Palmabella's Passions

It was a gorgeous spring-like evening in the desert, around 75 degrees at 8 p.m.. We were at the McCallum Theater to see Tom Collichio.

Top Chef host, restauranteur, and chef Tom spent a full two hours bantering with the audience, talking about his early career, how he began cooking, and how Top Chef came about. He told stories about how the show is filmed and judged, and what really happens behind the scenes. He spoke of how he creates dishes, and told funny stories. He answered many questions from the crowd. He also discussed a couple of more serious topics like hunger in America, and the future of the restaurant industry.

It was very cool that about 30 "future chefs" from a local high school culinary class were in attendance (in their white chef jackets). He met with them after the rest of the audience left.

It was a VERY enjoyable evening!