Interview with Chef Matthew Tivy of Café du Soleil
Termeh Mazhari: Tell me about your blog, Kitchen Confidence
Matthew Tivy: I created my blog to share my recipes and thoughts on food with my customers and friends. I also wanted to promote my restaurants and to share my ratio driven recipes. The blog was originally suggested by the agent for my cookbook and it has grown from there.
TM: What is your ingredient ratio theory?
MT: The idea of ratio recipes is that ingredients in a recipe need to be in proportion to each other in order to create a successful result. Professional chefs have been following recipes in this way for years and I want to share that “insider” information with the general cooking public.
TM: You share your recipes on the blog. Aren’t you afraid other chefs might steal your ideas?
MT: Recipes are “freely borrowed” among chefs on a regular basis so it’s not a concern of mine. The trick is to try to get original ideas attributed to you.
TM: You own two bistros: one French (Cafe du Soleil), one Japanese (Tokyo Pop), two cuisines that seem like they couldn’t be further apart. What drew you to them?
MT: French cuisine was my original passion but like many French trained chefs I have a great respect for the tradition and sophistication of Japanese cuisine and I have often incorporated them into my own French dishes. Also when we opened Tokyo pop we didn’t want to compete too directly with Cafe du Soleil since it’s across the street so that was another factor in choosing a Japanese concept. Additionally, chef Nakayama was interested in being involved with Tokyo pop so it was a perfect convergence of events.
TM: What is your favorite dish at Café du Soleil?
MT: I have many favorite dishes at Cafe du Soleil and I am always hard pressed to name just one. Among my top favorites are the seared scallops with truffle sauce, the roast chicken with rosemary roasted potatoes, and the tomate montrachet.
TM: Do you read any other chefs’ blogs?
MT: I like Mark Bittman’s blog, also Michael Ruhlman’s, and there are many other good ones that I wish I had more time to read.
Click here to read Matthew Tivy’s blog, Kitchen Confidence.
Cafe du Soleil is located at 2724 Broadway at 104th St. Daily specials. For more information, visit http://cafedusoleilnyc.com
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