Top Chef Top Eats: Preston Madson of Freemans

Around New York, chefs are treated like celebrities who also have superhuman powers. So who are these Croc-wearing food wizards? Where do they find their bites on a budget? And where do they go to splurge? In this series we ask top NYC chefs where and what they eat.

Today we meet Preston, who heads up the kitchen at Freemans, one of the best American cuisine restaurants in the city—with a cocktail list to match. Just around the corner from Freemans is Preston's second kitchen-home, Peels, which stakes claim to some of the best fried chicken north of the Mason-Dixon line! But enough about the food and more about Preston!

Name: Preston Madson

Astro sign: Taurus

Hometown: Statesboro, GA

Current neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Restaurant: Freemans and Peels

Signature dish at Freemans: Freemans Artichoke dip with a Freemans Cocktail

Signature dish at home: Pulled pork BBQ sandwich

Favorite vegetable or herb currently in season: Asparagus

Best spot for a spicy dish: Ippudo’s karaka men

Best spot for pasta: Barbuto

Food trend you're over: Molecular gastronomy

Hangover cure: Slice of cheese pizza from Danny’s Pizza

Best food market: Essex St. Market

After a long day, what do you make for yourself: Grilled cheese sandwich with an arugula salad

Favorite cooking show: Chopped

Last meal request: My wife’s gnocchi with burst cherry tomatoes, charred corn, and basil with a crusty piece of bread and a bottle of rosé

Any horror apprentice stories? Nope!


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IPPUDO- 65 Fourth Ave. map
BARBUTO- 775 Washington St. map
DANNY'S PIZZA- 241 Bushwick Ave. MAP
ESSEX ST. MARKET- 120 Essex St. MAP

Images by Brayden Olson.
Preston in the Freemans kitchen 

Brisket!