July 30th, 2010

My Honor at the James Beard Foundation's Chefs & Champagne

The James Beard Foundation holds an annual summer gala in the Hamptons called Chefs & Champagne, held at Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack.  The event is a lavish tasting party featuring bubbly Champagnes, the wines of Wolffer Estate Vineyard, and culinary offerings from a select group of more than 30 fine chefs.  This year, I am delighted to report, that I was honored for my work in bringing elegant and approachable cuisine to an ever-expanding audience.  After being introduced to the assemblage, this is what I commented about.

As Julia Child famously noted, “In the beginning, there was Beard.”  All of us in the food world owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to him.  James Beard’s passion for delicious food, prepared with fresh, wholesome ingredients was vitally important in establishing a serious culinary tradition in this country.  He helped make cooking an American art - and a favorite cultural pastime.  He also understood its capacity to enrich our tables and to enhance the time spent around them with our family and friends.  The James Beard Foundation does a fabulous job of celebrating and nurturing this important legacy.  I am deeply honored to be recognized by this group and all that it represents.

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1 The late Christian Wollfer's daughter, Andrea Wolffer, is continuing her father's tradition of hosting this lovely event. Here I am with her and Susan Ungaro, who runs the James Beard Foundation.

2 One of the soaring white tents set up on the Wolffer Estate Vineyard

3 Beneath the tent, the chefs set up individual stations.

4 The famous Marcus Samuelsson served fish tacos.

5 Marcus and I always have lots to chat about.

6 My dear friend, Chef Pierre Schaedlin and Susan toast with Pierre's fresh gazpacho.

7 Jim Adamson, once the CEO of Kmart, loves this event and attended with several of his friends.

8 Gerri Kyhill and her fiancee, my chairman, Charles Koppelman, had a lovely time at the event.

9 Susan and I tested the Mercedes cut-out.

10 Many great chefs prepared delicious tastings. Wolfgang Ban and Eduard Frauneder of Seasonal Restaurant and Weinbar served Cabbage Hill Farm Pork Belly with Corn and Elderflower Licorice.

11 Dale Carty of Tasty’s Restaurant in Anguilla, British West Indies came with his crew. He served Island-Marinated Conch Salad with Japanese Seaweed and Crispy Coconut Flakes.

12 Here I am with Paul Marshall who served Smoked Salmon Cheesecake with Lemon and Red Onion Crème Fraîche.

13 Todd English and I joked about the horrible heat and the giant crowd, all of whom were very polite waiting in lines for the food.

14 Todd was serving Pastrami Spice–Rubbed Kobe Steak with Lobster–Corn Butter, Polenta Fries, and Cherry Pepper Aïoli. I even got to slice some of the Japanese-style Kobe beef - so tender!

15 Todd wanted to put me to work!

16 Posing with Susan Ungaro and Chef Percy Whatley and others from The Ahwahnee in Yosemite National Park, California - They served Smoked Sacramento Sturgeon with California Avocado Mousse, Lardo, Heirloom Tomato Relish, and Olive Oil–Fried Sourdough Bread Crumbs

17 Julian Medina of Yerba Buena Perry in NYC served Taquitos de Cangrejo - Crab Taquitos with Habanero, Mango, and Thai Basil.

18 Eric Ripert of Le Bernadin did not cook, but came to the event with his beautiful wife and charming young son. He is such a supporter of cuisine in America and good food everywhere.

19 Ella Bea Nussbam - Darcy Miller's second daughter - came with her parents and grandparents. She is always so charming!

20 Darcy, her mother Madge, and me

21 Right before I made my remarks to the assemblage, I was sipping an iced latte - it was so, so hot!

22 Andrea Wolffer giving her speech - she was great at crowd control.

23 This year's recipient of a $2,000 Christian Wolffer scholarship is Christina Murillo, who plans to use her award to attend the Food, Wine & arts of the Table Program at the Haut Etudes du Gout School in France.

24 Susan, Andrea, and Christina

25 On stage with Susan - her intro was very flattering. I wore Etro tights, a black Hermes silk shirt and Laboutin espadrilles.

26 I spoke about the late James Beard and his profound effect on the development of good food in America.

27 I was fortunate to have met James several times and I still love and use his books, especially 'Beard on Bread.'

28 Being interviewed by Lettie Teague - wine columnist for The Wall Street Journal - the fellow is Roger Drill

29 Being interviewed about Food Television - Allen Salkin, of AOL/Food had never seen my very early food specials (produced more than 20-years ago) for PBS - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Entertaining.

30 I was asked to sign this wine barrel that will be used for 2010 vintage wine - maybe it will be the best ever!

31 Rita Jammet of La Caravelle Champagne - she is a great friend and lovely foodie.

32 Charlie Green, my makeup artist attended. She is such a great person!

33 Another shot with Ella

34 And another photo of Darcy, Madge, and me

35 Charles Koppelman

36 Gary Nardilla in center - he directs all off my field pieces - his beautiful college student daughter, Caroline and me

37 Susan Ungaro and me with the wonderful chefs who contributed their time and efforts and talent for the evening.

38 Obviously we were all in a very good mood!

39 Fredrik Berselius of Seasonal, me, and Dale Carty of Tasty's

40 Fredrik Berselius is chef de cuisine at the wonderful Seasonal on W58th St. in Manhattan.

41 Susan Magrino, my friend and public relations guru, and her dog, Churchill

42 We love churchill!

Posted on July 30th, 2010 in Entertaining, Food & Recipes, Friends, Photo Gallery, Travel | Permalink |

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