Confidential Chef Rich Sweeney Battles for Top Chef Title

Reality TV is pretty inescapable these days, particularly for San Diegans.

Who could ever forget the Real World San Diego - with the typical cat fights of Pacific Beach erupting between locals and MTV's beloved/hated characters, or hometown celeb, Carly Smithson, belting it out in front of millions of viewers - and to think she had started out here, singing her heart out downtown at The Field.

Though San Diego's newest reality star, Chef Rich Sweeney, may not scratch out any eyeballs, or do a rendition of "I Drove All Night," San Diegans will find themselves stirred to hunger as Sweeney mixes up a bit of San Diego flavor on the boob tube as a contender on the fifth season of Bravo's reality favorite, Top Chef. Watch the fifth season unravel with the world, while tasting Sweeney's cuisine at Confidential.

As the new Executive Chef of Confidential, and a talented candidate for the Top Chef title, Rich Sweeney is inviting all of San Diego to experience the taste of extraordinary cuisine with his "Keep it Simple (stupid)" menu mantra. Back home at the Confidential kitchen, Sweeney invokes the flavors of fall without the fussiness by crafting small plate delicacies like a roasted squash soup with Maker's Mark and molasses cream, or the delectable duck spring rolls with a ponzu dipping sauce.

Sweeney also takes on the seaside San Diego savor with dishes like sesame-seared Ahi on baby arugula with wasabi vinaigrette and a hot and sour raspberry sauce, and also introduces Mediterranean fare with the Greek shrimp and linguine. Sweeney's straightforward, but scrumptious small plates pair well with Confidential's mission that excellent food doesn't have to accompany a ridiculous price tag or stuffy atmosphere.

Enjoy Sweeney's creations at Confidential, and observe as the heated drama unfolds, Wednesday nights on Bravo at 10pm. Check out San Diego nightlife photos at Confidential here.

Savvy locals all know the culinary treats and charming personality of celebrity chef Brian Malarkey from Oceanaire. Let's take a trip back to Malarkey's residency on Bravo's Top Chef Season 3.