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Top Chef : Season 3 : Cast : Dale

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Q&A

Date of birth: April 3, 1973

Astrological sign: Aries.

Current job: Opening my own restaurant.

Cooking experience: self-taught.

Restaurants you have worked at: Trio in Evanston, IL and Blackbird in Chicago.

Restaurants you would like to work at: Daniel and Le Bernardin in New York.

Chef(s) you admire: Thomas Keller, David Bouloud, David Bouley, and Julia Child.

What cooking shows do you watch? "Top Chef."

Your top three favorite cookbooks are: "Culinary Artistry"

Your must-have kitchen accessory is: Tongs

What are your go-to ingredients? Nuts.

How many courses should a meal have? 5.

What's your favorite course? Hot appetizer.

What famous person, living or dead, would you like to make a meal for? My grandfather.

And, what would you serve them? Everything.

What's your favorite style of cooking? Bistro.

What nationality of food do you like the best? Mexican or Italian.

What's your favorite meal of the day to prepare? Dinner.

Where do you find inspiration when creating a new dish? I never know.

Who has been your greatest inspiration in the kitchen? Mom, Carol Wallack, my cooks!

What is your favorite comfort food? Pizza.

Do you ever eat fast food? If so, what? I have an unnatural addiction to Whoppers.

What restaurant do you want to eat at that you haven't eaten at yet? French Laundry, Daniel.

Do you have a favorite partner that you cook with? Not anymore.

What do you serve at Thanksgiving dinner? The classics with fresh(!) ingredients.

What's your favorite dessert? Sorbet.

Are there wines or liquors that you cook with? All of them.

How much time do you spend cooking a meal just for yourself? 3-5 minutes.

What would be your dream job as a chef? Doing private dinner parties, and owning my own place.

How do you react when a customer sends something back to the kitchen? Find out why and then try to fix it. Then probably mutter something rude under my breath.

Do you have a lucky charm of any kind during the competition? Yes, but I can't tell.

How do you handle the pressure of competition? I pass.

Who was your favorite chef from Season 1 of "Top Chef," and why? Harold because he can cook.

What scent in the kitchen do you love – what ingredient smells the best? Duck confit...pastries make me pig out. Pies, etc. Yum.

What ingredient(s) do you avoid/dislike? Offal.

What's your secret splurge at the grocery store? Chips, pretzels, nuts.

What's your favorite midnight snack? Vodka.