Today we interviewed Traci des Jardins (Food & Wine Best New Chef 1995) at her restaurant Jardiniere. She generously invited the crew back for dinner to try the Chef’s Tasting Menu and Sommelier’s Wine Pairings. It was out of this world.

Meanwhile, Jeff continues to be recalcitrant and difficult to work with.

xoSM

xoRel

We were joined by a new crew member in Miami, Jeff Peixoto, who replaced Ariel for the rest of the trip. So far we can’t get him to do anything but gaze at the surf.

Tomorrow we fly to San Francisco.

xoSM

Did we mention that we’re on a 10 city tour of the United States, interviewing the best chefs in the country and shooting 10 90-second spots for Food & Wine Magazine and American Express? These “travel vignettes” will air on Plum TV and on a special Food & Wine website.

Producer Melody Roscher (above) has decided to produce all of the spots with a baby monkey on her head.

Jody made a new friend too.

xoSM

I left Henry, Jody and Mel in New Orleans early this morning. To join my family for a motorcyle road trip from Southg Dakota, through Wyoming to Montana. In celebration of my mother’s 50th birthday. Jeff will be taking my place…
Bon Voyage.

My bike and me by Yellowstone Lake, the highest elevated lake in the world.

xoRel

Today we interviewed chef John Besh, who was named one of Food & Wine’s “Top 10 Chefs in America” in 1999, in his restaurant August. He recommended we check out Galatoire’s, Old Absinthe House, and Preservation Hall. It’s good to be back in New Orleans.

Henry hockey puck. The dry heat becomes wet humidity.

The b-card wall at The Old Absinthe Bar on Bourbon Street.

An absinthe fountain from 1864.

Audubon city park.

xoSM

We interviewed Alessandro Stratta (Food & Wine’s Best New Chef 1994) in his restaurant Alex in the Wynn Hotel. He recommended we visit Bear’s Best golf course, Red Rock Canyon, and Bartolotta.

The dry heat caused our noses to bleed, it hit Henry the worst.
Next stop, Nawlins, Louisiana.

xoSM

Vegas, vegas style.

xoSM

Our road trip across across America begins in Boston.

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Shooting Food and Wine’s best chefs for a series of spots for
American Express.
10 spots, 10 cities, 1 month.

More helicopter shots than you can shake a stick at.

Next stop, Las Vegas.

Bon Voyage Supermarché.