Thierry Rautureau, French-American Chef
I participated in a great event here in Seattle yesterday at Luc, the French-American Restaurant owned by Top Chef Judge and Top Chef Master Contestant, Thierry Rautureau. The event was sponsored by Microsoft Windows 8 and The Urban Spoon and gave prominent bloggers in the Pacific Northwest a chance to speak with the chef and sample a fabulous French-inspired lunch which started with colorful cocktails and oysters on the half shell.
While we dined on a fabulous amuse-bouche, we heard from Chef Rautureau about his experiences on the Bravo TV show as well as how he began his career at the age of 14 in food because his mother thought that working in a restaurant would be a good way to be sure he’d always have food in his belly and a roof over his head. Ratureau came to the US as a young man and has never moved back to his native France. He work in Chicago and decided the cold winters were not for him. After spending a few years in California he settled here in Seattle where he’s been a fixture for the last 25 years. His first restaurant is Rovers which he’s owned since the 1980s. Luc was acquired in 2010.
While the animated Rautureau spoke about the name of Luc, he motioned to a portrait behind him and shared that the restaurant was named after his father, Luc Rauturea. An audible…..”ahhhh”….came from the table of mostly women and the younger Rautureau smiled and appeared to enjoy the moment. He also captured the table when he spoke about his time competing on Top Chef Masters: Seasons 2 and 4 as well as judging in Top Chef Seattle. Beyond being enamored by host Padma Lakshmi’s beauty, his most amazing experience with the franchise was cooking at the rim of the Grand Canyon; an experience he said that everyone should experience because of its grandeur.
UrbanSpoon App
We also learned about a fabulous and free app called the UrbanSpoon which connects users with good food in any location around the world. Simply allow the app to access your location and you’ll be given options for food nearby along with user reviews and photos, guides, and more. Many of the restaurants have hours listed, menus (in PDF format), and critic reviews. In fact, you can even make some dinner reservations right from the app. The UrbanSpoon is available for your PC or Mobile device.
Windows 8
We also got a look at the new Windows 8. A more visual version that takes advantage of the plethora of touch screens available on notebooks, netbooks, tablets, smartphones, and even desktops. This new version has some great features and apps that make the experience even more fun. Windows 8 is available for a limited time for only $39.99 (upgrade). We were also introduced to the Microsoft Wireless Wedge Touch Mouse which adds to the Windows 8 experience. The new four-way touch pad allows you to scroll and navigate in every direction which makes navigating in Windows 8 even easier. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket and works with your laptop, desktop, tablet, and notebook. Connect it to your Bluetooth-enabled device and get busy!
Lunch was a wonderful experience and we had a chance to sample the amazing dessert offerings at Luc. I highly recommend the Pear Gaulette!
Win a Microsoft Wireless Wedge Touch Mouse
One lucky winner will receive this great new computer device! ARV $69.95
a Rafflecopter giveaway
:giveaways:
:free:
I would give it to my dad who currently uses windows 8.
My husband would be using it and honestly I have no idea what operating system he uses.
I’ll use this and I haven’t upgraded yet
My boyfriend would be using this. He is an IT guy and loves all things electronic/computer related. We have upgraded to windows 8 in my family. 🙂 Thank you so much for the opportunity.
My hubby for work. Not yet.
I would keep this for myself. Yes I have upgraded
i think… it would keep it for myself
I would keep it for myself. I have not upgraded.
I would love this for my husband
diane(dot)wortman(at)gmail(dot)com
My fiance would receive this and use it on his laptop! We have not gotten a chance to try Windows 8 yet but I will be very interested to try it out. I believe his laptop is running Windows 7. Thanks for the giveaway!
And, no, I have not yet upgraded, but will do so soon.
I would be allowed to keep the Wedge for myself as I use the computer the most. Of course, I would be willing to share it…
I would be greedy and keep this for me because it’s cool looking and mine is falling apart
My wife on her new laptop with windows 8… she’s an avid photographer so she’ll love this for all her editing.
I haven’t upgraded to windows 8 – yet. I would love to have a new mouse that would work with it!
I haven’t upgraded to windows 8 yet. I’ll give this to my son, he would love it 🙂
This would be wonderful for my hubby
I would use it, i’m the geek, and windows 7.
My fiance would get this and he would use it for our laptop and desktop. We have not upgraded to windows 8 yet, but we have been discussing it.
I have windows 8 on my laptop. I would use it on my own computer thanks!
We haven’t upgraded yet but I would give the mouse to my wife
For me and yes I have 🙂
I’d use it, and yes on the upgrade
I would use this on my new computer running windows 8
would keep it and use myself when working with my laptop
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
My husband, and yes, he has
I would keep it for myself
My SO would be using this mouse on his PC on which he is running Windows Vista. Waiting for Microsoft to get all the kinks out before moving to Windows 8
my son for homework
We have not upgraded yet and would be using this on Windows 7 if we can.
My husband would.
My wife on her new laptop with windows 8… she’s an avid photographer so she’ll love this for all her editing.
My boyfriend really needs and upgrade, this would be for him
My oldest son is getting a new laptop for Christmas. He’s turning 18 and will be heading off to college next year, so I think he would get a lot of good use out of this. But, before he leaves home he’ll have to share it with me!
Thanks for the chance to win!!
~Ola
Hubby needs it and we have not upgraded yet
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Probably my brother….not sure if he has upgraded his laptop yet….
Have not upgraded yet!
This would be for myself. I am still running windows 7.
I’ll be using it and no. 🙂
I would receive and use on my laptop – no I have not upgraded yet.
I would give it to my SO I purchased a bluetooth mouse for him, but he doesn’t like it. We both have laptops with Windows 7. Neither of us have any intentions of upgrading to windows 8. I want my laptop to feel like a computer not a smartphone or tablet. I hate things on my desktop the tiles would drive me nuts.
i’d give it to my daughter not upgraded yet
Love to have something like this.I wish I where a little more tech savvy.
My husband gave up his for the kids, so he would get it
I confess I’d probably keep the mouse for myself – I just upgraded my HP desktop to Windows 8 and the wireless mouse has been giving me trouble, so it’s time for an upgrade!
My son would receive it. We haven’t upgraded yet.
My husband will use this at home and work. I assume he has upgraded at work, as he works in computers. But at home. alas. no upgrades yet. He’d LOVE this…is on the computer 9 + hours a day and would help his comfort!
My husband! He’s upgraded to Windows 8.
Oh and I haven’t upgraded yet. Thanks
I would give this to my brother. He uses computers for work and would find this very useful.
I would love this for my husband! He is upgraded to Windows 8.
This would be for my husband for his HP desktop. We have not upgraded yet
my mom would receive it, haven’t upgraded yet
Definitely mine, since no one else in the family would know what to do with it. I’ll be upgrading when I finally buy my new computer.
I would use it on my laptop
My husband for his laptop. And we havent upgraded yet
I thin I might try to use it on my Transformer Prime tablet.
I would give this to my husband, he has not upgraded yet but needs a mouse upgrade.
for my computer-Windows 7-haven’t upgraded
Would use it on my laptop that runs windows 7.
My husband for his laptop. And we havent upgraded yet
I think my son and we will have it on Win7, we are scared by metro on win8
I would use the mouse for my computer, which runs on Windows 7. I am not upgrading, since it will be replaced in the near future with a new PC
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
me, i need a new mouse, and haven’t upgraded to 8 yet
This would be for me to use with my laptop. I haven’t upgraded to Windows 8 yet.
Ive yet to upgrade, but I would love this mouse for myself!
maybe I would.
I’d use it on my computer.
I would be the one using it. I’m planning on getting Windows 8 next month.
i would use it on my new windows 8 laptop that i am hoping to get soon
i would give the mouse to my mom. she is physically disabled and this would be perfect for her. we have two computer that have windows xp, 2 with windows 7 and one with windows 8.
me. my current one is wired and 6 years old. no windows 8 yet but i would use this mouse for everything.
I would! I’m always on the computer
No, but I am going to upgrade when the husband gives me the ok!
I would definately keep the Microsoft touch mouse and upgrade to Windows 8.
I would be keeping the Microsoft touch mouse and using it on a windows 7 desktop computer
This would be for me and I would then upgrade to Windows 8.
I’ll be using it myself when I’m on my laptop at home.
It would be for me. I’m getting a laptop and would use it for that. I assume the laptop will be on Windows 8.
If I won, I would give this to my husband who would use it on his Windows 7 laptop. We haven’t upgraded to Windows 8 yet, but we are looking at new computers with it preloaded.
my daughter would get it I dont know what she would use it on and no I have not upgraded
This would be for me and I have not upgraded yet.
I would use it with my laptop 🙂 Still on Windows 7 🙂
I would for sure use this on my desktop and have not upgraded
Ill be using the mouse and no I’m still on windows 7!
I’d give it to my mother who has issues with her hand. This might be easier on it because of the shape. And I haven’t, but plan to.
Great product, i could use onw
I would use it. I have upgraded 1 PC to Windows 8. Unsure about updating the rest right now
ME, LAPTOP and NO!
i would love to use this mouse for myself.
I would and no!
I would use this and no, haven’t upgraded as yet.
my husband would use it and yes, he has upgraded to Windows 8
I’d give it to my hubby to use with our laptop! 🙂
We would all get use out of it, but my husband would get the most out of it. He uses the computer for work and school and uses it a lot! This would be a nice gift for him, something new 🙂 good luck all!
This would be for me, and I have yet to upgrade!
I would use this for me on my laptop. I haven’t upgraded to Windows 8.
I’ll keep it for myself (just to make hubby jealous!). I have windows 8 on my tablet but not on my desktop. It’s taking some getting used to.
I will be treating myself and yes I will be using it. No have not upgraded yet
I would give this to my GF for her work. I don’t have windows 8 yet.
This would be for me and I would use it on my laptop. I’m looking for a new mouse that doesnt hurt my hand from using it too much and this looks great!
My husband would use this with his desktop, and yes we have both upgraded.
My dad would be receiving it as a Christmas present. We played around with it and the Surface tablet at a microsoft store and he fell in love. lol He’d use it on his Dell laptop.
my wife to do more extreme couponing.
Me me me! I would love to have this mouse! And yes, I have upgraded to Windows 8 on my desktop and laptops and I have the Surface with Windows RT! Love it!