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Blais comes close to serving up an upset
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It could be argued that Richard Blais has had his share of ups and downs. The iconoclastic chef has taken a beating on blog posts and from local restaurant goers for his infamous concoctions — foie gras milk shakes, liquid nitrogen margaritas, Dr. Pepper-braised short ribs, deep-fried Thousand Island dressing.
But now the chef, who spearheaded the molecular gastronomy movement in Atlanta, can wear his signature blue apron with pride.
Louie Favorite / AJC
After 16 weeks of cooking on Bravo’s Top Chef, he almost won top toque. He’s battled an over-sized monkfish and wowed with peach pizza. He’s raided complete strangers of their refrigerator contents. And now all of it — the kudos and the digging cuts about his spiky hair — must be worth it, even if he didn’t win. Stephanie Izard, the 31-year-old native of Stamford, Conn. beat him out in the final round to become the first female Top Chef.
Blais is now working for Tom Catherall and Here to Serve Restaurants group as executive chef of Home, putting his pizzazz into the traditionally fashioned food findings on the menu: Tiny, quarter-sized buttermilk pancakes with foie gras butter and blueberry syrup and a slow-roasted pork short rib over collard greens with roasted peaches and coffee barbecue sauce are highlights that may turn the former Posh crowd into molecular gastronomes, like it or not.
“We’re here to see Richard win,” said Laurie and Rob Burlington from East Point on Wednesday night inside Home’s bar. They brought along four-month-old Cecilia, her baby fine hair formed into a peak on top of her head to resemble Blais’ spiked look.
Neither Blais nor owner Tom Catherall were on hand to view the final competition, but the crowd didn’t mind.
“We just hope if he wins he doesn’t quit Atlanta,” said Laurie. As the show wore on, the mood became more somber and the noise level dropped dramatically while the judges passed judgment on Blais’ final efforts - a mixed bag - underseasoned scallops and foie gras with guinea hen. It had everyone, including the judges, worried for Blais, who admitted to judges that he had “choked” on his final meal.
Blais’ first venture in Atlanta, Blais, closed in record time back in May of 2004. He moved on to a short-but-successful stint at One Midtown Kitchen, then left for a consulting job in Florida. Last year he set up shop (aka chemistry lab) at Element in Midtown.
Reviews were favorable, but Element was obviously a shaky venue, even with the support of the small but rabid group of Blaisettes that worship this creative chef with passion. When the chef returned from filming Top Chef, he found the restaurant had closed.
Amid consulting jobs for Elevation in Kennesaw and a new high-falutin’ burger concept called Flip (scheduled to open later this year on the West Side), Blais has taken his share of heat for his gastro-guru reputation and for his inability to stay in one spot.
So now the question is, will he leave Home to cash in on Top Chef fame? Or will he stay put?
As the judges talked over the final dishes, the crowd at Home became almost defiant in Blais’ defense.
Judge Tom Coliccho in his final statement called Blais’ cooking “whimsical, playful and sometimes just plain outrageous.”
Winner or not, the crowd at Home couldn’t agree more.
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‘RACE’ RESULTS IN LIVE TV WEDDING
Atlanta couple Darnell Suggs and LaDonna Bradford won’t have to worry about footing the bill for their wedding. The pair won the “Race to the Altar” contest on “Today” Wednesday morning. The prize: A fully paid-for wedding at Rockefeller Center that will be broadcast live on the NBC morning show June 25.
The pair got engaged on Jan. 1 — Bradford’s birthday — while on vacation. With a tour guide manning the video camera, Suggs got down on one knee and proposed in front of the picturesque Egyptian Sphinx.
So how did the couple score enough votes to win? They were aggressive marketers, sending 1,000 e-mails each week to everybody they know to vote for them. “It’s been fun and crazy all at the same time,” said Suggs, a technology consultant.
So exactly how many e-mail reminders did they send out? Well, a representative from our News Technology department took one look at the e-mail-choked BuzzBerry Wednesday and kindly suggested that we delete some missives immediately.
DINNER WITH ‘SEX’ GREAT FOR BUSINESS
There’s more to “Sex and the City” than $101 million at the box office. Fans have turned a night out with the gal pals into a dinner-and-a-movie phenomenon.
Since the film’s May 30 debut, Twist at Phipps Plaza reports business is up 35 percent from last year, spurred by women dining before or after seeing the movie at the mall’s AMC theater. It’s been busy at Strip, too, near Regal Atlantic Station. “We’ve easily had 5,000 women coming through here,” general manager Tim Holland says. “And the ladies are dressed to the nines.”
Business is so strong that Marlow’s Tavern, with locations in Midtown, Vinings, Kennesaw and Alpharetta, and Aqua Blue in Roswell are creating additional special events.
Wednesday nights through June, Marlow’s will offer $5 “Sex and the City” cocktails, $5 appetizers and $5 wine flight. On June 20, Aqua Blue is forming a “Sex”-inspired girls night out to benefit the Susan G. Komen cancer foundation. Drinks and appetizers will pay homage to “Sex” characters.
Anyone for Mr. Big mussels?
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Vic Damone is 80. Jazz musician Chick Corea is 67. Sports announcer Marv Albert is 67. Actor Timothy Busfield is 51. Rapper Grandmaster Dee of Whodini is 46. Blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd is 31.
HIGH FIVE
Television
The top OnDemand programs for the week ending June 8 as determined by Comcast customers in metro Atlanta:
1. “Take You Down,” Chris Brown, music video, Music Choice
2. “Bust It Baby Girl,” Plies, music video, Music Choice
3. “Take a Bow,” Rihanna, music video, Music Choice
4. “Shrek the Third,” HBO
5. “Family Guy,” “Fish Out of Water” episode, TBS, Series
Courtesy: Rentrak’s OnDemand Essentials
SICK BAY
Actor and philanthropist Paul Newman is battling cancer, his neighbor and business partner said Wednesday.
Newman, 83, has appeared gaunt in photos, and dropped plans to direct a play in his Connecticut hometown. Writer A.E. Hotchner, who partnered with Newman to start Newman’s Own salad dressing company, said the actor told him about the disease about 18 months ago. He did not specify what kind of cancer, but said Newman is in active treatment.
“I know that it’s a form of cancer,” Hotchner told The Associated Press. Newman issued a statement Tuesday that he’s “doing nicely” but didn’t address questions about cancer.
“He’s battling,” Hotchner said. “He’s doing all the right stuff. Paul is a fighter. … “
Contributing: Bob Longino, Rodney Ho, Richard L. Eldredge and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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