style
FASHION
M EET
Carla Hall, 45,
owner of Alchemy Caterers
in Washington, D.C., and
Top Chef
season 5 finalist
HER SPECIALTY
“Quite
simply, good food. I believe
anyone can cook
something delicious if it’s
done with heart, patience,
and passion.”
HER M O T T O
“If you’re
in a bad mood, the only
thing you should make
is reservations.”
O N
TOP CHEF
“I don’t
believe anyone wants to be
judged on what they
create—publically, no
less—but it’s constructive
criticism that has helped
me grow the most. Being on
the show was rewarding,
and believe it or not, I’d do
it again.”
HER STYLE
“My day-to-
day clothing is standard: a
denim chef’s coat, black
pants, and a long black
bistro apron. After work,
I’m usually still in pants. My
mother taught me to
embrace being long and
lean, so when I go out, I
break out my 4-inch heels.
F O O D F O R T H O U G H T
“Don’t follow a recipe to
the letter. Change up your
creations, embellish, and
embrace your failures—a
risky move could translate
into your signature dish.”
“Great
cooking
means using
all of your
senses—sight,
sound, taste,
touch—as
well as
heart and
instincts.
that engagec
you can’t go
wrong.”
GREEN ENVY “Besides my
glasses, earrings are my
favorite accessories. Make
them bold!" Lime and emerald
greens, variations of Carla's
favorite shade, enliven a
neutral pant and heel. V-neck
sweater, BCBG cashmere
sweater, $
188
; bcbg.com.
“Domino effect” scarf, Bindya,
$95
kitson.com. Cotton twill
cargo pants, Tory Burch, $
185
;
toryburch.com. Hoops with
fringe details, Sequin, $
48
;
212
-
398
-
7363
. Additional
accessories, see page
222
.
1 2 0 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 0 B E T T E R H O M E S A N D G A R D E N S
