Life After Top Chef Recap: Blais of Glory

You know what I hate? When some damn hurricane screws up my life!! I had to rescue my son from the wilds of North Jersey. I wonder if the Gee-you-dee-chays waited in those gas lines. They don’t deserve gas. Anyway, I hope everyone affected is safe and sound. Welcome to Episode 4 of LATC, a look into the lives of four of our “favorite” Top Chefs.

As far as I’m concerned, this is THE Top Chef.

Spike meets with his lovely family at the office to discuss the opening of their second “Good Stuff” eatery in the Crystal City section of D.C. Every time I hear Crystal City I want to sing “Follow the Yellow Brick Road”. BTW, who came up with the name “Good Stuff”? Sounds like a dollar store to me. Anyway, Spike walks in with food in his hand and Dad refers to him as the delivery boy. 

Spike gets no respect, I tell ya.

Our dear, sweet Fabio wakes to the sound of his Mama grinding coffee beans. I bet it smells good, too. For reasons unknown, Fabs is sleeping on the couch. He and Mama argue about eating a good meal to start the day. Of course, Mama wins.

Breakfast of Champions

Mama is returning to Italy, but on the way to the airport they go to the beach for some quiet time. Fabio explains to us that when he was a child, his family was very poor, to the point that he and his grandfather would go to the meat market to collect scraps so they could eat. At 11, Fabio became the bread winner in the family, and went to work baking pies from midnight to 7 am. WOW. It’s a heavy weight for a kid who should have been outside, well, being a kid. No wonder he’s exhausted! Fabio came to America 5 years ago to make his fortune. I have a newfound respect for Fabio. Mama cries because she’s so proud of her son. Aw.

Here’s a guy who came to America not speaking any English and now has a successful career. Can’t make any excuses for my life…

SPEAKING of hard working…just kidding… Spike has agreed to go on a road trip with Jen. But first, he and Pops are going to a walk-through of their new 1.5 million dollar investment in Crystal City. Spike tells us that his father can’t cook at all. Well, thank God he’s a businessman, Spike. A successful restaurant is not all about the food. It’s also about the money. Sheesh. Go on your road trip.

RICHIE!! Richard’s in NYC for the Food & Wine Best New Chefs event. Apparently he’s not one of these new chefs, but he is preparing a dish for the event. He meets with his sous chef Justin and checks on his food. He’s immediately concerned that his helpers are scattered all over the kitchen. You’re not the only one in the kitchen, dear. Maybe there’s limited space. Anyhoo, he making something out of bone marrow, braised meat, and pickled walnuts.

It looks like something my dog would LOVE.