Top Chef Masters, a spinoff of Bravo TV’s popular Top Chef, is scheduled to premier its second season on April 7, 2010. As these things come and go, networks try to make a big deal of announcing the cast for any upcoming season of a reality TV show.
After several months of rumors, the lid was popped on this can just a short while ago. For comedic relief, I’ve included a little screen shot of a search I did on the topic. Notice how the first four search results all said “Exclusive.” HA! Okay, useless eye candy shot and all that good stuff after the jump!
While these little wandering snack shacks are noticeably absent from Atlanta’s dining scene (since the demise of Via Elisa), this is a great site for the foodie on you. [sic ] Roaming Hunger is a glorified twitter aggregator that tracks the daily location of roughly 200 trucks. It comes complete with user ratings and little tidbits about each truck.
While we were sleeping, aka – over the weekend, chef Eli Kirshtein finally confirmed months of rumors. Known outside the ATL for his recent appearance on Top Chef, he is best known around these parts as the chef at ENO (now “By Zaza”).
Now, Kirshtein has moved on from his post with intentions to take on the Big Apple. While in NYC, Kirshtein plans to work as a “guest chef” at Solo (website) under Hok Chin. I’ve always been intrigued by Solo; it’s an Asian fusion restaurantthat does things Kashrut style. As shocking as that combo may sound, it’s probably not as strange as you’d think. Like the joke goes …
According to the Jewish calendar, the year is 5770. According to the Chinese calendar, the year is 4707. This means that Jews went without Chinese food for 1,063 years. This period was known as the Dark Ages.
Back on task, Kirshtein has stated that he’s not sure how long he’ll be gone. However, he has every intention of returning to Atlanta so that he can open his own restaurant here. Say what you will about his cooking, it’ll be interesting to see what happens when and if he does return.
UPDATE: It turns out that Chin is no longer the executive chef at Solo. While restaurant will still serves kosher food, the cuisine is “American” based. Also, Kirshtein will start his gig on the 16th of January.
You could easily go your entire life and never hear the phrase “Bocuse d’Or.” However, if you spend any time in the restaurant world – you’ll inevitably come across this mysterious phrase. Bocuse d’Or is actually the name for a biennial chef contest. Named for Paul Bocuse, the 2-day cooking extravaganza is almost always likened to the Olympic Games.
Those of you who watch Top Chef probably remember the episode from a few weeks ago inspired by Bocuse. Sure enough, Atlanta’s loveable Kevin Gillespie took the challenge and earned his spot on this list. The Woodfire Grill leader will try and take down eleven other hopefuls for a chance to represent our country. Just a few minutes ago, they announced the entire list of US semi-finalists. Here they are in all their glory:
Jennifer Petrusky, Chicago, Charlie Trotter Christopher Parson, Winchester, MA Mark Lieberman, Florida James Kent, New York, Eleven Madison Park Luke Bergman, New York, the Modern Kevin Gillespie, Atlanta, Top Chef finalist Percey Watley, California Michael Klauss, Vermont Danny Circada, North Carolina Andrew Weiss, Las Vegas Jeremy Thomzac, New York, instructor at the French Culinary Institute John Rella, New York
One heck of a weekend if you ask me … lots of football, lots of food, and lots of food news. What else is there? Here are just a few of the rumblings and grumblings that got tossed around this weekend.
Top Chef: Las Vegas Reunites In The Dirty South Several of the contestants on Top Chef: Atlanta Las Vegas were seen in town this weekend. The group, comprised of ATLiens Kevin Gillespie and Eli Kirshtein, included out of towners Jennifer Carroll, Bryan Voltaggio, and Mike Isabella. The gang was spotted at the Falcons game sucking down some buzztastic grub from the new “it” barbecue joint … known round these parts as Community Q. Speaking of which, I grabbed a meal there last week, and I’ll definitely share in the next day or so (if not sooner).
The fun didn’t stop watching our beloved birds get tarred and feathered. To get the full Atlanta experience, the kiddos spent a good amount of time sampling ATL’s food. They took a trip to Flip Burger Boutique to see TC alum Richard Blais, to Holeman & Finch for some libations, to Pricci, and to each of TC:LVC Atlanta restaurants. UPDATE:Atlanta’s best BBQ blogger was kind enough to recap the events on his blog, pictures and all! Enjoy!
Holeman & Finch To Open Liquor Store Speaking of H&F, long-standing rumors seem to be getting a little more traction. Several “reliable foodies” have mentioned that the group behind ATLs most notable “gastro bar” are going to expand into the liquor store business. All signs point to Bottleneck as the name of the establishment. Andy Minchow, one of the proprietors of H&F, is scheduled to take the reigns. For all you mixologists-in-training, this will most certainly be your store of choice. The former Repast barista will be there to help you with recipes, ingredients, and drinking gadgets. Atlanta’s masked videographer Rowdy just posted a clip of Andy … check it:
Some Bar In Some Place Opened Some people just don’t “get it.” They somehow take the idea of underground coolness and screw it up by going the snobby/elitist route. Here’s what I’m talking about:
Everyone wants to be “Milk & Honey” but no one has the balls (or apparently the brains) to actually pull it off the way M&H did. A bar hoping to copy take inspiration from the NYC underground destination is doing its best to do everything Milk and Honey did not. It starts with the press release.
In this waste of digital paper, the owners were kind enough to provide the name of the bar. Then, they told you what area of town to find it (no specific information – just a generic address – it’s a phone booth of sorts btw). Oh, last but not least, they were nice enough to give out the name of their master mixologist (which everyone in the foodie circle already knows). The cherry? There’s a password to get in. However, they won’t give it out.
One of the reasons why M&H succeeded is because they played the game. They weren’t pretentious about what they were, and they didn’t try to have their cake and eat it too. This establishment seems to want its feet on both sides of the line. Not gonna happen here … You want to put out something in a press release … than do it … but don’t half ass it. As such … not even a name mention from yours truly. If you’re reading this and don’t know the story behind Milk and Honey … feel free to email me and I’ll elaborate. And if you’re dying to know what I’m talking about … search some of the more notable food blogs here in town … you’ll find the 205.5 without too much difficulty. They have a website already and … of course … A FACEBOOK PAGE!!!!!! The website actually tells you where it is. Grrrr …
Little could pull me away from my television on this day of “Win and You’re In.” However, 10-year-old Grace … who rocks it with her parents in Morningside, did just that. Apparently, the young fan of Top Chef took a trip to Woodfire Grill this past evening. Ya’ll know that’s where Kevin Gillespie hides out and cooks up hella killer food. Anywho (I love that non-word), after enjoyed her tasting menu meal, the young foodie in the making presented chef Gillespie with a little treat.
To show her support for ATLs last man standing … she put together one hell of a collage, complete with a fantastic little poem that basically says: SUCK IT VOLTAGGIOS, but in super nice and cute terms. ENJOY! Grace, if you’re out there … please contact me!! (for serious!!!)
If chef Kevin Gillespie is still an unknown to you at this point – I’d be shocked. Even if you don’t find yourself wrapped up in all things food – he is hard to miss. Complete with a pig tat and a stunning resemblance to Yukon Cornelius, he’s got a style that’s distinctly his own.
Outside of the 404, he’s probably best known as one of the studs on this season of Top Chef. In town, we all know him as the loveable legatee of Woodfire Grill. With his pension for seasonal ingredients, farm to table cooking, and simplistic excellence, Kevin is one of the many people trying their best to make Atlanta something other than an afterthought on the national food consciousness. Still in his mid-20s, the guy cooks and speaks with a confidence beyond his years.
Those are just some of the reasons why I’m pleased as pork to have one of the magnanimous leaders of Atlanta’s culinary scene take the time to chime in here. Anyone who has ever heard Kevin talk will probably find some of these answers predictably comforting (the guy loves him some pig!). If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out Gillespie’s food … GO NOW!!! In the meantime, sit back and enjoy his. And with that, welcome to ITCK!
Today is a busy day for me, so I don’t have time to pen a review. However, that doesn’t mean I’m completely disconnected from what’s going down in the 404 (or 770 … or even the 678). Here is a snap shot of some stuff that I’m checking out.
30 Restaurants In 30 Days: Much to the delight of foodies around the city, John Kessler is pumping out some new content. The AJC’s food blogger extraordinaire is currently hitting 30 restaurants in 30 days. He’s already dropped in on La Pietra Cucina, Mary Mac’s Tea Room, and a few other places. You can follow the action over on the Food & More blog.
Martha Stewart Charity Dinner: I may be the only person in this world that doesn’t have a soft-spot for Martha Stewart. That said, this is pretty cool. You can bid on the Martha Stewart Dinner Party (currently just shy of 3k). It includes a gourmet dinner for six at Cantitoe Farm prepared by Pierre Schaedelin, chef at famed Benoit and one of Martha’s favorites.
Yesterday, I mentioned how online media portal Hulu.com added Martin Yan’s Hong Kong to their repertoire. Today, I figured that I might as well expand on that post just a bit. If you don’t spend a lot of time on the computer, and/or don’t try and stay plugged in to the “what’s happening at an internet near you,” it is quite possible that the name Hulu is nothing more than a head-scratcher.
The joint-venture startup launched just shy of three-years ago and currently houses thousands upon thousands of hours of television. Unlike some of those other sites offering free television programming, Hulu has several major advantages. Most notably, it’s legit … so everything is super duper high quality.
The site offers commercial-supported streaming video of TV shows and movies from TV stations like NBC, Fox, ABC and many other networks and studios. Of particular interest to ya’ll is the website’s Food & Leisure channel. There you’ll find all shows from the likes of Paula Deen, Bobby Flay, and Gordon Ramsey (who doesn’t love to see Gordo go ape all over some moronic excuse for a restaurateur – aka Kitchen Nightmares). Meanwhile, Bravo TV shows like Top Chef are available for your viewing pleasure, as is the Food Network’s Good Eats with Atlantan Alton Brown, and the PBS show Diary of a Foodie.
Even if food related television isn’t your favorite, Hulu is definitely worth a visit. The site is just loaded with great stuff. Alright folks, until we eat again. Meanwhile, any of you who actually have employees working under you – make a beeline for your IT Department and ask them to block the website … otherwise, you’re gonna have some ravenously unproductive people in your office in about 30-minutes.
Get your DVRs ready for Saturday afternoon. Long before he graced our screen as the darling of Top Chef, Atlanta’s own Richard Blais showed up TV sets across the states on an episode of the Food Network’sIron Chef America. The challenge, which took place back in ‘06, featured chickpeas as the ingredient du jour and a battle of fisticuffs between Blais and the well-regarded Mario Batali.
Keen eyes will notice the One Midtown Kitchen logo across Blais’ breastplate. At the time of filming, he was the executive chef at 1MK. Appropriately, Blais brought his sous chef at the time, one Eli Kirshtein, along for the ride.
For those unfamiliar with the show, a challenger will enter a 1-hr cook-off against one of a stable of cook masters, appropriately named “Iron Chefs.” The trick is that a single ingredient is used as the basis for the meal. Though I much prefer the Japanese version, complete with kitschy voice dubbings, the US version comes with Alton Brown’s quick witted commentary. I won’t spoil it for those of you who haven’t seen it yet.
And speaking of Blais, you’ll be able to get your fill of him on Saturday. In what is probably a coincidence, Richard and his funktastic hairdo will be on the main stage of Taste of Atlanta 2009 from 12pm-12:45pm. So head out in the early afternoon to see him live, then check him out on the tube just before dinner time.
Battle Chickpeas: Batali vs. Blais
Re-airs on the Food Network on Saturday October 10th, 2009.
5pm-6pm, 11pm-12am, 2am-3am (on Sunday) Comcast channel 57 or 857 for HD
Top Chef Masters, a spinoff of Bravo TV’s popular Top Chef, is scheduled to premier its second season on April 7, 2010. As these things come and go, networks try to make a big deal of announcing the cast for any upcoming season of a reality TV show.
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