Test your design IQ
MANILA, Philippines - Who is the American chef whose daily changing menus at her Michelin Star restaurant Frances reflect modern California sensibilities and focuses on ingredients from local farms and producers in a casual, neighborhood setting?
Born in 1976, she gained her first kitchen-based job at a local country club while still in high school. She dined at Aqua, was invited to the kitchen, impressed the chefs, and was offered apprenticeship in the restaurant.
She attended the culinary institute of America in 1994, while continuing to work in Aqua.
Later, she moved to Charles Nob Hill, a sister restaurant of Aqua, and under Ron Siegel, she worked her way up the ranks until she was executive chef. While there, she was named the Rising Star Chef in 2002 by Chronicles magazine, and was nominated on three occasions for a Rising Star James Beard Foundation Award.
She was awarded Food and Wine magazine’s award for Best New Chef in 2004. She left to join the restaurant Fifth Floor in 2006, which went on to win a Michelin Star.
After two years of planning, she opened her restaurant Frances in San Francisco in 2009, and quickly earned a Michelin Star once more
Named after her grandmother, Frances is an ode to refined but comfortable sensibilities in both food and decor. Whether it’s the technique of rich yet simple approach to food, or the open, familiar atmosphere and stellar service, Frances is about sharing great food in good company.
Frances features a seasonal menu showcasing produce and products from Northern California’s exceptional farmers — all in a comfortable neighborhood setting.
She is known for polished, big flavored dishes like crisp and smoky bacon beignets with chive spiked creme fraiche.
She is best-known for Lumberjack Cake or her Duck Liver Mousse. The cake is almost like a sticky toffee pudding — without pecans on top. It’s really dense with coconut, pears, apples, and sometimes peaches in summer, kumquats in wineer.
Her Liver Duck Mousse has lots of bacon so its very smokey, rich, and creamy, and indulgent.
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Last week’s question: Who is the 18th century French architect known for his Rococo and early Neo classical style seen in landmark buildings in France?
Answer: Pierre Contant d’ivry
Winner: Antonio Competente of Binan, Laguna
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Text your answer to 0915-6486414 with your name and address. One winner will be chosen through a raffle of texts with the correct answer. The winner will receive P2,000 worth of SM gift certificates for use at Our Home, SM Department Store, or SM Supermarket. They can claim their prize at Our Home in SM Megamall. Call the store manager at 634-1950.Bring photocopies of two valid IDs and a clipping of the Design Quiz issue in which you appear as winner.
