DC Chef Competes for Confection Crown

New York native Heather Chittum has a very D.C. background. The pastry chef served as a Hill Staffer for Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan before she started working along side D.C.'s other most demanding personalities: chefs. Currently a pastry chef at Hook and Tackle Box in Georgetown, Chittum has worked with some of the D.C. culinary world's top talent. Tonight she will appear as a contestant on the premiere of Top Chef's 'Just Desserts.'

Chittum worked along side chefs including Equinox's Pastry Chef Lisa Scruggs and with Chef Michel Richard at Georgetown's Citronelle. She has also worked at Circle Bistro, Dish and Notti Bianchi.

The new series on Bravo includes two main components, the Quickfire and  Elimination Challenge. Ultimately the winner will be a chef with excellent technique who is flexible and creative under pressure. Stay tuned for the mouthwatering creations the chefs will create. Chittum's favorite fall recipe listed on the Bravo website is: Carrot Cake with Creme Fraiche Sorbet and Candied Walnuts.

A current offering on Chittum's D.C. menu at Hook is Caramel Pine Nut Tart, Gorgonzola Dolce, Rosemary Ice Cream; *Paired with Nivole Moscato D'Asti. Not sure what half those words mean, but the answer is "yes."

Watch D.C.'s dessert diplomat duke it out tonight on Bravo at 11 p.m.