Audio By Carbonatix
Looks as if a few notable Valley chefs may have benefited from our post last week on sabrage, the name given to the practice of opening a champagne bottle with a sword.
Last month, during a benefit dinner at the home of Jamie Hormel (owner of the Wrigley Mansion, heir to the Hormel meat-packing empire, and girlfriend of chef Christopher Gross), five notable Valley chefs — Christopher Gross (Christopher’s Restaurant and Crush Lounge), Matt Carter (Zinc Bistro and The Mission), James Porter (Petite Maison and Big Earl’s BBQ), restauranteur Aaron May, and celebu-chef Beau MacMillan (elements) — attempted a bit of sabrage themselves, with highly amusing but less than stellar results.
Gross told me, “I’ve done this maybe a hundred times and never had a champagne blow up. Matt Carter’s and mine blew. James [Porter] cheated and popped the cork by hand.”
With the exception of a few bruised egos, no one was hurt during the sabrage.
When news happens, Phoenix New Times is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.