On the heels of his veteran “Top Chef” cast announcement today, Chef John Tesar announces a new project that will see the celebrated chef revive some of his most popular Spoon seafood dishes for a limited number of diners at secret locations throughout Dallas. Seating will be limited to 16 guests per night, with location details revealed only one day before the event. Continue reading
Filed under Crave, Pop-Up Restaurant
by Steven Doyle
The food lords of Dallas were taken aback recently when Tre Wilcox resigned his post two years after he opened the kitchen at Marquee in Highland Park Village. Wlicox comes to us with an amazing pedigree named as the James Beard Foundation’s “Rising Star Chef” for two consecutive years, and appearing on Top Chef Season 3 and the All Star Season 8. On any given night Wilcox could be found working the line in his own kitchen at Marquee rather than playing up his celebrity status.
Wilcox claimed he wanted to spend more time with his family and offer cooking classes in his home, and the man has been doing just that. Continue reading
Filed under chefs, Classes, Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
I do not normally report on the whole Top Chef thing, we always assume our readers are out dining or sipping an amazing tequila, or hob knobbing with a few local bands on their day off. At least that is how I envision you all. However, this season has been particularly interesting with the addition of three talented local chefs.
Be there no doubt that I was all upset when Danyele McPherson from The Grape took her leave from the show just weeks ago. Danyele is talented, perky and a whole lot of fun. I met her first working with McCallister back at Stephan Pyles, and instantly took to her radiant personality. She is a class act and Top Chef could use a few more Danyele’s. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle, Top Chef
by Steven Doyle
Thanksgiving is upon us once again and all the gobblers are running for cover. To get you in the mood for a little fun and relaxation we asked a few chefs around Dallas several questions so we get our dinner cooked just right. We will run their answers both today and tomorrow, so check back often to see how your favorite chef weighs in on the holiday.
Danyele McPherson is the feisty Chef de Cuisine behind The Grape on Lower Greenville. She is slugging it out using her favorite knives on the tenth season of Top Chef, and attended the Culinary Institute of America. Today Danyele sends thanks and answers a few of our silly Thanksgiving questions. Continue reading
Filed under chefs, Steven Doyle, Thanksgiving
by Steven Doyle
Spoon Bar and Kitchen will more than likely be open for business this weekend, but that could change depending on the mood of chef-owner, John Tesar. For the sake of brevity, I am sure most in the city are familiar with Tesar, but if not you may catch him tonight as the 10th season of Top Chef premiers. Although the chef can’t, and won’t give up any juicy details of his exploits on the program, you may rest assured he charges out with his guns blazing.
Last night I was an invited guest of Tesar at the soft opening for Spoon, Tesar’s love child of a restaurant that he has been working on for the past year. Guests were not offered selections from the regular menu, but rather from his tasting menu, which will change often to keep up with seasons and availability of ingredients. The tasting menu will be offered each day on the menu. Continue reading
Filed under Caviar, chefs, Restaurant Opening, Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
Tiffany Derry is celebrating her first anniversary with her restaurant Private|Social, and to kick off the festivities she has revamped her Social menu to include shared plates (we love them) which includes Korean BBQ Short Ribs with Sweet and Spicy Pickled Cucumbers; Shishito Peppers with Korean Spices, and Sesame Seeds; and Lamb Meatballs with Spicy Marinara Sauce, Goat Cheese and Crusty Bread.
“We’ve had a great first year. To mark the occasion, I wanted to shake things up a bit with the Social menu,” says Derry. “I wanted to keep it approachable by offering affordable shared and large plates.” Continue reading
Filed under Dallas, restaurant news, Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
Consider this the worst kept secret in Dallas food history. Bravo just announced the players for this season of Top Chef and it looks like there are three chefs from the Dallas area. Leading the pack is bad boy chef John Tesar who at 54 years old might possibly be the oldest chef to participate. Tesar is about to open his own restaurant, Spoon, in the coming months. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle, Top Chef
by Judy Chamberlain photos by Robert Bostick
Carla Hall is the new Martha Stewart. The Top Chef All Star and co-host of ABC’s wildly successful The Chew, has been – like Stewart – a model and finance professional. Stewart was a stockbroker; Hall was an accountant. Both traded careers in business for food and media situations. As beautiful inside as she is to look at, Hall takes America’s love affair with food and chefs over the top. Continue reading
Filed under chefs, Judy Chamberlain, restaurant news, Top Chef
