Mia Gaines-Alt

Date of Birth: December 15, 1973
Astrological Sign: Sagitarius
Current job: Personal Chef, caterer, Dining room operator
Cooking experience: extensive
Restaurants you have worked at: Mallards (Modesto, CA), Galletto;s (Modesto CA), Il Fornaio (Sacramento, CA)
Restaurants you would like to work at: None, really I like owning my own business. Maybe I'd go back to Il Fornaio
Chef(s) you admire: Sara Moulton, Jaques Pepin, Tom Colicchio, Giorgio Albanese, Julia Child.
What cooking shows do you watch? Never home for TV
Your top three favorite cookbooks are: Joy of Cooking, Biba's Italian Cooking, Pasta Bible, Pastry and Pie Bible.
Your must-have kitchen accessory is: Good Sharp Knives
What is your go-to ingredient? Rosemary or salt
How many courses should a meal have? I think three is enough
What's your favorite course? Fish or soup
What's your favorite style of cooking? BBQ – soul food
What nationality of food do you like the best? Italian
What's your favorite meal of the day to prepare? Dinner
Where do you find inspiration when creating a new dish? Cookbooks, old family recipes
Who has been your greatest inspiration in the kitchen? My grandmothers
What is your favorite comfort food? Seafood Gumbo
Do you ever eat fast food? If so, what? Yes. Taco Bell or Jack in the Box
Do you have a favorite partner that you cook with? My Mother
What do you serve at Thanksgiving dinner? Smoked Turkey, cornbread, dressing, greens, greenbeans, gravy, candied yams, mahed potatoes, roast beef and carrots, peach cobbler banana poudding and lots of rolls and butter
What's your favorite dessert? Peach Cobbler
Are there wines or liquors that you cook with? Jack Daniels, Tequila, Red and White Wine
What would be your dream job as a chef? Super personal chef to the stars
How do you react when a customer sends something back to the kitchen? Depends on why they sent it back.
Do you have a lucky charm of any kind during the competition? A 2 dollar bill and my mother's bible
How do you handle the pressure of competition? Quite well because I'm used to being under pressure
Who was your favorite Chef from Season 1 of Top Chef, and why? Dave Martin, because I loved his concept of home style, flavorful food, like myself.
What scent in the kitchen do you love – what ingredient smells the best? Fresh bread, chocolate
What ingredient(s) do you avoid/dislike? Liver
What's your secret splurge at the grocery store? Patron Silver, Jamon Serrano
What's your favorite midnight snack? Cheezits