 New York (May 18, 2012) – Executive Chef Charles
Phillips of 1808
Grille, a nationally-recognized Nashville restaurant featuring New
American
cuisine with a global twist, teamed with Executive Chef Hus Vedat of
London’s
Caxton Grill, a newly opened eatery featuring inventive New European
fare, in an exclusive dinner at Manhattan’s legendary
James Beard House on May 16, 2012.
Their original menu presented an eclectic take on New American and New European Cuisine, inspired by collaboration between the two chefs over the past year. “We were honored to have presented our first dinner at the James Beard House,” said Phillips. “Among the many thousands of restaurants in the U.S., it is a privilege to have been selected as one of about two hundred to cook here this year – and one of the very few Nashville restaurants given this opportunity in the past few years.” He concluded, “I am especially proud to have teamed with my friend Hus Vedat on this dinner, which highlighted the global and cross cultural influences we share—while, at the same time, each remaining rooted in the freshness and vibrancy of our local ingredients and traditions.” Among the menu items created for the event, were enticing dishes such as Nuoc Cham Escolar with Purple Sweet Potato Velvet, Micro–Bok Choy, and Coriander Blossoms; Bresaola with Radishes, White Asparagus, and Baby Lettuce; and Merguez Cornbread–Stuffed Quail with Apples, Royal Trumpet Mushrooms, Spring Onions, Porchetta, and Spiced Labne. Hus Vedat said, “I am delighted to have joined Charles to experience cooking at the James Beard House, an opportunity rarely afforded to chefs from outside the United States.” He concluded, “Bringing together ingredients and approaches from locales as diverse as London and Nashville, we were delighted to have joined our New York audience for an evening of memorable flavors – and fun.” Vedat leads the culinary team at London’s newly transformed St Ermin’s Hotel, featuring the 72-cover Caxton Grill restaurant, the private dining room, and the Caxton Bar and Terrace. His style of cooking has influences from Italy, Spain and France. Vedat rigorously sources ingredients from artisan producers in the British Isles to create a new European menu that emphasizes seasonality and sustainability. Phillips presides over the 1808 Grille in Nashville, an award-winning restaurant at the Hutton Hotel, for which he also design specialized event and catering menus. His dishes feature innovative, sustainable meat and seafood entrees, enhanced with chutneys, aiolis and vinaigrettes to create a delectable array of flavors and textures -- with farm fresh produce from local growers and signature side dishes adding the perfect complement. 1808 Grille has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and was selected as one of the Best restaurants by Nashville Lifestyles magazine in 2011. Izabela Wojcik, Director of House Programming at the James Beard Foundation, said, “We were delighted to welcome Chefs Phillips and Vedat to the historic James Beard House for a wonderful dinner. They not only supported the Foundation’s mission but also continued our legacy of showcasing outstanding culinary talent and exploring regional influences from around the world. We were particularly proud of the unique opportunity to celebrate these two great chefs and share their Nashville to London story in food. Their collaboration dazzled our discerning food enthusiasts, marrying elements of New American and New European cuisines into a seamless and beautiful experience.” About 1808 Grille At once elegant and casual, familiar yet unique, 1808 Grille provides a relaxing atmosphere in which to experience the award-winning New American Cuisine of Executive Chef Charles Phillips, Health Chef for the National Foundation for Cancer Research. Blending traditional Southern dishes with global flavors, the seasonal menus feature local produce, the highest quality meat and sustainable seafood. An extensive wine list and popular events, including weekly wine tastings and exclusive dinners curated by an in-house Sommelier, provides the perfect complement to an unforgettable meal. (www.1808Grille.com) About Caxton Grill A lively buzz has been added in Westminster, London, with the opening of the new Caxton Grill under the direction of Executive Chef Hus Vedat. With 72 covers and a private dining room for ten, the Caxton Grill offers fine quality, uncomplicated British food with European accents, served with impeccable, friendly style in warm relaxed surroundings. (www.caxtongrill.co.uk). About the James Beard Foundation The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and nurturing America’s culinary heritage and diversity. The late James Beard was a champion of American cuisine who helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts. Today, the James Beard Foundation continues in the same spirit by providing scholarships, honoring industry professionals, offering the public the opportunity to enjoy the talents of emerging and established chefs, winemakers, cookbook authors, and purveyors, and hosting conferences, readings, and classes to engage people with the fascinating world of food. For more information about programs and membership, visit www.jamesbeard.org. |