Chef In the Market series

Arlington, VA—Shoppers at the Saturday Arlington Farmers' Market near the Arlington Courthouse will think they’ve been transported to a quaint European town this summer when Chef Jacques, Chef Rebecca, and Chef Jay show up to take them on market walkabouts and then demonstrate their knowledge of fresh, local produce back in their kitchens.

Usually only in France or Italy do you see chefs in their tall toques or white aprons wandering among the town market’s fresh produce wares, eyeballing that week’s seasonal bounty for inspiration about what to whip up for lunch and dinner.

But that tradition is about to come to Arlington, thanks to the county’s first Guest Chef Series sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Arlington Farmers' Market, Arlington County Parks and Recreation, and local restaurants Mediterranee, Mexicali Blues, and IOTA Club and Café.

Jay Jenc
On Sat., May 18, when fresh strawberries and other local fruits as well as spring greens can be expected to spill from the baskets of the market’s 30 local producers, Jay Jenc, head chef for IOTA at 2832 Wilson Blvd., will kick off the Guest Chef Series with the first market walkabout.

Anyone who meets at 14th St. and the Courthouse next to the market by 9:45 a.m. will be able to join him, for free, as he tours the market’s goodies, showing participants how to choose produce and talking about what to do with it back in the kitchen.

One week later, on Sat., May 25, Chef Jay will demonstrate his culinary skills back at IOTA’s kitchen from 3-5 p.m. for a limited number of pre-registered “students.” Washington Post food critic Domenica Marchetti has called Chef Jay’s American Eclectic Cuisine “no small thing” (get it?), and his smoked chicken chimichanga “about the best…I’ve ever tasted.” Among his credentials are studies with L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda, and stints with Greenwoods Restaurant, 701, and The Oval Room. Recently, he assisted Jamie Stachowski in a multi-course dinner at the James Beard Foundation in New York City. And in the spirit of IOTA, which is extremely well known among those "in the know" for its excellent live music, Jay is lead singer for Jumpin’ Jupiter, a popular local rockabilly band.

Rebecca
Chef Rebecca, co-owner and head chef of Mexicali Blues, will follow suit later, in July and early August, when the tomatoes and chili peppers that are essential to her restaurant’s Salvadoran and Mexican specialties are in season. On July 20, she will conduct her first of two walkabouts, and on July 27, the first of two demonstrations back at the Mexicali Blues kitchen at 2933 Wilson Blvd., which, like IOTA, is located in the Clarendon section of Arlington.

Also on July 27, Chef Rebecca, who speaks fluent Spanish, will conduct her second walkabout--a Spanish language only version--and, on Aug. 3, a demonstration back in the Mexicali Blues kitchen. Mexicali Blues has consistently received high ratings from Washington Post and Washingtonian reviewers.

Jacques
Chef Jacques, owner and head chef of Mediterranee, will complete the series in September, when the Mediterranean vegetables so integral to his French and North African-inspired cuisine are at their seasonal best. On Sept. 7, he will conduct the walkabout, and on Sept. 14, a demonstration back at the Mediterranee kitchen at 3520 Lee Highway in the Cherrydale section of Arlington.

Mediterranee is highly popular among Arlingtonians and the French-speaking diplomatic corps due to its innovative yet familiar handling of classic French cuisine and reasonable prices. Jacques Imperato was one of the last generation of French Pied Noir, born in Algeria, and some of his best prix fixe deals are named in honor of the Pied Noir. Since arriving in Washington, Jacque has worked in Maison Blanche, Tiberio’s , Donna Adele, and Lavandou.

Kim O'Donnel
Kim O'Donnel hosts an interactive chat, called What's Cooking, each week on Tuesdays at noon on the Washington Post's Live Online website. A graduate of Peter Kump's Cooking School in New York, Kim spends her time in front of the stove or with her nose in a cookbook.

On September 28th at 10:00 a.m., she will be hosting a Chef in the Market tour at the Arlington Farmers' Market. At that time, she will also be providing tour participants with a booklet containing many of her own favorite seasonal recipes! Please join us for this excellent event!

Starting its 23rd year in 2002, the Arlington Farmers Market features over 30 producers from Northern Virginia, Maryland and SE Pennsylvania. All produce sold in the market is of the freshest quality. Under farmers' market guidelines, everything sold at the market must be produced within 125 miles of Arlington and only by the farmers who are selling it. The market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon during season. It will open this year on April 20 and run every Saturday, rain or shine. The market will be closed the weekend of December 28, 2002 and reopen January 4, 2003.

To register for the demonstrations, please call the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service at 703 228 6400. Each demonstration is $10/person.