The James Beard Foundation Chefs’ Night Out was the most magnificent food event that I have ever been to. CNO is an annual late-night party held the night before the JBF Awards Ceremony. This year’s venue, Todd English’s Plaza Food Hall in the Plaza Hotel, was extraordinary. It’s an enormous space with lots of food stations serving anything and everything you can think of. What a perfect spot — both visually stunning and extremely spacious. Since you’re walking around the entire time, it never felt too crowded. There was more food available to us than I’ve ever seen in one place — enough to feed a small country! The variety of cuisines and featured dishes was honestly overwhelming. With so many options, I didn’t know where to start, so I just ate it all (or at least I attempted to). As if things weren’t already amazing enough, so many incredibly talented chefs were there, eating and mingling with the crowd. I’m not going to lie, I was totally starstruck! Chefs are my superheros! This event was truly a feast for all five senses. A million thanks to my foodie bestie, SaraDISH, for bringing me as her guest!
The Plaza Food Hall: 1 West 59th Street (at Fifth Avenue)
Chefs’ Night Out!
Luke’s Lobster: Marinated Shrimp Roll
5J Cinco Jotas Iberico de Bellota Carving Station
Foie Gras & Fig Jam
Maison du Chocolat: Dark Chocolate with Herbes de Provence
Valrhona P125 Mudslide
Leffe, Stella Artois, and Hoegaarden Beer Station
No. 7 Sub: Short Rib Slider
Lady M: Mille Crepe Cake
Shrimp and Chicken-Ginger Dumplings
Fried Oyster
Pasta Trio: butternut squash tortelli, veal agnolotti, goat cheese ravioli
The pasta station
An endless line of assorted sliders
Prosciutto pizza
Susan Ungaro (President of James Beard Foundation) and Chef Elizabeth Falkner
Inside the Plaza Food Hall (…and look — there’s Chef Michael White on the right!)