Local Boys Searing Top Chef Competition
We’re five episodes in to the sixth season of Top Chef, with episode six airing tonight on Bravo at 10 p.m. As we've written before, the cast is relatively packed with local talent. There’s Michael Isabella, executive chef of downtown crowd pleaser Zaytinya; Bryan Voltaggio, who opened VOLT up north in his hometown of Frederick, Md. after spending several years on the Hill at Charlie Palmer Steak; and his younger brother, Michael Voltaggio, who shares his culinary passion and Maryland roots, has a D.C. boss in José Andrés, even if he's based in Los Angeles. All three have firm footing in Top Chef’s Las Vegas kitchen.
Though a cheftestant is never safe, with possible elimination looming each week, it’s safe to say that the three have emerged at the top of the pack, regularly winning challenges and praise for their dishes, avoiding knive-packing orders at the judge’s table, and providing storylines to a season that’s been hyped as being deep with talent and focused more on food than drama and characters.
Bryan Voltaggio has displayed a sharp competitive edge along with a muted, tense persona in his success. His focus has earned him three elimination challenge victories in five tries. The latest win—a roasted pork loin served atop soft polenta with cute buttons of glazed rutabaga on the side (and cooked on a campfire pit)—followed a week 4 nod. Voltaggio collaborated with Isabella on a cured trout with a deconstructed béarnaise, acing the trout and coaching Isabella through the deconstruction of the sauce.
Isabella, a New Jersey native, has carved out a bit of niche as the resident cocky jerk. He riled viewers when he said that “a girl shouldn't be at the same level that I am” and has struck an arrogant chord that has turned off many. Isabella’s high point came last week with a tuna and cactus ceviche that won him last week's quickfire challenge.
DCist is all TiVo-caught up, ready to catch Top Chef fever, and eager to see if Bryan Voltaggio or Isabella can capture the hearts of D.C. the way Carla Hall did last year. The mid-season money is on Bryan Voltaggio. Stay tuned for Thursday recaps tracking our Washington-area reps and contestant interviews as the season continues.