Kenny Gilbert: Always a Top Chef

Chef Kenny Gilbert

Wow, did you watch Bravo’s Top Chef last night?  Our Telluride favorite, Chef Kenny Gilbert, was voted off the show in a flash in the pan, all due to some kind of flub with beet and goat cheese dishes.  I think that was it—it all happened so fast, I couldn’t keep track.  I hate this part of Top Chef—how one bad dish can blow your whole chance.  I wish they’d find a way of scoring cumulatively, especially since Kenny certainly shined throughout every episode.  The other cheftestants even referred to him as The Black Lightening.  At least the judges commended him in his final episode for his leadership abilities.  It comes as no surprise when you hear about some of his philosophies. Scroll down to his Book Pick at Top Chefs to gain more insight into his approach.

I interviewed Kenny just about a year ago when he was still Executive Chef of a leading hotel here in Telluride.  Click on the play button below to hear him chat about how he became a chef and what’s most important to him in the kitchen.

I had chatted with Kenny on the occasion of the Telluride Festival of the Arts:  A Visual & Culinary Arts Festival that takes place annually in our lovely mountain town. This year it happens August 13-15.  Yes, that means it begins tomorrow, so try to take in at least one event over this fun weekend.

As for me, I’m headed on a rafting trip.  But I’ll keep all my favorite top chefs in mind, particularly since Kelly Liken is still in the running and I think she’s looking mighty fine.