Jennifer Jasinski & Richard Sandoval among the 2013 “Top Cheftestants”
I know I’ll be watching the fifth season of Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” beginning on July 24, because two of the 13 new award-winning contenders have Colorado connections. Jennifer Jasinski is the chef/partner in three acclaimed Denver restaurants (Rioja, Euclid Hall and Bistro Vendôme) and Richard Sandoval (Richard Sandoval Restaurants with seven restaurants of different names in the Denver area, the mountains and overseas). They are competing for the title of ‘Top Chef Master’ and $100,000 for a charity of their choice. Jennifer’s is Work Options for Women and Richard’s is Careers Through Culinary Arts. It seems that both Colorado-connected chefs are eager to help train people for the business.
Another new wrinkle is that each Master has his or her sous-chef competing in a separate online competition, “Battle of the Sous Chefs.” Jenn’s sous is Jorel Pierce of Euclid Hall, who competed but didn’t get too far on last season’s “Top Chef.” Richard’s is Greg Howe, but I’m not sure where he cooks. The results of each online episode directly impacts the Masters, awarding such advantages as immunity (the winner of each battle earns immunity for his or her boss) and sometimes, disadvantages, depending on their sous-chef’s performance (the poorest-performing sous-chefs who perform “earn” obstacles for their Top Chef Masters). Each “Battle of the Sous Chefs” episode precedes the next episode of “Top Chef Masters” and explores the uniquely interdependent relationship between a Master chef and his or her sous. To get an idea of this The series is already in the can, the they know who won what, but it’s a secret to the rest of the world. Continue reading
The March issue of 
I really don’t care for the unreal (or surreal?) realm of reality telvision, but I tend to make an exception when a Colorado chef is a cooking show contestant. Then, my “state-riotism” kicks in and I start watching. With three Colorado chefs on 
Lignac is chef/owner of three popular restaurants in Paris, Quinzième, Le Chardenoux and Le Chardenoux des Prés, and two patisseries. In 2012, Chef Lignac received his first Michelin star for his restaurant Le Quinzième. At the same time, GQ magazine recognized his entrepreneurial spirit and his talent for sharing simple pleasures when they named him “Chef of the Year”. This spring, Lignac will release his first cookbook in English. Perhaps advance copies will already be available — or perhaps not.
Later in the month, on the 14th and 16th, Mathieu Pacaud, chef/co-owner the Michelin three star restaurant L‘Ambroisie in Paris, He partners with his father Bernard, to run this Parisian mainstay of French haute cuisine, L’Ambroisie that L’Ambroisie has retained three Michelin stars for more than 20 years. The restaurant.lies in the heart of the historic Marais at 9 Place des Vosges. The cuisine of Bernard and Mathieu Pacaud is classical, sophisticated and seasonal.