It’s Still Not Easy Beg Gay In a Profsnal Kchen

Contents:

• GAY BAKER’S GREATT LOVE IS THE KCHEN
• "TOP CHEF: JT DSERTS" SERV UP SOME SWEET {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY MICHAEL JENSENSEPTEMBER 8, 2010/5:12 PMBY MICHAEL JENSENSEPTEMBER 8, 2010 / 5:12 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"TOP CHEF: JT DSERTS\" SERV UP SOME SWEET GAYS","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-09-08T21:12:08.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-09-08T21:12:08.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOT ON THE HEELS OF TOP CHEF’S UPSET W OVER THE AMAZG RACE FOR OUTSTANDG REALY SHOW AT LAST MONTH’S EMMY AWARDS, BRAVO IS LNCHG THE LATT SP-OFF THEIR GROWG TOP CHEF ANCHISE: TOP CHEF: JT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR FANS OF TOP CHEF, A NEW SHOW FEATURG THE BT PASTRY CHEFS OM AROUND THE UNTRY PETG AGAST EACH OTHER IS AS NATURAL AS PUTTG CHOLATE AND PEANUT BUTTER TOGETHER. IT’S PECIALLY WELE SCE ON THE ORIGAL TOP CHEF SSERTS UALLY GET SHORT SHRIFT AS SOMETHG REQUIRG LSER SKILLS THAN SAVORY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DEFELY NOT GETTG SHORT SHRIFT THE FIRST SEASON OF JT DSERTS IS TEAM GAY WHICH CLUS, NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE OUT PASTRY CHEFS: ZAC YOUNG, YIG PURA AND TIM NUGENT. RECENTLY HAD THE CHANCE TO CHAT WH YOUNG AND PURA WHEN THEY APPEARED AT THE TELEVISN CRICS ASSOCIATN PRS TOUR WHERE THEY AND FOUR OF THEIR FELLOW JD PASTRY CHEFS EACH PREPARED A SSERT FOR THE ASSEMBLED REPORTERS. (ALAS, AS THIS WRER IS LACTOSE TOLERANT, I HAD TO FO TTG TEAM GAY'S CULARY SKILLS.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}29-YEAR-OLD YIG PURA (PRONOUNCED “YEET”) IS ORIGALLY OM ANKARA, TURKEY, BUT NOW LIV SAN FRANCIS. A PASTRY CHEF FOR TEN YEARS, PURGA WAS A FAN OF THE ORIGAL TOP CHEF, WHICH HE LLS “THERAPY FOR CHEFS,” BUT HAD NO PLANS ON BEG ON TC: JD. BUT WHEN HE WAS VISG A IEND NEW YORK CY, THE SHOW NTACTED HIM AND PURA BEGAN A PROCS HE LLS A “WILD ROLLERASTER” RI. BUT HE SAYS THAT “…WAS A VERY SMALL PREPARATN FOR THE WILD ROLLERASTER RI THAT WAS THE SHOW.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASKED WHAT MOST SURPRISED HIM ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE, PURA DON’T HATE TO ANSWER. “IT WAS ACTUALLY A KD OF TT OF MY SELF-CHARACTER. THERE’S SOMETHG TO BE SAID FOR A VERY PACT AND TENSE EXPERIENCE. IF YOU E OUT THROUGH TO THE OTHER SI, YOU REALLY HAVE A LOT MORE FAH YOURSELF.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YIG PURA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE PURA IS CURRENTLY SGLE (AND LOOKG!) HE DID HAVE A BOYIEND DURG THE SHOW, A TOPIC THAT APPARENTLY ME UP DURG FILMG, SOMETHG THAT MA HIM HAPPY. “I DO A LOT OF QUEER ACTIVISM NEW YORK WH HRC AND AMERIN EQUALY,” SAYS PURA . “I FELT [JT DSERTS] WAS A VERY NATURAL PLATFORM FOR AMERI TO SEE THAT GAY MEN N BE AS NATURAL AS ANYONE ELSE, AND THEY N BE TALENTED AND AMB AND POLE, AND ONE'S SEXUALY HAS NOTHG TO DO WH THE PERSON THAT THEY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASKED ABOUT THE ATTU OF SAVORY CHEFS TOWARD PASTRY CHEFS, PURA SAYS HIS EXPERIENC HAVE BEEN GOOD AND BAD, AND ULTIMATELY PENDS ON THE PERSONALY OF THOSE VOLVED. BUT HE DO ALLOW THAT “… MOST SAVORY CHEFS DO TEND TO THK THAT PASTRY CHEFS ARE THE DATY, CUTE LTLE THGS THAT PLAY WH FLOUR, YOU KNOW? AND EAT CHOLATE ALL DAY. WHAT THEY DON'T UNRSTAND IS THAT HAS A LOT MORE PLANNG AND SCIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE THAT GO TO . A PASTRY CHEF IS UALLY VERY PULSIVE AND TAIL-ORIENTED.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN TOLD THAT BRAVO’S ANDY COHEN HAD PICKED HIM TO BE TC: JD’S “BREAK-OUT HEART THROB,” PURA LGHS AND SAYS, “THE THG IS, I ALWAYS WANTED TO PRENT MYSELF ON THE SHOW AS A VERY PROFSNAL CHEF AND I HOPE I DID THAT. BUT AS FAR AS A HEARTTHROB ... SURE, WHY NOT?”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INED, PURGA IS QUE HANDSOME AND F, SOMETHG HE SAYS HE MATAS EVEN THOUGH HE EATS “ABSURD QUANTI OF SUGAR” BY EXERCISG A LOT, CLUDG BIKG 115 A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE HE CURRENTLY WORKS FOR TASTE CATERG AND EVENT PLANNG, SAN FRANCIS’S LARGT TERG PANY, PURA WOULD LOVE TO ONE DAY OPEN HIS OWN BS, SOMETHG HE HOP WNG TOP CHEF WILL MAKE HAPPEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PURA MOVED TO THE U.S. WHEN HE WAS TWELVE AND SAYS THE EXPERIENCE WAS “INTERTG. IT WAS FELY A CULTURE SHOCK. I THK WHEN YOU ARE THAT AGE, YOU JT KD OF ROLL WH THE PUNCH.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASKED WHEN HE ME OUT, PURA SAYS, “I WAS 18-YEARS-OLD, AND I NEVER LOOKED BACK.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SAN FRANCIS TRANSPLANT IS ONE OF THOSE FORTUNATE MEN WHO’S G OUT WAS RELATIVELY PALS. “MY PARENTS PROVED TO BE VERY SUPPORTIVE AND THEY'RE AMAZG. I ACTUALLY HAVE A GAY SISTER AS WELL – SHE'S MARRIED TO HER WIFE SEATTLE AND 'S GREAT. MY EXTEND FAY IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“IT'S ONE OF THOSE THGS – I THK TO ME 'S SO NONCHALANT. WHETHER YOU'RE AN OUT GAY MAN OR A STRAIGHT MAN, YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WH PEOPLE WHO ARE OPEN-MD AND KD, OR IF YOU'RE NSERVATIVE PERSON YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WH THOSE PEOPLE. I HAVE AN AMAZG GROUP OF IENDS AND PEOPLE WHO LOVE ME AND ACTUALLY THEY'RE VERY SUPPORTIVE THROUGH THIS PROCS AND THEY WERE ACTUALLY A GOOD SOURCE OF STRENGTH FOR ME WHEN I WAS DOWN ON THE SHOW.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT PURA ALSO FOUND SUPPORT OM TWO FELLOW NTTANTS, CLUDG HEATHER HURLBERT AND FELLOW TEAM GAY MEMBER ZAC YOUNG. IN FACT, PURA LLS THEM “THE TWO SISTERS THAT I ALWAYS WANTED.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SPEAKG OF ZAC YOUNG, HE LIV ON THE OPPOSE SI OF THE UNTRY OM YIG NEW YORK CY WHERE HE IS THE EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF AT FLEX MSELS. ORIGALLY OM PORTLAND, MAE, THE 27-YEAR-OLD YOUNG WAS FIRST ASKED TO APPEAR ON THE ORIGAL TOP CHEF, BUT CLED. “I WAS SO-CHEF AT A RTRANT LLED BUTTER NEW YORK – A HIGH-PROFILE RTRANT, AND THEY'D ASKED ME TO BE ON THE REGULAR SEASON,” SAYS YOUNG. “I SAID NO, I'M GONNA WA UNTIL YOU JT DO PASTRY, BEE I KNEW WAS THE PIPELE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHY DID HE PASS ON TOP CHEF TO WA FOR JT DSERTS? DSERTS ARE WHERE HIS TALENTS ARE, BUT ADDS YOUNG, “COOKG REAL FOOD SR ME. I TRY TO AVOID . I'M ON AN ALL-CHOLATE DIET.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASKED WHAT THE CRAZIT THG WAS ABOUT BEG ON TC: JD, YOUNG DON’T MISS A BEAT. “THE TALENT OF THE OTHER CHEFS,” HE SAYS. “EVERYONE WAS SANELY TALENTED. THERE WAS NOT ONE PERSON WHO I WOULD NSIR A HACK OR UNTALENTED. I THOUGHT WOULD JT BE KD OF VARIED, VERY EASY TO KD OF WEED OUT THE PEOPLE WHOUT TALENT. THEN I GOT THERE AND FOUND OUT THAT EVERYONE WAS REALLY TALENTED.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOUNG STRS THAT VIEWERS REALLY N’T KNOW JT HOW EXHSTG BEG ON A SHOW LIKE TOP CHEF N BE. “I THK THAT THERE A POT THE PETN WHERE YOU ARE SO TIRED AND SO EXHSTED AND SO OVER THE CHALLENGE THAT YOU JT LOSE . THERE WAS KD OF A LOT OF MOMENTS THAT JT OUT OF SHEER EXHSTN, YOU KNOW, YOU JT KD OF LOOK AT EVERYONE ELSE AND YOU JT HAVE TO START ... YOU'RE STRSG OUT AND STRSG OUT AND STRSG OUT, AND THEN YOU LOOK AT EVERYONE ELSE AND YOU'VE BEEN OKG FOR TWELVE HOURS AND YOU JT START LGHG AND YOU N'T STOP. YOU DON'T KNOW WHY YOU'RE LGHG – 'S JT SHEER EXHSTN.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE PURGA SE HIMSELF AS OPENG HIS OWN BS, YOUNG FOUND HE REALLY ENJOYED BEG ON TELEVISN. “I KD OF LOVE THE TENSY OF PRODUCTN,” HE SAYS. “A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T ENJOY THE WHOLE TELEVISN ASPECT. I DID, SO I N REALLY SEE MYSELF KD OF STAYG FOOD MEDIA.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INED, YOUNG HOP TO CREASE HIS PROFILE WH A WEBSE – OR POTENTIALLY ANOTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT BEG SAID, YOUNG ISN’T QUE AS CERTA AS HE THOUGHT WAS THAT HE’S READY FOR THE ONSLGHT OF ATTENTN THAT WH BEG ON A BRAVO REALY SHOW. IT’S WEEKS BEFORE THE SHOW AIRS AND YOUNG SAYS, “YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT I WAS [READY FOR THE ATTENTN], AND THIS MORNG I POSTED ON MY FACEBOOK ... AND ALREADY I HAVE 114 MSAG ON MY FACEBOOK WALL. SO, JT THAT KD OF REACTN JT MAK YOU GO, ‘HOLY SH*T. WHAT AM I GETTG MYSELF TO?’"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TOP CHEF JT DSERTS PREMIER WEDNDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH AT 9 PM ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• CHAZ BONO, OLYMPIA DAKIS, YIG PURA LEAD SAN FRANCIS GAY PRI PARA
• IT’S STILL NOT EASY BEG GAY IN A PROFSNAL KCHEN

GAY BAKER’S GREATT LOVE IS THE KCHEN

Wh all the drama, nflict and tensn of s parent show, Jt Dserts, hosted by Gail Simmons, brought not only great televisn but a strong gay prence the form of several gay nttants. EDGE talked to Yig recently about wng the first season of the sp-off, beg the emergg sex symbol of the show (and whether he's sgle) and how he alt wh some of the aggrsive homophobic rants of one of the nners-up the petn.

"TOP CHEF: JT DSERTS" SERV UP SOME SWEET {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY MICHAEL JENSENSEPTEMBER 8, 2010/5:12 PMBY MICHAEL JENSENSEPTEMBER 8, 2010 / 5:12 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"TOP CHEF: JT DSERTS\" SERV UP SOME SWEET GAYS","DATEPUBLISHED":"2010-09-08T21:12:08.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2010-09-08T21:12:08.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"MICHAEL JENSEN","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HOT ON THE HEELS OF TOP CHEF’S UPSET W OVER THE AMAZG RACE FOR OUTSTANDG REALY SHOW AT LAST MONTH’S EMMY AWARDS, BRAVO IS LNCHG THE LATT SP-OFF THEIR GROWG TOP CHEF ANCHISE: TOP CHEF: JT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR FANS OF TOP CHEF, A NEW SHOW FEATURG THE BT PASTRY CHEFS OM AROUND THE UNTRY PETG AGAST EACH OTHER IS AS NATURAL AS PUTTG CHOLATE AND PEANUT BUTTER TOGETHER. IT’S PECIALLY WELE SCE ON THE ORIGAL TOP CHEF SSERTS UALLY GET SHORT SHRIFT AS SOMETHG REQUIRG LSER SKILLS THAN SAVORY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DEFELY NOT GETTG SHORT SHRIFT THE FIRST SEASON OF JT DSERTS IS TEAM GAY WHICH CLUS, NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE OUT PASTRY CHEFS: ZAC YOUNG, YIG PURA AND TIM NUGENT. RECENTLY HAD THE CHANCE TO CHAT WH YOUNG AND PURA WHEN THEY APPEARED AT THE TELEVISN CRICS ASSOCIATN PRS TOUR WHERE THEY AND FOUR OF THEIR FELLOW JD PASTRY CHEFS EACH PREPARED A SSERT FOR THE ASSEMBLED REPORTERS. (ALAS, AS THIS WRER IS LACTOSE TOLERANT, I HAD TO FO TTG TEAM GAY'S CULARY SKILLS.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}29-YEAR-OLD YIG PURA (PRONOUNCED “YEET”) IS ORIGALLY OM ANKARA, TURKEY, BUT NOW LIV SAN FRANCIS. A PASTRY CHEF FOR TEN YEARS, PURGA WAS A FAN OF THE ORIGAL TOP CHEF, WHICH HE LLS “THERAPY FOR CHEFS,” BUT HAD NO PLANS ON BEG ON TC: JD. BUT WHEN HE WAS VISG A IEND NEW YORK CY, THE SHOW NTACTED HIM AND PURA BEGAN A PROCS HE LLS A “WILD ROLLERASTER” RI. BUT HE SAYS THAT “…WAS A VERY SMALL PREPARATN FOR THE WILD ROLLERASTER RI THAT WAS THE SHOW.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASKED WHAT MOST SURPRISED HIM ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE, PURA DON’T HATE TO ANSWER. “IT WAS ACTUALLY A KD OF TT OF MY SELF-CHARACTER. THERE’S SOMETHG TO BE SAID FOR A VERY PACT AND TENSE EXPERIENCE. IF YOU E OUT THROUGH TO THE OTHER SI, YOU REALLY HAVE A LOT MORE FAH YOURSELF.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YIG PURA {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE PURA IS CURRENTLY SGLE (AND LOOKG!) HE DID HAVE A BOYIEND DURG THE SHOW, A TOPIC THAT APPARENTLY ME UP DURG FILMG, SOMETHG THAT MA HIM HAPPY. “I DO A LOT OF QUEER ACTIVISM NEW YORK WH HRC AND AMERIN EQUALY,” SAYS PURA . “I FELT [JT DSERTS] WAS A VERY NATURAL PLATFORM FOR AMERI TO SEE THAT GAY MEN N BE AS NATURAL AS ANYONE ELSE, AND THEY N BE TALENTED AND AMB AND POLE, AND ONE'S SEXUALY HAS NOTHG TO DO WH THE PERSON THAT THEY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASKED ABOUT THE ATTU OF SAVORY CHEFS TOWARD PASTRY CHEFS, PURA SAYS HIS EXPERIENC HAVE BEEN GOOD AND BAD, AND ULTIMATELY PENDS ON THE PERSONALY OF THOSE VOLVED. BUT HE DO ALLOW THAT “… MOST SAVORY CHEFS DO TEND TO THK THAT PASTRY CHEFS ARE THE DATY, CUTE LTLE THGS THAT PLAY WH FLOUR, YOU KNOW? AND EAT CHOLATE ALL DAY. WHAT THEY DON'T UNRSTAND IS THAT HAS A LOT MORE PLANNG AND SCIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE THAT GO TO . A PASTRY CHEF IS UALLY VERY PULSIVE AND TAIL-ORIENTED.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN TOLD THAT BRAVO’S ANDY COHEN HAD PICKED HIM TO BE TC: JD’S “BREAK-OUT HEART THROB,” PURA LGHS AND SAYS, “THE THG IS, I ALWAYS WANTED TO PRENT MYSELF ON THE SHOW AS A VERY PROFSNAL CHEF AND I HOPE I DID THAT. BUT AS FAR AS A HEARTTHROB ... SURE, WHY NOT?”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INED, PURGA IS QUE HANDSOME AND F, SOMETHG HE SAYS HE MATAS EVEN THOUGH HE EATS “ABSURD QUANTI OF SUGAR” BY EXERCISG A LOT, CLUDG BIKG 115 A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE HE CURRENTLY WORKS FOR TASTE CATERG AND EVENT PLANNG, SAN FRANCIS’S LARGT TERG PANY, PURA WOULD LOVE TO ONE DAY OPEN HIS OWN BS, SOMETHG HE HOP WNG TOP CHEF WILL MAKE HAPPEN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PURA MOVED TO THE U.S. WHEN HE WAS TWELVE AND SAYS THE EXPERIENCE WAS “INTERTG. IT WAS FELY A CULTURE SHOCK. I THK WHEN YOU ARE THAT AGE, YOU JT KD OF ROLL WH THE PUNCH.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASKED WHEN HE ME OUT, PURA SAYS, “I WAS 18-YEARS-OLD, AND I NEVER LOOKED BACK.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SAN FRANCIS TRANSPLANT IS ONE OF THOSE FORTUNATE MEN WHO’S G OUT WAS RELATIVELY PALS. “MY PARENTS PROVED TO BE VERY SUPPORTIVE AND THEY'RE AMAZG. I ACTUALLY HAVE A GAY SISTER AS WELL – SHE'S MARRIED TO HER WIFE SEATTLE AND 'S GREAT. MY EXTEND FAY IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“IT'S ONE OF THOSE THGS – I THK TO ME 'S SO NONCHALANT. WHETHER YOU'RE AN OUT GAY MAN OR A STRAIGHT MAN, YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WH PEOPLE WHO ARE OPEN-MD AND KD, OR IF YOU'RE NSERVATIVE PERSON YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WH THOSE PEOPLE. I HAVE AN AMAZG GROUP OF IENDS AND PEOPLE WHO LOVE ME AND ACTUALLY THEY'RE VERY SUPPORTIVE THROUGH THIS PROCS AND THEY WERE ACTUALLY A GOOD SOURCE OF STRENGTH FOR ME WHEN I WAS DOWN ON THE SHOW.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT PURA ALSO FOUND SUPPORT OM TWO FELLOW NTTANTS, CLUDG HEATHER HURLBERT AND FELLOW TEAM GAY MEMBER ZAC YOUNG. IN FACT, PURA LLS THEM “THE TWO SISTERS THAT I ALWAYS WANTED.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SPEAKG OF ZAC YOUNG, HE LIV ON THE OPPOSE SI OF THE UNTRY OM YIG NEW YORK CY WHERE HE IS THE EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF AT FLEX MSELS. ORIGALLY OM PORTLAND, MAE, THE 27-YEAR-OLD YOUNG WAS FIRST ASKED TO APPEAR ON THE ORIGAL TOP CHEF, BUT CLED. “I WAS SO-CHEF AT A RTRANT LLED BUTTER NEW YORK – A HIGH-PROFILE RTRANT, AND THEY'D ASKED ME TO BE ON THE REGULAR SEASON,” SAYS YOUNG. “I SAID NO, I'M GONNA WA UNTIL YOU JT DO PASTRY, BEE I KNEW WAS THE PIPELE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHY DID HE PASS ON TOP CHEF TO WA FOR JT DSERTS? DSERTS ARE WHERE HIS TALENTS ARE, BUT ADDS YOUNG, “COOKG REAL FOOD SR ME. I TRY TO AVOID . I'M ON AN ALL-CHOLATE DIET.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASKED WHAT THE CRAZIT THG WAS ABOUT BEG ON TC: JD, YOUNG DON’T MISS A BEAT. “THE TALENT OF THE OTHER CHEFS,” HE SAYS. “EVERYONE WAS SANELY TALENTED. THERE WAS NOT ONE PERSON WHO I WOULD NSIR A HACK OR UNTALENTED. I THOUGHT WOULD JT BE KD OF VARIED, VERY EASY TO KD OF WEED OUT THE PEOPLE WHOUT TALENT. THEN I GOT THERE AND FOUND OUT THAT EVERYONE WAS REALLY TALENTED.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}YOUNG STRS THAT VIEWERS REALLY N’T KNOW JT HOW EXHSTG BEG ON A SHOW LIKE TOP CHEF N BE. “I THK THAT THERE A POT THE PETN WHERE YOU ARE SO TIRED AND SO EXHSTED AND SO OVER THE CHALLENGE THAT YOU JT LOSE . THERE WAS KD OF A LOT OF MOMENTS THAT JT OUT OF SHEER EXHSTN, YOU KNOW, YOU JT KD OF LOOK AT EVERYONE ELSE AND YOU JT HAVE TO START ... YOU'RE STRSG OUT AND STRSG OUT AND STRSG OUT, AND THEN YOU LOOK AT EVERYONE ELSE AND YOU'VE BEEN OKG FOR TWELVE HOURS AND YOU JT START LGHG AND YOU N'T STOP. YOU DON'T KNOW WHY YOU'RE LGHG – 'S JT SHEER EXHSTN.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE PURGA SE HIMSELF AS OPENG HIS OWN BS, YOUNG FOUND HE REALLY ENJOYED BEG ON TELEVISN. “I KD OF LOVE THE TENSY OF PRODUCTN,” HE SAYS. “A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T ENJOY THE WHOLE TELEVISN ASPECT. I DID, SO I N REALLY SEE MYSELF KD OF STAYG FOOD MEDIA.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INED, YOUNG HOP TO CREASE HIS PROFILE WH A WEBSE – OR POTENTIALLY ANOTHER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT BEG SAID, YOUNG ISN’T QUE AS CERTA AS HE THOUGHT WAS THAT HE’S READY FOR THE ONSLGHT OF ATTENTN THAT WH BEG ON A BRAVO REALY SHOW. IT’S WEEKS BEFORE THE SHOW AIRS AND YOUNG SAYS, “YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT I WAS [READY FOR THE ATTENTN], AND THIS MORNG I POSTED ON MY FACEBOOK ... AND ALREADY I HAVE 114 MSAG ON MY FACEBOOK WALL. SO, JT THAT KD OF REACTN JT MAK YOU GO, ‘HOLY SH*T. WHAT AM I GETTG MYSELF TO?’"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TOP CHEF JT DSERTS PREMIER WEDNDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH AT 9 PM ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Well, I thk Top Chef has had a few gay nttants but they were never fortably out, which is a shame. I wanted to have that as a platform to show the majory of Ameri the fact that beg gay is jt as signifint as beg whe or yellow or beg five foot eleven or anythg else.

He me off as very villao and very homophobic a lot of the tim. He'd already won himself a legn of gay fans voted to his puppy-dog ey and sweetheart disposn. But after the 29-year-old Turkish-Amerin beme the first gay wner of any Top Chef, we ught up wh him to get the dish on Gail Simmons's shoe closet, batg homophobia on TV, and his giant csh on Ricky Let's start by playg a game lled Man Candy.

CHAZ BONO, OLYMPIA DAKIS, YIG PURA LEAD SAN FRANCIS GAY PRI PARA

He would have to be a very plex and angry ssert, so'let me get back to you on that did you react to the homophobic ments Man ma all season, which seemed to bee more numero as the fale got closer? He hated bee he was surround by gay men and women. Most gay youth have to go through their entire liv like this and the fact that you n't relate to people bee they're female or bee of their sexual orientatn says nothg about their personaly.

I n't image any gay youth, cludg myself, who didn't thk about suici when you were g out. When you make an sult toward a gay person, you make an sult toward me and every gay man, lbian, transgenr, or qutng youth the you thk 's different when Man lls Zac a ltle girl and when you ll him your ltle sister? Any man who has to reerate that he's a heterosexual man repeatedly, there's ually a ltle somethg missg that, so you thk Man is gay?

IT’S STILL NOT EASY BEG GAY IN A PROFSNAL KCHEN

If he's gay or if he's straight, that's none of my bs. How are you planng to e your platform as the first gay Top Chef wner?