Spike Mendelsohn

Spike Mendelsohn
Born Evangelos Mendelsohn
(1980-12-15) December 15, 1980
Montreal, Quebec
Education Culinary Institute of America
Website www.goodstuffeatery.com

Culinary career

Evangelos Spiros "Spike" Mendelsohn (born December 15, 1980) is a Washington, D.C.-based chef and restaurateur best known as the fifth-place finisher of the fourth season of Top Chef, which aired 2008-2009.[3][4] He is the chef and owner of multiple restaurants: Good Stuff Eatery, Béarnaise, and We, The Pizza in Washington, D.C.[5] In the summer of 2013, Mendelsohn opened his newest restaurant named "Béarnaise" in Washington's Capitol Hill.[6] Béarnaise was awarded two stars by the Washington Post.[7]

Early life and education

Born in Montreal, Quebec, and raised in Clearwater Beach, Florida, Mendelsohn graduated from Culinary Institute of America where he met Marcel Vigneron and became best friends with him. Mendelsohn has since worked for culinary chefs such as Gerard Boyer in Reims, France; Thomas Keller of The French Laundry and Bouchon in Napa Valley, California; Sirio Maccioni of Le Cirque; and Drew Neiporent’s Mai House in New York City.

Media appearances

Mendelsohn made his television debut on Bravo TV’s television series Top Chef: Chicago. He was also featured on other television shows, such as Bravo TV’s Life After Top Chef (aired in the fall of 2012)[8] and Top Chef: All Stars (aired in December 2010), Food Network’s Iron Chef America and Spike TV’s Bar Rescue.

In 2010, Mendelsohn was featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine giving his five dating tips.[9]

During the summer of 2011, the CBS' The Early Show featured him as a regular guest correspondent. He was selected as one of the chefs to compete in Food Network’s Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs in the fall of 2011 and asked back to compete in Food Network’s Next Iron Chef: Redemption season that aired in November 2012. He also appeared on shows such as Good Morning America, The View, Rachael Ray, and VH1's Big Morning Buzz Live.

In February 2014, Mendelsohn appeared on The Queen Latifah Show.[10]

Prez Obama Burger

In 2009, Mendelsohn created his "Prez Obama Burger" in honor of President Barack Obama's 2009 inaugural celebration.[11]

In March 2011, President Obama took five members of his staff out to visit and lunch at Spike's restaurant "Good Stuff Eatery." The group included Office of Management and Budget Director Jack Lew, White House Director of Legislative Affairs Rob Nabors, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Nancy DeParle, Vice President Biden's Chief of Staff Bruce Reed, and Gene Sperling, director of the United States National Economic Council.[12]

Following the Prez Obama Burger, Spike added the "Michelle Melt" to the Good Stuff Eatery menu in collaboration with White House chef Sam Kass to honor the First Lady's frequent visits to the restaurant.[13]

Publications

In summer of 2010, Mendelsohn released his first cookbook named The Good Stuff Cookbook.[14]

Personal life

In March 2011, Mendelsohn and the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue began a lunchtime kosher food truck project, an idea inspired by the dearth of kosher delis in Washington. Mendelsohn and his associates featured traditional Jewish staples, like corned beef sandwiches and knishes.[15]

In February 2013, Mendelsohn hosted a celebrity chef beach volleyball tournament at the Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival, an annual wine and spirits events showcasing many of the world's top chefs, spirits producers, and culinary personalities. The event is hosted by Florida International University's (FIU) School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.[16]

In 2013, Mendelsohn supported Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative by featuring a White House Easter Egg Roll.[17]

References

  1. ↑ "Dawn Professional Teams With 'Top Chef' Star Spike Mendelsohn to Announce the $20,000 'Make Your Restaurant Shine' Winner" (Press release). P&G. 23 May 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  2. ↑ Black, Jane (25 February 2009). "Spike Nails the Burger Bash". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  3. ↑ Top Chef (season 4)
  4. ↑ Chancey, Blair (1 April 2011). "Boy Wonder: Spike Mendelsohn (page 1)". QSR Magazine. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  5. ↑ Vasquez, Tina (28 December 2010). "Meet & Eat: Chef Spike Mendelsohn, Owner of Good Stuff Eatery and We the Pizza". Serious Eats. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  6. ↑ "Spike Mendelsohn". USA Today. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  7. ↑ Sietsema, Tom (12 February 2014). "Two bistros on Capitol Hill: A newcomer with a meaty focus and an old-timer with a fresh look". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  8. ↑ "'Life After Top Chef' To Premiere October 3". The Huffington Post. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  9. ↑ Hilmantel, Robin. "5 Dating Tips from Top Chef's Spike Mendelsohn". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "Valentine's Day meal". The Queen Latifah Show. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  11. ↑ "Prez Obama Burger". Oprah. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  12. ↑ Wilkie, Christina (3 August 2011). "Obama Takes Staff Out For Burgers". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  13. ↑ "The Michelle Melt: A turkey burger with a cause". Today. 24 September 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  14. ↑ Logsdon, Kay (17 March 2011). "The Good Stuff By Spike Mendelsohn". The Food Channel. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  15. ↑ Jenny Merkin (3 March 2011). "Top Chef Star starting a Kosher food truck". Tablet Magazine. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  16. ↑ Nguyen, Tina (15 February 2013). "From Top Chef To Top Gun: Spike Mendelsohn Hosting Celebrity Volleyball Tournament For Charity". The Braiser. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  17. ↑ Ruberry, Erin (27 March 2013). "White House Easter Egg Roll Chefs: Ina Garten, Spike Mendelsohn Among Invitees". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
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