Great Taste Magazine

The Celebrity Chef Tour benefitting the James Beard Foundation will be arriving in Hollywood on September 11, 2008. A reception and multi-course dinner will be held at Twist Restaurant in the exquisite Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa that evening, beginning at 7p.m. The talents of award-winning Chef Nate Appleman of A16 Restaurant will be featured, and the event will be hosted by Chef Elie Chow. For more information visitwww.celebritycheftour.com.

To commemorate Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar’s 10th anniversary, the Fashion Island-based restaurant is sponsoring a Culinary Competition with a $10,000 purse.  Applicants must be actively enrolled and pursuing a degree in a culinary school professional cooks program in fall of 2008 at one of four Orange County schools, including Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, the Art Institute of California, Orange County, Cypress College and Laguna Culinary Arts. Students interested in applying should visit www.FlemingsSteakhouse.com/NewportBeachCC.

ACF has launched a new online culinary social network, WeAreChefs.com. This new website is a place where culinarians across the world can communicate with their fellow chefs, participate in discussion forums, upload photos and create their own blogs and groups. To create your profile, visit www.wearechefs.com …and get connected!

Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out is a new national campaign that helps bring our restaurant industry together to make sure that no child in the US grows up hungry. From September 21-28, 2008, participating restaurants across the nation will donate up to 5% of that week’s sales, generating millions of dollars to help Share Our Strength end childhood hunger in America. Register your restaurant for participation today by clicking here, and check out www.greatamericandineout.org for more information on how to help eliminate childhood hunger. Check back soon to find out which local restaurants will be participating in this worthy cause.

Do you know someone aged 15-18 that can cook up a storm? The producers of Bravo’s Top Chef are searching for the younger generation of kickass culinary masters for their upcoming series, Top Chef Junior. Talented teens with a passion for food are asked to enter by e-mailing their name, age, location, contact info, photograph, and a one paragraph description of themself and why they would be an excellent contestant on the show to:

Shaun Hoff
shaun.hoff@magicalelves.com
213.630.6530 ex. 343

Good Luck!

Help Yard House Race for the Cure!! Team Yard House needs walkers to join them in 2008’s 17th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. In return for helping with this worthy cause, participants who sign up to walk as members of Team Yard House will receive a Yard House gift card. The goal is to recruit 275 walkers for Team Yard House and to collectively and raise $15,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The walk will take place at Fashion Island in Newport Beach on Sunday, September 28, 2008 and begins at 7:30a.m. To join the squad, please contact Team Captain Kristi Preston at kpreston@yardhouse.com.

Industry veteran Lowell Petrie has joined the team at Daphne’s Greek Cafe as their new Vice President of Marketing. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Petrie has worked with various companies including Mimi’s Cafe, Ruby’s Diners, and Denny’s, and will now be responsible for managing Daphne’s marketing and public relations functions.  August 2008

The Hilton Anaheim has hired Carlos Acosta as their new Food & Beverage Director, who will lead the team as they complete their renovation and prepare for the opening of new outlets. Acosta, who was most recently with the Mission Inn in Riverside, was named 2008’s Food & Beverage Director of the Year by the Southern California Restaurant Writer’s Association. It will surely be a great partnership for Acosta and the Hilton Anaheim! August 2008

Patina Restaurant Group announced a new Executive Chef has accepted a position at Leatherby’s Café Rouge in Costa Mesa. Don Schoenburg will be taking over the management of the kitchen and will supervise the summer and fall special events and the re-opening of the eatery October 1. Chef LuLu (Lauren DeRouen) is on her way to France for some advanced training and upon her return will take over the kitchen at Pinot Provence that is presently being managed by Corporate Executive Chef David Feau.

Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails announced the appointment of their Executive Chef.
Yves Fournier, previously of Hyatt Newport Beach and Six Park Grille at the Hyatt Regency Irvine will man the helm when they open in Irvine late this year.

www.andreisrestaurant.com

07/31/08

It’s never too early to start planning for the holidays!
The Montage Laguna Beach has released its 2008 Holiday Season Events calendar. Throughout the month of December, the Montage has it covered - from stories with Santa to various New Year’s Eve celebrations. Check our calendar for a complete schedule of their exquisite events!

Chefs’ Toys is in the midst of their big move. Dedicated workers are laboring nonstop to get the new store ready for opening by August 1st. This is their second move in three years, and more than likely their last. At the new location there is plenty of room for growth, and they know that this will help them serve loysl customers better. Their Santa Ana store is being closed and will be relocated across the street from Restaurant Depot’s Fountain Valley location. Chefs’ Toys hopes this will be a beneficial move for both of their businesses.  

July 2008      

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar has announced their 2008/2009 wine list, which, according to Fleming’s Director of Wine Marion Jansen op de Haar, is “Nothing less than an honor roll of excellence from around the world.” In this case, Fleming’s should surpass the honor roll and be named Valedictorian for choosing over 70% of this year’s wines from wineries that practice sustainable farming, and/or biodynamic farming. About these “green” additions, Jansen op de Haar says, “Without question, these selections set the Fleming’s 100 apart from other wine lists. I also believe the fruit for these wines to be purer in taste. By including these hand-crafted and environmentally responsible wines, we are introducing our guests to a whole new level of connoisseurship and enjoyment.” 

July 2008

July 16 marked a milestone for Specialty Restaurant Group as they closed on their latest restaurant to join the group - Guaymas in Tiburon, CA, a Mexican eatery is number 26 in their collection of fine restaurants. Chef Jason Pena most recently at Orange Hill Restaurant has been promoted to the Western Regional Chef position and will be working closely with Director of Culinary, David Locke to review and update (as needed) all of the local menus.  July 2008 

Domaine Restaurants‘ unique Hollywood eatery 25 Degrees is expanding from its original spot - the lobby of the legendary Roosevelt Hotel. Restaurateur team Tim and Liza Goodell plan to open three more 25 Degrees restaurants - one in Newport Beach, CA, another in Phoenix, AZ, and a third all the way in Beijing, China! To help with the company’s expansion, Domaine has brought on a new COO, Parnell F. Delcham, who has an extensive and impressive background in hospitality and marketing. The 24-hour operating restaurant has been praised for its unique menu and use of fresh local ingredients, and is a favorite of the out-and-about LA crowd. They must know a good burger when they taste one.

July 2008

The Southern California foodservice community is banding together to support Gynnae Ramos and her son Ryan. Over the July 4th weekend, Gynnae (of Kraft Foodservice) experienced the absolute unthinkable violation of domestic violence and the abduction of her 9 year-old son Ryan. At present, Gynnae and Ryan are both safe at home recovering and appreciate the thoughts and prayers coming from our tight-knit community. Many have asked what they can do to help support the family, and in lieu of gifts or flowers, the Schiffileas (Gynnae’s family) have asked that contributions be made to the Ryan Ramos College Fund. Any donations will surely go far in making sure that Ryan has a bright future.

Please send checks to: Wells Fargo Bank, 27702 Crown Valley Pkwy D1, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694

Please Make sure checks are made out to Ryan Ramos, and reference account #7217474852 in the memo portion of the check. Thank you for supporting a Woman in Foodservice and her family.

July 2008

What goes around - comes around with Patience & Persistence!

Years ago, when the Mondavi Center decided to close, Chef Paul Squicciarini had his eye on the space and had extraordinary plans to convert the space into the place to go for wine and fine cuisine in Orange County. Fast forward - time has flown- and Paul’s dream is finally coming true.

This month the new Orange County Wine and Food Center will celebrate their opening with a pre-release party with Ravenswood Winery and an additional five wineries. Wine, food and Jazz - what could be better at a new venue’s Summer opening.

For a period of approximately one year, Patina the most recent tenant and the new partners will share the facility as construction takes place to revamp several areas including spaces for a full-time cooking school and a café with barista resurrecting a winery feel with wine education, wine making programs, cooking classes, guest chef programs, and the event center all in the works.

Congratulations Paul!

www.vinecuisine.com

July 2008

Mark your calendars for South Coast Plaza’s fine dining restaurant week, a repeat of last summer’s successful endeavor. The event has been extended to nine days, spanning two weekends from July 25 through August 3, and will feature sampling of four course prix fixe menus for $40 (food only). This year’s participating restaurants include Antonello Ristorante, Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale’s, Hamamori Restaurant, Marché Moderne, Pinot Provence, Quattro Café, Royal Khyber Fine Indian Cuisine, Savannah Supper Club and Lounge, and Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar. Dinner service starts at 5 or 5:30pm, so for reservations or more information please contact the restaurants directly.

July 2008

June 30 marked the grand opening celebration for Versai The Wine Bar in Yorba Linda. Hundreds of guests turned out to support owner Robert Sarai (pictured above with Publicist Rene Redjaian) and sample global wines and hors d’oeuvres. The wine bar was built next door to Fitness Pizza & Grill, the restaurant Sarai has owned and operated for nearly 20 years.  Versai shares a kitchen with Fitness Pizza, but each restaurant will exist as a separate entity and maintain two completely different menus. Cheers, Versai! 

July 2008 

April Bloom has recently been named the new Wine Director and Sommelier of ENO, The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel’s premier wine, cheese and chocolate tasting room. ENO’s newest wine captain has already updated the wine list, creating new pairings and incorporating the first organic and biodynamic wine flight called “Message in a Bottle.” A new special, “Dealers Choice,” has also been added, and features a verbalized flight that changes on a daily basis. In addition, Bloom plans to continue revitalizing the menus on a regular basis with exclusive wines and artisanal cheeses and chocolates.  

June 2008

The team behind Yard House Restaurants has opened the first ever Yard House Bar & Grill, a new concept from the group, in Chino Hills. The Yard House Bar & Grill is described as a “little sister” of the original Yard House, featuring a more streamlined menu and beer selection, and will cater to smaller communities - essentially becoming part of the neighborhood landscape. Steele Platt, founder and CEO of the company, says the new project, “Will be similar to the Yard House experience - a place to go for lunch with friends, take the family to dinner or grab a beer during Happy Hour with co-workers at the end of the day.” We look forward to the successes of their new endeavor.

June 2008

As Sorrento Grille celebrates it’s 20th anniversary this year, they welcome new General Manager Lori McLean - a true hospitality professional. Corporate Chef Ryan Adams will also be appearing at Sorrento Grille, manning the stoves for the busy season and cooking up items from Sorrento’s new summer menu, which features lighter and healthier fare while keeping true to the bold, wood-grilled flavors the Grille is known for.

June 2008

The Habit Burger Grill, a Santa Barbara-based quick casual restaurant concept, announced the hiring of Russ Bendel Sr. as President and Chief Executive Officer. Bendel previously served as the President and COO of The Cheesecake Factory, and was the former CEO of Mimi’s Café. Brent Reichard, founder and CEO, and Dave Nordahl, current President, will both step down from their positions, but will remain actively involved in the future plans of The Habit. With 20 currently operating locations, the company has plans to open 100-120 units in the next 5-7 years.  

June 2008

Evolution Media, one of television’s most prolific reality production companies, has signed a program development deal with world-renowned, award-winning restaurateur and interior designer Barbara Lazaroff. Evolution Media and Lazaroff will jointly develop a new hybrid competition, documentary television series in which Lazaroff will challenge aspiring restaurateurs to test their mettle, guiding the one with the most promise through the struggles of opening their own restaurant.

June 2008