Top Chef Thread

[RhodyYanksFan]

Plus I am going to enjoy them to be doing it in my 'hood.

What does the city have to do with the competition?

[OlgMvp]

I think it is going to be tough for this season's chefs to compete with those top four that you listed. But that doesn't mean the season won't be fun. It always is.

Plus I am going to enjoy them to be doing it in my 'hood.

Angelo and Kenny seem to be top notch, at least I think his name is Ken, right? It's hard to grasp all their names after just one episode.

[NYDCYankee]

What does the city have to do with the competition?

Well, pretty much every time they do competitions out in the city at events, or at popular restaurants or venues. They also sometimes work with local chefs.

And since its DC they are including a political angle, so there is that too.

[OlgMvp]

Looks like Angelo's a real dick. Trying to get Kenny sent home in that team challenge, knowing he had immunity.

Seems like there will be some heat this year.

[NYDCYankee]

Yeah, I agree. Last night was a good episode, I felt like a few of the contestants really stepped up last night. And their weren't very many bad dishes for a difficult challenge.

[Eldee5]

Looks like Angelo's a real dick. Trying to get Kenny sent home in that team challenge, knowing he had immunity.

Seems like there will be some heat this year.

Hey, it's a reality competition show, made to look like a cooking show. He knows that Kenny's his main competition. That's been pretty clear from the get-go. If he had the possible opportunity to knock him out early on, you can't blame him for taking it. The producers love when stuff like this happens.

[BobLoblaw]

It seems like Angelo is going to make it to the end, and of course he's an insufferable D-bag. I'm not looking forward to suffering through a whole season of him

[OlgMvp]

It seems like Angelo is going to make it to the end, and of course he's an insufferable D-bag. I'm not looking forward to suffering through a whole season of him

Could be this seasons stefan

[JL25and3]

The show needs a good dickhead. The first few seasons they had Stefan, Hung, Marcel...since then, not much.

[NYDCYankee]

The show needs a good dickhead. The first few seasons they had Stefan, Hung, Marcel...since then, not much.

I thought the Volt brothers were dicks. But mostly just to each other.

[OlgMvp]

I thought the Volt brothers were dicks. But mostly just to each other.

Yeah, they were a classic sibling rivalry. Michael was a bit of a dick to Robyn in restaurant wars. He kept messing with her dessert. Both the brothers kinda ganged up on her. I still can't believe how far she made it in the Vegas season, she pretty much sucked all season.

[BobLoblaw]

The show needs a good dickhead. The first few seasons they had Stefan, Hung, Marcel...since then, not much.

I liked Hung and Marcel but damn this Angelo fellow is really pressing my buttons so far lol

[JL25and3]

I thought the Volt brothers were dicks. But mostly just to each other.

I agree. One in particular was a dick to the other, but since I never could tell them apart, I don't remember which one it was.

But they weren't the sort of characters that you love to hate, like Steven or Marcel. They were just sort of ordinary dicks.

[Brick Tamland]

I liked Hung and Marcel but damn this Angelo fellow is really pressing my buttons so far lol

I kinda like Angelo. Cocky as hell but he backs it up at least. I actually really like the chefs this season. And I am excited to see Eric Rippert rip them apart as well as the new judge.

[The Comic Book Guy]

I agree. One in particular was a dick to the other, but since I never could tell them apart, I don't remember which one it was.

But they weren't the sort of characters that you love to hate, like Steven or Marcel. They were just sort of ordinary dicks.

Hahaha, Stephen was the man. He cracked me up.

And as annoying as Marcel was, I actually thought Ilan was worse. It was funny how much Colicchio would still trash him in interviews, like, a year after Season 2 ended.

I'm not really sure what to make of Angelo. He's definitely arrogant, but he also seems really socially awkward and weird. To his credit, apparently he had aspirations to play professional baseball; I'm guessing some of his cockiness comes from growing up with a sports background.

Speaking of baseball, it looks like Episode 11 is going to have a Nationals Challenge. Definitely saw Adam Dunn in one of the previews.

[Eldee5]

And as annoying as Marcel was, I actually thought Ilan was worse. It was funny how much Colicchio would still trash him in interviews, like, a year after Season 2 ended.

Personally, I think Ilan was the worst of all the seasons to date. I hated that he won S2.

[The Comic Book Guy]

Personally, I think Ilan was the worst of all the seasons to date. I hated that he won S2.

According to his blog, after the head shaving thing Colicchio wanted to disqualify all of the chefs and just make Marcel the winner by default, but the producers overruled him.

[BobLoblaw]

Personally, I think Ilan was the worst of all the seasons to date. I hated that he won S2.

I agree. He is the worst winner of all the seasons that I've watched.

[NYDCYankee]

Pretty good episode last night, nice to see some different chefs step up to the plate with some good dishes.

Also, it was fun to see the contestants shopping at the Whole Foods my wife and I go to. Had I known they were doing their shopping there, I would have stalked the store.

[JL25and3]

As far as I can tell, the main dynamic on the show this year is that they all hate each other.

[BobLoblaw]

This cast is pretty unlikable. I only like Tiffany and Tamesha.

[NYDCYankee]

You don't like Kenny? Man I feel bad for the dude. Seems like a nice enough guy too.

Anyway, last night was a great great challenge. I bet we see it come back every season.

[OlgMvp]

I like Kenny. Guy has been on the bottom lately, after his performance in the season debut, I thought he was gonna be a force. He's had some pretty bad performances in the last few elimination challenges.

[Stupid Flanders]

This seems like a bunch of incredibly under-qualified chefs with terrible personalities this season. There's nobody to root for.

[JL25and3]

This seems like a bunch of incredibly under-qualified chefs with terrible personalities this season. There's nobody to root for.

I disagree about their being underqualified. Over the years, the qualifications of the contestants have risen considerably - they've gone from a bunch of sous-chefs and small-time caterers to executive chefs who worked for Jean-Georges for ten years.

You're spot on about the complete lack of personality, though. None of them is anywhere near as interesting as Padma's new-found rack.

[OlgMvp]

I feel they've raised the stakes each season with the quality of chefs. I don't know if this season matches up to last season's roster though.


I feel like any one out of Jen, the voltaggios or kevin from last season would have squashed Hosea the season before.

[Stupid Flanders]

I disagree about their being underqualified. Over the years, the qualifications of the contestants have risen considerably - they've gone from a bunch of sous-chefs and small-time caterers to executive chefs who worked for Jean-Georges for ten years.

You're spot on about the complete lack of personality, though. None of them is anywhere near as interesting as Padma's new-found rack.

I agree that they raised the quality of the chefs in past seasons, but look at the qualifications here. Kenny is a hotel line cook. The girl from Barbados is a sous chef. Etc etc. I think they took a huge step back this year. The lady who was kicked off last week for example teaches at a small-time cooking school

[JL25and3]

I agree that they raised the quality of the chefs in past seasons, but look at the qualifications here. Kenny is a hotel line cook. The girl from Barbados is a sous chef. Etc etc. I think they took a huge step back this year. The lady who was kicked off last week for example teaches at a small-time cooking school

Actually, she teaches at a very, very big-time cooking school. And Kenny "recently moved to Palm Beach Gardens, FL, where he is now the Executive Chef of PGA Resort and Hotel."

[yankeebot]

I agree that they raised the quality of the chefs in past seasons, but look at the qualifications here. Kenny is a hotel line cook. The girl from Barbados is a sous chef. Etc etc. I think they took a huge step back this year. The lady who was kicked off last week for example teaches at a small-time cooking school

The Culinary Institute of America? And Kenny is the executive chef at a resort hotel in Palm Beach, not a line cook. I'll give you Tamesha though. She seems pretty under-qualified.

[The Comic Book Guy]

They had a sous chef on last season, too. I'd say this group is about as qualified, its mostly exec. chefs, with a few JBF Award nominees and a michelin star recipient (Angelo). They don't seem as talented though.

[NYDCYankee]

The Culinary Institute of America? And Kenny is the executive chef at a resort hotel in Palm Beach, not a line cook. I'll give you Tamesha though. She seems pretty under-qualified.

Tamesha cooks at The Oval Room here in DC and the place is quite nice.

[yankeebot]

Tamesha cooks at The Oval Room here in DC and the place is quite nice.

I'm sure she's talented and she's actually one of my favorites. Her resume is just a bit thin compared to the others.

[rock]

Kelly has competed on Iron Chef. Not sure who else has in past seasons.

[NYDCYankee]

I'm sure she's talented and she's actually one of my favorites. Her resume is just a bit thin compared to the others.

I suppose, but that isn't surprising she is the youngest person in the competition. Some of the other people are in their 40's and 50's I think Tamesha is 25.

[The Comic Book Guy]

Kelly has competed on Iron Chef. Not sure who else has in past seasons.

I know Richard Blais competed against Batali before he appeared on TC Season 4, and Spike went up against Symon this season (both lost). I know Tre from Season 3 was a sous chef for a challenger before, and Richard came back as a sous for Cat Cora in a recent episode.

[JL25and3]

Regardless of qualifications, this is a really underwhelming bunch of chefs.

[NYDCYankee]

Regardless of qualifications, this is a really underwhelming bunch of chefs.

I didn't really like the challenge this week, I don't think it allowed them to make anything that the viewer was salivating over.

[Stupid Flanders]

Also I'm kind of rooting for Amanda only because I want to touch her heiney.

[OlgMvp]

Was Angelo serious saying that he has crabs? or was that a lame joke? He's a pretty lame guy so I'm not entirely sure what to believe.

[Maynerd]

Also I'm kind of rooting for Amanda only because I want to touch her heiney.

Speaking of the desire for inappropriate touching........Motherhood has been good to Padma.

[NYDCYankee]

Speaking of the desire for inappropriate touching........Motherhood has been good to Padma.

Everything is good to Padma.

[Eldee5]

So, did Alex steal the pea puree or not?

[OlgMvp]

I'm starting to think he did. Kenny said since he didn't prep it the day before he doesn't believe he had enough time that day to actually make one. Can't believe he won.

I also can't believe that Amanda didn't get ripped for taking the meat off the bone, that is usually a kiss of death on this show.

[ChocolateGirl]

Sorry, quick question. Is there a thread in this forum for Mad Men? I love that show.

[OlgMvp]

Who knows, the search function doesn't tell us sh*t.

[Yankeegrrrl77]

So, did Alex steal the pea puree or not?

He most certainly did! I kept screaming at the TV YOU'RE A PEA PUREE THIEF! AND YOU'RE A GORKY SUCKY CHEF GET OFF MY SHOW! I get very emotional about Top Chef. lolol

[Eldee5]

I'm very disappointed that they sent Kenny packing last night. At the very minimum, he was much better than Alex and Amanda, both of whom deserved to pack their knives and go.

I had already seen a spoiler that Kenny got the boot on the night of Restaurant Wars but I was hoping it was wrong.

I just finished reading Frank Bruni's autobiography, Born Round: The Secret History of a Full Time Eater last week. It was so coincidental to have him show up as the guest judge.

[JL25and3]

I'm very disappointed that they sent Kenny packing last night. At the very minimum, he was much better than Alex and Amanda, both of whom deserved to pack their knives and go.

I had already seen a spoiler that Kenny got the boot on the night of Restaurant Wars but I was hoping it was wrong.

I just finished reading Frank Bruni's autobiography, Born Round: The Secret History of a Full Time Eater last week. It was so coincidental to have him show up as the guest judge.

I was more surprised than disappointed. I was surprised because they've been pumping Kenny up as one of the main characters for the whole season. And considering that they really don't have much in the way of characters, I didn't expect that they'd invest that much time in Kenny only to cut him loose.

On the other hand, the only evidence we had that he was any good was his constant insistence that he's "a beast." It never showed up in his cooking, as far as I could tell.

Alex definitely seems awful. Amanda might not be much of a chef, but like Stupid Flanders, I hope they keep her around because I like her tush.

[BobLoblaw]

I'm glad Kenny's gone. He talked a much bigger game than he brought. He always did too much, the judges always criticized him for it and he never changed. He also obviously can't take responsibility for his bad dishes, and always needs to blame someone else.

[OlgMvp]

He definitely talked up a bigger game than he put out...just shocked that Amanda and Alex are still there and he isn't. He's easily better than either of them.