Well Suzanne is finally gone!!
I would like to say one nice thing about Suzanne. She had the perfect risotto in the back from something else and really helped save me and Tennille.
The challenge we all faced this week was pretty cool. I mean really Bon Appétit is a really cool magazine. It has been around for some time and well six million readers a month that is a lot of eyes.
I am a bit nervous going into this challenge, as it’s an opportunity to be in a widely respected magazine. I immediately go to my strength; and well if you have not noticed by now, it is fish. I quickly think colors (as it’s an appearance then taste challenge) and center of the plate dish. I do cook with fruit and vegetables a lot and so far that has worked for me so, here I go. I want all elements to work but stay light and true to the ingredients integrity. Citrus, beans, tomato, papaya, fennel and parsnips, yeah this will work!!
Off I go to make this crazy concoction. As I am prepping Chef Ramsay is flying around the kitchen asking us what we are doing and giving his criticism/critiques, who knows the difference at this point, and of course he immediately does not seem thrilled by my fruit and fish idea. I stay true to what I want and dismiss his comments!!
As the editors are asking us all about our dishes I feel very confident that I have a really great looking dish. I am looking at everyone’s plates and I think Dave and Ariel have nice Bon Appétit style plates and they may give me a run.
Well here it is. I received a large number of first place votes which puts me in and now one more. Ariel and Dave had an extremely close second place race with Ariel squeezing out the victor, so me and Ariel up to the front and lets now taste and name a champion.
Well I know my dish looks good but will it pass the Chefs immediate disapproval of all that fruit. Barbra Fairchild names me the winner!! Oh but wait, this is Hell’s Kitchen so Chef Ramsay is not finished he has one more thing to say. He really likes the way I made the fruit work but he is equally impressed with Ariel’s dish so BOTH of you win. Hey cool as long as I am part of the victory. I better enjoy this win because dinner is another story…..
RISOTTO: Italian rice specially made by stirring hot stock into a mixture of rice (and often chopped onions) that has been sautéed in butter. The stock is added ½ cup at a time and the mixture is stirred continually while it cooks until all the liquid is absorbed before more stock is added. This labor-intensive technique results in rice that is delectably creamy while the grains remain separate and firm. This is the “Food Lover’s Companion” version, verbatim.
I have cooked this many times and cooked it well; today was not one of those days. I guess I disappointed Chef because he just would not let it go. Oh well it was my time. But after that dismal start I was back cooking at the garnish station, which also is the team expo person. Suzanne and Ariel put up raw food and well you saw the show Suzanne was sent packing.
Well Kevin, Dave, Ariel and Tennille are the Fantastic 4.
I am however disappointed to learn I and Ariel will NOT be in a Bon Appétit magazine. I was told it will be online only. Hell’s Kitchen strikes again!!!! What a disappointment!!
Well until next week!!
Happy Cooking Chef Kevin
I’m relieved to hear there is some truth to my suspicions about HK and other TV shows – it’s all about the show, a lot of background not revealed. I enjoyed reading your blogs to learn some of the truths.
My only question for you (and others that push so hard for a win on this show) is if there is so much “fix” or background to almost arrange the final score in various episodes, why would you vie so hard to work for a man that specializes in misrepresenting, harrassing and expecting the impossible?
Araxi seems awesome and BC is beautiful (yep, I’m Canadian). But you have a good life going on the Eastern Seaboard, so why mix it up?
Good luck – you and Dave are my faves all along.
Hi Kevin,
Wow! What a fantastic opportunity for you and your family. You have the talent and passion to win…and it is a pleasure to be able to watch you at work on Tuesday nights. So much to talk about on Wednesday’s, especially coming into work! I know two of your biggest fans and they are very, VERY proud of you…we all are at Bean.
Many blessings!
Hey Kevin!
You’re right you have been Mr. Consistency throughout Hell’s Kitchen, we are hoping you win, all the way from Australia! Keep up the good work. I love how you say ‘Garnish’.
And now you’re in the final three! (But I suppose you’re at least one dinner service ahead of the TV airing…. ah well.)
Congratulations!
You and Dave have been my favorites from the beginning. I really hope one of you win! ^^
Good luck from Sweden!
dodgers looked pretty good tonight! Think the Sox can pull it off? Big game tomorrow!
and I apologize for the fact that my comments have nothing to do with the tv show. My gf and I picked you and Ariel to go to the final two though.
No worries paul I love baseball! I think the Sox need there pitching to be solid. We can hit that is not the problem it is the bullpen that worries me.
When they made that comment about you being Superman on the show (one of the early episodes), I was confused because you look more like Lex Luthor than anything.
Haha, just kidding. Good luck on the finale! You have done great this season, and it would be cool to see you win the whole thing. I’m hoping for a Dave and Kevin match-up, because both of you are so very talented.
Well fought Kevin. I live in BC and I was sooo looking forward to seeing you at the Araxi, but I guess I’ll have to be travelling down south of the Canadian border instead.
Cheers!
I’m shocked and disappointed that you didn’t win!! I’m not watching Hell’s Kitchen anymore since they obviously don’t award the best chef. This is absolutely ridiculous. I wish you the best though, you most definitely deserve it!
Hey Kevin! My husband and I are fans. We are dreaming of tasting some of these beautiful dishes! Make sure you let everyone know where you end up so we can experience your creations in person! Btw, I’ve always liked you from the beginning… I think you’re a great leader, and you look like my husband. Take care!
I just saw the finale. I really feel you deserved the win. You inspire me as a young chef and I wish you the best of luck in your career. I hope to see you on the television again one day!
Great job man. I really thought you should have won. I hope you keep up on the website. I’d like to see where your time on HK takes you.
Hey Kevin,
We loooveeed you, so sorry you lost! You were definitely the better chef! Really hope everything is good on your end anyway, you deserve the best that can come your way! =o)
Congratulations on your amazing performance in Hell’s Kitchen. You really are an awesome chef. I wish you the best of luck in your career.
Oh my prediction was way off! I never thought Dave would make it to the finals. Anyway, congrats on final 2. My gf and I are rooting for you.
And sorry about the bosox. My buds a big bosox fan and he wasn’t too happy either. At least you guys have the Patriots and Celtics. So Dodgers-Yankees rematch (but I dont know if anybody can beat the Yankees at this point)?
Kevin,
I just knew that you were going to be the one to win. In my book you did win… you showed everyone what you could do.
Both you and Dave deserved to be the top two. You were my fav from the beginning
But my question is; How has your life changed since being on the show?
I’m so sorry you didn’t win. In my opinion, you should have. You have obvious talent and clear leadership skills, which will be necessary as head chef. This gal from CT was rooting for you all the way, but I know you will still do great things with your life. Enjoy your talent and your time with your family!
Hi Kevin,
it really sucks! And although I think Dave is a good chef I think that was a bit unfaire anyway…From the start you were our favorite and also I think so far you have been the best chef in all Hell’s Kitchen’s seasons but hey I guess that thing is a fix. I still think you deserved, you were consistent and solid, and also proved to be quite a samart guy not only a good cook ; ) My husband and I wish you the best.
nice job Kevin, making it to the final show..just FYI.. this didn’t seem like that great of a prize.. though hope you get your name out there. and tons of boston rest. give you a fair shake! –from a New Yaker! you can root for the yanks now
Hey Kevin – you were robbed! Unfortunately talent and leadership seems to be no match for a more compelling story on reality television. I hope you continue this blog and keep us updated with your career, and best of luck!
One thing us TV watchers got to witness was how Kevin, despite being sunk multiple times, saw the futility in crying and instead did what he did best–lead. Dave just let himself get bullied and deflected the blame.
Kevin, instead of wedging the gap between chef and cook, you just joined right in in the kitchen. That was strong, that was taking the initiative, that was being an inspirational leader and THAT my friend will get you far.
I would have loved to see you win and at the Araxi, but in the end, what matters is that you pulled through; you showed us your talent, you inspired us…and for myself, I’m definitely going to be travelling down to the US to pay your restaurant a little visit. (Oh, and Van’s gotta be there too, or else… haha)