This is Hangover Observations, where we share our thoughts on last night, the night that was.
Last night, superstar chefs from near and far rubbed elbows with fans and other charity-minded folk at Share Our Strength's 17th annual Taste of the Nation. With all proceeds going straight to SOS, the sold-out $250/ticket event was held at the Acme Chophouse, and the way the Giants' season is going, it was likely the biggest assembly of talent that will grace the building all year, and for a good cause at that. The entire shindig was graciously hosted by Traci Des Jardins, who pretty much led the way in bringing all types of big names on board. A cocktail/hors d'oeuvres reception kicked off the event with a silent auction, followed by a live auction and a five-course menu prepared by Des Jardins, Michael Symon, Chris Cosentino, Gavin Kaysen (Cafe Boulud), and Elizabeth Falkner. Here then, some observations:
1) Prior to the event, we received more than a few emails spotting best buds Symon and Cosentino cavorting all about town on Saturday, from the farmers' market to a romantic sunset stroll down in Kuletoville. For the evening affair, Cosentino roasted an entire goat.
2) Notable news of the night: anticipated Master of Ceremonies Tyler Florence backed out at the last second, leaving the event charity event sans a true replacement (dude, it's charity) and reinforcing our working theory that Florence is, well, really more of a call girl.
On April 6th at her Acme Chophouse, Traci Des Jardins will host Share Our Strength's 17th annual Taste of the Nation, and the industry's heavy-hitters—and some television personalities—will be out in force. General admission tickets cost $250, but 100% of the proceeds go directly to Share Our Strength. Dinner will be prepared by Des Jardins and her merry band of Next Iron Chef contestants: Michael Symon (Cleveland's Lola/Lolita), Chris Cosentino (Incanto), and Gavin Kaysen (NYC's Café Boulud), with Elizabeth Falkner handling dessert. Also, a veritable cornucopia of chefs and sommeliers from local big names (Absinthe, Coi, A16, Spruce et al.) will put on the hors d'oeuvres reception and wine program, respectively. On the other side of the house, Tyler Florence will reclaim his mantle as Master of Ceremonies. Here's the complete run-down on the event:
Since opening about three weeks ago, Bar Jules has already played host to an Iron Chef or two en route to quickly becoming one of the more sought-out destinations in town for the foodie crowd. The tiny, daily-changing menu showcases the best produce of the day, making Bar Jules the latest in the long line of California cuisine specialists. So, how has the first month shaped up down in Hayes Valley? Glad you asked.
1) Bad News: "On a Friday evening, at 9:10 PM ...they had run out of ... food! Seriously ... 9:10 PM ... no main courses available (that's right ... no Fish ... no Meat!!!)" [Yelp]
While visiting our little hamlet—in addition to indulging in some cod sperm crostini at Incanto with fellow competitor Chris Cosentino—newly-crowned Iron Chef Michael Symon sat down with BellyFull for a quick interview in which he gossips about his new gig, Mario Batali, the Bay Area dining scene and more. Among the highlights:
1) On his first season of battles: "Let's just say I'm not disappointed with the results."
2) On Mario Batali's rumored departure: "The only reason Mario wasn't on much last year was because he was so busy opening up his restaurants in Las Vegas. And he wasn't a judge on the finale of "The Next Iron Chef" because he and I have been good friends for over 10 years. He told the producers he didn't think it was fair for him to judge me when he's known me so long against a chef he didn't know at all"
Sidenote: so two of the three judges—Knowlton and Donatella—cast their votes for Besh, but the trio of Iron Chefs (there for the first time) and Symon's Cleveland buddy Ruhlman chose Symon. This doesn't seem entirely logical, does it?
Even though, for the first time, no local chefs graced the competition this week, we figured it only appropriate to round out the season and share our thoughts on the finale that saw John Besh and Michael Symon take to Kitchen Stadium. Warning: spoilers follow.
1) Symon and Besh meet for the last episode of this much-too-short but wildly entertaining debut season. The challenge? Dubbed "Attain Greatness," it's an old-fashioned battle in Kitchen Stadium.
2) We have a sneaking suspicion that Besh's sense of humor isn't quite up to snuff if he thinks Symon's jokes are "hilarious."
3)Alton Brown—decked out in a tux, obviously—announces that three of the four iron chefs will be observing the battle (and later judging the fare). Gee, which iron chef could be missing? Hmm ... it certainly couldn't be the one rumored to be leaving, could it?
The penultimate episode of the Food Network's reality cooking show has the competition down to three chefs, including local hero Chris Cosentino of Incanto. Our thoughts on last night's episode follow. Warning: spoilers involved.
1) The final three—Cosentino, Michael Symon and John Besh—arrive in Paris for the last challenge before the Kitchen Stadium showdown: "Lead and Inspire." The challenge: spend 2,000 euros in Paris to prepare an American feast for 20 rich people.
2) There's no doubt that everyone has been or will be making fun of Besh's "Captain Fraternity, Ivy League Edition" outfit, so we'll just leave it at this: if Alton Brown is making fun of your outfit, it's not a good idea.
3) As soon as Paris came into the picture, it was clear Cosentino and his Italian inclinations would be at a disadvantage. Toss in the Americana theme for the chef who relies on local ingredients and offal, and you've got a bit of a skewed playing field. Couldn't they have at least shipped them off to Rome for this challenge?
Though one of our hometown chefs has already been sent home, Chris Cosentino of Incanto continues to carry the torch for San Francisco in the Food Network's newest cooking show. Here are our thoughts on last night's episode, wherein the competition was trimmed from four contestants to three. Warning: spoilers involved.
1) The final four—Cosentino, Michael Symon, John Besh and Aaron Sanchez—get sent off to Munich, and for the first time on The Next Iron Chef, the producers don't delve right into a cooking competition. Rather, we get to watch the painful scene of the four chefs trying to flirt with the cute airline attendant.
2) We don't know who we feel more sorry for on the transatlantic flight: Besh, because he has to sit next to Symon for six hours; or Symon, because he has to sit next to Besh for six hours.
3)Alton Brown reveals the competition: 90 minutes to redefine airline food. In a welcome change of pace, he briefly slips into Good Eats mode to explain the (quite fascinating) entire airline food process. Food must be seasoned heavily, then chilled and reheated. And yes, Top Chef did it already.
Though one of our hometown representatives has been eliminated from the Food Network's newest reality show competition, Chris Cosentino of Incanto continues to carry the San Francisco torch. Here are our thoughts on the season's third episode. Warning: spoilers are involved.
1) Unlike previous episodes, this installment only features a single competition: resourcefulness. The only thing missing from The Chairman's dramatic proclamation of the challenge—"An Iron Chef must be resourceful. Even ... when he has no kitchen!"—was Doctor Evil's pinky-finger to the mouth.
2) We have no idea why they would choose to eliminate a pair of chefs instead of one, thereby shortening an already short season of an excellent show. Alton Brown chalks it up to a lack of competitive spirit. We're not so sure.
3) The line of the night belongs a smug Michael Symon, after denying Cosentino offal: "No guts, no glory."
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On April 6th at her Acme Chophouse, Traci Des Jardins will host Share Our Strength's 17th annual 
While visiting our little hamlet—in addition to indulging in some 
1) The final three—Cosentino, Michael Symon and John Besh—arrive in Paris for the last challenge before the Kitchen Stadium showdown: "Lead and Inspire." The challenge: spend 2,000 euros in Paris to prepare an American feast for 20 rich people.
1) The final four—Cosentino, Michael Symon, John Besh and Aaron Sanchez—get sent off to Munich, and for the first time on The Next Iron Chef, the producers don't delve right into a cooking competition. Rather, we get to watch the painful scene of the four chefs trying to flirt with the cute airline attendant.
