You Don't Have to be Greek:
Do you have to be Greek to love and be inspired to create great Greek food? Of course not, but what about standing in the spotlight as the executive chef of not one but two Greek restaurants in the toughest restaurant market of all... New York City? Meet Chef James Henderson who is doing just that at two of the Big Apple's fabulous Greek restaurants, Periyali and Persephone.
A Flair for the Rustic:
Henderson is inspired by the authentic Greek tradition and the wealth of seasonal ingredients from local growers. His specialties range from the famed wine-marinated grilled octopus, Greek meatballs in tomato sauce, and grilled calamari to entrees of rosemary-scented lamb, eggplant and egg casserole, moussakas, and whole baked striped bass.
For dessert, Henderson spins sweet Mediterranean confections including rice pudding, almond cookies dipped in powdered sugar, baklava, and ravani scented with orange.
Henderson has also added an expansive list of Greek wines that have grown in popularity in recent years, as well as a new cocktail list that revolves around ouzo, a light Greek liquor described as vodka with a hint of black licorice.
Training:
For over two decades, Henderson has honed his craft in the kitchens of some of the Tri-State area's finest restaurants. Starting out at both Periyali and Aureole, Henderson seized the opportunity to become the Sous Chef first at Oceana in 1991, and then Park Avenue Café three years later. Henderson secured his first executive chef role at the revered One If By Land, Two By Sea in the West Village in 1996. Following, he also worked as the Executive Chef at Bull Run Restaurant for four years, and at Gage and Tollner. In March of 2004, Henderson moved to the kitchen at the Stony Hill Inn in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Henderson now oversees the menus and kitchens of both Periyali and Persephone restaurants in New York City.
He graduated from the Culinary Institute of American in 1986 and resides with his family in Brooklyn, New York.
Details contributed by Ogan/Dallal Associates Inc.
About the Restaurants:
Both Periyali and Persephone have been included in New York Magazine's Critics' Pick list:
Try Chef James Henderson's Recipes in Your Kitchen!:
Many thanks to the Chef for allowing us to bring you these recipes:
- Rabbit (Kouneli) Stifado (rabbit cooked with pearl onions}
- Keftedes Saltsa (Greek meatballs in tomato sauce)
- Skordalia (garlic spread)