59 replies to this topic

[Wilfrid]

I have to say, I can imagine no more positive gloss of chef Skeen's resume than that offered by the normally venomous Eater:

A similar arrangement at Sweetiepie would basically be a win-win situation for all parties, as it would be a lucrative, low-key, potentially short term gig for Skeen, and the restaurant would get a menu overhaul from a talented chef, with a lot of experience coming on to projects mid-way through (see, the now shuttered Allen & Delancey, Irving Mill).

And lord knows Sweetiepie could use a little help in the food department. It will be exciting to see how Skeen's touch with salty offal and housemade charcuterie works alongside a menu filled with items like the Sweetiepig, Candy S’Creamer, and the Raspberry and Rose Petal Fool!

The benefits reaped by Irving Mill and Allen & Delancey could hardly be more manifest. Good luck Tweetiepie. Sorry, Sweetipie.

[Orik]

5060 Google results for +sweetiepie +"ryan skeen"

And the guy has never cooked anywhere significant.

He should join forces with Akhtar Nawab of nothing, nowhere fame.

[Anthony Bonner]

he seems to have done OK on some of his consulting gigs (General Greene for example). He seems to have done a much worse job choosing places he is actually going to cook at - either the financials were already shot or the owner's personality and his were never going to jibe.

Orik's point is fair - he is a creation of the blogs. Sort of hit the late aughts nose-to-tail schtick on the way up.

The sweetiepie thing kills me though. I can't wait to see the reaction of the 4 yo girls to him walking through the kitchen with a dead pig.

I do think he is capable of putting out some excellent food.

[oakapple]

Skeen's credibility is largely owed to the two stars Frank Bruni gave him at Resto, one more than he deserved. I don't think he's ever received much acclaim anywhere else, has he? Skeen has sure ridden that two-star review for all it's worth, and then some.

[oakapple]

He should join forces with Akhtar Nawab of nothing, nowhere fame.

To be fair, Nawab isn't anything like the serial job-hopper that Skeen is, and he doesn't bring drama everywhere he goes, as Skeen does.

[Wilfrid]

The Eater piece kills me though (it really does).

...(A) talented surgeon with lots of experience of coming to operations mid-way through (see the now deceased Mr Smith and Mrs Jones).

ETA: I may have done the writer a disservice. I think it is intended as a satirical piece (I missed the subtlety when I glanced at it last night):

It will be exciting to see how Skeen's touch with salty offal and housemade charcuterie works alongside a menu filled with items like the Sweetiepig...

[Sneakeater]

Oh. I think you're right.

I missed the satirical intent when I read it, too.

[Orik]

He should join forces with Akhtar Nawab of nothing, nowhere fame.

To be fair, Nawab isn't anything like the serial job-hopper that Skeen is, and he doesn't bring drama everywhere he goes, as Skeen does.

That's exactly why they should work together. Skeen's unstable, trichinellotic genius combined with Nawab's je ne sais quoi (seriously, ne sais quoi) are sure to produce something we've never seen before in nyc restaurant history.

[oakapple]

Skeen's unstable, trichinellotic genius combined with Nawab's je ne sais quoi (seriously, ne sais quoi) are sure to produce something we've never seen before in nyc restaurant history.

It would be similar to the alchemy of Katy Sparks and Jason Neroni at 10 Downing.

[Rail Paul]

Per Eater, Mr Skeen may have set a new velocity record. Getting fired before a restaurant opens...


Unconfirmed at this point

[Rail Paul]

Fired, and back on board in 24 hours...

Kiss and make up

[Suzanne F]

Fired, and back on board in 24 hours...

Kiss and make up

And still mentioned as being there. But for how long after Monday?

[Wilfrid]

I didn't realize Gus and Gabriels was closed. Clearly I am not paying attention.

[Suzanne F]

And now . . .

Who's taking bets?

[Sneakeater]

Oh, sorry. I forgot there was this thread. I wouldn't have started that Pera thread if remembered.