Thursday, June 25, 2009

top chef masters (observations from enid, oklahoma)

Last night, on the BRAVO network, the 3rd episode of "Top Chef Masters" aired. The basic premise of the show is that 4 top chefs, many who have been judges on the show "Top Chef", come back to compete - this time against each other for $10,000. per episode (and $100,000. grand prize) for their favorite charity.
This episode had my mom's favorite TV chef, Rick Bayless from the Frontera Grill in downtown Chicago. He is on PBS channel 13 Saturdays at noon. Last year, Lauren, my mom and I went to Chicago for my nephew's high school graduation, and of course my mom wanted to eat at the Frontera. I did a little research on the web, found the address, menu, and prices, and we ended up at the front door before opening. What is really cool about Chef Bayless is he grew up in Oklahoma City in a family that ran a BBQ joint south of the downtown. We told the hostess and our waiter we were from Oklahoma, and my mom was a big fan (I had never seen his show before). The waiter said he was out of the restaurant till around 1:00 (and it was now 11:30), but he would mention we stopped in. After about 15 minutes, we saw Chef back in the open air kitchen, and thought.....maybe! I got up to plug the meter down the street, came back in, and mom was excited that he did come by our table to thank us for coming in and chatted with her a little.
Well, last night, he won the episode, and will be back for the final.
So, great guy, great show, and great food!

P.S. He also has cookbooks and prepared Mexican Food products from his recipes in the store under the "Fronterea" brand.

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