Liz and I had a great trip to Chicago last weekend. I was there for Calphalon doing some cooking for them for the housewares show and Liz came to help pair up wines for the dinners. I have to admit I really love doing these events with Liz, her wine knowledge and enthusiasm just add so much to the dinners...plus she's a lot cuter than me..lol. The dinners seemed to be a great success, as did the launch of Calphalons new Unison line. It is really some great new technology that mixes nonstick release with a tryply stainless performance.
While in Chicago we had two great meals...One at Paul Kahans new restaurant Publican and the other at Avec which is also owned by Paul and Donnie and the kitchen is run by Koren Grieveson. The meals and experiences at both places were off the hook. I have so much respect for what these guys do and how they see a concept through. They not only serve great food (i already warned Paul i was stealing his pork rind recipe!!!..lol) with great service but have also been able to change the way people eat in Chicago. This is no easy feat and they deserve all the props they get.
I also found out on Monday that I am a finalist for the James Beard Award Best Chef in the Great Lakes Region. I am so excited to make the final list again and extremely honored to be part of this list of great chefs. (You can check out the whole list at jamesbeard.org) Whenever awards come up I realize how lucky I have truly been in my career to do what I love to do and pick up some awards along the way. We are extremely proud of our restaurants and the effect they have had on the dining scene and community both here in Cleveland and in Detroit. We have gotten to watch neighborhoods grow around and I have been able to watch some of our young employees grow into chefs, managers and restaurateurs (Chatty, Frankie, Frankie, Powder, Jeff, Nolan, Yody, Jon, Jon, Brian, Tony, KP,Mary, Chris, James, Katie, Andy, Cory, Nate, Andy Randy, Sammy.....). None of this would be possible without all of them and I love and cherish them for all their hard work and dedication to Me, Liz and Doug. God I love this business..off to work..ms