Judges
Ted Allen
Karine Bakhoum
Jeffrey Steingarten
Challenger stats: Chef Bowles
From: Chicago
Restaurant: Avenues at The Peninsula Chicago
Cuisine: Contemporary
Ideal secret ingredient: Foie gras
Interests: Politics, government
Culinary inspirations: Music, art, poetry, traveling
Ideal judge: Mathias Merges, Frank Bruni
Culinary secret weapon: Touch/finesse
Favorite restaurant: Cafe Salamera, Alinea, Hot Doug's
Favorite food: Laughing Cow cheese, macaroni & cheese, ramen noodles
Food you won't go near: Black licorice
Weirdest thing you've ever eaten: Dog
Favorite food destination: I'm living in it! Chicago is on top right now.
Alternative dream job: President of the United States of America