Our Chefs Journey | Anita Lo and April Bloomfield | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Chefs Anita Lo and April Bloomfield talk about gender in the kitchen and their experiences as women chefs.

Transcript

Female Presenter: We are joined today by chefs Anita Lo and April Bloomfield. Anita Lo is the chef and owner of Annisa, which opened in 2000, right nearby in Greenwich Village. She appeared on "Top Chef Masters," finishing in the final four of "24 Chefs." And Chef Lo released her first cookbook, "Cooking Without Borders," in October of 2011. And ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😋 Anita Lo and April Bloomfield don't think about their gender when it comes to cooking and just focus on their passion for food.
• 😀 Both chefs faced challenges in their careers, such as Anita Lo's restaurant fire and April Bloomfield's unconventional path into cooking.
• 😋 Philanthropy is important to Anita Lo, who participates in food charities and supports causes like breast and ovarian cancer support groups.
• 👨‍🍳 Both chefs have unique influences in their cooking, with Anita Lo drawing from diverse cultural backgrounds and April Bloomfield being inspired by European cuisine.
• 👨‍🍳 The chefs enjoy the process of writing cookbooks, with Anita Lo partnering with an experienced writer and April Bloomfield collaborating with a co-author who captures her voice.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do Anita Lo and April Bloomfield react to being labeled as women chefs?

April Bloomfield doesn't think about gender and just sees Anita as a friend and chef. Anita Lo acknowledges the discrepancy and finds it interesting to think about why gender is emphasized in the kitchen.

Q: How did Anita Lo and April Bloomfield get interested in cooking?

Anita Lo came from a food-obsessed family and fell in love with cooking while studying in France. April Bloomfield turned to cooking when her dream of becoming a police woman didn't work out, and her two sisters were already in cooking school.

Q: How did April Bloomfield end up at The Spotted Pig?

April Bloomfield received a call from Ken Friedman, who lived opposite The Spotted Pig and knew the area well. She took the opportunity and has since become a successful chef and partner at The Spotted Pig.

Q: What were the inspirations behind Anita Lo's and April Bloomfield's cookbooks?

Anita Lo's cookbook, "Cooking Without Borders," explores identity and what it means to be American in terms of cuisine. April Bloomfield's cookbook, "A Girl and Her Pig," pays homage to the people who influenced her and features both classic English dishes and personal creations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chefs Anita Lo and April Bloomfield discuss their journeys into cooking and their love for food.

• They address questions about being labeled as women chefs and share their perspectives on gender in the kitchen.

• The chefs talk about their books, the inspiration behind them, and their favorite recipes.