Tag Archives: Top Chef All-Stars

Time

Posted on April 25, 2012 | 2 comments

As I see each season of Top Chef I see that clock ticking and know that the clock is my bete noire in the kitchen!

In order to remedy this fault, I resort to a scribbled timetable of what goes in when, then just follow it.

Guests arrive at seven so appetizers have to go into the oven 15 minutes before and the oven has to be turned on 1/2 hour before they arrive.

I like to do simple dishes that don’t require a lot of preparation right before serving, because I like to enjoy our guests as well. Or, it’ll be a grill night with guests helping my husband cook the perfect steak.

One of my favorite things to do is menu planning. I used to sit on my bed with cookbooks all around and plan away. I haven’t had one of my books in the past three years so have had to look online for new things and match them with my cooking knowledge and experience.

Try the timeline. For a 7:00 dinner put in the roast at 3:00 after pre-heating the oven, then go from there. Prep, prep, prep, so you can enjoy your guests. Lots of little bowls are helpful.

My mother used to not want me to cook, just because she said I used every dish in her house! Mise en place, Mom! Cheers, Dee

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Dear Top Chef All-Star

Posted on March 31, 2011 | 1 comment

To Richard: Hold your head up. Higher. Go to the UK and learn how to have a stiff upper lip and sip some tea and come back before you get too snooty because that wouldn’t suit you. Use your techniques to make classics better and invent new dishes. Thank goodness you stayed away from foams.

To Michael: I actually began to like you in the end but you were always dismissive when one of the female chefs won a competition. Get over it. Be confident enough in yourself that you can congratulate a competitor who made a better dish then you, male or female. Oh, and I wish I’d have met your grandma because I’d have learned a lot.

To Antonia: You did great, very solid work throughout. No seesawing (is that a word?) on no flavor vs. too much flavor from challenge to challenge. You were bold and put forth bold flavors. Keep up the good work and let viewers know where you are working from time to time.

To Carla: You really put forth the love this season and I hope you’re traveling the world to celebrate your many victories. My husband was born and raised in the south and now I know what southern “soul food” means.

To Fabio: You’re always a favorite. Charming Italians always are. Don’t worry, I’m married, and happily! The ethnic challenges, both Chinese and American, proved fatal but I’d eat your Italian food any day and look forward to seeing you in the front of the house in your restaurant one day.

To Marcel: I hope you grow up and learn to appreciate fellow chefs and sous-chefs. I can’t believe you started a catering company without knowing anything about it, and have your own show! I’d rather see Top Chef Masters. Hint from Dee – Read Dale Carnegie’s “How To Win Friends and Influence People.” It’ll be the best $2.95 you ever spent on a used book from Amazon.

To the rest of you, it was a great season and I thank you for making my Wednesday nights, no because it’s on after my bedtime, my Sunday mornings eventful. Cheers, Dee

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Top Chef All-Stars

Posted on March 30, 2011 | 1 comment

Don’t tell me. I’m sure everyone in the country has seen it before me. It comes on at eleven here and I’ll try to stay awake for it. Please don’t tell me who won.

I’ve enjoyed the way this series was professionally produced, without a lot of house drama. It is inspiring to see how the chefs interpret and execute challenges, as well as the way they’re judged. This year, I’ve also enjoyed some of the blogs especially for the episodes I’ve missed.

Chef Eric Ripert is the consummate professional and I’d love to be able to go to Le Bernardin one day. Tom Colicchio is a master and congrats on his new baby. And you’ve got to love Anthony Bourdain, bad boy made good (for now at least).

The deal was sealed two months ago but tonight we’ll find out if self-flagellator Richard or misogynist Mike will take the cake. Some choice! Let’s see tomorrow. I’d never last two minutes on that show. Cheers, Dee

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