Top Chef

It’s Wednesday.  That means Top Chef.  A few weeks ago, much to my children’s happiness, Carlos and I decided to put on our own Top Chef right here in the Romero kitchen.  Although my husband hasn’t cooked much since his bachelor days, 15 years ago, this competition was his idea so I agreed.  After all, I thought, how can I lose?  I’ve been cooking my whole life and during our marriage, I have taught myself to cook well (if I do say so myself).

So off we went, separately, to different grocery stores for the supplies we would need to wow the judges (the kids).  Secrecy was the mood of the evening, as I got to work on a flat bread pizza appetizer with arugula and my dessert, a cinnamon poached pear with pumpkin whipped cream.  Los came in with his sacks and immediately started working on something I recognized…could it be?  Was he actually thinking he was going to win by making his “famous” single guy rice and tomato soup?  HA!

I realized that he had some tricks up his sleeve when he started grilling a halibut steak.  I could also see that he had purchased some very expensive steaks.  Was I starting to sweat a bit?  Never!  As I served my flatbread appetizer, he continued to work at an AGONIZINGLY slow pace toward finishing his main dishes.

Well, we would have all starved if it wasn’t for my forethought in preparing an appetizer.  Finally, the man was done and the judges were seated at the judging table:

My darling husband HAD prepared his “famous” rice and Rotel soup, but with the addition of a perfectly cooked halibut.  He also produced a succulent filet mignon and fried potatoes.  We ate all of it up, including my pear dessert and waited for the judges to add up the points.  Oh, the anxiety of waiting!

The time had come to award the winner and the winner was….ME!  Horray!  Whew!  I was a little worried there!  My husband, who can normally only make cereal and chips and salsa, brought his “A” game!  I can’t help but wonder if I would have lost if I hadn’t served dessert, but…no matter, the important thing is that I WON!  Woo Hoo!

Ok, so here’s the challenge:  Host your own “Top Chef” party THIS Wednesday!  Let me know how it goes.