Kitchen Confidential
A local writer takes us into the kitchens of our favorite Cleveland chefs.
Clevelander Maria Isabella cooked and wrote for most of her adult life. She even created a cookbook of her favorite dishes just so her five grown children would stop asking her for the same recipes over and over.
But a chance conversation with her daughter sparked her desire to go one step further. The two were talking about the things they'd always wanted to do, when Isabella shared her desire to write a book about Cleveland's culinary talent. As the economy slowed, the idea took shape.
"We weren't able to go out as much," Isabella says. "[I thought], Wouldn't that be neat to be able to replicate what [chefs] make, at home?"
Isabella will discuss her resulting book, In the Kitchen with Cleveland's Favorite Chefs: 35 Fabulous Meals in About an Hour at the Fabulous Food Show Nov. 9-11. She'll also moderate a food demonstration featuring two Cleveland chefs each day of the show.
Here's a look at what three of the chefs featured in Isabella's book prepared when she visited them at home.
Spice Kitchen & Bar's
Ben Bebenroth
Why Ben? "It's not fair just to include restaurant chefs," Isabella notes. As she researched caterers (at the time, Bebenroth hadn't yet opened Spice Kitchen & Bar), "Ben's name kept coming up repeatedly."
his kitchen: Modest. "Everything is probably what you and I would have in our kitchen."
on his menu: Antipasti board with pickled peppers and black truffle honey; Killbuck mushroom buckwheat crepes with carrot puree
La Campagna's
Carmella Fragassi
Why carmella? "She's one of Karen Small's favorite chefs," explains Isabella. "You don't hear a lot about her, but in the inner circles among chefs, she is probably one of the most respected."
her kitchen: Homey. "She has this huge, open pantry, which is just wonderful. She could be standing at her stove, and turn to the left and reach for everything she needs."
on her menu: Herb-and-feta-stuffed scampi; sautéed veal scaloppini with lemon sauce and artichokes
Momocho's
Eric Williams
Why eric? Isabella's husband works in Ohio City, so Williams' reputation was well known to her. And now, she notes, "his star just keeps rising."
his kitchen: Modern. "It's probably a lot like how I would want my kitchen if I could remodel what I've got. White cabinets, black granite countertops, very open and airy."
on his menu: Guacamole tradicional; grilled steak with honey chipotle mojo; sofrito green beans
