Photographer Katie Oblinger and I set out to interview The Optimist's new head chef Wesley True last week. It was our first chef interview and photo shoot, and we were both a little nervous. As soon as we walked in and met Chef True we were immediately at ease. He was warm and friendly, and the restaurant had clean lines, contemporary design, and great vibes. Katie got photos of True that captured his spirit and fun loving personality. After the shoot, I sat down with him and let him tell me his story.
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The Only Meal You Need To Make This Winter
A few months ago I got this jambalaya recipe as my weekly Garnish & Gather meal and shared it with my family. It's quickly become our favorite and a staple meal at our house. Family members request it when they come over for dinner. It's quick and easy to make.
To be 100% honest with you guys, I made it last night for my weekly bachelor viewing party. I tripled the recipe so I would have plenty to photograph for you this morning, and it was almost all gone! This is about a half a cup, and I had to use all my best photography skills to get this picture! I'm sad I don't have leftovers for lunch, but I'm sure I'll make it again next week ;)
Learn to Make Amazing Pork Chops!
The Recipe That Made Me Love Chicken Thighs
This week's Garnish & Gather meal featured chicken thighs. I was hesitant. Historically I've been more of a white meat girl. Since confessing my love for Top Chef, I'm embarrassed to admit this. Tom Colicchioregularly touts the superiority of dark meat, but I just wasn't there.
Chef Amy Ponzoli changed my mind. Maybe it was the cherry gastrique, or maybe it was the wine, I'm not sure, but for the first time I saw what all the hype was about. The meat was flavorful and cooked perfectly! The flavor combination of the sweet and tart cherry gastrique and the chicken thighs was heaven.
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Cooks and Soldiers Was Mind Blowing. Also, I love Top Chef
Let's be honest. Everything I know about food I learned from Top Chef. To say I'm an avid fan would be an understatement. I've seen every season multiple times. The depths of my online following of Chef Kevin Gillespie, my all time favorite contestant, might categorize me as a stalker, but I've accepted it. The first time I saw him at Woodfire Grill I thought I was standing a little too close to the open flame, but looking back I may have been having a crush-induced hot flash. He signed my menu, and it's one of my most prized possessions (like in my trophy cabinet). The first time I went to his new restaurantGunshow, I was mentally prepared to see him. I psyched myself up all day, but when he walked up to the table I totally lost my nerve. My mom ended up blurting out, "she's a really big fan!"
Some wives long for jewelry or Swiss ski trips. Not me. The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen is my dream destination. I drop hints at least three times a week. My number one rational is that Tom Colicchio will be there, and he's "less than a god, but more than a man... you know like hercules or something." Jimmy's afraid I might embarrass myself fan-girling, so I'm not sure how well that argument is going.
Anyway, that was a very roundabout introduction ... the point I was trying to get across is that Top Chefhas made me into a self-proclaimed foodie. As soon as a plate of food is placed in front of me, I channel my inner Gail Simmons and get to work. Is this too salty? Is the meat cooked to my liking? I'm very hard to please.
Now that we all agree that I'm fully qualified to review restaurants, I'll get to work on Cooks & Soldiers.
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The Best New Atlanta Restaurants!
I'm sure those of you who are friends with both Jimmy and me on Facebook laugh behind our backs as we post, "This restaurant looks amazing! Let's check it out!" on each other's walls... as if we don't have a 7 month old at home and haven't been out to eat anywhere except Houston's in months. (That's not a knock on Houston's... it's awesome). The DESIRE to go out on the town and check out new places is still there even if the work/preparation that goes into it proves to be fairly difficult. Next year I resolve to try some of the intriguing new restaurants popping up around Atlanta. Going out to a nice dinner with my love is one of my favorite things in life, and next year I will!
Here are some of the places I'm really looking forward to trying!
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