culinary olympics
Congrats all around to chef Ben Grupe of Elaia and Olio, who led the ACF Culinary National Team USA to its fourth-place win at the 24th Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung in Germany. Grupe was team captain of six chefs, who showed off their American cuisine chops and earned three gold medals: Hot Kitchen, Culinary Art and the top score of 30 culinary teams from around the world.
beard bash
It hasn’t even opened yet, but Vicia at Cortex is signed on for a James Beard Foundation Celebrity Chef Tour dinner on March 21. That’s when owners Tara and Michael Gallina will host six distinguished chefs who will create a meal extraordinaire. The chefs? Gallina, Owen Clark (Rolf and Daughters, Nashville), Kevin Nashan (The Peacemaker/Sidney Street Cafe), Ryan Poli (The Catbird Seat, Nashville), Mike Randolph (Publico/Randolfi’s), Ted Wilson (Union Loafers), Bobby Schaffer (pastry chef, Chicago). Tickets are $200 and open to the public.
cheese whiz
Kudos to The Fountain on Locust, whose grilled cheese (with cheddar, mozzarella and Fuji apple) was named the best in Missouri by PureWow digital media.
bits & pieces
Happy 25th to Schlafly, which opened its Tap Room Dec. 26, 1991. Now the largest locally owned brewery in Missouri, Schlafly celebrated all last month with daily specials … Historic Bevo Mill is getting a few culinary tweaks in the form of an upcoming biergarten, approved by the city’s Preservation Board, and a coffeehouse serving breakfast and lunch. Developers are Carol and Pat Schuchard … Welcome, Blue Ultra Lounge, which opened at 5917 Delmar Blvd. and offers signature cocktails, live music, nightlife and dining … Cedar Lake Cellars, a popular winery in Wright City, recently broke ground on its new Barrel Room, an event space for weddings and other big parties. The winery opened in 2010 and is open weekends, year-round … The forces behind Good Fortune ‘Chinese-Americanese’ restaurant are still planning to launch a restaurant in 2017. The creative culinary group includes Corey Smale of Strange Donuts, Hana Chung and Bob Brazell of Byrd & Barrel, and Ryan McDonald of Juniper and The Butchery.
