Tag Archives: JW Marriott

Show 246, November 4, 2017: Chef Thierry Blouet, Café des Artistes, Festival Gourmet International, Puerto Vallarta

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“LOVE AND PASSION – THE SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE GOOD!”

Thierry Blouet2017 marks twenty-three years of the Festival Gourmet International in Puerto Vallarta featuring the talent and creations of over 30 chefs. In 1995 Chefs Thierry Blouet and Heinz Reize came up with the idea of ​​promoting and raising up the culinary level of this region to competitive international standards, interacting with new methods and creativity of highly qualified Chefs from around the globe. Over 500,000 gourmet food fans have attended over the years along with close to 600 participating celebrity chefs.

The goal of this 10-day, great party was to strengthen the gastronomy of Puerto Vallarta as an exemplary showcase and to promote the destination through the excellence of the good table.

It’s a full schedule of culinary activities including chef tastings events, culinary safaris, seasonal tastings and themed nights offering distinct dishes from cities from around the world. Distinguished restaurants from Puerto Vallarta’s different zones will be participating.

In addition to all the special events every night of the 10-day Festival is the “Gourmet Dine Around.” Each night each of the 27 participating Puerto Vallarta restaurants and hotels serve a special menu offering creations and delicacies crafted by the respective guest chef.

“The SoCal Restaurant Show” will be broadcasting live from Puerto Vallarta’s Festival Gourmet International on Saturday morning, November 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. PT.

Chef Thierry Blouet joins us from his flagship Café des Artistes at the JW Marriott Los Cabos.

Show 196, November 5, 2016: Thierry Blouet, Executive Chef / Proprietor, Café des Artistes, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

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Thierry BlouetPuerto Vallarta is a welcoming visitor destination in the State of Jalisco in Mexico. This November 11th to 20th, 2016 marks the 22nd anniversary of the Festival Gourmet International in Puerto Vallarta. There is also a Café des Artistes in Los Cabos at the JW Marriott celebrating its 1st Anniversary. Chef Thierry’s other restaurant near Puerto Vallarta is Tuna Blanca in Punta de Mita. Festival Co-founder, Chef Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes joins from Mexico us with the needed 411.

“Exclusivity, elegance and comfort of its many gourmet-chic environments distinguish the Café des Artistes, which for 25 years has earned the crown as the icon restaurant in Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay, Jalisco. It’s synonymous with tradition, art and distinction for local, national and foreign guests.”

The Gourmet Festival turns 22! In 1995 Thierry Blouet and Heinz Reize originated the idea of promoting and upgrading the culinary standards to competitive international levels by interacting with new methods and the creativity of highly qualified chefs.

The first Gourmet Festival took place in 1995 with the participation of six hotels and six independent restaurants. The original format remains unchanged; each one of the participant restaurants invites a celebrity in the culinary scene.

In 2000, Chef Roland Menetrey joined the team and since then the festival has been organized by the three musketeers.

In twenty-two years changes are seen in the growth and expansion of the Festival to the Riviera Nayarit and Tepic. Twenty-five, first – class hotels and restaurants will be participating this year.

To date, The Festival Gourmet International has hosted and pampered almost half a million gourmet fans, and five hundred chef-celebrities have visited. The Festival strives to improve every year.

 

Show 129, July 4, 2015: Chef Ben Ford, Ford’s Filling Station at L.A. Live

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Chef Ben Ford at the KLAA StudiosWhen we last chatted with Chef Ben Ford he was just about to open the relocated Ford’s Filling Station at L.A. Live in the JW Marriott Los Angeles. It’s breakfast, lunch and dinner with Sunday Brunch, too. There is also a Ford’s Filling Station at LAX.

We’ll get caught up with Chef Ben and hear about his newly initiated Whole Hog Dinner. It’s a feast for 6 to 8 people! Chef Ben suggests that you “fill up on all the good things in life.”

Situated in the lobby of the JW Marriott Los Angeles, the new Ford’s Filling Station L.A. LIVE is an evolution of chef and restaurateur Ben Ford’s original ‘gastropub’ concept, showcasing sustainable, regional cuisine. Drawing inspiration from the abundance of fresh produce and artisanal meats available through California farms, as well as his travels through the south and southwest, Chef Ford has created a menu that is a unique blend of west coast flavors and southwest influence.

An onsite smoker fired with a blend of apple, pecan and cherry wood lends exceptional tenderness and flavor to meats; while fruits and vegetables culled from regional farms enhance a carefully curated menu.

The cocktail program from innovative mixologist Dushan Zarin of New York’s famed Employees Only bar, is food-friendly and filled with classic libations, craft beers and farm-fresh savory cocktails.

His impressive cookbook, Taming the Feast: Ben Ford’s Field Guide to Adventurous Cooking, focuses not only on bringing people together to eat good, sustainable organic food, but gathering lots, and lots, of people together to enjoy sumptuous feasts.

Show 95, November 1, 2014: Chef Ben Ford

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Chef Ben Ford at the KLAA StudiosChef Ben Ford officially earned his cooking credentials working at some of the country’s most established restaurants including the iconic Chez Panisse in Berkeley. He now oversees a growing collection of Ford’s Filling Station restaurants. The original Culver City restaurant will soon relocate to the JW Marriott at L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles and there is a branch at LAX.

In 2012 he won the prestigious Cochon 555 – L.A. top award for snout-to-tail cooking with dishes like pork belly Benedict with soft poached egg, Fresno chili and bacon hollandaise.

His impressive cookbook, Taming the Feast: Ben Ford’s Field Guide to Adventurous Cooking, focuses not only on bringing people together to eat good, sustainable organic food, but gathering lots, and lots, of people together to enjoy sumptuous feasts. Tapping into his childhood outdoor feasting memories, the book features step-by-step illustrated instructions for nine original menus with meals like a box-roasted spring lamb for 40, and a Cedar-planked Wild Sturgeon for 40 to 50 hungry guests.

Show 95, November 1, 2014: Chef Ben Ford Continues…

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Ben Ford of Ford's Filling StationWe resume our conversation with Chef Ben Ford.

The new Ford’s Filling Station at the JW Marriott Hotel at L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles debuts on Wednesday, December 3rd. It’s breakfast, lunch and dinner, and weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The menu is 100 per cent Chef Ben’s design.

They also will be operating two bars there.

Ben then chats about Alan Chadwick and his influence on Ben’s cooking. Alan was the father of biodynamic and organic farming in North America and was a tremendous influence on a generation of chefs including Alice Waters of Chez Panisse fame. Chef Ben named his first restaurant “Chadwick” (located on S. Beverly Dr., in Beverly Hills) in his honor.

Show 76, June 14, 2014: Executive Chef Ben Ford, Ford’s Filling Station, Culver City, CA Continues…

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Ben Ford of Ford's Filling StationBen’s wife, Emily, is from Austin so it was important for him to get Hill Country Barbecue just right. It’s a key Chapter in Taming the Feast. He researched it with advice from his Family. When you’re talking Texas ‘cue it’s all about moist and tender beef brisket. Ben shares some great tips on smoking the brisket so all the flavor is there while retaining the needed moisture in the meat!

Coming in the Fall to Staples Center is a Ford’s Filling Station at the JW Marriott Los Angeles in the former LA Market space on the ground floor.