An interesting article:
Veltri's inferno? New Smyrna chef takes on Gordon RamsayNew Smyrna Beach chef Danny Veltri is using seven words he never thought would come out of his mouth: "You'll have to talk to my publicist."
"Everytime I say it, it sounds strange," says the executive chef at Flip Flops Grill & Chill at 103 S. Pine Street, just off New Smyrna's Flagler Avenue. But since he jumped into the fire of Fox's Hell's Kitchen, Veltri, 24, is happily getting used to it.
Contract agreements keep him from revealing details of his experiences with uber-chef Gordon Ramsay and the other 15 contestants while competing for a grand prize of a head chef position at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J. But Veltri did tell me he plans to make the most of the exposure to boost his career.
"From what I can tell, not everyone has used the experience to springboard their careers," this Sarasota native says confidently.
In fact, his assured tone made me think Veltri held his own with the take-no-prisoners Ramsay. If you read Veltri's bio on the Fox Web site, you learn this avid outdoorsman, who graduated from the Sarasota County Technical Institute, is focused on his profession.
I recently ate at Flip Flops, and while the restaurant name may sound like just another sandy beachside eatery, it is anything but. With appetizers such as eggplant caprese and fresh fish crowned with salsas and sauces layered with bold flavors, this little restaurant is quickly making a name for itself. I was pleasantly surprised and look forward to returning there soon.
For those who have managed to dodge the reality-show bandwagon (and on some level, I salute you for doing so), Hell's Kitchen follows participants' efforts to get the attention of the explosive, caustic Ramsay in hopes of landing a culinary dream job.
Bravo's Top Chef can be grueling, but criticism on that show is largely constructive.
I'd wager the devil himself would cower at one of Ramsay's core-stripping, mind-melding tirades. Wait a minute. The devil and Ramsay have never photographed together. Hmmmm.
So how does Veltri fare in the competition?
He knows, but he's under contract and can't spill that pot of beans. When asked, it gives him another chance to tell a reporter: "You'll have to talk to my publicist." And that's not a bad way to start a young career.
Even Veltri hasn't see the final edit. He'll see how he's portrayed along with all of us when season five premieres at 9 p.m. on Jan. 29.
By the way, Flip Flops is having a Hell's Kitchen premiere party, call 386-424-0161 for more information.
World-class competition with local connection. On Sunday and Monday, Rosen Shingle Creek's Executive Pastry Chef David Ramirez will lead a team of American pastry chefs in the quest for top honors at the world's most prestigious international pastry competition, the 11th Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie, or World Pastry Cup, in Lyon, France.
Link to the article: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/food/orl-heather2109jan21,0,6910129.column