Iconic French Chef Paul Bocuse Tribute in Las Vegas

Chef Paul Bocuse

Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit announced the addition of an extraordinary culinary experience, “Toques Off to Paul Bocuse,” to its fifth annual weekend of events, May 5-8. On Saturday, May 7, an unprecedented lineup of the world’s greatest chefs will gather at MGM Grand to pay tribute to the 20^th century’s most influential and revered culinary icon, Paul Bocuse. Creator of the Bocuse d’Or—the world’s most prestigious international culinary competition held annually in Lyon, France—Chef Bocuse has influenced generations of chefs from around the world and multitudes of food lovers they serve.


Guest of honor will be Jerome Bocuse, Paul's son.   Chef's Joel Robuchon, Alain Ducasse, Pierre Gagnaire, Hubert Keller, Guy Savoy and Julian Serrano will each be responsible for creating and preparing signature dishes in a multi-course dinner inspired by Chef Bocuse's
nouvelle cuisine method.


In addition to the meticulous prepared and lavish dinner, the evening will begin with a reception where guest can mingle with these culinary stars, followed by a Champagne toast to Chef Bocuse, and ending with a video retrospective of his life, legend and lasting influence, not only in the realm of French gastronomy, but also in the finest restaurants throughout the world. -Press release-


My comments:  I remember meeting Chef Bocuse in Paris when I was a culinary student at Le Cordon Bleu in 1974.   His restaurant in Lyon, France was known for haute cuisine with rich sauces, fine service and a sky-high price tag.    Doesn't sound like Mr. Bocuse (85) will show up in person for this Vegas $395 soiree!   Maybe I'll be surprised.

Showing Old Time Camillias

Here are my results from yesterday's Southern California Camillia Society show.  I've now completed the Intermediate class ready to show with everyone else.  Really excited to get on the table with variety "Drama Girl" / Tray of 3.  It's hard enough to show one camillia (judges want perfection, symmetry, form, color, fresh stamens, typical of the variety, etc, all somewhat the same criteria to rose judging).   However to show a tray of 3 is really, really hard.   The variety Drama Girl is one so very close to my heart, now growing in the backyard.  I won't go into the the similarity of the name "Drama Girl" to me personally (ha-ha).  With very large showy blooms, 6-8 inches in diameter (depending on our weather), striking salmon pink color with bright yellow stamens, delicate in substance was one of my parent's favorite camillia varieties.

Drama Girl

Drama Girl / Tray of 3

Both my parents and my Mom's parents (The Bernharts) were crazy about camillias, probably more so than roses as all 80 + bushes (some now trees over 25 feet tall) were planted around the property between 1950-1960.    These Old-Timers are not really shown much and it's fun to bring them back to a show for others to enjoy.    

Elegans

Kumasaka

Camillia blooming season is short ( Nov-March) and each variety blooms differently either early, mid or late in their season.   Camillias are super easy to grow, they like shade or sun, in pots or in the ground.   They fill the gap when rose blooms are slowing down Nov/Dec.   Then in January, rose pruning and planting awaiting first rose blooms in late March, early April.   Great to live in Sunny Southern California with flowers blooming all-year around!

My Gratitude 2010

As I reflect on my 2010 year's journey I must respectfully acknowledge the support of;

Linda Goldberg, MFT, whose continued wisdom has kept me moving forward since 1991.  

Elizabeth James-Berberich, esteemed food stylist & dear friend who has respected my knowledge.

Cheryl Dent & Jenny Brown, friends first & great food styling assistants.

Lincoln Snyder who took my Dad's 1930 Model A Truck off my hands and restored it to the vehicle Al  would have been proud of.

Ryan Beck, commercial photographer whose talents and generosity has allowed me to stretch and painfully grow as an food artist.

Helen Richards, neighbor and Los Angeles Tinseltown Rose Society partner in crime, thanks for all the fun.  

Chef Joel Robuchon and his Las Vegas restaurant chefs / staff;  you understand my/our passion, laborious, hard work of French cuisine and respect my culinary roots.  Merci.

Virginia Brooks, friend of 36 years from Paris days, always there for me, thank you.

Ellie Burnett, kindergarten pal who this year I reconnected with.  

I thank all my friends, colleagues, Facebook readers & fellow bloggers for their support.

And finally, deep love and appreciation to Jean-George, Andy & Marie Bernhart, Albert & Evelyn Hart whose sacrifice and gifts will never be forgotten.

Happy New Year, Good Health and Prosperity to All.

Coffee College? I'm going to Jones Coffee Roasters, Pasadena CA

Nestled in a warehouse at 693 S. Raymond Ave (back entrance off Edmondson alley) rests a artisanal coffee lover's dream come true.   The family Jones Coffee Roasters is just that.  In 1994 a passionate family started the wholesale roasting biz (family owns 100 year old coffee farm, Finca Dos Marias in Guatemala) then added a retail sales and hippy-dippy cool hang out for caffeine addicts (connoisseurs) like me.

green coffee beans

The flagship green beans come from the family coffee farm in Guatemala (yes, they have escorted tours) and other sustainable farms around the world.   I was there when Rafael Batiz was roasting 21 pounds of Columbian Decaf.    After tumbling in the roaster 15-18 minutes he pulls a small sample of roasted beans to smell the aroma and check the bean color.  Too long in the roaster, the beans are burnt and bitter.

Rafael Batiz smells the sample beans

It takes experience to know when to release the hopper of perfectly roasted coffee beans. The aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans is a sensual experience and envelopes the entire warehouse.  Ahhhhh......

Rafael Batiz releases the roasted coffee to cool 

Jones Coffee Roasters is open 7 days a week, all coffee drinks made to order, even decaf drip.  Pastries and Friday tamales are good.  Plenty of spots to sip, talk, hang out, open mike and art shows rotate.   Retail bean bar offering 25+ coffee varieties from high to low acid, dark to medium roast, blends and flavor complexity a-go-go.   They have it all and want to educate the art of roasting, brewing and pleasures of drinking handcrafted, top shelf coffee.   There is also a choice of tea for you T-total-lers.   Baristas are really nice and knowledgeable.   Not the corporate *$'s vibe and crappy java.   So delightful, refreshing and fun.

Coffee brewing devices for sale along with my favorite Chemex Classic drip.   They offer Coffee College aka workshops in basic brewing, cupping (proper coffee tasting), and fancier barista artistic blending.

coffee bean sales bar

I introduced myself to one of the owners, Larry Jones.   He gave me the tour, showed me the cool neon hotel sign and I felt right at home (even though it's a 25 minute drive from my home).   Jones Coffee Roasters is worth the time and gas for the perfect cup of Joe.........I mean Jones!

DineLA Chefs QuickFire Sweet Finale

Finalist Chefs Mark Peel of Campanile/The Tar Pit, Akira Hirose of Maison Akira, Octavio Becerra of Palate Food + Wine and Eric Greenspan of The Foundry on Melrose gathered at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill L.A. LIVE for the Dessert Finale showdown & bragging rites to DineLA.

Judges Evan, Russ, Sherry

Judges including Wolfgang Puck Worldwide Executive Pastry Chef Sherry Yard, Los Angeles Times Food Editor Russ Parsons, and Chef and Owner of Angeli Caffe and Host of KCRW's Good Food, Evan Kleiman.

Chef Eric's Peanut Butter Cookie with Banana Bacon Marshmallow Filling

Chef Octavio's Baked Grape & Cheese Clafoutie

Chef Akira's Ice Cream with Red Wine Poached Figs

Chef Peel's UpsideDown Peach Cake

And the Grand Prize Winner is........Chef Eric Greenspan of The Foundry on Melrose.

Please visit a Los Angeles restaurant on DineLA's list during these 2 weeks.  Now is the perfect time to explore LA's vast selection of multicultural flavors, culinary styles & food artistry.   Go meet the chefs, they won't bite!  

DineLA Quickfire Challenge @ Loteria Grill! in Hollywood

DineLA Restaurant Week, October 3-8 and October 10-15, has engaged participating restaurants (special lunch/dinner menus with great value prices) and their amazing chefs with a Los Angeles Quickfire Challenge.  Tonight was round 4 with two Celebrity Chefs going head to head, using a secret ingredient (fresh poblano chilies) and just 15 minutes to create a special "taco".   The winner tonight moves to the final round, October 5 from 5-7 pm at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill in L.A. Live for the finale & title win.  They'll be competing against Chefs Mark Peel, Octavo Becerra, & Akira Hirose.

Chef Jimmy Shaw and Poblano Chilies

Our gracious host Jimmy Shaw, chef owner of Loteria Grill! at 6627 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 held the competition between Chef Eric Greenspan of The Foundry on Melrose and Chef Akasha Richmond of AKASHA. 

Chefs Akasha Richmond & Eric Greenspan

Chef Akasha's Indian Style Tacos

Chef Eric's Pork Belly Tacos

Judges Chef Jimmy Shaw, Harriett Ells and Heather John

And the winner was...Chef Eric Greenspan of The Foundry on Melrose

These Quickfire Challenges are a teasy-tangy Amuse-Bouche to wet our dining-out appetite.   A great opportunity to try a different type or cuisine style restaurant at great prices.   Life's too short not to treat yourself.   Be adventuresome and experience something new, the prices are certainly right!  Restaurant list and details found at DineLA.

Coke Zero® Rolls New Fall Football Ads

Check out the new Coke Zero® football ads I styled.    Bubbles and water droplets strategically placed on the bottle and can for a cold, thirst-quenching look.

Tim Tadder Photography®

Tim Tadder Photography®