Top Chef Season 5-Spolers Probable

[Thomkal]

Well what do we think of the chefs so far? I hope that trend of whomever wins the first competition wins the season doesn't come true this time around because I can't stand that guy already. No real surprise on who went home imo, they never are a big fan of culinary students. And how weird that the two that knew each other beforehand were the ones to go.

I was surprised Hosea was not one of the judges three favorites after their comments during his judging. I'll go on record right now and say I think he wins. Pretty funny that the guy who had no idea what he was cooking ended up in the top 3 anyway.

Who do I want to go home soon? Probably crazy lady who lets her spirit guides determine what she's going to cook. :confused:

[MJ4H]

Where was the (_)#$(_@# eye candy??? I miss Casey.

[DaddyTorgo]

what's a spoler?

[DaddyTorgo]

I think the big furry-faced gay guy who had the comments about Tom was hilarious.

[Thomkal]

what's a spoler?

A french recipe that uses native mushroms

[DaddyTorgo]

I'm not digging the European guys.

Rough guesses on who could win: the blonde guy from the Ritz in Florida, the girl who cooked the modern italian last night...hmm who else? Hosea?

[Coffee Warlord]

I'm pulling for my fellow CU Alum (Hosea).

I did call who was gone last night though, from just looking at the bios. No way a freakin' culinary student hangs with some of these guys.

Added bonus of eliminating one of "Team Rainbow" right out of the shoot.

[terpkristin]

Interesting first episode. Glad the 2 that got kicked went, didn't like either of them.

Richard and Daniel cracked me up, but I don't know if that's enough to want them to stay on for long.

I'd love nothing more than to see Ariane go home, she seemed like a complete talentless hack.

So far, I'm pulling for Eugene and Hosea. Eugene impressed the heck out of me, especially with presentation.

And now I'm really hungry. Where the heck is my Chinese food?

/tk

[JetsIn06]

I think for now I'm rooting for the tattooed guy, I think it's Eugene. The European guys are assholes but the Italian guy cracks me up. I also was glad to see the two who got kicked go, they definitely didn't seem to be worthy of a Top Chef title.

[Coffee Warlord]

Yeah, Eugene and Hosea are my early favorites at the moment.

I actually am predicting Eugene is going to be the talented, all around decent guy who gets a raw deal with around 5-7 people left, and gets sent packing. You heard it here first. :)

[Barkeep49]

Eugune is my personal early favorite. It's hard not to root for a guy who has done what he's done and seems nice to boot. The random person I drew in my work's Top Chef pool is Alex, so I will also be rooting for him. I will NOT be rooting for Stephan, who is my predicted victor.

[DaddyTorgo]

which one is Alex?

[Thomkal]

which one is Alex?

the youngish blonde guy from Miami I think?

[DaddyTorgo]

aaah. if he can get his plating-time down (which i have every reason to believe he can) he could be a legit contestant rather than just a pretty-face

[JeeberD]

Euro dude #1 (Fabio, I believe) - Douche

Blonde pretty boy - SUPER DOOOOUCHE

I like the tattooed Hawaiian dude, the big gay dude, and the tall brunette chick ('cause I like tall chicks)

[Coffee Warlord]

The spirits-cook-for-me chick needs to go home rapidly.

[timmynausea]

I think I'm pulling for Hosea, too. It's early, though.

[terpkristin]

The spirits-cook-for-me chick needs to go home rapidly.

She's a little odd, I'll grant you, but I'd rather have her than the "I didn't have any cookbooks handy" woman who was facing elimination.

Unacceptable.

/tk

[Barkeep49]

The spirits-cook-for-me chick needs to go home rapidly.
I read a liveblog of the premier and one of the people said "More muppet or human" about her. I thought it was a great description.

[Coffee Warlord]

The trend of kicking out the relatively decent looking chicks displeases me.

[kcchief19]

The trend of kicking out the relatively decent looking chicks displeases me.
Yeah, it was already a motley group to begin with but the herd is thinning much too quickly.

How Ariane avoided packing her knives last night is beyond me. She was been next to dead last in almost every challenge so far, quickfire and elimination. It seemed like Jill's error was taking an exotic ingredient and not doing anything good with it while Ariane made some basic and still fucked it up.

It is nice to know just how little stock the judges place in Padma's dramatics. I don't know how or why you would spit something out simply because it was too sweet. You would think having someone spit something out would be a bad sign for that dish but I don't think Tom, Gail and the guest judges have much respect for her palate. She always seems to be on the outside, thank goodness. I'd still take Katie Freakin' Joel over the Bollywood pron queen.

Bring on the Foo Fighters!

[Thomkal]

yeah Ariane should have been the one that went this week. Showed zero confidence in herself and emotionally she's a wreck. Jill's problem was that she has no clue-no defense for her dish, no idea what she's going to do with her culinary career. I think not being able to defend herself is what got her eliminated more than her dish. Though one judge saying it tasted like glue probably didnt help either. I think she should have got a little credit for the use of the ostrich eggs and kept her over Ariane.

I see my choice for the winner nearly was out last night. Great picking there. But I also picked Stephanie early last season and then she was in the bottom 2 the next week. So I'm not worried about him. :) I cannot wait for Team Europe to be heading back across the pond. Loved Stephan's reaction to the judges comment about his hot dog, lol

[DaddyTorgo]

I think Hosea will be fine. In some ways I think it's a benefit for him. It seems that every year there's someone that uses bad seafood and gets called-out on it (Spike last year with the scallops and now Hosea)...much better to have it happen this early than later in the competition - no way he's going to be using any 2nd-class ingredients from now on.

[Coffee Warlord]

Yep. I knew he was gonna be on the block the second he pulled that shitty crab out. Dude shoulda known. EVERYONE gets called out when they try and use subpar ingredients.

[terpkristin]

In the introduction section of the first episode, Rhadika made a point of saying that just because she's Indian doesn't mean she'll be cooking Indian all the time. This is the 2nd time she's done something VERY Indian. I wonder if that will continue.

/tk

[kcchief19]

Thought the same thing, tk. Ever since she made that point about not cooking Indian and she's been putting curry into everything since then. It seems like she got there and just freaked out and is going to what she knows. Frankly, that's the way to go -- cook what you know. Ilan won season two doing nothing but Spanish dishes.

Yeah, I was baffled when Hosea went for that crappy crab. Most people wouldn't know the difference but those judges absolutely would. He just locked in on a dish and wouldn't change his mind once he realized he couldn't do it.

I realize not all Whole Foods are the same, but I'll admit it bothers me that make these chefs shop at a run-of-the-mill grocery store. Guess it's part of the challenge. The Whole Foods I've shopped at here is awful -- their produce is the worst. I needed some garlic and the only ones they had were in a jar. Everyone jar on the shelf was two months past its expiration date. One had mold growing inside. The manager seemed surprisingly unconcerned when I brought it to their attention.

[terpkristin]

I enjoyed the Quickfire challenge this week but I thought the elimination challenge was kind of silly. I understand about improv and such, but how likely is it that chefs of this caliber will be doing that kind of service in their careers, without kitchens?

I wish Danny would've gone home, I'm tired of him, and I thought his error was as big as Richard's.

Has it become the new "in" thing to say things are prepared al dente? The beans last season, and now twice this season people have said they prefer their stuff "al dente," things that aren't traditionally served al dente.

Edit to add: I love how they're all pretending it's really Thanksgiving. Foos played in Rochester in late July, if I'm not mistaken. If it really WERE Thanksgiving in NY, they may have been able to use the out of doors as a "natural fridge/freezer" instead of worriking that they didn't have one.

/tk

[terpkristin]

Dola,
Which season was it that the person that won the first elimination challenge didn't win the overall title?

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

I enjoyed the Quickfire challenge this week but I thought the elimination challenge was kind of silly. I understand about improv and such, but how likely is it that chefs of this caliber will be doing that kind of service in their careers, without kitchens?

I wish Danny would've gone home, I'm tired of him, and I thought his error was as big as Richard's.

Has it become the new "in" thing to say things are prepared al dente? The beans last season, and now twice this season people have said they prefer their stuff "al dente," things that aren't traditionally served al dente.

Edit to add: I love how they're all pretending it's really Thanksgiving. Foos played in Rochester in late July, if I'm not mistaken. If it really WERE Thanksgiving in NY, they may have been able to use the out of doors as a "natural fridge/freezer" instead of worriking that they didn't have one.

/tk

I agree with pretty much everything you've said. I'm fucking sick of Danny "Donald Trump is the most richest and powerfulest New Yorker" and his uncooked potatos.

I thought the elimination was a bit silly - they could have done something else to make them "think on their feet" more.

We laughed about the "Thanksgiving" thing a ton over here as well.

[Coffee Warlord]

I actually didn't like the quickfire or the elimination. They've gotten a bit too "extreme" with challenges ... I wanna see these guys be creative and cook. I don't care who can use the microwave the best, and stopping people halfway through a quickfire to do a complete 180 is kinda lame in my book as well.

[DaddyTorgo]

I actually didn't like the quickfire or the elimination. They've gotten a bit too "extreme" with challenges ... I wanna see these guys be creative and cook. I don't care who can use the microwave the best, and stopping people halfway through a quickfire to do a complete 180 is kinda lame in my book as well.

they stopped them 10 minutes in, not halfway

[Barkeep49]

Dola,
Which season was it that the person that won the first elimination challenge didn't win the overall title?

/tk
Season 3. Tre one the first elimination, Hung won everything.

[kcchief19]

I enjoyed the Quickfire challenge this week but I thought the elimination challenge was kind of silly. I understand about improv and such, but how likely is it that chefs of this caliber will be doing that kind of service in their careers, without kitchens?
You might be surprised. I've worked with some local big-name chefs and some nationally known chefs including Dave Martin from Season 1 with our consumer shows. For the show Dave was at, we built a "kitchen" on a stage with a refrigerator and a donated stove. Very low end. We didn't have running water at the stage and had to use buckets.

Wal-Mart also hosts their annual meetings the the KC convention center. The hall catering company holds exclusive concession rights and they are not a high-end outfit. Wal-Mart will bring up some celebrity chefs and use other great chefs for their catering and when those guys come in to cook, the exclusive clause means they cannot cook inside the convention center. Wal-Mart builds a big kitchen outdoors on one of the docks under tents in the middle of winter for the chefs. They bring in more equipment than the folks had in this episode, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if the scene in the show was pretty common at arenas and convention centers when a company holds exclusive catering rights and the Foo Fighters want a fancy chef cooking for them.

One interesting item from the episode: I've often seen people correct people for calling the band "The Foo Fighters" instead of "Food Fighters." When the band introduced themselves on the video, they said, "The Foo Fighters."

Kind of like whether it's an A-T-A-T or an AT-AT ...

[Coffee Warlord]

My god.

That guy. Was. An. Idiot.

[JetsIn06]

One interesting item from the episode: I've often seen people correct people for calling the band "The Foo Fighters" instead of "Food Fighters." When the band introduced themselves on the video, they said, "The Foo Fighters."

Kind of like whether it's an A-T-A-T or an AT-AT ...

Well, it's different because they are the Foo Fighters. They have never been anything other than that. It's not one of those things where it could be either or...

[Toddzilla]

My god, this is the ugliest group of chefs I've ever seen. Every last one of them is horrifying.

And the fat ass with the fucked up beard that got voted off tonight looks just like Fez Marie Whatley

http://www.xmradio.com/images/channels/hosts/bio_page/fez_lg.jpg

[terpkristin]

I'm sorry, anyone who says anything sounding like "spooge" when describing what they were trying to do with a dish deserves to be sent home--nevermind that he lasted way too long in my opinion.

Ariane shouldn't have won, she was basically a kitchen helper, and almost blew it entirely for her team.

/tk

[Coffee Warlord]

I don't think I've ever heard Tom flat out said he wished he could send all three of those folks home, either.

That entire dish was a clusterfuck from the start.

[Thomkal]

I'm sorry, anyone who says anything sounding like "spooge" when describing what they were trying to do with a dish deserves to be sent home--nevermind that he lasted way too long in my opinion.

Ariane shouldn't have won, she was basically a kitchen helper, and almost blew it entirely for her team.

/tk

I agree, I was shocked when she won for basically cooking the lamb correctly. They always harp on them when they don't cook meat enough or too much because they expect a chef to be able to do that correctly every time. The woman (Jamie?) who came up with the idea, used her special ingredient and was basically the team leader should have won.

And Eugene probably should have gone over the guy who did though both deserved it. It was his idea to do the surf and turf sushi, then overcooked both the rice and the shrimp. And didn't explain to the ladies how to make their own sushi. If you're gonna reward the woman for cooking the lamb correctly, you should be harsher with the guy who overcooked two things.

[Coffee Warlord]

I agree, I was shocked when she won for basically cooking the lamb correctly. They always harp on them when they don't cook meat enough or too much because they expect a chef to be able to do that correctly every time. The woman (Jamie?) who came up with the idea, used her special ingredient and was basically the team leader should have won.

Tom C brought this point up in his blog. The judges don't get to see the behind the scenes planning, etc, etc. They only got to judge on the food and what they see/say, and Jaimie didn't speak up and say she ran the show.

[terpkristin]

On a different note, I'm surprised how much ire was drawn over the use of the Chilean sea bass. Last year, in the wedding, they made it for the groom (iirc it was something he mentioned he liked), but I didn't see much disparaging on the blogs or on the show about how overfished/virtually extinct it is, so it's almost a gauche choice. This year Gail and Tom's blogs both mentioned it, as did TWOP. Maybe there was some outcry last year?

/tk

[kcchief19]

Tom C brought this point up in his blog. The judges don't get to see the behind the scenes planning, etc, etc. They only got to judge on the food and what they see/say, and Jaimie didn't speak up and say she ran the show.
That was how I saw it on the show too. I thought they determined what dish they like best and who was in charge of the the most successful component. If a team is making a lamb dish and the dish wins, the person who cooked the lamb is going to win. You're not going to win for making the carrot purree.

I think Jamie tried to play the game and simply lost. It was her concept but she handed off responsibility for the most important component to Ariane. It was almost as though she was hoping that if the dish won she would win for coming up with the idea and if they lost she could blame Ariane for screwing up the lamb.

[kcchief19]

I agree, I was shocked when she won for basically cooking the lamb correctly. They always harp on them when they don't cook meat enough or too much because they expect a chef to be able to do that correctly every time.
They do harp on the chefs for poorly cooking meat but when the chefs perfectly cook meat, they fall for it everytime. They went on and on when Elia perfectly roasted a chicken, for crying out load. And they even fell for Howie when he finally perfected his pork.

[terpkristin]

Anybody see the Holiday Special they filmed in Chicago? I don't remember seeing it before, but it could be that I missed it. 8 chefs from seasons 1-3. Elimination is to cook a 3-course holiday meal, 2 chefs eliminated after each course. They showed it this morning, and according to my FiOS box, will show it again on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

/tk

[Barkeep49]

Anybody see the Holiday Special they filmed in Chicago? I don't remember seeing it before, but it could be that I missed it. 8 chefs from seasons 1-3. Elimination is to cook a 3-course holiday meal, 2 chefs eliminated after each course. They showed it this morning, and according to my FiOS box, will show it again on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

/tk
It originally aired last Christmas. It was enjoyable though I enjoyed the one they did before Season 3 more.

[DaddyTorgo]

the more episodes go by the more i am convinced Hosea will be MINIMUM in the final 3. guy seems to consistently bang out things the judges enjoy.

[Thomkal]

I was pretty annoyed with the Top Chef staff for not making sure the refrigerators were closed. You're supposed to be on an even playing field for these challenges, and to have people's food ruined like that was inexcusable. In the end I think they did the right thing by not sending anyone home (not because it was in the Christmas spirit like they tried to make it look like). Josea's and Radka's original dishes would have tasted quite different from what they eventually served and who knows if they would have been liked or not.

I feel bad for Jamie who seems to be in either the top 3 without winning or the bottom 3. But she really needs to stop making scallops like it looks like she might do in the next episode. They also need to stop rewarding Ariane for making simple dishes and then telling her simple dishes won't win the competition. I mean her beef and cauliflower puree didn't look like anything special yet it won, and then they nailed her for devilled eggs. This is the kinda things she makes, if you think they aren't Top Chef worthy because of their simplicity then stop having her win challenges and kick her off.

Next episode should be really good because apparantly there will be no limits on what they make. No stupid restrictions like 12 days of Xmas themes. It's either going to be a triumph or a complete disaster I think. :)

And DT, I picked Hosea to win from the start so I'm with ya there. :)

[DaddyTorgo]

Oh I thought Hosea would be great from the start too - it's just nice to see that he's living up to it (minus the canned-crab debacle, but like i speculated, i think that actually helped him to realize he had to "step it up" sooner than others).

And you're right - it's pretty bush-league of Top Chef to not make sure the fridges were closed. And you know what, they could have just as easily scrapped the challenge because of that (well not scrapped it, but not show it on TV and just replace it with another). So I agree, in the end, sending nobody home was the right thing to do.

Was also great to see Jeff up there at the top - I think he could go far too, and he at least seems to be a natural leader and to not be afraid to take risks with what he's cooking and really step it up.

Jamie & her scallops and her gay-pride are starting to get annoying.

Leah has sort of seemed to tail-off as Radika has come on strong (but I'd sure love to see some versatility from her also)

[bosshogg23]

I liked that Jeff tried to make something that wasn't lame like deviled eggs.

The whole idea of letting them off with no one kicked off was built into the show so I hope it doesn't fool anyone that they were being nice.

I expect to see Stefan win although Jeff and Hosea both can cook well. Ariane seems like a great caterer, no more. Fabio is annoying as hell.

[DaddyTorgo]

I liked that Jeff tried to make something that wasn't lame like deviled eggs.

The whole idea of letting them off with no one kicked off was built into the show so I hope it doesn't fool anyone that they were being nice.

I expect to see Stefan win although Jeff and Hosea both can cook well. Ariane seems like a great caterer, no more. Fabio is annoying as hell.

I can see the final 5 being: stefan, hosea, jeff, radika, leah. The rest of them are pretty "meh" IMO

[Coffee Warlord]

Second week in a row Tom has basically been disgusted by the overall quality of the dishes served. Interesting. Very very interesting.

[bosshogg23]

Lawsuit Accuses a Top Chef of Wage and Tip Violations - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/13/nyregion/13chef.html?ref=nyregion)

Tom is being sued. I really think its generally BS. I can't imagine him ordering managers to withhold % from various people.

[bbor]

Jeff?? really??....Potato risotto with brussel sprouts?Honestly,i could have told you it would be startchy.I don't think this guy is very good.

[JeeberD]

I expect to see Stefan win although Jeff and Hosea both can cook well. Ariane seems like a great caterer, no more. Fabio is annoying as hell.

I started off hating Fabio, but he's grown on me. He's goofy and funny. Stefan, on the other hand, is annoying as fuck with his Ed Norton smirks...

[General Mike]

Everyone's favorite episode of the season premiers tonight

Restaurant Wars

[terpkristin]

Let the fusterclucks begin!
/tk

[Coffee Warlord]

With a special dose of soft core porn between Hosea and Leah!

[MJ4H]

Sometime this season someone mentioned that Leah was "stacked" so every time she's on screen I'm straining to see, since I'm a big fan of that kind of thing. So far, I have been unsuccessful at seeing anything that would warrant that adjective. A little help? Encouragement to stick with my quest, or is it hopeless?

[kcchief19]

In the hunt for Leah photos, I also discovered this nugget for the episode right before the finale:

The final chef'testants will need to "kick it up a notch" to impress famed chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse in the eclectic city of New Orleans on Bravo's "Top Chef," with a supersized episode and a shocking twist that changes the face of game as the field is narrowed from four to three on Wednesday, February 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The three finalists face an extra special challenge and the winner will be revealed on Wednesday, February 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, on the season finale of "Top Chef: New York."

Lagasse, chef/proprietor of Emeril's Restaurant, NOLA, and Emeril's Delmonico in New Orleans said about his experience on "Top Chef": "In Louisiana, we have an amazing selection of local ingredients: andouille sausage, frog legs, turtle, catfish and rabbit. I was interested in seeing if the chefs would venture out and really try to explore our local flavors and culture. The challenge for some was finding a balance between the bold spices we love and their own personal style. All I can say is that you'll definitely want to go back for seconds for some of their final dishes!"

COMMENT: Makes you wonder about the twist ...


As for Leah:
http://newyork.metromix.com/content_image/thumbnail/1x1/351/734766

She's got a little something going on, although I think she's a little too lovey-dovey flirty for me.

She's not Gail stacked, if that's what you want to know. I'd do a quickfire with her anytime.

[Coffee Warlord]

Damn. The next person I wanted gone was SO close to being axed.

Cannot WAIT for next week.

[kcchief19]

After the season two fiasco when there was too much inexperience and immaturity, the did a great job with seasons three and four in getting excellent chefs. This group strikes me as some outstanding cooks, but only a couple of great chefs. I didn't have any real issues with Radhika, but I didn't see anything great with her. Same with Carla and Leah.

Right now I'd take Steffen vs. the field. His a tool but he's never once been on the chopping block. I like Fabio and Jamie (who I keep thinking of as Kara "Starbuck" Thrace's lesbian older sister) but I don't know if they can pull it off. Everybody else can go, although I'd like to get rid of Carla and the two love birds next.

[thesloppy]

I think Jeff has become the dark horse....he talks a good game, but his food has really yet to impress anybody, yet I could see him sneaking into the final simply by not being the person bad enough to get kicked off every week.

[Thomkal]

Leah is damn lucky her team came through or she would have been the easiest decision to "pack your knives" in Top Chef history. Perhaps the worst two possible people to lead the teams I think, both shy and not good leaders. Too bad about Radka-she deserved to stay a bit longer given her performance until this last show, but can't argue with her going. Carla is also one lucky chef. I think you get rid of Leah and Carla and the rest of the chefs are good ones, not great. I still think Hosea will win-it will probably be him, Steffen, and Jamie in the Final 3.

[thesloppy]

I think Stefan and Jamie seem like consistently good chefs, and near-locks for the final, and that third spot is wide open.

[terpkristin]

Wow, the bottom 3 surprised me this week. Not sure who I thought should've gone home, between Fabio and Jeff. I liked the idea of Jeff's dish though he didn't make a good case for himself, and he ALWAYS does too much that doesn't fit well together. The salad on Fabio's plate looked gross, and overcooked venison is nasty. I guess were I on the panel, I'd have voted Fabio home.

Equally surprised by the winner, though. She's so weird.
/tk

[Coffee Warlord]

She (Carla) really needs to go home, and I'm with you - I was very much expecting Fabio to go home.

Overall, I'm still reiterating my overall disappointment with the quality of the chefs this season. It still feels like nobody comes up with dishes that wow the judges, and there's very little feel of creativity and originality going on.

I dunno if it's due to the setup of the challenges this season, or the relative talent level of the chefs. Feels like the chefs more than anything though.

[JPhillips]

I can't wait to hear what new and exciting monkey ass dish Fabio will come up with!

Monkey butt on a clam shell
Monkey ass stuffed with fried bananas
???

[thesloppy]

I can't wait to hear what new and exciting monkey ass dish Fabio will come up with!

Monkey butt on a clam shell
Monkey ass stuffed with fried bananas
???

I started out hating Fabio and lumping him in with Stefan, but I've eventually come to love him. "Of course I love-a hot-a-dog, but I no can cook a hot-a-dog." Indeed.

[DrAFTjunkie]

I had my fingers crossed and was saying "on my god, oh my god" when Padma called Stefan's dish and abomination. I hate him more than Hung and Marcel combined. I want Jaime to win; I can't wait for Eric Ripert next week, and I really miss Gail. She was sooooo hot. The new judge is a total joke and looks like a damned nonce.

And yeah, Fabio is really growing on me too.

[Thomkal]

I am so jealous of Carla, getting to go to the Super Bowl. Of course she knows nothing about football, but at least her husbamd will be happy. Can't believe she won, but she did pick a good regional dish for New Orleans. Shocked by the bottom 3 and was pulling for Stefan to go even though I knew they wouldn't get rid of him given his track record and villain status. I would have been fine with Fabio or Jeff leaving. I like Fabio, but he really hasn't done much successfully on the show. Jeff is probably the most talented chef in terms of ideas/techniques but is stuck up and arrogant-criticizing his opponent's dish like he did and god forbid having to serve his dish on a football team paper plate-so I'm glad he's gone.

I was really pulling for Leah to lose her battle though and be eliminated. She's had some success here and there but man she's been awful the past couple weeks.

[timmynausea]

It's interesting. I'm definitely in the "didn't like Fabio at first, but now he's my favorite" camp. I really can't imagine him actually winning, though.

[path12]

I like Stefan more and more as the season goes on. Fabio also. Opposite for Hosea though -- he's coming across as more of a whiner to me.

[kcchief19]

I thought it was hilarious that Andrea beat Stefan. The moment I saw their dishes and saw she went with a Tex Mex chili for the Dallas theme, I knew he was toast.

Stefan is a tool but doesn't annoy me as much as Marcel and Hung did. I think the difference is that all three are bastards but Stefan acts like a cranky old bastard while the other two acted like immature little brats. I tolerate a tool who acts his age much more than a tool who acts like a four year old.

[Coffee Warlord]

I started out hating Fabio and lumping him in with Stefan, but I've eventually come to love him. "Of course I love-a hot-a-dog, but I no can cook a hot-a-dog." Indeed.

I get to sleep on the bunky bed!

[kcchief19]

I like Stefan more and more as the season goes on. Fabio also. Opposite for Hosea though -- he's coming across as more of a whiner to me.
The fact that I'm liking Leah less and less is making me like Hosea less and less. He was among my favorites early on but he's slipping.

Barring a major stumble, Stefan and Jamie look like locks to cruise to the final. Carla is a loon and has the crazy eyes, but if she stops trying to cook healthy-earthy crap and stays away from desserts, I think she might be my sleeper. I like Fabio but he seems to be fading. I don't think Leah is that impressive but she just keeps sliding along.

It looks like from the previews that they are cooking at Eric Rippert's restaurant next week and someone ends up wetting themselves.

[digamma]

We have come full circle on Carla. In the beginning of the show, we were like, just get her out of here already. Now every interview clip for her is an unintended sound bite. She is so batty, she is worth watching.

P.S. I am so jealous of Draft Dodger for getting to go to the Super Bowl.

[JPhillips]

Hootie!

[kingfc22]

I get to sleep on the bunky bed!

That was hilarious.

[Barkeep49]

Carla is a muppet. I don't know how you sustain hatred for muppets over any period of time. Plus you get all sorts of great quotes in the bargain. I love the muppets.

[DaddyTorgo]

Carla is a muppet. I don't know how you sustain hatred for muppets over any period of time. Plus you get all sorts of great quotes in the bargain. I love the muppets.

LMAO

[PurdueBrad]

I haven't watched this week's episode yet but am looking forward to doing so. That being said, I'm in the Fabio camp as well and really am hoping (although it's not likely at all) that the final three be Carla, Stefan, and Fabio. I can't stand Jamie, Hosea, or Leah. And I really can't stand the blonde guy who, everytime they show the name of his restaurant, I think it says Dildo resort rather than Dilido. Plus he looks like the guy from house that I hate.

[terpkristin]

And I really can't stand the blonde guy who, everytime they show the name of his restaurant, I think it says Dildo resort rather than Dilido. Plus he looks like the guy from house that I hate.

I always read "Dildo" for his restaurant, too. I just assumed it was my subconscious.. ;)

/tk

[DrAFTjunkie]

Hootie!

Hoo!

[JeeberD]

Carla is a muppet. I don't know how you sustain hatred for muppets over any period of time. Plus you get all sorts of great quotes in the bargain. I love the muppets.

My wife calls her Beaker, and she absolutely LOVES her. Carla is her third favorite contestant all-time, behind Andrew and CJ. I certainly agree that she's entertaining...

I'm also in the "started off hating Fabio, but now love him" camp. I just don't know how much longer he's going to last, he's been struggling lately. And I was praying that Stefan would go home last night, but I knew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up.

[flere-imsaho]

Watched this for the first time today (the season recap/repeat on Bravo) and was stunned by the lamb fuckup at the farm. Look, even I know how to butcher and tie up a lamb for cooking (ideally rotisserie on the BBQ)! Shocking.

Stefan's cleverness finally caught up with him in the Super Bowl challenge, but Jeff's caught up with him more.

[Thomkal]

Not at all happy with Jamie being the one to "pack her knives and go". Leah quit a challenge and showed she didn't understand the dish she was supposed to make in the second challenge. She really needs to go. Surprised Hosea had trouble with his fish dish given his experience and Carla shows more levels of competence than I thought possible. :)

[terpkristin]

I agree, wasn't happy to see Jamie go and thought that Leah was just as "culinarily sinful." Alas.

I think this pretty much means that Stefan is going to win it all. We'll see, but I think he's probably one of the more talented--if arrogant--chefs. He reminds me a lot of Hung in terms of his arrogance.

Happy to see Carla doing better than expected.

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

leah should have gone home, no doubt

i wonder if part of hosea's thing was that he ran out of time, or got worried about time? he even said he knew monkfish had to sit - so you have to think he would have let it sit as long as he could - maybe he just panicked or he used up too much time earlier? shame about him and the spice and all, but oh well. at least he's still around. i think he's stronger than leah (who definately should have gone), and probably on-par with Jamie, so between the two of them leaving i woulda been fine with either.

[bbor]

Stefan vs Hosea in the final....they have been editing the show this way the whole time.

Every challenge all Hosea talks about is beating Stefan.

[DaddyTorgo]

Stefan vs Hosea in the final....they have been editing the show this way the whole time.

Every challenge all Hosea talks about is beating Stefan.

bbor does have quite the point there

[kingfc22]

Agree with everyone else. Leah gave up and should have been booted after falling into the bottom 3 afterwards.

I see a Fabio/Stefan showdown for the title.

[JPhillips]

Stefan's an ass, but he's been head and shoulders above everyone over the course of the show.

[Coffee Warlord]

Unless they do a 3-man final again. In which case, I'm guessing Carla/Hosea/Stefan.

I think Leah's next to go, and then it's a toss up between Fabio and Carla.

[PurdueBrad]

Not sad to see Leah go as I hated her HOWEVER I can't believe it wasn't Leah. She quit and was awful, this was a blatant decision to keep the romance drama for another week. UGH.

[PurdueBrad]

Tom's blog states that the only one they really discussed booting was Jamie and that the other 5 dishes were good. I didn't catch that from watching, in fact, I thought Tom tried to defend Jamie, saying that the fish was done well. I thought the new judge was the one that really pushed for Jamie and that Tom was going to go after Leah.

[DaddyTorgo]

lol



I thought the concept was cool, but not surprising...we all knew what was coming, some people were even taking notes under the table on certain dishes

[Thomkal]

yeah PB I didn't get that either that they thought Leah and Hosea's dishes were good. But Jamie kinda shot herself in the foot on this one now that I think about it. She was the only one who didn't get the guest chef's advice when she was making her dish because she didn't have the time she said. Well I would have made time and let him taste it and and ask how to braise celery while she was at it. :)

[Coffee Warlord]

I got the impression that Ripert was limited on what questions he could and could not answer when he was tasting the trial runs - he was kinda cagey on some of those.

[path12]

Leah has been pouty and sulking ever since she made out with Hosea. I can't believe she didn't get booted.

[kcchief19]

I would have like to see Leah go because I'm done with her -- she has indeed been pouty since the makeout session. But I thought all signs pointed to Jamie. They really didn't seem to hate Leah's as much as Jamie's.

I'll buy the Stefan vs. Hosea setup bbor suggested. It does seem to be going that way. I'll give Carla props -- since she decided to start cooking and playing to her strengths instead of going all wacky and trying to fake desserts, she's been nails. She's a sleeper pick to go to the finals right now.

Fabio continues to appear on a downward slide while Carla and Hosea seem to be finishing strong. No one has ever dominated Top Chef the way Stefan has. He's virtually unstoppable, especially since he got the ego check last week. Of course, Richard flamed out against Stephanie in last season's finale.

[flere-imsaho]

If they run the challenge again with the same dishes Leah's dish will still suck (since she clearly had no idea what she did wrong), but Jamie's would likely have been much better (since she clearly had a good idea of where she went wrong).

That alone should have gotten Leah booted.

Very disappointed.

Compare to Hosea, who knew he was hosed with the eel once Stefan got started. He still gave it a good go and even Ripert said it was a pretty decent job.

[terpkristin]

Gotta say, I'm glad to see Carla make it to final 4.

And it's soooo past time, glad to see Leah gone, though I think it would have been almost appropriate if they'd sent Stefan home...any of those bottom 3, really, arguably deserved it.

I cringed when I saw Fabio's finger. Ow ow ow ow ow. I have sympathy pains. Actually, maybe that's real pain, my pinkie's still kind of messed up.

The previews for the next episode look interesting. I like Carla's straightened hair, and Fabio's mohawk. It looks like Fabio's finger has healed. And they really look to be setting up drama between Hosea and Stefan.

/tk

[Coffee Warlord]

I think we all pretty much knew Leah was toast tonight, barring some meltdown of epic proportions (Stefan might have been a bit close to that meltdown).

Fabio has the greatest one-liners in the history of Top Chef.

[DaddyTorgo]

watching my dvr - wow - could stefan go home for the salmon? (coming up to judgement)

[thesloppy]

Whooo! Good episode tonight. A Fabio tour de force. I agree with TK that as much as I think Carla is a nutball, I am glad to see her go forward, her food as well as her technique have really shined as things have gone on, and she seems to have gone in a more classical direction. I was hoping Stefan would get the chop, but Leah was so past done.

[flere-imsaho]

I think Carla's revived in the past few episodes because she consciously made a decision to stop trying to be a chef she wasn't, and instead be the chef she is and make stuff she wants to make. The green eggs & ham was a classic example and WD's reaction showed why it was right on.

I think Stefan's going in the opposite direction. I have no doubt that's a dish he could have cooked in his sleep, but he clearly let running on autopilot put him a very bad position.

Hosea's the weakest remaining, in my opinion. He's trying to hang with Stefan and Fabio and he clearly doesn't have the chops for it. At least Carla already realized this for herself and started cooking in her sweet spot. Hosea's shrimp was a clear example of him going out of his sweet spot, thinking he had to to compete with Stefan, and losing his way.

Glad Leah is gone, and frankly I wonder if it's also in part due to her basically having given up during the past few episodes.

[Thomkal]

Yeah I would have cheered if Stefan had gone home, but Leah has really deserved to go home for the last 3 episodes, so glad it was her as the weakest link going.

I think Fabio is the weakest overall of the four, and I think Carla's simplicity is going to get her in trouble now that they are in the Final Four. However I thought there was no way in hell she'd win the quickfire with a tribute to Dr. Seuss (Hosea must have been really steamed after his comment about her dish), so kudos to her. I think its Stefan's game to lose at this point, because overall he has been the strongest chef. But man it was great to see him get a kick in the pants last night.

[DaddyTorgo]

i don't know - there's something to the fact that fabio + carla cooked the "simplest" dishes last night and were the top 2. i think too often we get caught up watching these shows in the gastronomey of it and forget that it's about the taste. even the obnoxious brit said last night about fabio's dish that if he went and started a restaurant this could be his "signature dish." A roast chicken. Must have been one damn good roast chicken. And I think we get caught up in who is doing things that are edgy or whatever and forget that all the best chefs in the world advocate using fresh local seasonal ingredients prepared simply to let the flavors of the food shine through.

[Coffee Warlord]

On the same token, we've seen in seasons past (Richard from last year comes to mind immediately), who both wowed the judges in terms of presentation and "out there" gastronomy stuff, and had apparently tasty food.

[DaddyTorgo]

valid point CW.

[JPhillips]

i don't know - there's something to the fact that fabio + carla cooked the "simplest" dishes last night and were the top 2. i think too often we get caught up watching these shows in the gastronomey of it and forget that it's about the taste. even the obnoxious brit said last night about fabio's dish that if he went and started a restaurant this could be his "signature dish." A roast chicken. Must have been one damn good roast chicken. And I think we get caught up in who is doing things that are edgy or whatever and forget that all the best chefs in the world advocate using fresh local seasonal ingredients prepared simply to let the flavors of the food shine through.

But at the same time Collichio said he wished Carla had integrated the peas into the dish more.

[kcchief19]

I've been jonesing for some great peas ever since I saw this last night. I almost want to go home an make peas and roast chicken for dinner.

Thought last night was a good decision. As mentioned before, I don't like Stefan but he can cook circles around Leah and should stick around. Last night sure seemed like a "lifetime achievement" award for Stefan because overcooking salmon is a culinary crime. Tom in particularly seemed like there was no way he was sending Stefan home last night, which pretty much put Leah out the door. Which is fine because she was the weakest link.

Carla is growing on me. She's coo-coo for cocoa puffs and bat-sh*t crazy but seems nice and has really nailed the last few challenges since she started going to her base. But I still think she's a great cook, just not a great chef. Stefan is the coach we all hated -- he's a prick, but he's right most of the time and gets results. That's what a chef is.

[kingfc22]

Not a mention of the camera shot of Leah's boobs hanging out for everyone to see at the very start of the show. Disappointed.

[JeeberD]

Not a mention of the camera shot of Leah's boobs hanging out for everyone to see at the very start of the show. Disappointed.

And my wife said that I was the only person who would notice that...

Man, I was really hoping Stefan would get sent home. I can't stand his arrogant ass.

I'm hoping that at least Fabio and Carla make it into the finals. They're fun to watch...

[Barkeep49]

On the same token, we've seen in seasons past (Richard from last year comes to mind immediately), who both wowed the judges in terms of presentation and "out there" gastronomy stuff, and had apparently tasty food.
But none of those people have won. All of the winners have been about creativity executed perfectly (or at least very very well). I think Green Eggs and Ham's creativity warranted its win. I also think the Elimination Challenge pretty clearly did not call for creativity and simply called for execution, which Fabio and Carla pulled off.

[kcchief19]

We've pulled Kansas City Star columnist Joe Posnanski over to the dark side ... this turns into a Top Chef blog after the Extenze detour.

ExtenZe and Top Chef » Joe Posnanski (http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/02/13/extenze-and-top-chef/)

[thesloppy]

NoooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooo!


I hope Stefan eats a fat sack of dicks in the final.

[Coffee Warlord]

Go Hosea!

[jeheinz72]

Sad to see Fabio go, because he was so damn entertaining. THis is my first season watching, but I liked bringing Jeff back into the mix. I thought he kind of had a tough luck ouster the first time.

Stefan is such a poser. I love how he says he doesn't care to the judges (which is stupid) but has probably a dozen time in solo interviews said how badly he wants to win. For the majority of the season I was ok with him, because he was so apparently good at what he did. Now he's more of an ass.

Carla has grown on me big time. At first I thought she had to go (around the 5th/6th elimination) but man, she's brought her A game of late and if she keeps that up in the finale, she could very well win.

Hosea I go back and forth on. On one hand, he seems like a nice enough guy. On the other he's so neurotic and annoying. If he wins it'll be...ok.

[JPhillips]

Carla seems to have figured out the game. She's comfortable with her flavor profile and knows how to work the time limits. I thought she should have been gone early on, but over the past four episodes or so she's been top notch.

[PurdueBrad]

It's been a solid season in some ways and weak in others. I've enjoyed the comradarie of the opponents much more this year (although the Hosea-Stefan thing is beyond old) but the cooking (until last night) seems to be much weaker. Tom gives some interesting insights on the blog, such as a rather big problem with Jeff's dishes that wasn't described (the sterno he was using caused the oysters to taste like sterno) and some other problems with Fabio's dishes (i.e.- They were cold when he served it to them despite making it for them). It sounds like Fabio has a show in the works somewhere, either Bravo or Food Network I'm guessing.

I'm down to rooting for Carla as she has made an improvement over the course of the season unlike anything we've seen. I think she has figured out the game and I am hoping she pulls it off. If she doesn't though, she got some nice stuff between the car and the Super Bowl trip.

[flere-imsaho]

Agreed that Carla's figured out how to deliver on a regular basis. As per Emeril's comments, her performance last night was really a tour de force.

I've figured Stefan out. He's all technique and experience, and no heart. This is why he dominated most of the season so far (he was operating on a level beyond everyone else), but has started to fall short now (they've caught up, and he's got nothing to really "wow" the judges).

Boy howdy did Hosea make the right call on the gumbo and spending forever on the roux.

And super-sad to see Fabio go. I have a feeling, however, he'll be more than able to parlay his experience into more opportunities.

At this point I'd say it's between Stefan and Carla. I don't think Hosea has the chops to deliver a truly awesome 3-course dinner, while Stefan almost certainly has it in him to do just that and Carla's on such a roll you have to count her in.

[Thomkal]

A trip to the Super Bowl and a new car-Carla sure knew which challenges to win didn't she? Keep being stunned that she wins-I thought she was in big trouble when she took on oysters with almost no experience shucking them. But kudos to her for pulling it off big time. I think she almost has to be the favorite right now. Not bad for someone I wanted out from episode 1 with her weird behavior.

Don't like that they brought someone back in, didn't think that was fair at all to the Final Four. At least they put a condition on him coming back. I was pulling for Jamie there, but knew Jeff would be tough. So long as it wasn't Leah, I was happy. And he nearly won the final challenge too, so kudos to him.

Man I was so hoping they'd kick Stefan out, but they need that enemy for the Final 3, the one everyone hates. Fabio was the weakest of the five really though and probably didn't deserve to go to the Final 3 as much as the others. I hope Stefan finishes third now, and Carla "Hootie-who's" right in his face when she wins. ;)

[jeheinz72]

What's the link to Tom's blog, PB? I"d love to read that. As I said, this is our first season watching and my wife and I have really really enjoyed it.

And since Carla won a car, doesn't that practically exclude her from winning under rule 1B in reality TV show land? I don't recall if it still holds up, but I know on Survivor people who won the car always lost

[kcchief19]

When I read the press release last month about the final episode, I predicted to Mrs. kcchief19 that they would bring back the last few booted chefs and give them a chance to make the finals with a win. They did the same thing on Project Runway a few seasons ago.

If Jeff had won last night, Stefan was gone. I thought he might have pulled it off. If Carla had slipped a little -- maybe not guilted the other chefs that borrowed stuff from her help shuck oysters -- that might have been the opening Jeff needed. I wanted Jamie to win the quickfire because I thought she was the best of the rest. But Jeff put in a heck of an effort.

I have fully bought into the notion that it's coming down to Hosea and Stefan. I will probably be rooting for that nut Carla. I still think there is a difference between a great cook and a great chef. I'd want someone like Stefan running my restaurant kitchen, but if I just wanted a great meal I might go to Carla.

[DaddyTorgo]

didn't get to watch this till last night.

Man was I STOKED to see Jeff back, and so happy to see him keep his flavors simple and win the quickfire.

Regarding the elimination challenge - I actually thought that they were going to give the win to him and send Stefan + Fabio home. Seems like it would have been the right thing to do based on the comments about the dishes that we heard. We heard nothing but praise for all of Hosea/Carla/Jeff, while Stefan and Fabio each had something a little "off" about theirs. So color me confused how they didn't say "well in that case we want to send home the two weakest chefs so we're giving the win to Jeff" if it seems like it was basically a tossup between Jeff + Carla.

Nice to see Jeff finally recognize what he had done wrong though, and hopefully he'll go on to a successful career.

I think the final being in New Orleans is a HUGE advantage to Carla, and maybe a secondary advantage to Hosea, who certainly knows his fish and has obviously studied-up on New Orleans. Definately puts Stefan at a disadvantage (yay!).

Man I'll miss Fabio's kooky accent.

[DaddyTorgo]

Tom gives some interesting insights on the blog, such as a rather big problem with Jeff's dishes that wasn't described (the sterno he was using caused the oysters to taste like sterno) and some other problems with Fabio's dishes (i.e.- They were cold when he served it to them despite making it for them).

aaah. teach me to post before reading Tom's blog. Interesting. Still - not sure what else he could have done - I was hella impressed that he was doing the oysters up right there on the spot and managed to pull it off.

[Coffee Warlord]

Man I'll miss Fabio's kooky accent.

The good news for him is, though, he doesn't have to sleep in the bunk-y bed no more.

[DaddyTorgo]

lol - and apparently he'll do alright for himself.

"Everyday Italian with Fabio" anybody?

[PurdueBrad]

What's the link to Tom's blog, PB? I"d love to read that. As I said, this is our first season watching and my wife and I have really really enjoyed it.

And since Carla won a car, doesn't that practically exclude her from winning under rule 1B in reality TV show land? I don't recall if it still holds up, but I know on Survivor people who won the car always lost

Sorry Heinz, just saw this.

Here's the link: Tom Colicchio | Bravo TV Official Site (http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/blogs/tom-colicchio)

[path12]

Am I the only one who likes Stefan? He was way cocky last episode (and not that funny) but for the most part I get the feeling he's just one of those guys who likes to bust balls just to get a reaction and isn't nearly the asshole they make him out to be.

CW, that bunky-bed line by Fabio was one of the funniest things I've seen this season.

[DaddyTorgo]

lol - i just saw Ariane sous-chefing for the challenging chef on Iron Chef America

[terpkristin]

lol - i just saw Ariane sous-chefing for the challenging chef on Iron Chef America

Let's hope the challenger doesn't ask her to tie a roast. Wished I'd seen it! What episode (what challenge)?

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

my dvr just crapped out on me as far as telling me what the episode info was - it's on food network right now though TK.

it's a king crab challenge with chef freitag vs. chef flay

[terpkristin]

my dvr just crapped out on me as far as telling me what the episode info was - it's on food network right now though TK.

it's a king crab challenge with chef freitag vs. chef flay

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for it in the next week or so (at work right now, the boys I work with are flipping between the Oscars and NASCAR).

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

aaah the life of a rocket scientist

[flere-imsaho]

Let's hope the challenger doesn't ask her to tie a roast. Wished I'd seen it! What episode (what challenge)?

The farm one. Don't remember the exact episode number.

[terpkristin]

aaah the life of a rocket scientist

Well, to be fair, this is the first night in awhile we've had to breathe. As long as they keep my satellite healthy, I'll let them watch whatever they want. I'm getting ready to head out, I've been helping them setup to keep an eye on things in case anything goes wrong overnight (this is the first night they'll have entirely on their own, last night I left at 4, before that I was full-on nights).

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

Well, to be fair, this is the first night in awhile we've had to breathe. As long as they keep my satellite healthy, I'll let them watch whatever they want. I'm getting ready to head out, I've been helping them setup to keep an eye on things in case anything goes wrong overnight (this is the first night they'll have entirely on their own, last night I left at 4, before that I was full-on nights).

/tk

hey that's cool...i wasn't making fun

[Coffee Warlord]

University of Colorado for the win!

Edit: And I have to share my "I'm just awesome" moment. We were talking about the finale the last couple days, and I called precisely who they'd be bringing on as the mystery sous chefs. And even stated, "just watch, we'll have Stefan and Marcel."

[DaddyTorgo]

University of Colorado for the win!

Edit: And I have to share my "I'm just awesome" moment. We were talking about the finale the last couple days, and I called precisely who they'd be bringing on as the mystery sous chefs. And even stated, "just watch, we'll have Stefan and Marcel."

you didn't post it in here, so unless you can provide videotaped corroborating evidence of this i choose not to believe it :D

[Barkeep49]

I think that Stefan was robbed. The guy was clearly the most talented chef there by some distance. Carla had a completely different style, so her I could understand. But Hosea? What a joke. And I say this feeling Stefan was a nearly insufferable ass.

[MJ4H]

But did Stefan make the best meal in the final challenge? That was how the winner was decided. I thought it was pretty clear by the judge's comments, and even Fabio who wanted Stefan to win, that Hosea's meal was better. In that case, I don't think you can say he was robbed. I think you have to say he blew it at the end, just like Richard last season.

[Coffee Warlord]

you didn't post it in here, so unless you can provide videotaped corroborating evidence of this i choose not to believe it :D

The funny thing is, when they revealed them, I almost immediately thought, "damn, I cannot believe I didn't post that prediction on FOFC". :)

[flere-imsaho]

Stefan, who is all technique and no heart, needed his execution to be perfect in the final and the frozen thinly sliced fish was a failure of his technique. That and the lack of creativity for dessert couldn't be made up by the awesome squab.

Hosea executed flawlessly right in his wheelhouse. It was the better 3-course (well, 4-course) meal, end of story.

I don't feel sorry for Carla. On at least one other occasion she's allowed herself to be steamrolled by another chef, to her self-admitted detriment, and if she can't learn from that for the final, she deserved what she got. Having said that, she clearly still did well to get so far.

[Thomkal]

Well what do we think of the chefs so far? I hope that trend of whomever wins the first competition wins the season doesn't come true this time around because I can't stand that guy already. No real surprise on who went home imo, they never are a big fan of culinary students. And how weird that the two that knew each other beforehand were the ones to go.

I was surprised Hosea was not one of the judges three favorites after their comments during his judging. I'll go on record right now and say I think he wins. Pretty funny that the guy who had no idea what he was cooking ended up in the top 3 anyway.

Who do I want to go home soon? Probably crazy lady who lets her spirit guides determine what she's going to cook. :confused:

the very first post in this thread, and I picked the winnah. ;) Of course I wasn't so right about that crazy lady. I have to say I was really pulling for her in the finale given the two bulls spewing testoserone and completely disregarding her as having a chance to win. But I knew she was dead in the water when she let Casey talk her into doing the cooking in a bag technique when she had never done it before. I have a feeling those souffle's wouldn't have been as good as the tarts she wanted to do either. Wish she hadn't overcooked them though so we could have found out if they would have been.

So glad Hosea won over Stefan, he was so arrogant and pompous-I don't think his head would have fit in the room overall. I think though they either should have said do a three course dinner with a dessert as one of them or no dessert at all. Given them the choice gave them an uneven playing field over whether the judges preferred to have a desert or not as part of the meal as we saw them debate at the end there. If there was going to be some prejuidice against/for dessert, it shouldn't have been allowed or all of them had to do it.

[JPhillips]

I think that Stefan was robbed. The guy was clearly the most talented chef there by some distance. Carla had a completely different style, so her I could understand. But Hosea? What a joke. And I say this feeling Stefan was a nearly insufferable ass.

What I like about Top Chef is that previous work matters very little. Survival is decided by how you perform in the current challenge.

[Cringer]

Felt bad for Carla here, though not is a "robbed" way but in a "damn she choked bad" way. As Thomkal said, you knew the minute she agreed to try something she had never done that she blew her chance, then she did it a second time and that sealed the deal. Wish she had done her things, her way, just so it didn't end up a two man race.

Hosea as Top Chef? Blah. He just doesn't come off as really good to me but he did better then Stefan at the end so I guess he deserves it.

[timmynausea]

More like Top Douche. I hated Stefan early on, but I was rooting for him by the end just because Hosea was so annoying. They couldn't have hamfisted the foreshadowing any more than they did, either - Hosea mentioned wanting to beat Stefan just about every week of the season.

[flere-imsaho]

You live and die by the rules, of course, and the rules for this basically state that you're only as good as the last thing you produced.

If the competition was judged on a cumulative basis, then the final three are probably Stefan, Jeff and Fabio, with Stefan probably taking it. If we take away the constraint of essentially American cuisine (which really did it for Fabio once they got to New Orleans), then I think Fabio has a good shot to beat Stefan.

It's here that Stefan's catering experience lets him down, in my opinion. After this entire season, do we really know what Stefan likes to cook? By the end Carla, Hosea, Jeff and Fabio were all doing stuff right in their wheelhouse and were producing great stuff, while Stefan's still putting out precisely executed catering food. Sure, the technique is great, but is it interesting?

Bottom line: I hire Stefan to cater a high-brow event with lots of VIPs (think black-tie fundraiser). I hire Carla to cook an intimate dinner for a small group of close friends. I visit Hosea's restaurant every couple of months to see how he's developing and what stuff he puts out. I guess that makes them all excellent in their own ways, but also probably shows why Hosea wins.

[Ksyrup]

FYI, for Top Chef fans:



Bravo to debut 'Top Chef Masters' June 10, reveals competing chefs


By John Bracchitta, 04/07/2009

Bravo has announced that Top Chef Masters, a spinoff of the network's top-rated Top Chef reality competition, will premiere Wednesday June 10 at 10PM ET/PT.

Top Chef Masters will initially pit 24 world-renowned chefs in a tournament-style format in which each of the show's first six episodes will feature four chefs competing against each other for one open spot.

Once the first six preliminary rounds have concluded, the show will then switch to a more typical elimination format, with the six winners -- who will all receive cash prizes for the charities of their choice for advancing -- then engaging in new challenges in which one chef will be eliminated each episode. After four weeks, one chef will be crowned "Top Chef Master" and awarded $100,000 towards the charity of their choice.

Each episode of Top Chef Masters will follow the tried and true Top Chef formula with two challenges for the chefs to complete. The first challenge, the "quickfire challenge," will test the chef's basic cooking abilities. However, in a twist to the format, each quickfire challenge will be judged by a blind taste test and a graded with a five-star system, similar to fine dining reviews.

The second challenge will be an elimination challenge and test the chef's versatility and invention in the kitchen as they work with unusual and exotic foods for demanding clients. Following the judges' tasting of the chef's food, along with any other tasters involved in the challenge, the determination will be made which chefs survive and which go home.

Former model and food journalist/author Kelly Choi will serve as host for Top Chef Masters, with restaurant New York Magazine food critic Gael Greene; Saveur magazine editor-in-chief and culinary expert James Oseland; and British journalist and broadcaster Jay Rayner serving as the show's regular judges.

Top Chef Masters will also feature numerous special guest stars and judges, including Neil Patrick Harris, Zooey Deschanel, Morgan Spurlock, Lost writers and executive producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof and Flipping Out's Jeff Lewis. Also, for the first time ever, all of Top Chef's previous winners will appear together on one episode. The series will also showcase "chef'testant" fan favorites as well as appearances by Top Chef judges Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons.

The 24 competing chefs who will be competing on Top Chef Masters, as well as their restaurants and locations, are:

- Rick Bayless from Frontera Grill in Chicago, IL

- Wilo Benet from Pikayo in San Juan, Puerto Rico

- John Besh from Restaurant August in New Orleans, LA

- Graham Elliot Bowles from Graham Elliot Restaurant in Chicago, IL

- Michael Chiarello from Bottega Restaurant in Yountville, CA

- Michael Cimarusti from Providence in Los Angeles, CA

- Wylie Dufresne from wd~50 in New York, NY

- Elizabeth Falkner from Orson in San Francisco, CA

- Hubert Keller from Fleur de Lys in San Francisco, CA

- Christopher Lee from Aureole in New York, NY

- Ludo Lefebvre from Ludo Bites in Los Angeles, CA

- Anita Lo from Annisa in New York, NY

- Tim Love from The Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Fort Worth, TX

- Rick Moonen from Rick Moonen's RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV.

- Nils Noren from French Culinary Institute in New York, NY

- Lachlan McKinnon Patterson from Frasca Food & Wine in Boulder, CO

- Cindy Pawlcyn from Mustards Grill in Napa Valley, CA

- Mark Peel from Campanile in Los Angeles, CA

- Douglas Rodriguez from Alma de Cuba in Philadelphia, PA

- Michael Schlow from Radius Restaurant in Boston, MA

- Art Smith from Table Fifty-Two in Chicago, IL

- Suzanne Tracht from Jar in Los Angeles, CA

- Jonathan Waxman from Barbuto in New York, NY

- Roy Yamaguchi from Roy's Restaurants in San Diego, CA
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[DaddyTorgo]

*pouts* no Ming Tsai hmm? I guess he's got nothing left to prove and would prolly wipe the floor with any of them.

John Besh? Seems like the guy will do anything to get his face on TV...dang!

Michael Schlow & Wylie Dufresne are pretty big "gets" for this show I'd imagine.

This will definately be "appointment tv" - especially if they make them all live in a house together - LOL

[GrantDawg]

Very interesting. Choi's hottness > Padma's hottness.

[Coffee Warlord]

I woulda loved to see Tom competing.

[DaddyTorgo]

Very interesting. Choi's hottness > Padma's hottness.

who's this choi?

pixplzkthnx

nvrmind - she's okay yah

[DaddyTorgo]

I woulda loved to see Tom competing.

that woulda been funny too. an even more "starred up" version of this show you mean

[GrantDawg]

that woulda been funny too. an even more "starred up" version of this show you mean
Tom, Rocko, and Gordon. I'd put a fiver on Tom.

[DaddyTorgo]

Tom, Rocko, and Gordon. I'd put a fiver on Tom.

nice call

Tom
Rocco
Gordon
Ming Tsai
Todd English
Mario Batali
Bobby Flay

I'm sure there's more that I'm not as familiar with in other places around the country who could round out this top dozen and make it a real celebrity top-chef

[DaddyTorgo]

I don't know if Rocko would last 5 minutes with Tom and Gordon. Although to be fair, I've never seen any of Tom's food. At least with Ramsey I've seen his food (and some of Rocko's too I guess from that show of his).

[Ksyrup]

I believe there's a burgeoning territorial battle between Bravo and Food Network that would make some of these matchups impossible. I know there was some bad blood over FN not allowing Ted Allen to appear as a judge on Top Chef once they gave him a show.

[DaddyTorgo]

I believe there's a burgeoning territorial battle between Bravo and Food Network that would make some of these matchups impossible. I know there was some bad blood over FN not allowing Ted Allen to appear as a judge on Top Chef once they gave him a show.

why can't they all just get along? couldn't one just buy the other? one must be significantly more capitalized...

[Ksyrup]

As far as Gordon Ramsay, I would think putting himself at someone else's mercy would hurt the persona he's built up here.

Speaking of which, 2 more seasons of Hell's Kitchen have been greenlighted, as well as a live cooking special and another show copied from something he did in England. Seems as though Gordon Ramsey is going to be to Fox what Law & Order was to NBC.

[Ksyrup]

why can't they all just get along? couldn't one just buy the other? one must be significantly more capitalized...

I dug this up from last year:

Tom Colichio, head judge of Bravo's Top Chef, recently let it slip that Ted Allen would not be returning to Top Chef this season since Ted's Food Network show Food Detectives was renewed (http://foodnetworkaddict.blogspot.com/2008/11/food-detectives-gets-second-season.html).

"Okay, maybe he's busy shooting new episodes," I said outloud to myself, as I normally do when reading newspaper articles online.

But Tom doesn't say it's a scheduling conflict preventing Ted from returning.

Instead, he says: "They [the Food Network] have a policy that they can't do our show."

This would appear to contradict what Ted has said in previous interviews about his unique relationship working with both Food Network (on Iron Chef) and Bravo (with Top Chef). He had indicated that both networks were okay with the arrangement.

Perhaps FN was fine having him work for the competition while he was just judging Iron Chef... but apparently not any longer.

[DaddyTorgo]

As far as Gordon Ramsay, I would think putting himself at someone else's mercy would hurt the persona he's built up here.

Speaking of which, 2 more seasons of Hell's Kitchen have been greenlighted, as well as a live cooking special and another show copied from something he did in England. Seems as though Gordon Ramsey is going to be to Fox what Law & Order was to NBC.

that's true - it would hurt his persona. although he's not as much of an ass as he is in hell's kitchen.

live cooking special? cool!

another show copied from what he did in england? "F-word?" (his weekly food magazine show)? Or something else? linky?

[Ksyrup]

This isn't the article I originally saw, but it basically sums it up.


March 22, 2009

Fox plans more Gordon Ramsay reality

Good news for Gordon Ramsay fans: Fox has ordered another season of the internationally known chef's realty series "Kitchen Nightmares."

Ramsay will continue giving tough love makeovers to restaurants in need next season as part of a renewal agreement with Granada America, Optomen and A. Smith & Co.

The network also is expected to shortly announce that Ramsay's other series, "Hell's Kitchen," will return for a new season this summer. "Kitchen" recently shot back-to-back sixth and seventh seasons. Rather than continuing to parcel out the show one season per year, Fox will take the unprecedented step of airing two consecutive seasons.

Combined with the new order of "Nightmares," there's a good chance fresh episodes of Ramsay's reality fare will continue airing regularly on the network through the end of next year.

"Kitchen" is currently airing on Thursday night and holding up well under the pressure of the most competitive time period on television. Fox is planning a live special called "Cook Off" starring Ramsay at some point, and is developing a new Ramsay series with details still kept under wraps.

[DaddyTorgo]

Aaaaah - more Kitchen Nightmares too.

Good!! I vastly prefer Kitchen Nightmares to Hell's Kitchen. It's not even close.

I wonder what the new series will be.

[Ksyrup]

Interestingly, in the original article I read, it said that the current season of Hell's Kitchen that is airing was shot in late 2007. I had no clue. Apparently, the next two seasons were just shot.

I kinda hope they get away from being SOOOOO predictable now. It seems like this season, even more than the past, it's obvious who is going to win a challenge and who's on the show for laughs, etc. For instance, that fat, lazy, crazy bitch Lacey was obviously this season's counterpart to last season's fat, lazy, crazy idiot Matt.

[DaddyTorgo]

Interestingly, in the original article I read, it said that the current season of Hell's Kitchen that is airing was shot in late 2007. I had no clue. Apparently, the next two seasons were just shot.

I kinda hope they get away from being SOOOOO predictable now. It seems like this season, even more than the past, it's obvious who is going to win a challenge and who's on the show for laughs, etc. For instance, that fat, lazy, crazy bitch Lacey was obviously this season's counterpart to last season's fat, lazy, crazy idiot Matt.

And Robert=the guy who was called dirty and piggish last year but who went far (whose name escapes me right at this moment)

[GrantDawg]

As far as Gordon Ramsay, I would think putting himself at someone else's mercy would hurt the persona he's built up here.

Speaking of which, 2 more seasons of Hell's Kitchen have been greenlighted, as well as a live cooking special and another show copied from something he did in England. Seems as though Gordon Ramsey is going to be to Fox what Law & Order was to NBC.


Oh, he would never do it. But then again neither would Rocco, but for different reasons. Gordon because that would be beneath him, and Rocco because he would be creamed. And we are missing a couple of really great gets as well: Marco and Bourdain. I think Marco and Gordon might actually fist fight, which would be cool.

[DaddyTorgo]

Bourdain would be great. Didn't I read that Marco + Gordon had a falling out basically?

[GrantDawg]

Bourdain would be great. Didn't I read that Marco + Gordon had a falling out basically?


Hence fist fight comment. Yeah, I believe they still hate each other a bit. Then again, I think Marco falls out with a lot of people.

[Ksyrup]

I believe Bourdain's not too happy with Bravo right now, either. My recollection is a little hazy, but last year, he was blogging during the season and got in trouble for posting a few comments, so he stopped blogging and wasn't a guest judge this year. I don't remember much about it other than a great line he had in a later blog about the blow-up where he said he used the Glad Family of Bags for things they probably didn't approve of. Ha!

[flere-imsaho]

The backstory between Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White is long and fascinating. A reality show with both of them would certainly end in a physical confrontation.

[Galaxy]

For those who live in Canada or watch the Fine Living Network, they have a show called The Heat with Mark McEwan (two seasons in either '05, '06', or '07; with rumors of a third coming). It's on Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 AM EST.

Anyone ever watch it? The best show I think.

[Galaxy]

Oh, he would never do it. But then again neither would Rocco, but for different reasons. Gordon because that would be beneath him, and Rocco because he would be creamed. And we are missing a couple of really great gets as well: Marco and Bourdain. I think Marco and Gordon might actually fist fight, which would be cool.

Bourdain isn't really a chef in the same way that Marco and Gordon are.

[Galaxy]

The backstory between Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White is long and fascinating. A reality show with both of them would certainly end in a physical confrontation.

Yep. Gordon is a Marco Pierre White prodigy.

[flere-imsaho]

Bourdain isn't really a chef in the same way that Marco and Gordon are.

Agreed. Marco and Gordon are Michelin-starred chefs. Bourdain, to me, is, chef-wise, kind of the ultimate line chef.

The key thing about Marco Pierre White, though, is that he's the genesis figure for all "bad-boy-type" celebrity chefs.

[DaddyTorgo]

Agreed. Marco and Gordon are Michelin-starred chefs. Bourdain, to me, is, chef-wise, kind of the ultimate line chef.

The key thing about Marco Pierre White, though, is that he's the genesis figure for all "bad-boy-type" celebrity chefs.

yeah. I am totally getting a kick out of him on this show he's on, I gotta say that. I also would love to see UK-version "Hells Kitchen" with him - from the snippet I saw he looked much more sane.

[digamma]

So, for my birthday, my wife took me to Fabio's new restaurant in LA, Firenze Osteria (he previously had a restaurant named Firenze in Simi Valley). She had set up a Chef's Table/Tasting Menu with Fabio which they offer (actually at a pretty reasonable price. It's a six course meal plus dessert, all in smaller tasting portions. The menu changes nightly based on what Fabio has in mind. When he served each dish, he would give a little description of the dish and then check in on us often to make sure we were enjoying it.

Here are the details on what we had and my impressions:

Course 1: Burrata cheese drizzled with an aged balsamic and topped with shaved black truffles.

Pretty simple, but very, very good. The black truffles added a ton to the dish--I guess I had never had real truffles on anything before. Solid start.

Course 2: Yellow tail sashimi in an aged olive oil, topped with a homemade sun dried tomato and a small arugula salad.

The sashimi was very good and the sun dried tomato was excellent.

Course 3: Pancetta wrapped prawn, stuffed with gorgonzola atop a bed of spinach and parmesan polenta.

Oh my goodness. One of the best single bites of food I have ever had. Just amazing.

Course 4: Braised short rib ravioli (hand made) in a tellagio cheese sauce.

I am a huge fan of short ribs and this did not disappoint. The cheese sauce is strong, so this was perfect to have in a tasting menu size. I could see a full dish being a little heavy and overpowering. But again, just awesome flavors.

Course 5: Seared Seabass with Buttered Green Beans drizzled with a 27 year olive oil.

Probably the most basic thing we had. A very good piece of fish, but almost a disappointment compared to everything else on the menu.

Course 6: Slow roasted pork loin with crispy pork belly and brussel sprouts.

Another wow! The slow roasted pork was excellent by itself, but when you combined it with the pork belly and the brussel sprouts (which had been cooked with the pork), the flavor just seemed to last and last.

Course 7 (dessert): Flourless chocolate cake topped with a homemade (through a liquid nitrogen process) vanilla bean gellato.

I wanted this to be about 5 times the size. The cake was melt in your mouth good (admittedly partially due to the molten center). The flavor was great. Perfect end to the meal.

I'm coming across like a total fan boy, but this is a meal I'll remember for a long time. I'll definitely go back to Firenze for a regular meal. It's in a convenient spot and has a neighborhood feel, very much in contrast to the trendy LA restaurant scene. I'd recommend it to any LA folks (it's on Lankershim between Moorpark and Ventura in Toluca Lake/Studio City).

[Coffee Warlord]

Damn, I'm jealous. I'da loved that.

[DaddyTorgo]

mmmm