Before I sign off for the big holiday weekend, I wanted to extend a hearty congratulations to Chef Tory Miller of L'Etoile in Madison, Wisconsin for winning the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest. Having had the pleasure of taking a class on Spanish Cooking and Wine with Chef Miller, I'd like to point out that, in addition to being a truly remarkable wizard in the kitchen, he's both funny and personable. His approach to cooking includes keeping recipes approachable and focusing on incredibly high quality, local ingredients. Here's hoping his style reaches far and wide and helps to inspire both professionals and home cooks to follow suit. Congratulations and job well done! To read more about the award, L'Etoile, and Chef Miller's cooking philosophy, check out this interview from earlier this week.
Now, it's time to focus on pasta salad, muffins, and cheesecake ... oh my! More on that next week. Happy Memorial Day, everyone.