ChefJeff

Howdy folks! I'll be at the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaing show in DC this weekend www.metrocooking.com. Stop by my booth for a %50 discount on Henckels knives. Also, if you're up for a drive or are in the New York area are once a year warehouse sale is coming up in a few weeks http://usa.jahenckels.com/index.php?simple_view=115

True, but a company should expect to have the overall value of their name brand decline as soon as they begin marketing far inferior products under that same brand name. Any company that believes that will not happen is naive and short-sighted, or, much more likely, has made a decision that the costs of watering-down the brand's reputation is outweighed by the money that will be made by using that brand to appeal to a wider market that is less likely to be as concerned about the actual quality of the product.

I believe that the point of the original poster on this issue was that such brand-dilution has occured with Henkels, as it should be expected.

None of this means that the quality of the good knives has diminished, only that the reputation and reliability of the brand overall has.

And I'm saying that we are concerned with quality at every price level, we strive to make the best product we can at any price level. Have you tried the $28.80 Forged Synergy knife? I'd invite you to try it against other knives in the price range.

On the other hand, no one who buys a C-Class Mercedes believes that he or she has purchased an S-Class.

Just as both cars are made by the same manufacturer Mercedes and both have sub titles C-Class and S-Class. All our knives are made by Henckels and have sub-titles Henckels Twin Cermax, Henckels Twin Cuisine, Henckels Forged Synergy, or Henckels Fine Edge Synergy. And someone who buys an 8" Chefs knife called Henckels Forged Synergy that costs $28.80, has a different, blade, handle, box, logo, look, feel, country of origin and name should not think that it's the same as another 8" Chefs knife called Henckels Twin Cermax that costs $250 with a different blade, handle, box, logo, look, feel, country of origin and name, even if they were both available at Macy's. Just as you wouldn't confuse the $30,000 smaller Mercedes C-Class with the $85,000 larger Mercedes S-Class, even though their available at the same dealership

I shouldn't have made so sweeping and dismissive a statement, and for that I apologize. Henckels has a confusing array of product lines, with the high-end and the low-end in a seeming jumble together. Wüsthof's products are a little easier to sort out. When Toyota decided to introduce a line of low-end economy automobiles, they didn't christen it the Toyota Twin Signature, they called it the Scion, and left the Toyota name out of it. I think knife manufacturers could learn a lesson from that.

Thank you for the apology, let me try to explain. We differentiate between our premium and value brand with different logos and different channels of distribution. Keep an eye out for the two guys, the twin or Zwilling J. A. Henckels (this logo comes from our original trademark in 1731 which was applied for under the astrological sign of Gemini hence the twins. The company in Europe is known more by the name Zwilling which means twin or Gemini than by the name Henckels. It is known by Henckels here because the German word Zwilling is difficult to pronounce) this is our premium brand with knives made in Germany and one line the Twin Cermax made in Japan. The Single guy logo dates back to 1895 and covers J.A. Henckels International and are manufactured outside of Germany in Spain and yes even China we endeavor to make the best quality knife for the price in this range. Additionaly where they can be purchased is different, you won't find Twin in Target, and you won't find J.A. Henckels in Sur La Table, etc.

Just as you'll find a vast difference in quality, price, method and location of manufacture, and customer it's marketed to between a C-class Mercedes Benz and an S-Class Mercedes Benz, you'll find a range of difference between a starter J. A. Henkels knife like the Forged Synergy, and a top of the Line twin like the Twin Cermax. It's what the market demands. I hope this clarifies it a little

Exactly; the "prestige" knives are still coming from the original country of origin. I don't think Wüsthof has a lower-end forged range. Their "Emeril" line of stamped knives has no prestige and I would assume that stuff is made in China, but I don't actually know. I think Henckels has probably lost whatever prestige it may have had. All that being said, there's nothing intrinsically wrong with a stamped knife. I have three, all very different, and I love them all. One is a pre-WWII Craftsman (you know, Sears) slicing/carving knife in carbon steel, one is a Forschner Victorinox boning knife in stainless steel, and my most recent acquisition is THIS carbon-steel "peasant chef's knife" that has gotten constant use since I bought it about a month ago for $19.95.

I'm going to have to ask you what you base your comment about J.A. Henckels on. We have been making knives in Germany for 276 years to the highest standards, and have recently begun making knives in Japan to the highest standard there.

It was great to come down and visit with everyone at the event. If you didn't see me, I was the guy walking around handing out knives to all the participating chefs. I just wanted to add that I worked on this event for 4 years and this was the biggest and best I've seen thanks to an amazing volunteer committee, and incredible chefs wine folks (that means you Jake), and everyone else without whom an event like that is possible. I believe that close to $150,000 was raised. I'm no longer at SOS, or in DC but I'm still volunteering, NY Taste of teh Nation is coming up on May 23rd for those willing to make the trip, you can check out the participating restaurants at http://www.newyorktaste.org/restaurants.html

Hi, this is Jeff formerly of Share Our Strength, a recovering chef, and currently the Manager of Culinary Relations at Zwilling J. A. Henckels, so I think that I can speak with some authority. I'm going to echo a lot of the folks here and say that the most important thing is that the knife is comfortable for you, no matter what the brand is. Pick up a lot of knives try chopping motions with them. Buy a good steel, and use it often, quality knives when cared for will last a very long time, I still use knives that I bought when I was first starting as a line cook in 1992. 95% of what you are doing in a professional kitchen can be accomplished with a 10" Chef's knife and a good Paring knife, focus your budget there. To complement those knives I'd recommend a serrated knife for bread, tomatoes, and other difficult items to cut, and a good slicer with a little flexibility (you can use a 10" chefs for slicing if you don't have a slicer)

Now for a shameless plug, Henckels has 2 brands, Twin (or Zwilling J. A. Henckels)t he premium brand, and J.A. Henckels the value brand. The Classic series in the value brand has a similar look and feel to the Professional S in the Premium Brand at a much lower price, the main difference is that it's produced in Spain rather than Germany. Anyway Mr. Pig drop me a line and I'll hook you up with a discount, and don't forget, it's never to late to go back to being a lawyer.

I'll be there .

Nadine Brown (CP Steak) is running the beverages. Those of you ITB who haven't talked to her yet, please do .

I'll be there too! I've moved to NY, but I'm coming back to Taste. Who else is coming?

Tickets are available now for Taste of the Nation. For more info or to purchase, go to http://taste.strength.org/site/Clubs?club_...078&pg=main or call 1-877-26TASTE

After 2 and a half years at Share Our Strength, I'm leaving to helm culinary relations at Henckels Knives. My position at SOS is open, here is alink to the job description: http://www.strength.org/about/jobs/#field you can also email me jelliot@strength.org for more info, or call 202-478-6522

I forgot that the mission of Taste of the Nation is to raise funds to eradicate childhood hunger in Washington. Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in the Nation's Capital

One other thing. 100% of ticket sales gets granted out, not only to the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in the Nation's Capital, but to some other great groups as well, past recipients have included The Children's Health Project of DC, Food & Friends, The Capital Area Food Bank. DC Hunger Solutions, and Community Family Life Services. 83% of the ticket price stays in the District with 3% pegged for the local Operation Frontline Program http://www.strength.org/what/operationfrontline/. The remaining 17% is granted internationally, see the attached sheet for details on that. Last year Dc Taste of the Nation was able to grant out 120 thousand dollars

International_Fact_Sheet_2005.pdf

They didn't get into specifics, aside from needing volunteers to work the night of the event and for committees to enlist restaurants to participate, do public relations, and round up auction items. There should be more detailed info after the Nov. 28 meeting.

Howdy! Attached is an org chart which describes all of the chairs, each chair than has a subcommittee under it.

committee_structure_orgchart.ppt

Special thanks to our host Chef Barton Seaver and to everyone who showed up last night. If you couldn't make but would still like to learn more, you can go to www.strength.org or email dctaste@gmail.com

Howdy all! It's that time of year when we start to plan next years Taste of the Nation event. It's one of the districts biggest food and wine events with over 50 of the areas best restaurants, and 20-30 beverage stations. This event is a fundraiser to help fight childhood hunger in the district and surrounding areas put on by Share Our Strength www.strength.org. This event is entirely arranged by volunteers, which ebnables 100% of the tickets sold to go directly to fighting hunger. Last year the event raised 120k. We looking to expand the volunteer committee, so we are throwing a party, graciously hosted by Barton Seaver, this years chef chair, at Gate 54 downstairs from Cafe Saint-Ex on Monday Nov. 13, at 6:30PM. Come out for some food, drinks, and to find out how you can help end childhood hunger! If you can't attend this event, but would still like to volunteer, email dctaste@gmail.com

If you've been to Taste or been on the committee please feel free to add your comments about the event, Yes Jake this means you!

Howdy all! It's that time of year when we start to plan next years Taste of the Nation event. It's one of the districts biggest food and wine events with over 50 of the areas best restaurants, and 20-30 beverage stations. This event is a fundraiser to help fight childhood hunger in the district and surrounding areas put on by Share Our Strength www.strength.org. This event is entirely arranged by volunteers, which ebnables 100% of the tickets sold to go directly to fighting hunger. Last year the event raised 120k. We looking to expand the volunteer committee, so we are throwing a party, graciously hosted by Barton Seaver, this years chef chair, at Gate 54 downstairs from Cafe Saint-Ex on Monday Nov. 13, at 6:30PM. Come out for some food, drinks, and to find out how you can help end childhood hunger! If you can't attend this event, but would still like to volunteer, email dctaste@gmail.com

DC_Taste_Recruiting_poster.pdf

Love the ginger salad. Try anything with the sour mustard sauce, and they have the best damn fried rice in town

Et voila.

Heading there tonight with a Montecristo or two. Is the no corkage fee for Dr.com members in place?

There's more info on Restaurants for Relief on the Share Our Strength website www.strength.org . Support the restaurants that support the community Go see RJ at Vidalia, Cliff at TenPenh, Robert W. at Marcel's, Robert M at Old Ebbit's, or David at any of Passion Foods great restaurants DC COast, Ten Penh, Ceiba, or Acadiana to pledge your support. Thank you to these great chefs!!

the potomac restaurant group and i have parted ways. i wish i could be more gracious at the moment and wish them luck, but i am not there yet.

thanks to everyone here that helped make my run at notti successful.

don, please change the name of this thread.

Danny please let us know where you go next, and I'll be there with a cigar and a smile as always

Howdy folks! Pardon the long absence. I was eating my way across Italy. Just wanted to let everyone know that the relief effort is far from over. To that end Share Our Strength will be hosting a nationwide dine around on August 29th, the first anniversary of hurricane Katrina. Keep an eye on www.strength.org for more info as it becomes available.

Oh yes. You must make a trek to Chez Schwartz. Not great for an organized group, but grab a smoked meat sandwich Saturday afternoon if you can, to fortify yourselves for the madness ahead.

I did my batchelors party in Montreal last Memorial Day, I'd highly recommend Schwartz's deli for a late night meal, the only problem is that it will foreveer ruin you for good Pastrami (What the Canadians call Smoked Meat), It's the best I've found. Mr. Ma's Chinese restaurant is also outstanding. I recommend a stop at the Casino Montereal as well, we won enough to pay for our other stops that night!

I'm going to have to go with NC to that vinegar sauce hits the spot. By the way if your ever in Raliegh theres a great place downtown called Cooper's. It's been around since the 30's, and when you sit down they bring out baskets of hush puppies and pork rinds to get you started. Nothing goes to waste here they even sell smoked pork ears at the checkout to take home for the dog. Does anyone know where to get good Carolina style Que in DC?

They have actually had this since the first email message about the event.  If I remember correctly they are going to have a raffle and auction of some sort too.

As the voice of Share Our Strength here, I can say that yes this event will benefit SOS, Roberto is giving the money from the raffle ($25 gets you a chance to win a Vespa) and live auction to Share our Strength to fight childhood hunger. It's going to be a fun night, I've even heard Savino (of Savino/Cloud) will be performing magic. I'm going to be out of the country but will be rooting for Roberto from his home country! Thank you Roberto!!

I'm heading to Annapolis for the day, does anyone have any recommendations for a place for lunch?