GERARD CRAFT : Executive Chef/Owner : Age 28
My Favorite Book : The French Laundry Cookbook
Who Inspires Me : Sally Clark, Thomas Keller, Michel Richard. I have not yet worked for any of them.
A Dish I Love to Make : Fried pig's head. It takes something that most people throw away and turns it into gold.
My Cooking Philosophy : To maintain the true flavor of the ingredients
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MATHEW RICE : Pastry Chef : Age 29
My Favorite Book : The Last Course, by Claudia Flemming
Who Inspires Me : My mother and the women in her family
A Dessert I Love to Make : Red Velvet Cake
My Cooking Philosophy : Simplicity becomes elegance
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STEVE CIAPCIAK : Chef de Cuisine : Age 31
My Favorite Book : Happy In The Kitchen and A Return To Cooking
Who Inspires Me : My two brothers
My Cooking Philosophy : Pretty simple... work hard, have fun, and
make people happy.
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ELISE MENSING : Pastry Sous Chef : Age 28
My Favorite Book : Paris Sweets, by Dorie Greenspan.
It takes pastries from well-known shops in Paris and translates the recipes for the American home cook.
Who Inspires Me : My parents, who brought a family together through good food.
A Dessert I Love to Make : Breakfast is my favorite meal. Granola, good yogurt, fresh fruit never gets old.
I enjoy making sorbets and desserts that allow good ingredients like fresh fruit to shine.
My Cooking Philosophy : Food is one of the few things that everyone needs and good food is a simple way of bringing joy into life.