



I'LL BE WHAT I WANT WITH NOBODY TO STOP ME
Mediterranean gets a makeover when Cat Cora's blend of French, California and Greek cuisines
hit Kitchen Stadium.
From: San Francisco Bay/Napa Valley via New York, France, California and Jackson, Mississippi.
Restaurants: Working on my signature restaurant.
Cuisine: Mediterranean, particularly Greek, French and Italian. Also Asian, spa, Creole, Southern/soul food and, as a mom, gourmet baby food.
Interests: Yoga/meditation, waterskiing and skiing/boarding, body surfing, dancing to ABBA with my 14-month-old son, rockin’ out with my guitar that I don't play very well. Of course, cooking, eating, and drinking great wine.
Ideal secret ingredient: Lamb sweetbreads or cheeks.
Culinary inspirations: MFK Fisher, Julia Child, my grandmother Alma, my parents, and my godfather, who worked in restaurants in Lyon, France to put himself through college.
Ideal judge(s): Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, and Steven Tyler from Aerosmith.
Culinary secret weapon(s): Global Santoku knife, ouzo, and a mortar/pestle.
Favorite restaurant: French Laundry.
Favorite food: Greek or Asian.
Food you won’t go near: I have not found it yet.
Weirdest thing you've ever eaten: Alligator.
Favorite food destination: New York for oysters and martinis at Blue Ribbon, and Paris for lunch at Alain Ducasse.
Alternative dream job: Actress and novelist.
True Italo-philes know Molto Mario is the king of authentic Italian eats.
Stats
From: Seattle
Restaurants: Babbo, Lupa, Otto, Esca, Casa Mono, Bar Jamon, Bistro Du Vent, Del Posto
Cuisine: Italian, Spanish, and French
Interests: Family, travel, golf
Ideal secret ingredient: Seafood
Culinary inspirations: Alain Ducasse, Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, Jeremiah Tower, Alice Waters
Ideal judge: Bart Starr or Jeremiah Tower, two of my heroes
Culinary secret weapon: Vin cotto or balsamic vinegar
Favorite restaurant: Pearl Oyster, Mesa Grill, or Gray’s Papaya
Favorite food: Anything anyone else makes
Food you won’t go near: Durian
Weirdest thing you've ever eaten: Fried grasshoppers
Favorite food destination: Bologna for lasagna, Brodo for tortellini
Alternative dream job: Pool boy in Malibu
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Japanese food fans bow down to the legendary master Morimoto-san.
Stats
From: Hiroshima, Japan
Restaurant: Morimoto Restaurant in Philadelphia and New York City
Cuisine: Japanese
Interests: East/West integration, Japanese traditions
Ideal secret ingredient: Ingredients that generate umami, the fifth taste
Ideal judge: Someone who understands global cuisine
Culinary secret weapon: Home-milled rice
Favorite restaurant: Ginzu Kyubei
Favorite food: Sushi
Food you won’t go near: None
Weirdest thing you've ever eaten: Live snake
Favorite food destination: Japan, because I am Japanese
Alternative dream job: Professional baseball player