Chinese Delegation in Chicago

 

I was hired by Georgetown University to document the visit of the Chinese Delegation in Chicago.  In one exciting day, we visited the Stock Exchange and Governor Quinn’s office.  Here are some of those photos.

Bagels! Glorious Bagels!

Chicago has never been known for bagels.  Hotdogs? Yes, but not bagels.  Not until now.  My amazingly talented and dear friend, Katie Wyer, is now considered the “bagel queen” and heres why: odd ball flavors like curry/pumpkin seed with a perfectly wood-fired toasted crunchy outside and delicious chewy inside.  Do yourself a favor and head over to Reno in Logan square.  You wont be disappointed.   

Scribe Winery- Harvest

Back in September I was invited to document Scribe Winery’s anual Harvest.  My sister and I drove up to Sonoma at 3am and witnessed 10 vineyard workers hand-pick 7 tons of grapes before dawn.  This was my first time in Sonoma, and I couldn’t have asked for a more authentic introduction.  I want to thank Andrew Mariani and Emily Gannett for the rare opportunity to document Harvest at such a beautiful vineyard.  Here are some photos of the Scribe Winery property, grapes, and the process of the harvest.

Greta de Parry

I photographed the talented furniture designer, Greta de Parry, last week in her studio for Time Out Chicago.  It was fun to watch her process and to be around a strong young women building things with her hands.  Very inspiring!  Here are some of those photos.  

The Lobby – 5 stars

I had the honor to photograph the food of Chef Lee Wolen of one of the most unassuming restaurants to open in 2012; The Lobby of The Peninsula Hotel.    My colleague and friend David Tamarkin (Food Editor/critic of Time Out Chicago) awarded the restaurant 5 stars.  This was his first perfect review in over 8 years.  Please read his review here.  It will bring a tear to your eye.

Roast Chicken with Brioche and Butter stuffed under the skin

Roast chicken carved with Roasted ApplesBreads and Butters

Scallops in uni broth

Chef Lee Wolen of The Lobby

Eleven Madison Park switches kitchens with Alinea

Two nights ago I had the rare opportunity to photograph the inner workings of the Alinea kitchen with the staff and menu from Eleven Madison Park.  They are calling the restaurant switch 21st Century Unlimited named after the old Twentieth Century Limited train that ran from New York to Chicago.   Chef Grant Achatz and Chef Daniel Humm were gracious enough to have me hover in the kitchen while they performed magic.  Here are a bunch of photos from the evening.  The sold out special event costs $495.00 per plate and by the taste of it, it is well worth the expense. For more images and descriptions check out Time Out Chicago.    Course 1 | Sea-urchin custard with seafood ragu and sweet baby shrimpChef Daniel Humm and Chef Grant Achatz standing in front of their Michelin Stars
Course 2 |Cranberry gelee with housemade ricottaCourse 3 | Cucumber “snow with pickled cucumber, demi sec grapes and yuzu yogurt
Course 4 | Eel Foie Gras : foie gras terrine with an eel tuile, topped with swiss chard Course 5 | Sturgeon Course, part one: Sturgeon sabayonCourse 6 | The complete sturgeon course, part two: The smoked sturgeon served with baby gem lettuce, soft-poached quail eggs, pickled onions, everything bagel “crumble”, toasted rye crisps, cream cheese topped with caviar and dill pickles.
Course 7 | Breads and butters: A laminated butter roll with goat’s-milk butter, cow’s-milk butter and Long Island sea salt.
Course 8 | Roasted and raw beets, served with horseradish and a rye crumbleCourse 9 | Carrot Tartare: For this course, carrots are ground tableside, and guests are offered nine different garnishes with which to flavor it.Course 10 | Butter-poached lobster with meyer lemon, charred leeks, and a black shellfish bisqueCourse 11 | Clam Bake: In the teapot is a truffled clam velouté. In the bowl is celery root, lentil granola, pickled chanterelle mushrooms, sea beans and a clam vinaigrette. On the longer plate: a nori madeleine.
Course 12 | Roasted suckling pig with plum and kale in several forms: Plum purée, seared plums, baby kale leaves, fried kale, kale purée and some bone marrow.

The “kitchen cocktail- Manhattan” course is so-called because at Eleven Madison Park, it really is made for guests in the kitchen. Here, it’s made tableside.

Course 13 | “Milk and Honey”:  a dome of milk sorbet with honey inside. When the dome is broken, the honey oozes out. Also on the plate: dehydrated milk, milk “snow” and bee pollen.Course 14 | Cheesecake with huckleberry and limeEleven Madison Park’s now-famous card trick begins the chocolate course.The final bite: More black and white cookies. This time, they are traditional black-and-whites, and served with all you can drink apple brandy.

The Ultimate S’mores Taste Test

Time Out Chicago Kids invented a few twists on the traditional campfire treat.  Our taste test, back in July, proved that we had a leg up on the boring graham cracker, milk chocolate and marshmallow.  Nilla Waffers, Milka Kuhflacken Chocolate and Peeps anyone?! You’d be surprised how awesome it tastes.  Thanks to the kind folks at the Evanston Fire Ring!