Celebrity Chef Dinner Fights Childhood Obesity

by Melody Kettle in


Our local Top Chef,  Ariane Duarte, will be teaming up with  Chef Amanda Freitag from Food Networks’s CHOPPED, and Carla Hall from ABC’s The Chew, for an evening of food, wine, friends, and charity. 

Louie’s Kids, a  nonprofit dedicated to fighting childhood obesity, is introducing  a new athletic mentoring initiative, Run Buddies, to the NJ/NY area.  Founder of Louie’s Kids, Louis Yuhasz, explains, “We are the folks who find the fix that fits for any kid who needs us.”

Read more on the Events Page . . . .


Chef Carrino Explains . . .

by Melody Kettle


The burgundy banner that bore the name Passionne is no loger hanging above  77 Walnut Street.  Another closing? Not quite.

Fortunately for owner of Passionne, Chef Michael Carrino, this is not a case of closure due to insufficient business.  Carrino is taking a brief hiatus to shop for a larger space where he can “grow his soapbox,” and provide the high quality locally sourced fare he is renowned for. 

When Carrino first opened Passionne in October 2006, he made a promise to himself to run the business, from Walnut Street for five years.  He did.  According to Carrino we will likely see him resurrect Passionne sometime before 2012.

Where will it be? Well, there’s still a bit of mystique surrounding the new location, I just hope he doesn’t go too far.  

Want the full scoop from Carrino himself? Watch the video.

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Grilled Peaches & Market Madness

by Melody Kettle


 

Take a look at the video! For more photos visit the gallery!


Mitchell Altholz meets Gordon Ramsay on the set of Kitchen Nightmares

by Melody Kettle


 

Mitchell Altholz with Gordon RamsayCheck out this photo of Chef Mitchell Altholz and Gordon Ramsay! 

Following dinner at Zod Arifai's restaurant, Blu, Chef Mitchell bumped into the rip-roaring celebrity chef on the set of Fox's Kitchen Nightmares,  which is currently shooting an episode at Leone's on South Park St. in Montclair. 

Here's what Mitchell had to say about the encounter:

I saw him on the street ( I know he speaks French) and I started to speak to him in French.  Then he asked me if I was French and I said "No, but I lived there for 7 years and worked with Paul Bocuse." He said "no sh*t." Then we talked a little about The Manor.  I wanted to hate him but he was so nice and funny.   

Hot From The Kettle wishes Leone's a wonderful make-over! Look for the Kitchen Nightmares episode to air on Fox sometime in Fall.
Leone's
19 South Park Street
Montclair, NJ 07042
*photo credit, Mitchell Altholz

 


Emeril's Table

by Melody Kettle


A few months ago, I thought interviewing Anothy Bourdain was my dream come true.  It was indeed an interesting conversation,  but today was pure foodie fun!

I was cast to participate in an episode of Emeril Lagasse's new show, Emeril's Table. The show will air on the Hallmark channel in the fall.  I can't say much more, but take a look at the pic taken from the green room!


Inside The Third Annual New Jersey Food and Wine Festival

by Melody Kettle in , , ,


Francesco Palmieri, The Orange Squirrel 

Last night, over 1000 people attended the  Grand Tasting at the New Jersey Food and Wine Festival. 

Some of the finest chefs from New Jersey and New York were in attendance serving up creative fare, while chatting it up with guests, sipping wines and sampling each other's dishes.

The playful, artistic, and extraordinarily talented chef, oh-so-cool, owner of The Orange Squirrel, Francesco Palmieri, riffed on a NJ favorite, creating a shooter of Bufala Mozzarella with Marinara foam. 

James Laird, of Seranade served over 800 plates of supremely executed Veal Carpaccio with Potato Gnocchi. 

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