This Just in from Jose Andres…
In response to my item yesterday speculating on the speculation that Zaytinya chef Mike Isabella might be a participant on next season's Top Chef, the toque's boss, José Andrés e-mailed me from the road. His note carried no subject line.
It didn't seem like a good omen. After all, I suggested Andrés might lose Isabella if the toque gets afflicted with that Top Chef virus, in which all the "cheftestants" walk away feeling like they should open their own restaurant.
I opened the e-mail hesitantly. It said:
Thank you for doing "human resources prediction" for me. Is a good job for you!......First time ever...ho ho ho...
Jose Andres on the road
I replied to Andrés, suggesting he might have better things to do than read my blog. I was joking, of course.
5:05 pm
Man, I wish Jose sent me zany messages from the road.
1:49 am
I work with chef Isabella. If he is going to be on Top Chef, it will be the best season ever. Mike has a great palate. He is one of the best chefs that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I wish him all of the best. He will bring this show back. For the last two seasons I have been very disappointed with the show. Chef Isabella will make it worth watching again. Go Mike!