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Top Chef Vegas: Episode Six

partysugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:30:51 -0700

After roughing it while camping last week, this time around we saw the cheftestants get magical. Again. Oh wait, I'm confusing this challenge with one we saw on Top Chef Masters! The chefs deconstructed classic dishes like clam chowder and pot roast. Penn & Teller guest starred, while Michelle Bernstein was the guest judge. Did you watch? Do you say pie-eh-ya or pie-elle-a? Want to discuss in detail? Read more.

How Well Do You Know the Top Chef Judges & Contestants?

partysugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:50:24 -0700

Hey Top Chef fans, get excited: the new season debuts this Wednesday night at 9 p.m.! To get everyone in the mood for the next round in Las Vegas, I put together a fun quiz that tests your knowledge of the judges and past contestants. I'll list a judge's quote, and you have to guess which cheftestant it's about. So, what are you waiting for? Play away!

Question 1 of 10

"In the end, she realized her strength. She's a chef who needs to roll something over in her brain, try it out 15 different ways, refine it, and then she'll nail it."

Yummy Links: From Epi's iPhone App to Swine Flu Cocktails

partysugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 06:50:54 -0700

Epicurious' just-launched free iPhone application makes me want to trade in my BlackBerry. - Epicurious
Roasted beef tenderloin and cheesy baked rice is the perfect Kentucky Derby meal. - Chow
Lavish restaurant openings have been replaced with low-key charity events. - Eater
Top Chef judge Toby Young was recently in a face-smashing bike accident. - Eat me daily
What is the ideal menu for serving at a bridal shower? - Simply Stated
Gourmet's editor in chief, Ruth Reichl, goes undercover. - Serious Eats
Troubled times call for drinks: consider mixing up a swine flu cocktail. - The Examiner

Toby Young on Board For Top Chef 6

partysugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:50:02 -0700

While we're busy trying to guess where the sixth season of Top Chef will take place, one rumor concerning the reality competition has been confirmed: the infamous Toby Young will be back as a judge.

Earlier today, the British food critic told The Feedbag, "Yup. I’ll be a regular, alternating with the lovely Gail. I can’t blame you for hating me. If I was a viewer I’d much prefer to watch Gail, too."

I've always enjoyed Gail as a judge and found Toby's crazy metaphors to be pretentious and annoying. Still, I will be watching when it debuts next Fall!

How do you feel about Young's return to the show?

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Top Chef 5.15: The Reunion

partysugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:30:36 -0800

One of my favorite episodes of any season of Top Chef is the reunion show. It's refreshing and fun to see the chefs out of the kitchen and away from the competition. I also love the intrusive questions host Andy Cohen inevitably asks. To discuss the get-together and find out who won fan favorite, read more.

Were you surprised to find out Stefan voted for himself for fan favorite?
Which contestant looked the most different in street clothes?
Gail said the judges fought over who should be Top Chef. Who supported Stefan and who supported Hosea?
Did you forget about any of the contestants? When they flashed to Gene, I couldn't help but wonder, who is that guy?
Do you want an "I Love Fabio" tee? I do!
How hot was Tom when he described saving Joan Nathan's life?
Would you be embarrassed to watch a recap of your adulterous relationship (like Leah obviously was)?
How entertaining were the stew room clips? My favorite was when Leah and Jamie got wasted!
Which part of the reunion did you most enjoy?
Who was your fan favorite? As much as I love Fabio, I was hoping Carla would win.

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Hosea: "I Am Not Going to Apologize For Winning"

partysugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 03:30:26 -0800

The fifth season of Top Chef is officially over, and in an interesting turn of events the new winner was neither Carla nor Stefan, but the strapping young baldy from Boulder, CO, Hosea. Since speaking with Hosea on the phone last Friday, I have a new perspective on the somewhat misunderstood chef. He actually has a degree in engineering and looks at the kitchen with a scientific mind. His last meal, humbly, would be the perfect BLT. To find out what Hosea had to say about winning and his relationship with fellow contestant, Leah, read more.

On winning: It feels great! It's kind of overwhelming. I still haven't gotten used to the idea of it. It has really humbled me. Yes, I'm very pleased, but I'm not claiming that I am a better cook than everyone else.

I just happened to cook the best meal. I was at the Miami Food and Wine Festival last week and Daniel Boulud shook my hand and asked me when we're going to cook, and that amazed me! I think I'll get a lot of great opportunities out of winning.

On the people who don't think he should have won: I don't know why there are haters out there. I don't understand it. I put my best work in at the end there. I talked to Tom yesterday and he told me I did the best job and that is why I won. I don't know why people are so against me. I stuck in there, I worked my ass off, and I'm really proud of myself for my accomplishments. There's nothing I can do about the way other people will perceive me. I won. I belonged there. I don't understand why there's the hatred out there. I have a big passion for food, I love what I do. I have proven myself time and time again - that I belong here - and I am not going to apologize for winning.

On his relationship with Leah: We are good friends. We talk a lot. We enjoy each other's company, but I live in Colorado and she lives in New York. We are both single now and we do like each other. We have kissed each other since the show ended. I think if we lived in the same city we would probably be dating. I am having dinner with her tonight, but I'm not going to tell you where!

On Bravo's portrayal of him: You know it's hard to say. The editing is interesting for sure to watch. It's not just about the food we made. For me it was about the food, so it would have been nice of them to show that I am smart guy, I am a caring person. I have an engineering degree. Because of the editing they really focused on the thing with Leah and then the rivalry with Stefan. But that was about five percent of what I talked about!

On what he's learned from participating in Top Chef: The biggest lesson I took away from the show is that I still have a lot to learn. I have so much left that I haven't seen or cooked or learned. I have a long way to go as a chef. I am still like a baby in this line of work. I am thrilled to have this opportunity and to have proved to myself that I can learn it and do it. I am very scientific and pragmatic. I think of the smartest way to cook. You know there is a lot of math involved when you are running a kitchen.

On working with Richard Blais: Having Rich on my side was a huge help! He was so perfect for what I needed. He offered a lot of advice, but never tried to get in the way of what I was doing. He worked his ass off. That guy is badass! He is quick and he did the perfect plating.

On what's next: I'm taking some time off to be with my dad. He's gotten worse. I am going to see what I can do for the family in terms of the sickness. My dad was diagnosed with cancer nine months ago and it's spreading. He's not doing very well, so I want to be with him. As far as the future, I'm partnering with a food company to create a product line. I'm working on my own restaurant, which will hopefully be open in the next nine months. In the short term future, I am staying here in Colorado. It's where all my contacts are. I work with a lot of local farmers, ranchers, and growers. I want to stay here for awhile, for at least the next year. I'm not sure what the future holds. Hopefully I'll be doing a restaurant in Boulder or Denver, but I don't want to talk too much about it because I don't want to jinx it.

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Stefan: "I'm Not a Villain, I'm a Softy!"

partysugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:00:56 -0800

Although many people thought Stefan was a cocky bastard, I happened to like the quick-witted chef. Sure he was arrogant, but he had the skills to back up the ego. However, his impressive culinary expertise wasn't good enough for him to earn the title of Top Chef. When I spoke with Stefan yesterday, I was surprised at how funny he was. He happily endorses bloggers and is coming out with a clothing line. To find out what he had to say - yes he is still madly in love with Jamie! - read more.

On losing to Hosea: In my mind, I won Top Chef. No really, you know what happens? If you win the title of Top Chef, you get a $100,000 egg, but if you are the runner-up, you laid the egg. What I mean is I'm going to make a lot of money, hopefully. I know I will get something out of the experience, but Hosea? Sure he has the money . . . I hope Hosea sells himself properly and that he has a good shot to get himself somewhere.

Hosea won Top Chef. He deserved it. I love the guy. There's no bullshit going on between us. Really everyone should lay off of Hosea. He doesn't deserve the crap that people are giving him. He's actually pretty strung out about people picking on him.

On being confident: I've always been very confident. Some people call it cocky, some people call it arrogant, but everyone has opinions of those on Top Chef. I think I am pretty good. I thought I had a pretty good shot for it. You want to know the truth? I think it was partial editing. They wanted to create drama. Actually there is nothing that can faze me. I cook for a living! It's the only thing I know how to do. I'm a cook. If I wasn't a cook, maybe I would be a gardener, but I love food. I love people in the restaurant business. I have a very strong personality. It's my way or the highway.

On the judges: Toby is a funny guy. Tom is incredible chef, an incredible restaurateur. Padma is smoking hot. I will take her out anytime and Gail? She's cute. I gotta tell you, she's very cute.

On Bravo's portrayal of him as the villain: We all understand it's a reality show. I think people see me different now. I'm not a villain, I am a softy! Jeez, good Lord, Do I look like a villain? Maybe, but look over the entire season. I thanked every judge, I kissed every eliminated contestant goodbye, I shook all the winners hands. When I watched the finale, I had some tears in my eyes when Carla got choked up. I can't see women cry. It breaks my heart.

I am a softy! That's why I picked Marcel because, if I would have picked Casey, Carla would have had a really hard time. She wouldn't have done well with Marcel. I love Carla. Of course, I'm a softy.

On Fabio selecting Hosea's dishes over his: You get honesty from Europeans. I have absolutely no hard feelings. He stopped bullshitting. I love honesty. I love all you bloggers for your honesty. I take it like it is.

On Jamie: How could you not be in love with Jamie? I love Jamie. I've been asked that many times. It's not the first time I fell in love with the lesbians! She has the best laugh. She is beyond fun, she's a great chef. By the way, I love Leah though as well. Not as much as I love Jamie. If Jamie ever reads this: Jamie if you're ready for babies, I'm ready for it! She would make pretty babies, let me tell you.

On being friends with many of the contestants: I have made wonderful friends on that show, including Hosea, Jamie, even Lauren. I'm 36 years old. I've argued in kitchens, now I don't want to do that. I'm too old for constantly arguing. I want friends in my life. You can ride my bus if you want to, but if you don't, get off! I love them all. There is no bullshit behind the whole thing.

On what's next: I'm coming out with a clothing line. It's called Cocky Chef Clothing you should check it out. It's panties and boy shorts. I have a book coming out, it's called Stefan's Dirty Dishes and it's about my life. Sure I want to open a restaurant, but I want to do it the right way. I don't want it to be high scale. I want it to be a cool hangout with a fireplace outside. I would love to do more TV. I'm working on it. I have a great agency working with me and I'm signing today. We are talking about some ideas, kind of something of Gordon Ramsay-like because of my attitude. We will see what happens. Fabio and I would be a hilarious show, but I think I should do a show with Jamie because she is more clever.

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Carla: "I Do Not Consider My Loss Casey's Fault"

partysugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:00:45 -0800

In an upsetting turn of events, Carla lost her cool during the final challenge of Top Chef. Like many people, I was totally disappointed! It was tough to see the normally cheery chef get teary-eyed during judges' table, but you'll be happy to know that when I spoke with her yesterday, "Hootie" was back to her fabulously spirited self. The passionate chef had a lot to say about her experience, and to find out her thoughts on Casey and the competition, read more.

On her "cooking with love" style: I don't know if I was the first contestant who ever cooked with love. Other chefs may not describe it the way the way that I describe it, but it's just the way I am. I'm very passionate about what I do. In any discipline - art or music - if you love what you do, you do good work because you care so much about it.

I know Gail definitely got it, and Toby mentioned it in the finale. A chef isn't just about throwing out a dish that's technically sound. When there are people busting their butts to get you a good meal, you have to understand that there is a piece of me in every dish I make. That's what cooking with love is about.

On Bravo's portrayal of her: Well I think I'm weirder than they made me seem! My friends were like, are you sure you want to show people that side of you? Sometimes I'm really quirky, sometimes I'm introspective, sometimes I'm speaking on a soapbox, but I think they pretty much captured the essence of myself. I wasn't a one-dimensional character. I think they did a good job portraying who I really am.

On Casey being her sous chef: When I was there and afterward I really enjoyed working with Casey. I wanted to work with her. I thought we would connect personality-wise. I do not consider my loss Casey's fault. During the competition you give so much. It's emotionally exhausting trying to think of things. Going into the finale after winning was great, but it was the next day. All of a sudden you have help and you have help from someone who has already been through this. I made the mistake of giving too much power away to Casey. I am prepared to take full responsibility. When you are exhausted, you make a different decisions. I hadn't sold myself on the soufflé dish or changed my idea of the tart. Really it wouldn't have worked anyway because I was still in my head creating it. I know the blogs are blowing up, saying "Casey did her in," but no she did not. I haven't spoken to her and I would love to give her a call. I would love to get her number. If I could get on a loud speaker and say "please do not blame Casey." I just hope she's not getting beat up for that.

On Stefan comforting her at the final judge's table: I think it was really sweet. We had been standing in front of the judges for hours, so it wasn't until the end that I started to break down. After three hours of being badgered, you could tell that I was trying to hold it in and my voice started to quiver. I was really touched because you are so into what you're doing, Stefan and Hosea didn't realize I was falling apart during the service.

They didn't know what happened until judges' table. I really like Stefan. I know he's portrayed as a villain, but he's not a villain. He does not want to win by screwing someone up, he wants to win by doing a good job. I applaud his technique. He was awesome with the alligator! I like the guy.

On Hosea's win: I think he made the best meal. I am so happy for him. He's a really good guy and I am very happy for him. Everyone worked really hard. Should it be cumulative? I'm going to say no because if it was, Hosea would not have been there to win. It's like real life. You get to mess up and if you are still there you get to have a fresh start and you can win the next day. I think that's a really good message in life.

On what's next: I will continue to cater. I don't know what's coming down the pipes. I don't know what will happen. In my own little world, I will continue to cater. I really want to start a sweet and savory petite cooking line and have a chef's table where people can taste my food. I'm teaching a couple of classes in DC. I would love to do more TV. I look at myself and am amazed that I'm able to be myself in front of the camera. My personality seems to have radiated with people. The biggest joy I can get is to inspire people by being myself, so yes I would love to do more television.

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Leah: "I Didn't Really Like the Way They Made Me Look"

partysugar — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:00:56 -0800

I think it's safe to say that the majority of viewers weren't surprised to see Leah pack up her knives and go on the latest installment of Top Chef. Since restaurant wars and the infamous kiss, it was obvious that her heart wasn't in it to win it. I spoke to Leah yesterday and as is to be expected, she's no longer with her boyfriend. To see what she had to say about Hosea, and her experience, read more.

On the difficulty of the competition: I didn't realize how quickly and on the spot you have to think and come up with ideas. For me, cooking is more a process of trying out things and thinking about it. You can never prepare yourself for the actual game. It was hard being in my hometown. I mean we would go on challenges and be four blocks from my apartment.

I was so close to my bed and my real life, but I couldn't just walk those blocks and go sleep in my bed. It was very hard. Knowing I'm so close to home, but I can't go there or talk to anyone.

On her relationship with Hosea: There's not much to say. We hung out all the time. We kissed on TV, but there was really not much more to it. We are actually just really good friends. He was my support on the show. Everyone paired off into cliques and friendships formed. There were certain people that you would go to and I would go to him. Since we are of the opposite sex, there will be always be an element of flirtation to the relationship. But, no we aren't and weren't romantic.

On Bravo's portrayal of her: It was not good. I kind of stopped watching the show. I didn't really like the way they made me look like this girl who was throwing myself on Hosea. That's not how it went down. That whole portrayal of our relationship - I didn't think it was accurate at all. It was a story line. For the most part I acted like I would in real life. People who know me, know how I am. People who know me through the show, can think what they want. Not everyone is going to like you and not everyone is going to dislike you. I signed up for the show, so I signed up for them to portray me any way they wanted to.

On giving up: Towards the end, I just did not want to be there. I was over it. I was stressed out. Doing each challenge wears you down. It takes a toll on you. I just didn't feel like participating. I regret not giving it 100 percent, but you live and learn that's part of the game. It's designed to wear you down and unfortunately I couldn't handle it.

On the judges: There is very little interaction. The only that we do have is during judges table. I think Gail is awesome. She was really nice and really critiqued you in a positive way. I didn't like Toby Young. He was there to try and bring his English wit and I didn't get. I didn't think he was witty or funny. I respect Tom a lot. He obviously knows a lot about food. Padma is Padma. I don't have anything nice to say, so I'm not going to say anything at all. We had the most interaction with her. As far as caring about us as people, she didn't care. Whereas Tom and Gail looked at us as people, not as contestants. They were there to help us as chefs. Padma didn't invest any time in us, but that's not her job. She is the host. She is there to be pretty.

On who will win: Hosea or Stefan. Ah, Stefan. It's really funny because everyone thinks he is this arrogant asshole, but he has 23 years experience. He has a career. He's a very successful caterer in LA. He knows what he wants. He knows how to get it done. He is really a nice guy.

On her future: I wanted to move to Hong Kong. I wanted to move to Spain, but as far as right now, I am staying in New York at my restaurant. I would like to travel. It's the best way to grow as a chef and as a person, but I will be in New York for at least another year.

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Top Chef Quiz: The Last New York Supper

partysugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:15:57 -0800

Last night's Top Chef was the final episode filmed in New York City. The remaining five cheftestants created glorified egg dishes and cooked for the culinary elite. Famed French chef Jacques Pepin was the guest judge. Did you watch? More importantly, how well did you pay attention? Find out now when you take my quiz.

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