C is for Collaboration
Chefs you should check out
Last month was 100% about doing fun things with folk I adore in the food world. I didn’t share much about these events because, well, it was busy. Plus, it takes me some time to fully absorb how special these interactions are which undermines the “insta” portion of Instagram. Whatever the reason, I’m here now telling you to check these folks out because their minds and their food expands our shared food culture.
On September 9th, Ouita Michel and Tyler McNabb came up from Lexington Kentucky to cook a dinner celebrating all things CORN. I’ve been friends with Ouita since 2016 when we attended a James Beard Policy Bootcamp together. From what I can tell she has trained just about every cook working in Lexington and the surrounding area. This was her second time to Granor Farm where she took all of our guests through the Bourbon Flavor Wheel, an innovative way to taste and pair foods with bourbon. Go and check out her flagship restaurant Holly Hill Inn. She also has new-ish cookbook Just a Few Miles South and just opened a Cooking Studio where you can take cooking demonstrations to learn directly from her and her team.
The next day, I went to see Chef Missy Corey at her restaurant, Pennyroyal Cafe and Provisions. Missy, long one of my favorite cooks in the country, has been hosting a monthly series celebrating key Michigan ingredients. She welcomed me into her restaurant and prepared a menu inspired by Pulp: a practical guide to cooking with fruit. One of the greatest things about having written these cookbooks is to see a chef who inspires you on the regular, be inspired by your work and then see where they take the menu. Pennyroyal is a gem in our area and well worth the drive even if you don’t live in SWMI.
On September 17th I made my last trip of the summer up to Suttons Bay to cook at Mawby Winery. To celebrate Mawby’s 50th Anniversary, I cooked three dinners over the summer, and I think that the September dinner was my favorite— squash soup, tomato plate, green beans, grape-glazed duck confit, and plum clafoutis for dessert. I think that Larry Mawby fostered the growth of the Northern Michigan wine community when he planted those vines 50 years ago; I can’t wait to see where brothers Mike and Peter Laing take it for the next 50.
Then just shy of a week later, Granor Farm hosted 4 chefs from around Michigan who boast very different styles of food and are pushing the food culture in their area— JiHye Kim, chef and managing partner of Miss Kim in Ann Arbor; Lana Williams, represented Sister Pie in Detroit; Cheyenne Galbraith, co-owner of Houndstooth in Benton Harbor; and Jen Blakeslee, co-owner of Cook’s House in Traverse City. These chefs were each interviewed by Helen Rosner of the New Yorker before the dinner shedding light on their restaurants, the relationship they have with their customers, and how the see the expansion of our industry. Very special wines were provided by Ellie Mullins of P+E Bottleshop in Three Oaks featuring Jen Pelka’s wine making collective Une Femme. It was a night like no other, and I’ll meet you at any of their restaurants any time you want to go! In fact I’ll be at Cook’s House on Thursday (10/5) cooking with Jen’s team if you want to come and say “Hi”.
Last but not least was a collaboration dinner with Elizabeth Madden of Rare Bird Preserves at Farrand Hall in Colon, MI. James and Jacob have transformed the house and grounds of Farrand Hall into an incredibly beautiful place that curates a season-long dinner series with different chefs around the region. Every event I’ve ever attended there has been as lovely as it was delicious. It was a treat to get to cook there and learn alongside Elizabeth.
It was quite a month.
And collaborations aren’t just for September anymore! Below is a list of upcoming events where I’ll be working with a slew of great folks. I hope you will be there too.
Thursday, Oct 5th, Cookbook Dinner at Cook’s House Tickets HERE
Wednesday, Oct 11th, Chippewa Valley Literary Fest Dinner at The Good Wives, SOLD OUT
Sunday, Oct 22nd, NBX Concerts present Elijah McLaughlin at Granor Farm, Tickets HERE
Thursday, Nov 9th, Granor Farm at Frame, Tickets HERE
Friday and Saturday, Dec 1-2, James Beard Taste of Traditions at Sand Valley Resort, more info coming soon