Gerard Craft (left) and Matthew Rice (right) of Niche

Those of you who were privy to my travel writing and food ramblings prior to the launch of this blog may recall my article, and/or my excessive raving, about a restaurant in St. Louis called Niche.

I interviewed the chef, Gerard Craft, as well as his Pastry Chef, Mathew Rice, owner of Veruca, the newly opened cupcake and pastry shop next door during a visit back in January, but all you need to know for now, is that Gerard Craft can do some pretty amazing things with the local bounty of pork, and that Pastry Chef Matthew Rice crafts some mighty fantastic desserts at the restaurant and neighboring pastry shop, as well.

You can check out Gerard’s esteemed “Best New Chef” accolade and interview, here:

http://www.foodandwine.com/bestnewchefs/

Be sure to try his recipe for Pork Papardelle - it is an amazing dish, and I know for a fact

(because she dined there just weeks before I did), that it is the dish that won over Dana Corwin (Editor of Food and Wine Magazine).   It was a favorite of mine, as well, and is an extremely memorable and successful dish.

Congratulations Gerard! You deserve it!!

Now, I had better still be able to get a table AND see pork belly on the menu, next time I’m in town!

XOXOXO,

~ Paula