, more heat!

Beginning tonight at midnight, we will officially be accepting entries to compete in Chefs Under Fire 2010!  Do you think you have what it takes?  Prove it! Do you know someone in the food biz that you think can take the heat?  Recommend Chefs Under Fire to them!

Visit www.ChefsUnderFire2010.com and read the Official Chefs Under Fire 2010 Rules to learn more about what it takes to compete in Chefs Under Fire 2o1o.

Follow Chefs Under Fire on Facebook and Twitter, sign up for email updates at www.ChefsUnderFire2010.com, and keep checking back here for the latest news and developments.

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Chefs Under Fire 2010 is Heating Up & We Need Your Help!

April 12, 2010 in Chefs Under Fire 2010 | No comments

Chefs Under Fire™ 2010 planning is under way! Thank you for your time and help in making Chefs Under Fire 2010 even better than last year! By participating in this survey, not only will you help us decide on the Chefs Under Fire ticketing service, you will also be entered into a drawing for a Dinner for 2 at Chef David Bull‘s Bolla Restaurant at the Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa in Dallas. To be eligible, please provide a valid email address for us to contact you.

Chefs Under Fire Ticketing Options

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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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Chefs Under Fire Finalists Announced!

November 23, 2009 in Austin, Chefs, Events | No comments

Congratulations to the Chefs Under Fire Finalists! These 9 lucky and talented chefs will get to compete for a chance to be named winner of the 2009 Chefs Under Fire Competition! Come cheer them on at the event on November 30 at the AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center!  Limited Tickets still available! 

Chef David Bull Finalists:

1. Alysha Cable

2. Trysh Gonzales

3. Keith A. Hildebrandt II

Chef Tyson Cole Finalists:

1. Steve Crisler

2. Eli Ollinger

3. Loren Root

Chef Kent Rathbun Finalists:

1. Antonio Hinojosa

2. Maite Rodriguez-Palma

3. Martin Weaver

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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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Media Veteran Jim White to Emcee Chefs Under Fire™

November 17, 2009 in Austin, Events | No comments

 

Chefs Under Fire Emcee- Jim WhiteJim White, a major market media veteran and founder of Savor Dallas, has graciously agreed to emcee the upcoming Chefs Under Fire event. With decades of TV and radio experience, Jim is no stranger to the microphone, and like the Celebrity Chef Judges, is a James Beard Foundation Award Nominee for his acclaimed “KRLD Restaurant Show with Jim White”. When we asked Jim why he agreed to join us he said, “Years ago Savor Dallas was just an idea that we were trying to put into action. I relied on friends, family, and the food and wine community to help it come to fruition, and now we’ve grown to host over 4000 people over the course of the weekend. I’m happy to support those who have the imagination and drive to create new culinary events in their respective communities and believe that Chefs Under Fire is truly a unique competition.” To learn more about Savor Dallas visit their website, or follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

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