Top Chef: D.C.

[TheGameHHH]

So last season was one of my favorites and tonight the new season begins. Let's talk about it.

[torker]

http://www.foodgal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ericripert2.jpg

[Rhah]

I don't know names really yet, but that dude who thinks he is going to dominate and set the pace because of winning the first two competitions is just blowin' smoke. Seems like standard winner (not in every case but most) is the above average chef who actually improves and learns during the show, rarely is it the best chef day 1 who thinks he is the shiznit.

[TheGameHHH]

Anybody watching this season? It's been kinda lonely in here. It's been a good season.

As an aside, I'm pretty sure within the next 12 months I'm gonna get Padma and Gail Simmons in a three way with me.

[underdog]

The chefs being voted off so far have been so incredibly obvious.

[Chigworthy]

http://www.foodgal.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ericripert2.jpg

I can't watch it this season. Is Ripert more involved than he has been in the past?

[realmenhatelife]

They've been bringing on exceedingly creepy looking guys to guest judge this season, and Ripert is a wierdo himself. I'm excited for the Top Chef pastry series however I'm not liking the looks of the judge. I really dont need an extreme, counter culture baking ace. I'd much rather have a Keri Vincent style judge, who is just really good at what they do, understated and meticulous.

I dont think its nearly as strong of a field as it was last year. I like Kevin but probably because he's the counterpoint to the NYC douche guy (Alex?) I like Tanesha (I think, the skinnier black girl) but dont think she can ultimately hang. And I like Kelly Liken, who probably has the skills to get to the end but I dont see any kind of competitiveness in her. She also reminds me of Tanya from Hung. I am happy that the areas of the country represented seem a little more diverse.

Sustainability and locality is huge on all of these cooking shows right now and I have a problem with how unrealistically they're handling it. This weeks challenge came closest, because they had a set pantry and could not bring their own ingrediants. Normally in challenges that highlight local and sustainable those products are augmented with stuff bought in a supermarket that doesn't fit either quality. Here is my local organic lamb dressed with truffles from Italy and french butter and cavier from a sturgeon that wasnt farmed. And they never have to work on a tight budget, so you can extoll all the virtues of local and orgranic stuff but never really address the price point. If you're really going to change the way people eat you need to make this stuff accessible to them. It presents a lot of boundaries with its price point and availability and the biggest proponants of the movement dont really do much to resolve that for home cooks. The more I hear about it the snootier its seeming, I think in another few years it could start coming off very class war.

[underdog]

I don't know if I'm just noticing it more now because I'm listening to the show through headphones, but the editing of this show is SO BAD. Sentences are made up through the editing and it's been so obvious to me.

[realmenhatelife]

I was bummed about Tanesha, I thought she had some staying power. My brother just read Anthony Bourdains new book and there is a section about Top Chef. He says they only judge week to week, and it doesn't matter what you have done previously, which explains something like this. Although it does seem less than fair to only have two people in the bottom, as selected by peers.

[A.J.]

Unless this features Michael Landrum from Ray's the Steaks/Ray's Hell Burger, I don't give a rat's ass.

[realmenhatelife]

They definately implied in the preview of this weeks episode that there would atleast be a discussion about the Russian creep stealing the pea purree. The crappy thing is they most likely have footage one way or the other and didn't show it. It would be interesting to see proof that he didn't steal it, and then hear everyone talking about how they think he did.

Kindof wierd that Tom Coliccio was tastingin the kitchen by himself, I thought there might be some kind of angle there but ultimately I guess it was because they had too many guests.

I also think the initial judgement that Kelly Liken's food was too big is unfair. She's right, a porterhouse is on the bone, it is by definition a really big steak, only an asshole would order a porterhouse for lunch and then say "oh, its too big." The judging in general was a little pissy this week, I wonder if they're disappointed with the level of overall talent.

[Willmore]

It was fucking hilarious when Padma was at the big boys table with a senator, former Congressman, former White House Chief of Staff etc, and Gail was at the little kids table with Fez, the kid that used to do a sports show for XM and some other people no one cares about.

[realmenhatelife]

It was fucking hilarious when Padma was at the big boys table with a senator, former Congressman, former White House Chief of Staff etc, and Gail was at the little kids table with Fez, the kid that used to do a sports show for XM and some other people no one cares about.

The Fez guy is so annoying. He used to work for Oprah or something, and has been on food network a bunch. I hate whenever people start talking about how 'food is love, good food sustains the soul..." blah blah blah shutup I want a sandwich.

[TheGameHHH]

They definately implied in the preview of this weeks episode that there would atleast be a discussion about the Russian creep stealing the pea purree. The crappy thing is they most likely have footage one way or the other and didn't show it. It would be interesting to see proof that he didn't steal it, and then hear everyone talking about how they think he did.

Kindof wierd that Tom Coliccio was tastingin the kitchen by himself, I thought there might be some kind of angle there but ultimately I guess it was because they had too many guests.

I also think the initial judgement that Kelly Liken's food was too big is unfair. She's right, a porterhouse is on the bone, it is by definition a really big steak, only an asshole would order a porterhouse for lunch and then say "oh, its too big." The judging in general was a little pissy this week, I wonder if they're disappointed with the level of overall talent.

the only judgement against Kelly's steak was that it was too salty. Gail bitched it was too big, but that wasn't brought up against her at Judge's Table.

and that dude it a dick for stealing the pea puree

[realmenhatelife]

That was a bit of a shock, that goat cheese must have tasted like a goat's ass. I also would've thought they'd stick Amanda front of house, since she has the least experience. Kelly Liken has a very awkward way about her.

They've got to be building to something with Alex. I dont know whether to think its anyones competition at this point, or if they've handed it to Angelo.

Also, this thread made me realize how AWOL Eric Ripert has gone.

[Willmore]

That was a bit of a shock, that goat cheese must have tasted like a goat's ass. I also would've thought they'd stick Amanda front of house, since she has the least experience. Kelly Liken has a very awkward way about her.

They've got to be building to something with Alex. I dont know whether to think its anyones competition at this point, or if they've handed it to Angelo.

Also, this thread made me realize how AWOL Eric Ripert has gone.

Yeah, I thought he was supposed to be a regular judge this season.

[TheGameHHH]

I don't know if I'm just noticing it more now because I'm listening to the show through headphones, but the editing of this show is SO BAD. Sentences are made up through the editing and it's been so obvious to me.

I didn't know what you really meant by this until I watched last night's episode. Amanda was listing the dishes they were going to make and it sounded just as bad as that South Park episode when Issac Hayes left the show and Chef could only speak his sentences through edit. Kind of embarrassing.

[TheGameHHH]

Thank God Alex is gone

[JPMNICK]

the chefs suck this year. last season, tom was SO excited how good they all were. this season, he doesnt even seem to like any of them

[realmenhatelife]

I was hoping it would be Angelo. I still think he's the favorite to win, if you pull him out then who knows where the season will go. Alex has a chance to go home any week, so you dont really need to hold your breath for it. Angelo will regroup and be tough again, so you have to get him while you can. If Kenny were still in it I'd be less concerned with ousting Angelo.

I do like how hard the judges, especially Tom, came down this week. I laughed when he straight up asked them "Why didn't you just cook better?"

Eric Ripert returns, creepier looking than I remember.

[realmenhatelife]

Bummed out, Tiffany had a real shot and I was looking for the irony of douche Angelo being denied a trip to Thailand. I might have misheard but did he say he 'feel asian inside?' What a queef.

Ed and Kelly Liken are in though, so there are some likable people left.

[TheGameHHH]

It was tough to see Tiffany go, I like all the chefs that are remaining. Can't wait for the finale/s

[Willmore]

It was tough to see Tiffany go, I like all the chefs that are remaining. Can't wait for the finale/s

She was a bit too ethnic for me.

And by ethnic I mean black.

And by black I mean she was a darkie.

You know, those kind of people.

Seriously, who goes starts working at IHOP and decides on becoming a chef?

[realmenhatelife]

Ed was one of Cat Cora's assistants tonight on Iron Chef, and she's been using Richard Blaze for awhile now.

[Willmore]

Ed was one of Cat Cora's assistants tonight on Iron Chef, and she's been using Richard Blaze for awhile now.

Richard Blaze? Awesome wrestling name. Maybe some flame-colored tights?

It's Richard Blais.

[realmenhatelife]

Boooooooo. Although I guess I can focus on rooting for Ed now. I hope they ship them out of Singapore at the beginning of the next episode, I cant stand Angelo feeling like he belongs.

I also bet Angelo is one of those guys that is always engaged, he gets engaged to every girl he dates and it always falls apart.

[Willmore]

Boooooooo. Although I guess I can focus on rooting for Ed now. I hope they ship them out of Singapore at the beginning of the next episode, I cant stand Angelo feeling like he belongs.

I also bet Angelo is one of those guys that is always engaged, he gets engaged to every girl he dates and it always falls apart.

Hey, it's going to work out with that Russian chick that he's trying to get into the US. That always works out well.

[realmenhatelife]

Hey, it's going to work out with that Russian chick that he's trying to get into the US. That always works out well.

I always put a lot of faith in engagements where the people have only seen eachother twice.