YumSugar

The Year's Best Restaurant Chef

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:30:14 -0800

For our Best of 2008 series, we asked you who you thought deserved the title of best restaurant chef of the year.

The votes for Masaharu Morimoto and Thomas Keller were neck and neck, but ultimately your pick was Thomas Keller.

We must, however, respectfully disagree and say that our pick for best restaurant chef is David Chang. Since David Chang opened his first Momofuku restaurant, the New York chef has skyrocketed to unexpected heights of celebrity chefdom.

We have always been fans of the talented young chef's unparalleled innovation in flavor and technique, and his ability to bring a dramatically different yet affordable type of comfort food to the masses. When we sat down with him at Slow Food Nation, we also fell for his self-deprecating humor and bad boy demeanor.

Have you been to one of Chang's Momofuku restaurants?

Source

Who's the Best Restaurant Chef of 2008?

YumSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:45:39 -0800

Despite the economic recession, this has been a great year for a select group of restaurant chefs, like Alice Waters, who headed up the first-ever Slow Food Nation; Grant Achatz, who beat tongue cancer, won this year's James Beard Award for outstanding chef, and recently appeared on Top Chef; and David Chang, whose Momofuku restaurants have an unprecedented cult popularity. Tell me: Which one of these restaurant chefs do you think is the Best of 2008?

Source and Source

Top Chef Quiz: Restaurant Wars

partysugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:15:32 -0700

Last night's Top Chef was a good one; the majority of the of the show focused on restaurant wars. It was the first time we saw some of the major players serve bad dishes and one of the few times that the judges were impressed with desserts. Were you paying attention? Find out now and take the quiz!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Take the quiz

Top Chef Vegas: Episode 9

partysugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:50:37 -0700

On the latest Top Chef, the remaining eight cheftestants have to prove they can work as a team. The quickfire involves blindfolds and the elimination challenge is everyone's favorite, what Padma dubs the "most anticipated episode of the season," restaurant wars. To discuss all the delicious details, read more.

How cute was it when Michael picked his bro?
What did you think of the quickfire? Did the blue team win because Jen set them up with a specific dish?
Were you excited for restaurant wars? I was bummed they didn't have to do decor!
Michael V. says that winning restaurant wars is about the execution. Do you agree?
For some reason, I really enjoyed Jen in this episode. I identified with her when she told Tom she was stressed because she thinks she's superwoman and takes on too much. Did you see a different side of her as well?
During restaurant wars, in past seasons, did they have more time to cook?
What exactly is a billi-bi?
Are the producers keeping Robin around because she is the only person who causes drama?
Who worked the front of the house better? Eli or Laurine?
Were you surprised that Tom said Revolt was the best restaurant restaurant wars had ever seen?

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Top Chef Recap 5.9: Restaurant Wars

partysugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 03:00:13 -0800

One of the most important episodes - restaurant wars - came and went last night on Top Chef. Did you watch? To discuss the episode (warning spoilers ahead), read more.

Do you know who Stephan Starr is?
Whose quickfire dish looked the best?
What did you think of Radhika and Leah being the restaurant chefs/owner?
In terms of relationships, did Leah and Hosea totally screw up? How would you feel as one of their significant others?
Should a chef be expected to be good in the front of the house?
Can you believe Jamie did scallops again?
Did Bravo know the freezer didn't work?
Does Leah have an attitude problem?
Who would you have sent home: Leah or Radhika?
Carla's "sending the love theory": thoughts?

Source

Can You Match the Chef to the Restaurant?

partysugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 05:50:25 -0700

Between the James Beard Awards and the hype around the announcement that NYT restaurant critic, Frank Bruni, is stepping down, I've had restaurants on my mind. Not just any restaurants, but ones owned by big time celebrity chefs. While we always talk about the chefs, we rarely mention the restaurants. That's why it's high time we give these acclaimed eateries some attention. I've put together a quiz: I'll list a chef and you tell me the name of their restaurant. Sound like fun? Get started!

Source

Take the quiz

2007's Favorite Restaurant Chef Is . . .

YumSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:28:31 -0800

We recently asked you to choose your favorite restaurant chef of 2007. The response was surprising and 28 percent of you said that Grant Achatz of Chicago's Alinea was your fave in 2007. Unfortunately, I've never made it to Alinea and am actually not that familiar with Achatz's work - which seems like a crime as his reputation is fantastic - so I'm going to have to go with my personal fave. Here at San Francisco-based Sugar HQ, we are gaga for Elizabeth Falkner. If you're not familiar with her, I think you soon will be. Her star is on the rise; she's been a guest judge on Top Chef and has just released Demolition Desserts, a book of recipes from her restaurant Citizen Cake. She's also set to open a new restaurant, Orson, where eaters can find "edgy California cuisine." I know I'll be making a reservation!

Who Is Your Favorite Restaurant Chef of 2007?

YumSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:29:30 -0800

We've asked you what you've thought of male and female celebrity chefs, but now we want to know what you think of famous restaurant chefs. We selected a few of our faves from across the globe, but now we want to know which one you think is the Best of 2007?

Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, and Source

Stephen Asprinio Opens His New Restaurant

YumSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:15:31 -0800

As you may know, Top Chef Season 4 is just around the corner. It's hard to believe that we're already on the fourth installment, it seems like season one was just yesterday. The show just keeps getting better, however I have a special place in my heart for the season one folks. So when the gals at Karmic Kitchen tipped me off to the fact that Stephen Asprinio's restaurant Forte di Asprinio opened, I knew I'd have to share the info with you.

Stephen, known as the obnoxious wine guy from season one, has created his new space in West Palm Beach, Fl. The restaurant is said to be "modern chic" and will seat 175 folks inside and out. The menu will be "traditional Tuscan with progressive touches" but it's not going to be fusion.
And of course it couldn't be a place by Stephen if there wasn't wine. When asked about it he said:

We've got some unique wines not available anywhere else in the U.S. The cellar is more than 500 bottles - not bad for a space like this. Things like a '47 Cheval Blanc, several magnums, a Far Niente signed by the winemaker in its early days - things they couldn't get in Vegas, even.

So what do you guys think, are you interested in checking his new place out?

And in other news, according to his website, he's going to be the host of a new show and online wine course.

Source

Yummy Links: From Top Chef's Finale to Spanish Chorizo

partysugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:50:08 -0800

The finale of Top Chef Vegas was recently filmed in Napa Valley. - Eater
The New Yorker get to know Los Angeles restaurant critic Jonathan Gold. - Grub Street NY
Ubuntu, Napa's vegetarian darling of a restaurant, may start serving meat. - SF Foodie
Thirteen individuals who are making waves in the food industry. - Chow
One Houston restaurant critic has dropped his anonymity. - Eat Me Daily
What your beer says about you. - Serious Eats
Spanish chorizo adds a richness and flavor to everything it touches. - The Epi-Log

Photo courtesy of Bravo