Chefs Under Fire

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As we prepare to wrap up 2010, the Keeper Team is taking a look back at the many great trips we’ve taken over the past twelve months – all with the goal of giving you, our faithful readers, firsthand accounts of the culinary scene around the globe.  Where in the World has Keeper been?  We’ve wined & dined in Piedmont, Barcelona, New York, Charleston, Burgundy, Austin… It’s been quite a year!  In fact, we’ve enjoyed so many outstanding meals that we didn’t have the opportunity to share them all with you at the time.  So, we’re closing out the year with a few “bonus posts” – stories of experiences so delicious that we’re still savoring them months later!  And, since this week marks the one-year anniversary of our memorable trip to Piedmont, our first flashback post recalls our bittersweet last day in this awesome corner of Italy.

Our last day made us sad; we didn’t want to leave Piedmont.  Where did we go for our last morning coffee and pastry? Barolo of course.  While so close to the fresh pasta shop that had been closed for several days in Barolo, we zipped by to find it finally open.  It was interesting to see that the pastamaker’s shop did not have as many different types of his own pastas as there were in the small pasticceria in the nearby town of La Morra!

It was time to go back to the Scavinos in Castiglione Falletto for a tour and tasting with winemaker Elisa Scavino and Director of Marketing, Weston Howard.  We tasted 2005 Carobric, Cannubi, Bric del Fiasc, and Bricco Ambrogio, along with a 2003 Rocche dell’Annunziata.  Then we tasted a vertical of Bric del Fiasc  2006, 2007, and 2008 with 2005 for comparison.  Elisa then offered a blind tasting of 2008 Bricco Ambrogio that had been aged with three different fermentation methods in casks  – one as fermented in old time casks, one in new casks for 7 days and then another in new casks for 23 days! What an interesting comparison.

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Chefs Under Fire 2010 Finals

Chefs Under Fire Grand Prize Announced! 7-night stay for up to 4 guests in a Grand Suite at The Grand Mayan Los Cabos exclusive luxury resort, December  10-17, 2010.

A visit to The Grand Mayan Los Cabos luxury resort is truly an intimate escape. Based upon the concept of a boutique hotel, everything about The Grand Mayan Los Cabos is unique, luxurious, and designed to provide the most romantic getaway possible. Located in the beautiful Los Cabos region, The Grand Mayan Los Cabos luxury resort is surrounded by beautiful Pacific views and is lulled by lush, tropical breezes.

At The Grand Mayan Los Cabos luxury resort, you can participate in exciting water sports like swimming with dolphins, or spend a day-or two-at Brio Spa enjoying rejuvenating treatments at this gorgeous destination. Los Cabos fine dining restaurants, nightlife from a chic cocktail bar to a sultry poolside bar, and total relaxation are all part of the ultimate indulgence found at The Grand Mayan Los Cabos luxury resort. Get a preview of what you can expect during your stay at this Los Cabos resort and spa by browsing the stunning Los Cabos photo gallery.

View the Grand Suite Accomodations

Airfare not included. Dates are non-transferable. Primary guest name must be 21+. Winner is responsible for any extra charges or damages.

More details about the Chefs Under Fire Final Competition soon to come!  Follow Chefs Under Fire on Twitter and Facebook for timely updates.

Event Sponsor:

Capital One Bank

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**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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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 SeKeeper Review
#15 Le Bernardin – Keeper Review
#26 Momofuku Ssam BarKeeper Review
#32 The French Laundry
#44 La Masion Triosgros
#45 wd~50
#50 Eleven Madison ParkKeeper 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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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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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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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 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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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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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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