There's a Top Chef in my neighbourhood!

You know me - I LOVES my Top Chef - except this Seattle season that's been kinda blah and don't even get me started on Josie being back...
Anyways - I loves my Top Chef.  I also love certain chef-testants - namely Top Chef o' my heart Ashley Merriman.  *le sigh*
BUT - we also might know I got major love for the chefs that rep the ATL like Richard Blais and Kevin Gillespie, to name a few.  And with as many times as I've been to FLiP, I never ran into Blais.  Ever.  So I kinda figured it was the curse of me: I can't ever seem to nonchalantly run into people I've seen on TV - until last night.
My old man and I were at our local Harry's Farmers Market WAAAAY OTP.  I was in a funk because, well, the whole Avid thing, right?  So I was moping around the store trying to figure out what was for dinner.  Then I remembered that this particular store was hosting Kevin Gillespie for one of their Salud! cooking classes that night.  I would've signed up but let's be real, I don't think I'd ever get the chance to cook pork belly (even if it is in Kevin's signature delicious style) on any given day with my domestic partner being Vegan and all...but it would've been cool to add to the list of fun and interesting things I've done this year.  I would've done it for that but it was $79.  It doesn't sound like much BUT Christmas is coming up and I feel like everyone is trying to take money outta my wallet.  And I just flat out forgot.  I've got a lot of shit going on, man.  Cut me some slack...
So imagine my surprise when we ended up at Harry's the same day as Kevin!  WHAT?!  I hoped to get a sneak peek of him teaching the class as we shopped so I creeped around to the window with the hopes to catch a glimpse of him.  But he wasn't there.  Aww.  So, very loudly, I said, "Where's Kevin?"  And here he comes walking past me looking like he was on a mission so I blurted out, "There's Kevin!"  He didn't hear me.  I didn't intend for him to either.  But there he was in all his glory!  Kevin Gillespie on a mission!  Wowzers!
I got extremely star-struck (which means super shy) all of a sudden and then I couldn't concentrate on what the hell we were doing for dinner.  I couldn't even find my freaking vitamins!  I was so preoccupied with how I was going to ask for a photo with Kevin that I forgot what we were even doing at Harry's!
So there we were, in line to check out.  I abandoned my items (and threw cash at my old man to cover my purchases) and went to look for Kevin.  He was hiding out in a little nook before the class officially started at 6:30p.  I went outside and waved at him through the doors.  When he saw me, I kindly mouthed, "Sorry to bother you, can I take a picture?" and held up my phone.  I thought he was going to pose for me between the glass - which would've been just fine - but instead,  he graciously waved me around to come back into the store and met me halfway.
Of course I gushed about how he was my favourite Top Chef contestant and how he should've won over those shitty Voltaggio brothers.  But he was super nice and gracious about the whole thing.  He said that the Voltaggio guys weren't that bad and I was like, "Well, the producers like jerks so that's why you didn't win.  You're too sweet!  But you should've won - you're way cooler!"  He was really nice about the whole thing.  I need to learn how to act around people I'm excited to meet.  At least with Sharon Needles I had a little liquid courage.  Last night, all I had was my burning rage about my job, which made me a bumbling fool.  But you know what?  Kevin was great.  For the 5 minutes I got to talk to him, he was a really cool guy and I'm seriously thinking about making my reservations to Woodfire Grill now for when my Dad gets back to the states in March.  Yes, you HAVE to reserve that far in advance!  A coworker went and she had to make her reservations 1 month in advance...

So - in short - I was having a bad day yesterday and BAM Kevin Gillespie made it all better!
Thank you Kevin!  I hope your class was awesome!

Adventures in Dessert: The Cookie Dough Pie

After all my Food Network / Top Chef watching, I wanted to take all the culinary skills I had learned while being sick and use them for reals!  That meant finding the right recipes to try my new skills on.
I already know I can execute a damn fine Hot Toddy but can I really elevate my dessert game - especially after this flop?
Okay, it wasn't that big of a flop but people were saying it was too sweet which, to me, sounds like it could've been better.  Am I beating myself up over it a little too much?  Maybe.  But you live, you learn and you move on...to Cookie Dough pies.
That's right - Cookie Dough Pie.  After seeing the recipe in the latest issue of Bust, I wanted to try it.  Why not?!  I designated the old man and me as the dessert bringers for Thanksgiving so it was the perfect time to try it out, right?




1. I hardly ever shop with a cart, much less with a freakin' list!
2. The cookie dough portion
3. In the recipe, they say that you'll end up with extra cookie dough and you should bake cookies to garnish your pie with (I garnished with 4 but I packed up the rest with the extra whipped cream I made)
4. The scary egg custard part.  I say "scary" because there's egg tempering involved and you know what?  I accomplished it without scrambled eggs!  Hooray!
5. My favourite thing to make: homemade whipped cream!
6. The various layer stages of the pie
7. The finished pie!
8. A pretty slice of pie

It was a complete success!  At first, I was really critical of the taste and my pie crust substitution - I substituted a "traditional" graham cracker crust since I couldn't find the chocolate wafers - because that's what I do but it turned out all right.  I could really taste the light brown sugar in the cookie dough but I think that's because I knew it was in there and I may or may not have packed the measuring cup a little too full with it but still, it was good and everyone liked it.  Sounds like I'll have to make it again!  I also have my eye on the first recipe on the page o' recipes c/o Bust: the Vegan Pumpkin Pie with Gluten Free Crust.
The old man attempted a vegan pumpkin pie a few years back and let's just say it didn't turn out the way he had hoped but I'm pretty confident that if I try this particular recipe, I might be able to pull it off!  Granted, pie crusts aren't my thing but I'll give it a try.  Maybe this one might turn out magnificent!  Buuut I'm not going to unveil it for Christmas dinner or anything.  I think I'll attempt this between holidays and make sure the recipe is slammin' before I present it to my family.

So...I'd like to express my gratitude to Bust Magazine for having such a kick ass recipe!  Actually, I'd like to express my gratitude to Bust Mag in general because I've been an avid Bust reader since the Girlfriends issue (with Missy Elliot on the cover) in the 90's.  That's how I found out about and fell in love with The Donnas.  That's also how I started to feel more confident about my body and it helped me recognize my rights as a woman.  It was quite possibly the coolest gift my step-sister could've given me as a teenager.  I haven't missed an issue yet and I plan on never missing one.  EVER.  You shouldn't either! Check it out!

Revisited: Ashley - Top Chef of my Heart!!

Commenter Annie recently brought this video clip to my attention:


Thirty Days Artist Series: Ashley Merriman from Thirty Days NY on Vimeo.

It's the glorious Ashley Merriman from Top Chef Vegas (and her beautiful girlfriend) as part of the Thirty Days Artist Series.
I love it! It's well shot and well put together. I'm sad I didn't know about this soon but better late than never, right?!
Enjoy!




You know I just had to screen cap her beautiful face!

Happy Friday, fellow Ashley lovers!

Love and kisses,
Katzi
S.L.Y.A.S.D.I.

Padma Preggers

It's bird! It's a plane! It' s a mock stab wound!
No it's Preggers Padma!
Not to be fooled for an instant by Padma's disturbing fashion sense, we as the fans are onto her! We all knew it was a matter of time before the Far East debutante would reveal herself to be the hot pot of spicy curry that she is. Mum's the word on the father - perhaps Padma herself needs time to recall the warm fuzzy nights of Salman Rushdie Satanic Maitai drinks. Or perhaps the old geezer just watched as she devoured the local boys. They are divorcees, afterall.
Perhaps the tiny package she is carrying is more threatening than a buttery piece of baking naan, with Padma's genetics it could very well be the anti-christ of Top Chef, or worse, Kojak emulating Tom Colicchio's spawn. Who knows? Apparently not Padma.
With so many knife-packing contestants, Padma certainly had her pick of the litter. Regardless, this occidental pregnancy is more than a panel of ravenous judges could bargain for - now there is an Xplanation for the remote moodiness that tainted Padma's already bitchy demeanor.
Stay tuned...

Guest Blogger W.Motta

Ashley: Top Chef of My Heart

Although I agree with guest blogger W. Motta that this season of Top Chef is the genderless season, I will admit that I'm girl-crushing hardcore on Ashley.
She was in danger of going home a few episodes ago and she has totally redeemed herself to the Top Chef Gods and proved that there is a definite reason for her to be there and possibly end up in the coveted Final 3.
I don't know what it is about Ashley that is drawing me to her - she's not a party girl like my other Ashley, she likes the ladies, she got all upset when they did the Bachelor/Bachelorette party because gay marriage isn't legal in all states yet (cute!) and she looks a little like a boy (see wonder twins of androgyny) - but there's something about her that I adore and I don't care what you say, world! I love Ashley and I know she'll take it all the way to winning Top Chef: Las Vegas and if she doesn't, she'll always Top Chef of my heart. Awwww!


Kisses,
Katzi
S.L.Y.A.S.D.I.

Top Chef Las Vegas: The Genderless Season

A few episodes into season 4 and this has to be the wierdest looking group of chefs in Top Chef history.
I could deal with Marcel's mad scientist and Ilan's pretentious hipster look but nothing compares to the Norse God that is Atlanta's own Kevin. And the wonder twins of androgyny Ashley and Preeti, who were finally separated this week.
Why the fuck is Padma extra bitchy this season? Maybe the Carl's Jr. stint didn't pay off? Maybe she's resenting the new Top Chef Masters host, Kelly Choi or maybe she's just a raving culinary betch...

♥
W.Motta
Guest blogger