300 replies to this topic

[annabelle]

Well, Dave it sounds like you need to make your concerns known to Bravo.

I think that Top Chef as a franchise is done in my house. I liked Top Chef Masters and I'll watch that if they bring it back and it doesn't get stupid right out of the gate. In the meantime, we're watching the Worst Cook in America on the Food Network on Sunday nights. It's hosted by Ann Burrell (ick) and Bobby Flay this year.

[gfweb]

I'm constantly wondering why Bravo even puts a title on Top Chef. Why would you name the season Top Chef Texas and have the finale thousands of miles to the Northwest?

I don't know why people still harp on about this given that this has happened every season since the beginning of the show. The standard format is that they cook in the titular place until it's winnowed to the final X, everyone takes a big break and the finals are cooked in another location, after the season has started airing.

And I've constantly harped about it since season 1.

Texas paid the money, it gets a title spot.

[Kafka Zola]

Well, that was a disappointment. I've never disliked -- nay, loathed -- a contestant on any show, in any field, as much as I do Sarah. I can't see past her revolting bullying, maliciousness and hypocrisy to even appreciate her food. For someone who was so quick to mock and viciously attack Beverly for only making Asian food, her insistence on making only Italian food drives me batty.

This episode also made me question, again, last week when TPTB decided not to provide Beverly any of the Asian ingredients necessary to create her typical flavours. I really think she was at an unfair disadvantage. Intentionally so, since Sarah was not so handicapped. And then, lo' and behold, this episode when there is no Beverly, the quick fire suddenly involves Asian masters. Hm.... For the first time, I really suspect some manipulation by the Magic Elves for maximum drama. I realize that sounds completely insane, and it probably is. I'm sorry. Clearly, rationality has flown out the window and been replaced by the blinding, seething hatred of a thousand corrosive suns. On that note, I'm going to take a very necessary chill pill.

[Jaymes]

Gotta admire Sarah's humility. She said she always knew Paul would be in the final, too.

As opposed, I suppose, to her just being awarded the top prize by unanimous acclaim.

[hsm]

Based on how Tom gazes as Sarah, he might be ok with that.

[Jaymes]

This episode also made me question, again, last week when TPTB decided not to provide Beverly any of the Asian ingredients necessary to create her typical flavours. I really think she was at an unfair disadvantage.

Padma's reaction at Bev's departure made me wonder about that very thing. Padma seemed genuinely moved, more so than I think I've ever seen. I think she had probably seen some of the footage of Sarah et al being so unkind to Bev, but it's also possible that there were some behind-the-scenes collusion regarding who would stay and who would go, just for dramatic purposes.

The disclaimer clearly states that those decisions are not just up to the judges; but rather, that the producers also have a say.

Of course, Padma's reaction might have been edited to look as though she was upset at Bev's departure, but it could be that she was upset about something else entirely.

Who knows.

[Twyst]

Evidently the state of Texas doesn't have a venue worthy of the finals for Top Chef Texas.

The finals have never been in the same state as the rest of the series.


In other news, congrats to Paul on his nomination for Best Chef southwest by the james beard foundation.


.

Edited by Twyst, 23 February 2012 - 09:20 AM.

[Holly Moore]

I'm not sure, but don't recall if the previous Top Chef seasons included the location as part of the name. They taped in specific cities, but did the title identify with that city?

In any event, this was the first time it was about a state and moved between cities. Despite the absence of "chicken-fried" I figured this season would be all about Texas from start to finish.

[gfweb]

I think Tom likes Sarah.

[Kafka Zola]

Padma's reaction at Bev's departure made me wonder about that very thing. Padma seemed genuinely moved, more so than I think I've ever seen. I think she had probably seen some of the footage of Sarah et al being so unkind to Bev, but it's also possible that there were some behind-the-scenes collusion regarding who would stay and who would go, just for dramatic purposes.

The disclaimer clearly states that those decisions are not just up to the judges; but rather, that the producers also have a say.

Of course, Padma's reaction might have been edited to look as though she was upset at Bev's departure, but it could be that she was upset about something else entirely.

Jaymes, I noticed that too. Given how much of an ice queen Padma usually is, it was quite stunning to see her with tears welling up in her eyes. I doubt it was mere editing tricks as Padma never seems particularly moved by anything. CJ's departure some seasons back was the only other time I noticed some visible emotion but it was never to this degree. I think the judges know full well what Beverly was subjected to: Gail implicitly indicated as such when she commented that Beverly may want to stab 2 particular people, and Tom's comments in LCK told me he knew too.

Slightly OT, The Daily Meal's list of the top 101 best restaurants for 2012 puts Sarah's Spiaggia at #59. Stephanie Izard's "Girl & The Goat" is listed at #23. I'm happy she's done so well. Better than any of the other Top Chef winners, in fact. It seems to me that there was the least amount of fanfare about Stephanie Izard winning Top Chef and the show has not really played a part in her success. Past winners or chefs seem much more associated with the show in people's minds (like the Voltaggio brothers or Richard Blais). And yet, Stephanie has done better than all of them. Hm....

Full List. (In case anyone is curious, Le Bernadin is #1, Alinea is #2, French Laundry #5.)

[annabelle]

I think Tom likes Sarah.

Tom is a chubby chaser, eh?

I'm just glad the Sarah one is out and I still think Beverly was robbed. I have to agree with whoever it was who said upthread that they weren't going to let Beverly into the final three period. I agree with Jaymes that there was more going on that they let us know with the decision to let Beverly go last week. And last night, the first words out of Sarah's mouth were that she was so glad Beverly wasn't there (at the Asian venue) "because she would have killed it", meaning she would have waxed the floor with the rest of them.

I feel cheated about not getting to see Beverly go the distance since I thought she was really starting to shine and her confidence was growing stronger and so were her dishes. The rest of the contestants are a bunch of whiners and I'm tired of them.

[Slamdunkpro]

I think Tom likes Sarah.

Tom is a chubby chaser, eh?

You might be on to something here. Remember how he threw every break possible at Tiffany in season 1?

Edited by Slamdunkpro, 23 February 2012 - 01:08 PM.

[gfweb]

That's right about Tiffany!

Tom likes beef.

Edited by gfweb, 23 February 2012 - 01:58 PM.

[Kafka Zola]

But hates decorative greens. And Okra. And butternut squash mixed with tomatoes. And.... and...

Is it just me or does Tom seem to have more obsessive tics or quirky dislikes this season than before? It's as if he simply cannot get past the use of a particular ingredient. But, if you use coconut, by GOD, you bloody well better use enough to drown someone in the flavour!

[annabelle]

Tom has always been a picky jerk. I remember him going off about contestants using canned beans. Quelle horreur! I mean really, they have a half hour to shop and an hour to prep and cook. Who the hell is going to risk making proper beans in 40 minutes?

Stir in the fact that he and the other judges have polar opposite tastes in some things and, well, what's a chef to do?

Edited by annabelle, 23 February 2012 - 03:48 PM.

[gfweb]

I remember that bean issue. Given the circumstances he was FOS.

I've eaten in one of his places in NYC. I was unimpressed. Tortellini appetizer was undercooked (pre-aldente) and the meat was underseasoned and a little overcooked.

[Kafka Zola]

Annabelle, I think the canned bean thing is understandable. It's consistent with his preference for fresh or from scratch at all times; if you can't use fresh ingredients, his view is to change your plan and opt to cook something else. But the way he went on (and on)(and ON) about Grayson's combination of butternut squash with tomatoes..... You would have thought she'd used twinkies with arsenic!

I feel cheated about not getting to see Beverly go the distance since I thought she was really starting to shine and her confidence was growing stronger and so were her dishes.

I feel exactly the same way. I have a tendency to root for the underdog but in Beverly's case, it's that I relate as well. I was badly bullied when I was young and first came to this country. I was 12 at a NY girl's school and very different (in part because I'd never gone to school before and in part because I was so foreign). Those girls made my life a living hell which took me years to get over, but at least they were 12. WTH is Sarah's excuse? She clearly hasn't grown up but how could she have so little empathy? Even if Beverly is slightly different in her cooking style, shouldn't there be some sympathy for a fellow female chef, one who was badly abused in a past relationship and was clearly impacted as a result?

It will be interesting to see how Sarah will justifies and excuses her actions at the Top Chef reunion special. I suspect it will the BS excuse of "we were all tired and stressed." Which I don't believe at all because she hadn't changed one whit after the long break between regular taping and the finals. As she said in last night's episode, referencing the final 3 and no Beverly, "THIS is how it was supposed to be."

I hope Paul leaves her in the dust.

Edited by Kafka Zola, 23 February 2012 - 04:24 PM.

[annabelle]

So, the previews of the finale show the chopped chefs helping with prep. I hope Lindsay gets stuck with Keith. And that Paul gets Bev FTW!

[teapot]

I agree that TC has jumped the shark, but rumor has it the next season will be Top Chef Seattle. And since I live in Seattle I am doomed to watch it. I can only imagine the cliche vignettes...Padma handling a geoduck, cooking planked salmon in an Indian village, throwing fish at Pike Place Market, the wild mushroom quickfire . . .

[annabelle]

You just know there is going to be fish throwing at Pike Place. In fact, there will probably be a challenge where they have to throw the fish into their Toyota (name of current model being plugged) filled with Glad bags.

Maybe Tom will agree to literally jump a shark?

Edited by annabelle, 26 February 2012 - 05:03 PM.

[David Ross]

Well, if anyone really thinks they actually sell the salmon they throw, then I have a Top Chef cookbook I'll sell ya.

[gfweb]

Maybe Tom will agree to literally jump a shark?

More on Tom's, uh, preferences?

[annabelle]

Tom has said he digs fishin'. Knowwhatimean?

[weinoo]

You know what...I'd like to see servers serve from the left. Just sayin...

[gfweb]

Good ending.

[weinoo]

Ding dong...

[Kafka Zola]

Well, I'm very relieved I didn't have to throw something at my television. But I swear, I thought it was going to go the other way. I have to say, BOTH menus looked fantastic.

For those who didn't watch it, the Watch What Happens show had a few interesting tidbits. The number of people whom the chefs served over the course of the season was over 1500! And, as I guessed earlier, Sarah strongly implied that it was the fault of editing and stress which made her appear as she did. BTW, if anyone is in Chicago, she is planning on serving her full Top Chef menu very soon at Spiaggia.

[Brown Hornet]

I was glad that Paul won, but seeing both finalists knock it out of the park just reminded me how terrible the challenges have been this season.

[teapot]

The challenges were pretty bad this season (but not so bad as when they were locked inside a Target store for the night). I did like the way they selected their sous chefs last night.

Congrats Paul - I suspect the judges gave him the nod on the basis of his whole performance over the season and not that one dinner.

[David Ross]

My early favorite is Paul. I mean really, how can you not root for a guy who wins with Brussels Sprouts?

Hmm. Is that what I prophetically said on December 2?