With most every other food story focusing on saving consumers money, I had to laugh as I opened the email touting this ultimate holiday gift for the gourmet.
For that $9000 — really only $8999 — you get 2-hour, private cooking lesson with chef Jean-George Vongerichten in the kitchen of his eponymous restaurant, Jean Georges; 3 nights with arrival on a Thursday in an Executive Park View Suite at Trump International Hotel & Tower New York, a 3-course meal for two, breakfast for two daily and — of course — a signed cookbook.
Jean George is his New York Times 4-star and Michelin 3-star French restaurant housed in Trump Tower. He’s also the talent behind JoJo (Mediterranean), Vong (Japanese), Spice Market (Asian), Perry Street (New American) and Matsugen (Japanese).
This offer got me thinking. Perhaps I should offer a private 2-hour cooking lesson in my kitchen, a multi-course dinner, a couple nights in a quiet New England suburb, breakfast daily with signed copies of my six cookbooks for the rock-bottom holiday-gift price of $1500. Any takers?
Bonnie – Well, I laughed when I read about the $8999 pitch because it really is over the top for people who do their own cooking (vs. those who have a chef on-staff). I guess what chef Jean-George is shooting for though is someone who wants to do this for its celebrity value. I think your $1500 offer to do a similar feat has more value, but for me the ‘getting there’ from the left coast is prohibitive. I hope someone takes you up on the offer though as it sounds like a blast.