Last week, I got an invite from local foodies Don and Pat Hysko to come to their house for a pizza-on-the-grill party. The occasion, they said, was that a chef friend of theirs would be visiting from Las Vegas and would be doing the cooking. They were sure I’d enjoy it.
I never turn down an invite like that. When I walked in their house last night, the chef looked awfully familiar. And I quickly learned it’s because I’ve spent a whole lot of time watching him on television.
Rick Moonen owns Rick Moonen’s rm seafood, a fancy restaurant at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
He also was a contestant on the first two seasons of Bravo’s ”Top Chef Masters” and a judge on “Top Chef: Las Vegas,” only my favorite season of “Top Chef” ever.
Don Hysko and Rick Moonen, charring peppers for our grilled pizza.
He and the Hyskos go way back and spend time together whenever they can. Moonen likes visiting Wichita, he said, and spoke fondly of a trip to Bomber Burger on a previous visit.
But last night, he was grilling pizza.
The Hyskos arranged bowls of toppings such as mushrooms, fresh basil, anchovies, fresh corn, arugula and more.
They bought raw pizza dough at Knolla’s, which is one of the best cooking tips I’ve picked up in a while. It’s inexpensive and very good.
Pat Hysko and Rick Moonen, contemplating the crust.
I watched in amazement as Moonen performed an expert, lightning fast basil chiffonade and enjoyed having him coach me through assembling my own pizza. They turned out beautifully and were soooooooooooooo very good.
Best of all, Moonen was nice and approachable and fun to talk to. He didn’t think he was too important for Wichita and blended in well in a group of people that included other local foodies such as Joe Stumpe, my colleague Carrie Rengers, local chef and cooking teacher Jackie Smith, and Tiffani Price, the lead instructor of hospitality management at Butler County Community College.
You can read more about Moonen in the April issue of Saveur magazine.
Anyone want to go to Vegas?
One of the tasty finished products. I love grilled pizza, and this one had a nice char on the underside.
Me with Rick, his food stylist girlfriend Roni Fields, and Don Hysko.
Me with my grilled pizza creation, which was Moonen-approved. (After I let him know this approval was essential for me to continue living.) I chose mushrooms, pepperoni, basil, lots of cheese, lots of sauce and a pretty orange-hued Hawaiian salt.