Laurent Tourondel’s Recipes Feed South Pole Residents; Greek Diner Ownership• Laurent Tourondel may not be working on a restaurant in Trump Soho, but he keeps himself busy with tasks like advising cooks at the South Pole on how to replicate his recipes. [WSJ]
• Saturday’s East Side crane accident leveled Irish tavern Fubar, which fortunately was not open at the time. [NYP]
• The owner of Stage Deli, which was shut down for health violations including “a severe vermin infestation,” claims the problems are limited only to the basement level, but last time we checked, rats aren’t really afraid of infesting restaurants at street level. [NYT]
Mediavore
Balducci’s Ruins Hanukkah; Dave Martin Can Paint, TooBalducci’s made a big mistake by advertising boneless spiral ham as “Delicious for Chaunkah.” [NYDN]
Contradicting his colleague, Frank Bruni defends the entrée, arguing that a “too-long sequence or too-broad collection of too-small plates is like being tickled and tickled and never flat-out hugged.” [Diner’s Journal/NYT]
Le Bernardin’s James Beard–award–winning pastry chef enjoys a nice Snickers bar with almonds at the end of the day. [Restaurant Girl]
Mr. Snitch
Chef’s Desperate Plea: Nominate Me for an Award!
We recently came across a poignant email written by a prominent young chef whose flashy cooking has earned him much praise, including ours. Judging by the note, which you can find after the jump, those plaudits weren’t enough: The chef pleads with his friends to nominate him for a prestigious James Beard Foundation Award (the organization takes suggestions on their Website, as we explained last week). Prepare to cringe. (Identifying details have been removed.)
NewsFeed
Nominate Katie Holmes for a Beard Award
Unlike the Oscars or People’s “Sexiest Man Alive,” nominations for gastronomy’s highest honor are open to the public: You can suggest your favorite chef or restaurant for a coveted James Beard Award before midnight on December 15, simply by logging on to the foundation’s Website. Of course, if your cook isn’t already a big shot, his best chance for a beard is to go for awhile without shaving. (Though here, women are at a clear disadvantage.) Still, you can always tell that special person you nominated them and hope for an extra scoop of caviar — or rice and beans, as the case may be — at your next meal. And more importantly, you can get them on the Foundation’s radar, which is the key to future glory.
James Beard Foundation Awards Nomination Form [James Beard Foundation]
Foodievents
Powerful Chefs Wooing All Comers With Chocolate and WineOn Friday, Jean Luc Le Dû, former James Beard Sommelier of the Year and Jacques Torres, former James Beard Pastry Chef of the Year and owner of Jacques Torres Chocolate Haven, are getting together at Le Dû’s West Village wine store to give a series of seminars on chocolate and dessert wines. Given the men’s star power, the classes are a bargain at $25 each. Seating is limited, so reserve now with your credit card.
Fri., Nov. 3 at 6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m.
Le Dû’s Wines, 600 Washington St., nr. Leroy St.; 212-924-6999.
