Josie Smith-Malave

Date of Birth: December 7, 1974
Astrological Sign: Sagitarius
Current job: Chef
Cooking experience: 15 years in industry, 8 years cooking
Restaurants you have worked at: WD-50 (NY), Leverhouse Restaurant (NY), Vong (NY) Marlow and Sons (Brooklyn)
Restaurants you would like to work at: Dani Garcia's Restaurant in Spain, Fat Duck in England
Chef(s) you admire: Wylie Dufresne, Tyler Florence, Dani Garcia, Daniel Bolud, Alfred Portale, Ferran Adria
What cooking shows do you watch? Top Chef, Iron Chef, Roadie Chefs, Food 911
Your top three favorite cookbooks are: La Repetoir de la cuisine, Boucheron Cookbook, Zuni Café cookbook
Your must-have kitchen accessory is: My knives
What is your go-to ingredient? Chorizon or bacon
What's your favorite course? First Course
What famous person, living or dead, would you like to make a meal for? Dave Chapelle or Robin Williams, maybe even whoopi Goldberg and Sandra Bernhard
What's your favorite style of cooking? Upscale casual seasonal green market
What nationality of food do you like the best? Japanese
What's your favorite meal of the day to prepare? Lunch
Where do you find inspiration when creating a new dish? I look around my environment
Who has been your greatest inspiration in the kitchen? Wylie Dufresene, My partner, my family.
What is your favorite comfort food? Spaghetti and meatballs or mom's lasagna
Do you ever eat fast food? If so, what? Yes. Big Mac
Do you have a favorite partner that you cook with? Caitlin or Sean
What do you serve at Thanksgiving dinner? Roast Turkey, Stuffing, collard greens, sweet yams, cranberry sauce, ham rolls, artichoke dip, black benas, rice, Roast Pork.
What's your favorite dessert? Crème Brulee
Are there wines or liquors that you cook with? Brandy, Dry Sherry, Bordeaux Reds, Spanish Reds, Riesling, Gernerstraminer
How much time do you spend cooking a meal just for yourself? 45 minutes
What would be your dream job as a chef? Roadies seasonal chef for talented musicians
How do you react when a customer sends something back to the kitchen? I replace it and find out what was wrong, it bothers me sometimes but the customer is always right jus for the moment.
Do you have a lucky charm of any kind during the competition? Yes, my cross necklace and heart pendant and of course my bible.
How do you handle the pressure of competition? I just do it. I get it done and take deep breaths
Who was your favorite Chef from Season 1 of Top Chef, and why? I don't have one.
What scent in the kitchen do you love – what ingredient smells the best? Garlic
What's your secret splurge at the grocery store? Pizza rolls
What's your favorite midnight snack? Charcuterie and cured olives.