Dan's Corona MonTaco Countdown: Pierre Sudre, Arbor/Duryea's
Chef Pierre Sudre is a busy man. You’ll find him in the kitchens of Montauk’s Arbor and Duryea’s most of the time. But you can meet him at the new Dan’s Corona MonTaco presented by Don Julio (July 7) at Gurney’s Montauk hosted by Adam Richman and at Dan’s ClambakeMTK (July 8) at Gurney’s Montauk hosted by Geoffrey and Margaret Zakarian and at Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Co. (July 22) hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli at Fairview Farm in Mecox. And taste what fans of his restaurants rave about. He’s looking forward to “spending the evening with professionals and tasting some food!”
How old were you when you knew that you’d have a career in food?
I did not know at the time, my mom knew—she sent me to culinary school. I started in 1996 and the first time in the kitchen there, I knew it would be my job for a while.
Why should consumers seek out local produce and wine?
Everything being harvested locally will always taste better, it belongs here. It’s called terroir—if you eat local, seasonal food you know you’ll be eating what’s best.
Would you agree that chefs and farmers have a lot in common in that both are a little crazy and overworked?
Chefs’ lives are always crazy—the passion and all the moving parts making it a little crazy. Working on a farm was my first summer job, I was 15. That’s serious work, that’s a lot of work, I mean a lot of work. You got to love it, it’s not a job, it’s a life’s work. It’s a beautiful life.
What crop could local farmers grow that you would be excited to use?
What are they growing that I’m not excited about? I mean the produce is fantastic, and the selection is great.
If I got a tattoo tomorrow it would depict…
I got tattooed 17 years, a third of my body is inked. If I was to add more, it will be about love and family
Tell us about the best or most surprising thing you’ve ever eaten.
I’m always amazed by exotic food and by exotic food I mean food from a far, far away kingdom. If you keep an open mind during your travels and agree to eat the local food then everything is surprising. Are you traveling thousands of miles to visit a different country but have a cheeseburger at the bar? Be open to new things and then everything becomes a surprise
What do you have in your kitchen or pantry right now that would make another food pro jealous?
Black bass that were still swimming six hours ago and were just delivered: tonight’s “market fish.”
What local ingredients will you be using in the high summer season?
Heirloom tomatoes!
I could create a fine meal with just these five ingredients: egg pappardelle pasta, smoked salmon, crème Fraîche, chives, Reggianno.
A portion of proceeds from Dan’s MonTaco and ClambakeMTK benefits The Retreat, which provides safety, shelter and support for victims of domestic abuse and works to break the cycle of family violence.
Find the latest info on all of Dan’s Taste of Summer events remaining this summer—the new Dan’s Corona MonTaco presented by Don Julio (July 7) at Gurney’s Montauk hosted by Adam Richman, Travel Channel host, author, food & travel explorer; Dan’s ClambakeMTK (July 8) at Gurney’s Montauk hosted by Geoffrey and Margaret Zakarian—Geoffrey Zakarian is a star of Food Network’s Chopped, The Kitchen, Cooks vs. Cons, co-author of My Perfect Pantry, restaurateur behind The Lambs Club, The National in NYC, The National in Greenwich, Georgie and The Garden Bar at Montage Beverly Hills, Point Royal and Counter Point at The Diplomat Beach Resort and The Water Club at Borgata in Atlantic City and co-creator of Pro For Home food storage container system. Margaret Zakarian is President of Zakarian Hospitality, co-author of My Perfect Pantry and co-creator of Pro For Home food storage container system; Dan’s GrillHampton presented by Pat LaFrieda (July 21) hosted by Robert Irvine, celebrity chef, entrepreneur, philanthropist, founder of the Robert Irvine Foundation and chef/owner of Robert Irvine’s Public House at the Tropicana Las Vegas; and Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Co. (July 22) hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli chef/owner of Butter, Judge on Food Network’s Chopped, author of Old School Comfort Food and soon-to-be released cookbook The Home Cook—at DansTaste.com. Follow Dans Taste of Summer on Facebook, on Twitter @DansTOS17 and Instagram @DansTasteofSummer. Event Hashtags: #DansTOS, #MonTaco, #ClambakeMTK, #GrillHampton and #TasteofTwoForks.