LIVE Magazine- Issue #268, March 9, 2018

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Richard Blais Perhaps most recognizable as the winner of Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars, Richard Blais is a successful chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and television personality. So Good is the title of one of Richard’s books Fans know Richard Blais best as the winner of Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars, the first competitor to be invited back as a permanent judge on Top Chef, and now as a Food Network regular as well. On television, Blais is famous for his daring cooking, making use of science (think liquid nitrogen) to dazzle and impress. He has even authored two books with elevated homestyle recipes and personal stories which invite you behind the scenes and into his own kitchen. Richard will be one of the celebrity chefs in the March 23-25, 2018, Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, Palm Desert Food & Wine. It is a three-day event presenting some of “the best people” in the food industry- chefs, vintners, and craft beer brewers-from across the country. Find the schedule of events and other information here: www.palmdesertfoodandwine.com
y Juli Ragsdale LIVE Magazine www.palmdesertfoodandwine.com Juli: Thank you for your time and interview, Richard. With the many responsibilities of being a famous TV personality, do you find time to cook at home? Richard: I do! I have two daughters, Riley and Embry, and love to cook with them at home. I think it’s important to make time and have fun in the kitchen with my family! J: Your skills are so diverse. Where did you get your education? R: I started my education working as the poissonier, also known as the fish cook, at a little fast food place known as McDonald’s. I eventually attended and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1998. J: Wow! What a great story. The humble beginnings of greatness! Where and what were you doing the day you decided to enter Top Chef? R: I was actually working in my restaurant in Atlanta when I got the phone call. I never actually applied to be on Top Chef - My restaurant happened to get reviewed that day, and the casting team in Atlanta saw the review in the local newspaper. Someone found me and I immediately accepted! J: Another fun story! You were just fated for fame! What was that like on the day you arrived and meet the other cast? a cloud of Fabio’s cologne. J: Oh! That would be a challenge as well! What was your most proud moment on that show, and what was the dish? R: Definitely when I won! It was a multicourse menu - I don’t remember all of the specifics, but I remember doing a “Oysters and Pearls” dish that I definitely give some credit to. J: From that beginning you went on to so many successes, including the role as a recurring judge on the show. Which position serves you best? R: I definitely prefer judge to competitor - and prefer being a host most of all. J: What other shows are you involved in? R: I’m still very involved in the Top Chef series, as well as several shows on Food Network including Guy’s Grocery Games, Food Network Star, Chopped, and more. J: I find your company, Trail Blais very interesting. Can you tell us about it? R: It was initially built as a creative consulting firm to help build, design, open and operate restaurants in cities across the country. J: That’s a busy schedule! How do you juggle all of that with your personal and family time? press. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to make it to too many restaurants, but taking any suggestions! J: That is a tough one. There are too many incredible venues and chefs in the Coachella Valley to mention them all. One of the hottest venues, and definitely one of my personal favorites is the new AC3 Restaurant + Bar. at Hotel Paseo. It is a collaboration of two of the valley’s best restaurants, TRIO Restaurant and Copley’s On Palm Canyon. Juliana Copley, Andrew Copley & Tony Marchese make the “Perfect Trio” to bring this hot new concept to El Paseo in Palm Desert. Award-winning Chef/Owner Andrew Copley and Executive Chef Brandon Testi have created a “New American” dining experience there, highlighting familiar dishes using local ingredients from The Gardens on El Paseo, located just steps away. Guests of AC3 also experience craft cocktails, California craft beers and a curated wine list. Thank you, Richard! We are so happy to have you visit us and share your talents. I hope you have time to enjoy the Desert! R: Between us, I’m pretty anti-social. Let’s just say that arriving that day to share bunk beds with 20 other chefs was pretty intimidating. J: Yes, that would be a challenge, no matter how social one might be. Is there a top comical moment from that show that you can share? R: I shared a room with Fabio Viviani, which is a comedy in and of itself. He would spray the room with cologne before he entered and I spent most of my time in R: It’s definitely busy, but we find ways to make it work. I’m currently coaching my daughter’s little league basketball team to make sure that I see them as much as possible! J: Richard, congratulations on all your numerous successes and welcome to the Coachella Valley. Have you previously been to the area? If so, any favorite restaurants or venues? R: Yes, I love it here and come with my family a couple times a year to decom- LIVEMAGAZINETV 27
Page 1: Mar 9, 2018 VOLUME 12 ISSUE #268 M
Page 6 and 7: PAGE 8,9 SO VERY Palm Springs FIRST
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Page 11 and 12: “BESTS”AWARDED TO LULU CALIFORN
Page 13 and 14: WHERE PALM SPRINGS EATS • Brunch-
Page 15 and 16: S T A T E - O F - T H E A R T D A N
Page 17 and 18: Don’t miss the National Center fo
Page 19 and 20: Michael Childers One Night Only Rod
Page 21 and 22: HAPPY HOUR 7 DAYS A WEEK Gennine Fr
Page 23 and 24: HAPPY HOUR 7 DAYS A WEEK 760.325.92
Page 25: Singing For A Cure to Benefit the A
Page 30 and 31: Fabio Viviani Chef, Culinary Person
Page 32 and 33: Aarti Sequeira Author, Host of Aart
Page 34 and 35: Laura Werlin James Beard Award-winn
Page 37 and 38: ALEXIS ORTEGA To be honored with th
Page 39 and 40: Kenn Gray and photographer and Joe
Page 41: SO VERY Palm Springs FIRST SUNDAY O
Page 45 and 46: y Levvy Carriker and Juli Ragsdale
Page 47: World-renowned singer, songwriter a
Page 50: SAVE THE DATE march 11, 2018 heckma

LIVE Magazine- Issue #268, March 9, 2018

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