SmartBrief’s Doris Nhan wrote this blog post.
Plan a menu. Cook delicious food. Open a restaurant. In just one day. This week’s “Top Chef D.C.” episode needs little other introduction: It’s time for Restaurant Wars.
Success stories: Chefs competed in two teams at the Redwood Restaurant in Bethesda, Md. Judges found success in fish dishes that kept to the restaurants’ themes while using fresh flavors. Applauded were Kevin Sbraga of Rat’s Restaurant, who created a Pan-Roasted Halibut with Fennel Marmalade, and Ed Cotton of Plein Sud, who served up Slow-Baked Turbot with Eggplant Caviar and Black Olive Jus.
A few slip-ups: Tom Colicchio praised the chefs overall but saw some inconsistencies. One team flaunted Mediterranean-inspired dishes, and the other a focus on seasonal flavors. Both teams drew on local ingredients, such as crab and Virginia strip steak. However, both teams also failed to carry the flavors throughout the entire menu — a big drawback during judging.
Big lessons: Judge Gail Simmons said it best in her reply to some contestants dissatisfied over judging: “We don’t care or judge on the communication of the house. What we judge on is how the food tastes.” Insightful advice for any chef to remember, only rather than experts, it’s the diners who judge their food — and nothing else — in the real world.
How would you approach the Restaurant Wars challenge? Leave a comment.
Image credit, pidjoe, iStock
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I would come up with a restauant called "First Taste" and invent different first bites each week that would be served as soon as the customer sat down. This would have to be very creative and really good because it is the first taste you get when you enter the restaurant. This would get customer's talking and coming back more often to see what the next "First Taste" was going to be.
I agree! I'm planning a small (35 seat) cafe with this type fair. The first will be in Reisterstown, Md. 21136. It will be called "Basil" coming in the spring of 2011!
Darlene, neat idea. I wonder if that concept would have worked with the judges …