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Home » Uncategorized » Foodie Freebie Friday: Top Chef Master, Rick Bayless

Foodie Freebie Friday: Top Chef Master, Rick Bayless

August 24, 2009 · WCC Administr@tr · 80 Comments


Welcome back to another Monday! I hope you had a great weekend and some culinary adventures of your own. This weekend was busy for me in the kitchen where I hosted three events for What’s Cookin, Chicago:

Foodie Films: Pressure Cooker – This was an independent film based on a Philadelphia culinary arts high school teacher, Wilma Stephenson and how she has helped three specific inner city students get scholarships to culinary schools around the country. We found it to be a very inspirational film that delivered quite a few messages as it pertains to public school systems and culinary arts. I encourage you to check out the film if you can. Here’s a link to the trailer and detailed info on the film.

Bread Baker’s Apprentice Session – We got together to bake some bread from scratch! Aligned with the Bread Baker’s Apprentice challenges I participate in, members of What’s Cookin, Chicago came over to learn hands-on how to make Italian Bread, Kaiser Rolls and Lavash Crackers from scratch. Stay tuned in the coming weeks to read the posts on how they came out!

In the Kitchen: Cooking Building Blocks – Not everyone in my group, What’s Cookin, Chicago are seasoned home cooks and many are really interested in learning how to cook more and how to cook just enough for one to two people households. I taught this cooking class with beginner home cooks in mind and we tackled some classic dishes that allowed them to add their own style. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post with recipes of what we made!

Now to start off this new week, I’m taking readers back through time to a special night here in Chicago. Last week on Wednesday, August 19, 2009, one of Chicago’s very own was named Bravo’s Top Chef Master – Rick Bayless! Here’s a great summary of Rick Bayless’s win, from Chicagonow.com:

top-chef-bayless-6959168

“The owner/chef of Frontera Grill and Topolobampo spiced up the first season finale of “Top Chef Masters” on Wednesday night, coming away with the title and $100,000 for the Frontera Farmer Foundation.

Bayless and finalists Hubert Keller and Michael Chiarello had to make a four-course meal that served as an autobiography of their food lives.

Bayless wowed the judges with his Ahi tuna smothered with Oaxacan black mole sauce.

“Mmmm,” is what the judges had to say–all together–about the mole sauce, just before they called the chefs back to announce the winner.

“I don’t believe this,” said Bayless, who came out on top of the 24 chefs who competed this summer. “I am just totally elated … Viva Mexico!”

Past “Top Chef” winners, including Chicago’s Stephanie Izard, and “Top Chef” judges Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons helped judge the dishes.

Below are descriptions each of the four courses were supposed to be, and what Bayless created for each:

  • Create a menu of your first food memories: Bayless made barbecued quail smoked with hickory house sauce that his parents made, plus sour slaw and watermelon salad.
  • The experience that made you decide to become a chef: Here’s where the mole sauce came in, smothering ahi tuna and served with plantain tamale and grilled nopales.
  • The opening of your first restaurant: His Achiote-Marinated Cochinita Pibil (suckling pig) with Sunchoke Puree and Crispy Pig’s Feet scored with the judges.
  • Where you’ll be heading in the future: The judges didn’t enjoy Bayless’ final course, a seafood dish called Arroz A La Tumbada with tomato-jalapeno broth and chorizo “air.” ” — ChicagoNow

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Having met Top Chef Master Rick Bayless in person and being on Chicago’s WGN news together, it was great to see him win. He’s an extremely knowledgeable chef who has such a passion about food, sustainability and respect for ethnic cultures, it wasn’t hard for Chicago to name him a favorite contender on the Top Chef Masters competition. In honor of Chef Rick Bayless’s win, this week’s Foodie Freebie Friday highlights his best selling cookbook and a collection of his products from Frontera Grill, one of his restaurants here in Chicago.

gift_mexeveryday-1593082

A lucky winner will be receiving the following ‘Mexican Everyday’ gift set:


  • Mexican Everyday Cookbook by Rick Bayless

  • Frontera Roasted Tomato Taco Sauce (8oz)

  • Frontera Classic Fajita Marinade (12 oz)

  • Frontera Roasted Garlic & Chipotle Cooking Sauce (16 oz)

  • Frontera Classic Red Chile Cooking Sauce (16 oz)

  • Frontera Guacamole Mix (8 oz)

  • Frontera Red Pepper Hot Sauce (5 oz)

  • Frontera Chipotle Hot Sauce (5 oz)

Ready to win this set? Read on to find out how…

Some guidelines:
– Giveaway is only for those who live in the United States – my apologies to my international readers!
– You must have a valid email address (within your comment or blog link) so that you can be contacted if you win.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment answering:

– What is your favorite Mexican (authentic or inspired) dish?


Deadline:
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 12 midnight CST.

ONE WINNER will be randomly chosen by Random. Org’s Interger Generator based on the number of your comment and will be announced on Friday, August 28, 2009. Good luck!

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Comments

  1. EJacks says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    I love Mexican food! Honestly – my favorite is the simplest – chips and salsa! I could eat them non-stop. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    Guacamole!! I could eat it as a meal!

    Reply
  3. Unknown says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    My fav mexican dish would have to be enchiladas! YUM! And a close second would be a good chimichanga 🙂

    Reply
  4. Molly Jean says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    Oooh it's just too hard to pic only ONE favorite! Although it's not authentic, a great Mexican-inspired dish a big ol' Chimichanga. YUM!

    Reply
  5. Shawna says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    What a fabulous giveaway…I love guacamole, salsa and chips…so good.

    Reply
  6. Jordan says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    I LOVE Mexican food! This might sound strange, but my favorite part of any Mexican feast is refried beans smothered in melted cheese. I would take that on my tortilla chips instead of salsa or guac any day!

    Reply
  7. Nikki says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    DH and I LOVE Mexican! Chicken enchiladas might be my favorite, but I can also snack on a good salsa and guacamole for hours!

    Reply
  8. Tangled Noodle says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    It's so difficult to choose! Although I love Mexican cuisine, I don't know how much of its full scope I've tasted! I usually order tacos lengua but I will have to say that during the cold MN winters, nothing warms the tummy and soul than POSOLE and MENUDO – ooooh, now I want a bowl of either (or both!)

    Reply
  9. Jenn says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    Fajitas and margaritas!

    Reply
  10. Amy says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    My favorite Mexican dish is from a little hole in the wall restaurant in my hometown. They have the best enchiladas.

    Reply
  11. Jen | Our Life Accounts says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    Fajitas, tacos and anything topped with homemade salsa!

    Reply
  12. Eva says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    What a great giveaway! My favorite Mexican dish is very simple… a nice soft taco. Yum!

    evitawylie at hotmail dot com

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    Without a doubt, my mother's chicken enchiladas with green chili sauce. I could never make them like her, and she always said i took too many shortcuts trying to mimic hers. She passed away a couple years ago; before i got her recipe. I still can't make them like her, drives me crazy.

    quidproquok@yahoo.com

    Reply
  14. Krystal R says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    That's a tossup between taquitos and ceviche…I could both of them all day long! YUMMY!

    Reply
  15. kylee says

    August 24, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    We like to marinate flank steak and cook it on the grill – and eat it in soft tortillas with salsa, guacamole, sour cream and cheese.

    YUM!!!

    Reply
  16. Frances says

    August 24, 2009 at 3:01 pm

    I don't feel I properly know authentic Mexican food. I am quite sure I've not had much of it in many so-called Mexican restaurants. I use to enjoy homemade tamales that were made by a Mexican lady my mom worked with.

    Reply
  17. Jason says

    August 24, 2009 at 3:01 pm

    I would have to go with Tortilla soup. Its hard to beat the blend of summer tomatos, cilantro, and lime.

    Reply
  18. The Maiden Metallurgist says

    August 24, 2009 at 3:09 pm

    I miss the green chile and cheese tamales at La Casita and the rellenos at La Cueva; both in Denver. I make sure I stop by every time I visit.

    Reply
  19. Mrs Jolie says

    August 24, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    I am all about Mexican food! I love it all, but think my favorite is carnitas with all the fixins! Yummy!

    Reply
  20. Kristy says

    August 24, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Guacamole, chips, and salsa. Reminds me of my honeymoon!
    lashkm at gmail dot com

    Reply
  21. Liz L says

    August 24, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Green chile chicken enchiladas. yummmmmmmmmmmm

    Reply
  22. Alicia says

    August 24, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    I love the balance of a great guac!

    Reply
  23. Lindsey says

    August 24, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Quesadillas and Guacamole with Chips!

    Reply
  24. Caroline says

    August 24, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Mango Salsa with chips flavored with lime. I eat far too much of this, love it.

    Reply
  25. Unknown says

    August 24, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Shrimp fajitas…with a side of guac. Mmmm, delic!

    Reply
  26. My Egg Roll says

    August 24, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    My favorite Mexican dish is Chili Rellenos from a restaurant in MA called El Sarape.

    It consists of refried beans and rice as sides, and large green chilis with cheese, dipped in a special egg batter and deep fried. YUMMMMMM.

    Reply
  27. Diet Diva says

    August 24, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    My favorite? Rick Bayless's chipotle chicken salad tacos!

    Reply
  28. Steph says

    August 24, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    Guacamole or enchiladas!

    Reply
  29. Joanna Eberhart says

    August 24, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    At the moment, my favorite "Mexican" dish is the Mexican Pasta Bake in my blog. It isn't very authentic, but it has all of the flavors I like with the comfort of the Midwest. 🙂

    Reply
  30. Ashlee says

    August 24, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    i love chile rellenos! and chef bayless seems like such a great guy!

    Reply
  31. Rachel says

    August 24, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    margaraitas and fajitas!!

    Reply
  32. Rachelita says

    August 24, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    I lived in Central Mexico for a year and a half and I'll be returning for 6 months this January most likely. Comida corrida is a sit-down meal of 3-6 courses that usually includes rice, soup, a main entree, dessert and some sort of flavored water, all with fresh tortillas. The best meal I had was a chayote steamed and stuffed with a creamy sauce of nuts and dried fruit. I never found it again a second time, but it was amazing!

    Reply
  33. Unknown says

    August 24, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    I would have to say my all time favorite is Pollo Fundido from a local restaurant in Lancaster, PA. It's chicken breast in a tortilla then deep fried with a creamy white sauce. So good…

    Reply
  34. Mushi says

    August 24, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    Fajitas, guacamole… just about anything with cilantro!

    Reply
  35. Julie says

    August 24, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    I love so many different Mexican foods it would be hard to pick just one. I do really enjoy the Mexican casserole that I make. Salsa Chicken is another family favorite.

    Reply
  36. Unknown says

    August 24, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    Puffy tacos with picadillo meat are my absolute favorite. The puffed soft corn tortilla shaped in a taco shell are delicious!

    Reply
  37. lisapollard says

    August 24, 2009 at 4:48 pm

    Hi,

    There is an appetizer at this Mexican restaurant that I absolutely love. It's call an avocado crisp. It's a crispy, flaky top and bottom with cheese, avocado, bacon, tomatoes and onions in between. It's AMAZING.

    Reply
  38. Melly says

    August 24, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    Cheese Enchiladas
    mellisa.willis@sbcglobal.net

    Reply
  39. Anonymous says

    August 24, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    I love Mexican dishes!!! My favorite would have to be enchiladas!

    Reply
  40. Unknown says

    August 24, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    I usually go for an enchilada or a soft taco. And don't forget the salsa and sour cream!

    Reply
  41. Stepper says

    August 24, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    I would have to say Guacamole and fish tacos are my favorite Mexican dishes

    Reply
  42. Anonymous says

    August 24, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    Can I choose two? 🙂 Chile Rellenos and Pork Tamales!
    seavila26@yahoo.com

    Reply
  43. Jennifer says

    August 24, 2009 at 6:39 pm

    I love just about any Mexican food. Especially deep smokey flavors and lots of cilantro!
    But my favorite thing is just so simple…guacamole.

    Reply
  44. Cara says

    August 24, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    We have a Mexican restaurant that makes a crunchy guacamole – it has jicama and toasted corn nuts, as well as some mango in it. Delicious!

    Reply
  45. Unknown says

    August 24, 2009 at 6:53 pm

    I love Mexican food…guacamole, tamale's…and if the mole is good it's really good. I could go on.

    I'd love to eat at Frontera! Rick Bayless came across awesome on Top Chef, so happy to see him win!

    Reply
  46. Kerstin says

    August 24, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    Fajitas – yum! Great giveaway!

    Reply
  47. mandy1592 says

    August 24, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    i think enchiladas, although i make various quesadillas for my son a couple of times a week.

    Reply
  48. Kim L says

    August 24, 2009 at 7:42 pm

    That's a tough one, since there are so many to choose from – Mexican is one of my favorite cuisines. But I love my own chicken enchiladas with onions and peppers, topped with tomatillo salsa, with a limey margarita to wash it down with.

    Reply
  49. ~ Kristie says

    August 24, 2009 at 7:42 pm

    Barbacoa is definitely one of my favorites!

    Reply
  50. Carly says

    August 24, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    Caldo de Pollo – Mexican chicken soup made with rice, chicken, pico de gallo and plenty of cilantro, then garnished with avocado. Yum!

    Reply
  51. Kira says

    August 24, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    Chilaquiles. My husband would vote for an authentic molcajete.

    Reply
  52. Lindsay says

    August 24, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    I love to make chicken enchiladas, the kind where you dunk each tortilla in hot oil before rolling in your filling. But lately, I've been making an enchilada casserole with enchilada sauce, bell peppers, chicken, onions, chiles and cheese to get the flavor without the fat.

    Reply
  53. Lena says

    August 24, 2009 at 9:52 pm

    Mexican is my favorite cuisine! I love enchiladas and guacamole.

    Reply
  54. Unknown says

    August 24, 2009 at 9:52 pm

    Great giveaway! I love Rick Bayless. My favorite Mexican dish is tamales. Yum!

    Reply
  55. Melissa says

    August 24, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    I personally love anything with a good mole. I also love the carne asada tacos at El Milagro in Pilsen.

    Reply
  56. Nina says

    August 25, 2009 at 3:35 am

    I love fajitas, tacos, margaritas, burritos, and salsa. But if I had to pick just one item as a favorite it would be cheese enchiladas.

    Reply
  57. Jennie says

    August 25, 2009 at 3:35 am

    I must say for me, a chimi is my favorite mexi dish! Smothered in sour cream of course! 🙂

    jennie748 at sbcglobal dot net

    Reply
  58. Ariana from Chicago says

    August 25, 2009 at 3:35 am

    I love a great ceviche!

    Reply
  59. Mrs. G says

    August 25, 2009 at 3:35 am

    I love Mexican food! My favorite would have to be tacos and churros. Yum!

    Reply
  60. Miss M.J. Ma'am says

    August 25, 2009 at 3:35 am

    I love honey lime enchiladas…….so yummy!!

    Reply
  61. Toby says

    August 25, 2009 at 3:35 am

    I like a simple mexican cheese dip the best. Mexican- my favorite!!

    Reply
  62. Anonymous says

    August 25, 2009 at 5:33 am

    I cannot pick just one thing! I LOVE Mexican food. I love chimichangas and baja-style fish tacos.

    Reply
  63. Anonymous says

    August 25, 2009 at 5:33 am

    wow, tough one to choose from! There are so many good mexican dishes that I love – and so many others I have yet to try. Probably gonna have to go with enchiladas.

    Reply
  64. Linda and Matthew says

    August 25, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    Tamales, hands down. My daughter has inherited my love as well. Her very first "real" food was a tamale and now she can't get enough!

    Reply
  65. Amanda says

    August 25, 2009 at 5:40 pm

    I love quesadillas. And I was super excited to see Rick Bayless win also!

    Reply
  66. Deb in Hawaii says

    August 25, 2009 at 9:03 pm

    I rooted from Rick from the start–he is amazing. I love a good taco. I am partial to fish tacos with the local fish we get here but any good taco makes me happy.

    Reply
  67. Angel says

    August 26, 2009 at 3:17 am

    I love just about any type of Mexican food, but my absolute favorite is Tres Leches cake. It's super-hard to find someone to make it well, and it is a labor of love!

    Reply
  68. Tanya says

    August 26, 2009 at 3:17 am

    I love Rick Bayless!

    I think my favorite mexican inspired food is salmon enchiladas.

    Reply
  69. Renee&David says

    August 26, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    I'm a sucker for Mole sauce. My current favorite is poblano chicken enchilada's with Mole sauce.

    Renee at umsl.edu

    Reply
  70. Amy L says

    August 27, 2009 at 3:14 am

    I love guacamole! I like it with chips, on tacoes, or just licked off my fingers…

    Reply
  71. monica says

    August 27, 2009 at 3:14 am

    I loved watching Rick on Top Chef! His meals always looked delicious

    Reply
  72. CoCo says

    August 27, 2009 at 5:10 am

    I love enchiladas, chile rellenos, and good shredded beef in just about anything.
    I was excited to see Rick win.

    Reply
  73. Rachael Hutchings says

    August 27, 2009 at 5:30 am

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE salsa and could eat it with a spoon. Hmmmm, what else? Ceviche and mole are at the top of my list as well, and just basically anything else that anyone wants to be feed me!

    Reply
  74. Amy says

    August 27, 2009 at 5:43 am

    I love Mexican food, especially sizzling fajitas!

    Reply
  75. Beth says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    Authentic Mexican street tacos! I lived in San Diego for a few years and would often making a run down to TJ on Saturday morning just to satisfy my street taco craving. Oh how I miss that!

    Reply
  76. Erin says

    August 27, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    You're lucky to have met Rick Bayless, he seems like a pretty cool guy! I think my favorite mexican food is authentic tacos… not the crunchy shelled, ground beef garbage, but real Mexican tacos.

    Reply
  77. lisaiscooking says

    August 27, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    Great giveaway! I'm so happy for Chef Bayless. I dined at Frontera once several years ago and ordered my favorite Mexican dish. Mole enchiladas.

    Reply
  78. Anonymous says

    August 27, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    I'm so jealous you got to meet him!
    My favorite, hands-down, is guacamole. And no one else in the house likes it so I don't have to share! Ha!

    Reply
  79. Susan from Food Blogga says

    August 27, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    Only one? Hmmm… soft shell grilled fish tacos.

    Reply
  80. Lauren says

    August 28, 2009 at 2:42 am

    My favorite is a butternut squash enchilada. It was my favorite at vegetarian restaurant Seva, and I loved it to much I have recreated and adapted it at home.

    Reply

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