Curtis Duffy, chef de cuisine at Avenues at the Peninsula. (Photo: Peninsula Chicago)
Avec's Koren Grieveson and Alinea's Grant Achatz may have scooped up the big honors for Chicago at the James Beards Awards Monday (Best Chef, Great Lakes; Outstanding Service, respectively), but it was Avenues's Curtis Duffy who had the Best Dish of the James Beard Gala.
That's according to Mouthing Off, the daily blog for Food & Wine, who gleefully described his signature Alaskan King Crab appetizer at the Peninsula Chicago as "insanely brilliant" and "complex, refreshing, artistic."
Curtis Duffy's signature Alaskan King Crab appetizer. (Photo: Peninsula Chicago)
The dish is composed of chunks of fresh Alaskan king crab served in a cucumber consommé topped with a delicate three-sugar tuile, and garnished with wild-Steelhead roe, kalamansi and lemon balm. For the event, Duffy and staff created 1,200 portions for guests.
Achatz, who Duffy worked with at now-shuttered Trio, tapped him to be a part of the ceremony. Each year, a past winner nominates a new chef to cook for the event, and Duffy was lucky enough to get the nod.
My now husband took me to Avenues after he proposed to me last year. So of course this restaurant holds a special place in my heart but I must say that the food was fantastic is all ways. Taste, presentation and service were all very memorable.
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