GBM 2009

[SaladFingers]

Does seem like the experienced GBM chefs have a better idea of what the judges are looking for. I think this time round you're going to get penalised for being too fancy (unfortunately).

[Timothy Burke]

Does seem like the experienced GBM chefs have a better idea of what the judges are looking for. I think this time round you're going to get penalised for being too fancy (unfortunately).

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I think some chefs have realised that while it might be nice to win, you've a week of prime time to promote your restaurant (how many times has AM mentioned he's in Reading?) and you might as well showcase your own style rather than compromise to try and match the supposed criteria.

[Roger le goéland]

Absolutely, Midsummer House visit is much overdue... thanks for reminding me Mr Clifford.

[jackal10]

It does raise an interesting question about style, maybe a seperate thread.

I'm not sure its an advantage to have 6 different things on a plate, in the current fashion, with dots of sauce not big enough to taste.

I would rather have them for example. as seperate courses, or even seperate meals. For example in the main course yesterday I did not see how the suet pudding enhanced the roast pork. .

"Fait simple" as the great master has it.

[Gary Marshall]

Does seem like the experienced GBM chefs have a better idea of what the judges are looking for. I think this time round you're going to get penalised for being too fancy (unfortunately).

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I think some chefs have realised that while it might be nice to win, you've a week of prime time to promote your restaurant (how many times has AM mentioned he's in Reading?) and you might as well showcase your own style rather than compromise to try and match the supposed criteria.

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Bingo, it's reservations book viagra

[david goodfellow]

And??????????????????

The best man won, or should I say the best menu won.

Funny how the vote was split.

Just goes to show how opinions differ.

Take for instance one very successful restaurateur like Oliver Peyton, and, one very highly respected food critic like Matthew Fort.

Do they not see eye to eye on some dishes, they seem poles apart, or is it just a bit of a personality clash that influences their decisions?

[genuineness]

And??????????????????

The best man won, or should I say the best menu won.

Funny how the vote was split.

Just goes to show how opinions differ.

Take for instance one very successful restaurateur like Oliver Peyton, and, one very highly respected food critic like Matthew Fort.

Do they not see eye to eye on some dishes, they seem poles apart, or is it just a bit of a personality clash that influences their decisions?

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Their clash almost seems scripted - otherwise it would be three bumbling old people agreeing about the same things.

I also felt that the best menu won - that cheese and pickle sandwich was simply wrong for so many reasons and I was telling J when the Salmon dish was prepared that the beetroot powder was there for a show of technique.

That said, Kitchin's kedgeree was downright boring. It wasn't even a modern take on the dish itself e.g. Howard's (the Square) version of kedgeree would be something more appealing to me.

[Gary Marshall]

i think i'd trust my cat's palette over oliver peyton's.

I think the panel could do with a revamp fort's the only one with any credibility.

Peyton acts like a two year old forced to eat veg, bleurgh don't like it etc etc

[LizzyWizzy]

Is it just me or is this week very very disappointing so far?

The only thing remotley exciting is Marcus slamming them both and them taking it like little commis chefs, grow some balls gents!!!!!!!

Have they not both got stars and voices?

[ginger chef]

little suprised too, kenny was my sous and had no problems speaking up. Marcus telling them their food is to simple on day 1 was strange as all he did was a custard tart !! have nt watched tonights yet but will probably be the last week i watch it as it seems really repetitive and scripted and the food is a bad reflection of some very good chefs, clifford and muchison got it right in using it as an advert for their places

[olicollett]

I've been disappointed with this week as well. I was also confused as to why Marcus Wareing was in the kitchen for the "North-East" region until I remembered that the previous years just had the "North"!

Gary - I quite agree with regards to Peyton, he does frustrate me. I'm sure there are better options out there to judge the competition.

[david goodfellow]

little suprised too, kenny was my sous and had no problems speaking up. Marcus telling them their food is to simple on day 1 was strange as all he did was a custard tart !! have nt watched tonights yet but will probably be the last week i watch it as it seems really repetitive and scripted and the food is a bad reflection of some very good chefs, clifford and muchison got it right in using it as an advert for their places

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What,your going to miss Clare Smyth next week?

I know your a big fan of RHR, I read your comments on the "other" forum.

She did'n't spill the beans on your recent visit did she? lol.

[food1]

If anybody looks like they could with decent meal, its got to be Peyton! I do wonder just how much the show is scripted, in light of the fact that the judges all seem to be in the dark as to what chef as cooked what!!! Its so blinking obvious. I also agree with ginger chefs comments.

Edited April 15, 2009 by food1 (log)

[RedRum]

this week has been very boring... the food uninspiring, the chefs not witty, the only thing that interested me was how the red wine sauce was made for the beef dish...

whose up next week?

[david goodfellow]

this week has been very boring... the food uninspiring, the chefs not witty, the only thing that interested me was how the red wine sauce was made for the beef dish...

whose up next week?

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Oh I tell you what though, Marcus Waring has tasted a few good things in his time, and by all accounts that beef was divine!

Wish it were on my table now!

Danny Millar and Clare Smyth (Gordon Ramsay RHR)

Should be a good bit of banter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RedRum]

That is a good lineup.

I was a bit curious when MW was telling the chefs off on how simple their dishes were, while he cooked a custard tart, but I then checked his whole menu for the competition and it was awesome. Menu structure is very important, and if you have very complicated and extravagant dishes for starter, fish, main, I guess you could have something simple (yet delicious) for a dessert. I have to admit that custard tart is my favourite dessert, and have used his recipe to cook it. If myself can make it taste so good, I cannot imagine how good his was

[genuineness]

this week has been very boring... the food uninspiring, the chefs not witty, the only thing that interested me was how the red wine sauce was made for the beef dish...

whose up next week?

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Agreed, I mean... Fish Pie??? What next? Fish Fingers??? Oh wait... they did that last year...

Oh I tell you what though, Marcus Waring has tasted a few good things in his time, and by all accounts that beef was divine!

Wish it were on my table now!

Danny Millar and Clare Smyth (Gordon Ramsay RHR)

Should be a good bit of banter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I hope the beef Wareing tasted is better than the beef he uses in his restaurant and tempts him to change his supplier.

This week has so far turned out to be MW appreciation week I wouldn't be surprised if he was named the winner.

[cfm]

Tom Kitchin on the other hand seems really down to earth,and a thoroughly nice bloke.

Everybody likes a nice guy!

Would love to taste both dishes.

Toms dish appeals to me most, though!

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No problem with tasting Tom's dish if you make a quick booking at the Kitchen - he is runnning his winning dishes as a £60 menu.

Catherine

edit: oops, the Kitchin, obviously - who knows what there is to eat at "the Kitchen"

Edited April 17, 2009 by cfm (log)

[david goodfellow]

Tom Kitchin on the other hand seems really down to earth,and a thoroughly nice bloke.

Everybody likes a nice guy!

Would love to taste both dishes.

Toms dish appeals to me most, though!

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No problem with tasting Tom's dish if you make a quick booking at the Kitchen - he is runnning his winning dishes as a £60 menu.

Catherine

edit: oops, the Kitchin, obviously - who knows what there is to eat at "the Kitchen"

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Sadly it will have to wait a while.

Five and a half hours by car( google maps) is indeed a special journey.

Perhaps I'll check out Easyjet?

All I seem to be doing of late is covering huge distances to eat food.

Nothing wrong with that I suppose, could be worse, I could be working.

Seems to me that I ought to combine a visit to both Kitchin,& Kitching, but Paul is not open yet!

Of course you lucky Scots have a wealth of fine dining in that wonderful city of yours.

Very Happy Dining.

[david goodfellow]

Am really hoping tonights contestants will keep us entertained,food and personality wise.

Danny Millar seams to come across as an easy going type of guy.

Are we going to see Clare Smyth portrayed as some kind of ?

Lets hope there is a bit of edge between them.

Stargazy pie man Mark Hix is overseeing next weeks show,featuring Michelin heavyweight Nathan Outlaw against another Michelin man Shaun Rankin for the south west heat.

Looking forward to that one, quite a bit.

[david goodfellow]

All seemed a bit tame in there tonight, very simple food,

What do you think of it?

Its got to be all down to flavour me thinks, no fancy cheffy stuff.

[SaladFingers]

Tonights was a bit frustrating. It was the equivilent of watching someone make a bowl of cereal. Clare Smyth is head chef of a 3 star restaurant and I really want to see what she can do but the nature of the programme stifles that. At least it gives a few recipe ideas.

[thampik]

Well done to Clare Smyth for deciding to participate, don't you think? Massive pressure with her being the first 3* chef (I think that's right) on the show and going up against a guy who does not have any stars. And in this years' competition, the playing field is really levelled......

[david goodfellow]

Tonights was a bit frustrating. It was the equivilent of watching someone make a bowl of cereal. Clare Smyth is head chef of a 3 star restaurant and I really want to see what she can do but the nature of the programme stifles that. At least it gives a few recipe ideas.

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I totally agree, the only way to sample her food is an expensive trip to Royal Hospital Road.

Must admit though, its not been on my to visit list, but then again The Fat Duck was'n't either, but thats fast approaching now.

Going to buy some trotters, bet there cheap as chips, and bags of flavour.

[LizzyWizzy]

Tonights was a bit frustrating. It was the equivilent of watching someone make a bowl of cereal. Clare Smyth is head chef of a 3 star restaurant and I really want to see what she can do but the nature of the programme stifles that. At least it gives a few recipe ideas.

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I totally agree, the only way to sample her food is an expensive trip to Royal Hospital Road.

Must admit though, its not been on my to visit list, but then again The Fat Duck was'n't either, but thats fast approaching now.

Going to buy some trotters, bet there cheap as chips, and bags of flavour.

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Probably about a £ each David

Is it really her food at RHR?