Joel Robuchon's Best of the Best signing

 Attended a fantastic book signing at Skylofts MGM Grand for JR's new "Best of Robuchon" book.   A step by step photo recipe volume of Chef Robuchon's top 10 dishes.  Included are great everyday tips and suggestions for any level cook.

Me, Jeanette Seng, Chef Eric Bouchenoire, Rose Seng

Ariccia Market owners, Bobby & Stephanie

Chefs Kamel Guichida, Francois Benoit, Philippe Braun

Chef Joel Robuchon's Le Grand Livre de Cuisine

A memoir, an epic cookbook with documentary DVD from "The Chef of the Century",  Joel Robuchon, definitely an incredible volume of one man's culinary passion.    I was invited to a special luncheon at Restaurant Joel Robuchon, Las Vegas and to my surprise I received this incredible gift.   The inscription translates "To my dear Alice, for her passion to fine cuisine for whom it is not just in the eyes".    Shocked and almost in tears, I graciously accepted.

This padded-cover book comes in slip jacket box, text in French, recipes in metric, 504 pages, gorgeous photos, published by chef and colleague Alain Ducasse.  Price tag 250 Euros/ $325 US.  Sold at his Las Vegas Restaurants (Joel Robuchon and L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon @MGM Grand Hotel).   If you don't read or understand French, culinary terms, metric measuring, mis en place, or classic French  cooking techniques you could just be looking at the pictures and drooling in your wine!   

A bonus DVD (in French) is a lovely documentary revealing JR's journey from young man of modest means dreaming a success story not most of us could comprehend.   The son of a Poitiers brick-layer, young Joel was first called to serve in the priesthood.  However fate directed him to help out in the nun's  kitchen.   He was hooked for another calling.   His journey from cook to chef de cuisine to Jamin Restaurant chef- owner proves his earned success and world recognition.   I love this book.   I love the story, I love the man, I love his integrity, creative passion and overwhelming generosity to share his love of food with the entire world.   Oh yes, the recipes are very detailed and work as written.

I predict this elegant culinary tome will be a cherished, collectible treasure in anyone's culinary library. 

Chef Joel Robuchon and Alice

This brings me to an earlier and more practical work by Chef Robuchon which is.........

The Complete Robuchon (in English, U.S. measurements) is affordable, understandable, doable and delicious!    A U.S rollout in Las Vegas, October 2009 to a first class party with panache, French pomp and circumstance fit for royalty!    I received an early review copy, read it cover to cover, tested recipes and am surprised how good it is coming from a French chef (so much information can be lost in translation).   I highly reccommend this book to anyone with some basic food knowledge and a passion to learn from Chef Joel Robuchon.   700 pages, no photos, $35.

Chef Joel, Alice, Bobby & Stephanie at book soiree

Theater at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon

MGM Grand KA Cirque de Soleil artist & Chef Joel Robuchon

Robuchon Chefs Eric Bouchenoire, Tomonori Danzaki, Yuichiro Watanabe

Chef Claude Le Tohic (carves Jamon Iberico)

May 7, evening: After the chef's photo op, Goldberg and I are tired and hungry. I am parched, however there is bubbly refreshment, sumptuous repast and cheerful friends at my "culinary home away from home", L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon.

A quick history: I began my discovery of this culinary mecca when L'Atelier and Joel Robuchon at the Mansion @ MGM Grand opened in 2005. I established my culinary friendship with Chef Joel, yes the real one, Chef of the Century Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas. I loved his simple refined flavors, and artistic plate presentations; his sensibility. He respected my French culinary education, strict training, artistic style and 30+ year career dedication (aka work ethic). It wasn't insincere like most chef-to-customer requested table visit. Oh no, we spoke the same food language, cooked by the rules, integrity, creativity, perfection and most important, culinary PASSION! I found my mentor, my professeur, my friend Joel Robuchon!

L'Atelier/MGM Grand, 7pm: We are greeted by general manager and dear friend, Emmanuel Cornet. The champagne (Bruno Paillard) flows. Off topic: Mr. Robuchon has never forgotten when I drove to Las Vegas from Los Angeles same day just to have dinner with him (3 hours L.A. to Vegas + I received a speeding ticket). He always remembers that story and reminds me to "slow down".

Anyway, Chef Steve Benjamin creates something special for us to nibble on (while I decompress). Chef Joel arrives on the scene to oversee and greet customers. Like long-lost culinary soul mates we connect like there has been no gap in between visits. With his limited English and my rusty French we always understand each other, and it's joyous! I'm home at L'Atelier and craving comfort cuisine after the contrived photo shoot. The Hanger Steak with Chef's famous Pommes Puree is deliciously perfect to calm me down. Vin rouge, please.

We are then greeted by Mr. Robuchon's cadre of celebrated chefs: Eric Bouchenoire, Claude Le Tohic, Tomonori Danzaki, Yuichiro Watanabe and pastry chefs, Kamel Guechida + Francois Benot. They are dedicated, intense chefs, yet confident gentlemen; no drama-queen attitude allowed in Robuchon's kitchen! They stop their jobs to say hello and visit. How wonderful, and impressive. These are my friends. Chefs enjoy serving an educated colleague and respectful alumna. It's a family at Chez Robuchon and I feel so proud to be part of it! How lucky am I. Goldberg says, "you deserve it, you earned it".

GM Emmanuel tells us that we're guests of Chef Joel tonight for "Theatre in the Kitchen" from 11:30pm-1:30am with a special performance from MGM Grand's KA by Cirque du Soleil. Imaginative appetizers and drinks are in order so don't fill up on dessert. After Illy brand pressed coffee, several handmade Robuchon chocolates, and a little slot machine ding-ding-ding, we arrive back at L'Atelier for another culinary adventure and a show! Everyone attending received a personalized copy of Mr. Robuchon's new cookbook. One of the best events, absolutely marvelous! Merci Chef et Cie.

Exciting Las Vegas Uncork'd Culinary Event May 2009

Check out this fabulous Las Vegas Dining and no-whining (lots of wine/beer) 4-day event called Vegas Uncork'd. Starting May 7-10, 2009 sponsored by Bon Appetit Magazine in my favorite food city of Las Vegas, Nevada is where all the foremost celebrity chefs convene for cocktails, wine & cuisine seminars, stylish dining, and my favorite Friday night "Grand Tasting" under a gigantic marquee tent poolside at Caesar's Palace. There is even a chefs blackjack tournament at the gorgeous Encore Resort and a celebrity chef cook-off battle!

I attended last year and ate my fill with world-class chefs Joel Robuchon, Guy Savoy, Herbert Keller, Paul Bartolotta and the list goes on. It's a great value for the ticket price and all the famous strip restaurants are featured. Definitely no skimpy portions either. It's cool, so go!