On the Menu Highlights

Super Interview with Super Mario
Date Added: April 04, 2008
Iron/Uber-chef Mario Batali is "more than just a pretty face".  OTM had a chance to chat with Mario when he visited Lidia's Pittsburgh for a book signing.  We asked him how he fits in evrything that he does........  Listen to his answer and other responses in a very insightful interview., and you'll realize that the orange crocs are just one small aspect of his larger than life personality.  And don't forget to visit his NYC restaurants - our favorite is Babbo.

How did they get into the Wine business?
Date Added: February 13, 2008
Three winemakers with very different stories about how they got into the business, Mike Stevenson of Oregon's Panther Creek started wanting to make beer, Dan Cohn works with his Dad Bruce, whose claim to fame before grape growing was a career managing the Doobie Brothers and Marc Mondavi was born into the wine business of his father Peter and uncle Robert.
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New Orleans restaurateurs say thank you and please
Date Added: February 13, 2008
Frank Brigtsen of his eponymous restaurant and Leah Chase of Dookie Chase talked with OTM about the post-Katrina recovery of New Orleans Restaurants at the 2006 James Beard Awards.  A landmark and really moving interview!  Leah only just reopened.  In a recent interview Chef John Folse tells OTM the recovery is practically complete and we should all go! 
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The exceptional wines of Chateau Beaucastel
Date Added: February 13, 2008
Marc Perrin, one of the current family members who own and operate Chateau Beaucastel in Chateauneuf du Pape, talks about their wines.  Hearing him it's not hard to understand why Beaucastel wines are so highly rated year after year.
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This Chef is a 3-starred Senora!
Date Added: February 13, 2008
Chef Carme Ruscalleda, the only Michelin 3-star Chef in Spain (one of only 5 in the world in this elite category), talks about her culinary philosophy, why and how she's been so successful.  Make a detour from Barcelona to dine at her Restaurant St Pau in St Pol de Mar.  Carme speaks to OTM in Spanish.  For a version with translation by Hector Ruiz go to OTM Audio Archives, August 6, 2006.
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Catalunya's 3-starred Santi Santamaria
Date Added: February 13, 2008
Hear Santi Santamaria of Con Fabes in St Celoni outside Barcelona talk with OTM about his career and his Michelin 3-star restaurant.  This interview includes translation from Santi's native Catalan.  Be sure to go to Con Fabes and stay overnight in one of their beautiful rooms.
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An unheard of 29 Zagat score tells the story
Date Added: February 13, 2008
Gary Danko is probably OTM absolute favorite Chef.  Hear two past interviews where Gary talks about his happiness at receiving the James Beard award for Service, and about plans to expand his San Francisco activity to include an event venue and cooking school.  Don't miss Restaurant Gary Danko when you're in San Francisco.  Food, wine and service are second to none.  Unsurprisingly this was Zagat's top scoring restaurant for the last 2 years with an unheard of 29 points.
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A new star in NY's dining firmament
Date Added: February 13, 2008
Christopher Lee, superstar Chef at Gilt in New York, talks to OTM about what he's putting on the plate - at last food which matches the magnificence of the mansion where it's housed.  Gilt is a fabulous dining experience in every possible way and you shouldn't miss it.
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A legend in his own time!
Date Added: February 13, 2008
OTM caught up with Wunderkind Chef Wolfgang Puck at Five Star Sensation, possibly the best fund raising event we ever intended - and it's in Cleveland, the next one in 2009.  OTM will have details in plenty of time for you to plan on attending.  In the meantime Wolfgang is a fascinating character you'll get a chance to meet in this interview.
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John Besh explains how he does it, time after time
Date Added: February 13, 2008
OTM loves Chef John Besh, and we're not the only ones.  His award winnig activities are regularly noted in our News column.  Hear what he does and how he does it in his own words.  Here's proof that nice guys can finish .......... first.
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High Priest of Molecular Gastronomy
Date Added: January 27, 2008
Heston Blumenthal, Chef-owner of The Fat Duck, rated world's best restaurant in 2005 & one of only 3 Michelin 3-star restuarants in the UK.  Also owner of The Hinds Head Hotel; both properties are in Bray, near Maidenhead, England.  Considered by many to be the High Priest of "molecular gastronomy".  Hear Heston talk to Ann in his down to earth manner about his culinary philosophy, his restaurants and his fascinating future plans.  OTM is sure you will then feel compelled to experience The Fat Duck for yourselves. www.fatduck.co.uk.  For more on the same topic with Harold Magee, Heston's friend and collaborator, go to OTM Audio Archive April 3, 2005.
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Cheltenham's Le Champignon is far from Sauvage!
Date Added: January 27, 2008
Founded by Chef David Everett-Matthias and his wife Helen as Front of House manager, Le Chamignon Sauvage belies it's 20 year history with cuisine that's fascinatingly French but Modern is all the positive senses of the word.  Asked by Ann to characterize his cooking style, David chose the word "intelligent".  Doubled in size to just 40 seats about 3 years ago, the pretty interior and capable friendly staff create acomfortable quiet atmosphere.  The menu is exciting but not over the top.  2 Michelin stars are well earned and a 3rd would not seem out of place.  Here in Cheltenham the beautiful Gerorgian architecture and parks are reminiscent of nearby Bath, and a strolling through the city is a delightful way to develop an appetite or aid post prandial digestion.  www.lechampignonsauvage.co.uk.

A Boston highlight
Date Added: January 27, 2008
Chef-owner Gordon Hammersley is one OTM's favorite people, and to prove it he's been interviewed twice; once in the midst of dinner service at the Bistro on a busy Friday, quite nonplussed by the background noise, the interview that's featured here; the second time at the 5-Star Sensation fund-raiser in Cleveland last year where he was generously donating his time and energy to a great cause.  Charming and vibrant at the same time Hammersley's Bistro is a recommended dining destination in Boston's South End, but be sure to make a reservations because everyone knows how good it is.  Check the seasonally changing menu and get other details at www.hamersleysbistro.com
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