Category: Uncategorized

Laurent Gras leaves L2O in dispute with owner Rich Melman — big loss for Chicago!

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Resident Foodies say: We are devastated, absolutely devastated, to learn that Executive Chef of L2O Laurent Gras is permanently leaving L2O for NYC, even after being awarded the highest distinction by Michelin (3 stars) yesterday.

Food & Wine reveals that Gras left in a dispute with Melman over the direction of L2O: ““I love L2O and am very proud of everything we achieved there. But [owner] Rich Melman and I have always had different points of view on L2O. In July, we talked about changes he wanted to make, and for me, these changes would alter the character of L2O and ultimately make it a different experience. I let him know then that I would be leaving.”

L2O awarded 3 Michelin stars, while Chef Laurent Gras may leave L2O

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Resident Foodies say: We have good news and bad news. First, the good new–no, great news–is that our favorite Chicago restaurant, L2O (short for H2O + Laurent Gras), was awarded today the highest distinction in the restaurant industry: 3 Michelin stars. (Only Alinea matched that feat in Chicago.)

The bad news–and really bad news–is that Executive Chef Laurent Gras took a leave of absence a couple weeks ago and left town. It’s not clear if Gras is displeased with the restaurant management or has some non-work related issue. But the owner of L2O, Rich Melman, thinks that Gras may have left for good, despite Melman’s efforts to keep him. We hope not!

To celebrate the Michelin honor, we are rerunning our 2009 review of the restaurant:

Full version

Short still version

Written review to follow!

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Ming Tsai loses Next Iron Chef; Marc Forgione + Marco Canora make finale

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Resident Foodies say: Wow, Ming Tsai eliminated from Next Iron Chef! What a shocker double elimination round of Next Iron Chef.

Chef Ming Tsai, a favorite of many, got eliminated right before the finale. Marc Forgione and Marco Canora will go head-to-head next week in the finale. Ming Tsai was probably the most famous contestant chef on the show and the favorite, or “the one to beat.” Moderator Alton Brown summed it up for Chef Tsai: “You were simply outcooked–and not by much. But by enough, and I’m sorry, but you won’t be the next Iron Chef.” Wow, talk about adding salt to the wound!

Below is a video recap of Ming Tsai’s elimination:

YouTube version, iPhone compatible:

Click here for more from LA Times

Click here for Ming Tsai’s recipes

Bobby Flay loses spicy chicken wing throwdown to Colette Burnett of Super Wings NY

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Throwdown: Bobby Flay challenged Colette Burnett, a Trinidad native and owner of Brooklyn Super Wings NY, to a spicy chicken wing throwdown. Colette’s wings have been voted as “Best Wings in Brooklyn 2010.” So Bobby was up for some stiff competition. Colette was ecstatic, almost to the point of tears, when she saw Bobby walk up to her to throw down the challenge. That was perhaps the best reaction of a contestant ever!

Dishes: Colette Burnett made her Caribbean style chicken wing with her tamarind sauce for cooking and her signature dipping “lava sauce,” prepared from fresh herbs (not dried). To make the lava sauce, take a 1/2 cup of olive oil, 6 cloves of garlic, 1 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of vinegar, 2 teaspoons of salt, 2 tablespoons of sugar, cayenne pepper, and, finally, the “secret sauce.”

Meanwhile, Bobby made a Caribbean style, jerk wing with rum-brown sugar glaze. Click here for the recipe

Judges: Margo Lane of the Grill Village in Manhattan and Ramin Ganeshram, author of Sweet Hands: Island Cooking from Trinidad & Tobago. The judges liked both dishes, but preferred the authentic Caribbean chicken wings by Colette.

Winner: Colette Burnett of Super Wings NY. Congrats, Colette!