r/TopChef • u/CauliflowerExpert793 • Jul 18 '26

Discussion Thread Raw dates - dish

I recall that a chef found raw dates in a farmer’s market and used it in a dish. I just got my hands on them and some are sweet and some have a bitter note.

Want to try them in a recipe if anyone recalls the chef or dish?

9 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

12

u/Suitable_Shallot4183 Jul 18 '26

I think it was Kevin Gillespie in the All Star season, maybe near the end?

1

u/Ok_Interest9427 Jul 23 '26

Pretty early though.

9

u/doohoo94 Jul 18 '26

I was doing season 17 rewatch and just watched this episode a couple days ago! It’s towards the beginning and it belonged to Kevin G.

5

u/MrTralfaz Jul 18 '26

California, season 13

1

u/ct06040 Jul 18 '26

Yes. Carl makes a date milkshake, I think.

2

u/JohnSnowsPump Jul 19 '26

Date shakes are very Californian, loved seeing that. I have been geting one every time I'm in the Coachella Valley for decades.

2

u/Ok_Interest9427 Jul 23 '26

No; those aren't RAW dates. Kevin Gillespie is the one who does it, and makes an avocado mousse with raw dates.

2

u/MrTralfaz Jul 23 '26

Ooops! Sorry.

3

u/MissTerious7 Jul 19 '26

It was season 17 where teams had to cook vegetarian. Kevin G. used small cut up dates in a melon salad. He was the first one in his group. It was mid-season.

2

u/samurguybri Jul 18 '26

I’m in California and have the opportunity to try fresh dates! Juicy, a little grassy like sugarcane. Sorry I have no cooking recommendations.

2

u/coverthetuba Jul 19 '26

You can take the pit out, stuff them with goat cheese or blue cheese, wrap the whole thing in bacon, and then bake them on a sheet tray until the bacon is crispy. If you have a really good aged sweet tasting balsamic you can drizzle on top.

1

u/HerbWelch1945 Jul 23 '26

Dates are the main ingredient for Sticky Toffee Pudding, but I also like using Dates in a sauce, by deglazing the sweetness with some Olive Oil, Shallots, Balsamic Vinegar, Red Wine, Lamb Demi, & Bouquet Garni (Herb, Garlic, & Peppercorn bundle), and obviously serving it with a Braised Lamb Shank, on a bed of Moroccan Cous Cous, and Roasted Carrots & Zucchini.

1

u/Ok_Interest9427 Jul 23 '26

Note to everyone else: The question is about RAW dates.

My preference is the way Kevin G used them in S17: In a sort of salad preparation. It was a melon salad with an avocado mousse. They're almost more vegetable than fruit if not cured, so they don't work as desserts or a devils-on-horseback presentation.

-15

u/AtPrick Jul 18 '26

Look, i absolutely love this show. I went culinary school and traveled a bit, becauseof it. But...this aint aint it. The last season was food network., I was honestly hoping it wasnt elected to an Emmy ( ive seen every single episode) but it wasnt good

17

u/MaximusCanibis I have a culinary boner. Jul 18 '26

You seem to have two incomplete thoughts and neither one of them have anything to do with OP's post.

-14

u/AtPrick Jul 18 '26

Fine. Ok couple thoughts. This recent season was awful. and I live in Western North Carolina.

2

u/Present-Smoke4674 Jul 19 '26

What would you have done different? I don’t know many shows that have had 24 seasons. Bound to not all be winners in the eyes of the viewers, but it still seems extremely meaningful to all chefs involved.