Hugue Dufour and a crack a team of other Queens chefs, and myself take over the Beard House.

Queens has hit the culinary big time! Of course some, myself included, would argue that the borough has always been a big deal when it comes to food whether authentic regional Chinese cuisine, stellar Mexican seafood cocktails, or brunch at an haute bizarre Canadian steakhouse. There is perhaps no greater hallmark of culinary fame though than recognition by the James Beard House, which is presenting the First Annual Queens Cooks this Sunday evening, and has been kind enough to ask me to act as emcee for the evening’s festivities. (The dinner is sold out, but you can put your name a on a cancellation waitlist by phoning 212-627-2308).

Some of the borough’s leading culinary lights: Jimmy Tu of Bun-Ker, Alex Schindler of LIC Market, Alfonso Zhicay of Casa del Chef Bistro, Danny Brown of Danny Brown Wine Bar & Kitchen, Hugue Dufour of M. Wells Steakhouse, and George McKirdy of the Astor Bakeshop, will present a multicourse dinner.

I am particularly excited for Danny Brown’s braised Niman Ranch beef cheeks bourguignon with truffled potatoes and can’t wait to see what George McKirdy and Hugue Dufour whip up for dessert. Heck, I’m excited for all of it. Queens kids at The Beard House and the Mets in the World Series, who’d a thunk it!!