With charm and wit on and off screen, and a flair for flavors to boot, Chris Crary has been winning audiences and diners over with his light California fare at LA hotspots 41 Ocean, Whist at Viceroy Hotel, and Jack’s La Jolla. This summer, the Top Chef fan favorite is taking on the next evolution of the HYDE brand at the newly opened Hyde Sunset: Kitchen + Cocktails. We sat down with this top chef to discuss working for sbe, his favorite romantic meal and if he plans to return to TV, as well as Chris’ curated playlist of what he listening to when he’s cooking up gourmet fare in the Hyde Sunset kitchen.
What do you love about working at HYDE Sunset: Kitchen + Cocktails?
HYDE Sunset: Kitchen + Cocktails is a one of a kind restaurant. It will be an entire evening destination from pre-dinner drinks, on to dinner and then finishing up with cocktail in the lounge. So it’s fun for me to take people on that entire evening journey.
What’s your favorite thing to cook – both on the menu and at home?
I don’t have one favorite thing exactly.. That’s like asking a parent which child is their favorite. I do, however, love to cook sweetbreads, bone marrow, sardines, you know things that you don’t see on every day on menus.
Any plans to return to TV? Tell us about them if so.
There is a possibility in the near future, but you know how much LA loves their NDAs.
Did you have a favorite moment on Top Chef? What was it?
My favorite moment was getting to meet and cook for Nathan Myhrvold, author of Modernist Cuisine. He is a great inspiration to me, along with anyone else who dares to push the envelope and think outside of the box.
If you’re cooking a romantic meal, what do you prepare?
I think all food can be romantic, it’s not what’s on the plate, it’s about the time and effort you put into it. I’m a big fan of pairing adult beverages with food; I do think that helps in the romance department. I generally start with a cocktail, preferably something with bourbon in it. Then I like to move into light wines and champagne. My favorite champagne right now is anything from Schramsburg.
Click here to listen to CHRIS CRARY’S KITCHEN PLAYLIST
White Noise by Disclosure
Take Me to Church by Hozier
Castles In The Snow by Twin Shadow
Shake it Out by Florence + The Machine
Keep You by Class Actress
Gust Of Wind by Pharrell / Daft Punk
Fall in Love by Phantogram
Duke Dumont by I Got You
Disparate Youth by Santigold
Coming of Age by Foster The People
Simple Song by The Shins
Pressure by Tensnake
Modern Art by Black Lips
Man of The Year by Schoolboy Q
Just What I Needed by The Cars
My Love by Route 94
True Affection by The Blow
1998 by Chet Faker
Shake Your Body by The Jacksons
Global Concepts by Robert Delong
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