At Avero we love watching each new season of Bravo’s revolutionary reality competition series Top Chef. Seeing so many of our own talented clients and friends compete and be judged by one of our very first clients and Avero champions, Tom Colicchio, we find it thrilling year after year to cheer on the most progressive chefs around the country, both in the kitchen and by using Avero’s restaurant software technology.
On the Top Chef finale last week it came down to Chef Jeremy Ford of Matador Room by Jean-Georges and Chef Amar Santana of Broadway in Laguna Beach and Vaca in Costa Mesa. Amar was actually eliminated from the competition earlier in the season, but entered back in after winning Last Chance Kitchen – during the time in between, he attended the annual C-CAP benefit with us at Chelsea Piers!
As is tradition on Top Chef, the last two chefs had to make the meal of their lives with help from their culinary mentors and fallen comrades to impress a room full of judges and important diners, including Emeril Lagasse, Dominique Crenn, Jonathan Benno, Hubert Keller, Charlie Palmer, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and the chefs’ families. Jeremy and Amar each created a four-course menu highlighting one specific ingredient per course, and their dishes were served back-to-back in a full dining room at Tom Colicchio’s Craft, just around the corner from Avero’s New York City headquarters.
Chef Jeremy Ford’s Final Meal
- First Course: Foie Gras Two Ways with Chili, Passion Fruit, Marshmallows
- Second Course: Slow-Cooked Branzini, Herbal Lime Vinaigrette, Squash, Tomatoes
- Third Course: Duck with Roasted Maitake Mushrooms, Smoked Chilis, Buttermilk, Lemon
- Fourth Course: Ricotta Mozzarella Cylinder with Spiced Fig Jam, Pumpernickel Toast, Honey
Chef Amar Santana’s Final Meal
- First Course: Seared Tuna Tataki, Habanero Coconut Dressing, Compressed Pineapple, Toasted Peanuts
- Second Course: Sea Urchin Risotto with Butter-Poached Lobster, Finger Limes, Jicama, Shellfish Froth
- Third Course: Harissa-Rubbed Rack of Lamb with Braised Lamb Pastilla, Date Ginger Purée, Yogurt Emulsion
- Fourth Course: Coconut Financier, Mango Sorbet, Passion Fruit Curd, Tropical Fruit Salad, Brûlée Meringue
After tough deliberation and not-so-tough tastings, the verdict was in: Chef Jeremy Ford is the Top Chef of Season 13! We can’t wait to see what Jeremy, Amar, and the rest of this year’s cheftestants accomplish in the culinary world in the years to come. We’re proud to say that 24 past cheftestants use Avero’s software, and it’s great to see so many leaders in the culinary world understanding technology’s crucial role in the hospitality industry.
Pictured above: Tom Colicchio and chef at Colicchio & Sons during 2014 Avero Elliott Underground Culinary Tour
