TC News and Information 10.18.10

Guest judge for this Wednesday's episode of Just Desserts will be Michael Laiskonis, Executive Pastry Chef of Eric Ripert's Le Bernadin. Read his recap of last week's episode here and more of his thoughts on the show here.

Here's a peak at what Ripert recently cooked up at 10 Arts with his protege, Season 6 finalist and returning All-Star Jennifer Carroll, including suckling pig!


Jennifer Carroll is among the TC contestants who will appear at the Food & Wine All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas Nov. 5-7, hosted by Gail Simmons. Also scheduled are Fabio Viviani, Carla Hall, and Hosea Rosenberg, according to this item.

Michael Voltaggio, Fabio Viviani, and Season 6's Ron Duprat will appear at the Philadelphia Food & Wine Festival Oct. 29-31.

At a recent appearance in Wisconsin, Season 6 Finalist Bryan Voltaggio revealed that he was offered the chance to appear on the upcoming Season 8 All-Star season, but declined, according to this interview.

Season 7 winner Kevin Sbraga recently talked to NPR.

And according to this item, Season 7 finalist and returning All-Star Angelo Sosa's restaurant, Xie Xie, has closed.

TC News & Information 4.29.2010

Season 3's Brian Malarkey is calling his forthcoming restaurant "Searsucker." Here's why.

Here's a video interview and a cooking segment with Bryan Voltaggio from Maryland's local ABC affiliate.

Season 6's Ron Duprat is teaming up with Whole Foods to raise money for his native Haiti. Read more about it here.

Season 3 Fan Favorite Casey Thompson is now the spokesperson for Terrazas de Andes Argentine Wines. Read more about it here.

TC News & Information 1.28.2010

Haitian-born Ron Duprat is working with some of his fellow season 6 cheftestants to offer some relief to his earthquake-damaged homeland. Read more here.

Season 6's Eve Aronoff is opening a new Cuban-influenced restaurant in Ann Arbor.

Cheftestants Stephanie Izard, Dale Levitski, and Tre Wilcox will be appearing at the 2010 International Home + Housewares Show to be held March 14-16 at Chicago's McCormick Place. Also appearing will be former Top Chef guest judges Todd English, Ming Tsai, Gale Gand, Rick Tramonto, and Top Chef Master Rick Bayless. Find more info here.

Michael Voltaggio won a $100,000 shopping spree at Macy's. So what did he buy?

TC News & Information 11.29.09

Here's a great interview with Bryan Voltaggio in which he talks about his restaurant and the DC food scene.

The Daily Blender has an interview with Stephanie Izard.

Kevin Gillespie finds it odd to be a celebrity. And, he likes pigs, dontcha know?

The Miami Herald has a nice piece on Ron Duprat.

Exit Interviews - Ron Duprat

All Top Chef Interview with Ron Duprat

Chef Ron Duprat talks about his experience on Top Chef, his South Florida restaurant and his charity work.

Click here for the podcast.

Thanks Chef Duprat!

ATC Love to Chef Duprat

This week, we said goodbye to Chef Ron Duprat, the "Bob Marley" of the show, he of the affable demeanor and inspiring backstory. Chef Duprat was tasked with making a deconstructed paella, which the judges found not-quite deconstructed enough.

Though Chef Duprat had previous experience with paella, during this challenge, he struggled with the concept of deconstruction and with the preparation itself. The judges complained that Chef Duprat's seafood was overcooked and his rice wasn't cooked properly - it was dry, but not crunchy.

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

Top Chef 6 Bio - Ron Duprat

AGE: 40
HOMETOWN: Mare Rouge, Haiti—currently resides in Hollywood, Fla. and Naples, Fla.
PROFESSION: Executive Chef
CULINARY EDUCATION: College Aimee Cesaire and La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine
FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Jumbo Scallop, Sweet Chili Tahini Sauce, Watermelon and Avocado Slaw.

Ron is a well-seasoned executive Chef, having cooked for varying establishments such as the Pelican Bay Foundation and the Montauk Yacht Club. He has cemented himself as an expert in exotic flavors—often incorporating his own Haitian Creole influences with French-Asian Fusion cuisine. Ron always likes to keep vanilla bean, saffron, truffles, Spanish olive oil and chocolate on hand, and his favorite thing to make is his signature flourless chocolate cake.