The James Beard House

Monday morning after the market. Lots of butterflies at this time, walking into a kitchen where so many amazing chefs have cooked. Wow!

The crew. What an experience it was working with all of these guys. Some I have worked with before and others not but this was a very beneficial trip for all of us.

Robbie Nowlin and Daniel Patino making cherry- foie macaroons. These things were so good. Chef Patino made an extra 50 or so for us to munch on in the kitchen.

Meeting with Chef Dady the first morning we arrived.

It's not normal for a chef to help prep and see a dinner come together and then sit down and eat it. For most of us we were lucky enough to do this at the James Beard Dinner "A Cook's Reunion" on Tuesday August 25. The dinner featured my good friend Chef Dady, Chef Daniel Patino of Arcadia a Michael Mina restaurant in San Jose, CA. and Chef Christopher Lee of Aureole in New York. All three of these guys are top notch chefs and I was able to see alot of techniques that were new to me. I dont have pictures of the dinner because at our table was a board member of The James Beard Foundation and I thought it would be tacky, but it was wonderful. Reception with six different hors d'oeuvre and then six courses followed by petit fours.