He is the
executive chef of New York’s Abigaels Group, which includes The
Green Tea Lounge, Abigael’s and Abigael’s at the Museum. Jeff‘s
new Public Television show, “New Jewish Cuisine”, is the only
national gourmet kosher cooking series, which is seen in four
countries.
So much on his
plate, and yet he has just proudly announced his new position as
the exclusive caterer at Beth El Synagogue Center in New York.
It is here that he fills a very large sanctuary and two
oversized banquet rooms with cocktail parties, BBQ’s, casual
buffets and elegant sit-down dinners for both B’nai Mitzvah and
weddings.
Then a wistful
thought struck me: Can you imagine what I could learn from this
incredibly knowledgeable and infectiously enthusiastic master
chef? I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and I emailed him.
(What nerve, eh?) And when I actually received Jeff’s reply the
next day, I went ballistic! I tore into the kitchen squealing
like a little girl. (It’s okay—my staff is accustomed these
occasional outbursts.) I was just so overcome (and overjoyed!)
that this oh-so-highly-revered man would take time out of his
wildly busy day to respond to this li’l ol’ chef in Winnipeg.
And the story
gets even better!
Jeff has given
me the opportunity of a lifetime, and has invited me to observe
the Master at Work in his very own kitchens! For a brief moment
in time next spring, Jeff Nathan will actually become my
mentor!! Jeff and Shelley—in the hallowed kitchens
together—working side by side. Yowee!! And you can be guaranteed
that I will become the proverbial puppy dog, following him
around (he’ll probably trip over me more than once) and watching
his every move. And here’s another guarantee: NEITHER I NOR
SHAAREY ZEDEK WILL EVER BE THE SAME.
Now that I’ve
caught my breath (whew!) … By the time you read this, summer
will be almost (if not completely) over, and you are probably
beginning to think about the High Holy Days, which lay just
around the corner. I hope your summer was safe and exciting, and
I wish you all a very Happy New Year.
By the way, you'll notice that a recipe
has not accompanied this article. That's because we have a new
recipe featured on our website every week. Check it out at
www.shaareyzedek.mb.ca
and click the catering page.
Bon appetit!
Shelley
