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Dale, Hung and Casey, Top Chef Finalists
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 3, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 3, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
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Tonight another season of Top Chef will come to an end as a new connoisseur of cuisine is crowned with a big white hat. So who's it gonna be? Dale, Hung and Casey are the three remaining chefs, and last week they gave us some easy recipes to cook in a small NYC kitchen, the dirt on Newark, and told us how they've been preparing to face Padma & Co. one last time.
When the show was in New York, you were stopped over in Newark, NJ -- how did you entertain yourselves for the night?
Brian and I entertained ourselves in the hotel room together.
There must be some free time during the season, do you hang out with each other and the judges in your spare time?
We never hang out with the judges ever. The judges need to be objective so we have no personal contact with them whatsoever. All the contestants got very, very close as the group got smaller. We missed a lot of people who went out early, but we probably spent too much time together.
How have you prepared for the finale?
I think I went in an opposite route of what people expected. I didn't cook during the break. I reviewed what made me a successful chef before I did the show and got back into that mind frame.
Give us your recipe for the perfect, inexpensive meal that can be cooked in a tiny New York apartment.
Anything that can be done in 1 or 2 pots is key. I live in a tiny apartment too with a small kitchen. I'll get my favorite jar of tomato sauce and doctor it up with sausage and onions, garlic, fresh herbs, spices and use that as a base with my favorite pasta.
Favorite NYC restaurant.
I've only eaten at one restaurant in NY. I feel guilty about that. I can't say I have had my NY experience yet.
When the show was in New York, you were stopped over in Newark, NJ -- how did you entertain yourselves for the night?
I read the Bible.
There must be some free time during the season, do you hang out with each other and the judges in your spare time?
Yes. We all had dinner together. We had a good time.
How have you prepared for the finale?
I have been dining out in NYC for inspiration.
Give us your recipe for the perfect, inexpensive meal that can be cooked in a tiny New York apartment.
I don't have one bc i never cooked in my NYC apartment -- I didn't want to stink it up. It is cheaper to go out and eat.
Favorite NYC restaurant.
Quality Meat and Park Ave Summer
When the show was in New York, you were stopped over in Newark, NJ -- how did you entertain yourselves for the night?
Sara and I shared a room and at first we thought would read the bible but then we saw the book about the hotel we were staying in and I read that to Sara.
There must be some free time during the season, do you hang out with each other and the judges in your spare time?
No.
Give us your recipe for the perfect, inexpensive meal that can be cooked in a tiny New York apartment.
There is nothing like seared scallop. If it’s for 2 people buy 6 scallops and you sear it in a pan and then you can make a sauce out of garlic, butter and herb and even throw in some spinach and a squeeze of lemon
Favorite NYC restaurant.
Buddakan
Tune in tonight at 10pm on Bravo, and watch this preview to get a taste of the action to come:
Tagged
bravo
dining
dining out
Favorite NYC
interview
new york
nj
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park ave
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Tonight
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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