Claude Chauvin - Chef Arrested for Domestic Violence in Naples

The Naples Police Domestic Violence Arrest publically notes today in the Naples Daily News that:

"Claude Edouard Chauvin, 54, of ... North Naples, was arrested Tuesday... He was charged with grabbing the throat of his ex-girlfriend, T..., pushing her, kicking her while she was on the ground, dragging her across the floor and throwing her into a table."

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/aug/26/collier-county-police-briefs-august-27-2008/

The NCH Hospital does not release information on the extent of his victim's injuries.

Claude Chauvin was a chef at a popular Naples restaurant. His employment there was terminated, months ago. The restaurant owner declined to comment on the reasons for his termination.

Wanderlust with FGCU's Resort & Hospitality Managment Program

FGCU President Wilson Bradshaw, Chairman Ron Albeit of The Club and Spa at Fiddler's Creek, Students
On April 10, Naples Grande Beach Resort hosted an Auction and Gourmet Dinner, to faise funds for FGCU's Resort & Hospitality Managment Program. Over 100 exotic fun and travel packages were bid up, as the Naples Grande served a feast. Both Collier and Lee county's major resorts and those "in the business" pitched in to help prepare students for the industry. And did you know, that with 374 registered majors, this is the largest major at FGCU?

Wanderlust's Professionals
Elimination Rounds
Naples Grande's Passed Appetizers
Game Hen Terrine, Sweet Corn Mousse, Salad
Grilled Filet, Braised Short Rib Ravioli
Dr. Sherie Brezina, FGCU Program Director
Auctioneer
Pres. Bradshaw, Elin Goetz, Michael Watkins

South Beach Food and Wine

Here it is! Just a few photos of hundreds from the South Beach food and wine Festival 2008! We'll be back in 2009, wine glasses in hand!

Padma Lakshmi Fields Questions
Miami Beach -Line for Autographing Books
Emeril Lagasse -NawLins Style

Walking Past the Food Booths

Wine Vendor Pours Sample Liquors
Mango Salsa, Lump Crab Appetizers

Stylin' dude
Guy Fieri cooks

FIU Chef with Grilled Venison @ Atlantic Ocean

Venison by the Ocean
More Apps -Shrimp Middle Eastern Style
Talented singer/percussionist Skewered Shrimp on Egg Delights
Guy Fieri -Happy to Meet his Fans
Madhur Jaffrey Animated Indian Recipes
Paula Deen's Artery-Cloggin Good Southern Delights Inside One of Two Huge Tents
Guy Fieri Electrified
Rachael Ray -Island Girl with Bored Husband in Wings
Anthony Bourdain and Giada Laurentis
Sampling the Reds

Plantains and Sliders Along Miami's Beach
Cat Cora Welcomes All

Ten pounds later, I can tell you we enjoyed it all-packed butt-to-butt with easy going people, sampling the hottest, newest restaurants bites, all sorts of liquors, olive oils, cheeses-then taking home some samples-WOW!

SoBe Food and Wine-Highly recommended! More "Buzz" action on Saturday, good Sunday, too. One day is sufficient for the assertive "picker"; both days better for the compulsive taster.

Changes...Wine Knows' Michael Bevacqua and Chef Martin Murphy

Wine Knows Founder Michael Bevaqua

Wine Knows has shut its doors for good. Michael Bevacqua, previously the buyer for "In Good Spirits" for several years, started Wine Knows in the identical site on Naples US 41 (2609 Ninth Street North) barely a year ago, in January, 2007.

Today it's shuttered, after selling off the remaining inventory last week, and stunned customers have been commiserating over its loss. There was at most two weeks notice given to some regulars, and no email notice to many on his extensive customer list. For a growing cluster of wine aficionados, Wednesday and Friday evenings at Wine Knows were the spot to buy and try various wines. Many a good wine related or philosophical discussion took place over the beautiful bar Michael had crafted. He frequently donated wine and his time to benefit charity functions, and also paired wines for quite a few dinners with Chef Martin Murphy at Bonita's Robb and Stucky Casual Living Outdoor Showroom. The markup at Wine Knows was approximately 30%, quite reasonable for the marketplace. Michael put in a handicapped ready bathroom recently to accomodate serving food with wines, was considering having a Website, and all lights seemed "green" for growth. I do not know why it closed. Michael's many friends wish him all the best in his next venture.

***Addendum***

See March 23, 08 posting for update on Michael!

Chef Murphy - formerly Robb & Stucky's Superb Chef and Teacher

Robb & Stucky Casual Living Outdoor showroom's Chef Martin Murphy, formerly of Fort Myers' Blue Pepper, had raised the bar for SW Florida cuisine 3 years ago, when he started at the R&S showroom (employed by Creative Dining Services) in Bonita Springs. He quickly built a fine reputation and a successful venue. He served exqusitely fresh private and public lunches and dinners to small corporate groups, with almost no repetition, earning numerous repeat customers. He'd have a lunch cooking session for 20 people, and then cook several courses with wine, for a large group in the evening.

He easily served groups of 250+ people, and hosted the Chaine des Rotisseurs, and the Susan B. Komen Foundation events. His friendly and instructive cooking classes were well attended; people used and then bought KitchenAid's sturdy wares. He used only the finest ingredients, and clearly explained what set them apart in taste. The consummate teacher, he freely shared his food sources and recipes, earning the respect of many. Chef Kristina San Fillipo, CIA graduate, shall continue his work at the Showroom.

Chef Murphy was selected to cook in the James Beard House, a very high honor among chefs. His family was in New Hampshire, and we knew it would be a matter of time before he rejoined them in four- seasoned Lyme, New Hampshire.

Robb and Stucky could have scheduled a wonderful, warm send off for Chef Murphy and a simultaneous welcome to Chef San Fillipo, with easily several hundred attending, charging $100 a ticket, and aided a charity. That would likely have brought additional free TV and newspaper publicity for R&S, as thousands have enjoyed cooking classes and dinners with Chef Murphy over the past 3 years, and would have loved to show him their appreciation. Next time, I guess.

Many diners and cooking students wish him well.

Sudha Koul, Indian Author of "Curries without Worries"

Sudha Koul, author of the classic Indian cooking text, "Curries Without Worries", recently in Fort Myers, was kind enough to invite a few friends over as she cooked, from scratch, natch, an eclectic Indian meal. In no time, she created dishes (recipes in her current, as well as soon to be revised book) that were amazing in the richness of tastes created from fresh vegetables and spices. These dishes are simple, and amazingly tasty.

A Practiced Hand
Farmer's Market's Best
Beet Root Raita (Before)
Beet Root Raita
Gobi Matar (Caulifower and peas)Dhaanival (Fresh Coriander) Korma or Fragrant Lamb Curry
Everyday Bhindi (Okra)
Cachumber (Cucumber) Ka SaladThe Eclectic Indian Meal (Served with Tangerine Rice)
Delicious Tastes, Textures and Colors
Kishen Koul, Chief Taster!
Sudha Relaxes after a Wonderful Meal
Heavenly!

Visit Sudha Koul's Website/Blog: http://www.currieswithoutworries.com/

Purchase a copy of the 1996 updated edition of "Curries Without Worries" at Amazon.com, (ISBN-10: 0446670782) , and taste why it has been recognized as one of the best Indian cookbooks.