Las Vegas Weekly

May 27, 2010 · 10:16 AM

Susan Feniger packs her knives, Rick Moonen stays on Top Chef Masters

By Robin Leach

Chef Susan Feniger.

Photo: TVT

Viewers of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters were outraged last night after Mandalay Bay celebrity chef Susan Feniger was voted off the show, leaving four men in the final competition, including her fellow Mandalay Bay chef Rick Moonen. Blog comments literally littered the landscape when Susan was ousted, saying the judges overlooked her unique menu in order to score with comedy sarcasm.

Rick, from RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay, was voted safe to stay on for next week’s kitchen battles. He also won the Quickfire “Name That Ingredient” Challenge. Last night in the Elimination Challenge, the chefs were given four hours to cook for 50 guests and had to create a meal for a Greek god.

Rick drew a knife for Hades, god of the underworld, and served a winning swordfish crusted with flaked garlic, onions, poppy seeds, crimson potatoes, daikon radishes and parsnips.

Susan, whose Border Grill is at Mandalay Bay, drew a knife for Aphrodite, the goddess of love. She decided to prepare a Singapore taste treat for its romantic and loving interpretation and served 50 individually made Kaya toasts of coconut jam made from three eggs, three yolks, coconut milk with pandan leaves and Pullman bread topped with dark soy sauce and ground white pepper. It’s won numerous awards in Singapore and is the most popular dish on Susan’s menu for Hollywood stars at her restaurant Street in L.A.

“It’s all about love,” Susan told me last night. “From the way it’s made to the way it’s eaten to the way it’s used. Our diners and fans love it because it is so unique and incredible. Definitely fit for the gods!”

The judges dismissed it as a sandwich not fit for the gods and got their laughs. After being sent packing with her knives, Susan added: “It’s just really hard to believe that the most popular dish on our Street menu didn’t win. We so believe in this winning dish, we now want you to see it and taste it for yourself.” So each night now through next Tuesday at all of her restaurants in Las Vegas and L.A., Susan will serve it for free to customers who whisper the secret phrase “Pack Your Knives” to their waiter!

Go to EatatStreet.com for the recipe, assembly and history, and then argue with the judges about their decision. Yah Kun Kaya toast was created in 1936 and is so popular, it’s served as the main attraction at more than 25 restaurants in Singapore owned by Yah Kun’s eight children.

“I’m thrilled everybody came to my defense last night,” Susan added. “I was surprised the judges didn’t see all the love and romance of the dish. I’m only upset that I didn’t go further on the show and raise even more money for the Scleroderma Research Foundation. But I’m happy I did win $32,500 for the charity over the weeks I did win.”

Vegas DeLuxe will continue to report on Rick’s solid progress as he competes next Wednesday against remaining chefs Johnathan Waxman, Marcus Samuelson and Susur Lee.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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