CUISINE
Chef
Spike Mendelsohn
Written by Rosalie Leposky
Celebrity Chef Spike Mendelsohn reigns over a
culinary empire spanning from Bravo’s Top Chef to
regional eateries
For the 12th year, The Food Network South Beach Wine &
Food Festival has attracted some of the biggest stars in the
food industry including the most renowned wine and spirits
producers, top chefs and culinary personalities. Joining the
festivities this year was Chef Spike Mendelsohn, who is not only a reality TV star but the head of his own food empire in Washington, D.C. where
he lives with his family. His culinary kingdom begins with Good Stuff Eatery group, which he and his family own on Capitol Hill. The second
Good Stuff Eatery is located in nearby Crystal City, VA. Third and
fourth locations are planned for D.C.’s Georgetown and Philadelphia. “Currently, my sister Micheline and I are focusing on national
expansion of Good Stuff Eatery. Expansion opportunities are endless,” explained Chef Spike. Next door to the original Good Stuff Eatery is another Spike concept: We, The Pizza. Not stopping there, he also
has another project in the works, a new Capitol Hill restaurant called
Béarnaise. “It will showcase a menu item that I find impossible to resist, steak-frites.”
Chef Spike, known for his appearances on Top Chef as a contestant
in Season 4 and again as a judge in Season 6, has been a frequent visitor to Miami for the annual SBWFF. “I love coming down and checking out
the restaurant scene,” he said, “and new spots are constantly opening up.” In years past, Chef Spike and his Good Stuff Eatery restaurant
competed at the Festival in Rachel Ray’s Burger Bash event. “My first year at Burger Bash, I won both the judges’ and fan awards. Our burgers
Vol 1 Spring 2013
are unbelievably delicious and we always serve them with a special shake
on the side.” After winning all the awards, Chef Spike returned this year
as one of the judges. “I think the festival was a little tired of me sweeping the titles,” he laughed.