Chef Michelle Bernstein | Macy's Barton Creek

 Join us as we welcome Macy’s Culinary Council Chef Michelle Bernstein and local chefs Laura Sawicki and Rene Ortiz of La Condesa at Macy's Barton Creek, for a very special cooking demonstration celebrating the Austin FOOD & WINE festival! 

Following the event, don’t miss your chance to have Chef Bernstein autograph your purchased copy of her cookbook Cuisine a Latina: Fresh Tastes and a World of Flavors from Michy’s Miami Kitchen. 

When: April 26, 2012, 6PM 

Where: Macy's Barton Creek Square Mall (Austin, TX) 

About Michelle Bernstein

Since drawing the national spotlight in the mid 1990’s, Chef Michelle Bernstein has remained one of the region’s most well-respected and successful chefs/restaurateurs. A Miami native of Jewish and Latin descent, this passionate culinaire has dazzled diners and critics alike with her sublime cuisine and a personality as bright and vibrant as the Florida sun. 

 “My food isn’t heavy handed or unnecessarily complicated,” says Bernstein, a James Beard Award winner (Best Chef South 2008) and author of Cuisine a Latina (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2008). “You don’t need heavy handed technique and over the top presentations to make a dish work. It’s about amazing ingredients, layered flavors and simplicity. My style of cooking is inspired by my own food memories and it’s the simple, soulful cooking that stays that I remember from my travels. I cook the food I love and I think that love translates to the diners.” 

Japanese Honey Toast

Welcome to heaven. Please take your silver spoon and proceed ahead. 

Or at least this what I picture heaven to be like. Fresh caramelized bread with creamy ice cream, fresh and slightly tart berries with silvered almonds, a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of sweet honey. 

Chen Z Hot Pot & Noodle Bar (Austin, TX)

Austin doesn't have the best Chinese food. Actually let me rephrase that, Austin is not known for it's Chinese food. There's places like First Chinese BBQ, Asia Cafe, and Ho Ho, which are good but not compared to restaurants in Houston. When I heard about Chen Z's opening, I was intrigued and so was the rest of Austin. We had to wait two hours before getting seated. 

Chen Z has definitely splurged on interior design when compared to other Chinese restaurants. You can enjoy delicious Chinese food in a fine dining setting. The restaurant features low table seating and high table seating with an open kitchen. Chef Chen is known for his noodles. His first restaurant is called Chen's Noodle House after all. You won't find the typical fried rice here. Chen Z's menu features appetizers and noodle dishes with Mr. Chen's famous homemade knife-shave noodles. 

Easter Macarons

Spring is in full bloom and Easter is right around the corner. Speaking of which, holds a dear spot in my heart. Exactly one year ago, I welcomed a tiny, furiously furry, and mischievous dog into my life. Basil has turned my life upside down and my apartment, literally.