You may recognize him from last season's Top Chef Masters, but Chef Mark Peel is better known as chef and owner of Los Angeles' 20-year old staple Campanile restaurant. This month he sets out on his next venture with reputed NYC mixologist and owner of Pegu Club, Audrey Saunders to open the 1940s-themed cocktail abode The Tar Pit.
Mark Peel has been out and about in LA for most of his life. Whether you live here in LA or on the other side of the country, you just might have heard of La Brea Bakery, first California's most popular baked goods spot, though now La Brea Bakery breads are available nationwide. In 1989 Peel opened La Brea Bakery next door to Campanile with business partner Nancy Silverton, and has since earned such accolades as Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef, six James Beard Award nominations for Best Chef, and the 2005 California Restaurant Association Chef of the Year. Not a shabby resume. Over the years he has penned a cookbook or two, and most recently released his latest work New Classic Family Dinners. Here, he shares a plethora of recipes perfect for (shocker) family dining. And while we're on the subject of family, Mark's wife (tv host and standup comic) Daphne Brogdon happens to be the personality behind our sister site, Cool Mom, check her out!
In finality, because the holidays are coming up, which for most means family time and family meals, below are Chef Mark Peel's top five holiday cooking tips.
Chef Mark Peel's Top Five Holiday Cooking Tips
(1) Plan ahead. Life, and cooking, is easier when you know what you're doing. The best surprise is no surprise. Decide well enough in advance what you are going to make. Read through recipes completely. Prepare a detailed shopping list and if there is something not in season, figure out a substitute or choose something else. Make sure your knives are sharp. The goal is to have fun, and you can’t have fun if you are in a panic.
(2) Know you limitations. Do one big thing that you do well, then fill in with small easy stuff. The holidays are not the time to start trying out new complicated recipes.
(3) Get other people to help. Holiday dinners should be potlucks. People love to contribute (Aunt Amy is proud of her Jell-O mold and will make her feel good that she brought one) and will ease the burden on you.
(4) Always clean as you go. It will keep you more efficient and help you stay organized. It's also a way to get children (over the age of 9) involved. And it will certainly make it easier and less stressful the day after.
(5) Good music. Listening to music will improve your cooking. Music calms your soul. A good jazz selection will help you relax, and people cook better when they are relaxed.
