Equinox Summer Celebration Toasts Karen Nicolas' 'Food & Wine' Nod As '12 Best New Chef!

Equinox Executive Chef Karen Nicolas, Todd and Ellen Gray.

Be sure to check out all 44 of our photographs from this event HERE!

The Guest List:

NORTHWEST -- The tempting smell of freshly barbequed Eberly Chicken, Vadouvan Spiced Flank Steak, Glazed Pork Belly Skewers, and Fresh Lake Trout wafted through the buildings surrounding Connecticut Avenue on Sunday evening, during a celebratory summer party at Equinox hosted by Ellen and Todd Gray.


Beyond sampling some of the restaurant’s award-winning seasonal fare, the festive occasion served a dual purpose in also feting Executive Chef Karen Nicolas’s recent nod by FOOD & WINE magazine as one of the year’s ‘Best New Chefs’.


Nicolas moved to the District just last fall to inaugurate the executive chef position at Equinox after culinary stints at restaurants in Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York, including serving as the Executive Sous Chef at the legendary Grammercy Tavern.


Working hand-in-hand with Nicolas moving forward is newly appointed Pastry Chef Brandi Edinger, who was also spotted hard at work at yesterday’s celebration. Indeed, Edinger’s fruit pies and brownies provided the affair with the perfect ‘sweet ending’.



Between trips to the buffet table (a half-dozen or so side dishes ensured many repeat visits), guests were free to chat with both Ellen and Todd while sipping on chilled glasses of Argentine wine, as a live band channeled an upbeat soundtrack in the background.


Vernal, autumnal or summer, a trip to Equinox is clearly always in season!

Be sure to check out all 44 of our photographs from this event HERE!