Carla Hall whips up some love on Top Chef.
Photo: courtesy of Bravo
Top Chef's Carla Hall surprised many viewers by coming from behind to land a spot in the show's finale, which airs tomorrow night on Bravo. Recently, she chatted with the Buzz about her secret weapon – love – and her plans for the future.
Zagat Buzz: Let’s talk about “love” in the kitchen. Does it really matter?
Carla Hall: Absolutely. Attitude makes a huge difference. When you put your heart into something, it’s that little special thing that makes a huge difference. Between cooking that is all technique and no heart, cooking with heart will win hands down. Catering is hard work – you’re standing for 18-hour days – so you have to want to make people happy. That passion shows through in the food. Love translates to beautiful food.
ZB: As a cooking teacher you talk about layering flavors. Was that a technique you used on the show?
CH: [For the oyster and potato stew in the Mardi Gras episode] I started with a base and then started layering. I put in a bay leaf and then took it out, then added some lemon zest for acidity. It’s important to balance all those flavors. That’s what I am thinking about when I cook. What will give me some acid? Some sweetness? When I’m teaching a class, I try to empower people to learn for themselves how to balance a dish to suit their own taste buds.
ZB: Let’s talk about the DC restaurant scene.
CH: It’s exciting and it’s growing. There are all these new places on 14th Street NW. Diners are growing more sophisticated and willing to try new things. There is so much cooking talent in DC, and they are finding support for second and third ventures like Jamie Leeds’ CommonWealth and Robert Wiedmaier’s Brabo.
ZB: Do you want to have your own restaurant?
CH: No, I don’t want to start a restaurant. But, I’d like a kitchen of my own, with a chef’s table (to cook for people) and a place to hold cooking classes. And I’d like to retail the sweet and savory cookies that we make for catering customers.
ZB: Do you see yourself as a late-bloomer?
CH: I didn’t want to be 40 and say, ‘I wish I had.’ Still, I haven’t tried being a race-car driver...yet. I want to do things that make me want to get up in the morning. Success for me is loving what I do, and having people enjoy that thing.
– Olga Boikess