This was the week that MadFood, a symposium held last month in Denmark released a talk by American cook Chris Costentino in which he emotionally describes the pain of becoming a 'television celebrity'. If you haven't watched the video or read an extract of his talk, I would urge you to read it. While speaking to young chefs, his lessons are valid for anyone thinking of going on … [Read more...]
Chefs on TV – all that glitters is not gold
Television is not just about stardom and fame. It can really create problems for people who are not aware of the risks and pitfalls that may exist. As a former print journalist who has seen many people succumb to the allure of television only to become unrecognisable when they attain so called 'fame' this talk at the Mad Symposium by Chris Cosentino, a Californian chef is a … [Read more...]
What influence do food guides and bloggers have on the culinary world?
Love them or hate them food guides and bloggers have a way of influencing us. Whether it is a word of mouth recommendation, a food blog, a tweet or photo on Instagram, a review on trip advisor or a guide book (Michelin, Gault Milau or Gambero Rosso for example), the way we make our choices these days is very much influenced by what we read. It was therefore incredibly … [Read more...]
Quique Dacosta – from washing dishes to one of the most avant-garde chefs in the world
Quique Dacosta's story is an intriguing one. He started working in a pizzeria at the age of 14 washing dishes. Not having any culinary tradition in the family he recalls that working in a restaurant was not romantic but rather a means to making money. "I started to make some modest money but it was enough for me to start discovering gastronomy." This is indeed a prime … [Read more...]
Fulvio Pierangelini – an Italian chef in exile
Few restaurant experiences have left a profound influence on my way of thinking about gastronomy as Fulvio Pierangelini's Gambero Rosso. This Italian chef who was riding the crest of the wave in terms of fame and success decided to close his restaurant in 2008 and since then has never returned back. Pierangelini, who had never taken a plane in the previous 30 years, as he … [Read more...]
