rconnelly

back to the eels I laughed out loud when I saw the eels remembering a "Fraiser" when he and Niles bought a French restuarant. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong on their opening night including the chef and crew storming out. Niles had to cook eel and was freaking having no idea wat he was doing, then Daphne said something "Good Lord, give me a break." she then toook the eel swung it over her head a few times and then slammed the head against the counter. Poof, the eel was dead. It looses something in the telling but it is one of the funniest food scenes ever on TV. The whole episode was a scream.

I'm not sure that Jaimie's statement about "uninspiring" was during the exit interview. I suspect it was during what reality shows call a "confessional" that probably occurred just after the meal. That would be more typical. Participants are called over to an interview area away from the group and asked to give their top-of-the-mind thoughts or impressions. ← Yes, you really have to be careful about assuming that the timelines you see created in the editing of this show in any way reflects the actual course of events. Folks disecting these shows like to make a lot of reaction shots cut into a sequence, but unless they have a camera on every single person involved in this it's probably an editor's reimagining of events. And during Hosea's "interview" about the making out with Leah incident, he was shown in 3 different T-shirts during what was presented as one sequence. ← I don't think it matters when the interview was. Granted you don't have to be "inspired" by food just because of the rep of the chef, but her attitude and remarks showed narrow vision and a some arrogance. Both, of which, proved her downfall. She had a high opinon of her food, but if you think about it, any time she was asked to think outside the box and once the "average" chefs left, she had nothing to show.

i for one was happy to see Jamie go. she had an unrealistic appraisal of herself. Very little imagination, very caught up in chef speak. Her remarks about Ripert's food were inane, especially since she is the Queen of Scallops. Having said that I admire her for her parting remarks. she learned humility and will no doubt be a better chef because her vision has changed. + Just because you can cook well, it doesn't mean you are a good chef. Leah is next. I really think the top three last night will be the top three in the finals. Hosea is weaker than he comes across.

I'm actually surprised Jeff lasted as long as he did. He always over thought his work and then would get upset when the judges told him it was too much. I still like Fabio. I think this may be his turning point though. he puts out good but there's alway one element that brings him down. I used to like Leah, but she's just skating now and I think Hosea has an overblown image of himself. In spite of it all, I've learned to like Stefan, but i have a feeling he won't make it to the final three.

I may be wrong but with the exception of Marcel, the chefs that had a singular mission ie Jamie's "local and sustainable" song and dance, usually don't make it into the finals.

I think Stefan, Jamie and Hosea are the three best chefs remaining. Obviously there is an element of luck, and the best person does not always win, but I would not be shocked to see him in the finals. Carla, Leah and Fabio seem the least likely to be there, and I would put Jeff somewhere in the middle. ← Radika copped out of her job. She deserved to go. I think either Carls or Leah are next' leah mostly because she seems to be phining it it. I'd rather see Fabio over Jamie. He made a major differnce last night in the win. Jeff is just so bland. Jamie is just too full of her self and seems to cook the same thing over and over again. I hope she leaves soon.

Notice was given last week about the closing of a longtime flagship Tucson restaurant, Terra Cotta. Chef Donna Nordin and husband Don Luria opened Cafe Terra Cotta 22 years ago. It put Tucson on the culinary map. Nordin, a frontrunner of Southwest cuisine, changed the way people ate in Tucson. Today, son Michael ans his wife Maya manage the place. When they opened the only other place of the same caliber was Janos. Today the competition is stiffer and of course the economy played a major part. Terra Cotta will shutter Jan 31st. We bid the Luria family the best and thank them for 22 amazing year.

Yeah, I'm galds Gene and Melissa are gone as well. Everytime Gene brainstormed it was "let's do sushi!' Melissa just didn't seem to have anything to offer either.

Just as a note: the Southwest from whence she came is hardly barren. Barbara lived in Tucson which is in the lush Sonoran desert. Yes, it's dry and it would've been harder to try what she did in Appalachia, but the desert here is utterly beautiful and filled with all sorts of cactus, bushes, trees etc. The Native Americans lived for centurys on what foods they found in the desert.

kind of odd they'd use someone who is considered a "failure" by his peers to be a judge.

My money is on Ripert.

she seems to do a lot of "cream" stuff.

But this was live on the Today Show; certainly a different standard. Okay everyone, who is out tonight?

She spit it out because she is an ditz. She could've done it with a bit more subtlety, but that is not her style.

1) I might have served an egg drop soup out of the shells. 2) The things are so big that you could poach one and use the whites as a wrap for somethng else. ← A updated fried egg sandwich? a croque madam? Then it would've stretched further and all kinds of goodies could've been added.

agreed. If she had sounded the least bit coherant she would still be there. Plus, it's always going to be a pressured situation. That's the name of the game......well actually it's Top Chef but you know what I mean.

I was there the same day. but I did get the veggies. Who knows? Where were you seated? ← We were the second group of two from the back, so the 3rd and 4th people from the end. Wonder what the deal was, certainly no one tried to stop us or mention it or anything. Seemed tacky to inquire, but now I think we should have. ← We were in seats 5 & 6, right next to the four who were trying to take pictures. Fab meal!

It's been happening in Tucson now for over a year. The food section is maybe 2 pages. It's a damn shame.

just finished Marcella's memoir. A little disappointed. She doesn't come across as very warm and her husband...well I don't think I like him one bit.

I was there the same day. but I did get the veggies. Who knows? Where were you seated?

It is getting near... we're leaving next Saturday, Sep 20! here's the new and updated and improved version of the itinerary: Phoenix Prescott Sedona Flagstaff Grand Canyon Cameron Kanab or Page (Antelope Canyon looks enticing, but it may be too much of a detour) Bryce Torrey Bluff or Blanding Monument Valley Durango Santa Fe Silver City Tombstone Phoenix We've booked a couple of hotels but not all of them, and we have a day or 3 undecided so we can always stay somewhere longer or make a detour. Can''t wait!! I'm trying to stay away from the computer as much as possible while on vacation, but I promise you all a nice big fat trip report loaded with pictures when we come back ← What? No tucson?

Apparently, the Leawood location will open in July at 4579 W. 119th Street Leawood, KS 66209. (P: 913.232.5191 F: 913.232.5195) (across from the Crate & Barrel) ← There's also NoRTH tucson, which was the second one built. I actually like it a lot, but there are uaualy some service issues. Never go to as restaurant the first month it is open, you won't get the true feel. Give it awhile to settle in and I think you'll find it to your liking.'They have a pretty clever wine program if the guys down here are doing it for the place in Kansas as well.

http://www.vintagecookbook.com/ and another

http://www.oldcookbooks.com/ Here's the site.

I think if you google "old cookbooks" you'll find a site that had all sorts of old cookbooks, them cookbooks, advertising cookbooks etc. I wish I could be more specific.