From the ‘ChefWatch’ files…
* Art Smith (Table Fifty-Two) shared his tips for shedding a whopping 95 pounds with YumSugar (and, presumably, Oprah). [YumSugar]
* Susan Spicer (Bayona) talks about being the inspiration for Janette Desautel on HBO’s post-Katrina series Treme, training actors to work the line, and the state of the New Orleans cuisine scene. [Wall Street Journal]
* He ruffled some French feathers when he predicted Ferran Adrià was the heir-apparent to his culinary throne in 1996, but Joël Robuchon (L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon) was right. [LA Times]
* Speaking of Ferran Adrià, his food makes most diners swoon — and a few sick. [LA Times]
* Don’t call it a comeback (even though The Oregonian did]. The success of Portland’s MetroVino is more of a culinary comeuppance for talented chef Gregory Denton. [OregonLive.com]
* Tom Colicchio talks “Top Chef” Season 7 and how thoughts of legacy gave rise to Colicchio & Sons. [Daily Blender]
* The original nose-to-tail chef Fergus Henderson (St. John) names his faves in London and around the world. [FindEatDrink]
* You don’t have to go to culinary school to work for Thomas Keller. Just ask Timothy Hollingsworth, chef de cuisine at The French Laundry. [Sacramento Bee]
* Showing off a svelter belly, Mario Batali [Del Posto] declares vegetables are the new pork belly. [Chicago Tribune]
* Alain Ducasse (Adour Alain Ducasse) discusses success, failure, sticky-fingered diners, and how to become a lot less “New Yorkery” (if that’s your goal). [Eater]
* Clio‘s chef Ken Oringer reveals his favorite food things. [Daily Beast]
* Jose Garces (Distrito) has purchased a Pennsylvania farm witha an eye toward growing his own. [PhillyMag.com]
* In case you were wondering who the king of pig is, it’s David Varley of Bourbon Steak. [Washington Post]
* Chef John Fraser of Dovetail is not trying to save animals or the environment with his weekly meatless tasting menu. [The Huffington Post]
* Tom Aiken (Tom’s Kitchen) is an avid reader and a failed TV watcher. [Guardian]
* Eric Ripert (Le Bernardin) takes to Twitter. [Eater]
* Marché chef Guillame Bienaimé answers nine questions for Paolo Lucchesi. [InsideScoopSF]
* Norman Van Aken is opening another eponymous restaurant. [NRN]
* Want to know what a professional chef’s home kitchen looks like? Indianapolis chef Karl Benko (formerly of Peterson’s) can help. [IndyStar.com]