Today marks the launch of one of our new features, Phoodie Desert Island. In the coming weeks, we will peer into the evil which lurks in the hearts of foodies from around town: chefs, writers, bloggers, and restaurateurs alike.

If you don’t know the game, we shouldn’t be friends, but here’s a refresher. There’s a terrible plane crash and you’re stuck alone on a desert island. The cause of the crash is unclear, but it has something to do with the kid who played Ben on Growing Pains. This isn’t ‘Taste Of The Month Island’ or ‘Guilty Pleasure Island’. This shit’s for life. So choose wisely.

Our first victim is Tom Peters of Monk’s Cafe. See what he thinks are the end-all-be-all choices for the rest of his days on the island. More after the jump.

Tom Peters is a visionary in Philadelphia. If you need proof, check out the resume. The man has been Mr. Beer long before Philly was America’s Greatest Beer Drinking City. One of the most respected restaurateurs in our city, and a real nice guy, Tom also owns The Belgian Cafe and Grace Tavern, as well as Fergie’s with cohort Fergus Carey. So Tom, what are your choices?

Entree: 
Gnocchi with a good tomato sauce – but they gotta be the light, fluffy, air-pillow style – not the lead, buckshot crap served at those chain ‘I-talian’ restaurants.

Side Dish: 
Oyster stuffing to go with my roasted chicken (comfort food)

Dessert: 
Something refreshing like a fresh fruit sorbet

Beer: 
Orval Trappiste Ale – dry enough to pair with seafood & malty enough to stand up to the wild boar that I plan on trapping & pit roasting on that island.

Cocktail: 
Margarita made with a decent blanco tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice and a good triple sec.  All in equal amounts.  Shake for at least 30 seconds to get some ice melted.  No simple syrup, not splash of cointreau or anything else, just a simple, elegant, classic margarita.

Liquor: 
None – Liquor makes me break out in handcuffs.

Wine: 
1989 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape – it was my epiphany wine.

Luxury ingredient: 
an endless supply of Italian white truffle d’ alba.  I might not want to be rescued.

Restaurant: 
Vetri.  Arguably the best restaurant in the country offering a great wine and beer program.  It is certainly the best grub in Philly.

Bar: 
Moeder Lambic in Brussels.  Cozy corner bar with a kick ass beer selection run by two guys that are passionate about top-quality beer.

Potato Chip Flavor: 
don’t like em, but would use something aromatic like bbq to use as bait to snare some local game

Soft Drink: 
Orangina.  It has a splash of real juice and has some decent acidity so it won’t be cloyingly sweet in that hot sunshine.

Pre-packaged baked good: 
Peanut Butter Tandy Cakes from TastyKake.  I know that they’ll melt in the heat, meaning that I’ll have chocolate all over me, but what the hell…the ocean is right there for a quick clean up.

Fast Food: 
The tongue tacos from Guadalupana on Haddon Avenue in Westmont, NJ.  Best taqueria in the area. They make their own tortillas, both flour and corn, fresh throughout the day. Excellent, fresh & cheap. YUMMY!

Candy: 
Any good quality Belgian chocolate that has a bit of fleur de sel.  I love the balance of sweet and salty.

Comfort Food: 
Herb roasted chicken

M&M Color: 
Red – everything red tastes better

Cookbook: 
Hot Stuff by Jessica B. Harris.  She uses a lot of island ingredients.  It might be helpful to know how to cook with what is on the island.

Cooking utensil/vessel: 
Wok.  It’s quick to heat, easy to handle and can cook just about any meat, vegetable or sauce.

Hot Dog Topping: 
cream cheese, onions caramelized in coca cola & Sriracha sauce

Pizza Topping: 
Kalamata olives, sweet onion and mushrooms

Movie: 
I would choose Fawtly Towers.  I know it’s a twelve episode TV series, but I could watch each one multiple times.  John Cleese is a genius. 

Book: 
David Sedaris’ Naked.  Clever, hilarious short stories.

Record Album: 
Roy Orbison’s greatest hits