Unglamorous
In naming up-and-coming star chef Emma Hearst one of 2010' "insurgents," the New York Observer notes that she "grew up in unglamorous Albany." (Those were NYO's words.) Hearst's restaurant, Sorella, has been much buzzed about this year in NYC. And Hearst herself was named NYC's "hottest" chef by Eater.
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Comments
It's always tacky to publicly trash institutions and places you were formerly associated with. Shows she's an immature 23, for all her culinary talent. If nothing else, she may be alienating potential customers from this area and others who might ordinarily wish her well.
... said chrisck on Dec 23, 2009 at 2:13 PM | link
There are few things in life as "unglamorous" as snobbery.
... said James on Dec 23, 2009 at 2:48 PM | link
It should be noted that the NYO was the one commenting that Albany is "unglamorous." It doesn't cite where it heard that she "hated" going to Albany Academy.
... said Greg on Dec 23, 2009 at 3:03 PM | link
>>It's always tacky to publicly trash institutions and places you were formerly associated with.
That's a very good point @chrisck. I've been guilty of doing that once or twice and I felt pretty stupid about it afterward.
But don't forget, institutions can be extremely tacky in claiming ownership over past members, too.
The remark about Albany being unglamorous appears to be an editorial comment inserted by the Observer, not necessarily from Hearst herself. So it's probably not fair to hold that against her.
A lot of New Yorkers (and esp NYC institutions) strike me as obsessed with putting down everywhere that's not Manhattan -- it makes them look very insecure.
Albany is not "glamorous", though. And I'm glad it isn't.
... said Duncan Crary on Dec 23, 2009 at 3:06 PM | link
Oops. Looks like Greg made the same point while I was typing. Now I look like an idiot repeating something that was just said. Blog comments are funny like that. :)
... said Duncan Crary on Dec 23, 2009 at 3:08 PM | link
I'm glad when people who don't like it here have left. I wish more people who complain about what an awful backwater we are would go away -- then we'd be an awful backwater full of people who like it here.
... said CJ on Dec 23, 2009 at 3:53 PM | link
For all we know, she may love Albany. I was just struck (though not surprised) by the way NYO referred to Albany. The downstate view of upstate has kind of become funny to me.
... said Greg on Dec 23, 2009 at 4:11 PM | link
I've adjusted the post a bit to highlight the fact that the NYO made the comment.
... said Greg on Dec 23, 2009 at 4:21 PM | link