Chef Gabe Erales had quite the formidable run on the Portland-set, 18th season of "Top Chef," which he eventually won, besting runner-up chefs Dawn Burrell and Shota Nakajima.
Throughout the competition, Erales showcased his talent and passion with standout dishes such as smoked and glazed plums with orchard fruit jus, pork and chicken; banana leaf-steamed black cod with crispy skin and salsa veracruzana; sopa de mariscos; and short rib with chichilo negro mole, mushrooms, and pickled persimmons. His skill was perhaps most evident in his mastery of magical moles and his more inventive creations, like fried cochinita pibil head cheese with habanero ash emulsion, avocado mousse, and kumquat sauce. (His frequent use of fruit in savory dishes was particularly notable.)
