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Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Are These Two Top Chefs?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
photo: Blaising his way to glory: Richard Blais in the Kitchen at now-closed Element, prior to his stint on the upcoming season of Top Chef. Becky Stein/special to the AJC
It’s official, though we knew it all along: Richard Blais will compete with 15 others in season four of Bravo’s Top Chef, along with another local, Nimma Osman.
The folks at Bravo are pretty tight-lipped about the two, but we know who they are. The season, which doesn’t air until March 12, includes these two culinarians in a cook off to the finish — though how both fare will have to remain a mystery — neither are able to comment until Bravo gives them the okay to do so. Senior press manager for Bravo Communications Victoria Brody says the embargo for interviews will be lifted as the new season nears. Rumor has it that Osman gets cut pretty quickly, but that Blais makes it to at least the final four.
Blais, 35, became a force on the local dining scene back in 2004 when he created his infamous foie gras milkshake at his eponymous restaurant, Blais, which opened, then closed, in a half year’s span. It was long enough for devoted Atlanta foodies to take notice of his fresh take on molecular gastronomy, and stints at Bazzaar, One Midtown Kitchen and most recently the lovely-but-short-lived Element in Midtown garnered Blais a devoted fan base. He’s described on the show’s website as a “culinary designer” — something he’s been doing at Elevation in Kennesaw by designing and consulting with the new restaurant’s menu, which includes his vanilla panna cotta with Coca-Cola rocks and Cracker Jacks.
Osman, 26, is less known — she worked for Shaun Doty at Shaun’s in Inman Park and more recentlygarde manger and grill for Repast in Midtown for “less than a year” according to chef-owner Joe Truex. “she came to us with a good background and wanted a long commitment, so I was surprised to find out that she was auditioning for Top Chef.” Truex held Osman’s position for the five-week filming period, but says she gave two-week notice in December. “It was an extremely disappointing experience for us,” said Truex. “I’m not sure what Top Chef is looking for, but Nimma has a lot of ‘tude.’” Sous chef Mike Bacha agreed. “She’s a young chef,” Bacha allowed. “But we all wish her well.” According to Bravo’s website, Osman is from Peachtree City and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and is listed as a “chef at Repast.” Ian Winslade, the new chef at soon-to-open Spice Market in Midtown confirmed Wednesday that Osman “has been extended an offer of employment,” though he would not confirm if it was in the kitchen, or working as part of the Jean-Georges Vongerichten concept’s front-of-the-house staff.
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Silver Midtown Grill is Alive and Kickin’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
photo: Hyosub Shin/AJC staff
Baaaaaaad phone company. If you’ve tried to call the new Silver Midtown Grill, you may have gotten a disconnection notice and wondered if the newly opened and rechristened Midtown icon had closed as quickly as it had reopened. Not so. Their new number is 404-817-9827. The disconnection notice is a phone company mix up. Viva la chicken-fried steak and gravy!
In addition to a new coat of paint and a sparkling new hood over the stove, the Grill offers a few additions to the menu, notably the all-inclusive breakfast. Who’s tried it? Is it Atlanta’s best? If not, where’s your favorite spot for eggs, biscuits and bacon?
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