GLAAD’s Top Chef Invasion
It was a perfect day for a battle! Cooking battle, that is. Today, GLAAD was holding their Summer Fundraiser and today we have Chef Jamie Lauren and Chef Rich Sweeney from Top Chef Season 5 battling out in front of GLAAD supporters and foodies. My friend Tim came with me to the event as I was attending as Press for my food blog, Foodie In Disguise.
For those of you who recall, Richard and Jamie were 2/3 of Team Rainbow. Patrick packed his knives in the first episode. Emceeing the event today was Paul McCollough. Some of you may remember Paul as a contestant on The Next Food Network Star. He owns and manages a catering company here in Los Angeles.
Richard and Jamie started the event with a Quickfire Challenge; dice 4 onions, chiffonade basil and slice 2 oranges Imperial style. The Quickfire was neck and neck but Richard prevailed. Next was the real challenge. They both had 25 minutes to create their dishes. Richard was making a Watermelon/Cucumber Gazpacho and Jamie presented a Tomato Salad with Feta and Watermelon. The judges for the event were Robert Gant, Elizabeth Keener, Wilson Cruz and Edison Briones. After the judges did their tastings, the VIPs at the event also got to taste the dishes and vote.
So who won? Who was presented with the big GOLDEN WHISK??
It was an audience tie, but the judge’s vote but Richard ahead and he wins the Top Chef Invasion Challenge! Congrats to Richard. The Watermelon/Cucumber Gazpacho was wonderful. Lite and sooo tasty!
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- Chef Jamie Lauren
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- Chef Rich Sweeney
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- Rich and Jamie
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- Rich Sweeney, Edison Briones, Jamie Lauren and Paul McCollough
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- Waiting for the battle to begin…
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- Heirloom Tomatoes
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- Salmon Tartare in Cucumber Cups
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- Beef Tartare in a Wonton Cone
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- Jaime starting her Oranges
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- Richard starting his Gazpacho
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- Richard finishing up his presentation
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- The Judges – Robert Gant, Elizabeth Keener, Wilson Cruz
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- Richard and Jamie
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- Richard winning the Golden Whisk
More pictures to come!
August 25th, 2009 at 14:36
Cool event with some great food. I really hope you can find Richard’s Watermelon gazpacho recipe. Yummy.