Top Chef comes to Pavilions

Okay so I could hardly contain myself! You see Bravo and the creators of one of my very favorite TV shows, "Top Chef" created a wine inspired by the show. And being that I have a tasting bar at my store they decided to do a promo with one of the Top Chef contestants. I was curious as to which one I would get. I was thrilled to get chef Stefan Richter from season 5 New York. He was definitely one of the most outspoken and arrogant chefs on the show. Arrogant in a way that still made me like him though. He also has a shaved head and blue eyes, like I like my men!

Chef Stefan arrived early for the tasting and there was some confusion. Another chef showed up to assist him in making a recipe. He didn't even know he was supposed to cook! He took one look at the recipe and went, "canned pineapple, and sprite? What is this shit?? I am not making that shit!" So he grabbed a cart, headed for the produce department and whipped up one of his own recipes from a quickfire challenge..a goulash.

The store smelled so good as the aromatic herbs and onions filled it up. He chatted with fans and sold a bunch of quickfire cookbooks and wine. But not before he snacked on one of his favorite things to eat: Barbeque sausage and jo jo potatoes from my service deli!! I kid you not, he lives right down the street from a Vons and says he eats this all the time with a glass of non fat milk! Are you kidding me!? He even said that he likes it especially when its been in the case for hours! Too funny! He was very sweet, and came to say goodbye and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I really have a lot of respect and admiration for chefs. They are artists themselves and get to delve into mediums that I could never imagine, taste, texture and smell. Stop by Stefans new restaurant if you are ever in the Santa Monica area, Stefans at LA Farm. Here are a few pics: