Carolynn Spence is the chef at Hollywood’s iconic Chateau Marmont.
What was the food highlight of your year?
New Orleans is what got me interested in food when I was young & went back for the first time in ten years. I've re-fallen in love with it. The aggressive oysters... Gumbo layered in different dimensions each place you go.. Crawfish boils.. Creole bases, beignets & Sazeracs.. I'm heavily inspired by such specific history & flavor profiles. The music, food & geography really come together to make such a moving atmosphere.
What was the music highlight of your year?
Went to see Slim Cessna's Auto Club play after a very long week of work recently. The band was so good live, it reminded me how important it is to maintain balance in life to remain passionate. Slim's show makes you feel like you've been baptised, posessed, exorcized & then reposessed. So Good...
Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?
Once a month at the bar, I run an oysters at cost night. Since I'm taking the cost & labor hit, I'm in control of the music playlist during service. It's amazing to see the change in atmosphere with a little Link Wray, Wanda Jackson & Magazine. Oysters taste better with Rock n Roll. Just sayin...