tfp's Senior Trends Analysis Shokofeh Hejazi is currently at the 13th Annual StarChefs Congrerss in Brooklyn, New York, bringing together more than 150 leaders from the food and drink industry globally to define what's good in kitchen culture, the cuisines we craft, and the profession that drives them. She gave her comments at the end of the first day.
Day 1
Day 1 at this year's StarChefs Congress in New York has been action packed, as usual…! The theme of this year's Congress is 'Cooking with Respect: Better People, Better Food' – so there's been plenty to feed both our appetites, and minds. We started the day firing up beautiful Carabinero prawns with Chef Alex Raij (La Vara, Saint Julivert Fisherie) then learned about All Things Caviar with Bonnie Morales (Kachka).
Then we watched (and learned!) as acclaimed chef Philip Tessier presented his Bocuse D'Or award-winning dishes. And, finally, we got some truly amazing insight into one of Asia's most interesting cuisines with 'An Introduction to Macanese Cuisine' from celebrity chef Abe Conlon, pictured, (Fat Rice). Now onto Day 2…. And the annual Cocktail Congress!
Day 2
Day 2 of the StarChefs Congress has been as action packed as the first...! We listened to a brilliant, super-topical panel session with industry heavyweights Dominique Crenn and Danny Meyer about the impact of #MeToo on the restaurant industry. We watched Spanish pastry icon Oriol Balaguer create some of his signature masterpieces. Then our mouths watered as we watched the team from trendy West Coast restaurant The Progress create their cult status 'tear and share' roti... with California accoutrement!
And of course, we tucked into cocktails aplenty at the annual Cocktail Congress... lucky for us, there were plenty of delicious low ABV offerings, so we are fresh and ready for Day 3!
Day 3
It's Day 3 of this year's StarChefs conference… and we're going out with a bang. As well as finding out the results of this year's Somm Slam and Burger Battle, we have been tucking into veggie delights from some of the country's most exciting chefs… who needs meat when you have pepper-crusted turnip, or slow braised spicy mushrooms?! We have also been channelling our inner bartenders, as the team from NiteCap walked us through their exciting Low ABV cocktail menu - and they let us get our hands dirty making our own concoctions! And the main stage has been packed with inspirational and thought-provoking stories from the likes of Maksut Askar (Neolokal, Istanbul) and Naomi Pomeroy (Beast, Portland). Another great day in NYC, with plenty of food for thought… Can't wait for next year!
Find out more about the StarChefs Congress here.