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That's because she's one of those middle dwellers that never get any feed back.

Those dishes are insane...so many components. I would be sitting there asking what every little thing was.

Yeah, that guy is a pompous douche bag. He makes me cringe.

Nice job, still looks pretty tasty to me. I also looked at the recipe and was baffled by the fact they didn't include cooking times. What kind of recipe IS that?

I KNOW! She's in the bottom almost every week, she loses almost every quick fire, and yet she's somehow still here!!!! I think this is a major failing in the show, the fact that someone can consistently cook crap and still remain week after week. I predict she'll be gone within the next two episodes.

Just finished the episode. HOW IS NIKKI STILL THERE!!!! GOD! She's truly awful. I'm pretty glad to see Ryan leave though, he's pretty much the definition of sycophant douche bag. As far as Mark goes, I think he has some potential still.

Imitation Breakfast Syrup vs. Real Maple Syrup Generic Sliced Bacon vs. Double Applewood Smoked Berkshire Slab Bacon Farmed Salmon vs. Wild Atlantic Salmon Imitation Crab Pieces vs. Jumbo Lump Crab Meat Hershey Bar vs. Valrhona Chocolate Generic Supermarket Unsalted Butter vs. Plugra Deli Cheddar vs. English Cheddar Generic Soy Sauce vs. Small Batch Artisan Soy Sauce Boxed Sake vs. Junmai Daiginjo Sake Lumpfish Roe vs. American Sturgeon Caviar Generic Commercial Pork Chop vs. Organic Kurabuta Pork Chop Generic Commercial Chicken Breast vs. Organic, Free Range Chicken Breast Cheap Parmesan Cheese vs. Parmigiano Reggiano Supermarket Pate vs. Country Pate with Black Truffles Generic Olive Oil vs. Small Batch Artisan Olive Oil blog ← DAMN YOU!!!! you beat me to it!

after watching this a second time, i really wonder about this, too. dale said he knows and loves caviar, and yet he missed that one. on closer inspection, the caviars they used were in the neighborhood of $3 and $17 an ounce....something along the lines of "bad and badder", perhaps? ← That caviar one was stupid. How are you supposed to distinguish between two shit caviars?

I was wondering the same thing!

That was Ken, and it was hilarious.

Cat Cora worked in her families restaurant most of her youth, She had her own restaurant. It is named Postino. It's located in Lafayette Californina. Her co/owners loved her being involved with Food network (free publicity) but hated when she had to travel to East Coast. She kindly sold her partnership and is involved in "many" things that are not "celebrity chef" based. She created Chefs for Humanity (Look it up, and get involved), She is the head chef for BonApetitie magazine, is working on a concept restaurant with Macy's, and is very involved in the raising of her two small children and Yes, she is the first Female Iron Chef. I think people judge her to harshly! Why don't you come down and actually watch a filming of ICA? it is open to the public....You can even hang out afterwards and say hello, and You can see what those of us who have met her know. She is talented, kind, hardworking and yes, very competitive, Food network tends to edit out all of the smiling and joking that goes on during a taping of Iron Chef America. They like her to look tuff and to come off as a bit of a hard ass. I think a few of you should get all of the facts. ← Are you sure the filmings are open to the public? From my knowledge, only insiders and friends and family get to watch.

"The Moron Test" has been a theory of mine since the show's conception. I honestly think they look for the most incompetent people they can find, with the exception maybe for Rock from last season, he must have been a mistake.

Just watched the first episode. Same old stuff, though a lot more spitting and throwing...The vomiting scene seemed extremely over-dramatized. Either he has a weak stomach or he's very good at spewing on command. Nonetheless, I'll continue to watch the slaughter unfold, unable to look away. I don't understand why I'm drawn to this show.

It's a garnish for one of the dishes.

I agree. I was just curious if there was some other significance to it.

No, but I think I want to.

I've been wondering this for awhile. When I visit pretty much any barbecue joint here in Kansas City I always receive a small pile of pickles with my meal. Does anyone know the origin or the reason for this practice? I always eat them, but they never cease to puzzle me.

That is sad news...I really enjoyed that place.

The product placement was taken to a completely new level of absurdity tonight. Did anyone notice how they were given phones so they could be filmed TEXTING between cars? The situation was ridiculous I started laughing out loud. Add that to shots of Dixie cups and KC Masterpiece, and you have one big commercial....And yet, I can't stop watching.

Technically speaking, corn is a starch. My mom does the same, though. She'll make corn but then will also make another veggie dish. Is it an Old School thing? The thing that drives me crazy is [sTANDS ON SOAPBOX] when someone brings doughnuts to my workplace. Invariably, someone will take half a doughnut. Half. Not the entire thing. C'mon, people! Channel your inner Homer and take the entire freakin' doughnut! Is it really that difficult?! Do you really think someone else is going to come along and take that remaining half of a doughtnut that you tore in half with your fingers that have been typing on your computer keyboard or dialing your phone. Have you ever stopped and looked at how dirty the number pad is on your office phone? And you used those same fingers to tear that dinky little dougnut in half and expect someone else to eat the remains because you just can't bring yourself to eat an entire doughnut? Grow some stones and take the entire doughnut back to your cubicle! Then eat half and throw the other half away if you don't want it. We don't want it either. Thank you. [DISMOUNTS SOAPBOX]. ← NICE. I too am pissed off by this occurrence. I actually saw someone doing it once and made them take the whole thing. I think they were a little annoyed, but I didn't care. It felt good to be a doughnut nazi.

Watched the Japan episode. Very Nice. Then again, I could watch a whole episode with nothing but food porn shots of sushi.

I totally noticed it. I guess the director's rendition of amuse bouche! I liked the zoo challenge quite a bit, even if it was a bit contrived. Totally noticed a whole new Andrew. Weird, I think the old one returns next week tough. And, it looks like a dustup for sure next week. I was quite entertained last night and am still waiting for Padma to ask someone "you expected me to taste it? And you didn't?!!?" Rick Bayless should notch it up a bit next week. ← Andrew must be taking his meds.

I LOVE game. I go for it whenever I can because of its "distinctive" flavor and the fact that I never cook it at home.

Excellent post. Your writing matches your awesome photography. Happy 30th!

I like that Andrew guy. He seems really quirky and fairly talented. That Erik guy looks like the new Mikey.