December 11, 2007
Well that was quite an episode. The holiday special was held in Chicago. This was my first visit to the windy city, and I have to say it was very eventful. I arrived at the W Hotel the day prior to the competition to check out the city a bit. The day consisted of a visit to Bliss Spa, dinner at the renowned Alinea (which rocked), cocktails at Blackbird, and a very blurry remainder of the evening frequenting a number of local spots.
The following day we arrived at a residence in the suburbs where we would be spending the next few days shooting the holiday special. When everyone started showing up, the party began. This particular group seemed to fall into the “holiday spirit” almost immediately. Tom Colicchio had stuffed everyone’s stocking with some sort of gift that related to their past experiences on “Top Chef”. I received a tie in my stocking. How fitting ….
Afterwards, we popped open a bunch of wine and began cooking together without skipping a beat. It was a lot of fun. CJ, Marcel, and I found ourselves passing the time experimenting with different cocktail concoctions after dinner and into the later hours of the evening.
Each chef had left extremely hectic schedules to come to Chicago, and you could tell everyone was eager to get started. I had been on a construction site and in an office for the past six months working on my restaurant. As the interior designer for my project, it wasn’t the best idea to leave for several days, but duty called.
Comments
Mike wrote:
Stephen, thank you for your inspiring work on Top Chef and for your high standards and classy manner in general. My wife and I love seeing you reappear on these shows and look forward to visiting your restaurant as soon as it opens. And congrats for providing the "secret ingredient" that propelled Tiffani over the top. I know it takes time, but please do keep coming back to do these Bravo follow-up shows; lots of us out here are thrilled to get a chance to see you in action again.
posted on December 12, 2007 at 6:59 AM
clara wrote:
Stephen,
That was a great Holiday Special my son and I watched together. We would have loved to have eaten dinner with all the chefs at the hotel the first night. Now that looked like a good time. My son picked Tre and I chose Tiffani to win and I was happy to see you pitch in and be a team player by helping Tiff.
I was a little sad that you left the Sommelier at home. I know it was all about the food but a little wine makes food taste so much better.
Happy Holidays and Cheers to the New Year!
Clara
posted on December 12, 2007 at 2:04 PM
Dylan wrote:
I wasn't really a fan of this challenge format. I would have liked it if all of the dishes from all of the challengers were tasted and judged. The final challenge really didn't showcase their talents.
Anyway, you are adorable, and one of my favorites from all the seasons. I wish you all the best with your upcoming project.
posted on December 12, 2007 at 4:08 PM
FanFare wrote:
Hello Stephen,
This is the first of your blogs that I have read. It is concise, clear and caring. Thank you for that. Your quick elimination in this holiday specail surprised me. However, being away from the kitchen for months explains the outcome. I found you to be usually on top of your game and calm (except when berating Candace) in S-1. Your performance at the All-stars Smack Down was superb. The dish you executed was my favorite (from what I could see) of the match. As a team leader, you were superior (obviously by the win you secured by keeping whiny Dave on point). It was a generous act of loyalty to assist Tiffani for her win in this challenge. It also demonstrated best why the S-1 chefs reign supreme to the subsequent TC crop of cooks.
Have a wonderful holiday season and good luck with your restaurant.
posted on December 13, 2007 at 8:21 AM
Ken wrote:
Stephen,
it's good to see that you and your fellow alums are doing well and I wanted to wish you good luck with your endeavors. By the way, I was intrigued by one of your season one dishes - the kobe seared with salt, soy and sake - can I get the recipe?
posted on December 14, 2007 at 11:45 AM
jean wilcox wrote:
Dear Stephen,
It's fun to imagine you, and Marcel, and CJ mixing and toasting into the wee hours of the morning. You are such a pleasure, one of my favorite things: an enigma. Oh, well . . . enough about you. Went to Chicago last week and had a wonderful experience at a little place called "Hopleaf," Belgian fare and Belgian brews served in proper glasses at the right temperatures. . . .Cauliflower and Brussel sprouts cassolet and mussels steamed in Wittkerkee with bay leaves and, uh, something else, can't remember. Anyway, best of luck Stephen. I think I like you.
Cheers,
Jean
posted on December 14, 2007 at 8:04 PM
Elizabeth Marie Vela wrote:
Dearest Top Chef,
You were my favorite! Just wanted u to know, and I am inspired to be a sommelier because of you. Plus I can't wait to start cookin! Hopefully, I'll graduate Le Cordon Bleu in 2008, but when I do, I hope to meet you.
Thanks for all that you do!
Elizabeth in Dallas, TX
posted on December 15, 2007 at 8:23 AM
Mr. Andersen wrote:
I just watched the Holiday Special for the 2nd time yesterday. No matter what, Ted Allen is completely out of line picking up gnocchi prepared by a Top Chef and throwing it down. That move was met with total disdain from the other chefs/guest judges as well. What kind of lifestyle tip do you call that? Let us know when the restaurant is going to open.
posted on December 17, 2007 at 1:28 PM
tara wrote:
Regardless of the outcome, it was a pleasure to see you in the kitchen again. Hope to be one of your first diners in your new restaurant! Have been watching the progress through the local press in WPB and can't wait to see what you have in store for us! Best of luck to one of my faves!
posted on December 19, 2007 at 3:39 PM
tara wrote:
Regardless of the outcome, it was a pleasure to see you in the kitchen again. Hope to be one of your first diners in your new restaurant! Have been watching the progress through the local press in WPB and can't wait to see what you have in store for us! Best of luck to one of my faves!
posted on December 19, 2007 at 3:39 PM
Dom wrote:
Was really disappointed to see you turn down Tre's request for help the way you did. I can understand your wanting to help Tiffani because she's a friend and former TC1 colleague but the way you turned him down seemed far too curt and even impolite to me. Obviously I can't speak to any off-screen personal dynamics that never made it to the broadcasted show, but it came across to me as really poorly handled. If the guy didn't respect you, he wouldn't have asked you in the first place. Basically the way you turned him down cold, at least as it appeared on screen, looked very much like a "diss". Which utterly turned me off.
posted on December 20, 2007 at 4:36 PM
Jenny Hennegar wrote:
I enjoyed the holiday special. I did not find you rude at all when you turned down Tre. You seemed just matter of fact to me.
I have a question regarding wine. I lived in Italy for 3 years. I lived near Vicenza. My husband and I used to frequent a winery near our home called Villa Sceriman in Voi. They had a red dessert wine called Marzemino and I have never been able to find in the United States. Do you have any suggestions on how to locate this wine or something comparable to it? Thank you so much!
posted on December 23, 2007 at 9:32 AM
Teresa Marie wrote:
Hi Stephen!
Big fan of Top Chef, and a big fan of your cooking and style! How wonderful it was to tune in last night and see you on the holiday special. My girlfriend and I watched it together last night. I was cheering for you all the way, and was happy to see that your delactable looking dish helped Tiffani win. Too bad you didn't get to serve it yourself though.
Excited to hear about your new business venture. I live in Canada, but you never know, I may get there someday.
Your wine choices are always wonderful. Keep up the blog! I am sure there are big things for you in the future, and I look forward to reading about them.
All the best, and Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Cheers,
Teresa Marie, in Vancouver, B.C.
posted on December 23, 2007 at 3:24 PM