Texas Shines at Aspen Food & Wine Classic By Darryl Beeson   Celebrating of the 15th anniversary of Food & Wine Magazine’s "Best New Chefs" awards, the Texas Restaurant Association and the Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival paid tribute to the Texas chefs who have received the magazine's prestigious "Best New Chef" honor, co-hosting a "Hats Off" Texas-style reception during this year's June event in Aspen. "The reception was a great way for us to share good ol' fashioned Texas hospitality with Aspen locals as well as chefs and dignitaries from all over the world," said Texas Restaurant Association President Jeffrey Yarbrough of Liberty Noodles in Dallas and Houston. Texas has a long legacy of groundbreaking chefs including "Best New Chefs" alumni Bruce Auden, BIGA on the Banks, San Antonio (1988), Lori Finkelman and David Holben, The Riviera, Dallas (1990), Michael Cordua, Churrascos, Houston (1994), Monica Pope, Boulevard Bistrot, Houston (1996), Danielle Custer, Laurel's, Dallas (1998) and most recently, Will Packwood, Emilia's, Austin (2001). "The Texas reception was the place to be," said Host Committee Member Paula Lambert of Mozzarella Company in Dallas. "We had people from everywhere, New Zealand, New York, Aspen and Texas, of course." The reception was held at Kenichi Restaurant, a popular local venue for cutting edge Asian cuisine. There is a Texas connection to this Aspen location, that being Kenichi Restaurant in Austin, Texas, garnering great reviews as well. The inaugural event was a huge success, attracting over 150 attendees, including The Food Network's Mario Batali and Bobby Flay, New York City dining guru Drew Nieporent of Myriad Group, Adolfo Folonari of Tuscan Estates of Ruffino, international journalist Patricia Wells, and Nancy Silverton of the LaBrea Bakery. Guests wined and dined on a diverse menu of Texas favorites, including the best in Texas wines, beer, and vodka as well as signature dishes from a sampling of Texas restaurants. North Texans who made the trip to the 2002 Food & Wine Classic included Mi Piaci and Salve! Restaurant owners Janet and Phil Cobb, Chef Michael Zeve of Sevy's Grill, Executive Chef David McMillan of Nana Grill, the KRLD Restaurant Show's Jim White and Vicki Briley-White, trial lawyers Frank and Debbie Branson, Dr. Leonard and Peggy Riggs, Steve and Terri Casey, Mark Seal and Anne Blocker, Harl and Jim Asaff, Boots Reeder, Bea Harper, as well as Colleen and Bill Shirley. In addition to the Texas Restaurant Association and the Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival, the reception's co-hosts included: Becker Vineyards, Central Market, Cowboys & Indians Magazine, Fall Creek Vineyards, The Gambrinus Company, Kenichi - Aspen and Austin, Las Casas Restaurante, Mozzarella Company, Perini Ranch Steakhouse, Texas Monthly Magazine, Tito's Handmade Vodka, artist Bob "Daddy-O" Wade, and Liberty Noodles. The Aspen Classic is produced by Food & Wine Magazine, who began the yearly. "Best New Chefs" in America awards in 1988 to honor exceptionally talented up-and-coming chefs who create unforgettably delicious and inventive world-class food. Food & Wine magazine editor Dana Cowin says, "Choosing the Best New Chefs in America is one of the highlights of my job, and I love making the first phone calls to the winners. The decision-making process is always a grueling one because there are so many truly talented chefs out there. What sets these winning chefs apart is their passion, dedication and ability to deliver extraordinary cuisine that surpasses our highest expectations again and again." Should you wish to join this Aspen event, held yearly in June, act soon because it sells out quickly. Learn how you can observe the nation's foremost authorities on food and wine as they share their passion and expertise at this showcase event by reading Food & Wine Magazine for event details, or check out their web site, www.foodandwine.com. For more great wine suggestions, click here Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions? Email: jwdineline@aol.com Copyright 1998 Inter Active Media Solutions. All Rights Reserved. The interactive components of this site require that you use a current browser version of Explorer; be sure to maximize your window out so you can see the entire page. This page was created by Inter Active Media Solutions.