TC News & Information 10.14.09

"Product placement for advertisers was a scripted addition and huge annoyance to Zavala. 'I’m going to use my GladWare® when I put away my mis-en-place.’ Do I say that s&%^ when I’m cooking everyday? No I don’t.'" Read what Philly chefs Jennifer Carroll and Jennifer Zavala have to say about Top Chef.

Want to be Stephanie Izard's sous chef? Redeye Chicago is giving a lucky person the chance to do just that. Check out the details here.

Creative Loafing's episode 7 podcast is available here.

Padma was on Regis & Kelly the other day, sporting bangs and a baby bump. She comes on at about the 4:21 mark. There's apparently more to this segment, but unfortunately it's not on YouTube yet.

TC News & Information

Jennifer Zavala talks seitan with Drew Lazor of the Philadelphia City Paper.

Procrastiblog uses super mathy skills to analyze Top Chef.

Winning certainly is good for business. Apparently one has to wait until November to get a table at Rick Bayless' Topolobampo. For those diners lucky enough to have a reservation during the next month, Chef Bayless' winning meal is available as a $90 prix fixe dinner.

The Detroit News has a short interview with Ann Arbor chef Eve Aronoff.

Did anyone else catch season 4's Mark Simmons as a sous to chef Brad Farmerie of Public restaurant on Iron Chef last night?

ATC Love to Chef Zavala

Goodbye to Chef Jennifer Zavala - we hardly knew ye. Chef Zavala's seitan-stuffed chile relleno backfired, making her the first to "pack her knives and go."

Zavala recognized from the start that she was taking a risk, working with seitan. Unfortunately, that risk didn't pan out, turning out a dish that Gail proclaimed, "clunky."

This post is only for positive words for Chef Zavala. If you have anything negative to say about her or another chef, please click here.

TC News & Information

Seems like Rick Bayless is causing a stir. Or rather, this person has been. (Yes, one of us pesky bloggers.) Other bloggers weigh in here and here and here. And Teresa Puente defends herself here. What do you think - is Rick Bayless too white to cook Mexican food? Or is this one of the most ridiculous things you've ever read?

Interviews with TC6 Cheftestants: Here's one from Grubstreet with Jennifer Zavala, and another one with fellow Philadelphian Jennifer Carroll. Atlanta Magazine talks to Hector Santiago.

Pretend you're in Las Vegas when you're really in New York: the NBC Experience store is featuring virtual slot machines until the end of August.

Gail Simmons and Toby Young dish about the upcoming season.

Top Chef 6 Bio - Jennifer Zavala

AGE: 31

HOMETOWN: Cromwell, Conn. – currently resides in Philadelphia, Pa.

PROFESSION: Executive Chef, El Camino Real

CULINARY EDUCATION: Self Taught

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Fiddle Head Ferns Sauteed in Butter Garlic Wine and Crushed Red Pepper.

Jennifer is the Executive Chef at El Camino Real in Philadelphia where she brings "border food" to a new light, focusing on Norteña and Tejas cuisines. Born into a Mexican and Italian family, she grew up with mostly Mexican cuisine and takes great pride in her ability to cook Latino food with great knowledge and skill. She uses fresh, local ingredients in her homemade style of cooking and hopes to learn more about the ever-changing culinary scene. If she could have her last meal with anyone, it would be with Julia Child, and Jennifer says, “hopefully, she’d cook.”