Chef Michael Batt @ Westport Farmers' Market

Chef Michael Batt has been on the Food Network, trained under master chefs Geoffrey Zakarian (Town, LeCirque), Gray Kunz (L’Espinasse) & Terrence Brennan (Picholine, Artisinal), and is coming to this Thursday as the guest chef at the Westport Farmers’ Market on July 12.

Eight years ago Michael Batt was the talk of New York, well on his way to becoming the next big thing in the City. Working at restuarants including City Hall, Thom, and Terrence Brennan’s Seafood & Chop House, Chef Batt was rapidly working his way to the top. Then fate stepped in and he met his wife, Gallia. Shortly after, the two moved to Connecticut and took over Food Design, then run by another husband and wife team. Today, Michael and Gallia run their business like a family, with many of the staff with them since 2004.

Chef Batt spends most of his time in the kitchen, trying new things and creating original dishes based on what’s fresh, popular, and of course delicious! Food Design doesn’t have any set menus; Michael goes to the store every morning (with their fish from The Lobster Bin in Greenwich), then comes up with a dish based on what inspires him. This Thursday, Chef Batt will be serving Grilled Wild Salmon over a salad of crushed cucumbers, walnuts, fennel and dates with chive oil. He will be demoing this delicious summer dish at 11 am and 1 pm and at the moment…I’m seriously contemplating attending both.

Food Design prides themselves on really getting to know their clients, what their style is, their favorite foods, food allergies, dietary restrictions, etc.  then cater to their every need.  Food Design stays on top of all the lasted food and dietary trends to ensure client satisfaction and continued success. They cater graduations, bat mitzvahs, weddings, birthday celebrations, and even dinner parties! In fact, four years ago, they started a dinner delivery service when they noticed their clients had a need for one. Based on the increase in demand for gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, and vegan meals, Food Design came up with a solution. They now send out a new menu to clients at the beginning of each week, with all dietary restrictions met and attended to (including kid friendly meals). 

With many celebrities and established businesses as clients, Food Design tries to stay on top of what’s popular, new, and innovative.  Yet no matter the event, they are sure to have their signature sliders on the menu. Enjoyed by the lucky ones, including Donald Trump himself, these little guys may be simple, but when done right, will blow your mind and are sure to steal the show. Food Design believes that “People just want good food, done right and that’s what we provide”.