Michelin list of Restaurants in the Department of the Vaucluse (84)

Here is Michelin’s list of restaurants in my old stomping grounds of the Vaucluse a department that includes the town of Avignon and other cities of gastronomic interest .  Click on the link below to see the PDF with all the listings.  It was shocking to see that la Mirande lost its one Star status. [...]

2011 Starchefs – International Chefs Congress – Day 3

This morning we were able to catch up on sleep as I wasn’t expected to be at the Congress until 12:30pm.  We took the opportunity to head down to ground zero. 

2011 Starchefs – International Chefs Congress – Day 2

Heading out into the street on Monday had a very different feel to it than Sunday.  The city was bustling with workers.  Wherever I went on the subway, I was fighting the tide of the working masses. 

2011 Starchefs – International Chef Congress – Day 1

It was hard getting up by 9am to prepare for the “Blood and Curds” Spanish Wine and Cheese seminar and the calm along 6 Ave. on a Sunday morning made it even harder to get out of the comfortable bed. In previous years at the ICC the lines to get in were overwhelming and the [...]

2011 Starchefs – International Chefs Congress – Amuse

Sometime in August I got an email from Starchefs to fill out their industry survey and become eligible for a drawing for a free ticket to attend this year’s Congress.  Midway thru September I was informed I had won free entrance. 

2010 Star Chefs International Chefs Congress Day 3 – Slam dunk high voltage kick in the Goin by Phat Albert

It’s hard to keep your energy up for these conferences and I am sure I was not pushing it like some that come to this congress.  I had no workshop set up for this day so I was able to stroll in more casually.  I eavesdropped on the presentation by Keegan Gerhard, somewhat of a [...]

2010 Star Chefs International Chefs Congress, Day 2 Dan Barber’s Culinary Evangelism

Would you mess with this man? Charlie Palmer, the Emperor of a considerable culinary empire, flanked by the presence of his five generals from all parts of the nation formed a formidable presence on the main stage.  His protégés took turns at the helm of the presentation and each did their own variation on the [...]

2010 International Chefs Congress Workshops: No blood no glory

During my time at the Congress I attended two workshops (well three). The first on Day 1 was Blood the Essential liquid with Brad Farmerie from Public in NYC. Now I am not a big fan of boudin noir or black pudding, but I figured if my dad digs it maybe I should learn to [...]

Chefs, are you an artist or a craftsmen?

Tomorrow,  I will be on my way to NYC for the International Chefs Congress.  I went two years ago and found it very inspiring.  This year, I decided to fill out a survey and put my name in the bowl for a drawing for free tickets.   I was one of the lucky winners and will [...]

Sobe Wine and Food: Doug Frost nipping at my cellar door

11:30am too early to start drinking wine after a long night.  Hell no, if you are doing it in the name of education.  This is the only tasting I signed up for and was anticipating.  Doug Frost, a Master Sommelier and hired by United Airlines to purchase and write about wines), is a specialist on [...]