Filtering by Tag: Chef Talk,Ridgefield

Chef Jason Toledo Takes Over The Kitchen at Barcelona Wine Bar West Hartford

Restaurant Spanish Tapas Chef Chef Talk Menu Update West Hartford Hartford County

Jessica Ryan

Last week we took a road trip to Barcelona Wine Bar in West Hartford to meet Executive Chef Jason Toledo who recently joined the team there from the Boston locations. Barcelona Wine Bar, which first appeared on the scene in 1995, has been a go-to for tapas and wine lovers ever since. Known for their rustic Mediterranean and South American inspired influences, regulars seek out the restaurant’s signature dishes as a source of comfort and consistency. (I cannot, for example, not order the spinach and Chickpea Cazuela and the Gambas al Ajillo - ordered with extra bread to soak up the divine garlicky juices). While we all have our go-to comfort foods, discovering new items is an equally thrilling part of the experience.

With 18 locations in nine states, Barcelona prides itself on celebrating each chef’s individual talents, allowing for certain dishes to be exclusive to each restaurant. Each location, while unique, has a familiar and welcoming atmosphere.


Millwright's Sous Chef, Jamie V. Bordonaro, Publishes "Pursuit of Passion" Cookbook

Features Cooking Cookbooks Education Author CT Authors Chef Talk

Stephanie Webster

Chef Jamie Bordonaro’s “day” job is Sous Chef at Millwrights Restaurant in Simsbury Connecticut, but over the past six years, Bordonaro has been working on a project of his own, in all of that “free” time one has as a chef. Jamie recently finished the publication of a cookbook titled, “Pursuit of Passion,” and as you can imagine, he is more than a little excited to finally be able to share the fruits of his labor with the public.

The cookbook is a personal narrative and compilation of Bordonaro’s cooking techniques, flavor profiles, and skills that he acquired throughout his culinary career. But it is so much more than that, and is grounded in purpose that relates to one’s own inner drive and the importance of creating opportunity within yourself to follow your passion.


It's A Woman's World: Chef Ashley Flagg of Millwright's Restaurant

Features It's A Woman's World Chef Talk Chef Interview

CTbites Team

Connecticut is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Our ongoing column, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to CT female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.

Whether farming the land, bringing healthy food to the masses, feeding an entrepreneurial spirit or injecting feminism with food, these groundbreaking ladies have set a new definition of women’s work, creating new paths and setting examples for those who follow.

How'd they do it? Read on. This week, we feature Chef Ashley Griggs of Millwright’s Restaurant in Simsbury. Stay tuned to see who’s next. And feel free to send suggestions for your candidates to steph@ctbites.com.


Chefs At Home Recipes: Pantry Pasta from Chef Arturo Franco-Camacho

Recipe Features Video Recipe Recipe Video Pasta Chef Talk Homepage

CTbites Team

In our NEW “Chefs At Home” Cooking Series, we asked local CT chefs to help our readers find cooking inspiration in every day pantry items. Executive Chef Arturo Franco-Camacho of Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill (Fairfield and New Haven) and Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill (New Haven) has a wonderful recipe for Pantry Pasta to kick off this series. Enjoy!


Chef Richard Blais Talks Top Chef, Fitness, and (Maybe!) Opening a Restaurant in Connecticut

Features Interview Interview Celebrity Chef Chef Talk Mohegan Sun

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

It’s crazy to think that Top Chef is in its SEVENTEENTH season! In that time, it’s amassed 59 Emmy nominations and welcomed chefs from all across the country, including Connecticut’s own Tyler Anderson. This year, the show is bringing back something near and dear to fans’ hearts: the All Star Season! CTBites got to sit down with Top Chef All Star’s first champion, Richard Blais, at the Mohegan Sun WineFest. Since claiming the title, he’s gone onto host his own podcast, make an array of TV appearances, participate in Chef demos across the country, and judge the very show that he competed on. Here’s what he had to say about life beyond cooking, his fitness routine, how to stay active on the road, Top Chef, and so much more.


Hoodoo Brown BBQ Introduces Tex-Mex Tuesdays

Restaurant BBQ Tacos Mexican Ridgefield

Andrew Dominick

Every now and then Hoodoo Brown BBQ goes off their standard menu for special smoked meat theme days. Occasional Whole Hog Sundays, Prime Rib Thursdays (and French Dip Fridays if there are leftovers), and Taco Tuesdays are just some of the drool-inducing days the Hoodoo Crew has come up with over the years. From Taco Tuesday, though, something else was born…Tex-Mex Tuesday.

“We did Taco Tuesday for three months with one special taco on the menu to get our creativity flowing,” says Hoodoo general manager Chris Sexton. “It felt like an afterthought because people would get one or two tacos, and we’d maybe sell 10-15 the whole night, but we know that we do things better when we do them bigger.”


Experience the New TASTING Series at Prime Stamford sponsored post

Features Restaurant Pop-Up Dinner Stamford Chef Talk Chef's Tasting

Jessica Ryan

Earlier this week a few of us from the CTBites team made our now seasonal pilgrimage to Prime in Stamford. This time to experience the restaurant’s new TASTING menu.

The summit of cuisine at Prime, the TASTING series is a re-imagined experience in dining. Small tastes are presented in a unique rhythm and play to Chef’s sensibilities on a weekly basis.  In what feels like a restaurant within a restaurant, TASTING places you in the inner sanctum of the kitchen, with the Chef as your guide. The four course TASTING menu is a truly unique table experience.


It's A Woman's World: Saray & Noemi Ruiz of Gaudi Tapas & Wine

Features It's A Woman's World Interview Chef Talk

CTbites Team

Connecticut is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Which is why we felt compelled to honor the pioneers among us.  Our ongoing series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to CT female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.

Whether farming the land, bringing healthy food to the masses, feeding an entrepreneurial spirit or injecting feminism with food, these groundbreaking ladies have set a new definition of women’s work, creating new paths and setting examples for those who follow. 

How'd they do it? Read on. This week, we feature the talented Chef/Owners Noemi & Sarayy Ruiz, two sisters who own Gaudi Tapas & Bar in Danbury. Stay tuned to see who’s next. And feel free to send suggestions for your candidates to steph@ctbites.com


“Elite Chef” Cooking Competition Showcases CT Chefs

Features Competition Chopped Chef Talk

Stephanie Webster

In partnership with Eli's Restaurant Group, CT’s Chef Plum will host and produce a new show. "Elite Chef" will launch in early 2020 as a seven-episode web series, featuring innovative and up-and-coming epicurean talent in Connecticut (with yours truly on the judging team).

“I am a huge advocate of CT chefs, and I'm thrilled to be a part of this amazing project,” says Chef Plum. “Having a platform for our local talent to shine has been a massive goal of mine for many years. Huge shout out to the amazing people at Eli's for making this happen! I cannot wait for everyone to see what we can do.”


Winners of CRAZIES Awards For Best CT Chefs & Restaurants Go To...

Features Chef Talk Best of CT News

Stephanie Webster

The Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) hosted nearly 700 guests on Monday, December 2 at Foxwoods Resort Casino to celebrate the restaurant industry and handed out sixteen coveted awards. One of the most significant awards of the evening was the Overall and Regional Restaurant of the Year Awards presented by Sysco. First, the association handed out regional winners from around the state and the four winners were – Present Company in Simsbury (North Region); Grano Arso in Chester (South Region); Oyster Club in Mystic (East Region) and Jesup Hall in Westport (West Region). The overall winner who was named 2019 Connecticut Restaurant of the Year went to Grano Arso, who earned the award over the other three regional winners and sixteen total nominees.


NEW Podcast Episode! Chef Plum...Live From Our Dining Room

Features Interview Podcast Interview Chef Talk

Stephanie Webster

This week on The CTbites Hot Dish Podcast , we chat with Chef Plum, host of the successful podcast “Live With Chef Plum,” as well as “Edible On The Road” (streaming on Amazon), and finally…the TV series, Random Acts of Cooking.” What’s on the podcast menu? We discuss the role of food as a connector, the importance of philanthropy, and…well…we laugh a lot. Join the conversation. Listen here.


School’s in Session! Hoodoo Brown Debuts BBQ 101 Classes

Features Cooking Classes Education BBQ Ridgefield Homepage

Andrew Dominick

It’s a sweltering hot Sunday in July and a dozen of us are standing outside of Hoodoo Brown BBQ at quarter to eight in the morning. A father-daughter duo came in from the Upper East Side, one guy came from Queens, others made a 45-minute drive down from parts of the Hudson Valley or from various parts of Fairfield County, the rest sped over from up the street. At that time, Hoodoo Brown was still over three hours away from opening its doors to customers craving their Texas-inspired barbecue, so what the heck were we all doing there? 


Chef Profile: EP Experience Rocks The 18th Annual Flavors of Connecticut

Features Events Fundraiser Chef Talk

Kristin L. Wolfe

Ok, slow down, Chef Kevin, you’ve got a lot on your plate….I mean that literally and figuratively.  

I had the pleasure of meeting Chef Kevin O’Neil of EP Experience Catering at the Flavors of Connecticut Gala at the Aqua Club in Southington last month for the American Liver Foundation. Chefs from all over the state come out for the foundation’s signature event and what an event it is. No one is paid, but everyone gives one hundred percent of their time, effort, and creativity for such a great cause. Chefs and their crew turn everything up a notch and create a special event for the guests that will be seated around their tables. It becomes a party within a party and each diner enters a world of the chef and crew’s creation. From a Ziggy Stardust theme table complete with smoke and music to a French Revolution scene decked out with a guillotine (!), many tapped the artist within and created a theatrical experience where in the food was the bonus. Others kept their space more classic with bursts of color from flowers and dishware or a built-on-the-premises rustic pergola. Either way, creative people came together for a tremendous show of that artistic flare and amazing food, for a great cause. 


NEW CTbites Hot Dish Podcast: Chefs Bill Taibe & Dan Kardos

Features Interview Chef Talk Interview Podcast

Stephanie Webster

Two of CT's leading chefs, and long time colleagues, Bill Taibe & Dan Kardos, discuss what it takes to stay at the top of their game. Host Marysol Castro explores what it takes to maintain their sanity, life in the kitchen, how social media has changed the restaurant business, and what they want their guests to know when they dine at their restaurants. Listen here!


NEW CTbites Hot Dish Podcast Episode: Chef Matt Storch, Beyond The Burger

Features Interview Podcast Celebrity Chef Chef Talk Interview

Stephanie Webster

This week on the CTbites Hot Dish Podcast we sit down with Chef Matt Storch, owner of Match, Match Burger Lobster & Match Taco. We discuss the restaurant biz, cooking for Julia Child, the importance of travel, the origins of the famous "Match Burger," favorite restaurants (you'll wanna write these down), and his 45 course dinner at El Bulli. Listen here!


It's A Woman's World: Kristin Eddy, Pastry Chef for Millwright's, Porron & Piña, & Cook And The Bear

Features Interview Chef Talk

Stephanie Webster

Our 2018 series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ was devoted to Fairfield County female influencers who forged their own paths in culinary fields long dominated by men. In 2019, we continue to celebrate trailblazing women throughout the state of CT.

Whether farming the land, bringing healthy food to the masses, feeding an entrepreneurial spirit or injecting feminism with food, these groundbreaking ladies have set a new definition of women’s work, creating new paths and setting examples for those who follow. 

How'd they do it? Read on. This week, we feature Kristin Eddy, Pastry Chef for Tyler Anderson’s Millwright's, Porron & Piña, and The Cook and The Bear. Stay tuned to see who’s next. And feel free to send suggestions for your candidates to steph@ctbites.com


Bailey’s Backyard Offers NEW Market Table Tasting Menu (Wednesdays Only!)

Restaurant Ridgefield Farm to Table American Lunch Homepage

Jessica Ryan

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this charming eatery in the heart of Ridgefield, Bailey’s Backyard first opened its doors nearly 20 years ago as a neighborhood coffee shop before transforming itself into a charming American restaurant with a simple concept; offer exceptional seasonal cuisine in a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. It would soon become a neighborhood hot spot, offering locals a new dining experience.  Several years ago Bailey’s evolved once again and the restaurant is now a farm-to-table establishment with a mission to create a menu based on the freshest local sources. Today meat and produce are still gathered from nearby farms, both in New York and Connecticut, and Seafood is garnered from Connecticut, Massachusetts and the Chesapeake Bay. 

I was recently invited to sample Bailey’s new Market Table Tasting Menu offered every Wednesday night. A new menu is introduced each week, giving diners the opportunity to try something new each time. The menu is Prix Fixe, $40 for four courses or $65 for the four courses and a wine pairing. 


It's A Woman's World: Jodi Bernard, Fortina Pizza's Director of Operations

Features Interview Chef Talk

Stephanie Webster

Fairfield County is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Which is why, with 2018 being proclaimed the Year of the Woman, we felt compelled to honor the pioneers among us.  

Our series, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to Fairfield County female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.

How'd they do it? Read on. This week, we feature Jodi Bernard, Director of Operations at Fortina Pizza. Stay tuned to see who’s next. And feel free to send suggestions for your candidates to steph@ctbites.com


Chef Ryan Durant of Branford's Assaggio Competes For Food Network's "Sexiest Chef Alive"

Features Interview Celebrity Chef Chef Talk Food Network

James Gribbon

Ryan Durant, owner and executive chef of Assaggio in Branford, has been picked to compete for the title of "Sexiest Chef Alive" on the People Magazine/Food Network joint venture show by the same name, airing November 1st. CTBites spoke with chef Durant about the experience.

How did you get involved with the show?

People magazine randomly called me, one of the servers picked up the phone and they said it was something with the magazine's sexiest man issue. It had to do with a cooking segment I did on "Better Connecticut" with Scot Haney three years ago.