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Planning a meal in seconds with limited ingredients, based upon a food
mystery in a basket, is no easy feat, even for a seasoned professional.
Last night on Chopped, Adrienne Grenier beat out a bunch of guys with more experience, who talked a lot of trash, each claiming with bravado that he was certain to win. Yet as the rounds ticked by, those boys got nervous, and Grenier, a sous chef at the Eden Roc’s 1500 Degrees, continued to wow the judges, taking home the ten grand worth of prize money.
Local chefs gathered at the restaurant to support Grenier, including her
former boss, Dean James Max, as well as Alberto Cabrera, Sean Brasel,
Timon Balloo, Michael Bloise, Kurtis Jantz and Chad Galiano. Also in
attendance was the first Miami Chopped champ, Giorgio Rapicavoli. Grenier attributed her presence on the show to executive chef Paula DaSilva, saying, “I’m here mostly because my boss made me.”
In the first round she turned frozen fries into a successful hash, and
despite being unfamiliar with the star of the entrée course, blue foot
chicken, Grenier was the only competitor to deliver a plate of poultry
that was tender; the other two dishes were dry enough for the judges to
complain repeatedly. Her dessert of a masa harissa shortcake clinched the
win, although the stress of watching her compete may have been worse
than the actual competing. There were tears, emotional admissions of her
lack of confidence, inexperience and hesitation to enter the culinary
world five years ago (never wanted to hug a stranger so badly.)
At one moment she looked frazzled when standing in front of the
“pantry,” and we hear Grenier’s internal monologue saying, “My boss
Paula would be really disappointed if I didn’t give it all I’ve
got…this is a chance to gain some confidence…you’ve gotta believe in
yourself, so I tell myself that I am going to win Chopped!”
And thus she did, ending the show with the following statement about her victory, “Wow, it’s huge! I proved to myself that I am worth something.”
Chef Adrienne, please start celebrating your bright future immediately!
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