Chef Kimmy Tang

TASTE OF GUANDONG Celebrates New Cantonese Food Product Imports

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) Renowned Chinese and western chefs came together this week at TASTE OF GUANDONG to celebrate new Cantonese products now available in the US, an export practice started in 1864! A virtual feast for all the senses greeted guests at the elaborate classic Cantonese and Cantonese-style display at Chang’An restaurant in the San Gabriel Valley. See Below.

A feast for all the senses at TASTE OF GUANDONG to celebrate Cantonese products new to the USA. Chef Ricardo Zarate’s Squid Ink Pasta is upper left and Kimmy Tang’s Coconut Beet Pasta and Frog Legs (top center)

The American Chinese Food Foundation sponsored the event. Lively foundation president and host, Theresa Lin Cheng herself is famous as a cookbook author, chef and restaurant consultant.

Besides stir-frying and steaming, refined, clearly flavored Cantonese cuisine is also famous for its roast meats such as pork and duck. Char siu bao, or steamed buns filled with roast pork, is a popular Cantonese dim sum treat.

A feast for all the senses at TASTE OF GUANDONG to celebrate Cantonese products new to the USA

Guest Executive Chefs renowned for their fine dining restaurants and casual eateries included Ricardo Zarate, that Theresa Lin described at “the god chef of South America and Peru,” and Chef Kimmy Tang of Michelia and Pho 920.

Guest Executive Chefs TASTE OF GUANDONG to celebrate Cantonese products new to the USA included Ricardo Zarate , Chef Kimmy Tang and and Tien Song Zhen with host, Chef Theresa Lin

Other chefs included Cantonese chef Xu Jinlue, Italian chef Franco de Dominicis; Beiling Shanghai cuisine champion chef Zeng Tiansong (Tien Song Zhen) and Michelin star restaurant chef Master Zhang, of Jiangnan Village restaurant.

A fitting award to Guest Executive Chefs TASTE OF GUANDONG to celebrate Cantonese products new to the USA included Ricardo Zarate , Chef Kimmy Tang and Tien Song Zhen

Chris Frisco of Frisco Burger added a whimsical touch with the local drive-in’s signature a roller skating waitress.

Chris Frisco of Frisco Burger at the TASTE OF GUANDONG celebrating new Cantonese imports
Frisco Burger at the TASTE OF GUANDONG celebrating new Cantonese imports

A display of creative dishes highlighted Guangdong ingredients and pre-made dishes. The goal was to spotlight Guangdong pre-made items new to the United States, Cantonese flavors and Cantonese flavors.

Diced Fish Balls and Radish Soup warms up the day at the TASTE OF GUANDONG celebrating new Cantonese imports

A live demo of Cantonese prefabricated dish tasting session started off the afternoon and showed off new products, such as Lotus Root Sliders and Seaweed SeaBass Fillet Crispy Strips to purchasers, mainstream catering consumers and community gourmets and officials.

It is so fitting that Guangdong (formerly Canton) represented this association between China and the West. On the east coast of China, waves of beautiful tree-lined streets reminiscent of Greenwich Village. British Professor Michael Woods explains the rise and fall of Chinese cities and civilizations perfectly in THE STORY OF CHINA. See the star of our meal there below.

A GuandDong tree-lined market stall near the wonderful little shops and boutiques like Greenwich Village
Star of our meal in GuangDong formerly Canton

As one speaker noted at the Taste of GuangDong Theme Night & Cooking with Master Chefs event, “in these times of political turmoil and strife between east and west, it is wonderful to an event like this featuring delicious food can make the world a smaller and a friendly place.”


The Menu

Menu the the TASTE OF GUANDONG party celebrating new Cantonese imports
Our LocalFoodEater expert in Cantonese fare, Cary Huynh and Chef Theresa Lin Chang at the TASTE OF GUANDONG celebrating new Cantonese imports
Still our favorite and a Cantonese classic: Duck at the TASTE OF GUANDONG celebrating new Cantonese imports
Looking up Chef Theresa Lin Cheng, we find an article by our friend, Barbara Hansen

Chang’An Restaurant , 227 W. Valley Blvd # 348, San Gabriel Valley, CA 91776

Top Ten Ethnic LFE Ethnic Ambassadors in FLAVOR OF LA on May 20

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) Seven of our favorites are among the gourmet food samplings from LA’s best restaurants, craft beers, wine, cocktails and an awesome car show from The Television Motion Picture Car Club. //flavorofla.com.

The event takes place on the historic CBS Studio Center back lot, studio home to hits from Gunsmoke and Gilligan’s Island to Seinfeld and Will and Grace.

Admission ($75)  includes all food and drink, and free parking with an easy walk from the parking lot to the guest-friendly park-like venue.  A portion of all ticket sales benefit charitable partner this year – L.A. Kitchen.  L.A. Kitchen believes that neither food nor people should ever go to waste. By reclaiming healthy, local food that would otherwise be discarded, training men and women who are unemployed for jobs, and providing healthy meals to fellow citizens, L.A. Kitchen empowers, nourishes, and engages the community.

Chef Aaron Robbins, SOCA and Boneyard Bistro, has long championed the spiffy, relaxed Studio City we also love.  Here is a chance to experience why.  Scroll down to view the participants and read about our picks.  Yes!  We have three ice cream picks (McConnell’s, Santa Barbara; Salt N’ Straw, Oregon; Wanderlust) so we’re ready to explore more restaurants!  Sun Cafe’s owner-chef made a delicious kale shake (my into to kale as a food) so this is a must-try station.

 

Che Kimmy Tang of Bistro Mon Cheri, A Los Angeles Culinary Treasure

 

 

Historic Casa Vega Celebrates Summer with Ice Cream Churro for the Kids

Second Generation Christy Vega Revs Up Casa Vega in Studio City

Frida Mexican Restaurant: New California-inspired Menu, Old-fashioned Latino Hospitality

 

Long-time top chef, community supporter, Chef Robbins from long-time neighborhood favorite, Boneyard Bistro.

 

Long-time American regional favoriteMc Connell’s always serves their newest flavors

 
 

At the PPLA Food Fare – not Italian but abundanza anyway!

 

New York-Italian import that has captured the LA imagination “on the other side of the hill.”

Wanderlust ice creams honored Chef Tui Tribute Event with Asian fruit flavors

Che Kimmy Tang of Bistro Mon Cheri, A Los Angeles Culinary Treasure

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) It’s not enough that Chef has a long menu of appealing, intensely flavored, fined dishes.  She also offers her customers a Chef’s Tasting Table menu for $55 that changes weekly.  Dining groups, one a table of eight young ladies, are offered original dinner menus for their regular get-togethers.  To ensure that the dishes are never repeated for this or other guests, Chef Kimmy keeps a notebook to ensure this, a la N/NAKA. ( //bistromoncheri.com)

She is, as my mother would say, as “big as a minute” but her energy fills a room. So Chef Kimmy Tang, owner-chef of Bistro Mon Ami in Pasadena always “had me” just with her radiant smile and bear hug.  But that would downplay her exquisite Asian Fusion Vietnamese-centric menu with a French and California influence, and most recently a Romanian twist.

Asian Dolmas

In fact, Bistro Mon Ami is named after her favorite restaurant in Romania.  And now, Pasadena diners can judge for themselves how they feel about Kimmy ’s refined comfort food dishes.   For an unexplainable reason, Kimmy has made the connection between Greek-Turkish food (dolmades, breiks,) and Eastern European dishes (stuffed cabbage) in a totally original way. 

Below are three of Kimmy’s updated classical  Vietnamese dishes she created for a Southern California Culinary Historian’s lunch last season.  It was a packed house with tables pulled together for communal dining and family-style servings.

Kimmy’s glorious energy feels as though it is infused into the food and homey service.  Selections ($8.95- $13.95) are hearty and generous enough to serve two.  Below is the Lemongrass Chicken in a bed of Onion, Bell Pepper, Mushroom, Snap Peas.  Oh, would you like it spicier? Chef Kimmy steps away and brings a pot of hot chili paste to the table.

Lemongrass Chicken

Lemongrass Chicken at Bistro Mon Cheri

Chef Kimmy Tang’s Grilled Chicken on Rice

Chef Kimmy’s family is Chinese but she was born and raised in Saigon. After a harrowing family story of escape and relocation to California after Saigon fell, Chef Tang first followed her artistic bent in the fashion world, then became widely considered a pioneering visionary in the Asian food market with her formal but pleasing Michelia restaurant just outside of Beverly Hills.

Even her pork meatballs with Lemongrass and Garlic have an artistic, whimsical bent. ($9.95).  You don’t even need a bun because there are veggies and greens with them.

 

In 2008 Kimmy packed up Michelia and set out to explore the world.  She revisited her birthplace, Vietnam, and Europe. It was in Romania that Chef Tang became a culinary consultant for the largest film studio and a very popular local TV cooking show host.

Chef Kimmy Tang’s Pork Meatball

It was as a volunteer in the Romanian orphanages that ignited in Chef Kimmy a heartfelt desire to help children. Kimmy currently aids Romanian orphan immigrants and sells the artwork of Children’s Hospital patients on her restaurant walls to benefit the Healing Arts Reaching Kids (H.A.R.K.) program of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Chef Kimmy opens her doors to all student interns and works with them on both how a dish tastes but how the flavors are layered to make it taste a certain way.  She is a kind but firm “hands-on” teacher.   Kimmy is a frequent welcome sight at most of the community food events.  It is all part of her personal goal to “make a deposit in the universal bank of good.”

Bistro Mon Cheri,  950 E. Colorado Blvd # 204 Pasadena. CA, 626-787-1323.

3rd Annual Masters of Taste May 6: Eating Citywide

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3rd Annual Masters of Taste(Gerry Furth-Sides) The 3rd Annual Masters of Taste, L.A.’s premier outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival on Sunday, May 6th, 2018 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the field of the Historic Pasadena Rose Bowl is the perfect and easy way to sample food from over 40 of the top LA  (savory) Culinary Masters and restaurants and L.A.’s Sweet Masters.  

The layout, starting with complimentary parking is easy, easy easy to manage, and the field so big and filled with sheltered sit-down areas that there are rarely lines.

3rd Annual Masters of Taste Registration

Beverage Masters will feature signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from 25 spirit brands and bars, a premier 50 yard-line cocktail bar featuring top Mixologists from L.A.’s most distinguished drinking destinations, select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices cold brew coffee and live entertainment.

cocktail bar

(photo courtesy of Masters of Taste)

This year’s Masters of Taste 2018 participating Culinary Masters and Restaurants include:

Kimmy Tang

 

Chef Calogero Drago

 

Chef Neal Fraser

Chef Neal Fraser at Masters of Taste

Sweet Masters: Los Angeles Top Sweet Masters showcasing delectable housemade, scratch desserts include Butter Cake Shoppe, Crème Caramel,  Fatamorgana Gelato, homemade premium sorbets from Helados Pops, Chocolatier to the Stars Mignon Chocolate, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Porto’s Bakery, Zooies Cookies and much more.

Beverage Masters who specialize in barley and hops include  Indie Brewing Company, Iron triangle Brewing, Lincoln Beer Company, MacLeod Ale Brewing Co., San Fernando Brewing Co., State Brewing Co. and more.

Wineries: A specially curated collection of Wine Masters  are: Ascension Cellars, Cosentino Winery, Foris Winery & Vineyards, Hitching Post Winery, Y3 by Jax Vineyards, Kieu Hoang Winery, Lorimar Vineyard and Winery, Anderson Valley’s Navarro Vineyards and Wrath Wines to name a few.

Bars & Spirits: The list of L.A.’s top bartenders and cocktail bars include Pieter Lloyd-Jones of 1886, Devon Espinosa of Sunset & Vinyl, Colin Pflugradt of SOL Cocina, and Pasadena’sMagnolia House. Top brands showcasing their finest spirits will also include American Born Moonshine, Dulce Vida Tequila, Woodford Reserve and ZYR Russian Vodka and many more.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages: A variety of premium non-alcoholic Beverage Masters will also be on hand for those who wish to hydrate, caffeinate or regenerate, such as Bai, Boxed Water, Califia Farms Juices and Cold Brew Coffees, Dry Sparkling, Groundwork Coffee, Immordl energy elixirs, cold-pressed juices from Nekter Juice Bar and Zico Coconut Water and more.

100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste 2018 will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping homeless men, women, and children rebuild their lives. Union Station is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to end homelessness in our community and offers an array of services including street outreach, meals, shelter, housing, case management and career development. In the last two years, Masters of Taste has raised nearly $1 Million in support of Union Station’s life-saving programs

Sponsors: Masters of Taste 2018 is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, which include HomeStreet Bank, Judith L Chiara Foundation, Western Asset Management, Woodford Reserve, Kaiser Permanente, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Kauffman Wealth Management and Zonin USA.

Ticket Information and more details: please visit www.MastersofTasteLA.com/Tickets.

Location:  Pasadena Rose Bowl – 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103.

 

New French-inspired Valentine Day Menus by Famous Chefs

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New, creative French-inspired St.Valentine’s Day ethnic celebrations range from renowned Chef Kimmy Tang’s California-inspired French-Vietnamese and Chef Alain Cohen’s refined French-Tunisian to Chef Olivier Rouselle’s international-inspired Parisian French menu. After all, isn’t French the “language of love?”

Kimmy Tang

Chef Kimmy Tang

Personal French themes run through all of these celebratory meals across the city.  Chef-owner Kimmy Tang’s Vietnamese Bistro Mon Cheri is in Pasadena.  The Pico-Robertson neighborhood houses Chef-owner Alain Cohen’s  Sephardic French-Tunisian Got Kosher? (aka Harissa Restaurant as of March 1, 2018).  Executive Chef Olivier Rouselle has headed the kitchen for years at On Sunset Restaurant at the tucked away treasure, Luxe Sunset Hotel in Bel-Air.

The talented, irrepressible Kimmy Tang invites her guests to her intimate  Valentine’s Day at cozy, bright Bistro Mon Cheri.  The sophisticated menu reflects her cosmopolitan background.  Born in Vietnam and a world traveler, the talented and exuberant chef has even started in a cooking show in Rumania.  The Bistro Mon Cheri name honors one of Kimmy’s favorite, well known French restaurants in Vietnam.  For more information please see: //la.eater.com/2017/5/11/15613104/bistro-mon-cheri-pasadena-kimmy-tang-opening

The light, refreshing dishes feature her usual California flair to them.  The price is also a refined $35 per person.

Chef Kimmy’s  California-inspired Vietnamese menu includes Starters:  Crab Wontons served with Avocado Aioli; Beef Sausage wrapped with Mozzarella Cheese, and Fish Dumpling served with Spicy Soy.   Spicy Shrimp Corn Chowder or a Shrimp, Carrot, Cucumber Noodles on Crispy Rice are the choices for the Soup or Salad course.   The Main Courses include, Baked De-Boned Gem Hen served with Gourmet Rice; Grilled Argentinian Shrimp served with Cilantro Garlic Quinoa, or Lightly Fried Pork Steak served with Coconut Rice.   “Dessert of course!” here includes either a Coconut with Strawberry or a Coffee Panna Cotta.

Bistro Mon Cheri is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. Hours extend to 9:30 p.m. on Friday to Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Bistro Mon Cheri, 950 E. Colorado Blvd. #204, Pasadena 91106
626-787-1323 //bistromoncheri.com/

Candlelight and white tablecloths transform the front room for the annual I ❤ HARISSA celebration that is purposely planned on February 14 as a unique evening of French-Tunisian at Got Kosher? Cafe restaurant.  Chef-owner Alain Cohen offers a 5-course prix fixe dinner and a complimentary glass of wine from a brand new list of the finest kosher beers and wine.  Got Kosher? Cafe officially becomes HARISSA RESTAURANT on March 1, 2018.

Signature favorites will still highlight HARISSA RESTAURANT’s new expanded California-inspired menu reflecting the vibrant “sun-cuisine” heritage of Cohen. Born in Tunisia and raised in Paris, France, he worked in his father’s kosher Tunisian restaurant, Les Ailes (The Wings) from the age of nine.  Success came early to the innovator when, his refined French-Tunisian menu turned the restaurant into an overnight sensation, later becoming a Paris landmark.  Chef Cohen is the creative force behind the famous pretzel challah.  He is now becoming as well known for his gourmet Sephardic cuisine “with heart” (and just enough heat), and that just happens to be kosher.

For information on Chef Alain Cohen, please see our post on this congenial innovator known as the “Tunisian epicurean”, here with daughter Sophy at the restaurant.

Who is Alain Cohen and Why he offers Kosher – with no apologies

 

The Valentine’s Day menu at On Sunset Restaurant created by Luxe Hotels Executive Chef, Olivier Rousselle is an extravagant, French-inspired  5-course meal offered for $68 per person.  World-class chef Rousselle, whose culinary experience spans three continents, is known for his exquisite menus that showcase seasonal California fare.

Personable Chef Olivier, originally from Paris, has family ties that are rooted in the Bordeaux region. His formal culinary studies began at the age of 16 in Paris with an externship in Gascony under the tutorship of famed chefs Bernard Ramouneda and Andre Daguin. Upon graduation, he was immersed in the fast-paced environment of a traditional French Brasserie in Paris.

dining room

The elegant dining room at the Luxe Sunset Hotel (photo courtesy of the Luxe Sunset Hotel)

 

A toast of Luxe Champagne Cocktail

Champagne

Champagne at the LUXE SUNSET HOTEL (photo courtesy of Luxe Sunset Hotel)

Amuse-Bouche

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Choice of one in each course:

Maine Lobster Salad with Orange Vinaigrette                                                     Boston Lettuce, Blood Orange Segments, Peruvian Purple Potatoes,                                Avocado and Chives

salad

Peruvian purple potatoes provide a unique change of color in the Maine Lobster Salad at On Sunset Restaurant (photo courtesy of Luxe Hotel)

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Seared Maine Scallop                                                                                                Cauliflower Purée, Sage-Pine Nuts Beurre Blanc

Sauteed Foie Gras with Brioche                                                                            Persimmon Chutney, Petite Walnut Salad

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Filet Mignon Tournedos                                                                                                 Truffled potato Puree, Haricot vert, Port reduction                            

Seared Ahi Tuna                                                                                                                  Ginger-Carrot Mashed, Sesame Spinach, Saké Jus

 

Sake just adds a subtle Japanese kick to the Seared Ahi Tuna at ON SUNSET  (photo courtesy of Luxe Hotel)

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Valhrona Chocolate Fudge Cake                                                                                   Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Cocoa Sauce

Raspberry Panna Cotta                                                                                                          Red Coulis and Lavender Tuile

 Coffee or Artisan Tea

The room with a view from the Luxe Sunset Hotel (photo courtesy of the Luxe Sunset Hotel)

Cuisines

Authors