Elements in Princeton Hosting John Shields, Curtis Duffy & Ideas in Food on Friday

Alex and Aki of Ideas in Food are talented photographers as well as chefs

By Danya Henninger

If you haven’t been to Princeton recently, Scott Anderson’s lauded New American Elements is reason enough to make the trip. If you need even more incentive, check out the special tasting that’s going down this Friday, May 25. Jokingly billed as the “chefs without a restaurant" dinner, the seven-course meal will be created by an impressive roster of creative cooks, all well-known for their creativity, skill with ingredients and passion for flavor, even though none of them are currently helming a full-time kitchen.

Ideas in Food’s Alex Talbot and Aki Kamozawa will be contributing, bringing dishes like preserved strawberries with “the tastiest beets ever” (according to their popular blog). John Shields - former sous at both Charlie Trotter’s and Alinea in Chicago - will join them, along with his wife and pastry chef Karen (the duo has plans to open their own spot in Philly soon). Rounding out the cast of top toques will be Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-nominated Chicago chef Curtis Duffy.

Seats at the event aren’t cheap, at $145 each (add $65 for wine pairings), but if you have the means and the time, your palate will certainly thank you. Call for reservations (6 PM hors d'oevures, 7 PM dinner; 609-924-0078).