As we count down the days to Taste of the Nation Los Angeles's 25th Anniversary event on Sunday, June 10th we thought it would be fun to take a "behind the scenes" look at our participating chefs and talk to them about why they volunteer, what restaurants they're looking forward to sampling and where they were 25 years ago. Meet Chef Meredith Manee of Culina, Modern Italian.
There are a lot of worthwhile charities. Why is Taste of the Nation important to you?
No child should ever have to go home hungry. Helping to contribute to food banks and support food programs such as those initiated by Share Our Strength, is very important to me.
What was your favorite TOTN snack last year?
Last year Church & State served these delicious homemade sausages, with homemade mustard and a cabbage slaw. I really look forward to seeing them again. It’s always inspiring to see what other people make.
Are you a silent or live auction person?
Silent. It’s fun. It’s a bidding war, but you have to be sneaky about it. You have to play detective almost, making sure that no one out bids you.
TOTN is celebrating 25 years. Do you remember what you were doing at 25?
Oh gosh (racks brain), I was living in Hawaii, spending my time enjoying paradise and cooking at the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Menele Bay.
This is an important question. Red, white or beer?
White. I especially love a glass of Gavi di Gavi on a warm summer day.
Here’s your chance to get to know Chef Susan Feniger, longtime supporter of Share Our Strength and Taste of the Nation, co-chef/owner of Border Grill and chef/owner of STREET. Here she tells us why Taste of the Nation works, her thoughts on the big move from Culver City to West Hollywood and what she was doing 25 years ago.
There are a lot of worthwhile charities. Why is Taste of the Nation important to you?
There are so many important worthwhile causes and we all get asked to do tons of things. Taste of the Nation is working so incredibly hard to fight childhood hunger. If we don’t look after our kids, where will we be? It’s our responsibility to the kids who can’t take care of themselves that we give them a fighting chance. SOS is doing this and Taste is the event that brings us all together to support the kids on our planet. And we’re so grateful to Cacique Cheese, Groupon and Alaska Seafood for helping in a big way by donating $10,000 each to sponsor the STREET booth and the Border Grill booth.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing? Any friends you're looking forward to seeing?
One of the incredible things about doing Taste, is it’s an event that so many chef friends do. You get to hang out, see them, enjoy great food and it’s just one of those events we love to do. I have SO many people I never get a chance to see and this brings everyone together. It’s a great chef community building event!
TOTN is celebrating 25 years. What were you up to 25 years ago?
Twenty five years ago, Mary Sue and I just opened our first Border Grill. We’d taken our first trip to Mexico and had fallen in love with the Mexican kitchen. Just learned what panuchos, tamarindo, achiote, epazote, and annatto seeds were. A far cry from beurre blanc.
TOTN is moving from Culver City to WeHo. What do you think of the change of location?
I loved doing this event in Culver City, but honestly, the format is what is so fantastic. It’s a day event, not too expensive, outside on a gorgeous summer day in Los Angeles. There’s nothing that makes you appreciate LA as much as great food, wine and an amazing day outside. I think West Hollywood will be perfect for this event. Change is always a good thing!
So, what were you doing at 25?
At 25 I was just finishing up working at Ma Maison, Wolf was the chef there. I was leaving for a year in the south of France! My dream…
Monday, May 14, 2012
As we count down the days to Taste of the Nation Los Angeles's 25th Anniversary event on Sunday, June 10th we thought it would be fun to take a "behind the scenes" look at our participating chefs and talk to them about why they volunteer, what restaurants they're looking forward to sampling and where they were 25 years ago.
First up: SIMON LA Chef de Cuisine Andrew Vaughan tells us why he's participating in Taste of the Nation Los Angeles, what he thinks about the big move from Culver City to West Hollywood and how he unwinds from his days in the kitchen.
There are a lot of worthwhile charities. Why is Taste of the Nation important to you?
Taste of the Nation is great as it reaches the entire community on a very profound level. I have neer seen an organization bring people together and build, working as a team for such a cause. To see the difference it makes over the years of participating has been paramount to the experience as well.
What restaurant are you most excited about sampling at this year's TOTN?
I always enjoy checking out the new restaurants that join the Taste of the Nation event. Cooks County and (fonuts) are two that I'll have my eye on this year.
TOTN is moving from Culver City to WeHo. What do you think of the change of location?
I always connect the park in Culver City with the event but am excited to see what's in store at the new site.
TOTN is celebrating 25 years. Do you remember what you were doing at 25?
I was completing my studies at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. I remember being so eager to get into the industry and support events like Taste of the Nation! It's an honor to have the ability to express my passions through food and nourish others through the practice.
When it comes to dish duty at home, do you wash or dry?
I wash and dry! I actually find it helps me wind down from my day.
Finally, when you have to choose - is it red, white or beer?
Beer. Stone IPA!
