Michael Voltaggio is Top Chef

"I just don't want Bryan (Voltaggio) to be Top Chef... Food, it's me.  It's how I express myself.  My emotion is in it.  I didn't get good grades in high school, I cooked after school, I've never got a paid check for anything else.  This is all I've ever done in my whole life, it's all I know how to do, it's all I'll ever do.  I love what I do."

Michael Voltaggio, 30, won Top Chef: Las Vegas, the sixth season of the Bravo's Top Chef series.  Chef Michael bested 16 other chefs including his runner up, older brother Chef Bryan Voltaggio.  Of the fourteen episodes this season, Chef Michael has won four of the challenges including the finale.  He also won two of the quickfire challenges winning an instant $15,000 and a 2010 Toyota Prius. 

This season's Top Chef started in Las Vegas, Nevada and has concluded in Napa Valley, California.  Top favorites include the top four Chefs who competed in the first part of the finale in Napa Valley.  These include Chefs Jennifer Carroll, Kevin Gillespie, Bryan Voltaggio and Michael Voltaggio. 

Most interesting and probably the most memorable event in any of the Top Chef series is the competition between the Voltaggio brothers.  Both have come out to be in the lead in most of the challenges. 

Chef Michael's winning menu include Cream of Dehydrated Broccoli, Fried Broccoli and Spot Prawn for his Childhood Dish; Dashi-Glazed Rockfish, Sweet and Sour Crab Salad with Squash and Meyer Lemon for his Mystery Box Dish;  Fennel-Scented Squab Breast, Pistachio Cassoulet and Textures of Mushrooms for this Chef's Choice Dish; and Chocolate Caramel Coulant, Butternut Squash Brulee and Butternut Ice Cream and Candied Pumpkin Seeds for his Dessert.

At the quickfire challenge on episode 9, Chef Rick Moonen was a guest judge.  Chef Moonen is a celebrated seafood chef and an advocate for sustainable seafood.  I had the chance to sample his cuisine at his Rick Moonen's RM Seafood restaurant at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.  It was Kevin's treat and that made it more sumptuous.

Studs and Spikes

Due to some constraints in time, I opted to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with friends.  Surely, I missed tasting the dinner prepared by my cousin in MI.  He is currently studying at Culinary Institute of America in NY.  Nevertheless, I enjoyed the adventure of cooking my first turkey. 

Armed with knowledge learned from Chef Alton Brown, I had the foundation on the basic how to's of turkey cooking.  Being a Filipino, I modified the the taste to suit our distinct palate.  It was respectable for a first timer.  The fowl was juicy, flavorful, and had crispy skin.  The sides I prepared were stuffed shell pasta with Italian meat sauce, and apple onion and pistachio stuffin muffin.  We ate at 6pm, which was late as I was informed by friends, because thanksgiving dinner usually starts at 3pm.  What?!  I didn't know that!

The most challenging part was Black Friday.  We went to an outlet  mall 30 mins away from our place attempting to buy ridiculously discounted name brand items.  At 30 degrees F, 12 midnight, standing in line and only had a simple jacket to wear, I have resolved to never repeat such hideous idea.  Sometimes we attempt to do crazy things.

Still, Black Friday shopping continued in the afternoon after waking from the much needed sleep.  This time was a success because I was able to buy John Varvatos Converse high top shoes. They may not be the sought after silver chucks, but mine had studs and spikes.  Cool!  They may be so last season but, at half the price, I'll grab them!

Irina is In!

Last Thursday marked the finale of Project Runway season 6.  Winning designer Irina Shabayeva, a Republic of Georgia native, showed her design concept "modern warrior women of NYC".  Though her collection lacked a play with color, she was noted for her impeccable tailoring on the clothes.  Her t-shirts on heavy, bulky coats were a refreshing take on style.  The collection was coherent and had a strong point of view.

Judges Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, Suzy Menkes and Heidi Klum favored Irena over fellow finalists Althea Harper and Carol Hannah Whitfield.

As the winning designer, Irina will receive an editorial feature in an issue of Marie Claire magazine, a cash prize of $100,000 to start their own line, and an all-expense-paid trip for two in Paris.  Her model, Kalyn Hemphill, will receive 25 grand in cash and will take part in the winning designer's fashion spread in Marie Claire.

The dress above is the holiday dress that will be sold at select Macy's stores and at Macys.com early part of December 2009.  Irina had the opportunity to exclusively design a dress for INC International Concepts after winning the Macy's challenge on Project Runway.

Wicked

After watching the "Kurt vs Rachel diva off" on the "Wheels" episode of Glee on FOX, "Defying Gravity" has been playing on my mind every chance I find my thoughts travelling freely in the vast unknown.  It has been very evident that I had some lines of the song written as a shoutout on my facebook page.  Funny thing is that not a lot of my friends are familiar with the song that they have asked me what's wrong.  Well, nothing is wrong.  I just posted a portion of the lyrics of a song. 

On my birthday last 2008, I celebrated it with a friend in NY. Gotta love NY.  As a treat for accompanying me on my trip, we planned to watch a broadway show.  I suggested Wicked.  She was not familiar with the musical that time and I wanted to please her so we opted to watch Lion King on its 10th anniversary.  

Never have I heard such intense rough black voices.  The sound of voices during the entrance was raw and pure power.  The story is a classic as we have all seen with the disney picture. 

I can't wait to come to NY again early next year and this time, I'll surely be watching Wicked.  To make my trip worthwhile, I may watch Billy Elliot or Avenue Q too.  Seems like it would be an expensive trip.  I better start saving for it.

For Your Entertainment

Crazy AMA's got me to witness Jennifer Lopez perform her song Louboutins and do a stunt of jumping off a man's back and falling on her bottom.  Good thing she's got a good cushion there.  :-)  Very professionally, she continued to finish her boxing inspired number.

The performance to cap the night was from my favorite American Idol contestant, Adam Lambert.  He sang his single "For Your Entertainment" from his solo debut album, Adam Lambert For Your Entertainment, which will be out on November 23. 

The production was gothic, glammed rock and roll with a little or too much of entertainment ranging from S&M, crotch grabbing, head-shoving to crotch dance, gay kissing, and trip and tumble stunts.  He surely got my attention.  His voice could have been better as seen from his AI days.  I am left astounded whether that performance will get me to rush to buy his album.  It seems that I am not moving yet.  Hopefully, his album will be better than his performance at the 2009 AMA's.

Iron Chef Jose Garces

The Latin Chef from Chicago bested nine other renowned chefs to gain the title "The Next Iron Chef".  Jose Garces, chef and owner of five restaurants in Philadelphia, Amada, Tinto, Distrito, Chifa and Village Whiskey, and one restaurant in Chicago, Mercat a la Planxa, outshined Chef Jehangir Mehta on battle racks and ribs. 

For a second, I thought that my cousin's favorite, Chef Mehta, had the edge at the battle in Kitchen Stadium.  It was apparent though, at the judges panel, the three Iron Chefs- Morimoto, Symon and Flay, were rooting for Chef Garces' impeccable cooking technique more than Chef Mehta's bold take on creativity and plating. 

Here is the winning menu of Iron Chef Garces: Buffalo Tartare with kobe sirloin and Buffalo Rib Steak cooked au poivre, Carnitas Tacos using pork spareribs, Pork Loin crusted with mustard and herbs, Beef Short Rib Pizza with balsamic marmalade, and Baby Back Ribs with spicy barbeque sauce.

I am not much of a fan for Latin cuisine but I would surely want to stop by taste his dishes if I pass by Philly.

Mirror

Last weekend, I have discovered something in me.  It was not about conquering 2,280 ft of hike atop the Chimney Rock but, realizing the pain so familiar through someone else's eyes.

I just watched my story right in front of me.  This time, I did not try to struggle.  I have just let it run its course.  I share the pain of an acquaintance.  Living at the moment, cherishing the little time left to appreciate what you have before letting go. 

Is it a gift or is it a curse?  Love.  Forbidden.  Bound to play the rules of God and of man.  The game was never easy.  Some win and some lose.  I have lost by the time I started to play.