Top Chef 5 - Let's Meet The Chefs

It is that time again. Top Chef season 5 is coming November 12th. Mark your calendars.

Our favorite number 1 food show on cable selected 17 new cheftestants to take on the Big Apple of New York.

For the next few weeks, let's meet these cheftestants and get your first reaction to them. Using their bio's, help us welcome...

Chef Alex
age 33
Hometown New York City resides in Los Angeles
Position: Executive chef, Restaurant 15
Culinary Education:
The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) – New York, NY
Favorite Simple Recipes: For fall: Duck confit – duck breast, onions, carrots, celery, cloves, cinnamon, duck fat, fresh herbs. For spring: Red snapper with guava beurre blanc, guavaberry and sweet plantain hash.

Bio: Alex currently serves as Executive Chef /Partner at a small boutique restaurant in Los Angeles, Calif., Restaurant 15. His culinary career is based primarily in small individually owned restaurants, which is fitting since he has a personal relationship with food and finds his creativity is best expressed in those intimate circumstances. Born in Madrid, raised in the Dominican Republic and then New York City, he has a very distinct cultural background that fuels his passion for cooking. Classically trained in French and Spanish cuisine, he often plays with Caribbean flair to add depth to his food. When not training for marathons, he enjoys making one of his favorite dishes, Paella.

Your thoughts on Chef Alex? Leave them in the comment area below.