Grilled: 2009 Celebrate Flatiron Chefs

Spontaneous, quote-worthy combustion from chefs Daniel Humm, Floyd Cardoz and Damon Wise

The Madison Square Park Conservancy strives to make the park one of the city's most-loved urban retreats—though it's arguably more famous these days for ground chuck burgers than bird watching. At this annual fund-raiser, neighborhood chefs set up shop, showcasing their dishes under the ancient oaks lining the lawn.

We caught up with several chefs, grilling them the only way we know: by having them pull random questions out of a saucepan. And, no, they couldn't take a pass when we asked them about the big topics of the day: homespun burger recipes, NYC’s top pitmasters, how to sneak booze into public spaces. Controversy, like last time!

Interviews included: Daniel Humm, Will Goldfarb, Damon Wise (pictured), Floyd Cardoz, Missy Robbins, Corwin Kave, Bobby Hellen, Marisa May. By Matt Rodbard; photos by Natasha Ryan