I would like to introduce The Brilliant Baker Brian Emmett who was the 2013 Winner of "The American Baking Competition" on CBS. Here is the personal interview and fabulous "Beef Chilli Recipe" that we were blessed with. Thank you Brian. :)
Candie and Michelle: Have you always liked baking/cooking?
Brian Emmett: Yes, I grew up with a family of great cooks and bakers so as a young child I watched and participated often. In, fact my great grandmother owned a bakery in Chicago.
Candie and Michelle: No wonder your love for baking runs through your veins. I would have loved to grow up in a house full of wonderful cooks. Do you mind sharing one of your favorite fall recipes for our readers?
Brian Emmett: It would have to be my beef chili…although good at anytime, it is a great, Fall comfort food!
Candie and Michelle: We can't wait to try that out. What is one of your fondest memories of baking/cooking with your mother/grandmother?
Brian Emmett: My mom did cookie exchanges around Christmas when I was young. All of her friends and families would get together and share their cookies and recipes. It was such a fun tradition!
Candie and Michelle: I love that tradition. I wish more people still did that. Tell us about being a part of the “The American Baking Competition”
Brian Emmett: Being cast to be part of The American baking Competition was an amazing experience. When you put your passion out there and believe in yourself amazing things can happen! When they announced me as the winner it was so amazing and to have my family there to witness was the best. Part of the prize package was to write my own cookbook, which is a dream come true for me. It is available on pre-order right now on Amazon and other outlets it is called “Bake Off”.
Candie and Michelle: I can imagine it was an amazing and surreal experience. We can't wait to check out your cook book. What is it like trying to juggle your baking career and your family?
Brian Emmett: I like to keep busy so for me it's fun. Plus, I’m always baking and cooking and my family loves that part because they get to sample all the goodies.
Candie and Michelle: Are there any plans in the works for having a restaurant or TV show?
Brian Emmett: I like both those ideas and actually I have always wanted my own bed and breakfast. As for TV, we do have an idea for a pilot. I love cooking on TV, as I have done it all across the country since my win. It is fun teaching people all the things I have learned about cooking and baking.
Candie and Michelle: I hope it all works out. We can't wait to watch your show and learn more of your delicious recipes. Was it hard trying to decide what recipes to put in your book, “Bake off”?
Brian Emmett: Yes because I have so many that I have been passed down to me from family members as well as my own. I wanted to be a blend of that. Plus, I wanted the book not to be just about sweets so there is a nice blend of savory recipes.
Candie and Michelle: I can see how that could be challenging. Were there any secret family recipes that your family was hesitant to share for your book?
Brian Emmett: There are but they are more about cooking, so I will see if I can share those in a second book!
Candie and Michelle: What kind of opportunities has being on the show opened up?
Brian Emmett: It has given me the opportunity to go all over the country and teach people cooking and baking techniques, which I love. Also, to write and publish my very own cookbook which is a huge dream of mine!
Candie and Michelle: Do you have any advice for any aspiring chefs/bakers?
Brian Emmett: Just follow your passions and never give up. I tried out for many shows and never made it on until The American Baking Competition came along. My favorite saying is “You Will…When You Believe! I did and do believes and I was crowned America’s Best Baker, a one in a million chance and I did it!
Brian Emmett’s Beef Chili
Serves 6-8
1 large onion chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
4 cloves of garlic finely chopped
2lbs ground sirloin
½ cup of chili powder
¼ cup of cumin
2 teaspoons of turmeric
2 teaspoons of coriander
1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper
1 12oz beer (your favorite)
1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
1 cup of beef stock
1 tablespoon of soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce
1 4 oz. can of diced green chilies
1 14oz can of dark red kidney beans
1 14oz can of light red kidney beans
Measure out all ingredients and mix beef stock with soy and Worcestershire sauces! Chop onions and finely chop garlic. Sauté onions in olive oil and season with salt and pepper until translucent then add garlic and sauté for 2 more minutes more. Add ground sirloin and brown until almost cooked through then add all spices to meat onion and garlic mixture. Add beer and reduce by half and then add crushed tomatoes and beef stock mixture. Cook simmering for 1 hour…before serving add chilies and beans until heated through. Serve with your favorite accompaniments!
Thank you Brian Emmett for such wonderful advice and for such a delicious chili recipe. We can't wait to try it and we are sure our readers can't either. Thank you so much for taking the time to sit down and chat with us. It has been a blessing.
-Candie and Michelle
Brian Emmett: Yes, I grew up with a family of great cooks and bakers so as a young child I watched and participated often. In, fact my great grandmother owned a bakery in Chicago.
Candie and Michelle: No wonder your love for baking runs through your veins. I would have loved to grow up in a house full of wonderful cooks. Do you mind sharing one of your favorite fall recipes for our readers?
Brian Emmett: It would have to be my beef chili…although good at anytime, it is a great, Fall comfort food!
Candie and Michelle: We can't wait to try that out. What is one of your fondest memories of baking/cooking with your mother/grandmother?
Brian Emmett: My mom did cookie exchanges around Christmas when I was young. All of her friends and families would get together and share their cookies and recipes. It was such a fun tradition!
Candie and Michelle: I love that tradition. I wish more people still did that. Tell us about being a part of the “The American Baking Competition”
Brian Emmett: Being cast to be part of The American baking Competition was an amazing experience. When you put your passion out there and believe in yourself amazing things can happen! When they announced me as the winner it was so amazing and to have my family there to witness was the best. Part of the prize package was to write my own cookbook, which is a dream come true for me. It is available on pre-order right now on Amazon and other outlets it is called “Bake Off”.
Candie and Michelle: I can imagine it was an amazing and surreal experience. We can't wait to check out your cook book. What is it like trying to juggle your baking career and your family?
Brian Emmett: I like to keep busy so for me it's fun. Plus, I’m always baking and cooking and my family loves that part because they get to sample all the goodies.
Candie and Michelle: Are there any plans in the works for having a restaurant or TV show?
Brian Emmett: I like both those ideas and actually I have always wanted my own bed and breakfast. As for TV, we do have an idea for a pilot. I love cooking on TV, as I have done it all across the country since my win. It is fun teaching people all the things I have learned about cooking and baking.
Candie and Michelle: I hope it all works out. We can't wait to watch your show and learn more of your delicious recipes. Was it hard trying to decide what recipes to put in your book, “Bake off”?
Brian Emmett: Yes because I have so many that I have been passed down to me from family members as well as my own. I wanted to be a blend of that. Plus, I wanted the book not to be just about sweets so there is a nice blend of savory recipes.
Candie and Michelle: I can see how that could be challenging. Were there any secret family recipes that your family was hesitant to share for your book?
Brian Emmett: There are but they are more about cooking, so I will see if I can share those in a second book!
Candie and Michelle: What kind of opportunities has being on the show opened up?
Brian Emmett: It has given me the opportunity to go all over the country and teach people cooking and baking techniques, which I love. Also, to write and publish my very own cookbook which is a huge dream of mine!
Candie and Michelle: Do you have any advice for any aspiring chefs/bakers?
Brian Emmett: Just follow your passions and never give up. I tried out for many shows and never made it on until The American Baking Competition came along. My favorite saying is “You Will…When You Believe! I did and do believes and I was crowned America’s Best Baker, a one in a million chance and I did it!
Brian Emmett’s Beef Chili
Serves 6-8
1 large onion chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
4 cloves of garlic finely chopped
2lbs ground sirloin
½ cup of chili powder
¼ cup of cumin
2 teaspoons of turmeric
2 teaspoons of coriander
1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper
1 12oz beer (your favorite)
1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
1 cup of beef stock
1 tablespoon of soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce
1 4 oz. can of diced green chilies
1 14oz can of dark red kidney beans
1 14oz can of light red kidney beans
Measure out all ingredients and mix beef stock with soy and Worcestershire sauces! Chop onions and finely chop garlic. Sauté onions in olive oil and season with salt and pepper until translucent then add garlic and sauté for 2 more minutes more. Add ground sirloin and brown until almost cooked through then add all spices to meat onion and garlic mixture. Add beer and reduce by half and then add crushed tomatoes and beef stock mixture. Cook simmering for 1 hour…before serving add chilies and beans until heated through. Serve with your favorite accompaniments!
Thank you Brian Emmett for such wonderful advice and for such a delicious chili recipe. We can't wait to try it and we are sure our readers can't either. Thank you so much for taking the time to sit down and chat with us. It has been a blessing.
-Candie and Michelle
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