Andrew drove out to Southold, NY, this summer to visit influential pastry chef Claudia Fleming at her North Fork Table & Inn. They spoke about Claudia's Italian-Irish upbringing, her early days as an aspiring dancer, her transition to restaurant work (starting in the front of the house), and ascension to opening pastry chef at Gramercy Tavern, where she inspired generations of colleagues. Claudia worked in such seminal restaurants as the original Jams, Tribeca Grill, and Union Square Cafe, all of which are discussed in detail, as is the reissue of her cookbook The Last Course, just published last week.Joining Andrew for the intro this week is his colleague and neighbor Jeff Gordinier, food & drinks editor of Esquire magazine, whose 2019 Best New Restaurants list recently debuted. Jeff shares his extensive selection process, as well as some highlights from the list.Episode guide:1:25 - 33:40  Intro with Esquire magazine food & drinks editor Jeff Gordinier33:40 - 1:28:10 Claudia Fleming, part 11:28:40 - 1:39:28 More with Jeff Gordinier (mid-Show break)1:39:28 - 2:10:10 - Claudia Fleming, part 22:10:10 Wrap up with Jeff GordinierLinks:Andrew Talks to Chefs official websiteNorth Fork Table & Inn (Claudia's restaurant & inn)The Last Course (Claudia's book)Esquire's Best New Restaurants 2019Hungry (Jeff Gordinier's latest book)Please tell a friend about Andrew Talks to Chefs and/or rate/review us on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks for listening![photo of Claudia Fleming by Eric Striffler]