Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
TOP CHEF
TOP CHEF. The 16th season of the popular television program began with "two weeks of supersized premieres," beginning at 9 p.m. Dec. 6. Judges Tom Colicchio, Graham Elliot, Nilou Motamed and Gail Simmons, along with host Padma Lakshmi, returned for the season, which hosted its finale showdown in Macau, China. (1)
Challenges took the show's contestants to notable Kentucky venues like Churchill Downs, Keeneland, the Muhammad Ali Center, Maker's Mark distillery and the University of Kentucky's Rupp Arena. Contestants also made a road trip to Nashville, Tennessee to visit the Grand Ole Opry, where they cooked for musicians Hunter Hayes and Kings of Leon's Caleb Followill. (2)
Among the fifteen contestants from around the United States chosen for the program was Kevin Scharpf of Dubuque. Born in Galena, Illinois, he attended the Le Cordon Bleu of Culinary Arts in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His culinary work included Hotel Sofitel's fine dining restaurant, La Fougasse; Restaurant Daniel in New York City; and six years as the Executive Sous of DIAMOND JO.
In food competitions, Scharpf received First Place in 2014 at the Taste of Elegance competition and competed in the National Pork Summit in Napa Valley. He was named one of FSR magazine's "40 under 40" Rising Stars in 2016. (3) In 2018 he was the chef and owner of, Brazen Open Kitchen/Bar in the Historic Millwork District. (3)
Scharpf was the first chef from Dubuque to appear on national television. After three rounds of competition, he was eliminated after preparing a too-salty ricotta cake. Despite the setback, he was moved to the "Last Chance Kitchen" where ousted chefs competed for an opportunity for one to later rejoin "Top Chef." He continued on after preparing ranch waffles, pancetta and maple compote with a seven-minute egg. (4)
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Source:
1. "'Top Chef' Announces Contestants, Premiere Date for Kentucky Season," Louisville Courier Journal, Online: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/television/2018/10/18/top-chef-reveals-season-16-contestants-premiere-date/1681925002/
2. Ibid.
3. Brazen Open Kitchen|Bar. Online: https://www.brazenopenkitchen.com/our-story/
4. Swenson, Jim, "From 'Top Chef' to 'Last Chance Kitchen,'" Telegraph Herald, December 22, 2018, p.5A