Dave Martin's Blog

All About Food and More!

June 07, 2006

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5

Hello, everyone -- and welcome to my “all about food” blog on OUTzone. I would really like to thank everyone for their support during Top Chef (Season One). There were so many people watching and rooting for me and I really and truly appreciate it. This is the first installment in a weekly series of information about what’s happening in the world of food -- from special events and restaurant openings, to talks about seasonality of ingredients, cooking tips and recipes.

I would also love to hear from you about things that you may like to learn about -- or if you have something cool going on that we should know about. The focus of this blog is going to be on all of the positive things going on out there. There is enough negative energy at work, so this will not be a place for that type of energy. So please, if you don’t have something positive, informational or exciting to share then keep it to yourself. That being said, I’d like to just share what’s been happening with me the last few weeks.

Tuesday, May 9

My life has been such a whirlwind these few weeks. I flew into NY to watch the Reunion show with my Top Chef friends Lee Anne, Harold, Andrea, Cynthia and Miguel. We had a great time together at City Bar, which hosted several shows for us.

I spent the following week drinking and dining all over NY and then had the incredible opportunity to be on The Today Show on May 18. Then, later that same day, I headed off on my fantastic journey with food in France and St. Tropez with Jeffrey Chodorow, part of his family (Linda and Zach) and some of his dreamteam from China Grill Management and his new venture Social (Hollywood and Miami).

The Carlton Hotel in Cannes

Comments

katiecoolady wrote:

HI DAVE!!! Big fan here from AZ! I've been waiting for you to get a blog up to tell about your Cannes adventures. When you won that trip I turned to my TC viewing buddy and said "he just won the big deal of the day on this show". I hope you made some great connections and the world of food is opening up for you! I look forward to partaking in your "food as passion" one day soon! Cheers!

posted at June 12, 2006 07:17 PM

Nick Butler wrote:

Dave, I'm really happy that Bravo was able to offer you this outlet to the gay community online. You were easily my favorite competitor from Top Chef, and I was sorry to see you go, but I'm sure that the show will mark an exciting start to your career as a chef. I look forward to reading what you have to say in the coming weeks.

posted at June 12, 2006 07:59 PM

Carol wrote:

Hi, Dave!

Will you be publishing a cookbook? I would be first in line to buy one!
Can you share with us what you would have chosen to serve if you had competed in the final cook-off. I think all of your fans would love to know.

posted at June 13, 2006 09:21 AM

Michael wrote:

Howdy,Dave! WOW! What a surprise to find you here!
You did a GREAT job competing on Top Chef and although I'm pleased Harold won,it should have been you.
So? The 64,000 question...I know tiffani came out on the show and stephen could have EASILY been"family",but dare I ask? are you or just gay friendly? In any event,I'd love to work for you in your kitchen,feel free to email me if you wish..
cwbybear501@gmail.com
Bear Hugz,Mike D

posted at June 13, 2006 12:27 PM

Chuck E wrote:

Dave, Even though Harold won..I was cheering for you the whole time. Your food, your personality, not to mention your really cute and I guess you could say I have a "Schoolgirl crush" on ya :) And I sincerely hope that you have someone special in your life that can cook for you too, you deserve it. Hope to see you on another season of T/C...you got robbed... Best of luck

posted at June 13, 2006 09:48 PM

Brett Stout wrote:

Hello Dave, My name is Brett, I am an aspiring writer (who just finished his first novel) who has a cullinary question I wanted to throw at you. I'm not gonna waste your time by telling you you're great. Instead of wasting it you can savor the niceties that we shower on you. The real point of my contacting you is something a little different. I have a group of fun attractive witty grad students I get together from the University of Iowa where I attend. This sounds great until I point out that the group of us having dinner is like the Special Olympics of dining. I’m a lacto-ovo vegetarian and one of my friends is fructose intolerant and the other lactose intolerant. We are a veritable grab bag of eating problems.

What I was wondering was this: while I know that the fructose intolerant one will have to have water instead of wine, what exactly can I prepare for this group. I keep staring at these small single serving casserole dishes I have in my cabinet thinking there is a solution in them but my attempts to communicate with them have yielded no results. I can’t use cheese for the lactose intolerant one, no meat for mine, and no onion, garlic well just about anything that easily breaks down into sugar for the other one.

There are cookbooks out there for the individual problems but nothing that is comprehensive about creating something that tastes good and can be compartmentalized for the group. Do you know a solution, if you wrote a book that could be versatile for people in my situation I know it is something I would buy but, even a suggestion would give me more than I have now.

posted at June 14, 2006 10:35 AM

Neal Williams wrote:

Hey Dave:
Great show! Keep up the good work.

posted at June 16, 2006 04:31 AM

Bentley wrote:

you make my blood pressure go up just watching you. take some xanax.

posted at June 17, 2006 12:27 AM

Mother Hubbard wrote:

Dave—
Great to see your blog and to know that you're doing well. Being a basic comfort-food type, I always found your dishes (and Miguel's) the most appealing to me personally.

I think way too much emphasis is placed on presentation over flavor. I remember standing up and cheering when you described the clams and sea beans in the Ted Allen challenge as "… not an appetizer; it's a painting!" I couldn't agree more. Nothing irks me more than tiny bits of food on huge plates with Spirograph sauce designs filling the empty space.

At any rate, I hope to be reading and seeing a lot more of you!

posted at June 17, 2006 06:48 AM

M Funny wrote:

I became an instant fan of yours from the 1st momment I saw you on Top Chef. Really wish you could have taken it all the way to the top, but I'm sure you will suceed in all you do! Thanks for giving me my new saying..."You're not my Bitch, Bitch!" Had to order one of the t-shirts as well! Luv ya!

posted at June 18, 2006 03:30 PM

Marisa wrote:

Dave I love the new blog and will be a regular reader! I loved you on Top Chef - you were the heart and soul of the show. Even my very anti-Reality TV significant other got into the show and became a big fan of yours! It was so funny - He went from mocking me for watching the show to calling me into the living room because I just HAD to see what had happened on Top Chef because someone had upset Dave and my guy was all indignant on your behalf! We rooted for you the entire time. I look forward to having this blog to keep up with your cooking adventures.

posted at June 19, 2006 11:27 AM

Candice Kumai wrote:

Dav i''''d!!!!

We are all so very proud of you!!!!!! LOOK AT YOU!! Keep up the good work!!

Best of luck to you from me and my girls!! You look so cute in that photo!!!

Never forget.... "Royal icing for the hard nip!"
:) Take care and kit!
XXOO

PS don't lose that Japanese headband!! My mom was proud!!!

posted at June 19, 2006 07:58 PM

Pam wrote:

Aloha Dave!

I just wanted you to know how PROUD I was of your performance on Top Chef! I was overjoyed that you won the challenge and got to go to Cannes (You really DESERVED it!)! You are very talented and I wish you much success in your future!

Regards,

Pam aka Peppermonkey Lover :)

posted at June 20, 2006 05:01 PM

Joy wrote:

You were great on Top Chef. Your style of cooking really appealed to me. Quick food question: What exactly is creme fresh?

posted at June 20, 2006 07:44 PM

Pecos Bill wrote:

I wish you and Harold had been the two dualing it out as it would have been interesting to see the outcome of that. Seems to me you two were the closest.

All the best.

posted at June 20, 2006 11:33 PM

Kokanee NW wrote:

Luv-it Merkin!

Ciao

posted at June 21, 2006 08:47 AM

Lissa wrote:

Dave!!
Wow I loved reading your blog and im glad you are going to be keeping up with us all and letting us know whats going on in your life. I am with another fan in asking about a cookbook...do you have one in the works>>?? I love your ideas about being a good chef and having comfort food as well..i wish i could incorporate more of that in my cooking
take care good luck and keep in touch
Lissa

posted at June 21, 2006 06:20 PM

bob rima wrote:

Dave I loved the show and you made it work that much better. It would be a great pleasure to invite you and a friend to our fishing lodge in Alaska on the Kenai River (100 miles south of Anchorage by car. We will take you fishing and provide a cabin at the lodge. I know you are busy but we would love to have you. I love to cook. Please if you are interested please email back. Our website is www.drifterslodge.com it really is a great place. thanks bob rima

posted at June 22, 2006 12:56 AM

TB wrote:

ok so I loved the show, and like this blog--but it's been a month since it was updated. What's up??

posted at June 22, 2006 07:38 PM

Piper wrote:

DAVE!!!!!...You were one of my fav.on the show, wait, not were still are.. you stayed true to yourself....thanks for being you...and I am glad things are going good for you...if your thinking of putting out a cookbook,please do and let us know where I can get one, put a lot of pictures cuz I'm an idiot when it comes to cooking, matter of fact, I not to cook anything for a month...well thats what the room mates came up with....anywho...god bless and take care You deserved it all..

posted at June 24, 2006 01:57 AM

Robert wrote:

How wonderful to see you on the blog here at OutZone. VERY COOL! Top Chef took me a while to warm up to - but I was so pulling for you! It'll be interesting to see how your life evolves after the experience.

I'm an art teacher in Boise Idaho (although I'm moving this fall to live with the boyfriend in San Francisco).

I do an online cooking show as a hobby, 'Bob's Kitchen.'

www.idahodesigns.net/cooking

I really do enjoy the idea that you'd have a blog - and share your world of food and fun. :)

tremendous.....

You've got a great big fan in me Mister!

be well!

posted at June 24, 2006 01:50 PM

Leigh Hoffiman wrote:

Dave......I watched every episode and you were great! You always came across professional and excited about food and cooking and your humility and passion for cooking came through as integrity!

My favorite part was when you did the dessert for Tiffany in the last episode.....she treated you badly and with little regard...you however, was the consumate professional and did your work as instructed......I can only say one thing "GOOD JOB" and BRAVO....wish you the best....

posted at June 26, 2006 06:44 PM

Jimmy The Greek wrote:

Hey Dave!
Just wanted to thank you for a great season of Top Chef! Im not much into television but I got hooked on the show. You (and the other chefs) made the show great. You inspired me as a chef to reflect myself in my cooking. Your a warm, fun, cool, and talented guy. I wish you the best of luck in the future. Id also love to know how I could also taste your cooking for real other than just drooling over it on TV! Good Going
Jimmy

posted at July 12, 2006 03:49 PM

Tamara wrote:

Catch up questions: 1)Are you cooking somewhere? If so, dish up where please!!! Recipes are great but I would much rather eat your food prepared by you. 2) Were you on a designing for the sexes epsisode? 3) Care to give a weekend seminar? Am about to pay $1500 for a welcomed opportunity to learn Cesar Millan's dog leadership techniques over a long weekend (I'm dog walker so it isn't as extravagant as it seems) and would happily spend next years education and vacation budget cooking with you for a weekend! BEST WISHES..

posted at September 4, 2006 05:25 PM

Kat B. wrote:

David,
You were always the gentleman and always the heart, with so much soul. I've read through your blogs and know you've had as much fun as we (viewers) have had experiencing your sweat and tears. God bless you and I hope you find your way to Chicago soon.
Boystown is waiting to say, "Hello and welcome!"
You're the bomb!

Hugs long distance,
Kat B.
Chicago, Illinois

posted at October 12, 2006 12:12 AM

Jamie wrote:

Hi Dave,
I was pulling for you on Top Chef Season 1. Since you did not win i started pulling for Harold. It seems like you have a lot of fun Cooking. I would love to cook with you. I would like to know if you will have anything thing to do with Season 2? I hope evrything is going well with you. I will never forget you telling Tiffany I'm not your Bitch Bitch. I really enjoyed it when you told her that. Good Luck with your Future.
Jamie

posted at October 16, 2006 01:57 PM

Hanne & Tapio wrote:

Hi Dave!

We just finished watching the Top Chef final (the show is a little late here in Finland:) We just want to say that you are very sympathetic person and our favorite in the show. We hope you're doing well and enjoying your work. Happy New Year!

posted at December 25, 2007 03:11 PM

Send to a Friend

Dave Martin Blog Archive

June, 2007 1 entry
February, 2007 1 entry
January, 2007 6 entries
December, 2006 4 entries
November, 2006 7 entries
October, 2006 3 entries
August, 2006 1 entry
July, 2006 1 entry
June, 2006 2 entries

BreakOUT Photo

Celebrities, sports stars or man-on-the-street. Funny or funky, political or poignant. And sometimes, we-just-had-to-share — check out our regular must-see photo feature.