“Top Chef” Crew does Atlanta
Eli Kirshtein and Jennifer Carroll enjoy some Community Q BBQ (all photo credits: Mike Fincham)
Top contenders on the current season of “Top Chef” — which concludes its run this Wednesday — staged a mini-reunion in Atlanta over the weekend filled with restaurant hopping, tailgating and seats at the Falcons-Eagles game at the Georgia Dome.
Contestants Jennifer Carroll, Bryan Voltaggio and Mike Isabella (a former Kyma cook) did the tour of their Atlantan castmates’ restaurants on Saturday night. They began at Hector Santiago’s Poncey-Highland tapas bar, Pura Vida, moved on to visit Eli Kirshtein at Eno by Zaza in Midtown and then descended on Kevin Gillespie at Woodfire Grill on Cheshire Bridge Road. The whole crew ended the evening over burgers and brews at Holeman & Finch Public House in South Buckhead.
Front row. left to right: Chefs Eli Kirshtein, Jennifer Carroll, Kevin Gillespie, Bryan Voltaggio, Michael Isabella. Back row: local friends Mike Fincham and Jim Laber
On Sunday, Kirshtein invited the whole crew to a pre-game tailgate with barbecue provided by Decatur’s hot, new Community Q BBQ. Showing the digestive fortitude of Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio combined, the chefs finished off their Atlanta tour with a visit to former “Top Chef” finalist Richard Blais’ Westside ground-beef phenom, Flip Burger Boutique. You can read more about the visit and see additional pictures in BBQ Geek — a blog by Atlantan ‘cue fanatic Mike Fincham.
Gillespie will go up against Voltaggio and his brother, Michael Voltaggio, in the final episode that airs on Wednesday. One of the three will be named “Top Chef” and win, among other prizes, $125,000 and a spread in “Food and Wine” magazine.
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32 comments Add your comment
bravesgrl4life
December 7th, 2009
11:13 am
GO KEVIN!!!!
Jay Nelson
December 7th, 2009
11:26 am
Cool
ACBrown
December 7th, 2009
11:41 am
Go Kevin! We are routing for you!!!!! You, Eli, Blais and Hector have done Atlanta proud. Thanks for the honorable representation of our fair city and it’s outstanding dining scene.
AC
ATLFoodie
December 7th, 2009
12:06 pm
I sure hope Kevin Wins!! I can’t wait to go to Woodfire Grill! I did Blais’ burger place not to long ago and it was fabulous! Go Kevin win for you and the ATL!!!
Kelly
December 7th, 2009
12:28 pm
Go Kevin!!!
Me
December 7th, 2009
1:03 pm
I have been a supporter of Kevin from day 1. He is not only a wonderful, talented chef, he has also conducted himself with the utmost character – he is a Southern Gentleman. I will be routing for him in the finals, but win or lose, he is Top Chef in my book.
Ripley
December 7th, 2009
1:13 pm
It speaks volumes that Michael Voltaggio was not with the group. He is/was such a jerk and his brother is worth ten of him. I had hoped for a Kevin/Jennifer/Brian finale with Kevin the winner.
Lauren
December 7th, 2009
1:34 pm
GO KEVIN!!! You’re the man! Cheers to both you and Eli for being awesome, totally down-to-earth, and showing the world what Atlanta is REALLY about! (Especially when the only other thing that’s been attributed to us is Real Housewives)
Paul A
December 7th, 2009
1:40 pm
Kevin is the best chef!
Kar
December 7th, 2009
1:53 pm
I love Kevin’s “do a simple dish splendidly” approach but I won’t scream at the tv if Brian wins.
If Mike wins, I think most of us will throw things at the tv.
Sean
December 7th, 2009
3:00 pm
Community Q BBQ is The Best BBQ in Atlanta!!!!!! GO Kevin!!!!!!
gretchen
December 7th, 2009
3:13 pm
Pulling for Kevin in Wednesday’s finale. Agree with the poster about Michael Voltaggio he’s a tool.
rob
December 7th, 2009
3:19 pm
Regardless of who wins, Kevin will always be a winner. He conducted himself admirably and his cooking has been beyond reproach. And, he also has quite a few nice prizes and “chips” from the M casino.
scottbravesfan
December 7th, 2009
4:06 pm
I feel bad that they went to the Falcons vs. Eagles game that was an embarrassment and probably embarrassed Kevin and Eli on how their city acted. The other chefs probably got a terrible view of the city as well. Hopefully they enjoyed their tour of the area’s restaurants. And thank you Kevin, Eli, and Hector for showing class on the show and letting everyone know that not everyone in Atlanta is complete trash like the women on the Real Housewives of Atlanta. That show is an embarrassment to this city.
Madge
December 7th, 2009
4:45 pm
I’d guess Jen was happy with the outcome of the game, since she’s from Philadelphia.
John Kessler
December 7th, 2009
5:13 pm
Scottbravesfan: Kevin, Eli, Hector: Class acts all the way.
Elise
December 7th, 2009
5:23 pm
@Ripley “It speaks volumes that Michael Voltaggio was not with the group. He is/was such a jerk and his brother is worth ten of him.”
Actually, Michael was in Orlando participating in a charity event for a chef that died (http://www.jeromegirardotfund.com/wp/) which I think means way more than going to a football game.
SP
December 7th, 2009
6:17 pm
Go Kevin!! You are a true Top Chef!
"Top Chef" contestants descend on Atlanta | Food and More with … | SwagSodDope LIVE
December 7th, 2009
8:16 pm
[...] Chefs take in Falcons/Eagles game and do some serious restaurant hopping. More here: "Top Chef" contestants descend on Atlanta | Food and More with … [...]
Jude74
December 8th, 2009
12:34 am
Ripley the reason why Michael Voltaggio was not there was because he attended a charity event earlier in the week to benifit the children of a chef that died earlier this year. He could not take the entire week off of work. He is good friends with Kevin and Jen, don’t let the editing fool ya. Michael is a much nicer person then people realize.
WoodfireFan
December 8th, 2009
8:58 am
Thanks to all the contestants on Top Chef for pouring your hearts into your cooking!! Best of luck to the top 3 on the final competition!!! But as avid Fan of Kevin’s incredible cooking, GO KEVIN!!!
TheseEyes
December 8th, 2009
9:56 am
Where is Richard Blais? I know where he is. I always know.
top chef fanatic
December 8th, 2009
3:10 pm
that was really special and i feel such a bond between all of the remaining contestants and even jenn its a bond that i have never seen on top chef before and this weekend just confirmed it and i have no ill feelings towards micheal he is just a very expressive chef that follows strict guidelines and beliefs. …that and he runs his mouth but in todays society who dont run there mouth , You see it every day . Im pulling for kevin and its his to loose. whats the plan on a celebration party at woodfire grille?
have a blessed day:) GO KEVBO!!!
About season finale, "top chef: las | Find me About
December 9th, 2009
8:22 am
[...] Top contenders on the current season of “Top Chef” — which concludes its run this Wednesday — staged a mini-reunion in Atlanta over the weekend filled with restaurant hopping, tailgating and seats at the Falcons-Eagles game at the Georgia Dome. …Read Original Story: “Top Chef” Crew does Atlanta – Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
About top chef:, top chef season finale, voltaggio, kevin | Find me About
December 9th, 2009
12:38 pm
[...] Top contenders on the current season of “Top Chef” — which concludes its run this Wednesday — staged a mini-reunion in Atlanta over the weekend filled with restaurant hopping, tailgating and seats at the Falcons-Eagles game at the Georgia Dome. …Read Original Story: “Top Chef” Crew does Atlanta – Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Blue
December 9th, 2009
4:17 pm
Mike V.takes it guys, sorry. Look at the promo clip at the end of the “Part 1″ episode – Padma is looking right at him when she announces the winner.
JENNY
December 9th, 2009
4:58 pm
LOVE ME SOME KEVIN!!!!!!!! Good luck tonight. You should win!!!
Fred
December 9th, 2009
5:07 pm
I doubt I could care less about the results of any reality show. If flies could “vote” we would all eat crap because 10 bazillion flies couldn’t be wrong now could they? Kevin impressed me with his grill mastery when I ate at the Woodfire, so whatever happens in yet another mindless reality show doesn’t really interest me. Good luck anyway Kevin, I KNOW form the difficulty I’ve had getting a seat in your place since that stupid show started though that even if you don’t win the show you HAVE won with the free advertising. I can’t think of a place that “deserves” to be packed from open to close more than Woodfire. Keep up the good work.
Dee
December 9th, 2009
8:45 pm
actually just found a chat article, where Michael Voltaggio admitted that he called Kevin’s found simple based on looks, but once he tasted it, he admitted Kevin’s food was full of flavor. and he also said he formed the closest friendship with Kevin.
I agree with Jude74 – the producers create the show to make us believe what they want to show us
Dee
December 9th, 2009
8:45 pm
i meant food, not found, oops
About bryan voltaggio, top chef:, michael voltaggio, kevin, top chef season, top chef finale | Find me About
December 10th, 2009
12:05 am
[...] Top contenders on the current season of “Top Chef” — which concludes its run this Wednesday — staged a mini-reunion in Atlanta over the weekend filled with …Read Original Story: “Top Chef” Crew does Atlanta – Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
About top chef finale, bryan voltaggio, season finale, ‘top, michael voltaggio | Find me About
December 10th, 2009
2:06 am
[...] Top contenders on the current season of “Top Chef” — which concludes its run this Wednesday — staged a mini-reunion in Atlanta over the weekend filled with …Read Original Story: “Top Chef” Crew does Atlanta – Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]