Kara Decker has left A Toute Heure and 100 Steps in Cranford. According to co-owner Jim Carbine, “Kara was instrumental in the success we have achieved at A Toute Heure and also for helping us launch 100 Steps over two years ago. We appreciate all she did in her time with us and wish her all the best as she moves forward in her career.
As chef/owner Andrea Carbine has been leading the kitchen team at A Toute Heure since last September and also at 100 Steps since late January. We have no plans at this time to hire an executive chef at either restaurant as Andrea will continue to operate in that capacity while leading our excellent kitchen teams at both spots.
Andrea is a 2006 graduate of the French Culinary Institute (now the International Culinary Center) in Manhattan and is a two time James Beard Award Semi-Finalist for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic Region (2009 & 2010).
ILSON GONCALVES FROM SAMBA, MONTCLAIR
Ilson Goncalves, owner of Samba, a Brazilian restaurant that features authentic home-style cuisine has added yuca gnocchi with ground steak, tomatoes and pesto to his new spring menu. Signature dishes such as bulhão de pato (clams w/white wine and fresh herbs) and picadinho de carne (steak pan-fried with onions and served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables) are still available as well as a vegan soup and a plant-based entrée. The menu is currently 98% gluten free, as yucca rather than flour is used as a thickener. Samba is located at 7 Park Street, Montclair (973-744-6764); BYO.
CHEF TODD VILLANI
Chef Todd Villani of Terre a Terre, 312 Hackensack Street, Carlstadt, is extending his services through the spring by offering private-chef services at your home on Thursday or Friday evenings for groups up to ten. Seven to nine courses will be demonstrated and served by the chef. Call 201-507-0500 or e-mail [email protected] for information.
STEPHEN DANIELLO
Stephen Daniello, a Parsippany native and Culinary Institute of America alumni, is the executive chef at Kafe Mozart, 2900 Rt 10, Morris Plains (973-998-7788); BYO.
CHEF BILL VAN PELT
Bill Van Pelt has opened James on Main Wood Fired Grill, 105 Main Street, Hackettstown (908-852-2131). Chef Pelt has worked at Soho on George and was executive chef at Clydz, both in New Brunswick, Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick and private country clubs. Most recently he was with Laurence Craig Catering in Maplewood.
CLAREMONT DISTILLED SPIRITS
Congratulation to Claremont Distillery Spirits of Fairfield for winning the Gold Medal at 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for their Claremont Vodka. The company also recently received a Silver Medal for its Jersey Devil Moonshine, an un-aged corn whisky, at the Denver International Spirits Competition. Claremont Distilled Spirits, Inc. is the largest craft distillery in New Jersey producing Vodka, Moonshine, Bourbon, and American Whisky.
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