"RickMoonen" news and stories

Judge Gael Greene. Photo: Bravo.

Is it just us, or are the Top Chef Masters judges unduly fond of alliteration? Usually it's Saveur's James Oseland who rocks the tongue-twisting final-round zingers -- so good in print, yet so weird to hear on basic cable.

Wednesday it was Gael Greene's turn, surprising us with an oh-so-delicately catty swipe at Swede Nils Norén's "lapsang lapse" of a dessert -- a cube of chocolate goat cheese ganache flanked by orange gel and a smoky, tea-infused cream.

Schizophrenic as it might have tasted, it looked delectable. And the former Aquavit chef deserved bonus integrity points for standing by his dish: "Growing up in Sweden, you smoke a lot of things," he explained, double entendre fully intended.

Sweden vs. California, opakapaka and lawn cuttings after the jump.

• Normand Laprise discusses creativity and innovation in cooking, and shares a recipe for Princess Scallops with Red Bull and Vodka.
• Remember that Bourdain episode with secretive dinners? Toronto has it's own private dinner parties where chef-made meals wow guests in private.
• China -- a place for red wine?
• Rick Moonen says: Don't fear those other fish -- the sardines, mackarel, and other sea creatures.
• Martin Picard, of Au Pied de Cochon, challenges laws against wild game meats in restaurants.
• Fancy beer goes light.