The Next Iron Chef

[torker]

The Next Iron Chef
The Food Network limited-run series launching this Sunday, October 7, at 9pm
Eight top chefs from around the country will compete to join the ranks of Mario Batali, Cat Cora, Bobby Flay and Masahuru Morimoto.
The eight contestants are:

John Besh (Executive Chef, Restaurant August, Besh Steak, Luke and La Provence, New Orleans, LA)

Chris Cosentino (Executive Chef, Incanto, San Francisco, CA)

Jill Davie (Executive Chef, JOSIE, Santa Monica, CA)

Traci Des Jardins (Executive Chef & Co-Owner, Jardiniere, Mijita and Acme Chophouse, San Francisco, CA)

Gavin Kaysen (Chef de Cuisine, El Bizcocho at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, CA)

Morou Ouattara (Executive Chef & Owner, Farrah Olivia, Alexandria, VA)

Aaron Sanchez (Executive Chef & Owner, Centrico and Paladar, New York, NY)

Michael Symon (Executive Chef & Owner, Lola and Lolita, Cleveland, OH)

Let's get it on.

[lleeder]

I hope its Mr. Roboto

[EddieMoscone]

Morou Ouattara (Executive Chef & Owner, Farrah Olivia, Alexandria, VA)

They re-played an episode with him losing the Bobby Flay last night. Due got perfect sccore on originality. Ingredient was frozen peas, and he made pea begnets and frozen pea pops dipped in chocolate for dessert. Cool customer in the kitchen too.

[Tall_James]

I'm waiting for Chef Boyardee to make his foray into Kitchen Stadium.

"The mystery ingredient is.....Spongebob-shaped macaroni!"

[Tenbatsuzen]

I'm waiting for Chef Boyardee to make his foray into Kitchen Stadium.

"The mystery ingredient is.....Spongebob-shaped macaroni!"

I'm looking forward to "Battle Cheerios and Pepperidge Farm Goldfish".

[torker]

The eight contestants are:

John Besh (Executive Chef, Restaurant August, Besh Steak, Luke and La Provence, New Orleans, LA)

Chris Cosentino (Executive Chef, Incanto, San Francisco, CA)

Jill Davie (Executive Chef, JOSIE, Santa Monica, CA)

Traci Des Jardins (Executive Chef & Co-Owner, Jardiniere, Mijita and Acme Chophouse, San Francisco, CA)

Gavin Kaysen (Chef de Cuisine, El Bizcocho at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, CA)

Morou Ouattara (Executive Chef & Owner, Farrah Olivia, Alexandria, VA)

Aaron Sanchez (Executive Chef & Owner, Centrico and Paladar, New York, NY)

Michael Symon (Executive Chef & Owner, Lola and Lolita, Cleveland, OH)
Let's get it on.

pwned

[realmenhatelife]

I'm picking Besh or Morou to win this-

You have to consider that they need a unique area of expertise too- so Besh I'd guess would be American southern and Morou would be African.

[torker]

The eight contestants are:

John Besh (Executive Chef, Restaurant August, Besh Steak, Luke and La Provence, New Orleans, LA)

Chris Cosentino (Executive Chef, Incanto, San Francisco, CA)

Jill Davie (Executive Chef, JOSIE, Santa Monica, CA)

Traci Des Jardins (Executive Chef & Co-Owner, Jardiniere, Mijita and Acme Chophouse, San Francisco, CA)

Gavin Kaysen (Chef de Cuisine, El Bizcocho at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, CA)

Morou Ouattara (Executive Chef & Owner, Farrah Olivia, Alexandria, VA)

Aaron Sanchez (Executive Chef & Owner, Centrico and Paladar, New York, NY)

Michael Symon (Executive Chef & Owner, Lola and Lolita, Cleveland, OH)
:bye:

[realmenhatelife]

Season 2 starts tonight:

Amanda Freitag - Executive Chef at The Harrison

Brad Farmerie - Executive Chef at Double Crown, Madam Geneva, PUBLIC and The Monday Room

Dominique Crenn - Chef de Cuisine at Luce at InterContinental San Francisco

Eric Greenspan - Executive Chef/Owner of The Foundry on Melrose

Holly Smith - Chef/Owner Cafe Jaunita and Poco Carretto Gelato

Jehangir Mehta - Executive Chef/Owner Graffiti

Jose Garces - Executive Chef/Owner Amada, Tinto, Distrito, Chifa

Nate Appleman - Executive Chef/Partner Pulino's Bar and PIzzeria

Roberto Trevino - Executive Chef/Owner Budatai

Seamus Mullen - Executive Chef/Partner Boqueria Flatiron and Boqeuria Soho


It's hard not to see Amanda Frietag as the early favorite because she already has such an established face on Food Network.

Jehangir Mehta is pretty strong too, he competed really well in his episode of Iron Chef and would have an Indian cooking background. I feel like bringing someone in with a well defined ethnic style would be good for the show.

Jose Garces won a James Beard award at Amada this year (just like Mike Symon), which is a tapas place so he should be comfortable making many small plates.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

just lazed around at home yesterday and watched the marathon of season 1 on the food network.. (nice bonus it was in HD)


Tesh's personality was the reason why he was not slected.. He was quite the pompus dullard


I like this show better than Food Network Show and it is DVRed

There is no way it can be watched live due to Football, Curb, Entourage Finale

[realmenhatelife]

just lazed around at home yesterday and watched the marathon of season 1 on the food network.. (nice bonus it was in HD)


Tesh's personality was the reason why he was not slected.. He was quite the pompus dullard


I like this show better than Food Network Show and it is DVRed

There is no way it can be watched live due to Football, Curb, Entourage Finale

Besh has been on food network a lot and the pompousness is just his sense of humor. I think everyone likes it. I think Mike Symon was probably just way more available to the Food Network, and much more energetic. Symon was probably a lot more in line with food trends (in all of his early Iron Chef battles he did some kind of molecular gastronomy stuff) and Besh is more classical.

[realmenhatelife]

How hot is Dominique Crenn? She's like posh spice was a James Bond villian. French accents are intense.


It looks like they decided to upgrade the snarky petulance of Andrew Knowlton to full on hostility between Jeffrey Steingarten and Donnatella Arpaia. I wonder if he's review her restaurants poorly or something.

[Chigworthy]

just lazed around at home yesterday and watched the marathon of season 1 on the food network.. (nice bonus it was in HD)


Tesh's personality was the reason why he was not slected.. He was quite the pompus dullard


I like this show better than Food Network Show and it is DVRed

There is no way it can be watched live due to Football, Curb, Entourage Finale

http://www.topnews.in/files/images/John-Tesh1.jpg?

[torker]

chopped like suey
http://www.tvworthwatching.com/blog/ming%20tsai.jpg

[torker]

fuckin red ramekins
http://theknifeblock.com.au/images/products/Set_of_4_Ramekins__Cherry_Red__-_8cm-173-1-173.jpg

[King Imp]

chopped like suey
http://www.tvworthwatching.com/blog/ming%20tsai.jpg

Even though he was considered the favorite at the beginning, I knew he wouldn't win because they already have an Asian chef in Morimoto. What they don't have anymore is an Italian chef since I think Batali is no longer there. I can't remember the last time I saw him. Because of that I figured Canora or Forgione would be a lock to win this.

Oh, and I want to fuck Donatella Arpaia. :wub:

[realmenhatelife]

Even though he was considered the favorite at the beginning, I knew he wouldn't win because they already have an Asian chef in Morimoto. What they don't have anymore is an Italian chef since I think Batali is no longer there. I can't remember the last time I saw him. Because of that I figured Canora or Forgione would be a lock to win this.

Oh, and I want to fuck Donatella Arpaia. :wub:

I can't stand her. Her whole thing is to snip at what the other judges say. Watch her judging a battle she always underminds what someone else has said in a really passive aggressive way.

I couldn't be less interested in Canora v Forgione. Canora has been painted like kindof an asshole, but I dont think either of them have a ton of personality. I was really attached to Chef Tio, and was hopinig to atleast see her in the final. Also, she looks like one of the three costumed kids in Nightmare Before Christmas, the witch.

[Freitag]

Ming Tsai was REALLY arrogant on the show, but he's the only one of the chefs that showed a personality. The other two are a ripoff of R. Jeremy and Travis Barker.

After Tsai was edited to look like a jerk with the vac-sealer last week, I was hoping when Canora was searching desperately for the parchment paper, there'd be a quick cut of Tsai wrapped in the paper and stumbling around the kitchen like a mummy.

[realmenhatelife]

Ming Tsai was REALLY arrogant on the show, but he's the only one of the chefs that showed a personality. The other two are a ripoff of R. Jeremy and Travis Barker.

After Tsai was edited to look like a jerk with the vac-sealer last week, I was hoping when Canora was searching desperately for the parchment paper, there'd be a quick cut of Tsai wrapped in the paper and stumbling around the kitchen like a mummy.

I didn't think Tsai came off like a dick with the vacuum sealer, I thought it made Canora look like he was overreacting, which is something they had shown before. Obviously it didn't make any difference in the final outcome.

[realmenhatelife]

They didn't even try to make it look close. And Conora makes himself out to be a dick to the end. Not too interested in ever seeing a Forgione battle either.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I don't know if they are fucking around on Wikipedia or if having no-name chefs hurt last season, but according to Wikipedia, this is the lineup for Next Iron Chef Season 4:

Anne Burrell
Michael Chiarello
Elizabeth Falkner
Alex Guarnaschelli
Chuck Hughes
Robert Irvine
Beau MacMillan
Spike Mendelsohn
Marcus Samuelsson
Geoffrey Zakarian

If that is legitimate... Holy Fucking Shit.

[realmenhatelife]

I don't know if they are fucking around on Wikipedia or if having no-name chefs hurt last season, but according to Wikipedia, this is the lineup for Next Iron Chef Season 4:

Anne Burrell
Michael Chiarello
Elizabeth Falkner
Alex Guarnaschelli
Chuck Hughes
Robert Irvine
Beau MacMillan
Spike Mendelsohn
Marcus Samuelsson
Geoffrey Zakarian

If that is legitimate... Holy Fucking Shit.

I had heard this too a while back. If it's true it is legitimately hard to call who will win, and there isn't much fat to trim coughspikecough in the early episodes, so it will be a tough season. It's hard to imagine a list that Anne Burrell is on where Anne Burrell doesn't win it in a walk, but you can't say that about this one.

If this list is legit I'm calling it now, Chuck Hughes is your next Iron Chef.

[King Imp]

I don't know if they are fucking around on Wikipedia or if having no-name chefs hurt last season, but according to Wikipedia, this is the lineup for Next Iron Chef Season 4:

Anne Burrell
Michael Chiarello
Elizabeth Falkner
Alex Guarnaschelli
Chuck Hughes
Robert Irvine
Beau MacMillan
Spike Mendelsohn
Marcus Samuelsson
Geoffrey Zakarian

If that is legitimate... Holy Fucking Shit.

Damn, that should be fun. I'm gonna say a woman wins this as they need another one with Cat Cora being gone. If Cora is coming back though, I retract that statement.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I had heard this too a while back. If it's true it is legitimately hard to call who will win, and there isn't much fat to trim coughspikecough in the early episodes, so it will be a tough season. It's hard to imagine a list that Anne Burrell is on where Anne Burrell doesn't win it in a walk, but you can't say that about this one.

If this list is legit I'm calling it now, Chuck Hughes is your next Iron Chef.

Confirmed: List is legitimate.

Chuck Hughes? Really? He and Symon would be the Awkwardly Laughing Boys.

I'd love to see Zakarian as Iron Chef, but I think Burrell is the bigtime favorite.

And I think Chiarello is gone early too. Dude has no personality.

[realmenhatelife]

Confirmed: List is legitimate.

Chuck Hughes? Really? He and Symon would be the Awkwardly Laughing Boys.

I'd love to see Zakarian as Iron Chef, but I think Burrell is the bigtime favorite.

And I think Chiarello is gone early too. Dude has no personality.

Chiarello is a crazy ass cook though, he went to the finals of his Top Chef Masters season.

I'm picking Alex, Spike, and maybe Robert Irvine as early vote offs as long as the competition is legit and not just a platform for network talent. I also dont remember who Elizabeth Falkner is.

Yeah, Chuck has a strong point of view, cooks really fantastic looking food, and has the kindof personal connection to his food they like. He has a to-camera show that's actually really watchable, they need to call him up to the bigs.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Chiarello is a crazy ass cook though, he went to the finals of his Top Chef Masters season.

I'm picking Alex, Spike, and maybe Robert Irvine as early vote offs as long as the competition is legit and not just a platform for network talent. I also dont remember who Elizabeth Falkner is.

Yeah, Chuck has a strong point of view, cooks really fantastic looking food, and has the kindof personal connection to his food they like. He has a to-camera show that's actually really watchable, they need to call him up to the bigs.

I agree that Alex, Spike, and Irvine are the early castoffs, and I'd throw Chef Beau in there too. Irvine, for as big his personality is, has never shown me that he has *creative* skills. Yes, he can cook, and I'd eat at his restaurants, but I don't see him as an Iron Chef. Someone said he's a glorified catering manager, and I can see that, as much as I love Irvine's personality.

Hughes just strikes me as a gigantic dork, but then again, Morimoto is a huge dork too.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Starts Sunday night!

[realmenhatelife]

I remember who Liz Faulkner is now, also gone early.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Spike is gone, as most of us called.

From the first week, it looks like Alex G. is not long for the Iron Chef world. You can't have panic attacks - and then ADMIT you're having panic attacks - and expect to be the next Iron Chef.

Is every single episode going to be 90 minutes?

This seriously looks like it's going to boil down to Chiarello, Zakarian, possibly Hughes, and if he bounces back, Samuelsson. After the first episode, I've done a complete 180 on Burrell, because she got outclassed tonight, BIG TIME.

[realmenhatelife]

Spike is gone, as most of us called.

From the first week, it looks like Alex G. is not long for the Iron Chef world. You can't have panic attacks - and then ADMIT you're having panic attacks - and expect to be the next Iron Chef.

Is every single episode going to be 90 minutes?

This seriously looks like it's going to boil down to Chiarello, Zakarian, possibly Hughes, and if he bounces back, Samuelsson. After the first episode, I've done a complete 180 on Burrell, because she got outclassed tonight, BIG TIME.

Spike chokes on everything. He either knows someone or always gets put in for the possibility of his personality. You only ever see him pop up in competitions and he shits the bed in all of them.

I dont think every episode will be 90, I think that's just for sake of all the extra exposition the first episode needs.

Samuelsson will bounce back. Cooking over an open fire is really difficult and he was saddled with Spike the albatross. In a kitchen environment under a clock he's going to start catching fire, and I think you'll see Anne Burrell do the same.

I was a little shocked at Alex too, but she's another one I think will even out in a kitchen.

The wierd thing about Jeffrey Zakarian is I find him so much more likeable in a competition. Maybe the smugness is just easier to reconcile when you see he has skills. I also like him dicking around with Scott Conant on 24 hour restaurant battle.

[NickyL0885]

I'm pulling for Robert Irvine. I like what he does and when it comes to challenges, he does have an advantage with all his Dinner Impossible experience. But I would not mind seeing Anne win either. You just knew they were going to be put together as a team.

Alex G. is sorta attractive to me. I mean, she isn't overly gorgeous or anything, but something about her intrigues me. She seems like she'd be wild in the bedroom. She appears all reserved on tv but in private she probably has a wild side. But hey, that's just my opinion.

[underdog]

How was Spike on this show? It doesn't even make sense.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I'm pulling for Robert Irvine. I like what he does and when it comes to challenges, he does have an advantage with all his Dinner Impossible experience. But I would not mind seeing Anne win either. You just knew they were going to be put together as a team.

Alex G. is sorta attractive to me. I mean, she isn't overly gorgeous or anything, but something about her intrigues me. She seems like she'd be wild in the bedroom. She appears all reserved on tv but in private she probably has a wild side. But hey, that's just my opinion.

I said this before - I LIKE Irvine. He's got tons of personality. But what he does is fancy catering. NOTHING he has ever done on his show has shown the level of creativity, and forgive me, artistry, that an Iron Chef needs.

I hope he surprises me. I really do. But I don't think he's Iron Chef material compared to Zakarian, Chiarello, Hughes, and Samuelsson. For God's sake, Samuelsson has THREE James Beard awards!

[realmenhatelife]

How was Spike on this show? It doesn't even make sense.

Spike has never done particularly well at anything, and I'm pretty sure his family backed him for his restaurants so it's not like he's commercially a hot commodity. So I dont get it. Maybe there's a combination of name recognition and willingness to do stuff that keeps him in.

I'm always a little surprised that guys like Samuelsson and Chiarello, who are heavily successful in the food world, are so willing to do competitions like this.

[Misteriosa]

i saw the commercial for this show the other night. i watch food network occasionally (not really hard core about it.) however, when i saw the chefs featured for the competition, even i had to sit up straight for them. im gonna see if i can catch this past episode on hulu or something, just so i can catch up.

[underdog]

Spike has never done particularly well at anything, and I'm pretty sure his family backed him for his restaurants so it's not like he's commercially a hot commodity. So I dont get it. Maybe there's a combination of name recognition and willingness to do stuff that keeps him in.

I'm always a little surprised that guys like Samuelsson and Chiarello, who are heavily successful in the food world, are so willing to do competitions like this.

He just makes fucking butternut squash soup.

He's one of the least interesting Top Chef people. He had absolutely no business on The Next Iron Chef.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I'm always a little surprised that guys like Samuelsson and Chiarello, who are heavily successful in the food world, are so willing to do competitions like this.

Because there's huge money for little work in TV. Look at Symon. I would say he's definitely top echelon Food Net personalities now.

[realmenhatelife]

Because there's huge money for little work in TV. Look at Symon. I would say he's definitely top echelon Food Net personalities now.

Symon is a good example too, because he's a guy that has just won a ton of James Beard awards (granted it's in a weaker region) and has cooked for years professionally, really a top tier American chef, and he chooses to jump into TV where he runs the risk of people really hating him. A chef trying to break into TV runs the risk of damaging his professional career on something that's totally unrelated, his personality. It's just interesting to me that the allure is there.

[realmenhatelife]

i saw the commercial for this show the other night. i watch food network occasionally (not really hard core about it.) however, when i saw the chefs featured for the competition, even i had to sit up straight for them. im gonna see if i can catch this past episode on hulu or something, just so i can catch up.

They usually rerun their big sunday show earlier in the day the following sunday, like at 6 or 7.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Irvine's out, no surprise.

What kind of shocked me was Alton Brown actively judging the food. He is a host. He tastes the food but he does not comment on it. He does not have a vote. So the fact that he called out Chiarello (edited or not) really surprised me.

(To be honest, Alton has gotten INCREDIBLY surly over the past few years. He's become a GIGANTIC dick - whether it's on his blog, twitter, or on Star or Next Iron Chef.)

Falkner is really surprising me for what she is doing, but Alton's right - Irvine left because of his hummus. It's just one small mistake and you're gone.

(That said, I'm really pissed that Zakarian didn't follow the theme and he got to stay)

Looks like next week they stay on the soundstage.

[realmenhatelife]

Irvine's out, no surprise.

What kind of shocked me was Alton Brown actively judging the food. He is a host. He tastes the food but he does not comment on it. He does not have a vote. So the fact that he called out Chiarello (edited or not) really surprised me.

(To be honest, Alton has gotten INCREDIBLY surly over the past few years. He's become a GIGANTIC dick - whether it's on his blog, twitter, or on Star or Next Iron Chef.)

Falkner is really surprising me for what she is doing, but Alton's right - Irvine left because of his hummus. It's just one small mistake and you're gone.

(That said, I'm really pissed that Zakarian didn't follow the theme and he got to stay)

Looks like next week they stay on the soundstage.

We commented on the same thing, Alton has really gone from goofy to hard-on. The egg was an obvious mistake, and to imply that Michael Chiarello can't seperate an egg is just being a prick considering that Chiarello is probably the most successful guy there. Alton's bitch face was pretty funny, and then Chiarello being all snippy about being judged. Alton maybe doesn't know how to judge at this level, where you have to be somewhat respectful of the talent in the room. He's actually way more gracious to losers on ICA, ofcourse they may be asking him to play the heavy.

A "hotburg" sounds absolutely hideous.

[Dude!]

A "hotburg" sounds absolutely hideous.

like Jake...
from State Farm

[Tenbatsuzen]

A "hotburg" sounds absolutely hideous.

Ground into a patty and seasoned properly? I agree that it sounded like a REALLY bad idea, but the judges seemed to like it. A lot of high-end hamburgers have a pork/beef mix. So in theory, it sounds awful, but it's possible that it got pulled off.

[Tenbatsuzen]

RMHL - I posted about this in the random Food Network thread, but thoughts on Chef Hunter? I liked it a lot.

[realmenhatelife]

RMHL - I posted about this in the random Food Network thread, but thoughts on Chef Hunter? I liked it a lot.

I saw that, I didn't get to watch it yet but I feel more inclined to reading your review, plus the intial top chef connection.

[Misteriosa]

ok so i finally saw episode 2 last night (im gonna be on a few days delay here, kids)

some of you have already echoed some of my thoughts on the episode:

1. why was alton being such a dick to the guy who served the egg? the other judges were delicate about it, but alton tore into him good. that said, who eats raw egg like that? :blink:

2. zakarian has his head so far up his ass. even if he has never taken the time to hang with the plebs and step foot into a baseball stadium, couldnt he have taken a minute to LOOK AT THE FUCKING FOOD STANDS in the stadium? its all fucking hot dogs, hamburgers, steak sammiches, fries, and beer! you couldnt stop being hoity toity for five fucking minutes and try to deliver what the judges specifically asked for? AND youre a chef in nyc, a baseball town?

3. I'm glad samuelsson got that warning about making so many damned dishes. stop doing more than you have to. i know you have to be an overachiever to get to that level of success, but he's so busy worrying about making more than the judges are asking for that its taking away from the quality of what he could be putting into the required food.

4. i was sad to see irvine go over some bullshit preference thing like the viscosity of hummus. however, im glad alton called all the other chefs in to show them how close the decisions are on this show. it helped to put the fear in them and let them know that shit's getting real in kitchen stadium.

[CruelCircus]

Ground into a patty and seasoned properly? I agree that it sounded like a REALLY bad idea, but the judges seemed to like it. A lot of high-end hamburgers have a pork/beef mix. So in theory, it sounds awful, but it's possible that it got pulled off.

Only it has sorta been done before.
There are Bratburgers out there. Hamburger patties with ground bratwurst mixed in.

[realmenhatelife]

Fuckin shit balls.

[Tenbatsuzen]

If this list is legit I'm calling it now, Chuck Hughes is your next Iron Chef.

Fuckin shit balls.

That, that's terrible. I'm sorry. How did your Next Iron Chef pick die?

The sauce must have been REALLY bad to let a guy like chuck, who they promote the hell out of, instead of Beau.

It just shows how tight the competition is. I don't think you can call who is going to win this because it's just one mistake and shit gets fucked.

If I was to handicap it:

Zakarian: Skills, Looks good for TV, needs money due to some cash flow issues I remember reading about

Burrell: should be the heir apparent but Root Beer was the easiest thing to cook with this week, bar none. Her food has not shown me anything.

Chiarello: Keeps fucking up, but so did Symon early on in his run.

Beau: I just don't see him winning this.

Falkner: She's the stealthy one. The underdog. She has skills.

Samuellson: May be an excellent restaurant chef, but that may not translate to a competition style Iron Chef.

Guarnaschelli: Again, I don't know about her.

[realmenhatelife]

Really this continues a proud tradition of me putting the jinx on reality TV competitors. I've left a wide path of casualities all over Survivor, Top Chef, Chopped etc.

If the network could pick someone I think it'd be Samuelsson or Zakarian. Samuelsson has been flirting with TV for awhile, and it seems like his strengths are more suited to ICA instead of a to camera show. Zakarian, I get the sense, wants people to understand he's a serious chef and not just a smarmy judge.

So Faulkner is coming on strong, and she has the same pedigree as Ann Burrel where she knows the format from being Cat Cora's assistant during battles. I just find Faulkner incredibly unlikable.


But you're right, it's maybe too tight to make a really solid call.


I know you only just started Top Chef, but this season of Next Iron Chef is lifted pretty closely from the most recent format of Top Chef Masters. The first two seasons of Masters they had people so reknowned they couldn't make them do stupid shit, so it was like a tournament of just serious cooking competitions. The most recent season they switched to famous, established, but not revered chefs and through in challenges like 'cook with this candy, go running around to source your ingredients etc.' It actually didnt work at all, in my opinion. I'm okay with it for now in ICA, but eventually they'd better settle down and let people cook to the best of their ability.

[Tenbatsuzen]

It's worth noting, out of the 7 chefs left, 4 are based in NYC, (Zakarian, Samuellson, Burrell, and Alex) and the other 3 are west coast based - Chiarello and Falkner from CA, Beau from AZ.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Could mean something, could mean nothing, but Food Network is in the process of re-doing their graphics and branding and interstitial promo spots.

They just ran a brand new promo that had Bobby Flay, Michael Symon, Alton Brown, Mark Dacascos and

Anne Burrell

before it cut off awkwardly.

Hmmmm.

[Tenbatsuzen]

My spidey sense wouldn't have tingled on this promo if they didn't show Dacascos. The ONLY show he's on is Iron Chef and it cut off so awkwardly, and all of the people except for SPOILER are on Iron Chef.

[disneyspy]

oh my gursh,i can't believe you spoiled iron chef for all of us,fuck it,i aint watchin it now

[realmenhatelife]

This was a Top Chef challenge.

Enough giving the chefs shitty ingredients and then critisizing them for not making good food. Showrunners should've said 'no marshmallows, we did marshmallows last week, pick something else Nealon." Lets have a skills competition.

[Tenbatsuzen]

This was a Top Chef challenge.

Enough giving the chefs shitty ingredients and then critisizing them for not making good food. Showrunners should've said 'no marshmallows, we did marshmallows last week, pick something else Nealon." Lets have a skills competition.

This was basically Chopped. I thought it was a bad episode, nothing looked appetizing, it's like they are literally just trying to trip people up to cut down the chaff to get to what we want to see: Zakarian, Burrell, Guarnaschelli, and probably Falkner to duke it out.

But they are teasing a SHOCKING elimination next week, which leads me to believe that Falkner, Guarnaschelli, or Burrell is out.

[King Imp]

I still believe that whoever "wins" is to replace whoever may be leaving ICA. Problem is I can't find any info on any of them leaving.

I was sure Cat Cora had to be going for maternity reasons, thus a woman would be winning, but I can't find any info on her going.

Honestly, right now there are too many Iron Chefs. While this season is cool for the name value, I don't know why they needed another one, unless like I said someone is leaving.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I still believe that whoever "wins" is to replace whoever may be leaving ICA. Problem is I can't find any info on any of them leaving.

I was sure Cat Cora had to be going for maternity reasons, thus a woman would be winning, but I can't find any info on her going.

Honestly, right now there are too many Iron Chefs. While this season is cool for the name value, I don't know why they needed another one, unless like I said someone is leaving.

No, Cat Cora is gone. That's confirmed. She's been gone since last season, I think. And it wasn't just maternity, they decided to part ways.

[King Imp]

No, Cat Cora is gone. That's confirmed. She's been gone since last season, I think. And it wasn't just maternity, they decided to part ways.

Then I am clearly going with a woman "winning" this. Most likely the one you mentioned in your spoilers.

[Misteriosa]

all i have to say is:

zakarian's hello kitty band-aids

http://eater.com/uploads/nic-s04e04-9.jpg

:lol:

[Misteriosa]

here is chef burrell's explaination:

RT @FNHumor: Zakarian was wearing Hello Kitty bandaids because Judy Joo used all the regular ones last week to patch up her shattered, foodgasming vagina

http://m.tmi.me/ivgdj

[underdog]

I hate how they show the judges obviously talking without the chef in the room, but pretend that the chef is in the room.

I hate the editing on reality shows.

[harvey_birdman]

Burrell is the most aggressively unattractive woman on TV right now. Her food may taste like pumpkin pie but I'll never know cause I wouldn't eat anything that grunting mastodon puts on a plate.

[realmenhatelife]

Burrell is the most aggressively unattractive woman on TV right now. Her food may taste like pumpkin pie but I'll never know cause I wouldn't eat anything that grunting mastodon puts on a plate.

Thats insane, I'd be all about getting Anne B.

[Misteriosa]

Burrell is the most aggressively unattractive woman on TV right now. Her food may taste like pumpkin pie but I'll never know cause I wouldn't eat anything that grunting mastodon puts on a plate.

i wonder how many truly magnificent chefs were denied shows/book deals, etc. because they were considered unattractive.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Burrell is the most aggressively unattractive woman on TV right now. Her food may taste like pumpkin pie but I'll never know cause I wouldn't eat anything that grunting mastodon puts on a plate.

I think they did some photoshops of Burrell with "normal" hair and she looked surprisingly good. She's overweight, and the hair is crazy, but she's by far the most attractive female contestant on NIC.

She's just crazy lesbian, that's all.

As noted, there's a reason why they shoot alex from the waist up. That was the first thing I noticed on the thanksgiving show. JESUS CHRIST.

[Tenbatsuzen]

i wonder how many truly magnificent chefs were denied shows/book deals, etc. because they were considered unattractive.

http://www.stayatstovedad.com/.a/6a00e55503a4a388340147e156f0cc970b-800wi

I'll cut you, bitches.

[realmenhatelife]

I think they did some photoshops of Burrell with "normal" hair and she looked surprisingly good. She's overweight, and the hair is crazy, but she's by far the most attractive female contestant on NIC.

She's just crazy lesbian, that's all.

As noted, there's a reason why they shoot alex from the waist up. That was the first thing I noticed on the thanksgiving show. JESUS CHRIST.

Alex is like comically pear shaped, I'll bet you couldn't knock her over with a running start.

As for Anne, I'd like to mount her with butter and make a nice cream sauce.

http://www.stayatstovedad.com/.a/6a00e55503a4a388340147e156f0cc970b-800wi

I'll cut you, bitches.

You're being nice, next to Lydia Bastignach and the Two Fat Ladies Julia is a pageant queen.

[NickyL0885]

I think they did some photoshops of Burrell with "normal" hair and she looked surprisingly good. She's overweight, and the hair is crazy, but she's by far the most attractive female contestant on NIC.

She's just crazy lesbian, that's all.

As noted, there's a reason why they shoot alex from the waist up. That was the first thing I noticed on the thanksgiving show. JESUS CHRIST.

You assuming or is that confirmed?

[Misteriosa]

http://www.stayatstovedad.com/.a/6a00e55503a4a388340147e156f0cc970b-800wi

I'll cut you, bitches.

julia was a ww2 spy in her early days. what's to say she didnt have any information on people. just sayin'

[Tenbatsuzen]

You assuming or is that confirmed?

She works in the restaurant business, looks like that, refuses to talk about her personal life.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I'm not surprised by Samuellson losing.

What I am surprised at, as everybody is, that Falkner's been hanging around this long.

[realmenhatelife]

I'm not surprised by Samuellson losing.

What I am surprised at, as everybody is, that Falkner's been hanging around this long.

I dont know, that judgment seemed a little agenda driven to me. They say that ultimately both dishes were good but Falkner's was more bagel centric. They both made croutons, Falkner made bagel ice cream and bagel mustard, which both essentially just ground up bagel and put it into something she normal. Samuellson makes a dumpling and gespacho, which is way more transformative to me. Marcus was definately shocked by the verdict, and I think the sense among the chefs during the competition was that Marcus was going to win.

[Misteriosa]

samuelsson said it himself: anyone can just open up a package.

which is what faulker essentially did with the lox. samuelsson incorporated the bagel into his dish while still showcasing different aspects of the bagel, even incorpoating the toppings of the everything bagel into the crust coating for his salmon.

faulker did a bagel and ice cream smear.

marcus was so stunned he didnt even give a "goodbye" speech. i think the judges were tired of the scandinavian food.

samuelsson was robbed.

[realmenhatelife]

samuelsson said it himself: anyone can just open up a package.

which is what faulker essentially did with the lox. samuelsson incorporated the bagel into his dish while still showcasing different aspects of the bagel, even incorpoating the toppings of the everything bagel into the crust coating for his salmon.

faulker did a bagel and ice cream smear.

marcus was so stunned he didnt even give a "goodbye" speech. i think the judges were tired of the scandinavian food.

samuelsson was robbed.

They would've stomped her ass on Top Chef for that.

Anne Burrell tweets about how little she likes Judy Joo, which is funny.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Something interesting to note:

Forgione is 1-4 in his battles.

I don't know what's more messed up: The fact that Forgione has a horrible winning percentage or the fact that he won NIC LAST YEAR and only has five battles.

I've heard they pre-tape Iron Chef nearly a year in advance sometimes so perhaps the lead time could affect things, but they gotta do a better job in arranging this.

[Misteriosa]

burrell goes down! burrell goes down!!!

holy crap! ahahahahahahahaaaaaaa

[Tenbatsuzen]

http://dinosaurboner.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/11_king-of-comedy.jpg

[Tenbatsuzen]

OK, I'll break it down:

1) I think Burrell was done even before the secret ingredient showdown. If Guarnaschelli was involved it might have been a more even hand, but there's no way with Zakarian just killing it with food every week they let him go. No. Way.

2) If you read between the lines with Burrell just SMASHING Falkner like that, you knew she was done.

3) Burrell: "All Falkner makes are ice creams and souffles. When is she gonna make real food?" CUT TO: Burrell making an ice cream.

Looks like double elimination next week, with NIC crowned on 12/18. That said, I think the final showdown will be Chiarello and Zakarian.

[NickyL0885]

OK, I'll break it down:

1) I think Burrell was done even before the secret ingredient showdown. If Guarnaschelli was involved it might have been a more even hand, but there's no way with Zakarian just killing it with food every week they let him go. No. Way.

2) If you read between the lines with Burrell just SMASHING Falkner like that, you knew she was done.

3) Burrell: "All Falkner makes are ice creams and souffles. When is she gonna make real food?" CUT TO: Burrell making an ice cream.

Looks like double elimination next week, with NIC crowned on 12/18. That said, I think the final showdown will be Chiarello and Zakarian.

I remember reading on twitter that AB spilled the beans accidently on the live thanksgiving FN day that Alex G won.

[realmenhatelife]

OK, I'll break it down:

1) I think Burrell was done even before the secret ingredient showdown. If Guarnaschelli was involved it might have been a more even hand, but there's no way with Zakarian just killing it with food every week they let him go. No. Way.

2) If you read between the lines with Burrell just SMASHING Falkner like that, you knew she was done.

3) Burrell: "All Falkner makes are ice creams and souffles. When is she gonna make real food?" CUT TO: Burrell making an ice cream.

Looks like double elimination next week, with NIC crowned on 12/18. That said, I think the final showdown will be Chiarello and Zakarian.

At least it was a dessert battle though. But when Faulkner one the big huff/arms cross was hilarious. She really does not care for her on twitter, either.

Zakarian worked at Le Cirque in the 80s, that's pretty cool. So right now it looks like Zakarian vs Faulkner as the two hot hands, but it also looks like an outdoor challenge next week so maybe someone will get flustered. I hate double eliminations.

And Forgione sucks, the last NIC final was really lose/lose, they were both terribly unlikable.

[realmenhatelife]

A note on Judy Joo, she's a second career chef but has a deep pedigree. She's worked at Claridge's, The French Laundry and The Fat Duck.

[Tenbatsuzen]

A note on Judy Joo, she's a second career chef but has a deep pedigree. She's worked at Claridge's, The French Laundry and The Fat Duck.

I don't even understand why they just let her replace Cora. Much hotter than any of the other girls in competition.

I did like last night's Iron Chef but I didn't stay awake to see who won. I just like Alton mugging for the camera that they were using a fruitcake made from his recipe.

[Misteriosa]

I don't even understand why they just let her replace Cora. Much hotter than any of the other girls in competition.

I did like last night's Iron Chef but I didn't stay awake to see who won. I just like Alton mugging for the camera that they were using a fruitcake made from his recipe.

Morimoto won. He played a great game of hide the fruitcake :rolleyes:

and that Donatella lady is a CUUUUUUNNNNNNTTTTT!

[realmenhatelife]

Morimoto won. He played a great game of hide the fruitcake :rolleyes:

and that Donatella lady is a CUUUUUUNNNNNNTTTTT!

Donatella is a raging bitch, she's a second to Corinne Bachoum, though.

The first season of NIC was a brutal judging team, Donatella, Jeffrey Knowlton who is like the Jason Schwartzman of food network, and Marc Murphy or someone who looks so much like him I cant remember. But they haaaaaaated eachother, you could tell that Knowlton just wanted to spit in Donatella's face half the time.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Donatella is a raging bitch, she's a second to Corinne Bachoum, though.

The first season of NIC was a brutal judging team, Donatella, Jeffrey Knowlton who is like the Jason Schwartzman of food network, and Marc Murphy or someone who looks so much like him I cant remember. But they haaaaaaated eachother, you could tell that Knowlton just wanted to spit in Donatella's face half the time.

With Judy Joo being the Paula Adbul of NIC, I kinda want Donatella back.

But have you noticed that you haven't seen Donatella on this show AT ALL recently? Given that Dascascos and AB had a lot of hair, I'm guessing this was taped years ago.

[Tenbatsuzen]

But have you noticed that you haven't seen Donatella on this show AT ALL recently? Given that Dascascos and AB had a lot of hair, I'm guessing this was taped years ago.


Donatella was married earlier this year. Idiot.

[King Imp]

Well, there goes my prediction.

I gotta say, I'm surprised she's gone. Not that she was the best there, as I do believe Zakarian is and was a much better chef, but after the spoiler Tenbats posted and the fact that they seem to be promoting the fuck out of Burrell's book, I thought she was a shoo in. That and they need another dyke with Cora gone and out of the three I think Burrell was the best.

At this point I think Faulkner is gonna win. They probably want a new face and of all the people that have been in this competition, she was like the one sole person that no one has ever heard of.

Anyway, you know what I hate about these type of shows. It happens here and on The Next Food Network Star. After an elimination, when the loser comes back in to tell the others that they lost, I cannot stand the looks and proclamations of disbelief that they were the one eliminated. REALLY?!?! Why the fuck is that so hard to believe? Someone had to go, so why not that person? Are you basically saying the other in the bottom deserved to go instead?


Something interesting to note:

Forgione is 1-4 in his battles.

I don't know what's more messed up: The fact that Forgione has a horrible winning percentage or the fact that he won NIC LAST YEAR and only has five battles.

Wherever you got this info (where I looked it said 1-3), can you look up the records of Cora and Morimoto? On my source, they are both listed as 21-11-1. I find that almost impossible to believe that those two have the same record. It seems like every time I see Cora, she loses, but Morimoto on the other hand seems to win every time I see him.

[realmenhatelife]

But if you were fixing the competition wouldn't you pick someone more likable than Faulkner? She's an unpleasant woman. I'm sure shes cool and all but her demeanor makes her very unapproachable. And her credentials aren't great.

And Faulkner's been around. She used to be Cat Cora's assistant on Iron Chef, and before that she would do challenge. As a matter of fact I think she's the first person to say "That's it, I'm not doing these challenges anymore because I cant figure out what the judges want from me."

[Manning, Esq.]

My horse is still in it, just for the record. Wish I would've recorded it from day one. Ultimately, like most basic cable competitive reality shows, the producers and powers-that-be always have their say, too. This explains the shite picks in Next FN Star - ugh! Useless!

Anyhoo, I've been on team Alex. First, I truly believe that FN/Scripps is going to have to plug in a woman. Second, she's as credible, or more so, than most contestants. No encyclopedic workings as complete as Alton, but savvy, nevertheless. Also, she's a fixture in the network, like many other Irons, popping up everywhere for years now. Lastly, I'd plug her into Oddly Hot. I know ... now that we've been exposed to the full-frame version (rather than the seated, truncated version) some would suggest that, well, cabooses are obsolete, right? Even so, other than some potential disruption to soux chef travels in Kitchen Stadium, she ain't a bad lookin' hash-slinger.

Glad Anne's out BTW - ugh²!

[Tenbatsuzen]

Just exactly how much money did Keebler and Entwine fork over to have the secret ingredients in the SECOND MOST IMPORTANT BATTLE ON THE SHOW?

Keebler townhouse crackers fucking belong on Star, not NIC.

That said, I fully believe the fix is in for Falkner.

Reasons are the following:

In the double elimination, Alton said Chiarello was sent to the showdown by just "molecules". So then you give him a crappy ingredient, and then, "oops, sorry, you lose!"

Also: in the interviews in a previous episode, Falkner said "I am the next Iron Chef" with a big smile on her face. The inflection and tone of her voice wasn't "confidence", it was confirmation.

Considering a lot of these interviews are shot at the same time, I fully think she already won and they just spliced that into a previous episode.

That said, I'll be very, very pleasantly surprised if Zakarian wins, but I think this is Falkner's.

[Misteriosa]

spoiler tags! spoiler tags!

i didnt see it :o

[realmenhatelife]

Just exactly how much money did Keebler and Entwine fork over to have the secret ingredients in the SECOND MOST IMPORTANT BATTLE ON THE SHOW?

Keebler townhouse crackers fucking belong on Star, not NIC.

That said, I fully believe the fix is in for Falkner.

Reasons are the following:

In the double elimination, Alton said Chiarello was sent to the showdown by just "molecules". So then you give him a crappy ingredient, and then, "oops, sorry, you lose!"

Also: in the interviews in a previous episode, Falkner said "I am the next Iron Chef" with a big smile on her face. The inflection and tone of her voice wasn't "confidence", it was confirmation.

Considering a lot of these interviews are shot at the same time, I fully think she already won and they just spliced that into a previous episode.

That said, I'll be very, very pleasantly surprised if Zakarian wins, but I think this is Falkner's.

I agree they should really put the product placement challenges early. Entwine is the wine of sentient trees, and they didn't have to pay anything since Food Network is a partner in it.

I did feel like there was some tension over Faulkner in the judging, Symon objected to Majumdar's take on her dishes, liek seriously this stuff isn't as good as you guys are selling.

If you missed it Alton Brown tweeted: Step 1 to getting people to hate you, talk about hanging out on St Barts.

I dont think you should eliminate anyone without giving them a chance to cook in a showdown. Guarn kindof gets screwed.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Just something Iron Chef related:

I've noticed that part of the Chairman gimmick on ICA is, after the secret ingredient reveal, the Chairman asks, "Are you pleased with the ingredient?" He's just started asking this recently, like on the past couple of seasons.

Now, 9 times out of 10, the ingredient is usually awesome (lobster, pork belly, etc) so a chef wouldn't have an issue with that.

But what would happen if a chef responded they weren't happy?

Last night, the ingredient was Tilapia, basically the McDonald's fish of the seafood world. An awful, farm-raised fish.

After the reveal, both challenger and Forgione looked DISGUSTED.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I agree they should really put the product placement challenges early. Entwine is the wine of sentient trees, and they didn't have to pay anything since Food Network is a partner in it.

I did feel like there was some tension over Faulkner in the judging, Symon objected to Majumdar's take on her dishes, liek seriously this stuff isn't as good as you guys are selling.

If you missed it Alton Brown tweeted: Step 1 to getting people to hate you, talk about hanging out on St Barts.

I dont think you should eliminate anyone without giving them a chance to cook in a showdown. Guarn kindof gets screwed.

1) Alex was hanging on by a string to begin with. She would have totally been in the cookoff last week if it wasn't for Burrell trying to take out Zakarian.

2) Wouldn't Step 1 to get people to hate you is talking about having four fireplaces?

3) I agree that the product placements should be early because it would be that much easier to separate the chaff from the wheat.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Yes.

Good win for Zakarian. And Symon voted for Zakarian, you can see him write the "Z" on the scorecard before they cut away.

Symon said it best - Zakarian is in his prime. Falkner has potential, but not quite there yet.

You could see, on Falkner's face, that she either knew she was done or had a feeling she was done.

NOBODY had anything bad to say about Zakarian's meal except the beef being tough. And they all gush about Falkner's sorbet and her dessert... SHE'S A FUCKING PASTRY CHEF, THAT'S WHAT SHE DOES.

The question I have is this - we never saw Falkner before this. Will she be showing up on shows now like Besh, Canora, Sanchez, etc. do... or does she disappear again?

And what is this redemption stuff? Is the next season of NIC going to be a redemption season? If so, I'm so in for that. Ming Tsai, Canora, Sanchez, Besh, Tio, probably Burrell. Guess Garces or Forgione isn't working out.

[realmenhatelife]

Yes.

Good win for Zakarian. And Symon voted for Zakarian, you can see him write the "Z" on the scorecard before they cut away.

Symon said it best - Zakarian is in his prime. Falkner has potential, but not quite there yet.

You could see, on Falkner's face, that she either knew she was done or had a feeling she was done.

NOBODY had anything bad to say about Zakarian's meal except the beef being tough. And they all gush about Falkner's sorbet and her dessert... SHE'S A FUCKING PASTRY CHEF, THAT'S WHAT SHE DOES.

The question I have is this - we never saw Falkner before this. Will she be showing up on shows now like Besh, Canora, Sanchez, etc. do... or does she disappear again?

And what is this redemption stuff? Is the next season of NIC going to be a redemption season? If so, I'm so in for that. Ming Tsai, Canora, Sanchez, Besh, Tio, probably Burrell. Guess Garces or Forgione isn't working out.

I thought it was shaping up to another judges vs chefs kindof argument over Zakarian and Faulkner, but I guess that was in the editing. And I dont give a shit, sorbet on a frisse salad looks like straight ass to me. It's a pre-dessert, y'know.

I will actually watch Zakarian battles. I think Iron Chef was lacking a sense of authority and bringing in a guy who has had such a long career will help that. I think Symon worked as the young turk (even though he's been around a long time too) playing against Flay and Morimoto, but that just gets dilluted by Garces and Forgione.

I really hate theme battles, I think they should do a straight up single ingredient battle.

We were talking and you cant really top this season chef wise, and it seems like it wouldn't make sense to pull another crop of lesser known chefs like they did in Forgione's year. So the second chansers make sense. I would love to see Tio come back.

[Tenbatsuzen]

The Redemption Cast... REVEALED!

https://p.twimg.com/AzpvQcwCIAA_qmk.jpg:large

I see Falkner, Freitag, Appleman, a heavily photoshopped Alex, and Eric Greenspan, but I have no idea who the rest of these people are.

[realmenhatelife]

The Redemption Cast... REVEALED!

https://p.twimg.com/AzpvQcwCIAA_qmk.jpg:large

I see Falkner, Freitag, Appleman, a heavily photoshopped Alex, and Eric Greenspan, but I have no idea who the rest of these people are.

They arent photoshopped, her and greenspan are just 20 feet behind everyone else.

The guy all the way on the right is suck ass spike mendelson who will go out first like always. The bald guy is the indian chef who lost in the finals to jose garces.

[King Imp]

For crying out loud, how many fucking Iron Chefs do they need? Enough already!

Oh, and I have no idea who that is behind Freitag, but the guy all the way on the left looks like a heavily photoshopped Tim Love.

[realmenhatelife]

For crying out loud, how many fucking Iron Chefs do they need? Enough already!

Oh, and I have no idea who that is behind Freitag, but the guy all the way on the left looks like a heavily photoshopped Tim Love.

My god you're right. They made Tim Love look like a gay german magician.

[Freitag]

My god you're right. They made Tim Love look like a gay german magician.

That's the trick of Photoshop. It makes Alex look sexy (throws up in mouth) but then makes a freaking Texas meat-loving chef a Eurotrash Bond Villain.

[Freitag]

For crying out loud, how many fucking Iron Chefs do they need? Enough already!

Oh, and I have no idea who that is behind Freitag, but the guy all the way on the left looks like a heavily photoshopped Tim Love.

Morimoto's pushing 60. Forgione ain't cutting it. The idea of the Iron Chefs is that they cycle out.

Now that I realize Tim Love is in this, my opinion changes.

So it's:

Alex G.
Falkner
Greenspan
Tim Love
Spike Mendolhson (WHY THE HELL DOES HE GET REDEMPTION?!)
Freitag
Marcel Vigeron
Jehangir Mehta
Appleman

AND... a 10th spot:

The tenth slot will go to the winner of a web-exclusive competition taking place on FoodNetwork.com, the four chefs taking part in the web battle are: Duskie Estes and Robert Trevino, who have previously competed on The Next Iron Chef, and newcomers Lee Anne Wong and Madison Cowan.

Oh my god.

Please let Cowan get into this and destroy all of them.

[King Imp]

Morimoto's pushing 60. Forgione ain't cutting it. The idea of the Iron Chefs is that they cycle out.

The problem is, unless I just haven't heard otherwise, they aren't cycling out. They just keep adding to the group.

At least when they added Zakarian, Cora was leaving or had already left. I haven't heard of any of the current ICs leaving, so this next one will make it 7.

[Freitag]

The problem is, unless I just haven't heard otherwise, they aren't cycling out. They just keep adding to the group.

At least when they added Zakarian, Cora was leaving or had already left. I haven't heard of any of the current ICs leaving, so this next one will make it 7.

Have you seen Forgione's record? He's 5-9. If he keeps losing like this, they may cut him just so he can save face.

The reason why they keep doing NIC is because just like Food Net Star and Guy Fieri, they want to discover the next Michael Symon, who can transcend the show and do other things on the network.

Madison Cowan can do that. Tim Love can do that. Alex already does that. Falkner could possibly do that, with some seasoning.

However, if Madison Cowan makes it in... he's the one I want to win. He's awesome.

[King Imp]

I get why they keep doing that Next Food Network Star one. They are so desperate to find another Guy Fieri and so far they just can't. None of the last 4 or 5 have gone on to do anything outside of their little specialty show and frankly no one cares about them.

I get the reasoning behind that, but I just don't get constantly adding to an already overfilled roster on ICA. Cut Forgione and maybe Garces and then I'd say they need another.