Greetings from frosty Montana. “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” around here; trees, lights, and decorations abound and the ice skating rink looks ready for a triple-sowkow. The forecast is for continued cold weather and snow, so we are all looking forward to a “White Christmas”.
Some great news for all of you foodies out there, we have our first feature chef and vintner for Montana Master Chefs 2009. Texas’ own, Kent Rathbun of Abacus, Jasper’s and Shinsei Restaurants will join us fresh off his defeat of Iron Chef Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America.
Our first vintner on the books is the renowned winemaker and owner, John Williams of Frog’s Leap Winery. This landmark Napa Valley winery has consistently produced world-class wines and has the best motto in the wine business: “Time’s fun when you’re having flies” and the only cork that says Ribbit! when you uncork the bottle. We are off to a great start and the soon-to-be-announced chefs and vintners are equally as impressive.
All you fans of Bravo TV’sTop Chef, keep an eye on this season’s competition from New York. One of the competitors will face off against Stephanie Izard, the winner of The Top Chef Cook Off Challenge from Montana Master Chefs 2008 in MMC ’09. Who will it be? Stay tuned.
– Jim Nielsen