Top Chef: Boston

[Lisa Shock]

I've been thinking about this, and, I suspect that the challenge was a bit unfair to the contestants. (unless they were to take a lot of liberties with the recipes) The book they had to work with was designed for home cooks putting out meals for 2-4 people. -Not what was present at the judging table plus the one for the camera. Some of the book's recipes are for things like sauteed steaks (bad idea because it would be difficult to to 8+ at once) as Dougie discovered, and others are braises and such but, once again we are talking a lot of prep and a larger pot which takes longer to get to temperature -and three hours just isn't enough time, especially with it broken into parts. I know you could say this about any challenge, but, pre-nouvelle french cooking can be complex. So, kudos to those in the top, they solved a complex problem.

[Brown Hornet]

_{We ended up with the final 4 I was pulling for all season and they didn't disappoint.  It was good to see Doug make a strong comeback.  It's tough when someone goes home for a strong dish, but episodes like this are Top Chef at its best.  Between Doug/Mei/Gregory I couldn't begin to pick a favorite, I just hope the last two episodes are as strong as this one.} 

Edited January 29, 2015 by Brown Hornet (log)

[Lisa Shock]

Doug did a great job, overall, I am pleased with the outcome.

 

BTW, I discovered that another show was filmed in the Boston studio...*drumroll*...Top Chef: Estrellas, Segunda Temporada!

I've been watching these online and OnDemand, pretty goofy stuff compared to the original. -Like how at the beginning of episode 1, everyone seems to know everyone else and there's lots of hugging and kissing -instead of bragging and snide remarks. But, it's fun.

[huiray]

http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/eat-and-drink/eat-beat/articles/exit-interview-doug-adams-february-2015

[Brown Hornet]

Thanks for the link huiray -- nice interview.

 

Sorry Doug didn't make it, still seems weird that he got dinged more for the Escamole dish vs. a fancy guac but that's Top Chef for you.  Gregory and Mei were the two front runners most of the season, so I think it will be a great finale tonight. 

 

Overall, I think this has been a pretty enjoyable season largely because the final 6-7 chefs were all high quality competitors/chefs and rootable.  No real flukes slipped through to the finals as in some years past.  I'd rank this season well above the bottom seasons -- Texas/DC/NYC -- and just above the recent seasons in Seattle and NOLA.  I frankly enjoyed the new streamlined judging format and hope they continue that in future seasons.

[lindag]

I'd forgotten just how bad that Texas Top Chef was!

[gfweb]

So they had a balloon fly them across town to a predetermined spot where Tom and padma were waiting?  Didn't think balloons were that precise.

 

Elf magic?

[huiray]

Mei Lin is Top Chef Season 12.  Well done.

 

I note she calls Michael Voltaggio with the news.  He and his brother is her family, really, after all.

[huiray]

Glad Gregory did not win.

 

But I note that George did his part (as one of Gregory's sous chefs) perfectly and turned out very-well executed octopus.  I will be glad to eat at George's place, and Mei's when she (eventually) sets hers up. (Doug's too, especially that "hunting lodge" he dreams about)

[gfweb]

I'm the opposite. I wish Gregory had not screwed up the fish.  His food looked tastier and more fun. I'd go to his resto...probably not Mei's

[Brown Hornet]

I'm surprised folks feel that strongly between Mei and Gregory.  I thought both were strong contenders and acquitted themselves well in the finale.  I was slightly pulling for Gregory, but wasn't surprised that Mei won based on the judge's comments.

 

A 4 course meal based on the best dishes tonight would be pretty awesome:  Gregory's Octopus -- Mei's Congee -- Gregory's Short Rib Mole -- and Mei's dessert.

[Toliver]

So "Top Chef: Boston" held its finale in Mexico.

The Bostonians who negotiated and paid big bucks to bring Top Chef to Boston must have been just thrilled with that decision.

[Brown Hornet]

Every season of Top Chef has had its finale in a different location than the rest of the season and the finale is typically shot well after the regular season is filmed.  Cities that vie to host Top Chef know full well that it doesn't include the finale.

[Lisa Shock]

And, Boston did get to host two series' instead of most cities hosting just the one. They got a lot of exposure for their investment.

[huiray]

Interview with Mei Lin.

 

http://www.eater.com/2015/6/25/8838015/mei-lin-top-chef-new-restaurant-los-angeles

[huiray]

On 8/22/2014 at 6:36 PM, huiray said:

It seems there was a kerfuffle with the Teamsters.

 

http://deadline.com/2014/08/padma-lakshmi-boston-teamsters-attack-top-chef-820137/

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2014/08/20/source-close-bravo-confirms-account-teamsters-harassment-during-top-chef-taping/CPgggD1JbQZPO5cDDOUjtK/story.html

http://eater.com/archives/2014/08/21/was-padma-lakshmi-attacked-by-the-boston-teamsters.php

 

On 8/23/2014 at 8:21 PM, IndyRob said:

 

Impossible.  The Teamsters would never do anything untoward.

 

http://www.eater.com/2015/12/30/10689958/top-chef-boston-teamsters-emails-abor-dispute 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/12/29/mails-show-effort-boston-union-and-officials-quell-labor-flap/tEmJvR9vpFS7NS3irBs2NJ/story.html 

http://boston.eater.com/2015/10/1/9431955/teamsters-indicted-alleged-top-chef-extortion 

 

As noted before...lots of bullies in Boston, and folks who think their way is the only way...and that may not apply just to Teamsters.

 

(For starters, the Lowells talked only to the Cabots and the Cabots talked only to God...and more common folks carried on that mind set to the present day)