Lee Schrager

Miami, FL – May 27, 2014 – The crispy chicken aromas could have been picked up from a mile away on Tuesday evening as founder of South Beach Food and Wine Festival and author, Lee Schrager, celebrated the launch of his second cookbook Fried & True: More Than 50 Recipes for America’s Best Fried Chicken and Sides at the Pérez Art Museum Miami. Guests including Thom Collins, Leann Standish, DJ Irie, Shareef Malnik, Chef Allen Susser and Ana Quincoces feasted on a selection of five recipes from the cookbook showcased by catering powerhouse and PAMM event partner Stephen Starr Events. To help set the mood, Martin Hand played Southern-style favorites while attendees dined on the delicious eats amongst museum’s picturesque bay views. Fried & True celebrates America’s “comfort” food fried chicken reveling in the country’s most outstanding fried chicken recipes and the chefs who create them.

Here, we were able to catch up with Schrager and gain insight into his journey to find THE best fried chicken out there.

Lee Schrager

What urged you to write an entire book about fried chicken? 

I’ve always loved fried chicken, but a conversation with my publisher during Trisha Yearwood’s Southern Kitchen brunch at the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival one year ago was the jumping off point for Fried & True.

Tell us about the road trip you took for the book? 

TASTY – I’ve always said I could eat fried chicken for days . . . and I finally did!  More than 150 recipes in 13 different cities.

Lee Schrager & DJ Irie

How much fried chicken did you eat and test out to create this book?

For all of our sake’s, and my cardiologist’s, I hope no one was keeping track!

Lee Schrager

What state holds the reigns for the overall best fried chicken?

Fried chicken can really hold its own in any state – there are so many variations. What many people don’t know is that it wasn’t created in the South, as you might assume. Fried chicken came to us via Scotland.

Who made the most unique type of fried chicken? 

There are quite a few, but Asha Gomez’s Keralan fried chicken and cardamom waffles has some of the most interestingly delicious twists I’ve tried yet.

What is your favorite way to prepare fried chicken? Did it change after going through this quest? 

I typically make it in a skillet, but all ways make a delicious and unique crisp to each recipe.

Go-to spots in Miami for the best friend chicken? 

Yardbird, The Dutch, Michy’s, and Hy Vong.

Favorite side dish to compliment a fried chicken meal? 

There are so many to choose from – Michelle Bernstein’s crisp watermelon Greek salad, Art Smith’s Swiss chard salad, Tyler Florence’s velvety mashed potatoes – I like them all.

Perfect drink to pair with a fried chicken meal? 

I like sangria, rosé or champagne.

Is it safe to say fried chicken is your favorite meal? If not, what is? 

Absolutely is!

Can we expect any more books in the future? 

I’m working on a book about breakfast foods already – Morning Glory.

Charlie Cinnamon, Lee Schrager, Jaie Laplante, & Ricardo Restrepo

Allen Susser & Lee Schrager

Lee Schrager & DJ Irie

Leann Standish, Lee Schrager, & Thom Collins

Ana Quincoces & Marc Jimenez

Jared Shapiro, Lee Schrager, DJ Irie, & Courtland Lantaff

Leann Standish, DJ Irie, & Lee Schrager

 

DJ Irie

Lee Schrager

Lee Schrager

Leann Standish

Jack Benmeleh, DJ Irie, & Tara Benmeleh

George Neary & Thom Collins

Martin Hand

Paul Lehr & Lena Makurath

Pablo De Ritis, Lena Koorse, Kathryn Mikesell, & Paul Lehr

James Wark, Criselda Breene, John Lin, & Barbara Becker

Dorothy & Aaron Podhurst

Chapman & Kristin Ducote

Bill Kearney & Luisa Jimenez

Gino Campodonico, Jackie Grantham, & Joseph Quinones

Ricardo Restrepo & Gingi Beltran

Maria Jose Acosta Almeida & Mary Jo Shore

Aileen Quintana & Rachael Russell

Gingi Beltran, Criselda Breene, & Barbara Becker

Thom Collins & Gingi Beltran

 

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