Test your Design IQ
MANILA, Philippines - Who is the young Los Angeles-based chef who is one of the States’ brightest culinary stars with his commitment to market-driven California style cuisine with his Table 8 restaurant? He is also consultant chef for Air New Zealand and culinary ambassador to the country.
Raised on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and Los Angeles, he is as unique a personality as he is a culinary talent. With his distinctive approach to cooking, long dreadlocks tied behind his back and his easygoing style, he quickly became one of the nation’s brightest stars.
Despite his relative youth, he is a firsthand participant in LA’s culinary history and evolution of California cuisine for the past two decades.
His career began at 13 years when he spent three summers working with the legendary chef Wolfgang Puck in the trend setting kitchen of Spago in its inaugural year. He also worked for LA luminaries Mark Peel and Nancy Silverton in Campanile, Mary Sue Milken and Susan Feniger at their seminal city restaurant, and Joaquim Splichal at Patina and Pinot Hollywood.
Internationally, he spent time in the kitchen of Arzak, the preeminent three star-Michelin restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain and other highly regarded European kitchens.
But he has always been a purist in the practice of California cuisine working with top local producers who provide him with remarkable seasonal ingredients that are the basis of each of his dishes.
In 2000 he and Ben Ford opened Chadwick in Beverly Hills. For this ambitious project, the two co-chefs collaborated on a refined, contemporary cuisine that emphasize organic local ingredients.
Today he is living his dream by putting his talents and personal style to work in his own restaurant Table 8 — the ideal platform for his inventive California cuisine. Other restaurants are Table 8 in Miami and 8oz Burger in Los Angeles.
In 2012, he along with Alex Vasilkin and Peter Silkin opened the Republic of Laughter Cafe on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood.
He has also been busy traveling around the world as consultant for Air New Zealand, a member of Macy’s culinary advisory board, and guest chef aboard the Queen Mary 2 and Crystal Cruises. He is also a culinary ambassador to New Zealand.
Additionally, he’s been making a wide range of media appearances from print (People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful issue, Bon Appetit, Gourmet) to television (The Oprah Winfrey Show, Top Chef, Iron Chef America, The Today Show).
In 2007, he released Small Bites, Big Nights: Seductive Little Plates for Intimate Occasions and Lavish Parties.
Last week’s question: Who is the 20th century Spanish architect and city planner whose groundbreaking works include the Miro Foundation Building and the Spanish Pavilion in the 1937 Paris International Exhibition?
Answer: Josep Lluis Sert
Winner: Ma. Elena del Pilar of Makati city
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New Design Quiz number: Text your answer to 0915-6486414 with your name and address. One winner will be chosen through a raffle of texts with the correct answer. The winner will receive P2,000 worth of SM gift certificates for use at Our Home, SM Department Store, or SM Supermarket. They can claim their prize at Our Home in SM Megamall. Call the store manager at 634-1951.Bring photocopies of two valid IDs and a clipping of the Design Quiz issue in which you appear as winner.
