Mastery takes a lot of hard work.
Indeed, to become certified as a Master Chef, candidates must pass a grueling ten-day test in which the minutest aspects of performance are scrutinized. Among other requirements, a Master of Wine must complete a blind tasting of 38 wines, identifying the varietal composition, region of origin, vintage, and quality of each and every bottle. The tests are so tough that there are just 55 Master Chefs and 14 Masters of Wine in the entire United States. Brad Barnes graduated from the CIA on the Dean's List and has since worked as executive chef at the Brass Register in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the Black Bass Grille in Rye, New York. In 1992 he created a stir on the competition circuit when he earned a perfect score for his buffet work in that year's culinary Olympics, just one of the many medals he has won.