'Top Chef' Star Marcel Busted For Driving Under the Influence of Cooking Sherry
Though any avid Top Chef viewer knows that the quickest way to get a thumbs-up from judge Padma Lakshmi is to appeal to her love of alcohol, it seems that one former contestant can outdo even Padma when it comes to his appreciation for the hooch. Yes, Wolverine-resembling Season 2 runner-up Marcel Vigneron has been busted by the Laguna Beach PD, who found him driving erratically while tequila-infused saliva foam dribbled from the corner of his mouth. Says the OC Register:
Before making a cooking demonstration at the Festival of Arts on Sunday, Marcel Vigneron of Bravo's reality show "Top Chef" first stopped at the Laguna Beach jail on Saturday. Vigneron was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving at 12:45 a.m. Saturday off of Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, according to Laguna Beach police records. ...Vigneron, who was initially stopped on suspicion of speeding, was taken into custody and his bail was set at $2,500.
What the Register leaves out is the sudden jailhouse appearance of Padma and Tom Colicchio (with special guest judge Andy Dick), who immediately engaged Vigneron in a Quickfire Challenge. Droned Padma, "Your ingredients for this challenge will include peppermints from the front desk, a frozen chorizo from the break room, and your own booze-soaked Van Heusen button-down. Contestants, ready!"