This Friday, Chicago hall of famer Graham Elliot will be hanging out in Santa Monica, hosting a beachside cookout as part of this weekend’s L.A. Food & Wine event. But even before Elliot hits the shore, The Daily Meal spills some beans that he is thinking about developing a permanent roost in Los Angeles with his partner, Merlin Verrier, a native of California’s Central Coast. Elliot cites the state’s product as his prime reason for setting up shop out West, in addition to his frequent travels to shoot Masterchef and Verrier’s possible longing for home.
Elliot, who helped set off the growing trend of big name chefs and restaurants rocking music festivals like this past weekend’s Lollapalooza (check out Grub Street’s pics), says of the possible westward move, “I just love that area. It’s a good energy and I think what we do would translate well there.” Let’s just hope he still likes the energy after our bloggers repeatedly pepper him with inquiries on the expansion this weekend.
