Two Texas Chefs Prepare to Compete in Top Chef, Season 14

Bravo just revealed the eight chefs who will be back for redemption on the new season of the “Top Chef”. Dallas' Most Hated Chef John Tesar and Shinsei's former Executive Chef Casey Thompson are among the contestants giving us something to look forward to this holiday season! According to the Bravo release this season will be "the ultimate challenge of old blood versus new, on the Emmy and James Beard Award winning series, as the chefs head to Charleston to battle it out alongside eight talented “Top Chef” newcomers."

Bravo's show bio of Tesar describes him as a three-time James Beard "Best Southwest Chef" semifinalist and Top Chef season 10 contestant John Tesar is known for his stylish, modern American cuisine prepared with classic European techniques, innovative culinary perspective and no-nonsense personality. Always looking ahead for the next project, Tesar announced he is working with Flatiron Books and Macmillan on a book, Knife: Modern Steak and All American Meats, that will be published in spring 2017.

Thompson is a Texas native who made her professional start under celebrity chef Dean Fearing at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, one of Texas' most historical fine dining restaurants. From there, she opened and became the Executive Chef at one of Dallas' most popular Asian restaurants, Shinsei. She currently works as the Executive Chef for the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe in the San Diego area and continues her private dining business in the Napa Valley.

Casting: Top Chef is casting for Season 12

Producers for Top Chef are looking for passionate chefs who are equipped with cutting edge cooking knowledge, techniques and trends to participate in the upcoming Season 12.  They will be in Dallas on February 18 from 10am to 1pm at the Hotel Palomar looking for the next culinary rock star.  Could it be you!?  For more info. on this open call visit http://www.topchefcasting.com/open-calls.

Season 10 of Top Chef to feature three Dallas chefs

John Tesar, Danyele McPherson and Joshua Valentine

The tenth season of everyone's favorite culinary drama - Top Chef - returns to the Bravo network on November 7.

This season's battle in Seattle will feature Dallas' own John Tesar, The Grape's sous chef Danyele McPherson and Oklahoma-to-Dallas transplant Joshua Valentine, who is the pastry chef at Matt McCallister's upcoming FT33.

The contestants will be vying against 19 other chefs from around the country for $125,000. Best of luck to our Dallas chefs!

Tiffany Derry hosts Chefs from Top Chef for Dinner Series

Executive Chef Tiffany Derry is shaking things up at Private|Social this summer by rolling out a celebrity chef dinner series, as well as cooking and mixology classes.  Each month this summer, Tiffany will be co-hosting a celebrity chef dinner at Private|Social with a few of her Top Chef friends. Diners will be treated to a four or five-course meal with wine pairings expertly created by Chef Derry and her co-host. Dinners are priced at $125 per person (tax and gratuity not included).

Kevin Sbraga of Sbraga

June 19, 2012

Angelo Sosa of Anejo Tequileria, Social Eatz

July 10, 2012

Carla Hall of Alchemy, The Chew

August 9 & 10, 2012

Cooking and Mixology Classes

On the second Saturday of each month, Chef Tiffany Derry will host intimate cooking classes focused on various regional cuisines. Following cooking lessons, Beverage Director Rocco Milano will school students on the art of mixing the perfect cocktail. 

Classes with Chef Derry include a three-course meal and begin at 10 a.m. Rocco’s classes will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. the same day. Cooking classes are priced at $80, while mixology classes run at $25. Classes can be paired for $100. A portion of the proceeds will be used to purchase backpacks for the North Texas Food Bank’s Food 4 Kids program. 

Italian: June 9, 2012 
Asian: July 14, 2012

French: August 11, 2012

To make reservations or book a class, please call 214.754.4744 or visit www.privatesocial.com. Private|Social is located at 3232 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204.

Tiffany Derry launches Private|Social

Tiffany Derry explains Private|Social

Last Thursday, Tiffany Derry hosted the media for an exclusive luncheon to preview her highly anticipated restaurant, Private|Social.  You probably remember Tiffany best from her appearance on Season 7 of Bravo's Top Chef.

She placed in the top 5 before getting the boot, but extracted justice by being named Fan Favorite and returning in Season 8 of Top Chef All-Stars, where she finished in the top four.  Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. With the launch of Private|Social, Derry is looking to walk down the aisle and grab her moment in the sun. 

The "Private" dining room and the "Social" bar area

There are two parts to this concept: Private and Social. When you first enter the restaurant, you can veer to the right into the "Social" bar area.  A casual and classy lounge area featuring shared plates. Veer left and you will find yourself in the "Private" sector, which offer a more intimate dining experience showcasing a full dinner service menu. Our lunch took place in a chef's room which featured a large window into the kitchen.  "People say that chefs are like rock stars.  Well, here's the band," Derry said, motioning towards her staff working behind the window.

 Top to bottom: Top Chef Pork Buns, White Sturgeon, Braised Oxtails and Pastrami Cured Hiramasa.

Derry explained that the menu will change "when she feels like it" using seasonal items. On my visit, Derry had created a tasting menu to allow us to sample a plethora of entrees including Top Chef Pork Buns, Pastrami Cured Hiramasa, Baby Beet Salad, White Sturgeon and Braised Oxtails.

Click here to view photos from this event

While everything I put in my mouth was delicious, I do have one little itty bitty suggestion for Tiffany. Get some COLOR on the menu! Everything they brought out for us was white.  White doughy "bun" on the Pork Bun.  White fish.  White doughy thingy (called Gnudi) on the Braised Oxtail. At an average plate cost of $27, I want to see some pizzazz on a plate. DAZZLE me!

There is no doubt that Private|Social is going to be one of Dallas' premier hot spots (for the next few months anyway). Derry has a great charm and energy about her that is infectious and engaging. I certainly wish her the very best and look forward to going back with friends to experience the "Social" side of the place.  See you there! 

Private|Social is now open at 3232 McKinney Ave. (at Hall in Uptown) 

Dallas, TX 75204 | 214.754.4744

Reservations are strongly recommended

Top Chef Goes Texan for Season 9

Well, you heard it from me weeks ago, but today Bravo made it official! From All-Stars to Lone-Stars Top Chef is headed to Texas.

Yeehaw!

Bravo posted, "Whether Padma Lakshmi will be donning a cowboy hat remains to be seen, but we know she'll be saddling up with the regular judges chef Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, and new two new faces -- famed chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse and critically acclaimed chef Hugh Acheson.

Emeril is known for bringing the heat, and Hugh's certainly not known for holding back (just relive some of his best zings from his run on Top Chef Masters for a refresh), so it seems like they'll fit right in.  And since everything's bigger and such the competition will be in not one, but three cities -- Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.

We hope the cheftestants cowboy boots are made for walking (sorry, had to!)

What other Texas-style beans are there to spill? Season 9 also promises many surprising twists and turns and never-before-seen challenges and events when it returns in the fall."

Top Chef IS Filming in Texas

There has been a lot of speculation about Top Chef's upcoming season.  Are they filming in Texas or aren't they?

Last week word came that Bravo's top rated cooking competition show, Top Chef definitely was shooting in San Antonio at the end of June.  Gail Simmons told a local blogger who found herself dining at the same restaurant as the cast, "You tweeted this location and have compromised our ..." and now multiple sources are revealing that the next season of Top Chef is going to be Top Chef Texas with filming also taking place in Dallas and Austin.

You MUST read this blog post from the poor girl who stumbled onto filming in San Antonio a few weeks ago and got accosted by the cast and crew for tweeting about the experience. When will people learn that social media has changed everything and there are no secrets anymore. None. Don't film in public if you don't want people tweeting and Facebooking about it. Period.

Has anybody spotted the cast of Top Chef in Dallas or have the inside scoop on where they will be!? Let me know!!