Best Chefs America

LEADING CHEFS AROUND THE COUNTRY AGREE: CHEF RICHARD LACOUNTE OF 1862 DAVID WALLEY’S RESTAURANT AND SALOON NAMED TO BEST CHEFS AMERICA

Executive Chef Richard LaCounte of 1862 David Walley’s Restaurant and Saloon has been honored as one of the country’s top culinary talents in the inaugural edition of Best Chefs America. Less than 1 percent off all chefs and professional cooks in America made the publication's list.

This is the first-ever peer review guide of U.S. chefs, who were chosen after extensive interviews between their fellow chefs and Best Chefs America analysts. Chef LaCounte will be showcased in the informative and exquisitely produced 386-page coffee table book that will be released on March 1.

“This is a great honor. To be recognized by my peers and to be included in Best Chefs America, is really a dream come true” LaCounte says. “This is a tough profession. There can be a lot of pressure and changing situations. Handling these situations professionally with my peers has always been a goal of mine. To be recognized for this and my expertise and creativity as a chef gives me great satisfaction.”

Richard LaCounte

LaCounte is the executive chef of 1862 David Walley’s Restaurant and Saloon at 2001 Foothill Rd. in Genoa. A native of Reno, LaCounte trained at the Culinary Institute of America in New York City. He joined 1862 David Walley’s Restaurant and Saloon from the Grand Sierra Resort and Charlie Palmer Group.

Having worked in some of Las Vegas’ most exclusive restaurants, LaCounte’s expertise is evident in the presentation and taste of his specialties at 1862. His appreciation for seasonal ingredients and the finest game, fish, and poultry are transformed into innovative menus, resulting in an unforgettable dining experience with practical pricing for every guest.

Winner of the 2012 Wine Spectator Magazine’s “Award of Excellence,” 1862 David Walley’s Restaurant and Saloon serves dinner nightly from 5 to 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Call 775-782-6602, or book online via Open Table at 1862davidwalleysrestaurantandsaloon.com.

Reno Aces World Series Dinner

Matt Williams, who grew up in Carson City and was a three-sport (baseball, basketball, and football) star at the high school in the early 1980s, had a few surprises for a crowd of about 600 Reno Aces season ticketholders who turned out to see him speak at the Silver Legacy on October 28. The attendees were treated to dinner and a viewing of the World Series opener between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. Of course, there were a few of us media hounds in attendance as well.

Williams, a former Major League Baseball player best known in Northern Nevada for his seasons spent in a San Francisco Giants uniform (1987-1996), answered questions from the crowd after he gave a short introduction speech.

The toughest pitcher he ever faced? No, it wasn't Pedro Martinez or Roger Clemens, two of the dominant hurlers during Williams' prime — it was Mark Portugal. "You know those Bugs Bunny cartoons where the pitcher throws the ball and it's 'Strike one,' 'Strike two,' 'Strike three' all on the same pitch," Williams said. "That was what it was like facing Mark Portugal. His fastball was only 82 (mph), and he had a devastating change-up." Portugal and Williams weren't always in opposing dugouts; they were Giants teammates in 1994 and '95.

That may have not been the most shocking answer, however. When a man asked, "Which one of your teammates had the best work ethic?", the last thing I expected to come out of Williams' mouth was "Manny Ramirez." The two were Cleveland Indians teammates for only one season in 1997, but Ramirez made quite the impression on Williams with his intense batting-practice sessions, mostly focused on learning how to hit a slider. The mercurial Ramirez has taken heat in recent years for his sometimes lackadaisical attitude.

Williams is a part-owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team he won a World Series with as a player in 2001. The D'backs are the parent organization to the Triple-A Aces, which made Reno their home starting with the 2009 season.

For a 2010 Reno Aces home schedule, click here. For more information, visit the Aces official Web site.