Uwishunu.com

Philly's Top Chef destroyer, Jennifer Carroll (Photo courtesy of 10 Arts)

Welcome back to our new post series on uwishunu called “With Love Letters,” in which our With Love Philadelphia campaign interviews noteworthy Philadelphians in order to learn more about their relationship with the city and why they love it here.
 
Next up is 10 Arts Chef de cuisine and current Top Chef “Cheftestant” Jennifer Carroll.

Note: links were added to the interview during editing.

Introduction:

 
Jennifer Carroll is a hometown girl — she grew up in the Somerton section of Northeast Philadelphia and went to Mount St. Joe’s High School. After flirting with a career in law while attending Catholic University in Washington, DC, Carroll followed her heart back home to Philadelphia to attend the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in University City.

From there she went on to work in the kitchens of restaurants in San Francisco, Philadelphia and New York City. It was in New York City where she worked as sous chef at Eric Ripert’s prestigious Le Bernardin. When Ripert opened 10 Arts at the Ritz Carlton here in 2008, he hand selected Carroll to lead the kitchen of the restaurant on a day-to-day basis.

She is now a “Cheftestant” on Season 6 of Top Chef on Bravo. Her restaurant, 10 Arts at the Ritz Carlton Philadelphia, hosts a viewing party during the show every Wednesday night. So stop by tonight and cheer her on.
 

The “With Love Letters” Q&A:

 
With Love: Hi Jennifer, Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to us. Ok, to start, a few warm-up questions. Be honest: have you ever run up the Rocky Steps?

Jennifer Carroll: Of course I’ve run up the Rocky steps! One of my fondest memories growing up is racing up the stairs with my sisters when we would visit the art museum.

With Love: The Phillie Phanatic — great mascot or greatest mascot?

Carroll: Greatest ever, who couldn’t love a big green furry creature?!

With Love: Probably no one. Ok, the Philly cheesesteak vs. the roast pork sandwich vs. an authentic Philly hoagie — which do you prefer?

Carroll: Tough question, but I can’t go two days without eating a hoagie. I wish Sarcone’s was open 24 hours a day so I could get my fix after work every night.

With Love: You’re right, tough question but great answer. We would totally sign a petition supporting a 24-hour Sarcone’s…

Ok, so you are currently competing on Top Chef Las Vegas on Bravo — congratulations on an impressive run to date — representing yourself, 10 Arts and, by extension, Philadelphia and the Philadelphia food scene. Were you excited to be one of the first Philadelphia chefs to be on the show?

Carroll: Yes, absolutely! I’m very excited to be one of the first Philadelphia chefs on the show. I’m hoping to live up to everyone’s (Philadelphians) standards and want to make everyone proud.

With Love: Well you’ve clearly already done that — you’re kicking butt out there — so Philadelphia is already very proud. Now, you grew up here in Philadelphia, which often has or is perceived to have to have an underdog mentality. Did that provide you with any extra motivation?

Carroll: I have a very competitive spirit. I always want to win! My dad taught me to always aim for first place.

With Love: Smart man. Ok, so you grew up in Northeast Philadelphia, went to the Restaurant School in University City, and are now the chef at one of Center City’s more popular restaurants — what do you really love about Philadelphia’s restaurant and food scene today? And how have you seen it change and grow?

Carroll: The restaurant scene has evolved so much in the past 10 years — I love how diverse it’s become. You can get awesome Mexican food, fantastic food in Chinatown … even Israeli street food. The Philadelphia food scene has it, whatever craving you may have.

With Love: Not sure we could have said it better ourselves. So we did our research and already know you love Osteria, Zahav, Amada and Tony Luke’s. When you’re not working at your own restaurant, where are some of your other favorite places to eat in Philadelphia? Any under-the-radar neighborhood gems?

Carroll: I love Mémé, which is a great little place. And, it’s not so under the radar, but Bibou is also one of my favorite restaurants.

With Love: More great choices… Chef David Katz at Mémé just got a big shout out from Esquire by the way.

Below we find out what dish Chef Carroll is craving right now, one of her favorite Bloody Marys in the city, and who’s the secret behind the delicious desserts at 10 Arts.

 
With Love: Ok, impressive run so far, but we’ve got more questions. Is there a specific dish in Philadelphia that you are really craving right now? How about a drink?

Carroll: The banger sandwich from Pub & Kitchen is unbelievable. I could have that right now with their Wrangler bloody mary.

With Love: ZOMG! You’re on fire — the banger sandwich at Pub & Kitchen is, in fact, unbelievable. And The Wrangler Bloody Mary there … definitely great.

Ok, another one: when you host friends and family from out-of-town, where do you like to take them? Are you especially hot on any one Philly neighborhood right now?

Carroll: I love taking friends and family to the Headhouse Square Farmers’ Market, looking at all the local organic items they have available, and then picking up a few things for a snack. We then usually head over to Ortlieb’s (my cousin owns it), which always turns out to be a good time. As for Philly neighborhoods, I love Rittenhouse Square, and all the shopping along Chestnut and Walnut streets.

With Love: We concur; more gold stars for you. As for hotel recommendations, you’re obviously partial to the Ritz Carlton, where your restaurant, 10 Arts, is located. Can you name a few things about the hotel that you think are especially great for people visiting Philadelphia?

Carroll: The Ritz-Carlton space is absolutely gorgeous; it’s a 101-year old-building. A fun little fact is that my great-grandfather worked in this building years ago. My mom used to come down and watch the Mummers parade from his office every year. The 10 Arts lounge area is a great place to relax-in, people-watch or have a drink while watching an Eagles or Phillies game.

With Love: Well the Phillies just happen to be in the NLCS so we’ll add 10 Arts to our list of places to watch. Is there another piece of news about your restaurant that you would like to share with our readers at this time?

Carroll: I recommend our $35 prix fixe menu, which is available Tuesday through Thursday. It’s a three-course dinner that highlights the best of the fall season harvest. And, did I mention Monica (Glass) is the best pastry chef in Philadelphia? She’s going to be offering an amazing hot chocolate and cupcake menu during the holidays. For the hot chocolate, you’ll be able to choose either milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate and from a variety of toppings, including homemade marshmallows.

With Love: Sounds impossibly delicious. Finally, how has Philadelphia shown you love? What do you most appreciate about the city?

Carroll: When I moved back from New York City, the city welcomed me with open arms … even Mayor Nutter came to greet me. Everyone has been so kind; it’s just been amazing since I’ve moved back. Growing up in Philadelphia, you have an absolute bond with the city and with everyone who lives here. People from Philly support one another no matter what.

I just love how beautiful the city is, especially the parks. I also really like the history of the city, the great architecture, and how we work to preserve the past.

With Love: Jennifer, thank you so much for taking the time. Congratulations on all of your success so far and keep up the great work. And of course, best of luck with the remainder of the Top Chef Las Vegas season — we’ll be rooting for you very loudly!

With Love,
Philadelphia
XOXO

 
10 Arts [Official Site]
Top Chef Las Vegas [Bravo]