Greg LaPrad

Italian inspiration at Quiessence

Get ready for West of Western

Letters From the Issue of Thursday, November 23, 2006

Last Chance to Vote for Local Heroes

My friend Pamela Hamilton, editor of Edible Phoenix, just sent an invitation to Chow Bella readers to vote online for this year's Local Hero Awards, the annual accolades given to hard-working people in the culinary community. Friday's the last day. If you're familiar with the mag, then you'll ... More >>

Quiessence Serves Italian 'Seven Fishes' Dinner on Christmas Eve

I have a dirty little secret: I never really liked Christmas ham! Which is why this "Seven Fishes" Christmas Eve seafood splurge at Quiessence sounds so delicious. (Here's the menu.) It was inspired by a coastal Italian holiday tradition, where people would celebrate Christmas with a whole di ... More >>

Quiessence Unveils Daily Menus on New Website

These days, restaurant competition is so tough that chefs can't just write a menu, keep it static, and ride the wave. The good ones know you need to stay on top of what's fresh and in season, and find a way to work as much of it into the rotation as possible. Discriminating customers expect it ... More >>

Quiessence Joins Downtown Phoenix Market

The Downtown Phoenix Market just enlisted Quiessence to start showing up on Saturday mornings -- hopefully Q's just the first of many more restaurants to come. Beginning on Saturday, February 21, look for free recipe cards from chef Greg LaPrad, who'll base his ideas on what's fresh and availab ... More >>

Farm Fresh

La vida local

Chef Talk: Greg LaPrad, Quiessence

It's hard to believe Greg LaPrad, executive chef and owner of Phoenix's farm-to-table sensation, Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar, almost didn't make it as a chef. Nicki Escudero Greg LaPrad at Quiessence​The 28-year-old, originally from Connecticut, got his start cooking wee ... More >>

Recipe: Red Wine Braised Beef with Winter Squash "Mash" and Apple Gremolata from Quiessence

You're lucky, readers--this recipe was crafted just for you by Chef Greg LaPrad of Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar. Nicki Escudero Red Wine Braised Beef with Winter Squash "Mash" and Apple Gremolata​LaPrad made this dish using ingredients currently available at Quiessence, which rotat ... More >>

This Week In Chow Bella

Another week has come and gone leaving us to ponder the upcoming events that will shape our lives and, more importantly, our dinners out. But before we move on, let's have one last look at the blog posts from this week: Tofurky & Gravy Soda Makes for a Bizarre Thanksgiving Draft Magazine's The Bi ... More >>

Off to Italy, With the Slow Food Community's Blessing

​Natalie Morris was a Slow Foodie by pure instinct. During culinary school at the Art Institute, the budding chef hadn't heard about the global movement to eat seasonal, local food, but she immediately recognized a key issue: "'Why do we have to keep ordering food from one big company? ... More >>

Chef Greg LaPrad Invited to Cook at James Beard House in NYC

​Nobody from Arizona made the cut for the James Beard Awards' finalists lists earlier this week, but one local chef is getting an incredible chance for exposure to the culinary community at large. Quiessence chef-owner Greg LaPrad just confirmed he will be a guest chef at the James Bea ... More >>

FRESH the Movie Inspires Special Dinners

Movie screenings might usually make you hungry for a trashy dinner of popcorn, Twizzlers, and Coke, but FRESH the Movie has spawned a variety of tasteful culinary events that are far from the realm of junk food. Since the documentary celebrates the farmers and activists who are working ... More >>

Big Brain Award Winner Natalie Morris Makes Art of Gastronomic Proportions

Movie screenings might usually make you hungry for a trashy dinner of popcorn, Twizzlers, and Coke, but FRESH the Movie has spawned a variety of tasteful culinary events that are far from the realm of junk food. Since the documentary celebrates the farmers and activists who are working ... More >>

81: Salumi at Quiessence

​Hungry yet? We're working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella's 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley -- in no particular order Leave your suggestions for upcoming favorites in the comments section. Visit our sister blog, J ... More >>

Tonight: Farmhouse Cocktails at Quiessence

​If you want a taste of cocktail culture's cutting edge, head to the farm.I'm being literal: Make your way to the Farm at South Mountain this evening, and try Quiessence's new Farmhouse Cocktails at a discount.From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every last Thursday of the month, chef Greg LaPrad's award-w ... More >>

AZ Represent! Locals on Beard Semifinalist List

Chef Nobuo Fukuda, who won the James Beard Best Chef Southwest Award in 2007, is up for Best New Restaurant for 2011.​The highly anticipated semifinalist list for the annual James Beard Awards is out today, and some of the state's best and brightest chefs and restaurateurs have made the cut ... More >>

Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame Nominees Announced

What's up with all the contests lately? Last week, the big news was all the Arizonans on the semifinalist list for James Beard Awards. Also, Noca's Chris Curtiss landed in Food Wine's chef popularity contest, which the public can vote on. Now, round three in the competition department: the Ar ... More >>

Final Meditations on the Phoenix Food Scene from Michele Laudig

What's up with all the contests lately? Last week, the big news was all the Arizonans on the semifinalist list for James Beard Awards. Also, Noca's Chris Curtiss landed in Food Wine's chef popularity contest, which the public can vote on. Now, round three in the competition department: the Ar ... More >>