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PAGE 12 |SEPTEMBER 9 – 15, 2021

FOOD&DINING

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Judges Talk F.C. Favorites, Eating Out vs. At Home & More

This year’s Taste of Falls Church judges weighed in on everything from potluck dishes to leftovers with the News-Press!

Justin Kieffer, Winner from the FCEF Gala

1. Do you have any special methods to prepare for being a Taste of Falls Church judge?

I am going to eat smaller meals the day before so there’s plenty of room to enjoy every bite!

2. What’s your favorite restaurant that has opened in Falls Church in the past five years?

Thompson’s Italian. It’s a great balance of amazingly good food as well as reasonable prices compared to some of the other new places in D.C.

3. Who’s your favorite celebrity chef or cook?

Jose Andres. His restaurants are amazing, but the work he does with World Central Kitchen makes him an all-star human being.

4. If you could have one dish prepared by one person, who and what would it be?

Pasta Carbonara by a real Italian grandmother. Or Hungarian goulash by a real Hungarian grandmother.

5. What’s the healthiest and unhealthiest thing you’ve eaten in the past week?

Unhealthiest was the bag of family-sized Doritos I polished off. Healthiest was probably the chicken soup I made recently from the carcass of a boiled chicken I had to feed my dog who had a sick tummy.

6. If you had to prepare one dish for a potluck, what would it be?

I would probably make fudgy brownies with a layer of mint.

7. How often do you eat at home versus how often do you eat out?

We are probably a 80 percent at home vs. 20 percent eat out/take out family these days.

8. Are leftovers a cost-saving necessity or an under-appreciated delicacy?

Both. I like to minimize the food that goes into the compost and sometimes my meals are actually better after a night of soaking in the extra juices.

9. Wine, beer or cocktail with a meal?

I’m usually known to do two or all three of these when going out to dinner!

Randi Kieffer, Winner from the FCEF Gala

1. Do you have any special methods to prepare for being a Taste of Falls Church judge?

To get ready for a proper tasting, I will eat bland foods for two to three days leading up to the event, and may employ some intermittent fasting to ensure ample room for a proper tasting.

2. What’s your favorite restaurant that has opened in Falls Church in the past five years?

Thompson Italian first choice; Three Blacksmiths second choice

3. Who’s your favorite celebrity chef or cook?

Cedric Maupillier. He studied under Michel Richard and eventually opened up Convivial with a delicious fried chicken option. He’s also the mastermind behind the secret sauce from Medium Rare.

4. If you could have one dish prepared by one person, who and what would it be?

My dad’s skirt steak and “Greenberg” potatoes. Nothing quite as good as what you grew up with!

5. What’s the healthiest and unhealthiest thing you’ve eaten in the past week?

Healthiest was a romaine salad with vegetables and ginger dressing. Unhealthiest was Buffalo chicken wings with blue cheese dressing.

6. If you had to prepare one dish for a potluck, what would it be?

Full crock-pot of homemade queso. Tried and true and travels well!

7. How often do you eat at home versus how often do you eat out?

70 percent at home, 30 percent out.

8. Are leftovers a cost-saving necessity or an under-appreciated delicacy?

Both?!

9. Wine, beer or cocktail with a meal?

Cocktail or champagne to start with, and then wine, or cider. Never beer.

David Tarter, Mayor City of Falls Church

1. Do you have any special methods to prepare for being a Taste of Falls Church judge?

I haven’t eaten in a week!

2. What’s your favorite restaurant that has opened in Falls Church in the past five years?

As city mayor, they’re all my babies and I love them all equally. Like my children, they are all my favorites.

3. Who’s your favorite celebrity chef or cook?

I am not much of a Food TV watcher. As a big eater, I prefer to skip the preliminaries and get on with the main event.

4. If you could have one dish prepared by one person, who and what would it be?

My mother’s spaghetti, with lots and lots of cheese!

5. What’s the healthiest and unhealthiest thing you’ve eaten in the past week?

The healthiest thing was some vegetables. Unfortunately, though, they were a very small part of a very large pizza.

6. If you had to prepare one dish for a potluck, what would it be?

I’m not much of a cook, so I would probably just cover something in cheese.

7. How often do you eat at home versus how often do you eat out?

I mostly eat at home. I have a fair amount of night meetings and it’s always nice to spend time with the family.

8. Are leftovers a cost-saving necessity or an under-appreciated delicacy?

An under-appreciated delicacy. Now that my teenagers have gone off to college, I may finally get some.

9. Wine, beer or cocktail with a meal?

The strongest thing I drink is milk. If I’m celebrating, then chocolate milk.

Jason Tepper, Executive Chef Alexandria City Public Schools

1. Do you have any special methods to prepare for being a Taste of Falls Church judge?

I’m coming in hungry.

2. What’s your favorite restaurant that has opened in Falls Church in the past five years?

Park de Ville, Mosaic.

3. Who’s your favorite celebrity chef or cook?

Patrick O’Connell.

4. If you could have one dish prepared by one person, who and what would it be?

My Nanny’s brisket, prepared by her.

5. What’s the healthiest and unhealthiest thing you’ve eaten in the past week?

Raw veggies and a ginormous slice of pizza.

6. If you had to prepare one dish for a potluck, what would it be?

Smoked pork butt for pulled pork.

7. How often do you eat at home versus how often do you eat out?

Home 5 days a week, out two days a week.

8. Are leftovers a cost-saving necessity or an under-appreciated delicacy?

Delicacy for sure.

9. Wine, beer or cocktail with a meal?

All!

PAGE 14 | SEPTEMBER 9 - 15, 2021

FOOD&DINING

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM