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Splurges, Secret Weapons and Fridge Favorites: Meet the 17 'Top Chef: D.C.' Contestants

The new crop of cheftestants reveal foods they hate and recipes for picky kids (18 Photos)

Maggie Shi on Jun 14, 2010 at 3:30PM

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Splurges, Secret Weapons and Fridge Favorites: Meet the 17 'Top Chef: D.C.' Contestants

David Giesbrecht/Bravo

Jacqueline Lombard

What's your secret weapon in the kitchen?
Mandoline/food processor/stand mixer

What food do you hate or refuse to eat, and why?
Sea urchin—I'm allergic, and (to my allergic palate) it tastes like Mr. Clean.

What's always in your refrigerator?
Biodynamic Gruner Veltliner and rose wine, an assortment of artisanal cheeses, seasonal berries, pickled vegetables and salumi.

What's the one ingredient you'll always splurge on?
Fresh mushrooms and truffles.

Most kids hate to eat their veggies. Can you share an easy recipe for a common vegetable that kids will actually like?
Steamed broccoli with lemon wedges and shaved Parmesan on the side; fresh baby peas with mint; roasted yams mashed with butter, maple syrup and cinnamon; roasted beets tossed with saba (sweet fermented grape must—basically sweet and syrupy balsamic vinegar); creamed spinach and artichoke hearts with caramelized shallots; steamed carrots drizzled with an orange juice-honey vinaigrette... I feed a lot of kids!!