You know what they say about cooking? One minute you’re in, the next, you’re out…
Bonus points for anyone (yes, there is a blogging derby, with prizes eventually, and yes, I’m keeping track…) who knows what show I’m paying tribute to with that catchphrase…
OK, well it’s not quite that dramatic, but here’s an update on what’s cooking — or, who is cooking — in kitchens around Memphis:
Penny McCraw leaving the Brushmark at the Memphis Brooks Museum to take the lead role in the kitchen and work with the owners at McEwen’s on Monroe… McCraw had previously worked with owner Mac Edwards at the defunct Ciao Baby in the late 1990s… they plan to collaborate on new menu items, including the introduction of some more entrees in the $20 range… this is exciting news after the departure of Michael Patrick, who left to work for Jimmy Ishii at the coming-soon Delta Kitchen on Beale… (formerly Elvis Presley’s)…
Gary Hawkins is leaving Lolo’s Table soon to go work at a restaurant in Jackson, Miss. Hawkins had also worked at McEwen’s…
Chris Dollar is no longer at La Tourelle… Cafe 1912’s chef will be filling the clogs at both La Tourelle and Cafe 1912… (possible burnout alert, this kind of commitment is sure to stretch the chef too thin… and is not fair to diners at either spots…)
Any other chess pieces moving around to different kitchens? Please report… (and, here’s a hint on the show mentioned above… it stars the adorable supermodel married to Seal…)
Breaking food news
Responses to “Chefs shuffle”
August 22nd, 2006 at 11:07 am
The adorable super model’s name is Heidi Klum. Extra credit for bonus question?!
Speaking of blogs…I discovered one on Food TV website yesterday. It is written by the “awesome kitchen staff” & not the chefs, but there’s some good stuff on it. Check it out 
August 23rd, 2006 at 10:30 am
Project Runway is a favorite at our house too, but not because of Heidi (I’m sure my hubby likes to look at her, but he agrees with me that she is very irritating) — I love Tim Gunn!
Is it just me or does the chef job at La Tourelle turn over more often than a rotisserie chicken?
August 23rd, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Ginger, I think I can do this math for you, or at least come close. And, to answer your question–honestly, except for one chef, I think La Tourelle has a pretty good track record of holding onto chefs for at least two or three years. Before Erling, there was Stan Gibson, Gene Bjorklund, and Paul Brahm. I don’t know their terms. Then Erling Jensen, 1989-1996; Lynn Kennedy Tilyou, 1996-1999; Ralph McCormack, 1999-2002; Justin Young, 2002-2005, Cullen Kent, weeks, and Chris Dollar, who had been at Cafe 1912 for several years before sliding over to take Cullen’s place. Most places have many times more turnover.
August 24th, 2006 at 10:50 pm
Project Runway is the best but I’ve gotten attached to Design Star as well.
August 24th, 2006 at 10:58 pm
Any word on where Chris is going? We really miss him at 1912. The chef now can’t seem to get the chicken completely cooked. We promised Chris we’d visit him at LT but went once and the service was unforgiveable. The waiter pointed the champagne bottle at our friend as he was opening it. The check came with a $75 miscalculation. The check was actually correct as we were served the wrong champagne. However, since he didn’t bother to show us the bottle before he pointed it at our friend we didn’t notice. Didn’t risk going back.
August 27th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
LaTourelle is a totally worn-out restaurant concept. Thomas Keller in the kitchen couldn’t bring it back to life. I hope Chris Dollar finds a good restaurant home. He made Cafe 1912 what it once was.
7 comment.