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Getting Piggy With It: Thomas McNaughton Talks Pork, Partying, & Upcoming Cookbook

Dana — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:24:02 +0000

If you ask us, no one is heating up the S.F. culinary scene quite like Thomas McNaughton of Flour + Water, Central Kitchen, and soon-to-open Salumeria. He’s taking over our city’s resto turf by storm (he landed a spot as one of our hottest chefs under 30) with his three-restaurant empire, and this weekend he’s lending his skills to the unique traveling pork-themed event Cochon 555.

The innovative, multi-city food fete features five winemakers, five chefs, and five pigs. Thomas will be on-site competing against local chefs like Anthony Strong (another chef to make our list) to concoct the perfect meat-filled meal using all parts of the assigned heritage pig. We caught up with him ahead of the event to talk pork, partying (or the lack thereof), and his pet piggy Kona.

Can you tell us a little more about the event?

“It’s a great event. It promotes bringing back heritage pigs. The one that was given to us is called the Red Waddle. Of all the breeds, it was probably the closest one to extinction. It’s promoting small farms and producers who are really trying to bring back these once-lost pigs.”

How did you get involved with Cochon 555?

“Brady, the founder of the event, knew that we only used whole animals at Flour + Water and that we go through many a pig a week. He reached out and contacted us, so we did it a couple of years ago and are doing it again this year. It’s a really unique event: It’s five pigs from five farms and five winemakers. It’s a competition, but it’s not a competition.”

If you could pig out on any meal what would it be?

“My favorite meal in the world is an amazing bottle of wine, cheeses, homemade salumi, nuts, almonds, and fresh fruit. But it’s funny because since we just opened up Central Kitchen and we’re about to open up Salumeria soon — there is zero food inside my kitchen. But I really love eating at home.”

Speaking of your home, would you say you’re a pig or are you the tidy type?

“Well, I own a pig. I live right above Flour + Water and she has a large deck. She’s house trained and uses a kitty litter.”

What’s her name?

“Kona. She’s an awesome pet, and ridiculously cute. I describe her as the worst girlfriend in the world. She’s the most needy animal I’ve ever met in my life. If I’m sitting on the couch, put her in the other room, or come home late — she’s squealing. She’s very sweet though.”

Any plans to get her a companion?

“It’s actually too late. I really wanted to, but at this point the bond with their owners so strongly, that if I were to introduce another pig it wouldn’t work. She gets along really well with other animals, but if I were to bring in another pig they wouldn’t get along.”

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re off work?

“I just opened up Central Kitchen about eight days ago and we are about to open Salumeria, so I probably haven’t had a day off in two months. But if I did have a day off, I’d probably go for a hike or a sail or go outside and adventure a little bit.”

Can tell us a little bit about the upcoming cookbook?

“Well, we built a test kitchen above Flour + Water, where there are also two apartments — one I live in, and the other one is for our offices. We built a massive test kitchen. This is where we are testing all the recipes for the cookbook and it also has a library for all the cooks.”

Which chef are you looking forward to going up against this weekend?

“I’d say Traci [Des Jardins]. I think we’re most excited to up against her because she is probably the biggest challenge and is one of the most respected chefs ever.”

Photographed by Molly DeCoudreaux

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8 Runway-Inspired Items For A Not-So-Basic Black And White Abode

Dana — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:15:02 +0000

Let’s put it this way: We’ve been spending a lot of time on Pinterest, searching the term “cabana.” But, in truth, we don’t even have a pool. That doesn’t mean we can’t dream, right? Amid exploring countless color-soaked boards, we knew we’d found the perfect combination of summery and beach chic when we caught wind of this fresh Spring ’12 Moschino look. It’s the ideal inspiration for our fantasy poolside chill chamber!

But intersecting organic down-to-earth neutrals with streaks of black and white doesn’t have to be confined to our pipe-dream pool house. This graphic palate is also a great foundation for one’s current L.A. interior to keep things feeling warm, light, and just dressed up enough all year long.

The key is to pare things down with neutral weaves and kick it up with just the right amount of sleek ebony to keep things feeling crisp. So, if when that fantasy hilltop Mid-Century modern becomes a reality, your décor will be prepped and ready to move right in!

Photo: Maria Valentino/MCV Photo

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Pinterest Account Of The Day: Lady Gazzaladra

Dana — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:45:02 +0000

London-based jewelry designer, Margherita Antinori, isn’t playing around when it comes to pinning. With 60 boards and close to 35,000 pins, it’s safe to say she’s got our favorite subjects covered, and expertly so. Check out her “So 60s” board and you’ll see what we mean. There’s over 600 pins of the most happening images around, including iconic photographs we never knew existed. Fashion enthusiasts as well as history buffs, this board is for you!

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TGIFoto: Gigantic Chanel Logos, Tiny Cameras, And More!

Dana — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:30:03 +0000

We’ve run out of excuses. We have to go to the gym after work. Memorial Day is….next weekend (did we mention we’re going somewhere that requires us to be on the beach). So, yeah, we’re totally weren’t procrastinating when it came to this week’s TGIFoto — we, like, totally didn’t spend a couple extra hours trolling through the world wide web to find these 10 snaps. Dancing skeletons, the return of logomania (thanks to Gaga, of course), and Colin Farrell back to being a smokeshow? It’s all in there! Eek, and Diane Kruger, being everything…K, guess that gym duffle will get some use after all.

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This D.C. Designer’s Newest Offerings Have Us Swooning

Dana — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:24:01 +0000

Nothing makes us happier than a “local gal makes good” story, and Rochelle Behrens’ bio is exactly that. The D.C. native launched a company based around the concept of a properly fitted shirt for professional women — one that doesn’t gap between buttons and expose your bra — and soon landed her product, simply called The Shirt, on Oprah, The Today Show, and in The New York Times, Glamour, and People. Pretty savvy, right?

So, we’re stoked to give you an exclusive peek at the brand’s new collection of blouses that go way beyond the workplace. With a color inspired by L.A. at sunset and 10 silhouettes that pair easily with trousers, pencil skirts, and more, the collection builds on Behrens’ vision of a confident yet fashion-conscious working woman. “When we design, we innately consider how a woman is going to live in our clothes,” Behrens says. “From button placement to how it skims the body, to subtle details and special fabrics, we really innovate for a woman who loves luxury and appreciates fit.” Click through to see our favorite pieces, and start planning a work wardrobe makeover — and maybe even a corporate takeover — now.

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Basic Training: The Perfect White Tank Top

Dana — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:15:02 +0000

Finding a simple white sleeveless T-shirt should be a, well, simple affair, but anyone who’s experienced that wild goose chase of discovering the perfect white tank knows just how complicated it can be. After trying on hundreds of sub-par options, reluctantly buying a dozen of them, and condemning the lot of them to the back of the closet, we’ve decided to stop wasting all that time, money, and material and really find the best white tanks on the market. We’ve done our homework so you don’t have to spend your weekend in the fitting room; Check out our top picks for the PWTs (perfect white tanks) out there.

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How To Meet A Mansome Gentleman: Peep This Manscaping-Themed Movie

Dana — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:00:04 +0000

From guyliner to mantyhose (yes, those happened), we’ve seen many dude-centric trends come and go. But it seems like “manscaping” is one that may be sticking around. And
Mansome
, in theaters today, is a much-hyped flick that serves to uncover the very personal subject of male grooming…head to toe. Morgan Spurlock, who brought us the McDonald’s disaster doc Supersize Me, turned his focus to a more humorous social debate this time ’round with the help of actors Will Arnett and Jason Batemen, both Mansome producers who also appear in the film.

Masculinity manifestations are aplenty these days, from grungey Jesus types to perfectly coiffed fellas. But, there seems to be a hairy situation lurking beneath the surface when it comes to less-discussed aspects of male grooming.

The CEO of Fresh Balls, a company that supplies an actual scrotum scent (really puts the “eau” in eau de toilette, eh?), is just one of the experts interviewed by Spurlock. The film spotlights an array of famous faces to discuss their primping practices, including Zach Galifianakis, the sharp-dressed men of ZZ Top (forgive us for being crass, but we wonder if the carpets match the overgrown drapes?), Anthrax’s Scott Ian (known for his dramatic Shakespearean goatee), and John Waters.

The smooth experts at The Art of Shaving sponsored the premiere event in L.A. last week, encouraging the audience to come in and learn how to properly shave (without nicking your precious family jewels…meaning your face, people!). From mending a receding hairline to hair removal, this film certainly delves into the depths of the diverse manscape of America. Take a peek at the trailer here and, if you like what you see, plan your movie date accordingly.

Photo: Via Mansome/Facebook

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How To Meet A Mansome Gentleman: Peep This Manscaping-Themed Movie

Dana — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:00:04 +0000

Photo: Via Mansome/Facebook

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What Happens When R29 & Warby Parker Get Down For Internet Week

Dana — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:48:02 +0000

“Style, Specs, + Tech,” are not just three Refinery29 obsessions, but also the name of the party we threw last night with Warby Parker. We needed to fete internet week right, which means in style, which means to gather a really chic crowd, a DJ, a venue, and some drinks. So, with our fave eyewear company, 150 dapper guests, and DJ Brendan Fallis (remember his kick-ass spring playlist?), we headed to Mondrian SoHo’s Mister H to sip on Titos Vodka cocktails. The result was a raucous rager that tipped its hat to all things technology and fashion. And don’t feel left out. We’ve got some of the cutest snaps of the night right here so you can relive it with us (and understand why we were maybe a few minutes late to work this morning).

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Dwayne Wade: Fashion’s Next Big Shoe Designer?

Dana — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:45:02 +0000

We know that Dwayne Wade can bring the Heat (pun intended) on the basketball court, but now the star athlete is flexing his muscles in another way — fashion design. D. Wade recently collaborated with the high-end loafer brand Del Toro to create several cutting-edge shoes. How did this unlikely pairing come about, you ask? Del Toro designer Matthew Chevellard tells us he originally created a couple of custom-made pairs for Wade, but the Heat player was so enamored, the company suggested he try out designing on his own. And the rest, as they say, is history.

As of now, the shoes aren’t available for the masses (the limited-edition pairs live only in Dwayne’s closet), but here’sto hoping he one day designs a full-scale collection. In the meantime, check out our slideshow of the kicks, and revel in the star’s many talents. Just, please, no singing career…

Photo: Courtesy of Del Toro

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