Golden Clogs
I've been wondering what other celebrity chefs think of the Robert Irvine flap. And now I know.
According to Serious Eats, Anthony Bourdain and Michael Ruhlman announced the nominees for the Golden Clog Awards on Tuesday. The award was created to "honor, dishonor, or skewer various people in the food biz."
Our own Sir Robert is nominated for The Cat Cora Award ("for most fame based on least actual culinary achievement"):
The nominees: Guy Fieri for..."Tex Wasabi?"; Tony Bourdain—"One f-ing book. Did this a-hole ever work anyplace GOOD?"; Robert Irvine--"Sir Robert? Uh....Maybe not. Prince Charles' wedding cake?...uh...no. White House? Hmmm...not according to Walter Scheib....Five Stars? Who IS this guy? Really?"
(photo from Serious Eats, but note that it's a Croc, not actually a clog. How Batali.)
"He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise." 
You know, a lot of interesting food/restaurant news hasn't been reported locally because of this out-of-whack nonsense.
There was a report that ranked the top restaurant cities in the country. Would the readers agree? What would it take for Tampa/St. Pete to crack the list? How far do we have to go to make it?
There was a national article ranking the healthiest cities partially based on the availability and accessibility of fresh produce and restaurant menus. Were we on the list? Why not? Are Tampa Bay restuarants vegetarian/vegan friendly compared to most metro areas its size? What are the experiences of readers in this regard?
Not to mention all the local eateries with owners and chefs of integrity that have been largely overshadowed by the combination of a conman and a provincial tabloid mentality. How about an article about chefs that have built their reputations locally, that have shied away from the limelight, that have been successful for many years? Or restaurants whose only bill of goods consists of consistently excellent food, reliable service, and fair prices?
Posted by: Jimbo | February 23, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Or how about an article about me? I have extensive experience cooking for the White House, a knighthood, and am currently looking for investors to put up all the equity for a restaurant project in your town. No references provided on request.
Posted by: Ed C. | February 24, 2008 at 11:07 AM
i continue to find this story fascinating. it is a dining story that has implications here. i don't know how that leaves its merits remotely questionable.
plus, irvine not only won the clog, but apparently his presence was de-requested at the sobe festival? people are running away from this guy on a national level.
Posted by: jim webster | February 25, 2008 at 03:15 PM
It's a matter of emphasis and news allocation. As a former journalist I find the coverage abominable.
Posted by: Nils | February 25, 2008 at 04:48 PM
even if you don't include all the posts saying that this isn't a story, no story has generated more talk on this board than this one. so it would seem there is interest.
Posted by: jim webster | February 25, 2008 at 08:51 PM
People like blood Jim.
I love Rulman and Bourdain. Those are some wild and crazy guys! and not because they nominated Irvine, becuase they nominated Bourdain for the same award and they named it the Cat Cora award. I met Cat a few months ago. She's a nice lady, but I didn't know anything about her, so I did some research. I couldn't find too much about where she had actually held an Exe Chef spot. She did start a really cool charity.
Posted by: The Urban Eater | February 26, 2008 at 09:34 AM