What’s Cookin’ with Chef Guy Reuge

By Nancy Vallarella of What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown

Chef Guy ReugeLife’s plate is full for Chef Guy Reuge, and the menu is always changing.

Two hundred people attended Chef Guy’s Annual Pig RoastThis past Friday, at Mirabelle Tavern in Stony Brook, two hundred attendees gathered for Chef Guy’s Annual Pig Roast.  From prep to the finale, Chef Guy was present overseeing and collaborating with Sous Chef Eric Werner.

The alfresco dining experience had all the fixings of a traditional BBQ event with many elevated extras.  Red and white checkerboard linens dressed the tables where guests placed their overflowing plates filled with traditional BBQ fare and some stand-out menu items. Stand-outs included: roasted suckling pig, BBQ spare ribs, pork and foie gras sliders, shrimp succotash, pork and dried fruit stuffed apples, local fish salad with lemon mayonnaise, southern grits with bacon, and red beet and watermelon salad.  So many choices made it difficult to leave room for dessert.  The talented Rob Baione performed.  His music motivated guests to take a break from eating and get up to dance or sing along.

Next Saturday, August 22, Chef Reuge will be headed east to McCall Vineyards and Ranch in Cutchogue. There he will be honored along with Jim Trezise President of NY Wine and Grape Foundation at Dan’s Harvest East End. 

If you enjoy food and wine, you will want to be there too!  Over 40 local wineries (large and small production) will be pouring their best.  As for the food, 2014 honoree, Chef Tom Schaudel has confirmed he will be there to honor Chef Guy. Chef Schaudel will bring along the best of the best from all four of his restaurants A Lure, A Mono Osteria & Wine Bar, Jewel and Petulant Wino.  Nassau county’s newcomer -  Hush Bistro ‘s celebrated chef Marc Anthony Bynum is also on board along with over 30 other restaurants and chefs from all over Long Island. 

This is the first year Dan’s Harvest East End will have an official host, Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. Chef Zakarian is a well-known Iron Chef, a judge on the Food Network’s Chopped, co-host of Food Network’s The Kitchen and author of the Perfect Pantry.

Stop eating now and join in on this extraordinary culinary event. If you hurry, there still may be tickets available: www.danstasteofsummer.com

Chef Guy will travel west to Cold Spring Harbor for the newest Reuge/Lessing collaboration; Sandbar. They have been renovating space on Main Street (formerly occupied by Charlotte’s Bistro) for several months. As of now, the opening is scheduled for Saturday, September 19^th. Check Sandbar’s Facebook page for updates.

On September 26^th & 27^th head into Manhattan. Times Square will be transformed for the Best of France.  This event has morphed from the Taste of France held in Bryant Park in 2014 and 2013. Grand Wine Tasting and Gastronomy are only the tip of the Eiffel Tower.  The Best of France is documented as the “world’s largest event dedicated to France”.  French craft demonstrations, French markets with bistro spaces, musical and dance performances, fashion shows, technology and art and culture round off this event. This year’s Chairman of Food – Chef Guy Reuge. www.bestoffrance.org

Just prior to the holiday season keep an eye out for the release of Chef Guy’s new book. With approval from culinary greats (Daniel Boulud, Sara Moulton, Andre Soltner of Lutece and Jacques Pepin) it is sure to be a gift hit with foodie friends and relatives.