Check Please!

I was recently contacted by David Manilow, the producer of Check Please! a show that has a weekly panel of guests sharing insight about their favorite hot spots to eat around town. Based in Chicago, as well as a show in San Francisco, I suggested to David to possibly bring the show to Austin, but hey I'm willing to move back to my hometown of Chicago, given the chance of a lifetime. What a sweet gig, talking about food and sipping on wine. Sign me up! Not to mention that for me my love of food started with public television. Ah Julia, how I miss you.
Here are ten qualities that would make me a great host, for Check Please!

1. Amazing knowledge of food. Born and raised in Chicago!
2. Previous experience as a  restaurant host, bartender and server.
3. Great wine and cocktail knowledge.
4. Bilingual. Pass the salsa!
5. Gift of gab.
6. Always seeking out new food dives and fun hang outs.
7. Supporting local grass roots organizations, mom & pop shops, farmers markets and community driven festivals.
8. I plan all of my free time around food.
9. No known food allergies.
10. Excited to always learn about people, where they are from, what they like to eat.

I just applied to be the new host, wish me luck!

In the meantime, while spending time in Florida with family, and continuing the job hunt, I have been catching up with friends from cooking school. Last week I had lunch with my friend Patrick at The Ravenous Pig, a gastro pub in the heart of Winter Park, Florida. We shared a plate of steak tartar, scrumptious deviled eggs and an entree of rock shrimp and gnudi in an aromatic saffron broth. I also enjoyed a tasty salad of local gem lettuces, beets, radish, goat cheese and pistachios. Patrick is now a Dad to two young boys. While raising his kids he is still doing personal catering as well cooking demos in Orlando.

Rock shrimp, gnudi, Romanesco cauliflower, pea tendrils, butter croutons, saffron broth

For dinner I caught up with another friend, Annette. She suggested we have dinner at Kouzzina. Located at Disney's Boardwalk, formerly known as Spoodle's, the restaurant is now in partnership with celebrity chef Cat Cora. I had the chance to meet Chef Cora in San Francisco a few years ago. I love her life story of growing up in Mississippi in a Greek home. It really reflects in her cooking style, rustic, homey and tasty. We shared a nice bottle of Greek red wine and lots of laughs. I forgot how nutty Annette is. Being with her reminds me of Laverne & Shirley. Surprised neither one of us got expelled from school for chatting so much. Anyway, for my meal I kept it simple with crispy fried calamari that was served with a smokey tomato sauce and a gratin of goat cheese, artichokes and sun dried tomatoes.

It was great to catch up with friends from cooking school.