Vote Wins Him Hearts of Viewers and $10,000 Cash Prize

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 1, 2011 – There’s no favorite, like “fan favorite,” especially if the title carries a $10,000 prize.  After the votes were tallied, Executive Pastry Chef Matthew Petersen, was the clear winner in the “fan favorite” online contest for “Top Chef Just Desserts,” season two.  Chef Petersen, who prepares the pastries and desserts for both the Five-Diamond CityZen and Sou’Wester, the two restaurants at Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C., was selected over the other 13 “chef’testants” to win the cash prize.

“It means a great deal to me to have been voted ‘fan favorite,’” said Chef Petersen.  “This vote is validation that I presented myself in a positive manner that appealed to the viewers and won them over.  Given the stress that we were all under, that fact that I was able to remain level headed AND agreeable with the audience, is a win in itself.”

During his time on the show, Chef Petersen won a quickfire challenge with his Lemon Vanilla Créme with Mint Purée & Hazelnut Sable in Episode 2; the elimination challenge in Episode 6 with his Cornbread & Mashed Potato Cheesecake, Whiskey Caramel & Gravy Foam for Beastie Boy Ad Roc; the elimination in Episode 8 for his Fried Caramel Apple Pie & Cinnamon Sablé and Vanilla Ice Cream; and was on the winning team twice in Episodes 1 and 2.

Chef Petersen joined CityZen and Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C. as Executive Pastry Chef in June 2010.  Prior to landing in D.C. with James Beard Award Winner Eric Ziebold, Chef Petersen worked for Daniel Boulud in New York City at both db Bistro Moderne and Restaurant Daniel, and also served as Executive Pastry Chef at Café Boulud in Palm Beach for two years. Before moving to New York to work with Boulud, Matthew was the Pastry Chef at two of Philadelphia's most coveted dining destinations -- LaCroix and Morimoto. If he could have one last meal with anyone, it would be with his wife Laura, and they’d make BLT's on fresh ciabatta bread with arugula salad with chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches for dessert.

Chef Petersen has a simple approach to pastry: to take the very best ingredients and make them shine by any means possible.  Whether it be a manipulation of tastes or of textures, there always has to be something to surprise diners and keep them interested.  A classical French trained chef, Petersen has a great appreciation for where he came from and where he is going.

Matthew earned his degree in Baking and Pastry Arts at the Rhode Island campus of Johnson & Wales University.

About Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.
The hotel’s unique location on the southwest waterfront makes Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. the only hotel offering views of the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument, Tidal Basin and Washington Marina.  In addition to exceptional accommodations and gracious service, the hotel features the Forbes Four-Star Spa at Mandarin Oriental, the Southern-style restaurant Sou’Wester, and the AAA Five Diamond CityZen.  For reservations, please contact the hotel directly at +1 (202) 787-6140, toll free (888) 888-1778, or
visit www.mandarinoriental.com/washington.