An exciting Season 2 of Top Chef Masters is under way! I had the privilege of attending Susan Feniger's viewing party and charity benefit for the season opener, held at
Street in Los Angeles. Susan Feniger is best known for being half of the duo Too Hot Tamales from television's Food Network and owner of several fabulous restaurants including Ciudad and Border Grill.
Street features upscale Asian-inspired street food dishes. Street's decor provides an artsy conversation pieces: Global street art, murals, neon drawings.
The first thing I noticed as I entered were small yellow colored puffs on every table: millet puffs. Think sweet and savory Rice Krispies treats accented with curry.They're playful and delicious and set the tone for the event.
Susan provided us with many tantalizing items from the menu to sample. I enjoyed the Malaysian Black Pepper Clams and the Indonesian Peanut Noodles. But my absolute favorite was the Massamum Beef Curry -- the very best curry I've eaten to date; a lovely balance of coconut and curry and melt in-your-mouth tender. I also had the pleasure of tasting one of her winning dishes from their very first quick fire challenge (Maple Bread Pudding with Caramelized Bananas) and now understand why she and Tony Mantuano were the victors!
Japanese Shizo Shrimp
Maple Bread Pudding
Meeting Sue (we're best friends in my head now) was incredible. Susan is competing for a great charity, the
Scleroderma Research Foundation, and she speaks about her cause with such hope and passion. There is something about her Spirit that truly resonated with mine and that has inspired something (good I hope) in me. Sue is in it to win it!
