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GET TO KNOW BRUCE KALMAN, THE VALLEY’S NEWEST CHEF TO WATCH BY GENEVIE DURANO A-based chef Bruce Kalman There’s some great food and amazing He likes a Texas-style salt-and-pepper has been dipping his toes into chefs, everybody’s passionate and rub on briskets and beef ribs, and Las Vegas’ culinary scene. If very close-knit, which is nice.” pulled pork served with Carolina not for the current pandemic, In fact, it was another local chef— barbecue sauce. “I’m not saying it’s local foodies would surely be flocking Esther’s James Trees—who convinced strict this or strict that, because I’m to his restaurant, which would have Kalman to move here. The two collaba creative chef,” he says. “I’ll also been open by now and declared the orated on a pop-up dinner at Trees’ probably have chipotle chicken drums newest dining-scene darling. Tivoli Village restaurant Ada’s back in and hot links, and we’re making some In culinary circles, Kalman is best February, and a future collaboration mac and cheese and baked beans and known for the acclaimed Union in Pasis likely ahead. coleslaw—all the usual suspects.” adena, California, and Knead As for his plans in Las Vegas, Those lucky enough to snag dinner & Co. Pasta Bar + Market Kalman already has a conkits from his Secret Burger event in LA’s Grand Central cept in mind: barbecue. this past weekend got a sneak peek at Market. He’s also “I started helping Kalman’s barbecue acumen, and there done his share of Dave Grohl from the are still two events left this month: the television compeFoo Fighters with his family-friendly Pepperoni and Lasatitions, winning barbecue,” Kalman gna Cups on August 23, and a pasta on Chopped, says. “He does it for class on August 26, in which the chef Knife Fight and charity and for fun. guides diners in preparing a threeBeat Bobby Flay, So I started helping course meal of stone fruit and burrata and he finished in him, and I just got salad, ricotta cavatelli alla vodka, and s r te u the top 5 on Season hooked on it. And you Meyer lemon and bay leaf panna cotta. ( Co 15 of Top Chef. Oh, and know for me, food is food, The cooking series is Kalman’s way there’s that Rising Star right? It’s just different of not just getting to know his new Bruce Kalman Chef award from the ingredients, slightly community, but also passing along James Beard Foundation. different preparations, but the same his passions to those who might need For now, the chef is whetting our amount of care and passion should go inspiration at home. “That’s kind of appetite with a cook-at-home series into all of it. For me, anything that’s my mission, to really just show people through Secret Burger (secretburger. soulful, I’m down, [whether it’s] barhow easy it is to do,” he says. “Once com), which kicked off August 12 becue or Italian food.” you have the understanding of the with a make-your-own mozzarella Kalman’s love of smoked meats basics, then like anything else, it’s just workshop and pickled giardiniere. doesn’t adhere to one particular style. practice.” (The versatile chef, who specializes in Italian cuisine, also owns an artisanal pickle company, BK Brinery, Kalman teaches families how to make lasagna cups in his cook-at-home series. (Courtesy) which supplies restaurants across the country). Kalman, who moved to Las Vegas in February, is discovering a secret locals have been harboring for a while—that the culinary scene here is an all-points experience, not just on the Strip. “I think there’s a lot of culture here. And the interesting thing is, I’ve come here many times and didn’t realize what was going on aside from the Strip too much,” he says. “When I did, that’s kind of what sold me, honestly, seeing what’s off-Strip and seeing the communities and the restaurants. y)
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Kalman’s upcoming Secret Burger cook-at-home series includes a pasta class. (Bronson Loftin/Courtesy)
