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PARKER: Carmelo's ex-chef may cook for Obama

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 12, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated November 12, 2008 at 1:03 a.m.

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Chef Daniel Young is reportedly on the short list for the White House job.

Photo by Judy Dehaas / The Rocky/2005

Chef Daniel Young is reportedly on the short list for the White House job.

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Denver's Daniel Young, former personal chef to Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony, is one of three chefs being talked about to take the top toque job cooking for President-elect Barack Obama in the White House.

The New York Daily News' Web site reported Tuesday that Young's name, along with famed chefs Rick Bayless, a Chicago restaurateur known for his Latin cuisine, and Art Smith, former personal chef to Oprah Winfrey who now owns his own Chicago eatery, is on the short list for the job. The story said that Young cooked for Obama during the Democratic National Convention.

Almost, but it didn't happen, Young told me Tuesday.

"There was scheduled to be an after-nomination party in a Cherry Hills home, but they ended up moving it back down to the Pepsi Center," Young said. "I constructed the menu for the (Cherry Hills) event, but it did not happen."

Instead, Young says he garnered media coverage for his work with 150 Alabama delegates.

"I was taking care of the Alabama delegates as my primary hosting gig," he said. "I handled them the whole time for the DNC. I hosted a party for Alabama at a home in Cherry Creek, and we had a tailgate party for one of their senators. There were seven front-page stories about me in newspapers in the South."

Although Young has yet to receive a call from the White House, he said he found out from close friends about the possibility he would be offered the White House job.

"I have to be honest with you, I had no idea," he said. "I'm dumbfounded.

"Should it happen, I'm looking forward to it. I feel very privileged to be on the short list, especially coming out of Denver and Denver's culinary scene. For that reason, man, I'm already pleased that has happened."

Young said he parted culinary company with Anthony in April and started working on Ultra Events, a new catering and events company that launches Friday during the Bartender's Martini Miracle Ball at The Church nightclub, 1160 Lincoln. Young thinks his exposure and success catering the Alabama delegation, plus his commitment to healthy cooking - an important factor for the Obamas - got people's attention.

Young's resume includes chef stints at The Denver Press Club and Fat Daddy's, a defunct Capitol Hill diner. Not exactly a direct route to the White House. You might remember him better from a March 26 story in the Rocky, after he was stopped by police for running a red light while delivering a birthday cake for Anthony's son. The story said he was driving on a suspended license, among other issues - all problems that Young said were quickly cleared up. And talk about grace under pressure: Even though he was briefly under arrest, he called a friend to make sure the cake got to the birthday party on time.

NO HAIR FARE: Grab your guy and get him groomed during Beyond Jose, an event serving free Don Eduardo Tequila and complimentary haircuts by Genevieve from Moka Hair Design, from 7 to 9:30 tonight at Tambien, 250 Steele St. Dollar tacos start at 10 p.m.

EAVESDROPPING on a woman: "You should listen to me. I might have a point. Who knows?"

Listen to Penny on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.

Comments

  • November 17, 2008

    11:08 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Denverscene writes:

    Surprising news about Daniel Young given his wholly under-whelming performance at the Martini Ball on Friday night. Not too many complaints (or compliments) about his cooking, but his behavior drew ire with many. His antics, and those of his inebriated hangers-on, were more characteristic of the speeding, unlicensed driver of your article than a possible Obama team member. Comments from the Ball guests included "Denver's version of Entourage" and "his talent combined with his ego is more in line with a Bush appointment." Sorry to know that Obama may be saddled with this distraction as he takes on his first term.