Eric Rankin

Author's posts

Gardening With Coraline: Planting Veggies & Herbs

This year we decided since Coraline is now 3 years old, it would be a good time to introduce her to the family friendly activity of gardening. Not only will she truly learn where her favorite produce comes from, it is also a great tactile activity she can take part in.  Not to mention it …

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Lunch with my Friend at Mon Ami Gabi

On our recent trip to Las Vegas we spent most of our time at The Venetian, as we were staying there and the hotel has an outstanding selection of dining options.  However, after reading reviews online we knew we had to take at least one trip out of the air conditioned comfort of our own …

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A Divine Lunch at Emeril Lagasse’s Table 10

On a recent trip to Las Vegas with my lovely wife, we decided to stop in at Table 10 for a quick lunch.  In all honesty, it was a last moment choice because neither of us could actually say we’re a true fan of Mr. Lagasse, it was just happened to be the most convenient place to …

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An Elegant Evening at Pinot Brasserie

Recently my husband and I took a much needed vacation to one of our favorite destinations, Las Vegas.  We decided to stay at The Palazzo and dine between there and the connected sister hotel, The Venetian.  We absolutely adored our stay and while we were there we had some of the best meals of our lives, Pinot Brasserie …

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Eight Questions with Top Chef Contestant Beverly Kim

Top Chef Contestant Beverly Kim was a fan fave from the start of season 9. She wowed us with her modernist Asian dishes inspired by her mom and warmed our hearts with her sweet personality. Chef Kim was underrated by several of her fellow chefstestants, but after packing her knives and leaving the competition she …

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10 Delicious Questions with Chef Ariane Duarte!

Chef Ariane Duarte was one of our favorite contestants in Top Chef:  Season 5.  Prominent personalites were abundant as Fabio and Stefan represented “Team Euro” and Carla was hooty-hooing left and right.  Chef Ariane seemed to grow from a humble contestant into the New Jersey diva that won several challenges, and stole our foodie hearts. Today Chef Duarte …

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A Charming Interview with Chef Susan Feniger

Chef Susan Feniger loves what she does, and it shows the second you taste her food, or talk to her about food.  From collaborating on restaurants and food ventures with Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill, CITY, Ciudad, Two Hot Tamales) to opening her very own restaurant,STREET, which luckily we had the pleasure of dining at and recently reviewed – here.  …

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A Toothsome Interview With Chef Kevin Gillespie

Chef Kevin Gillespie, fan favorite of Top Chef: Season 6, took some time out of his busy day to answer some our burning culinary questions.  Chef Gillespie is the Executive Chef/Co-Owner at the Woodfire Grill in Atlanta, and his Southern boy hospitality allowed us a peek into the future of this TopScallop’s favorite. (Eric Rankin, Interviewer) Do you keep …

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Chef Bio: Susur Lee

Susur Lee, who was born in 1958 in Hong Kong, works out of Toronto in Canada.  He first worked in the Peninsula Hotel, which is located in Hong Kong, and he has 5 siblings.  After emigrating to Canada in 1978, he worked at several restaurants. He now owns two — Lee, and Lee Lounge.  These …

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Chef Bio: Marcus Samuelsson

Marcus Samuelsson was born in Ethiopia during 1970 and was named at birth, Kassahun Tsegie.  He is from Sweden and co-owns C-House restaurant (located in Affinia Hotel — Chicago), as well as the Aquavit Restaurant — NYC.  His mom died when he was three and chef Samuelsson and his sister were adopted by a couple …

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