AZUR [out] last updated on 08/14/10
articles and news events
great american seafood cook-off, august 7, 2010
Executive Chef Jeremy Ashby competed in the contest held in New Orleans with his sous chef John Varanese. Though we were not able to bring the seafood crown back to Kentucky, we were able to demonstrate to the country that Kentucky has a seafood program. Chef Ashby did an outstanding job explaining to the judges the Kentucky aquaculture and agriculture movement. We hope to be able to provide that video soon. Meanwhile, this YouTube links demonstates the level of competition. Note: You'll see Chef Jeremy Ashby plating his Woven Shrimp at the 3:44 mark in the video. Click here.
prep magazine, summer 2010
skirt, july 2010
kentucky great american seafood cook-off, june 2010
Executive Chef Jeremy Ashby's "Woven Shrimp" won 1st Place in the Kentucky Great American Seafood Cook-Off competition. He will be representing Kentucky in the nationals in New Orleans on August 7. His winning entry included: Kentucky Aquaculture shrimp, Kentucky honey, Kentucky Alltech Bourbon Barrel Ale and Kentucky Black Star caviar.
(left to right) Chef Jeremy Ashby, Angela Caporelli-KY Aqriculture Dept. & Chef John Varanese
green friends of the games at the governor's mansion, may 2010
Executive Chef Jeremy Ashby and Chef Miguel Rivas (co-owners of AZUR) wooed guests at the Kentucky Governor's mansion with a Kentucky/Asian entree concocted with Kentucky Proud ingredients.
(left to right) Miguel Rivas Chef/AZUR Co-owner, Jeremy Ashby Chef/AZUR Co-owner & Ted Turner
kentucky restaurant association magazine, april 2010
Creativity Reborn Locally - an article written by Executive Chef Jeremy Ashby about how the economy last year resulted in changes for the better in the restaurant industry. (click photo to view/download full article)
photo collage in the bourbon review, spring 2010
AZUR co-owner Fred Wohlstein with Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris. Photo was taken during our Virtual Bourbon Trail Chef Series dinner.
sophisticated living fashion magazine release, march 3, 2010
AZUR partnered with Mod Boutique, Haute Momma Stuff and Sophisicated Living for the fashion issue release party. Hors d'oeuvres included Kentucky Sushi which featured Alltech Kentucky Beef. Well attended event by Lexington fashionites.
(left to right) Heather Duff-Mod Boutique, Fred Wohlstein-AZUR and Sunday Pitts-Cover Model
james beard foundation press conference, january 14, 2010
Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation announces the Kentucky chefs invited to participate in Cookin' in the Bluegrass during the World Equestrain Games 2010 at the Kentucky Proud retail store in downtown Lexington. AZUR restaurant & patio was honored to be selected as the exclusive caterer for the event. Executive chef Jeremy Ashby did not disappoint them.
James Beard Foundation Kentucky Chefs Press Conference
sophisticated living, january 2010
Sneak preview of the AZUR ad that will be appearing in the upcoming inaugural issue of Sophisticated Living-Lexington. AZUR will also be featured in the dining section which will showcase several of Executive chef Jeremy Ashby's creations as well as discuss the history of AZUR restaurant & patio and the passion behind our culinary vision.
The Sophisticated Living-Lexington January/February issue is due to be released mid January. Be looking for it at your favorite booksellers.
Meanwhile, check out Sophisticated Living out yourself.
(click image for full view/download)
ace weekly's best of lex readers' poll 2009, september 2009
AZUR first appeared in the Ace Weekly's Readers' Poll in 2005 as a new restaurant. After five years, AZUR restaurant & patio has not lost it's edge. We earned the top fine dining spot in the 2009 poll as voted by the readers of Ace Weekly. This marks the first time that a restaurant located outside of downtown Lexington has taken the honor.
Thank you Lexington for voting us one of the Best of Lex 2009.
(click here to view/download PDF)
Ace Weekly Best of Lex Readers' Poll 2009 (pg.4)
article in the bourbon review magazine, fall 2009
New World Cuisine with Small Town Charm - Executive chef Jeremy Ashby. A nice article about Chef Ashby sharing his culinary background, the AZUR philosophy of cooking and two recipes - Bourbon & Molasses Grill Marinade and Seafood Pancakes with Bourbon Syrup.
(click photo to view full size)
(click here to view/download recipes)
secrets of bluegrass chefs, august 2009
The Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs takes viewers on a culinary tour of Kentucky featuring fine dining spots, as well as casual burger and BBQ restaurants. The program tells the unique stories behind each restaurant, and reveals the chefs’ secrets to making their most popular dishes in your own kitchen. AZUR's episode includes executive chef Jeremy Ashby and sous chef Justin Clark preparing entrees of scallops, salmon and duck. Program airs Monday-Friday on MyTVQ2 (Insight cable channel 138) at 6:00 p.m. http://www.wtvq.com/programming/secrets-of-bluegrass-chefs.html
bon appetit magazine, august 2009
See AZUR as showcased in bon appetit magazine in the special section entitled GREAT CHEFS and Their Restaurants in Kentucky. (click here to visit online gallery)
(click image to view full size)
seafood business magazine, august 2009
AZUR was contacted a few months ago for an interview by Seafood Business magazine. They recently published an article (August 11, 2009) about why seafood retailers and restaurants use Twitter and other social networking media to promote their businesses. SeaFood Business is written and edited for seafood buyers at restaurants, supermarkets, processors, and distributors, and is the leading publication in the field. (read full article by clicking here)
mention in the bourbon review magazine, summer 2009
AZUR is included in "the bourbon buzz" section of the current issue of The Bourbon Review magazine (page 22) for the Virtual Kentucky Bourbon Trail Chef Series dinner which we'll be hosting on July 30, 2009. We will be featuring four bourbons from the trail and Eric Gregory of the Kentucky Distillers Association will be talking about the official trail. (click here to view)
photos from ace weekly
Series of candid photographs taken during the "Unleashed Palate" fundraiser on the AZUR patio that appeared on page 8 of the May 14 issue of Ace Weekly. Thank you to our friends at Ace Weekly for sharing with us. (click here to view entire page)
article published by smiley pete publishing, april 2009
"Don't-miss" Patios by Saraya Brewer
A guide to some of the area's best spots for outdoor dining
[excerpt from full article]
AZUR restaurant and patio
(3070 Lakecrest Circle, Suite 550, (859) 296-1007, www.azurrestaurant.com)Patio Season: March to late Nov., weather permitting
Patio Hours: Lunch 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mon. – Sat.; dinner 3 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Mon. – Sun. (weekends extended)
Specialty Food / Drink: Spirits manager Amber Blaisdell creates numerous drink specials which vary from day to day. The eclectic and "adventurous" menu includes veal, rabbit, fresh seafood and elk, among other things ("truffle fries" are a popular patio snack).
Ambiance: AZUR's cuisine has been described as "cutting edge," and the ambiance is marked with a similar modern European sensibility.
Live Music: Fri. and Sat. (jazz, Motown, classical, Americana and blues)
The Scoop: According to Fred Wohlstein, co-owner of AZUR Restaurant and Patio, AZUR's patio is "a seamless extension of the interior space." Framed by accent lights and with an emphasis on a garden setting, the patio is divided into two distinct sections, upper and lower. The upper patio is a tribute to New York roof garden designer John Carloftis and features brightly painted planters and Shade Sails over head, while the lower patio is completely shaded with a permanent awning equipped with a custom-designed exterior bar with flat screen television and speakers, and finished with a commissioned lighted water feature. article in the bourbon review magazine, spring 2009
AZUR is included in "the bourbon buzz" section of the current issue of The Bourbon Review magazine (page 16) for the Blues & Bourbon Chef Series dinner which we hosted in November of 2008. The dinner included three styles of regional barbecue and a Maker's Mark bourbon tasting. (click here to go to The Bourbon Review website)
herald-leader, december 2008
southsider, september 2008
Column featuring executive chef - Jeremy Ashby. Candid comments about AZUR and the philosophy. Click link to view and read (Southsider column).
kentucky monthly, august 2008
Featured restaurant in Food & Dining. A wonderful article which captured our concept by Amanda Hervey. Click link for full story (Kentucky Monthly August Issue).
lexington dining guide, 2008
Full page listing with great color photographs. Distributed by Lane Report and Lexington Visitors bureau. Click link to view (Lane Dining Guide).
bluegrass treasures book, 2008
A guide to extraordinary lodging, dining and entertainment by Wilma Clapp and Mary Newton Davis which includes a recipe for Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Braised Short Ribs. Click link for commentary and recipe (Bluegrass Treasures).