Food & Wine

spinner
America's Best New Chefs
2001

Will Packwood

7
1716 South Congress
Austin, Texas
512-383-8877

Cibo
918 Congress Ave.
Austin, Texas
512-478-3663

1 Recipe by Will Packwood

Where are they now?

When Packwood left Emilia’s in 2002, he spent some time cooking in Portogruaro, Italy. In 2004 he moved back to Austin and opened 7 (now closed), which won an F&W Best New Wine List award in 2005. In November 2006 he opened Cibo, which serves the Northern Italian food that Packwood refined on his sabbatical.

Won Best New Chef at: Emilia’s (closed)


2001 Best New Chef Award Profile
Restaurant at the time of award
Emilia’s
600 E. Third St.
Austin, Texas
512-469-9722

Why Because even his innovations betray his deep respect for classical techniques and traditions.

Born 1971, Portogruaro, Italy.

Education The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY.

Experience Saleh Al Lago, Seattle; the Driskill Hotel and Mezzaluna Gateway, Austin, TX.

Earliest food memory "Our life in Italy was focused on the kitchen. On holidays we'd wake up, have breakfast, then start making lunch. And then as soon as lunch was over, we'd start making dinner."

Ingredient crush Figs.

Least favorite food "Americanized Italian, like manicotti."

Favorite local spot Cong Ly for pho, the Vietnamese noodle soup.

Favorite book Culinary Artistry by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page.

Source he couldn't live without His fish purveyors, Browne Trading in Maine and Triar in Florida. "It's hard to procure great seafood in Austin."

About his recipe Packwood's Milk Chocolate Banana Pie is an easy-to-make recipe inspired by a beloved childhood dessert, chocolate-dipped bananas.


Featured Best New Chef Recipe

Milk Chocolate Banana Pie

MARKETPLACE

 

206