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Top Chef Masters Season 2
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I owe this thread some recaps. Maybe sometime this week.
The creator of Top Chef Masters, lurking in the background of the show but not often on camera, is Tom Colicchio. He just was named the James Beard Foundation Award winner for the nation's best chef in 2010. Here is the Washington Post article by J.M. of the Associated Press:
Top Chef' judge Colicchio named top chef for 2010
-- "Top Chef" judge Tom Colicchio passed a quickfire challenge of his own Monday when he was named the nation's top chef by the James Beard Foundation.
Colicchio, whose numerous restaurants include Craft, Craftsteak and the recently opened Colicchio & Sons in New York, was named outstanding chef during an awards ceremony that is considered the Oscars of the food world. It's an honor for which he'd been a finalist seven other times since 2002, the same year the organization named Craft the nation's best new restaurant.
Though Colicchio drew many accolades early in his career, he rose to prominence in 1994 when he and partner Danny Meyer opened Gramercy Tavern, which earned Colicchio three stars from The New York Times and several Beard awards, including best chef in New York City in 2000 and outstanding restaurant service in 2001.
Colicchio's cookbook, "Think Like a Chef," earned him a Beard cookbook award in 2001. More recently, he's become known for his role as the lead judge on the Bravo television series, "Top Chef."
The award for outstanding restaurant went to an equally epic name - Daniel Boulud's Daniel restaurant in New York, one of only a handful to get four stars from The New York Times. Boulud, who has restaurants around the world and is known for his contemporary French cuisine, has won multiple previous Beard awards, including best restaurant service for Daniel in 2009 and outstanding chef in 1994.
The James Beard awards honor those who follow in the footsteps of Beard, considered the dean of American cooking when he died in 1985. The awards ceremony was held in New York, where the Beard Foundation is based.
This year's outstanding service award went to Chicago's Alinea, where chef-owner Grant Achatz is known for his ultramodern, often deconstructionist approach to cooking. He is considered at the forefront of the so-called molecular gastronomy movement. Achatz received the Beard Foundation's outstanding chef award in 2008.
The outstanding restaurateur award went to Keith McNally, whose New York restaurants include Balthazar, Minetta Tavern and Pastis. Best new restaurant went to chef Michael White's Marea, which serves the seafood-rich cuisines of Italy's coastal regions.
Rising star chef of the year went to Timothy Hollingsworth at Yountville, Calif.'s much-lauded The French Laundry.
The Beard Foundation also named its top regional chefs around the country, including Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park for New York City (considered a separate region) and Clark Frasier and Mark Gaier of Arrows in Ogunquit, Maine, for the Northeast.
Other regional winners were: Koren Grieveson of Avec in Chicago (Great Lakes region); Jeff Michaud of Osteria in Philadelphia (Mid-Atlantic); Alexander Roberts of Restaurant Alma in Minneapolis (Midwest); Jason Wilson of Crush in Seattle (Northwest); David Kinch of Manresa in Los Gatos, Calif. (Pacific); Michael Schwartz of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink in Miami (South); Sean Brock of McCrady's in Charleston, S.C. (Southeast); and Claude Le Tohic of Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas (Southwest).
The organization's Lifetime Achievement award went to Ariane and Michael Batterberry, the founders of Food & Wine and Food Arts magazines.
apskip:
TCM2, ep.3 Pub Food
The chefs competing in this episode are all Top Chef Masters losers who were eliminated but quite close to those moving on. During this entire episode the love/hate relationship between Rick Moonen and Ludo Lefebvre is on display before the cameras. Rick is usually getting the better of their exchanges, which occur because Ludo is a constant whiner and complainer.
The Quickfire was a classic from season 2 episode 4, pairing beverages with specific dishes by creating dishes to go specifically with a given Stolichnaya cocktail. The cocktails selected and dishes created and presented were:
Graham Elliott Bowles – - Coriander Mule; Crudo of Black Cod w/ Edamame and Red Onion Salad
Jonathon Waxman – Lemongrass Mojito; Pork Tenderloin and Poblano Stuffed Shrimp w/ Avocado Butter
Ludo Lefebvre - Nutmeg Apple Mojito; Roasted Pork Chop w/ Rosemary, Thyme and Garlic
Mark - Ginger Figgle; Mussel Custard with Kaffir Lime and figs
Rick Moonen - Forest Fruits; Cream Biscuit Berry Shortcake
Wylie Dufresne - Russian Tea Room; Arctic Char with Lentils, Bacon, Crispy Potatoes and Lemon Yogurt
Jonathon went with small bite-sized portions and was done 20 minutes (out of 45 minutes for this task) before everyone else. The judges for this Quickfire were The Real Housewives of Orange County's Alexis Bellino, Tamra Barney and Lynne Curtin, along with critic Gael Greene. Jonathon Waxman’s dish was rated 5 star and all the rest 4 star.
The Elimination Challenge was to create exceptional dishes that are derivations of those typically found in English pubs. Dishes were assigned by random knife draw. The chefs have 32 hours to prep and then show up the next day at Tom Durgin’s Irish Pub, where the kitchen is tiny. Mark is having trouble with the oven, so he cranked up the temperature and ended up ruining his Yorkshire Pudding. The dishes presented were:
Graham Elliott Bowles – Free Form Steak and Kidney Pie, Roasted Beef Tenderloan, Chanterelle Puree and Bacon-Kidney Vinaigrette
Jonathon Waxman - Shepherds Pie with Lamb, Mashed Potatoes and Parmesan Cheese
Ludo Lefebvre - Beef Tenderloin w/ Confit of Potatoes and Clarified Butter, Roasted Peanut Miso and Caramel of Guinness (for his assigned Irish Stew???)
Mark Peel - Toad in the Hole w/ Seafood Sausage, Onion Sauce, Lobster Broth and Mustard Greens
Rick Moonen - Chicken Fried Sable Fish w/ Lemon Confit Tartar Sauce, Twice Fried Potatoes and Fennel Slaw
Wylie Dufresne - Bangers, Smoked Mashed Potatoes, Onion Jus and Snow Peas
The Elimination Challenge diners were customers from that pub. The evaluations for the master chefs were:
Gail Gael JR Diners Total
Graham 3 3.5 2.5 4.5 13.5
Jonathon 4.5 5 4.5 4.5 18.5
Ludo 3 3 3 2 11
Mark 2.5 3 3 1 9.5
Rick 4 4 4 4 16
Wylie 3.5 4 3.5 3.5 14.5
The winners were Jonathon Waxman with his take on shepherd’s Pie.Rick Moonen’s Fish and Chips took second, so both move on to the Champions Round. Waxman won a total of $15k for CityMealsOnWheels.
apskip:
TCM2, ep. 4 “Modern Family” Cast and Crew Meal
The Quickfire was a repeat of a classic one from Top Chef Season 2, episode 4, using knife skills to present fruit in a particularly appealing way. The dishes were:
Debbie Gold – pecan tempura stuffed w/ cranberries fig with persimmon and tangerine
Jody Adams – fig and walnut tart w/ pomegranate syrup and zabaglione (wow!)
Maria Hines - apple soup, grilled fig, fresh berries in a berry mousse
Rick Tramonto – herb and fruit shooters spilling out of a Versace cup and a card which reads “Take care of each other,” as well as apparently individual blessings for each critic
Susur Lee – fruit plate blackberry ravioli and Thai basi
This is a high-stakes Quickfire, so the winner goes automatically to the Champions Round, leaving only one other spot for the remaining 4 master chefs to compete for. The judges are Gail Simmons and renowned food photographer Stephen Hamilton. The scores are: Debbie 3.5, Maria 3, Susur 2.5, Jody 4, Rick 3.5. so it’s Jody picking up $5k for Partners in Health.
The Elimination challenge was based on modernizing the family meal. The master chefs visit Whole Foods first to spend $350 on ingredients. They have four hours to prep and cook Top Chef Masters kitchen before they serve the 125 members of the cast and crew of Modern Family on their studio lot buffet style. We learn that Susur walks around the kitchen with no shoes on. Susur says being a chef is like being a ninja: You have to be quick, and have to be free. “I feel like I’m a kung fu master.”
The dishes presented are:
Debbie Gold – “Pork chops and Apple Sauce” - Glazed Pork Loin with Apple Butter and Winter Squash Slaw, sauce of honey, ginger, garlic, lime, thyme, sage, soy and veal stock
Maria Hines – “Salmon with Mediterranean Flavors” - Sockeye Salmon w/ Sumac, Lemon, Paprika Potatoes and French Beans with Almond Milk
Jody Adams - Braised Chicken Thighs seared in oil w/ smoked paprika, anchovies, leeks, carrots, celery, chicken stock, and mushrooms, Semolina Gnocchi, Herb Salad
Rick Tramonto – “Gloria’s Greens and Beans” in honor of his mother - Truffled White Beans w/ Escarole and Grilled Sausage
Susur Lee – “Southeast Asian comfort food” - Roasted Chicken and Farce Curry w/ Polenta and Grits, Tomato Jam, Chili Mint Chutney
The diners were the cast and crew of “Modern Family”. One telling comment from one of them starts a debate about Jody’s dish: “which is the chicken and which the mushroom?” which makes it unlikely that she will win this. The judges’ evaluations were:
Gail Gael JR Diners Total
Debbie Gold 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 10.5
Maria Hines 3.5 3.5 3 3.5 13.5
Jody Adams 3.5 3.5 3.5 4 14.5
Rick Tramonto 4 3 3 3 13
Susur Lee 5 5 5 4.5 19.5
The winner is Susur Lee, who moves on to the Champions Round along with Jody Adams. All the others are eliminated. Susur got the highest score ever awarded by the Top Chef Masters judges. He won $10k for the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education.
apskip:
TCM2, ep.3 Pub Food
The chefs competing in this episode are all Top Chef Masters losers who were eliminated but quite close to those moving on. During this entire episode the love/hate relationship between Rick Moonen and Ludo Lefebvre is on display before the cameras. Rick is usually getting the better of their exchanges, which occur because Ludo is a constant whiner and complainer.
The Quickfire was a classic from season 2 episode 4, pairing beverages with specific dishes by creating dishes to go specifically with a given Stolichnaya cocktail. The cocktails selected and dishes created and presented were:
Graham Elliott Bowles – - Coriander Mule; Crudo of Black Cod w/ Edamame and Red Onion Salad
Jonathon Waxman – Lemongrass Mojito; Pork Tenderloin and Poblano Stuffed Shrimp w/ Avocado Butter
Ludo Lefebvre - Nutmeg Apple Mojito; Roasted Pork Chop w/ Rosemary, Thyme and Garlic
Mark - Ginger Figgle; Mussel Custard with Kaffir Lime and figs
Rick Moonen - Forest Fruits; Cream Biscuit Berry Shortcake
Wylie Dufresne - Russian Tea Room; Arctic Char with Lentils, Bacon, Crispy Potatoes and Lemon Yogurt
Jonathon went with small bite-sized portions and was done 20 minutes (out of 45 minutes for this task) before everyone else. The judges for this Quickfire were The Real Housewives of Orange County's Alexis Bellino, Tamra Barney and Lynne Curtin, along with critic Gael Greene. Jonathon Waxman’s dish was rated 5 star and all the rest 4 star.
The Elimination Challenge was to create exceptional dishes that are derivations of those typically found in English pubs. Dishes were assigned by random knife draw. The chefs have 32 hours to prep and then show up the next day at Tom Durgin’s Irish Pub, where the kitchen is tiny. Mark is having trouble with the oven, so he cranked up the temperature and ended up ruining his Yorkshire Pudding. The dishes presented were:
Graham Elliott Bowles – Free Form Steak and Kidney Pie, Roasted Beef Tenderloan, Chanterelle Puree and Bacon-Kidney Vinaigrette
Jonathon Waxman - Shepherds Pie with Lamb, Mashed Potatoes and Parmesan Cheese
Ludo Lefebvre - Beef Tenderloin w/ Confit of Potatoes and Clarified Butter, Roasted Peanut Miso and Caramel of Guinness (for his assigned Irish Stew???)
Mark Peel - Toad in the Hole w/ Seafood Sausage, Onion Sauce, Lobster Broth and Mustard Greens
Rick Moonen - Chicken Fried Sable Fish w/ Lemon Confit Tartar Sauce, Twice Fried Potatoes and Fennel Slaw
Wylie Dufresne - Bangers, Smoked Mashed Potatoes, Onion Jus and Snow Peas
The Elimination Challenge diners were customers from that pub. The evaluations for the master chefs were:
Gail Gael JR Diners Total
Graham 3 3.5 2.5 4.5 13.5
Jonathon 4.5 5 4.5 4.5 18.5
Ludo 3 3 3 2 11
Mark 2.5 3 3 1 9.5
Rick 4 4 4 4 16
Wylie 3.5 4 3.5 3.5 14.5
The winners were Jonathon Waxman with his take on shepherd’s Pie.Rick Moonen’s Fish and Chips took second, so both move on to the Champions Round. Waxman won a total of $15k for CityMealsOnWheels.
apskip:
TCM2, ep. 4 “Modern Family” Cast and Crew Meal
The Quickfire was a repeat of a classic one from Top Chef Season 2, episode 4, using knife skills to present fruit in a particularly appealing way. The dishes were:
Debbie Gold – pecan tempura stuffed w/ cranberries fig with persimmon and tangerine
Jody Adams – fig and walnut tart w/ pomegranate syrup and zabaglione (wow!)
Maria Hines - apple soup, grilled fig, fresh berries in a berry mousse
Rick Tramonto – herb and fruit shooters spilling out of a Versace cup and a card which reads “Take care of each other,” as well as apparently individual blessings for each critic
Susur Lee – fruit plate blackberry ravioli and Thai basi
This is a high-stakes Quickfire, so the winner goes automatically to the Champions Round, leaving only one other spot for the remaining 4 master chefs to compete for. The judges are Gail Simmons and renowned food photographer Stephen Hamilton. The scores are: Debbie 3.5, Maria 3, Susur 2.5, Jody 4, Rick 3.5. so it’s Jody picking up $5k for Partners in Health.
The Elimination challenge was based on modernizing the family meal. The master chefs visit Whole Foods first to spend $350 on ingredients. They have four hours to prep and cook Top Chef Masters kitchen before they serve the 125 members of the cast and crew of Modern Family on their studio lot buffet style. We learn that Susur walks around the kitchen with no shoes on. Susur says being a chef is like being a ninja: You have to be quick, and have to be free. “I feel like I’m a kung fu master.”
The dishes presented are:
Debbie Gold – “Pork chops and Apple Sauce” - Glazed Pork Loin with Apple Butter and Winter Squash Slaw, sauce of honey, ginger, garlic, lime, thyme, sage, soy and veal stock
Maria Hines – “Salmon with Mediterranean Flavors” - Sockeye Salmon w/ Sumac, Lemon, Paprika Potatoes and French Beans with Almond Milk
Jody Adams - Braised Chicken Thighs seared in oil w/ smoked paprika, anchovies, leeks, carrots, celery, chicken stock, and mushrooms, Semolina Gnocchi, Herb Salad
Rick Tramonto – “Gloria’s Greens and Beans” in honor of his mother - Truffled White Beans w/ Escarole and Grilled Sausage
Susur Lee – “Southeast Asian comfort food” - Roasted Chicken and Farce Curry w/ Polenta and Grits, Tomato Jam, Chili Mint Chutney
The diners were the cast and crew of “Modern Family”. One telling comment from one of them starts a debate about Jody’s dish: “which is the chicken and which the mushroom?” which makes it unlikely that she will win this. The judges’ evaluations were:
Gail Gael JR Diners Total
Debbie Gold 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 10.5
Maria Hines 3.5 3.5 3 3.5 13.5
Jody Adams 3.5 3.5 3.5 4 14.5
Rick Tramonto 4 3 3 3 13
Susur Lee 5 5 5 4.5 19.5
The winner is Susur Lee, who moves on to the Champions Round along with Jody Adams. All the others are eliminated. Susur got the highest score ever awarded by the Top Chef Masters judges. He won $10k for the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education.
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