Chef Tiffany Derry to get Top Chef help when she opens Private Social

by Teresa Gubbins

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She already has Kenny Gilbert locked and loaded.

DALLAS — The meal that Top Chefs Tiffany Derry and Kenny Gilbert shared on Sunday at Smoke restaurant was more than social: The two chefs were plotting Gilbert's participation in the imminent opening of Derry's new restaurant, Private Social.

"Kenny is coming down when we open," Derry confirmed. "When I worked for the Landry's Corporation, openings were always a major deal, people from all over came down to help train and man a station, and we'll be doing that at Private Social. There'll be my sous chef and myself, and Kenny is going to help train our grill cooks."

Derry, who is currently all over television in her commercials for The Art Institutes, became a household name after winning the "Fan Favorite" award for Season 7 of Top Chef.

Even more exciting is the fact that Gilbert, who loved to refer to himself as "The Beast," is not the only Top Chef alumnus who'll be on board.

"I have a couple of other people coming down on various days," Derry said. "I'm confirming everyone, and then I'll be able to say for sure. We all support each other. When Kenny opened his restaurant, Nippers Beach Grille, in Jacksonville, Fla., a lot of us from Season 7 went. Season 7 was very close.

"There should be some personalities coming down," Derry said.

The restaurant an official release sent out last week announcing the restaurant's opening date of September 24, describing it as having two distinct themes: Private is an intimate dining experience showcasing a full dinner service menu and Social is a lounge with shared-plates.

Private has exotic wood tabletops, leather chairs, and circular banquettes, while Social has concrete floors, a U-shaped stone bar, and window-front banquettes and tables for casual and communal dining.

The menu will change seasonally, but will include Derry's "Top Chef Pork Buns" with crispy pork, slaw, and herbs; and braised beef cheek with pepperoni sauce, cheese grits, and herb salad; and desserts such as "Tiffany’s Grown Up Banana Split."

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