Breaking News Bulletins
Here’s the breaking news from last week’s IACP Convention: First up, chef Thomas Keller‘s The French Laundry Cookbook was the smash-hit winner at Saturday night’s cookbook “Oscars,” garnering three of the elegant crystal whisk statuettes. It was honored with the Design Award, recognized as Best First Cookbook, and named Cookbook of the Year (check out Beth Pav‘s review of The French Laundry Cookbook on page 60)… Newly elected IACP board member and renowned cooking Atlanta teacher Shirley Corriher, CCP (certified culinary professional) teaches at Central Market this weekend. Her class was in such demand they’ve added an extra appearance on Friday morning. Call 458-3068 to register… Former Austin chef Susana Trilling stops here on her way home from the IACP conference for a Central Market class on Monday morning, April 10. She’ll be presenting recipes from Seasons of My Heart: A Culinary Journey Through Oaxaca, Mexico (Ballantine, $25, hard). The class was added to the CM schedule at the last minute to take advantage of Trilling’s Austin visit, and it’s truly a “don’t miss” opportunity. At 7:30pm Monday evening, Trilling will sign books at Barnes & Noble Arboretum. She will then appear as a guest chef at Manuel’s Great Hills (10201 Jollyville Rd., 345-1042) preparing special five-course dinners on Wednesday and Thursday, April 12 & 13, and several items for the brunch on Sunday, April 16. Manuel’s owners Greg and Jennifer Khoury and Ahmad Modoni are frequent visitors to Susana Trilling’s Seasons of My Heart Cooking School in the Mexican countryside near the city of Oaxaca and are very enthusiastic about showcasing her talents in their restaurant. Trilling’s book is the companion to a 14-part PBS series of the same name which airs in Austin on KLRU, channel 20 on Saturdays at 12:30pm. Make reservations now!
She’s Ba-a-ck
Longtime produce wholesaler Mary Mehaffey returns to Austin this spring with a brand new venture, ChefSource Austin Inc. (8222 N. Lamar, 835-7770). Mehaffey, specialty produce expert Harry H. Harnisch, and chef Johndavid Bartlett are the movers behind the new company that will offer exclusive lines of quality gourmet foods as well as specialty produce. In addition to bringing in the finest gourmet items and exotic produce from around the world, the trio also plans to become a direct link between Central Texas growers and local restaurants, foraging for the best locally grown foods and regularly advising chefs about their availability. Sample some of ChefSource Austin’s comestibles at tasting luncheons to be held at Fall Creek Vineyards from noon-4pm on April 15 & 16. Cost of the luncheon is $15.95, and reservations are necessary. Call 476-4477 for reservations and directions.
SPAMUPDATE™
Though we’ve received no information about the winners at this year’s SPAMARAMA™, I can tell you that our homegrown pandemonious potted pork party made the national news. After the cookbook awards Saturday night, I was describing Austin’s booming restaurant scene to some fellow culinary professionals just as a segment about SPAMARAMA™ appeared on the late-night news in the Providence Marriott lobby. Talk about civic pride!
This article appears in April 7 • 2000.