It seems like just last week I was blogging about how a San Diego chef had gotten big-time props for writing a standout cookbook. Oh yeah, it was (kudos again to chef Jeff Rossman of Terra American Bistro). At the risk of sounding repetitive, two more chefs have brought home top honors for a hand-crafted culinary compendium. This time, it's Bernard Guillas and Ron Oliver, the tandem behind the Marine Room at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.
Their book, "Flying Pans: Two Chefs, One World," (which also includes introductory text from yours truly) beat out texts from famous superstar chefs like Rick Bayless and Michael Chiarello in the "Chefs and Restaurants" category of the 2011 edition of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. As if that weren't impressive enough, Guillas and Oliver's hardcover how-to beat out all of the 500-plus total entries to win the "People's Choice" award for favorite overall cookbook.
Since migrating here over a decade-and-a-half ago, Guillas has made it his mission to be a cheerleader for San Diego's food scene. Surely no chef is as well acquainted with the SD Convention and Visitors Bureau, but in addition to efforts on the homefront, he also advertises when he's out of the country, which is a lot. Avid world travelers, Guillas and Oliver have journeyed to nearly 50 countries between the two of them and the former spends a significant portion of the year cooking before a crowd as far away as Southeast Asia.
This high profile win should only serve to increase the volume and reach of Guillas' rah-rahing and help to turn more than a few foodie heads in San Diego's direction. With any luck, that'll help to make SD a winner in the end. "Flying Pans" is available online at www.twochefsoneworld.com, www.amazon.com and at major bookstores.
It seems like just last week I was blogging about how a San Diego chef had gotten big-time props for writing a standout cookbook. Oh yeah, it was (kudos again to chef Jeff Rossman of Terra American Bistro). At the risk of sounding repetitive, two more chefs have brought home top honors for a hand-crafted culinary compendium. This time, it's Bernard Guillas and Ron Oliver, the tandem behind the Marine Room at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.
Their book, "Flying Pans: Two Chefs, One World," (which also includes introductory text from yours truly) beat out texts from famous superstar chefs like Rick Bayless and Michael Chiarello in the "Chefs and Restaurants" category of the 2011 edition of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. As if that weren't impressive enough, Guillas and Oliver's hardcover how-to beat out all of the 500-plus total entries to win the "People's Choice" award for favorite overall cookbook.
Since migrating here over a decade-and-a-half ago, Guillas has made it his mission to be a cheerleader for San Diego's food scene. Surely no chef is as well acquainted with the SD Convention and Visitors Bureau, but in addition to efforts on the homefront, he also advertises when he's out of the country, which is a lot. Avid world travelers, Guillas and Oliver have journeyed to nearly 50 countries between the two of them and the former spends a significant portion of the year cooking before a crowd as far away as Southeast Asia.
This high profile win should only serve to increase the volume and reach of Guillas' rah-rahing and help to turn more than a few foodie heads in San Diego's direction. With any luck, that'll help to make SD a winner in the end. "Flying Pans" is available online at www.twochefsoneworld.com, www.amazon.com and at major bookstores.