Best Night Ever employee Josh Lay had the privilege of seeing Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio as you’ve never seen him before. He brings you that story here — M.C.

Last Friday, the gals over at Daily Candy hosted a party that was “delish” (if you go to such parties, you must use such lingo). Although I showed up fashionably late, the party was just getting started, and the munchies and mixologists were still going strong.

But before I could throw back my first elixir (a sweet concoction of rum, mint, lime juice, angostura bitters, and champagne), what to my wandering eyes should appear but Tom Colicchio with a guitar. That’s right, folks, Tom motha lickin’ Colicchio. Not hosting Top Chef, but on stage playing the guitar alongside the band Milton. I had no idea he could play! Did any of you have any idea? ‘Cause I didn’t. And trust me, as one who religiously watches Top Chef, I have seen ol’ Tommy boy as much as the next man, and I’ve never seen him strum the gitty.

Instantly my artistically jaded self was like, “Can this guy really play or is this just another celebrity gimmick?” My friends, not only can he play, but sing as well! I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t dance the night away to the sweet sounds of the fedora and vest clad Top Chef. He was great. He stole my heart. And the show (and this is coming from a heterosexual male, so just imagine what the ladies were thinking). And after his sweet symphony was finished, well, so was the food.

It seems as though Tom’s playing merited the perfect opportunity to devour all the free eats. A single tear fell from my cheek as I realized Tom and the food were gone (okay, maybe not a tear but a faint mist, and by mist I mean champagne shower from the mixologists who were acting like they just won the bartending World Series).

But don’t think for a minute his leaving brought the mood down. Because the mixologists kept mixin’ (and spraying everyone with alcohol), and the cooks…well the cooks were as drunk as everyone else by this point. Not to mention DJ Mike Lingle bustin’ a jingle on the record machine. (I went there). With not a single morsel or motor skill left in the building, I called it a night.

This party was one for the books – cookbooks, that is. ‘Cause I got love in my tummy, and I feel like lovin’ you, Tom Colicchio.