At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, corporate catering chef Doug Brown found himself on the unemployment line. After nearly 6 years in corporate catering with about 15 years in restaurants before that, Brown, 35, a graduate of the Art Institute of Philadelphia with a culinary arts degree, was at a crossroads in his … Continue reading
UPDATE: This contest is not sponsored or organized by Bon Appetit. Chefs from around the globe have been invited to compete in an exclusive online competition to be named the world’s Favorite Chef 2021, receive $20,000, and be featured in a sponsored double-page spread in Bon Appetit. Voting went live yesterday and many Philadelphia-based chefs … Continue reading
Philadelphia-based chefs are featured on Season 2 of the Chefs Without Restaurants Podcast hosted by Chris Spear, a personal chef based in Frederick, MD. Chef Shola Olunloyo on Chefs Without Restaurants Chef Shola Olunloyo’s episode is now live. Chris speaks with Shola about his month-long stint as a chef-in-residence at Stone Barns Center for Food … Continue reading
Local Chef Georgeann Leaming is featured on a new cooking competition show called Man vs. Master hosted by Celebrity Chef Richard Blais. She is no stranger to cooking competition shows. She’s competed on Food Network’s Chopped twice and became a Chopped Champion. Most recently, she was Chef de Cuisine at R2L in Liberty Two which … Continue reading
In case you missed it last month, Chef Joe Cicala and his wife Angela of Cicala at the Divine Lorraine (699 N. Broad St.) started selling back alley pizzas from their South Philly rowhome. When people asked to buy the pizzas, they decided ‘what the heck’ and began selling them speakeasy-style without the requisite licensing … Continue reading
Girls Nite In Online, a Philadelphia-based, national, free platform by women for women, will celebrate and honor fabulous Philadelphia women chefs with an online “Restaurant Week,” June 1-5. In addition to providing income for the women chefs who are presenting, Girls Nite In “Restaurant Week” online will encourage viewers to support their beloved local restaurants by ordering … Continue reading
You may remember Christina Pirello from her longtime PBS cooking show, Christina Cooks. The popular food show focused on the message of wellness and healthy eating before it was trendy. It went on hiatus six years ago but new shows are now available on WHYY. Check here for air times. I reached out to Christina … Continue reading
I’m fortunate enough to count many chefs as close friends. Some are more recognized than others. While some hold down traditional Executive Chef roles, others work as personal chefs or jack of all trades types. I admire and respect all of them for their work in the Philly area food scene. One chef often stands … Continue reading
Eli Kulp is already well-known in food circles as an acclaimed chef who’s been recognized by everyone from Bon Appetit to the James Beard Foundation. But with the April debut of The CHEF Radio Podcast, he’s expanding his horizons to include a heretofore unknown skill set as a deeply probing and insightful interviewer. On this new … Continue reading
If it’s one thing I’ve noticed during this crazy time, chefs are hustling out there. Not just grinding to make a buck and keep their restaurants open, but with a sense of renewed purpose and drive. Not just pivoting for survival, but demonstrating why they became chefs in the first place. I’ve seen so many … Continue reading
