393042 Wed Apr 18 12:46:43 -0700 2007 1 7 Chicago Area 0 2492942 I listened to a very fascinating Podcast with Achatz of The French Laundry, Trio and now Alinea. The interview was on a great Podcast called "The Restaurant Guys". It really gives you an insight to his "cutting edge" cuisine. You can find the feed here... http://www.restaurantguysradio.com/sle/rg/ "Grant Achatz is the executive chef and owner of the number one restaurant in America, Alinea. Achatz has won nearly every major award, including being named "the best rising star chef" by the James Beard Association. He joins us today to talk about Alinea, about the state of cooking in America today, about the importance of fundamentals and also the importance of looking forward. Is it molecular gastronomy? Is it avante garde cuisine? Has the right phrase yet to be coined? Listen to a thoughtful discussion on the topic...." Wed Apr 18 12:46:43 -0700 2007 78839 EvanstonFoodGuy 1 2504642 I'm sure you're familiar with Michael Ruhlman's trilogy of culinary training and chefs: "The Making of a Chef" about a year of training at the Culinary Institute of America, "The Soul of a Chef" about, first, the competitive gauntlet to earn the "Certified Master Chef" designation from CIA and then detailed descriptions of Michael Symon and his Lola Bistro and then Thomas Keller and the French Laundry, then "The Reach of a Chef" with detailed descriptions of several extremely prominent, young chefs and their creations. Grant Achatz figures a little in the middle book as a prominent cook at the French Laundry, and then at length in his creation and operation of Alinea of Chicago. If you're interested in food, cooking, and restaurant operations, you will enjoy each of these books greatly. You might want to read them in the order listed above, but it's not really necessary. Ruhlman is an engaging author, and has done books about a builder of wooden boats and his own experiences renovating an old house in Cleveland. I'm looking forward to reading all of them. He's worth your time. Sun Apr 22 16:26:18 -0700 2007 2492942 15041 MikeLM