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email: jsstrickland@mindspring.comAtlantan Moves Closer to Capturing Celebrity Chef Title
Montier Joins ABC'S THE VIEW Live in Las Vegas for Final Cook-off
Wednesday, February 18; 11 a.m.Atlanta—(February 13, 2004)—"Beautiful!", "Delicious!" "Very Light and Moist!" are the words the judges used to describe Juan Montier's "Las Vegas Meatloaf" during Round 3 of ABC's The View "Next Celebrity Chef Contest" on February 11.
Now, Montier, a leader in the Atlanta design community for more than 16 years, heads to Las Vegas, Nevada next Wednesday to compete in the fourth and final round of the first annual "Next Celebrity Chef Contest", a national competition that invites aspiring chefs to a cook-off.
Montier is one of two finalists to compete, and they will both prepare a four-course Italian meal of soup, salad, a chicken dish and Tiramisu. The soup and salad must be prepared using only a list of ingredients supplied by the show's producers.
Judges Joy Behar, The View co-host; Robin Leach, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous; and Mario Batali, chef and host of Ciao America were captivated by "Montier's Las Vegas Meatloaf"—a Neapolitan-styled Terrine Meatloaf which features veal with sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts, turkey with spinach and almonds and ground chuck with mushroom and cashews served with buttery whipped cauliflower in a parmesan tuile bowl with asparagus. After a 30-second deliberation to select the two finalists, Judge Behar stated: "Our first choice is Juan!"
The "Next Celebrity Chef" will be chosen in Round 4 on Wednesday, Feb. 18 when The View broadcasts live from Las Vegas. The winner will receive $15,000 worth of new kitchen equipment.
Among the hundreds of entries, Montier was one of 12 chosen in Round 1. Since then, he has advanced to each round by showcasing his talent for combining art and cuisine into culinary masterpieces. In the Round 1 competition, Montier prepared Yucca and Potato Encrusted Sea Bass With Wild Mushroom Ravioli In A Miso Broth for judges. The meal received immediate accolades from Judge Behar who stated, "Now this is a celebrity chef meal!".
For Round 2, Montier prepared Crab Cakes and Sweet Auburn Risotto (aka grits) the judges continued their praise for Montier's charisma and his presentation of the crab cakes and risotto. "This is good. Can I eat this one?" questioned Leach after sampling Montier's entrée.
Unique to his meal preparation, Montier sketches the entrée on paper prior to cooking. He believes the presentation of the meal—including color and juxtaposition—is as equally important as to how it tastes. When his illustrations were broadcast on Wednesday, Batali commented: "While sketching the meal before hand may take away a little spontaneity, it makes for a great presentation."
The "Next Celebrity Chef Contest" is a dream opportunity for Montier who plans to launch a lifestyle television show, Chez Montier. The 30-minute show will combine décor, food and flora. "Chez Montier will capture the spirit of the most important meeting room in the home: the kitchen," says Montier who will host the show. "It's the place that becomes the gathering spot for social occasions. From there, we will work through the home giving instruction and ideas that are creative, affordable, and a reflection of the homeownerÕs spirit and style."
Montier is president of Montier Designs and has combined his formal architectural training with his interior design skills and gourmet cooking acumen to offer clients, enthusiasts and friends a unique lifestyle consultancy. Prior to Montier Designs, Montier was the co-founder of Montier's, a gourmet delivery service where he handled the floral design facet. He has prepared meals for statesman Andrew Young, songstress Diana Ross, and the Cosby family to name a few.
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