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Yummy Links: From Gail Simmons to Michael Pollan

partysugar — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:15:16 -0800

Gail Simmons's guide to packing. - Travel + Leisure
An inside look at New York City's illegal beekeepers. - Chow
Does it really matter if you forget an ingredient? - The Epi-Log
Catch up with some of Top Chef 6's cheftestants. - Grub Street NY
10 new things to put in your drink. - Endless Simmer
Taste test: vegan burgers. - Serious Eats
Michael Pollan and Oprah discuss seal blubber and cow's blood. - Eater

Would You Rather Eat Michael or Bryan Voltaggio's Food?

partysugar — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:30:49 -0800

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Top Chef's Voltaggio Brothers Debut Weekly Web Video Series

YumSugar — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:30:45 -0800

Just before the winner of Top Chef Las Vegas was crowned, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio teamed up to launch a new website, VoltaggioBrothers.com. By Christmas, they'd announced plans for a new video series with media company EQAL. Wrote Bryan: "Being forced to cook something in 20 minutes with bizarre ingredients is fun, but not what we normally do in our restaurants. These videos will give you a better sense about our culinary point of view and our passion for cooking."

Their first webisode, titled "Deconstructing the Voltaggio Brothers," debuted yesterday. While we didn't see any demos, we did learn, in between snippets of the brothers making brioches and pop rock lollipops, that Michael excels at poetry, and Bryan would've been a landscaper in another life. Take a look when you read more.

I'm already a fan of the series, which reveals a softer side of both boys. Did you learn anything new about the brothers? Will you tune in to watch more webisodes?

Photo courtesy of Bravo

The Year's Favorite Top Chef Contestant

partysugar — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:00:34 -0800

As part of our annual end of the year coverage, we asked you who your favorite Top Chef contestant was. Over the course of 2009, we were lucky enough to watch two exciting seasons of Top Chef.

The first, Top Chef season five, was shot in New York City and featured the infamous relationships of Leah and Hosea - and Stefan and Fabio. The following season, which just ended and was filmed in Las Vegas, was the first time we saw brothers compete.

The voting was across the board with fan favorite Kevin Gillespie taking the majority at 37 percent. We agree with you readers: Kevin is a lovable inspiration, and I'm dying to eat one of his pork masterpieces. We look forward to seeing what's next for Kevin!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Yummy Links: From Guy's New Show to the Top Chef Reunion

partysugar — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:00:46 -0800

Guy Fieri will host Perfect 10, an upcoming game show on NBC. - Grub Street NY
A look at all the food blogs that got book deals in 2009. - Eat Me Daily
More bad news about plastic water bottles. - The Atlantic
Are table manners important when dining abroad? - The Epi-Log
How the food world has changed since 1999. - Chow
What did you think of Gordon Ramsay's live cookalong? - Serious Eats
Learn the easy way to seed a pomegranate. - Food Wishes
Eight observations from the Top Chef Vegas reunion show. - Eater

Hungry Ladies Parody: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:00:08 -0800

Top Chef: Hungry Ladies - watch more funny videos

What do you get when you marry Beyonce's "Single Ladies" with Top Chef Las Vegas? The answer is "Hungry Ladies," a Funny or Die music video parody of this season's TC. While I do love the oven mitt as glove replacement (and the dead ringers for Ashley and Gail), overall, I find the parody cheesy to the point of pain. What's your take?

Top Chef Quiz: Season Finale Part 2

partysugar — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:15:55 -0800

Well folks, that's it! Top Chef 6 is over. The final three had to create a four-course meal that included a dish inspired by their mothers, a dish with special ingredients, a wild card dish, and a dessert. The dinner was served to the judges and some of the nation's most prominent restaurant owners. Were you watching? How well did you pay attention? Find out now when you take the quiz!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Take the quiz

Top Chef Vegas: Episode 14

partysugar — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:15:56 -0800

The sixth season of Top Chef has come to a close. The final showdown that took place in Napa, CA, was between brothers Michael and Bryan Voltaggio and the gnome-like bearded Kevin. The trio cooked for their lives, and only one of them walked away with the title. How did you feel about the outcome? To discuss the finale - warning spoilers ahead! - read more.

What did you think of the twist to the final challenge?
I was hoping for more exciting sous chefs. I knew Kevin was a goner when he selected two of the weakest cheftestants. How about you?
I loved when the moms walked in! Thoughts?
My favorite line was when Michael described his dish as being a "scavenger's hunt for flavor." What was your favorite quote?
Whose dessert looked the most delectable? I'm dying to try Bryan's dulce de leche cheesecake.
Have you eaten sardines?
Do you like desserts with bacon?
Does anyone know what a coulant is?
Were you surprised to see Kevin sent home first?
Did Michael deserve to win?

Did I forget something? Please add to the discussion below!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Top Chef Quiz: Season Finale Part 1

partysugar — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:15:12 -0800

The end of season six is very near, and in one week, the judges will crown a new Top Chef. On last night's episode the final four were put to the test in Napa, where they had to create dishes using grapes and local in-season ingredients. Mr. NapaStyle, Michael Chiarello, was the guest judge. Were you watching? Find out how well you paid attention when you take my quiz!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Take the quiz

Who Was Your Favorite Top Chef Contestant of 2009?

partysugar — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:50:07 -0800

Over the past year we've been lucky enough to experience two seasons - New York and Las Vegas - of Bravo's hit show Top Chef. Between the bromance of Fabio and Stefan and the brotherly bickering of Bryan and Michael, there have definitely been a lot of characters. Who's your fave?

Photo courtesy of Bravo, Getty Images, and WireImage