Chef Wanted: Mirabelle Update by Joseph Erdos in Shows, February 7th, 2013
At Mirabelle restaurant in Hollywood, owners George Germanides and Justine Giannini (George’s daughter) decided they needed help after a recent failed overhaul. They asked Anne Burrell and the Chef Wanted team to help them find a chef who could infuse new life into the aging establishment. Anne brought in four candidates, and after some grueling tests, an offer was extended to Drew Ison.
On the show, Chef Ison proved he understood what the owners wanted by creating flavorful dishes in the restaurant’s cooking style. Though he let time constraints get to him during dinner service, resulting in some dishes being sent back and worrying the owners that he wouldn’t pull through. In the end Chef Ison was offered the position because of his vision of fusing Mediterranean and California cuisines as the new concept for Mirabelle.
“Chef Ison is doing an amazing job. He truly understands Mirabelle’s customer base,” says George. Longtime customers continue to support the restaurant and there is also a steady rise in new customers because of Chef Ison’s menu changes.
FN Dish caught up with Chef Ison since the show taped. Watch the video above to find out what it was like doing the show, what winning meant and how his confidence has improved since becoming the new executive chef of Mirabelle. He also talks about how his life used to be filled with negativity and that his tattoos are a reflection of that, but this new opportunity has brought him a lot of positivity. Chef Ison is very excited about all that he can do for Mirabelle.
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Tags: Anne Burrell, chef wanted
Drew…… so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!! just finished watching it…… very touching synopsis about your life.
Very happy Drew won! This was a great episode!
Chef Shelley Cooper… You are an awesome chef(remember you from opening First & Hope) and I have no doubt from your long resume that Mirabelle is not your style and would not have been a good fit for you… Hoping you bring your culinary skills back to LA in the near future. Congrats to Drew!
GOOD TO SEE ONE OF MY OLDEST FRIENDS SON DOING SO WELL.. TOO BAD HIS GRANDPARENTS ARENT HERE TO SEE HOW HE'S BECOME A PROFESSIONAL CHEF ! CONGRATS DREW !!! GO FOR BROKE !!!!
Best episode yet! Congratulations Drew Ison! You are living proof people can change for the better. Again, congratulations and the best is yet to come! Love you Chef Anne! You are amazing!
Awesome job! You make us so proud!
Congratulations Drew!! It is inspiring to see someone rise above their past. I think Mirabelle and Drew are a perfect match, both needing a fresh new start on life.
It is very unfortunate that in Drew's past heartache has come to some families. We can all debate weather it was an accident or not or who was at fault…it won't take away anyones lose or pain. All who have been affected by the incident ( Drew included) deal with it as they must and as we all must when a tragedy hits our life. It is never a moment where all sides can come together. We must ask would it be better for Drew to continue on the wrong path with the possibility of damaging other lives or to move forward in a positive direction.
Drew…..Continue to move forward and make positive leaps in your life. Your grandparents would be proud of you. Your family and friends are proud of you and support you; not only as a fine young man,but an inspiration for those who are on the wrong path for a new hope, and as a the newest Chef of Mirabelle. Congratulations Drew Ison and Congratulations Mirabelle!!
What is wrong with you! Why are you posting about his past? This is about his future and things that may have happened in his past destructive past. If you were really wishing him well in his future. You wouldn't keep bringing up his past. Seems like your compliments are marinated in passive aggressiveness and braised in guilt and dressed in false wishes of success. Jeez!
Because he never atoned for his past!
He got away with a crime because of lousy police work.
It was NO accident. It's called "under the influence"
GREAT show – heard about Mirabelle even here in Ohio.
So surprised Jeff lost – he had everything plated, had dessert, was not sloppy like Drew's presentation . . . wonder if it was personalities. Drew's food and Jeff's look wonderful….guests seem to like both food ('amazing', worth the wait' made me want to jump through the tube and enjoy) but Drew kept making the lamb too rare for the owner and then again in the service. Drew used the bloody lamb knife for lemons…surprised with the kitchen mistakes he made that he was chosen.
You guys should give Jeff another shot he was cool, polite and seemed very willing to please and his food looked FABULOUS!
I agree. Jeff was awesome.
I loved jeff also, maybe find him a different restaurant that is more cohesive with his style of cooking. he was great!
Yeah, I actually thought Jeff was gonna win too.
I really used to love this show but I am getting so tired of the contestants getting screamed at by Anne. It's too bad because she is such an awesome chef and female chef role model. But the constant berating is getting really uncomfortable to watch.
Also, since when can pregnant women not have scallops? The American Pregnancy Association puts scallops in the lowest category of mercury, saying they are safe for 6 oz servings up to 2 times a week! Unless they were undercooked in this preparation… but it didn't sound like that was the point they were making. Weird.
I wondered about the scallops,too! Sounds like the pregnant woman was just being a diva! Since she didn't order the scallop,if she said she was allergic or politely declined the offer,stating that she really didn't care for scallops,that would be different! I think she just wanted to be the center of attention!
Yeah, I immediately googled that and saw that scallops were NOT on the list of foods doctors recommend pregnant women avoid. She was just hungry, cranky and being….you know, a customer.
Agree, Anne's constant screaming makes it uncomfortable to watch. I can watch Ramsey do that.