Three of Melbourne’s top exponents of “Mod Oz” (Modern Australian) Cuisine (although one of them is really British): Scott Pickett, Owner & Executive Chef, ESP (Estelle by Scott Pickett) & several other restaurants, https://www.estellebysp.com; Peter Gunn, Chef-Owner, Ides, www.idesmelbourne.com; Ashley Palmer-Watts, Founding & Executive Chef, Dinner by Heston, http://www.dinnerbyheston.com.au/. .
OTM catches up with some old friends – and Great Chef-Restaurateurs in Melbourne: Kevin & Gail Donovan, Owners, www.donovanshouse.com.au; Philippe Mouchel, Chef-Owner, Philippe, www.philipperestaurant.com.au; Neil Perry, Partner, Rockpool Steak & Seafood & many other places, www.rockpooldininggroup.com.au/.
More Celebrity Chefs while “Down-under:” Elena Arzak, Chef-Partner, Arzak, San Sebastian Spain, www.arzak.es; Dan Barber, Chef-Owner, Blue Hill, NYC, http://www.bluehillfarm.com/dine/new-york & Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, NY, https://www.bluehillfarm.com/dine/stone-barns; Virgilio Martinez, Chef-Partner, Central, Lima Peru & Lima, London; http://centralrestaurante.com.pe/, http://www.limalondongroup.com/fitzrovia; Yannick Alleno, Chef-Owner, Pavillon Ledoyen, Paris, www.yannick-alleno.com.
Conversations with Chefs while “Down-unde:r” David Thompson, Chef-Partner, Nahm, Bangkok, & Long Chim, Melbourne (and several other cities), https://www.longchimsydney.com/; Victor Liong, Chef-Owner, Lee Ho Fook, Melbourne, Australia, www.leehofook.com.au; Gaggan Anand, Chef-Owner, Gaggan, Bangkok, http://www.eatatgaggan.com/.
Looking forward to next Monday’s James Beard Foundation Awards, and looking back at the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival + World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards. Two top Finalists for JBF Awards: Michael Tusk, Quince, SF, www.quincerestaurant.com; Nina Compton, Compere Lapin, NOLA www.comperelapin.com. From World’s 50 Best: # 1, Daniel Humm & Will Guidara, Eleven Madison Park, www.elevenmadisonpark.com; One to Watch, Eduard Zatruc, Chef-Partner, Disfrutar, Barcelona, Spain, www.disfrutarbarcelona.com; Best Female Chef, Ana Ros, Chef-Partner, Hisa Franko, Slovenia, www.hisafranko.com; Gaston Acurio, Chef-Partner, Astrid, Lima Peru, www.astridygaston.com; Lars Peder Hedberg, Owner, White Guide, Stockholm Sweden, www.whiteguide.com.
Condiments- Oils & Salt – how & where to source some of the Best: Clay Oliver, Oliver Farm, Artisan Cold-pressed, Unrefined Nut Oils, Pitts GA, www.oliverfarm.com; Natalia Cabrera, Founder, Khayyam LLC, NYC, www.khayyan.com; unmatched quality Vinegars, Olive Oils & Spices from Spain; Leslie Bilderback, The Culinary Masterclass, Pastry Chef, N/naka Culver City CA, Pastry Chef at N/naka in Culver City, http://culinarymasterclass.com/, Salt: The Essential Guide to Cooking with the Most Important ingredient in Your Kitchen. >
Unusual Wine Stories from Spain, Oregon & China! Miguel Oliveros, Owner & Winemaker, Bodega Oliveros, Huelva, Spain,http://www.bodegasoliveros.com/en,/Producer of Crianza Sweet Vermouth; Christopher Czarnecki, Owner, Joel Palmer House, Dayton OR, www.joelpalmerhouse.com, a Restaurant deep in the Heart of Oregon’s Vineyard Country; Noel Shu, Sommelier & Managing Partner, Prodiguer Brands, www.prodiguerbrands.com; China Through a Glass of Wine.
The American South, and Texas is a big part of it: Vivian Howard, Chef-Owner, Chef & the Farmer, Kinston NC, http://www.vivianhoward.com/, Co-Creator & Star, “A Chef’s Life” on PBS, Deep Run Roots: Stories & Recipes from My Corner of the South; Terry Thompson-Anderson, Rockport TX, Breakfast in Texas: Recipes for Elegant Brunches, Down-Home Classics & Local Favorites; Matt Moore, Matt Moore Music, Nashville TN, https://www.mattmooremusic.com/, The South’s Best Butts: Pitmaster Secrets for Southern BBQ Perfection
How sweet it is! Variations on this theme. Dana Cree, Executive Pastry Chef, The Publican Restaurants, Chicago, www.helloicecreamchicago.com, Hello, my name is Ice Cream; Todd Masonis, Founder, Dandelion Chocolate, San Francisco, www.dandelionchocolate.com; Susan Jane White, Food Writer & Blogger, Dublin Ireland, http://susanjanewhite.com/, The Virtuous Tart: Sinful but Saintly Recipes for Sweets, Treats & Snacks.
The cuisine of neighboring countries Iran (Persia) & Turkey, plus a Special Treat from Israel: Naomi Duguid, Taste of Persia; Amy Zitelman, Soom Foods Tahini, Philadelphia (the Tahini is made in Israel), www.soomfoods.com; John Gregory-Smith, London, www.eattravellive.com, Iran, Turkey and Israel, Turkish Delights: Stunnung Regional Recipes from the Bosphorus to the Black Sea
Note the USA time change, which is different from most countries. Today’s program starts with an analysis of how to use spices in a healthy diet, then covers Cooking of the Union of South Africa: .Natasha “Tash” MacAller, Dancing Chef (not to be confused with The Dancing Chef), NZ, LA & London, www.dancingchef.net, Spice Health Heroes; Cariema Isaacs, Dubai, formerly of Capetown, South Africa, My Cape Malay Kitchen; Melinda Roodt, Senior Pastor, Delta Community Church, Vereeniging South Africa & Owner, Mel’s Kitchen – Rusks & Biscuits, The Classic South African Cookbook.
A VERY TASTY program, special things to eat & drink. Kristina Richens, Minister of Communications, Celebrating 25 years, The Republic of Tea, Novato CA, www.republicoftea.com; Ricky Mandle & Monica Navarro, Owners, Delicious & Sons, Mediterranean style Pastes & Sauces, Barcelona Spain, www.deliciousandsons.com; Gail Balderson, Director of Marketing, Muuna, new-style Cottage Cheese - with & without Fruit in the bottom, NYC, www.muuna.com.
All Ladies, All Irish. An American Chef with Irish Roots, a Native Irishwoman, and a Tribute to Irish Chefs: Barbara Lynch, Chef-Owner, BLGruppo, (7 Restaurants including No. 9 Park, Sportello & Menton), Boston MA, www.blgruppo.com, Out of Line: A Life of Playing with Fire; Kathryn Bruton, London, www.kathrynbruton.com, Skinny Soups: 80 Flavor-packed Recipes of less than 100 Calories; Leslie Conron Carola, Owner & Director, Arena Books, Westport CT, The New Irish Table: Recipes from Ireland’s Top Chefs.
William Drew, Group Editor of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, talks about 50 Best in Melbourne, and the entire 50Best Program; Justin Chapple, Food & Wine Test Kitchen, www.foodandwine.com/video/mad-genius-cooking-tips, Mad Genius Tips: Over 90 Expert Hacks & 100 Delicious Recipes; Raghavan Iyer, Minneapolis, www.raghavaniyer.com, Smashed, Mashed, Boiled, And Baked—And Fried Too.
Focus on Asia: Monisha Bharadwaj, Owner, Cooking with Monisha Cooking School, London, www.cookingwithmonisha.com, The Indian Cooking Course: Techniques, Masterclasses, Ingredients & Traditional Recipes; Vacharian Blumichitr, Thai Restaurateur, Ko Samui & Chiang Mail Resorts, Thailand, http://www.vatchthailand.com/, 50 Great Curries of Thailand – we apologize for the poor sound quality of this interview, which is due to sub-standard cellular phone connection is rural Thailand; Emily Jonzen, London UK, www.emilyjonzen.com, The Goodness of Coconut.
What’s all the excitement in Melbourne, Australia, this Spring (Autumn there), plus two books of new/old recipes: Natalie O’Brien, CEO, 25th Annual Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, and World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards, March 31-April 9, http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/; Georgeanne Brennan, Founder, La Vie Rustic, www.lavierustic.com, My Culinary Journey: Food & Fetes of Provence; Rachel Hollis, Founder, The Chic Site, Los Angeles, www.thechicsite.com, Upscale Downhome: Family Recipes, All Gussied Up.
A Pittsburgh “Classic” keeps on growing. Founded 80 years ago, named an “American Classic” by the James Beard Foundation, Primanti Brothers adds restaurant # 30 to its "family." Then some Seasoning Tips – Infusions & How to Cook with Cannabis: David Head, CEO, Primanti Brothers, Pittsburgh, www.primantibros,com; Erin Coopey, Seattle, http://chefshop.com/Chef-Erin-Coopey-The-GlorifiedHomeChef-C647.aspx, Infusing Flavors; Laurie Wolf, Portland OR, http://www.laurieandmaryjane.com, Cooking with Cannabis.
A really sweet spot in London, and a newly emerging Pittsburgh Restaurant “Family:” Rachel Wicking, Deputy GM & Ryan Thompson, Executive Chef, Dominique Ansel Bakery, Belgravia London, http://dominiqueansellondon.com; Rick DeShantz, Chef/Owner, Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group, Cecil Usher, Beverage Director & Head Bartender, Butcher & the Rye, http://butcherandtherye.com/, Keith Fuller, Executive Chef, Pork & Beans, http://www.porkandbeanspgh.com/, also part of the Group, http://meatandpotatoespgh.com/, http://takopgh.com/. Plus more new restaurants opening soon.
OTM meets Old & New friends in London during our recent Visit – 2nd of 2 programs: Claudio Cardoso, Executive Chef, Sushisamba; Dan Doherty, Chef-Director, Duck & Waffle, both in Heron Tower, Bishopsgate; www.sushisamba.com, www.duckandwaffle.com; Dan's latest book, Toast Hash Roast Mash: Real Food for Every Time of Day; Greg Taylor, Sous Chef, Yosma, Fitzrovia, www.yosma.london.
OTM meets Old & New friends in London during our recent Visit – 1st of 2 programs: Anthony Demetre, Chef-Owner, Wild Honey. Mayfair, www.wildhoneyrestaurant.co,uk, Chris Cavaille, GM-Sommelier, Wild Honey; James Lowe, Head Chef, Lyle's, Shoreditch, www.lyleslondon.com. More next week.
An Introduction to some of London's great Art Museums--Tate Modern, http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/ , Barbican, http://www.barbican.org.uk/, National Portrait Gallery, http://www.npg.org.uk/, National Gallery, http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/ --and their current special Exhibitions. Then, to stimulate your interest in Modern British Food: Aleksandra Crapanzano, Brooklyn NY, The London Cookbook; Coleman Andrews, CT, www.thedailymeal.com, The British Table: A New Look at the Traditional Cooking of England Scotland & Wales. Note: OTM's recent coverage of London Restaurants begins next week. AND,especially, WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2017!!
A Very Merry Christmas to OTM Listeners throughout the World!!! Katie Button, Chef-Owner, Curate, Ashville NC, ; https://heirloomhg.com/about-hhg/; Curate: Authentic Spanish Food from an American Kitchen; George Geary, Broadcaster & Journalist, Los Angeles CA, http://georgegeary.com/, L. A.’s Legendary Restaurants; Richard Bertinet, Baker, Bath UK, www.bertinet.com, Bread: Simple Contemporary Bread.
Mostly Cheese and a Very Special Review of “Bitter:s” Tia Keenan, NYC, The Art of the, Cheese Plate: Pairings Recipes Style Attitude; Matthew Brichford, Owner & Cheese-Maker, Jacobs & Brichford Farmstead Cheese, Connersville IN, www.jandbcheese.com; Guido Mase, Chief Herbalist, Urban Moonshine, Burlington VT, www.urbanmoonshine.com, DIY Bitters: Reviving the Forgotten Flavior - a Guide to Making your own Bitters for Bartenders, Cocktail Enthusiasts, Herbalists and More.
Expressions of the American South: Asha Gomez, Atlanta GA, http://chefashagomez.com/, My Two Souths: Blending the Flavors of India into a Southern Kitchen; Ronni Lundi, http://www.ronnilundy.com/, Victuals: An Appalachian Journey with Recipes; Fred Thompson, http://www.ediblecommunities.com/piedmont/, Bacon; a Savor the South Cookbook.
Drinks and another special treat for the Holidays: Jeff Hansen, Winemaker, Lula Cellars, Mendocino County CA, www.lulacellars.com, Pinot Noir & Zinfandel wines, direct from the Vineyard; Fred Minnick, World’s Leading American Whiskey Critic, www.fredminnick.com, Bourbon: The Rise, Fall & Rebirth of an American Whiskey; Craig Tabandera, Account Manager, Asahi Shuzo Co Ltd, Producers of Dassai Premium Kosher Sake, www.asahishuzo.ne.jp; Mima Sinclair, London UK, http://mimasinclair.com/, Gingerbread Wonderland: 30 Magical Houses Cookies & Cakes.
