Show 99, November 29, 2014: Chef Larry Forgione

Larry ForgioneChef Larry Forgione has been called “The Godfather of American Cuisine” for his role in changing the way Americans eat today. He embraced the virtues of our national cuisine and used only seasonal, local ingredients, beginning the entire “Farm-to-Table” movement in the early 80s in New York. He was mentored by the late James Beard who frequented his restaurant his Greenwich Village restaurant, An American Place.

So when the Culinary Institute of America (The CIA) was developing its American Food Studies: Farm-to-Table Cooking curriculum, it was only natural that the college teamed with Chef Forgione, who became the program’s co-founder and Culinary Director. Today he guides students through their farm-to-table studies and their hands-on experience at The Conservatory at Greystone, a student led restaurant in the Napa Valley open to the public.

Chef Forgione was one of the guest chefs at last weekend’s Friends of James Beard Weekend at Morgan’s in the desert at The La Quinta Resort hosted by Chef Jimmy Schmidt.

Show 6: November 17, 2012: Marcel Vigneron of “Top Chef” & “Next Iron Chef: Redemption” & Mixologist Devon Espinosa of Hollywood’s Pour Vous

Marcel (a CIA graduate) was the executive sous chef at Jose Andres’ acclaimed Bazaar on Restaurant Row in Los Angeles when he was cast on “Top Chef.” He was the cheftestant that you loved to hate.

Marcel remains in Los Angeles and runs the very busy catering enterprise, Modern Global Tasting.

His colleague, Mixologist Devon Espinoza, is also a CIA graduate. Devon is a C-CAP alum. Prior to Pour Vous Devon debuted the cocktail program for Chef Michael Voltaggio’s ink.

Marcel and Devon teamed up for “Getting Out Just Desserts” to create an incredible a la minute fresh coconut ice cream using liquid nitrogen as the freezing mechanism. What a show-stopper and perfect for Hollywood!