Episode 99: Claudia Fleming (North Fork Table & Inn; author, The Last Course) and bonus guest Jeff Gordinier (Esquire magazine)

Andrew drove out to Southold, NY, this summer to visit influential pastry chef Claudia Fleming at her North Fork Table & Inn. They spoke about Claudia's Italian-Irish upbringing, her early days as an aspiring dancer, her transition to restaurant work (starting in the front of the house), and ascension to opening pastry chef at Gramercy Tavern, where she inspired generations of colleagues. Claudia worked in such seminal restaurants as the original Jams, Tribeca Grill, and Union Square Cafe, all of which are discussed in detail, as is the reissue of her cookbook The Last Course, just published last week.Joining Andrew for the intro this week is his colleague and neighbor Jeff Gordinier, food & drinks editor of Esquire magazine, whose 2019 Best New Restaurants list recently debuted. Jeff shares his extensive selection process, as well as some highlights from the list.Episode guide:1:25 - 33:40  Intro with Esquire magazine food & drinks editor Jeff Gordinier33:40 - 1:28:10 Claudia Fleming, part 11:28:40 - 1:39:28 More with Jeff Gordinier (mid-Show break)1:39:28 - 2:10:10 - Claudia Fleming, part 22:10:10 Wrap up with Jeff GordinierLinks:Andrew Talks to Chefs official websiteNorth Fork Table & Inn (Claudia's restaurant & inn)The Last Course (Claudia's book)Esquire's Best New Restaurants 2019Hungry (Jeff Gordinier's latest book)Please tell a friend about Andrew Talks to Chefs and/or rate/review us on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks for listening![photo of Claudia Fleming by Eric Striffler] THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:Andrew is a writer by trade. If you'd like to support him, there's no better way than by purchasing his most recent book, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food (October 2023), about all the key people (in the restaurant, on farms, in delivery trucks, etc.) whose stories and work come together in a single restaurant dish.We'd love if you followed us on Instagram. Please also follow Andrew's real-time journal of the travel, research, writing, and production of/for his next book The Opening (working title), which will track four restaurants in different parts of the U.S. from inception to launch.For Andrew's writing, dining, and personal adventures, follow along at his personal feed.Thank you for listening—please don't hesitate to reach out with any feedback and/or suggestions!