By now I guess you know that I lost Ultimate Recipe Showdown Comfort Foods. I lost by one point. Winner takes all in this competition, and Rick Massa's Cheese Lovers 5 Cheese Mac and Cheese won the prize of $25,000 and a spot on the Friday's menu. My Pumpernickel Pastrami Panini with Rosemary-Ale Jus wasn't good enough, and I think I know my mistake:
I didn't use bacon on my sandwich. Haha. Bacon IS the ultimate comfort food, is it not? Rick had the right idea because he used it in his mac and cheese and his sandwich and his soup. More people will order macaroni and cheese with bacon at T.G.I. Fridays than a Pumpernickel Pastrami Panini with Rosemary-Ale Jus, right? That was probably a smart decision by the judges.
Congrats to him! I truly am happy for him because he was such a nice guy. He's a retired S.W.A.T team officer and he has a really interesting story that you can hear about here. He had the best dish in the competition, so I congratulate him. His recipe sounds delicious; I'm going to have to try making it soon. He's going to have fun with that $25,000! He's going to have a good retirement.
My sandwich won the speed round, but my Baked Butternut Four Cheese Farfalle with Sage came in fourth place in the signature round. It's actually a really good recipe, I promise! I like it even better than the panini. I had problems when I was making it in the competition. My squash was small and not very ripe, and my gorgonzola was stronger than the kind I use at home. The judges said something about adding the sage into the sauce instead of topping the pasta with it, but I kind of like it on top. I drizzle butter on top and it gets nice and crispy.
I have been extremely disappointed (depressed) over the last couple of months since we filmed the show, of course, because I didn't win the money to go to culinary school in New York City. Hopefully I'll get to go someday. Everyone keeps saying good things will come from being on the show, and keep my head up, so I will try. I'm incredibly grateful for this experience. It's been a blast and I want to go back and compete on the show again. In the meantime, I will be creating more recipes for contests, and of course working on my blog. I've gotten better with being on camera, so I'm considering buying a camera and filming cooking segments and posting them on here.
The last couple of months have been the craziest in my life, and the last couple of days have been insane. I've gotten SO MANY emails, comments, messages about the show, and they've all been really nice. I responded to all of them, but they were a little rushed and I'm sorry for that. Thank you for all your support! Also, thank you to everyone who showed up for the watch party.
But I know why you really came here today:
you wanted to know more about my budding romance with Chef Michael Psilakis. I've gotten so many remarks about that comment I made.
I'm going on record here. I DID NOT know we were filming when I made that comment about him being hot.
But I still think he's kinda hot. Also Chef Michael Symon.
I like men with bald heads and goatees, I suppose.
Now for today's official business:
The tasting of the winning recipe at T.G.I. Friday's.
My dining companion (tee hee) and I arrived at the restaurant on Monday evening, the night after the show aired. I was recognized fairly quickly by some of the servers and customers, which was pretty cool. I even got a free margarita glass that says "Riday's" on it. Don't you just love Riday's?
Seeing the menu made me sad because I wished my picture and winning dish were on it.
But they weren't. #&*^$#!@#&#($^#$&*#!
This is me with the Gourmet Mac n' Five Cheese. I was trying to look sad in the picture, but I kept laughing, so it looks like I'm really disgusted with the dish. Which I wasn't at all.
So it's penne pasta with a creamy fontina, bleu, gruyere, white cheddar and parmesan cheese sauce, that's been tossed with bacon. It's topped with bleu cheese crumbles, parmesan, bread crumbs, parsley and a grilled chicken breast.
Who eats pasta with a spoon? I don't. Maybe when I was a toddler.
At first I was surprised that Friday's changed his recipe and added chicken to it, and I thought I wouldn't like it, but how can you go wrong with adding chicken to something? Chicken's delicious in everything. So the chicken was fine. And I thought there was just enough bacon and bleu cheese in the dish to not overpower it, which I was worried about. I wished they had kept the macaroni though, because without it, it seemed too much like any other pasta dish. Overall I have to say it was pretty good. I loved the crunchy topping.
That's all I've got, although I'm sure I'm forgetting something...
If you want to watch the show again, it airs tonight at 10pm/9c.
Posts
Food Network Fame
Sugar Plum Tweets
Sugar Plum on Saveur
85 comments:
You're sure cute, Emily. Sorry you didn't win (and that I don't have access to the show either on TV OR the Internet, as it blocks us) but I agree that you will find opportunities now that you're even MORE famous than you were before! We're all rooting for you!
I just watched this on Sunday! I am so sorry you did not win...I am sure you will have many opportunities in the VERY near future. Best of luck and I look forward to staying tuned in to your blog!
I was glued to the TV on Sunday night and was cheering you on. I thought you were terrific. The judges loved your sandwich so I thought you should have won.
I know you will make it to culinary school. Good things will come out of the competition.
ah, i watched and was rooting for you!! i don't know why your sammie didn't do better, they all seemed to love it! keep up the good work, you did a fantastic job :)
You look gorgeous sitting there with your drink! I'm sorry you've been crushed these last few months...Imagine the Top Chef guys who come in second? Brutal. I know good things are in store for you, meanwhile, welcome back to blogging!
it broke my heart a little when I found out it wasnt you...I was so hoping you would win and come to NYC...BACON - thats sage advice...(whoa too many puns in a row can twist things up)
Sorry to hear that you lost! However you need to focus on the positives...you will get exposure and become more empowered because of this Em...I think you'll be the next Food network star...just you watch.
As everyone tells you your time will come. We don't get the show here (I think that TJ Fridays is an Eastern chain because I have been there)Your star will shine and this is just a stepping stone... so don't be sad.
Well, I'm still really proud of you, and so impressed with how gracious you are to the winner. i'd be throwing darts at his head right now (even if he is a nice guy!). and for what it's worth, i would have ordered your sandwich over the mac n cheese. i could make the mac n cheese at home in 20 minutes, and make one almost identical except for the bleu, which i don't like. but your sandwich? it had so many cool flavors. i would have way rather tried something unique than just having another mac-n-cheese.
Wish to see your show! I m sure you deserved first prize but you did well just the same. :) You look great. I agree with you that chef looks so hot ! :)
I saw you the other day on the plane. Even though you didn't went the judges gave you a great complement, that you have a future in the industry. I was rooting for you. You were charming on the show. And if you want to go to cooking school, there are different payment options, like working a year at the school and then getting your tuition free, ICE in NYC does this. Best of Luck
It's cliched, yes, but I'm certain your destined for even greater things. Just have to keep your chin up and keep plugging away!
I missed it on Sunday :-( but am going to seriously TRY to catch it tonight. Sorry, I just don't watch TV.
~ingrid
Great blog post and show re-cap! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and your romance with Chef Michael Psilakis. :) You did such a great job on the show and I look forward to your future delicious recipes!!
I think your recipe look great and I may actually try making it myself. You were a good sport about the whole thing and I think you will definitely have a bright future ahead of you! I love your blog, so keep those recipes coming!!!
Em,
You WERE fantastic and great things WILL happen. The bacon theory about why you lost is EXACTLY what Amy said in a comment on my blog. She used the term "bacon whores" for the judges. Very apt.
You look drop dead gorgeous in that picture. Who cares if you lost a measly twenty five thousand dollars when you look like that? And, frankly, that pasta dish did not look particularly appetizing. I wonder if Rick was unhappy at the changes to his recipe. You know, they could have made you win and just added some bacon to the panini, if they were so desperate.
You are a winner just for trying, I would not dream of entering simply for my fear of being in front of the cameras. I know it won't take long before you make it big....hang in there!
If they told you that opportunities will come from the show, they must know what they're talking about. They really liked you Emily, they could see how much talent you have! Maybe a job at foodnet work huh???
I'm so sorry you didn't win, but I'm glad you had a good time. Next time get on a show with viewer voting and I will vote for you twice. ;)
Emily, It was fun to watch you compete and your recipes look great. We are on a panini kick so we will add yours to our line-up! We LOVE pastrami!! I've only tried butternut squash once and wasn't impressed but you've made me rethink it. Keep smiling because you will make it to culinary school. Keep positive because you have done so many great things! I was introduced to your blog last week and I'm enjoying it, can't wait to see what you cook up next!
:( I'm sad for you, but also very happy you got to have that experience! Don't think about the money you didn't get. In the long run, it won't matter ;). There's this cooking school in NY that offers a work-study program, have you heared of it? You work for them 6 months and then you get the free education. Would that suit you? Or maybe you really want to go to a specific school.
Anyway, you're a good sport to go and taste the dish that won!
Don't be sad :(! You know, I can tell you're gonna go to culinary school; people with your kind of drive go places...you've already been on Food Network, that's awesome :)! And hey, one point and you were the youngest one! That's pretty darn good :).
Em, I am sorry you didn't win but you will soo benefit from being seen on that show. Wait, good things come to those who wait! What a good sport of you going to the restaurant and eating the recipe that beat yours! You are a winner!
You are a winner! This is only the beginning!
wow! i just checked your blog after not seeing it for a few weeks and i am so impressed! i love those shows, and ill definitely watch tonight - sorry you didnt win :( i hope you do someday! it's really cool seeing someone my age on one of these shows. you go girl! :)
I'm sure it's disappointing not to win, but gosh, just the fact that you made it there is terrific! Gee, after Friday's got done with the winner's mac & cheese recipe, it wasn't really the same one, was it??? I was very surprised to see that!
Heehee, my husband was in the other room during the first half of the show, and then he came out and asked, "Who is your friend, the one who said the judge was hot?" I despise Friday's anyway (they were on our meal plan in college. . .eating Friday's every week is not a good thing), and now I hate them even more. That is the only good thing, you not winning, is that I will not have to go eat there, because there IS one in Anchorage, and I would have had to go and order the sandwich.
We also thought it was weird how much they changed his recipe, with the adding chicken, but I guess they're not really a baked pasta restaurant, so they couldn't just put that on their menu. And you don't eat penne with a spoon. Only spaghetti or fettucine or other long noodley pastas. The Itlaian in me is horrified.
Was totally rooting for you... but I've got to agree. This is really just the beginning. And we all think you're terrific!
at least you had a romantic time out with eric!!! i'm surprised he's not bald, too. haha
i think those two chefs look EXACTLY alike. i thought it was Mike Symon at first, but then he introduced himself as some guy i've never heard of.
i do agree with you that bacon is the ultimate comfort food. i eat tempeh bacon and i love the stuff.
i was expecting you to say that rick's dish sucked, but i'm glad you liked it!!!!
I'd take your panini over mac 'n cheese anyday. You rock and I'm sure the rest of the world will find that out soon.
Mac & chee is so 2008. You're the future, baby.
You did a way better job than I would've at not having sour grapes, and not talking crap about TGIMcFunster's (as Dreamy Bourdain calls it). Way to keep it classy.
So sorry you didn't win, Emily! I would take both of your dishes over all the others any day. Don't be discouraged - you'll make it to culinary school!
Girl, I literally screamed at my television, "NOOOO!!!!! EM WAS ROBBED!!!!!!!!" - you should have won, and I'll never forgive the judges (or Guy) for their decision. YOU RULE!! And don't you ever forget that.
Hey Em! Roberto and I read this and kept saying at all the intervals: "She's so aweosme....". We do love you and you are so awesome!
Try to keep your head up. I don't think anyone in your position could help but feeling a little disappointed, so I think that is okay. But don't let it bog you down. You have tons of talent and as I said, if you enter a baking contest, no one else will have a prayer in the world!!!
I wasn't able to watch the original air as the cable wasn't hooked up in our new home yet. But I hope to catch a replay. Sorry you didn't win but it sounds like you're made of all the right stuff to get as far as you did! I for one thing your farfalle dish sounds wonderful! I'd love to try the panini too!
I agree...you look gorgeous sitting in Fridays, and you were very personable and endearing on tv! All the best of luck to you!
(and yes, bacon is ALWAYS welcome on most anything, including a sandwich! ;)
Emily, I KNOW that you will someday go to culinary school. Don't waste your time being depressed. You are an adorable and very talented young lady and I am keeping my fingers crossed for you because I know good things will happen for you!! You were wonderful on the show!!!!
Hi Emily,
You shouldn't be depressed... you should be jumping for joy that you had the opportunity. You heard those judges... they were excited about your future... that you had so much talent already. You'll definitely get some nice exposure from this and will get many opportunities to come. Be sure to enter lots of contests as you sure have great things to share!
Funny story... so my 7 year old watched the show w/ me and I told him that you were someone that I "know." He was glued to the TV the whole time totally rooting you on. After the first round, he said, "uh oh. She's not going to win." After the 2nd round, "Mom! Your friend is going to win!! They like her sandwich!!" He (and I) were sad that you didn't win :)
Good job though. You were so good. And such a natural w/ the camera.
Eric might want to look into shaving his head and growing a soul patch.
Hey! so i was server when you came in to try the dish..sorry about the crappy margarita class, but hey it was free!! lol. and I actually just watched the show, and I am sorry you didnt win! but I hope you come to see me at fridays! GOOD LUCK IN ALL!
I'm sorry you didn't win, but your sammy would be #1 in my book anyday (though I don't have 25k to offer you)! Like you said, I"m sure something great will come out of the show. Not many people could look that fantastic on camera!!!
You were robbed!!! FWIW, I think your dishes sound really fabulous. You're absolutely destined for great things -- you're smart, you're a good person (you're so gracious about your competitor!), you have tremendous talent and you're beautiful! This is just the beginning of many wonderful things, I have no doubt. Congratulations on being on the show!
I'm so sorry you didn't win!! What an amazing opportunity though! I know many many more great opportunities will come your way- you are so talented!!!
Em, you are going to hear this a lot, but you should of won. I loved your dishes, and I've been craving that pasta (with the sage on TOP please!!)
But let me just say:
1. You are SO talented and you ARE gonna get to culinary school some day
2. You look goregous at TGI fridays. Seriously. Model-hot.
3. I love you to bits and pieces
"I should have put bacon on my..."
Words to live by.
Seriously though, it was refreshing to see you on the show. A fresh face. A bright future. And it seemed like you're quite a character as well. The total package. You're gonna be just fine.
Congrats for just getting that far!! LOVE your blog and I visit daily. Your sandwich sounds amazing too bad bacon pushed his dishes over the top.
Emily, I still have to see the show (not aired in Canada yet) but again, congrats, you're no slouch.
Think of yourself closer to your dream, you mis-stepped a rung on your ladder to the top...get with it.
Also, post yours and the other pasta dish...I want to try both and then judge for myself which was best.
Emily,
You are an amazing cook/chef/person! You MUST go to culinary school! Don't feel depressed or bad about not taking the money, we all beat out so many people to be on the show, and we all had such fun!
You CANNOT deny the world your amazing abilities. Please, you can get student loans, aid, and more.
YOU MUST LIVE YOUR DREAM AND GO TO COOKING SCHOOL!
I would feel so bad if you didn't?
Maybe see you next season? Let's go for it again!
-Diana
You did a FABULOUS job. Don't be sad!! You were amazing!!! What a great experience for you! And don't give up your dream, you will make it to culinary school! You are the best!!!
Hi Emily,
I thought you were WONDERFUL! I watched with my family and we were all rooting for you--you are so charming and articulate, and (so clearly) VERY talented.
I actually saw you in passing in the hallway when I was doing my follow-up interview (I was in the desserts show). You are so pretty!
And if no one has mentioned it yet...you defintely should keep entering cooking contests! There is an entire website devoted to it (contestcooking.com). You have what it takes--keep entering cooking competitions, Emily!!! (E.G., BUILDABETTERBURGER IS $50,000--they have the contest every year).
Uggh, I am nervious about which outtakes they will show of me now that I've read that you didn;t think you were being filmed during the "hot" comment.
Looking forward to seeing your next WIN!
Emily,
Congrats again for getting on the show! Do you know how many people you beat out just to make it to your spot? ALOT. You are so young, adorable and talented and have a very bright future. I wouldn't be surprised if a culinary school in NY offers you something. Best of luck in your future contests, I know you'll do great. Did you check out the National Beef Competition? That one is a HUGE prize.
Sorry you didn't win, Emily, but you're well on your way to something big. I wish you the best! :-D
You're young and you will get to culinary school and do even better from there. I'm currently awaiting some news about a writing project that I've been working on while trying to plan my wedding. I'm soooo exhausted. Sleep, anyone? :-)
Don't worry! I'm surprised no one has contacted you yet to make a cookbook about desserts or something. You should totally do that! I'm sure you have thought about that already ;)
Ps. I love my shiny shaved head man! Bald guys can be so sexy.
Honey keep on trucking. You have talent. This is not a setback , but part of the journey and growth. You are looking fab these days too. Big hug.
Not sure if my comment went through.
Just watched the show this morning and I totally was rooting for you! As I was watching I was thinking "this girl probably has a food blog, but how would I ever find it!?" Anyway, ironically, I have had this blog saved on my computer for awhile but just now was able to put 2 and 2 together! haha Good luck w/everything. oh and i love your hair btw!!
Emily, sorry you dont win! but I find your pictures absolutely lovely, you really look so nice.Huggsss!! Yu are the best!!! yes and really love the handsome Chef!!! Gloria
I just can't tell the difference between the two Michaels...they look the same to me!
I watched the show last night. And tonight I check your blog for updates (which I check frequently)...and I made the connection. Sorry, but I didn't know you were "Sugar Plum" when I was watching the show last night. Last fall I completed a baking bootcamp at CIA in Hyde Park, NY. I watched you on the show and thought about what a wonderful life you have ahead of you. To be your age and already on the Food network...you are so far ahead so many cooks/bakers. Live through your grief...it's necessary..then set your goals and work toward them. I wish you so much success!!!!
You did so well!! Congratulations on getting so far! I love that show; I hope they re-air the episode you were on soon!
did you get a consolation prize? you darn well should've. your attitude is very admirable--i can state with certainty that i wouldn't have been such a graceful runner-up.
please don't give up on culinary school yet--you've got the chops, friend!
i finally watched last night! my mom and i were watching together and i was telling her all about you and your blog - it was so cool to see you in action, after reading all your recipes for the last few months. i think it's amazing how talented you are and i really hope you get the chance to go to culinary school.
also - i dont really like pastrami, but i would totally eat that sandwich! i hope you get to do another cookoff soon:)
those 2 bald chefs really look alike. I thought it was the same guy. I like bald chefs because there is a lower probability of getting hair in your food. I think the score on your mac n chz was low because Fieri came over and "tainted" it- he's gotta smell from eating at all those diners and dives. You should have caused a scene when they announced the scores, maybe break some lights or throw something... but on second thought, the SWAT guy probably would have subdued you
beautiful pictures of you! i love your hair!
what a neat opportunity you had to do this show!! there are LOTS of great things in your future. i love this quote by Oprah:
"my future is so bright i gotta squint to see".
xoxoxo
I'm so sorry you didn't win!!! I really wanted you to come up here to school. Maybe you could apply for a scholarship or something?? And just to add my 2 cents, I thought your dishes were more inventive. I never think of any kind of new recipe and even I've done the jacked up mac and cheese thing. I'll share in the bitterness with you for a while (but I'll also need one of those margaritas please).
I have been a reader of your blog for a long time, and am commenting for the first time. I love your blog, and when I saw that you were going to be one of the contestants on the show, I freaked! I told my husband..my mom...my dad...pretty much everyone. I am disappointed you didn't win, but I am so excited for you and for the amazing experience you had. You are #1 in my book!
:( My sister and law were just talking about "baconarians", my mother in law asked what that was. We replied that they were vegetarians who eat bacon. Everyone loves bacon, even vegetarians. I'm sorry you lost, ONE LOUSY POINT!
Well, they closed the Fridays here, so I think it's all related! If they had chosen YOUR dish, the place would probably still be open :)
Sorry I am late to see your post. You have NO idea how proud we are of you! Don't give up yet! You're an amazing cook and baker, never forget that! Congrats on being on the show, that is a giant leap in itself.
I love that everyone says it's just the beginning. So true. I think you did fantastic, AND my husband made me promise that if you posted the recipe to make it! Great job!
You were robbed!!!!!
Keep plugging away. You will go to culinary school if that is your goal. In the meantime, keep blogging awesome food.
But I also can't wait until you start blogging about culinary school someday. I think all foodies want to go someday.
I saw you on the show...sorry you didn't win! You will get to culinary school...I have faith! So glad I found your blog.
You're so gracious. I wouldn't have gone to Friday's. I would have continued to have a pity party that included tons of pie and my hips becomming the size of a house.
I think you should tape segments and air them on the blog. That would be really good. Do one on how to make those gorgeous pie crusts!
I'm in the mood for one of your pies. Can you tell?
I just happened to find out a few minutes ago about this show and someone from MO being on it. Voila, I just happened to have the Food Network on, and it's the show with you on it! When they showed you at your restaurant working, it looked like you were at Lambert's. Is that where you work? I've been there once, love the place. Tried going there another time, it was too crowded! I live in the KC area.
I've been bad at visiting blogs lately, but I was just sitting down to a lazy Saturday of watching tv, and I knew immediately that this was you!! I'm so proud of you, even if you didn't win, and I know that things will work out and your dream of culinary school will come true!! I'll be back to visiting more regularly once this baby decides to come...
I finally got to catch the show. You are way too cute on it!! I'm sorry you didn't win--really your dishes looked fabulous. I'm going to be trying both of them out in the future.
You WILL make it to culinary school someday. Just keep with it! You are incedibly talented and good at what you do. Your time will come!
I'm sorry to hear that you didn't win but don't be disappointed, you are very talented and keep entering into food contests and you will soon win.
I saw the show...I thought you did good - but yup - when it comes to comfort, cheese, pasta, and bacon ALWAYS win. It's okay though - there's the future.
Listen - you were on NATIONAL TV. Trust me - this experience is just as valuable. Good luck w/your future endeavors.
It's so great that you were chosen to be on the show. You did very well. It must have been so exciting and worrisome at the same time, but just keep stepping forward and you will find where you are supposed to be.
No shame in losing by one point!
Wow - what an adventure! You are an amazing secret keeper. I would be busting at the seams not talking about this for so long. I wonder if I can find the show online. I wasn't in town when it played. Not even sure if it played in Canada or not.
Sorry to hear you didn't win the money. But, what an amazing accomplishment to be a finalist!
Emily you did such an amazing job! You are going to be one amazing chef! Congrats on your achievement! I hope you get to culinary school soon! Good luck!
awww.sorry to hear u didn't win but i'm sure what everyone says it's right. u will some day get to go to culinary school if u keep your heart in it!! :) p/s. i agree - 5 cheese mac and cheese seems like the ultimate comfort food..although bacon in a sandwich or bacon alone will sort me out.x
I'm afraid I didn't see the show Em, as we don't have cable TV, but I'm so sorry that you didn't win. I had high hopes for you, and can only say, you was robbed.
You did fantastic! I was in my doctor's office and saw you in the magazine from that woman judge! I got to tell everyone all about how I kind of know you maybe just a little bit and how awesome you are!
Emily, I would say you are not quite as shy on your blog as you indicated on the show. I was just about to comment on foodtv that this recipe was wonderful. Some restaurants will send their talented employees to culinary school. Have you been sending in any type of resumes to see if Food Network would hire you or sponsor you for culinary school. There is one in North Carolina now that transferred from Charleston,SC. Tyler Florence attended. Since you have the passion, I hope you find a way to follow your dream.
Aha!! I kept thinking "wow she looks familiar somehow" and thats it! I remember seeing you on tv in January, you were so much younger than the other contestants! You definitely held your own against them.
After the episode I had to go try the mac n cheese too...man it was good, sorry. I'm glad for the chicken or else it would have cost $27.
Post a Comment