Interview with Craig Koketsu
Posted on 02. Tue, 2010 by grace in Interviews/Stories
Nominated as one of the Best Chef in New York City for the 2010 James Beard Awards , Craig Koketsu fostered his passion for precision, knowledge, and flavor by working with acclaimed chefs. Currently the Executive Chef for Quality Meats and Park Avenue, Koketsu came to New York from Northern California to work under Gray Kunz and later with Christian Delouvrier at the famed restaurant Lespinasse.
NAC: Congratulations on being nominated a semifinalist for the 2010 James Beard Awards for Best Chef in NYC…the Oscars of the culinary world. What does it feel like to be in the same category as Wylie Durfresne, Michael Anthony, Naomichi Yusuda among other great chefs in the big apple?
I know it’s a cliché, but [...]
Interview with Alpana Singh
Posted on 01. Sat, 2010 by admin in Interviews/Stories
Alpana Singh has been expertly pairing and serving fine wines since she was barely old enough to legally drink. A Master Sommelier since the age of 26 (and the youngest woman member of the exclusive Court of Master Sommeliers), Singh’s love of food and wine is deeply rooted in her upbringing, inspired by the inventive and zealous meals prepared by her Fiji Indian mother. When she’s not whirling around her kitchen to prepare an exotic meal or enjoying a glass of her favorite summer vintage, Singh can be found developing wine lists and cultivating palates as the Director of Wine and Spirits for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises in Chicago.
NAC: Why did you decide to become a sommelier?
SINGH: I originally started [...]
Interview with Roy Yamaguchi
Posted on 01. Sat, 2010 by admin in Interviews/Stories
Born in Tokyo, chef Roy Yamaguchi was inspired by the Hawaiian flavors his family incorporated into family meals. The creator of what he calls “Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine”, Yamaguchi, who moved to Hawaii in 1988, mingles Hawaii’s abundance of fresh, local ingredients with French and Japanese flavors to create dishes that are simultaneously vibrant and sophisticated, while hinting at the traditional.
New Asian Cuisine sat At The Table with this cookbook author, television personality, and owner of the renowned, eponymous string of “Roy’s” eateries, to find out how he keeps cool and heats thing up in the kitchen (and the backyard!) to get the very most out of summer.
NAC: You recently, in partnership with Anheuser-Busch, offered a special food and [...]
Interview with Heather Carlucci-Rodriguez
Posted on 01. Sat, 2010 by admin in Interviews/Stories
A broken leg and a chance encounter with a generous culinary student inspired renowned pastry chef Heather Carlucci-Rodriguez to open Lassi, New York’s most authentic taste of home-cooked India. Making delicious use of farm-fresh ingredients and unbridled creativity, Carlucci’s ever changing menu reflects her sense of adventure and a love of rich, comforting cuisine, both sweet and savory.
NAC: With a background as an American pastry chef, how did you end up opening an Indian restaurant?
CARLUCCI: I was pastry chef for 20 years, and then I ended up teaching because I broke my leg and couldn’t go into the kitchen full time! I couldn’t not work, so I started to teach. And it was a student who brought food to class [...]
Interview with Lee Anne Wong
Posted on 01. Sat, 2010 by admin in Interviews/Stories
New Yorker and self-proclaimed ’salt freak’ Lee Anne Wong is a dynamic combination of talent, personality, and passion. A contestant in season one of Bravo’s home-run reality show ‘Top Chef’, Wong won over audiences with her skill, sense of humor, and no-nonsense work ethic; off camera, she works as the Executive Chef of Event Operations for the International Culinary Theater at the French Culinary Institute. Quite a mouthful of a title, which is more than fitting for a woman who has so much on her plate.
NAC: How would you describe your personal cooking style? How does it reflect your personality? Your upbringing?
Wong: My personal style has evolved over the past few years and will continue to, I imagine, as I [...]
Interview with Jason Ha
Posted on 01. Sat, 2010 by admin in Interviews/Stories
Zip Fusion is all about good food, décor, friendly staff and reasonable prices. Its creator, Jason Ha brings inspiration from his Korean home, and with his Executive Chef Sean An, he introduces various Korean ingredients to satisfy his clientele. This young entrepreneur has already made his mark with his title of a “Mover and Shaker” in LA and also with his award winning Seaweed Salad, Sushi and much more.
NAC: Coming from a family of chefs and restaurateurs, how has it helped shape your interest in cooking?
JH: My family owned a line of successful Japanese, Korean and American restaurants in Korea, and my mother taught me the significance of the taste, smell and presentation of food. I was introduced to a [...]
Interview with Philippe Chin
Posted on 01. Sat, 2010 by admin in Interviews/Stories
Born to a Chinese father and a French mother, Chef Chin is a well known figure in the world of French-based fusion cuisine. Chef Chin satisfies his clientele in his fascinating new restaurant CuiZine in Aiken, South Carolina that boasts of the world’s best eclectic cuisines.
NAC:How did you enter the world of cooking? What is your inspiration?
Philippe Chin
My grandfather was one of the first Chinese restaurateurs in Paris and my dad was a great cook too. I always used to stand beside my dad while he prepared intricate Chinese dishes for us. This helped me develop a sense for different seasonings, combinations, and possibilities of traditional Asian cuisine. At the age of 12, I decided I wanted to be [...]
Interview with Kristy Choo
Posted on 01. Sat, 2010 by admin in Interviews/Stories
Jin Patisserie is a dessert lover’s nirvana. Executive Chef Kristy Choo combines a passion for sweet decadence with an artistic flair, to create gorgeous cakes and chocolates that are almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.
Born in Singapore, award-winning chocolatier Choo was a flight attendant before becoming a chef–an experience that nurtured a passion for international cuisine.
NAC: Describe your journey from flight attendant to chef.
KC: It was a tough decision as I took a significant pay cut. Working in the kitchen is also a tough job for female and it certainly is not as glamorous as being a flight attendant.
NAC: What’s your cultural background, and how does that (and your family) influence your food?
KC: Having been born into a Chinese family [...]
Interview with Jake Klein
Posted on 01. Sat, 2010 by admin in Interviews/Stories
Having been brought up in a family of culinary experts, Jake Klein was able to hone his skills at a very early age. Today, Jake is well known for his artistic style and exclusive Asian cuisine. As the Executive Chef of Pulse, a hip restaurant located in the Sports Club/LA at Rockefeller Center, Jake stands out as one of the most talented rising chefs in New York City.
NAC: Your family is very well known in the culinary world. Your grandfather owned the legendary Raphil’s, your mother was Miami’s premier restaurant publicist and your stepfather is an award winning cookbook author. Can you tell us how they have
influenced you?
JK: My stepfather, Steven Raichlen, has been a great influence throughout my culinary [...]
Interview with Tommy Tang
Posted on 01. Sat, 2010 by admin in Interviews/Stories
From his struggles in Bangkok to his success in the United States, Tommy Tang has come a long way. Today, he stands tall as a well known chef and a popular TV personality. And along with his mouthwatering Southeast Asian cuisines, his fundraising programs have made him very special in the culinary world.
NAC: As the eldest son of 12 siblings, you did many odd jobs to support your family? Can you please tell us more about it?
TT: I had to leave school to support my family when I was eleven. My first job was of a floor-fan cleaner in a factory in Bangkok where I worked for 14 hours everyday. My father had a Thai food café then and I [...]