Local celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn is up to his ears in annoyed foodies and free hugs after a long day of mixed opinions shared by major media outlets around town. He told People’s District in an interview that “It is nice to be in a second-tier city where you can be a big fish in a small pond.” Within a few hours of publication Chef Spike was tweeting damage control saying “Things get taken out of context, DC is sometimes regarded as a 2nd tier city in the food world, but that is changing.” Ouch. Out of context means you really did call DC second tier. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Yours just isn’t very popular today.
A few years ago Spike told Capitol Spice Blog “Sometimes I’m annoying, sometimes I’m scheming, sometimes I’m funny. Whatever.” He was talking about how Top Chef had edited his appearances on the show but it seems to apply here too. He’s human and sometimes an annoying one. Just like DC is sometimes a second tier city. Right, Spike?
So what is it that’s been keeping DC second tier in the food world? Well, Spike says “Everyone was concentrating on politics and it seemed like food was not that important.” Second tier was forgivable, but that’s just asinine. Telling DC it focuses too much on politics is like saying “Chef, you focus too much on cooking.” Politics is what we do. No food trend should outweigh domestic and international policy issues such as poverty, human trafficking, war, the economy or the environment. Chef Spike has done great work with a slew of local charities, but criticizing one of the world’s greatest political cities, its culture and its hard working people for focusing on making a difference instead of the next trite NYC food trend is insensitive.
Spike did mention one upside for his three years in DC. He continued to tell People’s District “Here [in DC] I am involved with Michelle Obama’s food initiatives and can help local kids and schools learn about food. I never would have had the time or opportunity to do that in New York.” Good job. Now Mr. Mendelsohn, you are speaking the DC lingo. Your comment was an appropriate use of pandering in an area of expertise about initiatives that are current, and important. Just one side note: is there a child friendly meal at Good Stuff Eatery? A little over a month ago you retweeted a picture of a toddler eating a burger and fries at your restaurant. Sometimes that’s okay, but sometimes she should be eating a more nutritious meal. Maybe it’s time to lead by example and bring that food initiative into a few new items on your own menu. Sometimes a side of carrot sticks wouldn’t be so bad.
Sometimes, Spike is annoying. Sometimes he serves DC one of its favorite burgers. Sometimes, DC can’t be bothered to care.
Jana Erwin is the primary chef and writer of CherryTeaCakes.com, a non-profit venture combining the love of fine desserts and feeding the impoverished in Washington, DC. You can follow her posts on twitter:@cherryteacakes.
