It’s Oscar time again, which means Chef John DeLucie is jetting from Manhattan to Los Angeles to cook for his celebrity clients at Vanity Fair’s Oscar Party on Feb. 22.
Haven’t heard of DeLucie? Maybe you know some of his customers. As executive chef at one of New York’s most celebrated restaurants, The Waverly Inn, he's prepared meals for Renee Zellweger, Katie Couric and Mariah Carey (though not at the same table).
Put it this way: This inn doesn’t even have a phone, and calling for a reservation isn’t an option. Walk-ins will have a tough time getting a table, too. You’ve pretty much got to know someone. Thankfully, I know John and he’s willing to share some of his secrets for all of our benefit.
On his 2009 Oscar menu: mushroom risotto, chicken pot pie, and bananas foster. At the restaurant, a table of four could easily spend a few hundred dollars (and then some) for these dishes.
Yet DeLucie’s celebrated specialties aren’t budget breaking. This Sunday, you can prepare food inspired by some of his favorites, turn on the Oscars and sup with the celebrities for less than $25.
1. Start at the store. “Don’t start with the cookbook, go to the store. Get what’s seasonal, then figure out how to cook it,” advises DeLucie. Seasonal food not only tastes best, it’s most plentiful and therefore, the least expensive. “Right now, I can get three artichokes for $1. In the spring, they can’t give away asparagus,” says DeLucie. Chef’s tip: Spend the bulk of your budget before you crack a cookbook.
Artichokes for 6: $2
2. DeLucie’s no-oven pizza. Chefs are expert late-night snackers, and DeLucie is no exception. His go-to is homemade pizza, which also makes a delicious (and inexpensive) appetizer.
“I take Kontos hand stretched flatbread, and put it straight on the flame.” When the edges get charred, he turns the bread, and tops it with tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil. “The whole thing can be finished in a toaster, or if you don’t even want to turn that on, just heat the tomatoes and they’ll melt the cheese.”
Two pizzas: About $5
