The Chefs/Cheftestants of Top Chef

[MerBearHou]

I had the immense pleasure of dining at Chris’  Butterfunk Kitchen tonight.  The brown sugar buttermilk biscuits melt in your mouth.  I asked if they could mail some to me in Texas!  So far, not an option but they’re working on that.  Wonderful, intimate restaurant vibe — it seats about 28 — great tunes and the food is beyond delicious.  I had yummy fried chicken with lemon butter rice and the biscuits — couldn’t finish it all but sure tried hard.  The terrific staff is warm and helpful and efficient.  

To top off the delightful evening, before I left, I asked the kind woman at the front (ETA:  just realized that “kind woman” is none other than Chris’ wife, Eugenie.  I talked to her several times — she’s so great.  Had no idea!)  if I could say a quick hello to Chris, that he’d gotten all my Fan Fave votes (true) and I’d be mad at myself if I didn’t ask but would  totally understand if he was super busy. About three minutes later, up walked Chris in the cutest retro bowling shirt that said ‘Elvis’ on it. We had a wonderful chat for about 20 minutes and he is as warm and Zen and gracious and engaging in person as you would think he was. He was in no rush to  get back to whatever he was doing and we talked about how very busy their business has been, how cool it was when he got to go to the Super Bowl with Carrie, Adrienne’s upcoming wedding in New Orleans (Carrie is attending), some investors who want him to open other Butterfunk Kitchens , what filming was like at Top Chef, how great it was when everybody devoured his biscuits that night and what a kick out of that he got, how Joe Sasto is the chef whose talent wowed him the most, how super close this group is (they text a ton), his plans to cook with Tyler at his restaurant in Simsbury, CT soon, how they are miked up from the minute they get dressed to the minute they go to sleep, what a big brother to everyone Joe Flamm is.  If you’re in NYC or Brooklyn, you should stop in for dinner!!

Edited March 16, 2018 by MerBearHou
Giving proper credit to Chris’ wife

[mlp]

Thanks for the report, MerBearHou.  Very interesting.  And it confirms that Chris is the nice guy he seemed to be.  I wish I were closer to NYC.

[dleighg]

On 3/15/2018 at 9:52 PM, MerBearHou said:

his plans to cook with Tyler at his restaurant in Simsbury, CT soon

would love to know more about this; is within a "little mini vacation" distance from me, and I've thought about trying Tyler's restaurant already--

[MerBearHou]

1 hour ago, dleighg said:

would love to know more about this; is within a "little mini vacation" distance from me, and I've thought about trying Tyler's restaurant already--

 I just noticed on Chris’s Instagram that it is this Sunday, 3/25 when he will be in Connecticut, cooking at Tyler’s.  It is a benefit for Fatima and just some fun chef friends cooking together.  If you go, report back!

[dleighg]

14 minutes ago, MerBearHou said:

just noticed on Chris’s Instagram that it is this Sunday, 3/25 when he will be in Connecticut, cooking at Tyler’s.  It is a benefit for Fatima and just some fun chef friends cooking together.  If you go, report back!

thanks but we have tickets for an event in NYC so getting to Hartford is out of the question. Oh well......

[MerBearHou]

16 minutes ago, dleighg said:

thanks but we have tickets for an event in NYC so getting to Hartford is out of the question. Oh well......

Have a great time - thankfully no snowstorms in NYC this weekend!  Perhaps they’ll do this another time.  If you make it to Simsbury and Millwright’s at some point, let us know your thoughts.

[LeighLeigh]

Pea purée: I am watching season 7. Just got to the episode where Alex used Ed’s pea purée. Was this a big deal at the time? How did he get away with it?

[cooksdelight]

Somewhere, there is edited footage that shows he asked for it, didn’t steal it. I am sure Biakbiak has the scoop.

[spankydoll]

53 minutes ago, LeighLeigh said:

Pea purée: I am watching season 7. Just got to the episode where Alex used Ed’s pea purée. Was this a big deal at the time? How did he get away with it?

One or America's enduring mysteries...

[Bastet]

1 hour ago, LeighLeigh said:

Just got to the episode where Alex used Ed’s pea purée. Was this a big deal at the time?

The Case of the Purloined Pea Puree was a big deal in discussion, but I don't remember if it was a big deal on the show.  (I know it was an issue raised, but not how much of one.)

[cooksdelight]

[cooksdelight]

Somewhere, I know I saw footage of Alex standing next to Amanda, with a blender and making the puree. Why Tom says there is none is a joke. He likes to keep the “mystery & drama” going.

[biakbiak]

For anyone interested, Fati is IGstorying the dinner from Tyler's restaurant (it goes away in 24 hours) but I assume she will be updating it.

[biakbiak]

Mei Lin opening a restaurant in the LA Arts disyrict this summer.

[Lura]

On ‎3‎/‎15‎/‎2018 at 6:52 PM, MerBearHou said:

I had the immense pleasure of dining at Chris’  Butterfunk Kitchen tonight.

MerBearHou, your review of Butterfunk and conversation with Chris was the most interesting, informative, entertaining post I've read on any forum in a long time.  Please visit and review more! 

[MerBearHou]

32 minutes ago, Lura said:

MerBearHou, your review of Butterfunk and conversation with Chris was the most interesting, informative, entertaining post I've read on any forum in a long time.  Please visit and review more! 

Lura, that is so, so kind of you.  It was a great night to describe.  Thank you!!

[LeighLeigh]

For fans of Iron Chef Gauntlet: two competitors are Top Chef winners. Dale Mackay won season one of Top Chef Canada. Nicole Gomes competed in season 3, came back for redemption and won Top Chef Canada All-Stars.

As for personality, Dale is smart, competitive and quite “me, myself and I”. He’s got a great pedigree, but not that likeable. On the other hand, Nicole is a hoot. She was nick-named the Tasmanien Devil on Top Chef Canada. She’s always sweating and swearing and is a joy to watch. 

I wish them both luck, but really hope that Nicole Gomes wins. 

P.S. Top Chef Canada is a Food Network Canada show, so they are allowed to talk about it on Gauntlet. 

Edited April 5, 2018 by LeighLeigh

[susannot]

Michael Voltaggio is judging on BBF right now.  He is several years younger than he appeared to be on Top Chef and lacks those hideous neck tattoos.  Without them, he is a good-looking guy.  Wonder who's awful idea they were?

[cooksdelight]

I saw Brother on a rerun of Chopped last night. He didn’t win, and when they uncovered his dish and told him why he was chopped.... not a word. Not a “thank you for the opportunity”.... hugged the other guy and stalked off. Rude as hell.

[ALittleShelfish]

3 hours ago, cooksdelight said:

I saw Brother on a rerun of Chopped last night. He didn’t win, and when they uncovered his dish and told him why he was chopped.... not a word. Not a “thank you for the opportunity”.... hugged the other guy and stalked off. Rude as hell.

I got that same vibe from him during TC.  His attitude on LCK was really offputting and I was happy he didn't make his way back in.  He said something like "This is MY kitchen..." and all I could think was "Oh no sir, please take a seat."

[Wings]

21 hours ago, susannot said:

Michael Voltaggio is judging on BBF right now.  He is several years younger than he appeared to be on Top Chef and lacks those hideous neck tattoos.  Without them, he is a good-looking guy.  Wonder who's awful idea they were?

BBF?  I am drawing a blank. 

[biakbiak]

7 minutes ago, Wings said:

BBF?  I am drawing a blank. 

Beat Bobby Flay on the Food Network.

[LillyB]

I wonder how Richard Blaise feels about Stephanie Izzard becoming an Iron Chef,

[LeighLeigh]

I saw Jeremy Ford (manbun’s season) as a judge on Beat BobbyFlay. 

[Colleenna]

Mike Isabella is being sued for sexual harassment. Multiple other employees (besides the complainant) have supported the woman's story. Apparently he has a drinking problem and is prone to inappropriate comments and behavior.

[Fiero425]

On ‎4‎/‎17‎/‎2018 at 10:11 AM, Colleenna said:

Mike Isabella is being sued for sexual harassment. Multiple other employees (besides the complainant) have supported the woman's story. Apparently he has a drinking problem and is prone to inappropriate comments and behavior.

Who's surprised? He was a sleaze-ball going back years! Getting older and heavier wouldn't help his disposition and persona! Never cared for the guy! ;-(

[LillyB]

I just watched his season and he had a very nasty attitude towards women.

[Vermicious Knid]

Katsuji is coming to Las Vegas.

Revamping the menu for Hussong's Cantina at Mandalay Bay.

He may be smart to just stick with updating menus. There have been quite a few TC alums that have opened, and then closed restaurants in Vegas.

[cooksdelight]

On 4/16/2018 at 7:29 PM, LillyB said:

I wonder how Richard Blaise feels about Stephanie Izzard becoming an Iron Chef,

He’s probably crying in a corner somewhere, about choking.... again... 

[nitrofishblue]

8 hours ago, cooksdelight said:

He’s probably crying in a corner somewhere, about choking.... again... 

Poor little baby; she beat him fair and square in Top Chef then goes on to be an Iron Chef. All he managed to do is get beat in his attempt to take down an Iron Chef. So now he at times is a sous chef during a competition. Or be a judge on Top Chef.

[HyeChaps]

Blaise is often on Rachael Ray’s morning program. 

[LeighLeigh]

I listen to his podcast sometimes. I like when he, and other top chef alum, talk about behind-the scenes stuff.

My fave episode was the one with Gail Simmons. She went to my college and her husband is from my town. I just love her.

The podcast is called Starving for Attention with a Richard Blaise.

Edited May 7, 2018 by LeighLeigh

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Michael Voltaggio discusses Top Chef and quitting smoking with Nicorette:

[cooksdelight]

He looks really bad.

[mlp]

Good lord.  He looks worse every time I see his picture.  He looks like a 70 y/o who's been living on the streets in that picture.

[cooksdelight]

Wow.... very gutsy to talk about his addiction. Hits home with me for a lot of reasons.

http://www.nrn.com/workforce/ron-eyester-sobriety-ive-honestly-never-felt-worse

[Yeah No]

On 5/11/2018 at 2:59 PM, mlp said:

Good lord.  He looks worse every time I see his picture.  He looks like a 70 y/o who's been living on the streets in that picture.

He looks like he spends his nights at the men's shelter.

[cooksdelight]

Awwww....

[cooksdelight]

https://chicago.eater.com/2018/5/21/17375116/mexique-chicago-shutter-carlos-gaytan-restaurant-west-town-closed

[biakbiak]

That's really shitty if they didn't make any attempt to contact people who had reservations.

[cooksdelight]

Edward Lee with one of his special dinner guests at Succotash Restaurant. Wow

 

Edited May 23, 2018 by cooksdelight

[grublove]

On 5/17/2018 at 2:42 PM, cooksdelight said:

Awwww....

Ehh.... Fabio's wife is shockingly ugly/unattractive and both of their instagram accounts give me hardcore secondhand embarrassment.

Did anyone else catch Fabio's assertion that Trump 'has done more for african-americans than any other president'? I don't understand why he thinks Instagram is the platform for things like that when people likely only follow him for pictures of food/selfies. It actually occurred to me that he might be trolling for attention to help promote that doppelganger crap he's been pushing.

[grublove]

On 4/16/2018 at 4:29 PM, LillyB said:

I wonder how Richard Blaise feels about Stephanie Izzard becoming an Iron Chef,

I never in a million years would have imagined Richard ending up where he is now ... wearing the clothes he's wearing now.... *confused face* He's doing really well and I like him ... it's just not at all what I expected.

[spankydoll]

What a dick.

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5818407/Ex-TV-chef-contestant-accused-poisoning-neighbors-tree.html#comments

[cooksdelight]

Has Fatima had a relapse? She does not look good, at all, in this photo from Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. And she’s sitting down.... bless her.

[biakbiak]

18 hours ago, cooksdelight said:

She does not look good, at all, in this photo from Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. And she’s sitting down....

I don’t think she is sitting down, she frequently does this squattting thing in pictures. She appears fine on a lot of their instastories.

[movingtargetgal]

I just read that Kevin Gillesspie has renal cancer.  

[HyeChaps]

Saw man bun Phil on DDD. He was a patron of the restaurant that Guy was featuring. 

[LillyB]

Stephanie Izzard is an Iron Chef and Richard B. is stuck being a judge on Guy's Grocery Games.

[cooksdelight]

42 minutes ago, LillyB said:

Stephanie Izzard is an Iron Chef and Richard B. is stuck being a judge on Guy's Grocery Games.

Yes. I love it. :)