On this week's episode of "What's Eric Eating," chefs Chris Williams of Lucille's and Dawn Burrell of Kulture join CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss the Food Apartheid Dinner Series (F.A.D.S.). Led by chef Dominick Lee of Poitín, the pop-up dinners feature four of the city's highest-profile African American chefs (Jonny Rhodes of Indigo is the fourth) who have teamed up to raise money to combat Houston's food deserts.
Williams and Burrell hadn't met before Lee introduced them. Asked about what it's been like to cook together, Williams shares an anecdote about Burrell showing off a bit for the talented group.
"It's Dom's idea. It's his baby, but chef Dawn insisted on forcing the labor pains on herself. This woman wanted to make all the fresh bread that day, wanted to make the fresh bread for the bread pudding, took on three courses. ... She did a lot. ... To be honest, it was our first time in the kitchen. ... She is doing everything. I'm, like, okay, shit. This is a little intimidating. I've got my fish with lime. All I need is two pots. I felt bad."
Since this is Williams' first appearance on the show, he also discusses how Lucille's has evolved since it opened in 2012 and shares some plans for the future. Burrell discusses Kulture's new brunch menu.
Prior to the interview, Avondale Food & Wine owner Mary Clarkson and Sandler discuss the news of the week. Their topics include the recent changes at Night Heron to make it more of a European bistro, the reopening of El Segundo Swim Club, and the dinner party they attended that featured recipes from Chris Shepherd's new cookbook, Cook Like a Local.
In the restaurants of the week segment, the duo relate their experiences dining at two recently opened establishments: Savoir, the wine-fueled restaurant in The Heights from proprietor Brian Doke and chef Micah Rideout, and The Toasted Coconut, the tiki-inspired bar and restaurant from Nobie's owners Sara and Martin Stayer.
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Chef Chris Williams of Lucille's.
