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One piece of feedback from Chef Michael Mina really stuck with me: I vaguely remember but it was something like this š
āThis couldāve been a stellar dish if the rice was cooked more like a risotto.ā
And honestlyā¦ he was right.
So I took that to heart and rebuilt the dish the way I wished I had executed it in the moment.
(Unpopular opinion: I hated the cheerwine š
& raisins in rice pudding, No offenseā¦ but to me cheerwine it tastes like Robitussin.)
So instead, I leaned into something I actually loved:
Diet Coke, sour cherries, and a touch of citric acid.
And honestly? It changed everything.
The espuma was charged in an iSi with soda and lightly set with gelatin so it had a little viscosity and texture instead of just disappearing on the palate.
For the rice pudding itself, I pushed it further toward a true risotto texture more fluid, more luxurious, more depth from condensed milk and white chocolate, while still keeping the integrity of the Carolina Gold rice so you could actually taste each individual grain. Cooking it Sous vide controls the process w/ guaranteed success
Because the biggest issue with the original dish wasnāt flavor.
It was technique & texture and seemed more of a cop out considering my pastry background.
So I asked myself:
āHow do I create contrast while still respecting the rice?ā
The answer became the rice chip.
I took Carolina Gold rice, cooked it, dehydrated it, fried it until puffed and crips, and finished it with cinnamon sugr. Simple. Crunchy. Familiar. It gave the dish the texture it was missing the first time around.
Thatās the beauty of cooking though.
Sometimes failure gives you a clearer path than success ever
could.
Shout out to all the judges tagged in this post! If you ever make it to Montana, I would love the opportunity to cook for you again !
Save this, share with a friend, send it to your team, and hold the standard, comment āhealthā below š to get my checklists for @ember_mt & @granomt straight to your inbox, then customize how ever youād like for your specific county health code.
Still taking it all in. Top Chef was intense, humbling, and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but the real highlight was the people. The friendships built in that kitchen go way beyond the competition.
Getting to reunite in California, outside the pressure, just laughing, eating, and being togetherā¦ that meant everything. Grateful for every moment, every lesson, and every one of you.
I love my bro @chefjonathandearden but this episode I was on the verge of a literal crash out prepping his dish 3 secs before service started haha š¤£ love you bro but dangā¦..
Top Chef. Restaurant Wars.
The pinnacle of the season.
Cooking next to my twin @chefauthorized hits different.
He knows exactly what level Iām supposed to be at.
And when Iām not there, heās the first one to let me know.
I deserved that heat.
But we bounced back. Thatās what matters.
@siegerbayer is back. @buenosdiaz holding down the front, Letās go!!!!!!
Follow me
Episode 7. This one is personal, hits home for us.
I grew up on road trips with stops at Cracker Barrel. That quickfire brought it all back. Comfort food, nostalgia, but with a little bit of added pressure.
Then after the quick-fire it flips. My biggest fear hits. Dessert. Going head to head with my brother @chefauthorized . This is his lane, not mine.
That is the kind of curveball @bravotopchef throws at you.
Tune in tonight on @bravotv . Streaming tomorrow on @peacock .
BBQ is in my bloodā¦.this challenge meant everything to me.
Thereās something powerful about keeping it simpleā¦ letting fire, smoke, and technique do the talking. No distractions. Just cooking from the heart.
Going head-to-head with my brother? Thatās a full circle moment Iāll never forget. The kind of challenge you dream aboutāand then youāre standing there living it.
This oneās special.
Make sure you tune in if you havenāt alreadyš„
#TopChef #ChefLife #BBQ #LiveFire #FromTheHeart ChefAuthorized
Just me pretending I have my life together while aggressively garnishing plates. Watch this weeks episode of @bravotopchef on @bravotv this Mondays at 9pm or Tuesday on @peacock
