TC News and Information 3.28.11

Did you feel punk'd, er Puck'd, by the ultimate decision to boot Antonio Lofaso on last week's show? TV Guide reports: "After chatting with head judge Tom Colicchio during a break in filming, Puck changed his mind, and Antonia was sent packing by a 4-3 judges margin. Colicchio swore he hadn't influenced Puck's decision, but joked, "I smell scandal!" Fellow judge Gail Simmons laughingly declared it "Bahamas-gate." In the end, producers decided to leave the switcheroo out of the episode "because the discussion happened off-camera," exec producer Dan Cutforth explained. "So there was no real way to do that in the format of the show." "People are going to get pissed off about everything," Colicchio says."

I can't say I'm a happier camper after reading Gail Simmons' blog on EW this week, where she says: "The whole Quickfire was absurd. We knew it was absurd. We just kept piling it on to see how they’d react . . . They all delivered edible food . . ." Yeah, "edible" food - just what we look forward to leading up to a finale.

OK, so this Wednesday is (at last) the actual All-Stars finale. Wanna know who's judging? Click here.

Meanwhile, the Voltaggio Brothers took the win for best small plate at this year's Pigs and Pinot fundraiser in Healdsburg, CA.

Tre Wilcox is working hard to ready his new restaurant, Marquee Grill and Bar, for its opening, which you can read more about here.

News from two of the women of Season 6: Preeti Mistry does lunch pop-up style at the Juhu Beach Club. And Robin Leventhal does deli on Mercer Island, reports Seattle Weekly.

Finally, what is with Top Chef and HBO? Bourdain is writing for Treme, and now Colicchio is cooking for Game of Thrones: Here's more, including a video where he describes his inspiration for the dishes - which will be available from food trucks in NY this week and LA next week.

Colicchio also tutored Kate Winslett in HBO's Mildred Pierce miniseries, which premiered last night. And we were tickled to read on Top Chef Just Desserts' Eric Wolitsky's facebook page: "That's Kate Winslet with pies made by me and my staff from Baked!"

And if you're still hungry for Angelo Sosa's food, check out this piece about a special dinner he did at the Turtle Club in Hoboken.

Bravo Exit Interview - Eric Wolitzky

All Top Chef Interview with Eric Wolitzky

Top Chef: Just Desserts contestant, Chef Eric Wolitzky talks about his experience on the Bravo Show.

Highlights: His recommendation for any future contestants is to "memorize your recipes." Sometimes the chef with the best memory will win.

Also his best friend from the show is Erika Davis.

Click here for the podcast.

Click here for the Baked website.

Thank you Chef Eric!

ATC Love to Chef Eric Wolitzky

Ah, Chef Eric! He went so far in the competition, insisting all the time that he was naught but a lowly baker. But by the end, he certainly deserved to be called "chef." I don't think we ever had a doubt.

Unfortunately, the shortbread cookies he created to represent Oprah Winfrey and her friend Steadman Graham just didn't cut it for the judges, so they had to say farewell.



Everyone seemed truly sad that he was leaving the competition. Chef Eric may not be taking away the big prize, but he surely has gained a lot of respect and friendship along his journey.

This post is only for positive comments about Chef Wolitzky. If you have anything negative to say about him or his competitors, please do so here.

Top Recipe - Top Chef Just Desserts Episode 7

Click here for a printable version of Eric Wolitzky's chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Other Whisk Me Away recipes from this episode:
Morgan's Chocolate Mousse Cake, and
Danielle's Pistachio Shortcake.

TC News and Information 10.5.10

Remember when Bravo announced it would do a Top Chef spinoff featuring kids? Judges Tom Colicchio and Eric Ripert discuss why it will never see the light of day in this video.

Speaking of Ripert, did you catch the premiere of the new season of his PBS show, Avec Eric, last weekend? This item details the upcoming episodes and links to a station guide to help you find out when it may be aired in your area.

Wylie Dufresne talks to the Harvard Crimson about his journey from philosophy student to top chef (and two-time Top Chef Masters contestant) here.

Vegansaurus.com is offering vegan versions of the Just Desserts winning recipes all season long. See their spin on Eric Wolitzky's Episode 3 winning desserts here.

Want to design TC Season 7 winner Michael Voltaggio's next tattoo? Click here.

Finally, at a speaking engagement in St. Louis, Anthony Bourdain revealed that the protagonist of his upcoming graphic novel about ultra-violent food nerds will be a sushi chef, according to this piece.

Top Recipe - Top Chef Just Desserts Episode 3

Click here for a printable version of Chef Eric Wolitzky's recipe for Peanut Butter Krispy Bars.

Meet the Pastry Chefs - Eric Wolitzky

AGE: 38
HOMETOWN: Rochester, NY - currently resides in Manhattan
PROFESSION: Pastry Chef, Baked
CULINARY EDUCATION: Grand Diplome in Pastry Arts, French Culinary Institute
FAVORITE DESSERT RECIPE: Mississippi Mud Cake

Eric Wolitzky was born into a family of bakers and began working in bakeries while in his teens. He obtained a BFA in drama and MA in performance and cultural studies from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, but his heart was continually drawn back into the kitchen. He currently serves as Pastry Chef at Baked, a bakery and café located in Red Hook, Brooklyn, where his focus is updated classic American comfort desserts. Eric's recipes have been featured in magazines including Food & Wine and O, among others. He was also nominated twice for Best Bakery Dessert by PastryScoop.com. Eric is enamored by simple baked goods that are full of flavor and is a sucker for a beautiful bundt cake.