After we introduced you to the contestants yesterday, the premiere of Top Chef's sweetest spinoff, Top Chef Just Desserts, aired last night. Contestants were challenged with creating the most decadent chocolate dessert, to be judged by Mr. Chocolate himself, Jacques Torres. The pastry chefs were also met with head judge Johnny Iuzzini's somewhat intimidating, no-nonsense style — something I found immensely entertaining. Did you tune in, or are you Top Chef-ed out?
Photo courtesy of Bravo
Ready to sweeten up your week? Tune in to Bravo tonight at 11 p.m. for the first-ever premiere of Top Chef Just Desserts. The newest Top Chef spinoff will feature pastry chefs from around the country competing for $100,000 — and some serious street cred. Gail Simmons will move from judge to host this season, and the judges panel features Jean-Georges executive pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini as head judge, along with Fleur de Lys's Hubert Keller and DailyCandy editor Dannielle Kyrillos.
Keep reading for a closer look at the contestants!
Photos courtesy of Bravo
Over the weekend, the second annual SF Chefs event took place, and it wasn't just about the food — beer, wine, and cocktails were in full force, too. Case in point: MIX with SF Top Chefs, a happy hour featuring a cocktail shake-off between San Francisco's most memorable Top Chef alums.
Five contenders — Ryan Scott, Jen Biesty, Mattin Nobila, Erik Hopfinger, and Laurine Wickett — made original cocktail recipes that incorporated the use of Fiji Water, a sponsor for the event, and I had the pleasure of guest judging the competition. In the end, Top Chef: Chicago's Jen Biesty came out on top with a well-balanced cucumber cocktail.
Jen Biesty named her cocktail The Fiji Facial after being inspired by a famous San Francisco spa. Her zen-like cocktail incorporates health-minded ingredients like ginger juice and organic cane sugar. To score the refreshing recipe — and check out photos from the event — read on.
On last night's installment of Top Chef: Washington DC, award-winning pastry whiz Johnny Iuzzini judged the pie quickfire — and revealed he'll be head judge on the forthcoming Top Chef: Just Desserts.
Joining Iuzzini and Gail Simmons, the host of the new series, will be Hubert Keller (a runner-up on Top Chef Masters) and DailyCandy editor-at-large Dannielle Kyrillos.
I'm surprised with the lineup of judges yet, at the same time, not surprised at all. It remains to be seen what kind of insight they'll lend to the evaluation process. What do you think of the announcement? And what are your thoughts on last night's Top Chef 7 episode?
Photo courtesy of Bravo
One chef took home the $100,000 prize on the final episode of Top Chef Masters last night. It was a nostalgic show that looked back at the final three chefs' — Michael Chiarello, Rick Bayless, and Hubert Keller — food memories and culinary careers. Did you watch? Let's discuss the details (spoilers ahead) after the break.
Only four masters remained on last night's episode of Top Chef Masters. The best part was when the Top Chef alum showed up! Did you watch? To discuss the episode, read more
Well, Top Chef fans, what did you think of the spinoff, Top Chef Masters? I have mixed feelings about the show — I loved seeing the world-renowned chefs compete, but I hated seeing three of them fall so far, so quickly. I also didn't like how the stakes weren't as high: the four competitors are already established and well-respected professionals in the food industry.
They aren't desperate to win, their careers don't depend on the success of their performance. Top Chef Masters lacks the immediacy of the original. These chefs haven't shopped for groceries or made desserts in years, so who cares if they can't complete a quickfire challenge? To see the rest of my thoughts and discuss the premiere in more depth (warning, spoilers ahead!), read more
