New York Chefs Take on “Cheapavore” Challenge
AUGUST 11, 2007 - Some people think that local eating might be too "earthy," while others think it must be expensive. New York Magazine set out to prove that it can be both gourmet and affordable when they asked three chefs to take on their "cheapavore challenge." Bill Telepan of Telepan, Amanda Freitag of Gusto, and Colin Alevras of the Tasting Room had to come up with a three course dinner for two with the least food miles possible. They all came in around $20, and there were some interesting concoctions worth copying. Chef Bill came in first place with corn soup, a zucchini and tomato fritatta, and gooseberry "shortcake" with an average of 112 food miles.
Strangely, all the chefs who used honey got dinged on food miles - there are beekeepers right in downtown Manhattan! However, they operate in a bit of a grey-area economy (they are not allowed, but tolerated) so perhaps the chefs were leery. Or, maybe NYC honey is too expensive for a cheapavore. (What isn't too expensive in New York!) Less surprisingly, all the chefs had trouble with salt - though too bad they all cheated. What, they didn't want to make salt at the Coney Island seashore?
If you really want to save money, you could try your own personal Pennywise challenge. In April, a bunch of local eaters set out to spend the average American food budget, which is $121 to $141 for two people per week, depending on whether there are one or two wage earners. We talked to founder Jennifer Maiser, and she did it - that works out to an average of $8.64 for each dinner for two (if the value is equal to lunch and breakfast combined). Now that's cheapavore. -ADS
