MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A Memphis chef and restauranteur employed her southern culinary expertise to become the Food stuff Network’s most current ‘Chopped’ champion and consider dwelling a $10,000 prize.
Tamara Patterson, superior recognized as Chef Tam, took section in the common cooking competitors back again in October, but the episode did not air until eventually Tuesday evening. Chef Tam reported it was challenging preserving the outcome a magic formula.
“I experienced to hold it under wraps. You were sworn to secrecy,” reported Patterson.
Chef Tam, who owns Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe, has become a acquainted confront on the Meals Network.
She has competed on “Guys Grocery Games” three situations, where she also managed to beat out other chefs and get $16,000. Chef Tam is the first Memphis chef to win ‘Chopped.’
“I was competing versus folks who have cooked in Michelin star dining places, and below I am, just a home-experienced chef winning. It was actually dope,” explained Patterson.
On ‘Chopped’, 4 chefs have to race against the clock to produce an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. All through every spherical, they are compelled to use unusual components they pull out of a basket, and in each round, a contestant is eliminated.
“It was really frantic, but it’s tenser than you would at any time feel,” reported Patterson. We understood there was going to be a BLT topic, so we considered, how can I make it a bit different, but there is no way to prepare for it.”
Chef Tam received around the judges with her BLT fried mac-n-cheese ball and her BLT choose on Shrimp and Grits and Stuffed French Toast.
“I believed, wow. I did it. I imagined that this is virtually a little something I wrote down yrs back and said that I would do, and I’m acquiring an chance to do it,” reported Patterson.
Chef Tram opened ‘Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe‘ 5 years back and just lately opened ‘Chef Tam’s Express’ in Arlington, Texas.
Through the pandemic, she also ventured into the globe of retail, promoting her personal cookware, sauces, and spices on-line.
“We over hundred products all branded that we experienced to consider on at the peak of the pandemic,” she mentioned. We are just here milling out food items and our goods each day.”
Chef Tam claimed there is no query her ‘Chopped” get will be very good for Memphis and her dining establishments and hopes she receives invited back.
“For me, it truly was a dream arrive real,” Patterson reported.
Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe is positioned at 668 Union Avenue. You can understand much more about Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe and test out their menu at https://www.thecheftam.com/.