December 17, 2006

Chef of the Month: Jean-Georges Vongerichten Recent News on the Chef2Chef News Desk This Week's Foodservice Daily Newsletter: American Lamb - From American Land. Looking for Culinary Treasures? Shop in the Chef2Chef Market Place for the Holidays! Chappaqua Girl Scout Troop Releases New Cookbook Called Americans Cook! Recipe of the Week: Pan Griddled Lamb Chops Today's Top Chef Blogs New Jobs! Jobs at Chef2Chef.net!

Food Arts

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Chef of the Month: Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Jean-Georges' culinary expertise may have launched him into the stratosphere—his name is recognized around the globe—but his beginnings are markedly humble. Born and raised on the outskirts of Strasbourg in Alsace, France, food took center stage in his childhood. The Vongerichten home centered around the kitchen, and both his mother and grandmother prepared lunch daily for the almost 50 employees in their family-owned business. "I would wake every morning to the most wonderful smells," reminisces Jean-Georges, "and I quickly became known as ‘The Palate’ to my family, tasting each sauce and dish, recommending salt or some more herbs." His love for food gave way to big dreams at the age of 16, when his parents brought him to the 3-star Michelin-rated Auberge de l’IIl for a birthday dinner. He wanted to be a chef—a decision transformed his life.

Jean-Georges began his training soon after in a work-study program at the Auberge de l'III as an apprentice to Chef Paul Haeberlin. He went on to work with some of Frances' top chefs, including Paul Bocuse and Louis Outhier at L’Oasis. With this impressive training, Jean-Georges landed a fantastic job at the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a true-blue culinary superstar.

For the rest of the story, some great recipes from Chef Jean-George and a look at his cookbook, Click Here

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Recent News on the Chef2Chef News Desk!

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The French Culinary Institute

Learn the skills to have a successful career in the culinary arts. Study in a program designed by 4-star chefs and learn the fundamentals and the trail-blazing new techniques to help you become a star in your own right. At The French Culinary Institute, we teach you all the methods necessary to gain a solid foundation for a career as a chef, food journalist, caterer, food stylist, specialty food retailer—the options are endless!

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 This Week's Foodservice Daily Newsletter: American Lamb - From American Land.

Date: December 18, 2006 - December 22, 2006
Guest Host: American Lamb Board
Theme: American Lamb - From American Land.

• Monday: Caramelized American Lamb Roast with Apricot and Cranberry Stuffing; Holiday Morning After American Lamb Hash.
  
• Tuesday: Festive Lamb Crown Roast with Oven Roasted Vegetables; American Lamb Loin Chops with Apple Rings.
  
• Wednesday: Petite Rolls with American Lamb, Mushrooms and Red Onions; Hazelnut Crusted Rack of American Lamb.
  
• Thursday: Family Favorite Holiday Lamb Leg with Roasted Potatoes; American Lamb Dumplings with Goat Cheese Crema.
  
• Friday: Table for Two American Lamb Loin Chops with Madeira and Cherries; Chilly Winter’s Eve Lamb Shank Supper.

Not a Member Yet? Click here Foodservice Daily Newsletter to sign up today and start receiving these informative mailings on Monday!

Chappaqua Girl Scout Troop Releases New Cookbook Called Americans Cook!

( NEW YORK , NY ) - Felice Kaufman, leader of 5th grade Chappaqua Girl Scout Troop # 2738, has just announced the release the troop’s new book Americans Cook! which will help raise funds for her troop and get the message out that cooking is a great way for parents and their kids to spend quality time together.

The first recipe in Americans Cook! is for a mouthwatering Austrian dish called Kaiserschmarren from Governor Schwarzenegger. As you turn the pages, you see popular and highly esteemed chefs, gorgeous inns you will want to visit if you haven't had the chance, well-known politicians and celebrities, and the smiling faces of the young scouts who contributed. TV Food’s Ina Garten, Paula Deen, Gale Gand and Curtis Aikens all grace the pages. Chefs Alice Waters, Bobby Flay, Mario Batali, and all 50 governors are in the book. A short bio under most recipes makes for an interesting read. “I find that as I show the book around people don’t want to put it down,” said Ms. Kaufman. "Of course, I hope this whets their appetites and inspires them to cook dinner for their families as well! Americans Cook! is really working!”

For the rest of the story and an opportunity to pick up your own copy, Click Here

Looking for Culinary Treasures? Shop in the Chef2Chef Market Place for the Holidays!

The holidays are upon us, and online shopping is expected to grow more than 30 percent over last year. If items on your shopping list include specialty foods of all kinds, beverages, kitchenware, uniforms, services, gifts and more, please remember the Market Place sponsors who support Chef2Chef.net. They make all this possible. Thank you, from the team at Chef2Chef.

VermontButcherBlock Handmade butcher blocks, prof. cutting boards, decorative cheese/sushi boards & wine racks. Personal/Corp. logo laser engraving too!

At our campus in Hyde Park, New York, we don’t just have master chefs; we have the most Certified Master Chefs of any culinary college.    Inquire now!

BulkFoods.com Spices, Nuts, Chocolates, French Sea Salt, Candy, Dried Fruits, Trail Mixes and Baking Ingredients and much more. Many Holiday Favorites!

Wild American Shrimp "The Shrimp You Thought You Were Eating!" The Environment, The Shrimp, Where to Find them, Great Recipes and more!

American Lamb Council How to buy, store and prepare lamb. Food service cuts available; plus recipes, sauces, and serving ideas for cooking.

Vanilla.com Wholesale and retail boutique selling premium vanilla products online.  Your Source For All Things Vanilla!   Meet the "Vanilla Queen!"

Athens Foods' Mini Fillo Shells Holiday Recipe Contest

The holiday season brings with it a sense of family, giving and —of course—holiday food favorites! Do you have a recipe that is always a holiday hit with friends and family? Athens Foods® invites you to celebrate your recipe creations by entering its Mini Fillo Shells Holiday Recipe Contest, which features a $5,000 Grand Prize.

Now...Wouldn't that be a great way to start your New Year?

Visit Athens Foods for great holiday recipe ideas.

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Today's Recipe: Pan Griddled Lamb Chops

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 each cucumber, diced
1 each tomato, diced
1/2 cup feta
1 tbsp. chopped mint
1 tsp. chopped parsley
2 oz. balsamic vinegar
2 oz. extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
10 each baby Lamb Chops, Individual
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. butter

Procedure:

Mix the cucumber, tomatoes, feta, parsley, balsamic and olive oil together. Season with salt and pepper and place on a plate. In a medium hot sauté pan, sear the lamb in one tbsp. of olive oil. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side for a medium temperature. Place on top of the salad and serve at once.

Recipe Source: Todd English

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