Reality Exploits

Big Brother 11: Tonight’s Recap

Lynn — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:42:05 PDT

Tonight’s episode of Big Brother was a very dramatic one. We got to see the arguments and backstabbing that’s gone on in just the first couple of weeks in the house and I think we’re in for a bumpy ride this season. Woo-hoo!

[Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS
©2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved]

And what about Chima’s plea to the others to keep her. She outright accused Braden of being a bigot. Wow! That’s something we seldom see this early in the season.

Here’s how the votes were cast:

Russell - Braden
Natalie - Braden
Jeff - Chima
Jordan - Chima
Kevin - Braden
Laura - Chima
Lydia - Braden
Michele - Chima
Casey - Chima
Ronnie - Braden

That made the votes 5 to 5, so Jessie had to break the tie. Jessie voted to send home Braden.

What a shocker! Ronnie is a real player, alright. Wow! He is totally playing all sides against each other. I wonder how quickly the hosue will figure it out for sure and give him the boot. He’s surely not going to last long. He’s playing far too agressiely for this early in the game.

Next up was the Head of Household competition. These were the quiz questions & answers:

Which clique would most likely skip school because they had a zit? Answer: Popular. (Laura eliminated Chima)
Which clique would most likely misspell “athlete” in a spelling competition? Answer: Athletes. (Jeff eliminated Kevin)
Which clique does America think will most likely bail on the prom? Answer: Offbeats. (Laura eliminated Russell)
Which clique would most likely miss their curfew because of a Star Wars… Answer: Brains. (Casey eliminated Natalie)
Which clique does America think would start a food fight in the… Answer: Offbeats. (Laura answered incorrectly and was eliminated)
Which clique would most likely give an inspirational speech, while naked in the locker room? Answer: Athletes. (Casey eliminated Jeff)
Which clique would most likely spend more time with a mirror than… Answer: Popular. (Lydia eliminated Jordan)
Which clique would most likely blow off a dat to go shopping? Answer: Popular. (Ronnie eliminated Casey)
Which clique would most likely take first place in the high school talent show? Answer: Offbeats. (Michele eliminated Lydia)
Which clique’s photo would most likely be missing from the yearbook? Answer: Offbeats. Ronnie is the new HOH.

What do you think about tonight’s elimination? Do you like or dislike Ronnie as a player? what diabolical schemes do you think he has in store for the others this week? Leave a comment and let us know!

Be sure to sign up for the live feeds so don’t miss anything!

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Reality TV Gets Many Emmy Nominations

Lynn — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:40:56 PDT

Today, the announcements were made for the nominations for this year’s Emmy Awards. Reality TV has come a long way over the past ten years. They now play a large part in the TV Programming that’s offered and the awards shows take them very seriously. It’s a great thing for reality show fans, like us.

This year, the usual suspects got a lot of Emmy attention. But we have to wait for the Emmy Awards Show to air on CBS on September 20 to find out who wins. Here are all the reality show nominations. I highlighted the nominations for the series I cover on this blog in blue:

Outstanding Art Direction For A Multi-Camera Series

Hell’s Kitchen - Episode #515
How I Met Your Mother - Shelter Island; Not A Father’s Day
Saturday Night Live - Anne Hathaway; Hugh Laurie
The Big Bang Theory - The Hofstadter Isotope; The Vegas Renormalization; The Lizard-Spock Expansion
The New Adventures Of Old Christine - What Happens In Vegas Is Disgusting In Vegas; Guess Who’s Not Coming To Dinner; He Ain’t Heavy

Outstanding Cinematography For Reality Programming

Intervention - Chad
Out Of The Wild: The Alaska Experiment - What Did I Sign Up For?
Survivor - The Camp Is Cursed
The Amazing Race - Don’t Let A Cheese Hit Me
Top Chef - The Last Supper

Outstanding Directing For Nonfiction Programming

Project Runway - Finale (Part 1)
The Amazing Race - Don’t Let A Cheese Hit Me
This American Life - John Smith
Top Chef - The Last Supper

Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality-Competition Program

American Idol - Ryan Seacrest
Dancing With The Stars - Tom Bergeron
Project Runway - Heidi Klum
Survivor - Jeff Probst
The Amazing Race - Phil Keoghan
Top Chef - Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio

Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media - Nonfiction

Bravo Digital Media: Top Chef
The Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Digital Experience
The Saturday Night Live Digital Experience

Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music

Great Performances - PBS
Sons of Anarchy - Pilot - FX Networks
Storymakers - AMC
The Mole - ABC
United States Of Tara - Showtime

Outstanding Reality - Competition Program

American Idol - FOX
Dancing With The Stars - ABC
Project Runway - Bravo
The Amazing Race - CBS
Top Chef - Bravo

Outstanding Reality Program

Antiques Roadshow - PBS
Dirty Jobs - Discovery Channel
Dog Whisperer - NGC
Intervention - A&E
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List - Bravo
MythBusters - Discovery Channel

Outstanding Picture Editing For Reality Programming

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - The Martirez Family - ABC
Penn & Teller: Bullshit! - New Age Medicine - Showtime
Project Runway - Finale (Part 1) - Bravo
The Amazing Race - Don’t Let A Cheese Hit Me - CBS
The Celebrity Apprentice - Grave Reservations - NBC
Top Chef - The Last Supper - Bravo

Outstanding Sound Editing For Nonfiction Programming (Single Or Multi-Camera)

102 Minutes That Changed America - HISTORY
American Masters - Glass: A Portrait Of Philip In Twelve Parts
China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province - HBO
Roman Polanski: Wanted And Desired - HBO
The Amazing Race - Don’t Let A Cheese Hit Me - CBS

Outstanding Sound Mixing For Nonfiction Programming

102 Minutes That Changed America - HISTORY
American Idol - 801/02 - FOX
Deadliest Catch - Stay Focused Or Die - Discovery Channel
Survivor - The Poison Apple Needs To Go - CBS
The Amazing Race - Don’t Let A Cheese Hit Me - CBS

Congratulations to all the nominees!

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Big Brother 11: Hamster-Watch Update

Lynn — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:29:09 PDT

Last night, we saw the Big Brother 11 houseguests endure the kookiest, most wonderfully demented POV Challenge ever! Whoever thought up a giant face with goo-filled pimples to pop in order to get to the letters needed to spell a word should really have their head examined…but not until the season is over and we get more of those crazy challenges to enjoy!

And for those of you that have been watching the show so far this season, here’s actual photographic proof that Jessie does own at least one shirt…such as it is:

If you need any more info to encourage you to watch the Big Brother After Dark show each night on Showtime, I’ll tell you this. The quietest, seemingly most shy houseguest is married, a scientist and told the whole world a couple of nights ago about what major freaks she and her husband are in bed! (And I mean that in a good way.) There were lots of details and she wasn’t shy about it at all! Everyone in the house was surprised and so were most of the rest of the viewers too, I’m guessing. But I say, good for her and her husband!! You go, Michele!!

Here are today’s batch of promo photos from last night’s BB11 episode. (Note which “player” is in nearly every photo, each time with different people. Gee, I wonder who is playing the game the hardest…?):

Be sure to sign up for the live feeds so don’t miss anything!

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Big Brother 11: Live Feeds Updates Part 2

Lynn — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:43:53 PDT

Here are two more terrific Big Brother 11 live feeds excerpts for you. Now, see why you need to subscribe? Live TV doesn’t get any better than this!

After the Veto Challenge that aired last night, Russell and Jeff got into a very heated argument about it. Even though these two hot guys are on the same team, it’s clear that they don’t get along. Check out this heated argument they had:

I hate to repeat myself, but poor Jordan. She’s just not that bright. Check out this clip where she shares a little too much information…but that’s what you get with live 24/7 cameras everywhere.

Be sure to sign up for the live feeds so don’t miss anything!

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Big Brother 11: Live Feeds Updates Part 1

Lynn — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:41:30 PDT

CBS is putting out a few live feeds excerpts that I can use. I have to be careful not to use any videos from the feeds, even if someone else posts them because I don’t want CBS to cut me off from their promo materials. But these I can use.

If you’ve been watching the live feeds, or even Showtime’s After Dark, you know that the Big Brother houseguests are finally starting to come out of their shells and show us their real colors. In this clip, Braden confronts Kevin & Lydia about his being put on the block. Hint: he’s not a happy camper…

Fans of UFC fighting are probably aware that Russell is an ultimate fighter. It’s got to be tough on him to not be able to train in the ring like he’s used to doing. But in this clip, we get to see that he’s doing his best to train in the house by himself. Girls, this clip is not hard to watch, even if you don’t like fighting. Russell’s a hottie.

Be sure to sign up for the live feeds so you can watch the action too!

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Big Brother 11: The “Have Nots” Update

Lynn — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:04:33 PDT

CBS released this little clip from the Big Brother 11 live feeds and entitled it Chima Can’t Sleep. But if you look at Ronnie & Michelle in this clip, they can’t seem to sleep either. Those look like some very uncomfortable “beds” they have to try to rest in. I know they are looking forward to tomorrow’s elimination so they can get into real beds again, even for one night.

Be sure to sign up for the live feeds so you can watch the action too!

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Big Brother 11: Tonight’s Recap

Lynn — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:30:41 PDT

Tonight’s episode of Big Brother 11 was especially great because we got to see all the stuff that happened before the live feeds began in the house. Now things are making a lot more sense as we watch the feeds.

Like, who knew that Ronnie and Jessie talked about aligning the Brains clique with the Athletes clique? It’s actually pretty brilliant. And I had now idea that Chima was really nominated as a pawn this week.

We also got to see the conversation in the storage room where Jessie tried to talk game with Jeff and Jeff blew him off. Now it’s not so surprising that Jeff isn’t really a big part of the Athletes clique.

I loved the cool Have/Have Not Challenge. The glow in the dark paint was wonderful and the challenge looked like fun. And now we all know what Chima did afterward that made her appear to be such a sore loser.

There’s a new twist to the way the keys are pulled this season in the Nomination Ceremony. The safe clique all get their keys before the key pulls begin. Makes good sense to do it that way. I just hadn’t thought about it.

Now we only have to wait a couple of hours to see Big Brother After Dark on Showtime. I love the summer!

And if you don’t already have the live feeds, it’s not too late to sign up so you can see the action in the house too!

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Big Brother 11: POV Ceremony Spoiler!

Lynn — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:20:19 PDT

[Photos: Sonja Flemming/CBS
©2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved]

The POV Ceremony has happened today and to everyone’s surprise, Russell used it to take Lydia of the block. Jessie put up Braden instead.

Braden??! Where did that come from?

Now, Natalie, Russell and Jessie are all thinking that there’s a rat in the house and they are planning to start a couple of stories with select people to find out who the rat is. This is going to be great!!

Don’t forget to watch Big Brother 11 on CBS tonight!! We’ll get to see the “Haves” and the “Have Nots” competition and the Nomination Ceremony.

And if you don’t already have the live feeds, it’s not too late to sign up so you can see the action in the house too!

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Big Brother 11: POV Spoiler

Lynn — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:04:18 PDT

[Photos: Sonja Flemming/CBS
©2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved]

The POV Challenge was held in the Big Brother house and Russell won the POV for this week. From the sound of things on the live feeds, he challenge involved going through some yucky material to get letters. Then, each person tried to make a word from their letters first. Russell won by making the word SHOTGUN. Figures.

Now the real campaigning is in force. Lydia and Chima are talking to everyone and trying to secure the votes. No one expects Russell to use the POV this week.

Jeff, a member of the Athletes team feels that his teammates are out to get him and Jeff & Russell had some seriously nasty words today. Stay tuned…

Be sure to sign up for the live feeds so you can watch the action too!

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Top Chef 6 Las Vegas: Meet the New Chefs

Lynn — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:58:17 PDT

Hurray!! Summer is getting ready to heat up even more with Top Chef Las Vegas. I love Top Chef and I love Las Vegas, so how could it get any better? The sixth season of the series will premiere on Wednesday, August 26th at 9 p.m. ET/PT on BRAVO.

There are 17 new cheftestants ready to take on the crazy challenges in order to compete for the title of Top Chef. They vary in experience and age and if this season is a good as the first five, we are in for a real treat!

Here are the aspiring chefs:

Eve Aronoff

AGE: 40

HOMETOWN: Ann Arbor, Mich.

PROFESSION: Chef-Owner, Eve

CULINARY EDUCATION: Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Salad of Ripe Tomatoes, Avocado, Red Onion and Fresh Lime – with Mozzarella di Bufala and some good bread

Eve is the chef/owner of Eve, an intimate, independent restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has a distinctive style of cooking based on French Philosophy with influences including North African, West African Cuban and Vietnamese. Her style expresses her love for bold, complex and exotic flavors paired with cool, clean contrasts and textures. Author of her own cookbook, Eve: Contemporary Cuisine, Methode Traditionelle, she recently received the honor of being invited to travel to The James Beard Foundation in New York to create a multi-course dinner to showcase her style of cooking. She also served as a delegate to Terra Madre, the bi-annual international slow food meeting in Torino, Italy on behalf of the Slow Food Movement, which was founded to help facilitate working closely with local farmers and artisans.

Jennifer Carroll

AGE: 33

HOMETOWN: Philadelphia, Pa.

PROFESSION: Chef de Cuisine 10 Arts by Eric Ripert

CULINARY EDUCATION: The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, Philadelphia

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Compressed Watermelon, Chesapeake Bay Jumbo Lump Crab, Fennel Pollen and Wild Boar Prosciutto Chips

Jennifer started as a law major at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. But the kitchen wooed her and she went on to culinary school and quickly became a sous chef at both Julia and Café Kati in San Francisco. After returning to her hometown to work in the kitchens of Sonoma and Arroyo Grill, popular eateries in Philadelphia, she then went on to become sous chef at Eric Ripert’s revered Le Bernardin in Manhattan. She was recently personally selected by Chef Ripert to lead his kitchen at the Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia as Chef de Cuisine of 10 Arts. Her favorite thing to make is a really good sandwich, especially late at night after work. And she is sure to keep fine sea salt, espellate citron vinegar, black peppercorns, high fat unsalted butter and setia extra virgin olive oil on her at all times.

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.

Ash Fulk

AGE: 29

HOMETOWN: Pleasant Hill, Calif. – currently resides in New York City

PROFESSION: Sous Chef at Trestle on Tenth

CULINARY EDUCATION: Self Taught

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Grilled Corn on the Cob with Mayonnaise – with a sweet tea to wash it down.

Ash currently serves as the Sous Chef at Trestle on Tenth in New York City. He began his cooking career in Oakland, Calif., and quickly realized he was a natural in the kitchen. He enjoys working with foods that are regional and seasonal and follows the motto “if it grows together, it goes together.” Ash loves cooking with leeks and making custards, and some of his favorite chefs include Dan Barber and Claudia Fleming.

Kevin Gillespie

AGE: 26

HOMETOWN: Atlanta, Ga.

PROFESSION: Executive Chef & Partner, Woodfire Grill

CULINARY EDUCATION: Art Institute of Atlanta

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Creamed silver queen corn with a warm salad of small tomatoes and pole beans.

Determined to become a successful chef, Kevin worked part-time at various restaurants while carrying a full course load in school at the Art Institute of Atlanta. After graduating with honors, he went on to hold positions at several well-known Atlanta restaurants including Atlanta Grill at The Ritz-Carlton, Two Urban Licks and Woodfire Grill. In 2006, he and his wife Callie moved out west to Portland, Oregon, where he worked as the Executive Sous Chef at Fife Restaurant. Missing friends and family, they returned to Atlanta last year and Kevin became the Executive Chef at Woodfire Grill, where he is also a partner. Hot wings are his favorite junk food, and the five ingredients he keeps on hand at all times are banyuls vinegar, smoked pork, espelette pepper, lemon oil and lard.

Michael Isabella

AGE: 34

HOMETOWN: North Jersey – currently resides in Washington, D.C.

PROFESSION: Executive Chef, Zaytinya

CULINARY EDUCATION: Self-Taught

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Squash Blossoms

Michael is the Executive Chef at Jose Andres’ nationally-renowned Greek-Mediterranean restaurant, Zaytinya, in Washington, D.C.

He honed his culinary skills along the East Coast – first working at a number of fine dining establishments in New York City, then at Alma de Cuba, Washington Square and a host of Stephen Starr restaurants in Philadelphia before landing at Kyma, a top-notch Greek restaurant in Atlanta. There he learned the slight flavors and nuances of Greek cuisine and went on to travel through Greece and parts of the Middle East where he picked up more tricks of the trade. Octopus is his favorite dish to prepare, and the five ingredients he always has on hand are olive oil, sea salt, lemon, dill and chives.

Eli Kirshtein

AGE: 25

HOMETOWN: Atlanta, Ga.

PROFESSION: Executive Chef, Eno Restaurant and Wine Bar

CULINARY EDUCATION: A.O.S. Culinary Arts, C.I.A

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Salad of Summer Fruits and Vegetables with various textures of raw and cooked, with some purees and sauces

Eli is Executive Chef at one of Atlanta’s most recognizable and elegant eateries – Eno Restaurant and Wine Bar. He was born in Atlanta and trained in classic French and modern American cuisines. He follows a simple cooking philosophy of using the best ingredients in the most fitting techniques. While previously training and working in several restaurants with varying styles, Eli has cultivated his own unique cooking technique. He says his favorite thing to make is “anything with good friends and some heart put into it.”

Robin Leventhal

AGE: 43

HOMETOWN: Sun Valley, Idaho – currently resides in Seattle, Wash.

PROFESSION: Chef, Artist and Teacher

CULINARY EDUCATION: Self-Taught

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad with a great piece of fish or meat.

Before becoming a chef, Robin was an artist. While pursuing a Masters in Fine Arts at the University of Michigan, she took a job in the catering department. This was only intended to be a summer job, but it quickly became clear she had a passion for food. Robin’s Pacific Northwest roots are the foundation of her cooking, which is accented by the flavors of her world travels. Robin formerly owned and operated Crave, a popular Seattle bistro, and currently uses her cooking and culinary connections to help raise money for Lymphoma research and is closely involved with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Ashley Merriman

AGE: 32

HOMETOWN: Center Sandwich, N.H. – currently resides in Seattle, Wash.

PROFESSION: Chef at Branzino in Seattle, Wash.

CULINARY EDUCATION: Institute of Culinary Education, New York, N.Y.
FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Pan-Fried Soft Shell Crabs with Ramps and Morels

Ashley currently works for Chef Alexandra Guarneschelli in New York City. Hailing from Center Sandwich, N.H., she attended the Institute of Culinary Education after graduating from Hamilton College in New York. She has spent the majority of her professional career in New York City working at Butter and Seattle at Tilth, and now Branzino. She always has good quality extra virgin olive oil, champagne vinegar, lemons and thyme on hand in her kitchen.

Preeti Mistry

AGE: 33

HOMETOWN: San Francisco, Calif.

PROFESSION: Executive Chef, Google, Bon Appetit Management Company

CULINARY EDUCATION: Le Cordon Bleu, London

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Fennel Crust Marin Sun Farms’ Rack of Lamb, Saffron Parsnip Puree, Heirloom Carrot and English Pea Ragout with Pinot Noir Reduction

Preeti works as an Executive Chef for Bon Appetit Management Company at Google’s headquarters south of San Francisco and previously the de Young Museum in San Francisco. Born in London and raised in the US, Preeti’s Indian culture, extensive international travel, classic French culinary training and access to the best local California ingredients inspire her cooking. She enjoys building intense flavors, and truly shines when working with sauces, soups and vinaigrettes. Preeti’s commitment to seasonality, and her relationship with small local farmers are at the core of her cuisine. If she were a food, she says, “I would be a green zebra tomato – extremely distinctive from all the others, a little hard on the outside, but pure love at the center.”

Mattin Noblia

AGE: 29

HOMETOWN: Biarritz, France – currently resides in San Francisco, Calif.

PROFESSION: Owner, Iluna Basque

CULINARY EDUCATION: C.A.P. de cuisine in southern France, the Basque Region

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Grilled Sardines and Fresh Tomato Sauce, or Boudin Noire with Caramelized Apples, or Stuffed Calamari in Ink Sauce over Rice

Mattin is the chef and owner of Iluna Basque, one of the most unique and prominent restaurants in San Francisco. Born in a small village in Basque Country, located in southwestern France, he became enamored with cooking as a small boy while watching his mother cultivate “piment d’ espelette” –Basque chile. Mattin has studied under noted chef Dominique Jolie, and incorporates a fusion of French and Spanish flavors into his cuisine. He admires French chefs such as Hubert Keller and Rolland Passot –but if Mattin could have his last meal with anyone, he would cook a candle-lit dinner for two for himself and Jessica Alba.

Jesse Sandlin

AGE: 30

HOMETOWN: Baltimore, Md.

PROFESSION: Executive Chef, Abacrombie Fine Foods

CULINARY EDUCATION: Self-Taught

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Julienned Summer Squash Tossed with Lemon, Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Basil, Salt, Cracked Black Pepper, and a Little Bit of Butter

A Baltimore native, Jesse has spent 14 years working in professional kitchens from Maryland to Australia. She initially developed her passion for food while working for Paragary’s Restaurant Group in California under chefs Andrew Tescher and Kurt Spataro. Since her return to Baltimore, Jesse has been an integral leader in several top kitchens in the city. Her unique cuisine highlights local and seasonal ingredients while bringing an innovative twist to European flavors and techniques. Bacon, butter, duck fat, cumin and trash bags are the five items she keeps on hand at all times.

Hector Santiago

AGE: 41

HOMETOWN: San Juan, Puerto Rico – currently resides in Atlanta, Ga.

PROFESSION: Chef-Owner, Pura Vida ~ Latino Tapas Restaurant & Bar
CULINARY EDUCATION: AOS Culinary Arts, Culinary Institute of America

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Charcoal Grilled Skirt steak with a Vegetable Ceviche (celery, radishes, tomatoes and whatever else is available from local farmers)

Hector was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he started his cooking career working under chef Gioanna Huyke at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino. His cuisine combines classic and avante garde cooking techniques with Latin American ingredients and inspirations. Since opening his own restaurant, Pura Vida, in Atlanta, he has received many awards, including “Best Tapas or Small Plates” by numerous publications, being named a “Rising Star Chef” for Atlanta by StarChefs.com in 2007, and making it onto the “Long List” as a James Beard nominee for “Best Chef, Southeast” for the last two years (2008 & 2009). A constant student, Hector has done stages with chefs Jose Andres, Wylie Dufresne and Andoni L. Aduriz. His goal is to bring to light Latin American products, culture and cuisine. He is currently working on a project on hot peppers, and their new and different culinary uses like “taming the heat.”

Bryan Voltaggio

AGE: 33

HOMETOWN: Frederick, Md.— currently resides in Urbana, Md.

PROFESSION: Chef/Partner, VOLT Restaurant
CULINARY EDUCATION: A.O.S Culinary Arts, C.I.A.

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Marinated Grilled Hanger Steak, Silver Queen Corn and Fava Bean Succotash, Cherokee Purple Heriloom Tomatoes, Rick’s Arugula

Bryan is chef and partner at VOLT, a three-star fine dining establishment in his native Frederick, Maryland. He was classically trained at the Culinary Institute of America and was a protégé of celebrated chef Charlie Palmer. Bryan first fostered his passion for cooking during childhood, when his meals included produce harvested in the family garden. He has since become a strong advocate for meats, seafood, and produce that are local, sustainable and organic. Bryan says “through our choice of ingredients we become engaged in more than creating a great dining experience, but in supporting local agriculture.”

Michael Voltaggio

AGE: 30

HOMETOWN: Frederick, Md. – currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif.

PROFESSION: Chef de Cuisine at The Dining Room, Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa
CULINARY EDUCATION: The Greenbrier Hotel Culinary Apprenticeship Program

FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Soft Poached Egg with Morel Mushrooms, Fava Beans, Jamon Iberico Consommé

Born in Maryland, Michael began working in restaurants at the age of 15 and hasn’t worked outside the industry since. He has studied under several celebrity chefs and the majority of his training has been in European fine dining kitchens with an emphasis on modern technique, flavor and presentation. He has been the recipient of several awards including the “AAA 5 Diamond” and “Mobil Award” while serving as Chef de Cuisine at the Dining Room at The Ritz Carlton in Naples, Florida as well as a Michelin Star while serving as Chef de Cuisine of Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen in California. In 2009, he was a finalist for the James Beard “Best New Restaurant” award. Michael served as Chef de Cuisine at Bazaar by Jose Andres and most recently started as Chef de Cuisine at the Michelin-star awarded The Dining Room at The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa. He describes his cooking style as sophisticated American Cuisine utilizing modern technology and classic disciplines of cooking.

Laurine Wickett

AGE: 38

HOMETOWN: Rochester, N.Y. – currently resides in San Francisco, Calif.

PROFESSION: Chef / Owner Left Coast Catering

CULINARY EDUCATION: A.O.S Culinary Arts, C.I.A
FAVORITE SIMPLE SUMMER RECIPE: Grilled corn salad with summer beans and chanterelles

Laurine is the chef and owner of Left Coast Catering. From the tender young age of 12, she knew she wanted to become a chef. Laurine’s catering career began with preparing elegant dinners in the homes of leading Silicon Valley executives. Her clients required no menu– Laurine would prepare the dinner from the freshest ingredients she could find each morning. Her cuisine is based on incorporating the many cultures that make up the Bay Area.

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.”

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