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In the Kitchen With Ryan Scott

partysugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:15:39 -0700

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity of going into the kitchen at San Francisco's Mission Beach Cafe. Chef Ryan Scott, a competitor on this season's Top Chef, invited me in for a crouton cooking lesson. The friendly, good-looking chef told me about his re-creation of the menu and his hopes to build the restaurant's status. With his TC experience behind him, Scott is busy focusing on cooking and making culinary appearances.
His delicious food is comforting yet sophisticated, familiar yet complex. If you're in the Bay Area, I highly recommend checking out the cafe. His homemade croutons (found in everything from soups to salads) are the best I've ever tasted. If you aren't in the area, bring a little bit of Ryan into your home with this amazing crouton recipe.
Instead of writing out the recipe, Scott, a hands on chef, preferred to teach me personally how to make them. To go behind the scenes and learn how to make Chef Scott's scrumptious croutons, take a look at our exclusive video, and

Is Top Chef's Lisa More Likable Now?

partysugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:15:17 -0700

In an attempt to make herself more likable, Lisa Fernandes, the Top Chef runner-up who everyone loves to hate, has made her first cooking video for Time Out New York. Sporting her fabulously boyish haircut, Lisa takes viewers inside the kitchen of the New York City restaurant where she works, Mai House. She promises to teach us how to make an entire Asian meal, complete with five dishes, for less than $20.

Although she's a little cold to the camera, I can't help but admire her culinary expertise, cooking technique, and confidence despite what others may think. What do you think? Watch the video below and let me know, is Lisa more likable now outside of the competition?

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Top Recipes From Top Chef 4

YumSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:00:59 -0700

The just-ended season four of Top Chef was one of my favorites so far — not just because a female chef finally won (go Stephanie!) but also because I found myself wanting to make more of the recipes than ever before. I've rounded up some of my favorites from this season's challenges; to check out my picks, just click "start," then tell me which dishes you most want to try.

Top Chef Quiz: Cheftestant Reunion

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:15:34 -0700

All season I've been asking if you pay attention to Top Chef. Each week I expect you to score well on our quizzes, and this week is no exception. So did you check out last night's reunion special? How well did you watch? Find out and take our quiz!

Photo courtesy of Bravo.

Let's Dish: Top Chef Season 4 Reunion

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:47:31 -0700

Well folks with last night's reunion show, the fourth season of Top Chef has finally come to a close. What did you think of the reunion? Check out all of my questions and thoughts, and let us know what you thought of the special, as well as the whole season! All you have to do is,

Top Chef Winner Stephanie Izard Keeps It Real

YumSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:00:46 -0700

I know you all were as excited as I was to see Stephanie Izard become the first female to win Top Chef. Congratulations, Stephanie!

Over the course of the show, the Chicago-based chef, 31, kept her cool while churning out creative and comforting dishes. After the finale, I was delighted to get to speak to Stephanie about her favorite parts of being on the show, how her life has changed, and what she's cooking up next. To read what Stephanie had to say,

Oh Hey, Lisa Fernandes Doesn't Really Hate on Bloggers

YumSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:30:04 -0700

Love her or hate her — and I have a feeling I know where most of you stand on this one — Lisa Fernandes is a passionate chef. She showed that her fiery personality and kitchen skills could put her on the path to becoming a Top Chef. Unfortunately for her, she fell just short and had to settle for a runner-up prize.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Lisa. We spoke about bloggers, her bad reputation, and things she would have done differently. Is she rude, or was she just portrayed that way? Find out when you

Top Chef's Richard Blais Waves Goodbye

YumSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 08:01:51 -0700

I've been rooting for Top Chef's Richard Blais ever since we interviewed him back in March. Of course, I was psyched that Stephanie won, but Richard definitely wowed me this season with his clever and cheeky approach to cooking.

Watching Wednesday's season finale, I was shocked when Richard told the judges he "choked" in the last challenge. Thankfully, I had the honor of interviewing him again yesterday and got to hear all about what was going through his head. To read what he had to say about the finale, his fauxhawk, and his next restaurant,

Top Chef Quiz: That's a Wrap

YumSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:15:24 -0700

Well the latest season of Top Chef has finally come to a close. We've seen a bunch of amazing folks pack their knives and go, and we saw one person get crowned the new winner. Were you watching? Find out how closely you've been paying attention when you take our quiz.

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.14 — In It for the Win

YumSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:03:33 -0700

Alright folks, let's just get down to it. Top Chef Season 4 has drawn to a close, and we now have a new chef to join Harold, Ilan, and Hung. What did you think of this season? Are you happy with the outcome? Spoilers after the jump. Tell us all your thoughts in the comments! Answer my questions when you,

Who Do You Want to Win Top Chef?

partysugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:15:29 -0700

Source

Who Do You Want to Win Top Chef?

Stephanie

Richard

Lisa

Chefs Get Glamourous For Bravo's A-List Awards

partysugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:00:46 -0700

On Wednesday night, Bravo hosted their first-ever award show, the "A-List Awards" honoring those who have made a significant impact on the arts — beauty, design, fashion, food, pop culture — that are featured on the network's shows. Although the awards won't be televised until June 12, you're in luck because I have a sneak peek! Along with the judges Tom Collichio, Padma Lakshimi, Gale Simmons, and Ted Allen, the majority of this season's Top Chef contestants and some from seasons past were present at the event. This award show was hosted by Kathy Griffin who gave awards to the "A-List Chef" and "A-List Restaurant," but as far as I'm concerned, the highlight was seeing the chefs out of the kitchen and on the red carpet!

To take a closer look at the chefs including Daniel Boulud, Jose Andres, Rocco DiSpirito, Brian Malarkey, Dale Levistsky, Dana Corwin, and all of your faves from Top Chef Season 4 —

Girl Talk With Top Chef Antonia Lofaso

YumSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:00:08 -0700

On this week's Top Chef, we saw final-four contestant Antonia Lofaso leave Puerto Rico. When I spoke to her yesterday, she was in New York lunching with fellow finalist Stephanie. The two chefs were in town for Bravo's A-List Awards, and Antonia was nice enough to take a break from her meal of gnocchi and sweetbreads to chat about her time on the show.

Antonia isn't just a Top Chef contestant; she's also a fan who has watched the series since the first season. To hear how her experience compared to what she'd seen on TV and find out what her 8-year-old daughter thought of it all,

Top Chef Quiz: Pigging Out

YumSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:15:59 -0700

There's one last episode between us and the discovery of this season's Top Chef. It's been a roller coaster of a season, and I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would. Have you been watching? Did you see last night's episode? Take our quiz and see how well you were paying attention.

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.13 — Going Whole Hog

YumSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:02:33 -0700

In the first half of this season's finale, we went from four Top Chef contestants, to three. It was a real treat of a challenge with loads of fresh Puerto Rican produce, and some high stakes drama. It was a fun watch, but the end might not please a lot of you, so let's start talking about it. Did you watch? Tell us what you thought in the comments! To check out my talking points,

Spike Mendelsohn Tips His Hat to Top Chef

YumSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:00:23 -0700

Spike Mendelsohn showed off some seriously sharp butchering skills on this week's episode of Top Chef. But in the end, he failed to make the cut for the final four.

He's certainly been one of the more colorful chefs this season, so I was excited to chat with Spike yesterday about the whole frozen scallops incident, the recent rumors about his job, and his affinity for fedoras. Oh, and in case you're curious, the 27-year-old chef is currently single. For all the juicy details on Spike,

Top Chef Quiz: Raising the Steaks

YumSugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:15:55 -0700

The latest episode of Top Chef has brought us down to the final four. Yet before that happened there was one final challenge and a lot of steaks. Were you paying close attention? Find out when you take our quiz.

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.12 — Off to the Butchers

YumSugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 01:18:57 -0700

After last night's Top Chef we are finally down to the final four. However before we can head to Puerto Rico, we have to chat about the final elimination. Unlike some of the previous challenges, I was really excited to see the chefs in the kitchen. Watching them work in their natural environment was refreshing and fun, and seeing Chef Tom come help them was also exciting. So what did you think of it? Find out what I have to ask when you

Come Holler at Top Chef's Dale Talde

YumSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:00:46 -0700

A lot of you were disappointed with the outcome of last night's Top Chef. While you were thrilled to see restaurant wars return, you weren't all ready to say goodbye to Dale Talde. The frustrating interaction between Lisa and him may have ended on the screen, but that doesn't mean Dale likes the gal. I spoke with Dale yesterday and there's no love lost between them, there just was never any to begin with. To read what he had to say about his time on Top Chef, and what he's working on next, just

Top Chef Quiz: The Battle of the Restaurants

YumSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:15:22 -0700

Last night's restaurant wars episode was a fun return of an old favorite. We got to watch the cheftestants flip eggs and set up their own restaurants. You may know who packed their knives and who won a trip to Spain, but what else do you know? Were you paying attention? Find out when you take our quiz!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.11 — The War Is On!

YumSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 02:48:11 -0700

I'd been waiting for last night's Top Chef all season long. Restaurant wars is definitely one of my favorite challenges, and the latest incarnation didn't disappoint. There was drama, cheesy decor, botched meals, and chefs all dressed up. Were you watching? What did you think of the outcome? To find out what I thought,

Yummy Link: Spike and Lisa Swap Jobs

partysugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:05:00 -0700

In a surprising turn of events, Spike from this season's Top Chef was recently fired from his day job at New York City's Mai House. Who will replace him? None other than his competitor and TC resident villain Lisa. — Eater

Waking Up With Top Chef's Andrew D'Ambrosi

YumSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:00:45 -0700

Yesterday morning, I got up pretty early to chat with outgoing Top Chef contestant Andrew D'Ambrosi. Just like the last time I chatted with him, he was delightful, fun, and full of energy. I wasn't fully awake yet, but talking to Andrew was like getting a shot of adrenaline. I went from nearly asleep to wide awake as I tried to keep up with everything he was saying.

I know a lot of your were rooting for him — he's got words for those of you who were! — and those that weren't, you have to admit he was enjoyable to watch right? To find out what we chatted about,

Top Chef Quiz: Lighten Up

YumSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:31:02 -0700

This season Top Chef really takes us into the catering world. This time the contestants had to make light and healthy box lunches for Chicago's finest. You may have caught who won and lost, but did you catch the details? Find out when you take our quiz!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.10 — Light n' Healthy

YumSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 03:01:33 -0700

This week's Top Chef took another turn towards the catering when the cheftestants had to cook for the folks at the Chicago Policy Academy. In the end we traded in last week's wedding wars for lunchbox wars. We also got a nice dose of against the grain drama. Did you watch? What did you think? Check out my thoughts and tell me yours when you

Back Off Bloggers, Nikki Cascone Doesn't Want to Fight

YumSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:16:00 -0700

Say what you will about Nikki Cascone, the girl has got heart. She was the latest chef to leave the Top Chef kitchen, but you've not heard the last of her. With one successful restaurant under her belt, she's got another one in the works, as well as a line of service hospitality wear on the way.

If you're wondering what she thought of her time on Top Chef, and more importantly, what she thought about all the comments on the internet, then you're in luck. I got to chat with her yesterday morning, and while she was a bit defensive — did you know her cooking style isn't rustic Italian? — she was definitely lovely. To hear what she had to say,

Top Chef Quiz: Wedding Season

YumSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:32:29 -0700

This year Top Chef caught the wedding bug, and forced the cheftestants to stay up all night. There was a lot of emotion, and a lot of hard work. It was a fun episode to watch — although I still missed restaurant wars — but were you paying close attention? Find out when you take our quiz!

Photos courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.9 — Wedding Wars

YumSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:01:33 -0700

Now that the super-sized wedding themed episode of Top Chef is over — hope your TiVo didn't cut it off! — I want to know what you thought of it. Were you excited by the wedding wars? How about the relay? What about all the drama at the end? Let's dish all about it when you

Mark Simmons Monotonously Packs His Knives and Goes

YumSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 07:14:28 -0700

On the last episode of Top Chef, we said farewell to Mark Simmons. All of his midnight musical serenades and bubble bath hi-jinks couldn't convince the judges to keep him there.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to engage in a funny conversation in which Mark told me what he's been up to and what he thought of the whole process. He's not bitter, but he's not rooting for anyone, only himself. To find out what he had to say,

Top Chef Quiz: Caring About Young Folks

YumSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:30:40 -0700

We learned who had the knowledge to create a delicious meal fit for a family, and we got to see some adorable sous-chefs help out with the whole process. I had a lot of fun watching it, but had even more fun coming up with the quiz questions. Were you paying attention? Find out when you take our Top Chef quiz!

Photos courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.8 — Helping Hands

YumSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 02:57:33 -0700

It was a fun time at the Top Chef kitchens last night. The cheftestants got some helping hands from a bunch of extraordinary kids, and proved they could put together a healthy, but delicious meal. Did you watch? What did you think of the episode? There were some funny moments and I've got a full list of things to discuss. Ready to dish? Just,

What Does Jen Biesty Have to Say About Top Chef?

YumSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:28:31 -0700

This week we bid farewell to the final San Francisco-based Top Chef candidate, and while it was a bit of a shock — many of you thought Jen's recent departure from Top Chef was a bit untimely — it was definitely a fun episode. The stakes are high, and there's no room for error. Yesterday I got to sit down and chat with Jen Biesty and found out what she thought of her elimination, her fellow contestants, and her new upcoming restaurant. To see what she had to say,

Top Chef Quiz: Improv Skills

YumSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:33:18 -0700

We discovered who had the chops to improv in the kitchen, and we endured more than one ridiculous sexual innuendo, but what else did we learn? Were you paying attention to the latest episode of Top Chef? If you think you were, take our quiz and find out!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.7 — Improv

YumSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:43:19 -0700

What did you guys think of the latest episode of Top Chef? I thought it was a fun challenge, with a lot of interesting twists along the way. Incorporating Chicago's Second City Improv group was an intriguing way to liven up the challenge. In fact, I thought it was so much fun, I didn't even mind that it was a team challenge instead of a solo challenge. What did you think of it? I've got my usual full list of things to discuss, so let's dish! Get started, just

Is the Food Television Industry Too Cheesy?

partysugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:43:33 -0700

In what is becoming a disturbing trend, more and more celebrity chefs are hamming it up on screen and being made to look like cartoon characters. Take the beginning of Hell's Kitchen, for example. The cheftestants frolic around stupidly: one throws a giant animated tomato, another catches the tomato, and yet another slices the tomato in half with a larger-than-life animated knife. Clearly these scenes were filmed on a green screen.

Rotoscoping — the film technique in which live action is mixed with animation — can also be scene in the opening credits of Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals. In it, Ray spins and sits on a colossal clock. The Rescue Chef — another Food Network show starting Danny Boome — is oozing with cheese. Even Bravo has jumped on the bandwagon with the super-cheesy portrait photos of the Season 4 Top Chef contestants.

Am I the only one whose noticed and is bothered by this trend? What do you think? Has food television becoming too cheesy?

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Is Ryan Scott Ready for Some Football?

YumSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:28:33 -0700

Some of you are lamenting the fact that San Francisco's Ryan Scott had to leave the competition already, while others are glad to see him gone. I was actually bummed to see him leave already, I think he's a really fun guy, and besides, it was tough to see another San Franciscan say farewell. Yet, no matter what you think of the guy, he's quite charming and is a lot of fun. We had a chance to speak with him yesterday afternoon. He chatted about football, future plans and putting himself up for auction. To find out what he had to say,

Top Chef Quiz: Tailgating Chefs

YumSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:03:19 -0700

We've discussed the ups and downs of last night's Top Chef, but now it's time to see if you were paying attention. Do you know how many beers there were and how much they had to spend? To find out the answer to these questions and more, take our weekly Top Chef quiz!

Photos courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.6 — Tailgaters

YumSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:37:19 -0700

The latest episode of Top Chef had our favorite cheftestants hanging out at Chicago's Soldier Field. There they threw a huge tailgating party for loads of fans and former Bears team members. It was nice to see them finally doing a solo challenge; as much as I loved the group challenges, I was a bit over them. So what did you think? Did you agree with who should've gone home? Tell us what you had to say, plus check out my questions on the episode, just

Dishing with Zoi From Top Chef

YumSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:45:39 -0700

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to talk to Zoi, the latest Top Chef cheftestant to pack her knives and go. She was one-half of the San Francisco couple — the other half being Jen — and was sent home because of some under-flavored — or was that over-flavored — mushrooms. To find out what she had to say about everyone's angry outbursts and what she's up to these days, then

Top Chef Quiz: One With the Elements

YumSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:23:31 -0700

You've discussed the winners and losers of last night's Top Chef, but now it's time to see how well you were paying attention. Do you know which contestants were on which team, or how many ingredients they accurately tasted? To find out take our weekly quiz!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.5 — Out of Their Elements

YumSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:01:51 -0700

So what did you think of the latest episode of Top Chef? Were you — based on the commercials and previews — expecting a bit more drama? I was. Yet, it was still a fun episode, and interesting to see chefs who had been so successful make mistakes. I've got a bunch of thoughts on the episode and would love to hear what you thought of it all, so let's dish! Just,

Good Morning Manuel — A Chat with the Eliminated Chef

YumSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 08:27:11 -0700

On the last episode of Top Chef, Manuel Trevino had to pack his knives and go. I had a chance to chat with Manuel yesterday and I asked him about his time on the show, and what it was like to say goodbye. To learn more about Manuel and find out what he had to say,

Top Chef Quiz: Dinner and a Movie

YumSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:18:51 -0700

You may know who went home, and who took home the win on last night's Top Chef, but what else do you know? Do you know what Daniel Boulud's favorite movie is? How about the cost of a summer roll at a neighborhood restaurant? To tell us the answers — or learn the answers — to these questions and more, take our weekly Top Chef quiz!

Photos courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.4 — Movie Night

YumSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:01:39 -0700

What did you think of last night's Top Chef? I was a little bit disappointed that they were working in pairs instead of as individuals, but I guess that's better than in groups. I also really enjoyed the movie theme and thought that was a fun idea. How about you, what were your fave and least fave parts of the episode? Answer those and my other questions, plus check out a gallery of images from the episode, just

Erik Hopfinger Top Chef? No, Try Pirate Chef Instead

YumSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 06:29:11 -0700

He's learned that soggy corndogs won't get you too far, but chef Erik Hopfinger has no regrets. We chatted with Erik yesterday afternoon and asked him about his experience on Top Chef and what it was like to have his food torn apart by the judges. We also discovered what the self-proclaimed Pirate Chef has up his sleeve, as well as his thoughts on high-end Mexican cuisine. To find out what he had to say,

Top Chef Quiz: Block Partay!

YumSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:28:31 -0700

Last night's episode of Top Chef was definitely a fun one. The chefs broke into two teams to create food for a block party. Even though I was a bit bummed to have another group challenge, it was neat to watch them cook for a crowd.

Did you watch? Each week we'll find out just how much you've been paying attention. Think you know your stuff, then take our quiz!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.3 — Let's Have a Party!

YumSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:01:31 -0700

In the latest episode of Top Chef, the cheftestants found themselves cooking up a feast for a suburban Chicago block party. They went "shopping" in the pantries of the locals, and were divided up in teams to do so. Both the red and the blue didn't fare so well, and I admit, it was pretty compelling watching them make mistakes and drink beers. I've got a list of questions to address — warning spoilers after the jump! — so read through them and tell us what you thought about this episode. Join the discussion, just

Sophisticated Bite-Sized Banana Bread

partysugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:13:31 -0700

Normally when I watch Top Chef, I imagine eating the dishes, but never think about making them. Maybe it's because I consider myself more of a Padma than a top chef, or maybe it's because the dishes always seem so complicated. Either way, it came as a surprise last week when — for the first time — I thought, OMG I have to make that.

The dish that I'm dying to make is Stephanie's banana bread. She said it was her mom's recipe, but she must have jazzed it up for the competition. I love how the bite-sized treat is garnished with a pretty banana slice. I'm planning on experimenting with the recipe — wouldn't these be amazing served at a brunch? — and thought maybe some of you would be interested in checking it out as well. Get the recipe, just

Valerie Bolon Says Bye-Bye Blinis!

YumSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:03:51 -0700

Wednesday night we watched as the second cheftestant left the Top Chef house. And while Valerie Bolon may never look at blinis the same, she was able to look back and cherish the time she spent on the show. Yesterday afternoon I got to speak with her about her experience. To see what she had to say, including her pick for the win and who she would like to see leave,

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.2 — Animal Instincts

YumSugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:01:41 -0700

Last night the Top Chef cheftestants spent the night at the zoo. You've taken the quiz and now it's time to discuss. Was this episode as good as last week's? I've got a list of questions to dish out after the jump — warning there are spoilers! — so read through them and tell us what you think. To join the discussion, just