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Two locals smoke the competition on Top Chef.
Top five 🤝 Top Chef. Being selected as one of the 15 original cast members for the Emmy-, James Beard- and Critics’ Choice Award-winning series is an accomplishment in itself—but to rise through the ranks to make it in the top five? The feeling can only be described as “crazy,” says M Tempura chef de cuisine Savannah Miller. The Durham-based culinary star also advanced to the top four (!), while Manny Barella of Raleigh Iron Works’ newly bowed Jaguar Bolera finished in fifth place.
But the road to the finals was no cakewalk: “Everybody’s hands shoot up for a James Beard or Michelin-starred kitchen–and I don’t have either of those things,” Miller humbly noted on the premiere in a room of celebrated chefs. But as host Kristen Kish then portended, “Once you get in the Top Chef kitchen it doesn’t matter at all.” Clearly—as Miller culminated her time in Wisconsin by winning three Quickfires in row and the final elimination challenge to make it to the finals. “I’m not just going to the finals,” she gushed. “I’m going to the finals with the most wins in Wisconsin, and I feel like I’m the one to beat here. I’m realizing it, and I think other people are too.”
Barella—a season star in his own right—reflects fondly on the pressure cooker of an experience: “This was the most exhilarating, challenging and yet rewarding experience of my life,” he tells Raleigh Magazine. “My wildest dream and then some.” And, boy, was it wild to watch—full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and lots of delicious dishes, natch. Leading up to the finale, we tapped the duo for their hot takes from the show.
On Top Chef goals going in:
MB: I definitely did not get into cooking thinking one day I’d compete on Top Chef. That said, Top Chef is about putting the best of the best in the kitchen together, and I wanted to be part of it. Competing against other amazing chefs is a great way to fight off imposter syndrome. I came to embrace that.
SM: I’ve been a huge fan of the show for so many years, and the idea of competing has been on my career bucket list. I really think Top Chef is on another caliber when it comes to cooking competitions. I love it because you really get to know the chefs every season, and that level of intimacy combined with the creative nature of the challenges—it’s a joy to watch.
Show highlights:
MB: It was everything you see on screen—exciting, challenging, thrilling, tough and rewarding.
SM: I really enjoyed getting to know the other chefs. And a twist I was not expecting was that I’ve made lifelong friends who all happen to be just as kind as they are talented—and that’s saying a lot.
On landing top five:
MB: It was really exciting to get to cook with Danny, Dan, Savannah and Laura. This is a beautiful, beautiful ride and a beautiful experience for everyone involved.
SM: Experiencing the highs and lows of the competition and finding myself in the top 5 was such a proud moment. I could look around and feel that I truly belonged among these chefs and it gave me an overwhelming sense of pride. … I am forever grateful.
Biggest takeaways:
MB: I learned a lot more about myself [throughout] the competition. I’m more resilient and creative after the experience.
SM: The confidence you can build from really diving into the experience of cooking under extreme pressure and putting yourself out there on national TV—it’s a lesson I really hope to hold onto in my career for years to come.
*Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
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