The contestants on Bravo’s Top Chef D.C. have grown familiar to millions over the last 11 weeks, but two of them hold a special place for us here at the National Restaurant Association. Four contestants are heading to the finals this week, and two represent member restaurants.
Kelly Liken and Kevin Sbraga have battled 15 other “cheftestants” to reach the final four and will squarie off Wednesday against Angelo Sosa and Ed Cotton for the coveted title "Top Chef."
The road to the finals has been long and challenging, with “quickfire” and “elimination" challenges tackling culinary themes related to the nation’s capital. The chefs have cooked for executives at the Central Intelligence Agency and NASA, the Washington National’s baseball team, foreign ambassadors, the “power lunch” crowd – and of course, celebrity chefs serving as guest judges.
Some of the culinary themes also reflect big industry trends, such as healthy kids’ meals. One challenge focused on healthy school lunches and featured White House chef and policy adviser Sam Kass as the guest judge. The chefs were challenged to create a fun, flavorful and nutritionally balanced meal on a public school lunch budget.
Another themed culinary battle focused on ethnic cuisines and flavors. The contestants were tasked with creating dishes from different countries and served them to international dignitaries, diplomats and guests judges Marcus Samuelsson – the reigning Top Chef Masters title holder – and Jose Andres – one of Washington’s best known chefs and restaurateurs. Samuelsson also is a regular at the NRA Show; this year, he conducted a demonstration in the World Culinary Showcase.
The Top Chef D.C. final battle will take place in Singapore, where the four finalists go head to head for the ultimate prize. We wish Kevin Sbraga, executive chef, Rat's Restaurant at the Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton, N.J.; and Kelly Liken, chef/owner, Restaurant Kelly Liken, Vail, Colo., the best of luck!
