Also, how a now wealthy guy who’s been in a service industry since he was 16 years old has managed to stiff every dealer in Vegas that he’s ever played with?

It’s one thing to dislike his food and the restaurants that bear his name and therefore question his talent in the kitchen – though his track record of success speaks for itself. But to simply label him as unfriendly or arrogant, without truly knowing him, really isn’t fair.

As I passed Flay’s booth it was apparent that he didn’t have the time, nor did he appear to project the warmth or interest in meeting his minions. In all due respect, the guy is incredibly popular with the mass demographic that forms the Food Network audience and that was evidenced by the throngs crowding his booth. But rather than fight the crowd and the personal assistants guarding his side, I chose to pass by. (I doubt Flay would have warmed-up to being introduced to a guy who writes serious words about food and dining).

Now, on the other side of the coin we have the gracious and quite talented Chef Hubert Keller. We know and recognize Chef Keller’s work in the media and “celebrity” world–yet he backs it up with his foundation and talents in the kitchen–and he’s gracious and professional. I’ve met Chef Keller on previous visits to Las Vegas, but I wouldn’t say we meet on a regular basis.

As I walked up to shake Chef Keller’s hand, he said “nice to see your Mr. Ross.” Now isn’t that amazing? A talented Chef who isn’t defined by his “celebrity.” Chef Keller’s probably met thousands at these types of events, yet he’s got the manners to remember casual aquaintences by name.

Et tu? Methinks Mr. Flay’s ego has grown too big for his talent (and ability to attract good talent at Mesa Grill LV) to back it up.

dr-

I was thinking more along the lines of “Top Chef Masters”, where Mr. ELV and Kristi are judges alongside Gael Greene and Toby Young. It would especially be fun to see Toby Young spit out the fish and declare it a “weapon of mass destruction”… And if he were competing against Hubert Keller, Mr. ELV can finally find the poetic justice he’s been looking for. ;-)

Or perhaps “Hell’s Kitchen” would be more in line for Mr. “Grill It”? He thinks he has so much ‘tude, but it would be hilarious to see him run away screaming once Gordon Ramsay started shouting at him and cussing like a drunk sailor.

Bobby Flay will have to sweat it out, under the lights of Kitchen Stadium, waiting to hear Supreme Court Justice ELV proclaim Mr. Flay’s Southwest Sous Vide Salmon a disgusting glop of putrid fish ensconsed in a limpid blue corn tortilla.

Standing on the other side of the courtroom, the confident and talented Chef Paul Bartolotta, holding forth a steaming cauldron of fresh, Medittereanean seafood in a delightfully simple broth accented with saffron and espelette pepper flakes. A dish of beauty not lost on the learned panel of judges–and a smackdown of the man who has coined the phrase “showdown.” And, in the end, a triumph for all of us who rue the mere thought of the images conjured up by the moniker “celebrity Chef.”