ICA: Flay vs. Greenspan

Epic.  That is the best word to describe the pending battle between LA’s Eric Greenspan and NYC’s Bobby Flay.  This episode has “sweeps period” written all over it.  What better way to put to bed season 8, the longest and most adventurous season to date of America’s best TV cooking competition.

Greenspan is a fixture on the US dining scene; a bona fide star.  Greenspan was born Jersey, raised in California and forged in the kitchens of the Big Apple.  He has spent time working at Bouley, Union Pacific, Essex House and even El Bulli.  He has learned under the great chefs of our era like David Bouley, Rocco DiSpirito, Alain Ducasse and Ferran Adria.

Chef Eric’s own star burst onto the scene at Patina in Los Angeles.  At Patina, Greenspan was charged with pampering guests with seasonal tasting menus, gourmet cheeses, caviar service, and an award-winning wine list.  From there Greenspan took over the kitchen of Meson G which was like a shooting star having rocketed to the A list and then burning out all in a brief period of time.

Today Eric Greenspan is the chef/owner of the highly popular The Foundry on Melrose Place which the chef describes as “fine dining restaurant for the every day man.”  The Foundry is famous for making the best burger in LA and the best grilled cheese sandwich in the known universe.  The trip to Kitchen Stadium is one that Greenspan has been on for quite a while.  He came up just short of his goal in last year’s Next Iron Chef competition which was won by Jose Garces but now his time has come.

Based on Chef Greenspan’s tasting menu for the Iron Chef viewing party at Foundry Sunday night I’m going to go out on a limb and say the secret ingredient is goose.  Of  course it could be a phony.  If so then I guess it is my goose that has been cooked.

The judges for Battle: Goose were Cady Huffman, Donatella Arpaia and Andrew Knowlton.

If you haven’t already be sure to check out my exclusive interview with Iron Chef Bobby Flay (HERE).

Click HERE for the outcome.

[ad] Empty ad slot (#1)!