Tamra Patterson, recognized by most Memphians as Chef Tam, can add “Chopped” champion to her checklist of accolades.
On the April 5 episode of the well-known Foodstuff Community exhibit “Chopped,” Patterson battled against four other chefs and gained the big prize of $10,000. Whilst quite a few Memphians have competed on the clearly show, she is the first to gain.
“I can’t hold out to tell my son” was her initial response when she realized she had received. “I arrived to ‘Chopped’ and kicked tail. It feels amazing!”
This was Patterson’s first time to appear on “Chopped,” but not her to start with time on Foodstuff Network. She has competed on a few distinct episodes of “Guy’s Grocery Game titles,” even profitable as soon as. She has also competed on OWN’s “Good American Cookout.”
“This is some thing I have always wanted to do and the toughest clearly show I have at any time competed on,” Patterson reported when her overall look on the competitors display was introduced. “It was fun, but nerve-wracking.”
Patterson is the chef and owner of Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe in Downtown Memphis. Since opening in March 2017, Chef Tam has made a name for herself for her imaginative Southern soul foodstuff dishes.
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On the “Chopped” episode titled “Epic BLT Struggle,” the chefs discovered BLT-themed substances in just about every basket and ended up inspired to celebrate the common taste combination in their dishes.
In the initial spherical, Patterson wowed the judges with her Fried Mac-N-Cheese Ball served with a Sriracha-Tomato Sauce. “I make fried mac-n-cheese in the cafe every day … winner-winner rooster dinner,” she mentioned when she saw the basket ingredients, which involved macaroni-and-cheese.
“I informed them I made them definitely large because I am from Texas,” said Patterson of the dish that retained her off the first chopping block.
For the up coming round, the problem was to make an entrée from the sandwich elements. The basket included pork tummy, a lettuce bouquet, tomato vodka and beets.
Patterson created what she named “a enjoy on Shrimp & Grits” — Cheddar Grits with a Tomato Vodka-Beet Cream Sauce topped with Crispy Pork Belly and Crispy Fried Kale Chips.
The dish was a results, and Patterson moved on to the Dessert Spherical.
For that closing round, bacon grease, lettuce-flavored ice cream, roasted tomatoes and strawberry milk powder were the mysterious basket elements.
Patterson explained spherical three was the most nerve-racking. “First, I was up in opposition to a pastry chef,” she explained of her anxiety of that round. “Then the lettuce ice cream in the basket was the worst point I have at any time tasted.”
Patterson overcame her apprehensions and prevented the remaining chopping block with a Stuffed French Toast BLT filled with a strawberry and tomato puree and topped with a lettuce whipped cream and candied bacon.
“I really like the candied bacon, I assumed it was terrific,” judge Marc Murphy claimed of the winning dish.
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“I required to acquire to display my son you can do nearly anything you want to,” Patterson claimed.
“It feels feel great to be the first Memphian to have gained the exhibit,” she added. “I are unable to inform you how wonderful it feels to characterize the town of Memphis. I would like to be capable to carry on to do that.”
So what is actually next for the latest “Chopped” champion?
“I have never stopped to appreciate a milestone like this,” Patterson stated. “I would like to take a second to relish in this victory.”
We predict she won’t sit nevertheless prolonged. In the past 12 months by itself, she has launched a line of cookware, started out a assortment of juices and opened a 2nd Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe restaurant in Arlington, Texas.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Professional Attractiveness. She can be attained at [email protected] and you can comply with her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.