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Top Chef
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| ARNOLD FACE! |
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| ARNOLD FACE! |
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| "The fuck you just say about my Diet Coke commercial?" |
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| "I'm going to stare at you like this, and continue to stare at you like this, until you sate my current post-partum craving. Eggs over hard and an acoustic rendition of Del Amitri's 'Roll to Me' or I'll vaporize you with my fucking eyes." |
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Drew Lazor, Adam Erace and Meal Ticket, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Top Chef D.C. Episode 2 recap (read, comment!): http://bit.ly/cPlsJ5 [...]
I'm enjoying this season so far. These people are all delightfully bitchy and manipulative. Well done on the Arnold face, I am loving every second of him. Couple of thoughts: Even though he was on the block ,I didn't think Kenny would be gone this early after they started to focus on the rivalry/hate/chessgame between him and Angelo. I think they will be milking this for a while. After Kelly's win, she's not really a dark horse anymore, right? Has to be one of the early favorites. Seems competent, if not a little vain and self-congratulatory. The first time I saw Jacqueline, I thought, she's nice, she's happy, she's not built for this, she'll be gone in five minutes. Alas. I don't think the 10 year old me would eat any of that food, but then, I'm the kid who had a PBJ sandwich for five straight years. BTW, I went to a public school, and we had better options than those. In fact, my high school food selection was a million times better than the eatery next to the dorms at a certain college on Ogontz Avenue..... that I had to pay tuition for....
Dude, Arnold face is SO GOOD. Also, I would like to add to the political/food puns: Sturgeon General.
Totally J. Leo, Kenny was never going home this early. I think they're setting him up for a down-for-the-count comeback. Although, Kelly is in that Hosea position where no one really cares about her until she takes it all in the end (sans being a total turd, of course). Two more things: Angelo is the worst. I hate him more than the hellish Michael Voltaggio. Plus, I need more sass from Tracey. She put up high sass marks in the first ep, but fell behind in this one.
Political/Food Pun: Offal Office Awesome recap, I hope Arnold sticks around for awhile cause I love Arnold Face!
j leo: I'm enjoying this season so far. These people are all delightfully bitchy and manipulative. Couldn't agree more. I forgot to mention the whole Angelo/Kenny "gamesmanship" storyline. I love it! It's been awhile since they've trumped up a white knight/black knight type thing. It makes for great trashy TV. After Kelly's win, she's not really a dark horse anymore, right? Has to be one of the early favorites. Save your "reason" and "logic," j leo! KELLY REMAINS THE DARK HORSE
Arnold face is a national internet meme just waiting to happen.
[...] and Lynne are both sent packing for their red curry mussels with squid ink pappardelle. NOOOOOOOO! Arnold Face just started! This calls for a [...]
[...] Episode 2. Cooking for a bunch of brats. Jacqueline goes home. [...]
[...] Trace the origins of the Arnold Face and make question our judgment for Photoshopping Kevin Sbraga a... [...]
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| "Come forth, and bury your chef heads deep in the swollen bosom of democracy!" |
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| "We're all mega jet-lagged, so it'd be really helpful if you fed us a couple irritatingly pithy culinary talking points about your crappy dish while you plate it." |
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| Lizzy Janssen |
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| Padma's eyes are up here, guys. |
Welcome back, TC Recaps! I've missed you.
Yup, that was Nancy Pelosi. I'm going to predict a Michelle Obama appearance in the White House garden sometime this season.
Seriously. Thank god top chef recaps are back!
"the four chefs left standing by the end are asked to cook a dish using the three basic ingredients, with the best dish earning $20,000. (Yay, no more Vegas-inspired gambling motifs!)" The producers blew it. Instead of Vegas inspired prizes, quickfire winners, in DC tradition, could be sent on a junket to St. Bart, pick up a money-stuffed brief case over drinks at the Hay-Adams or have a contractor build a wing onto their house.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shao, Meal Ticket. Meal Ticket said: Top Chef recaps are BACK. Top Chef D.C. Episode 1 (read, comment!): http://bit.ly/dtw8Sj [...]
I do not know why but i just get the feeling that this particular series of "Top Chef" will suck, plus they already seem to be setting up the French guy as season 7 villan and Kenny Gilbert as the new Kevin Gillespie IMO.
I'm sooooo upset that they kicked off the clear front runner in terms of entertainment value. He journaled!!!
Love Kenny/Blalicchio, HATE Angelo! You might recognize his voice because he sounds like a douche. I also love Tracy, she's ballsy and hilarious. I just hope she has the goods to back it up.
I think you're really on to something with Double Dare + Top Chef. Obstacle courses made of bain maries and fryolators. "Make this dish while coasting through slime on a rolling stainless steel table!" I also felt a tiny urge to watch the show after reading this. Is Bravo giving you kickbacks? (They should.)
Compelling prose as always, but it was hard to rip my eyeballs away from Padma's hips. So nice to get the TC experience without actually owning a TV.
[...] Saturday: Whisky and cheese at Di Bruno Bros.• June 20: Kanella launches meze-style Sundays • Top Chef D.C. Episode 1: Yes We Can (Peel Potatoes)• The Franklin goes halfsies for the summer• Philly's mobile cupcake scene [...]
[...] at judges’ table, Jacqueline’s sacked for her patently unhealthy dessert. That’s two weeks in a row — OK, I’m back to thinking Amanda knows what’s up [...]
[...] Episode 1. Too many people. Na’Vi John goes home. [...]
[...] dude Kevin Sbraga, the Willingboro native who we’ve been calling Jersey Kev on this blog since Day 1, took home Season 7 of Top Chef like a damn boss! And Brendan Fraser goes WILD! I’ll be honest [...]
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| bravotv.com |
A self-proclaimed "beast in the kitchen" with unrivaled knife skills, Kevin is currently the Executive Chef at Rat's at the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ, which is managed by Stephen Starr. After earning his BS of Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales in Miami, Kevin went on to become the Chef de Cuisine at The Grill at Philadelphia's Ritz-Carlton Hotel and was included in the 2007 list of "Top 10 Chefs" by Philadelphia Style magazine. In 2008, Kevin served as the Culinary Director of Garces Restaurant Group and was named winner of Best Meat Presentation at Bocuse d'Or USA. This African American, Italian chef declares he's the "Barack Obama of the cooking game" and wants to prove that "he can."
Oh Kevin, I don't know how to pronounce your last name but that Obama + your overall look makes me want to give you a hug!
[...] Our dude Kevin Sbraga, the Willingboro native who we’ve been calling Jersey Kev on this blog since Day 1, took home Season 7 of Top Chef like a damn boss! And Brendan Fraser goes WILD! I’ll be honest — as I touched on last week, I had this weird feeling that the sensationalized treatment of fellow finalist Angelo’s freak ailment in the episode previews was something of a death knell for both Kev and New York-based chef Ed — what better storyline for the drama-guzzling sluts of the Bravo network than a lanky, peculiar half-Dominican chef rising from the dead on his Latino Lazarus grind to outcook two competitors not afflicted by unidentified Southeast Asian parasitic invasion?! I’m glad they didn’t go there, I’m glad I was wrong, and most of all, I’m glad that this season’s belt — unlike some otherrrrrr seasons — was scooped up not only by a chef who represented well in the final challenge, but did his thing throughout the span of the always-preposterous Top Chef season, as well. [...]
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The eBay auction for this Blackfish guest chef menu signed by 10 Arts chef de cuisine/Top Chef finalist Jennifer Carroll � plus a $100 Blackfish gift card � ends this evening, so be sure to get your bids in while you still can (it's up to $132.50 as of right now). One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale go to Philabundance.
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Stephen Starr made his first appearance on Bravo's Top Chef during Season 5's Restaurant Wars episode. For Top Chef Las Vegas, he sat at the Final Table during last night's finale episode. Meal Ticket caught up with the restaurateur today to get his thoughts on the experience.
Some Top Chef fans here in the city are sore over the fact that they always identify you as the owner of Morimoto and Buddakan in New York, but gloss over all your restaurants in Philly. What's up with that?
The first time I was on [Top Chef New York], it was a totally new experience, and I had no idea what they would do. I had barely watched the show and I didn't know much about it. I don't know why they didn't say that. If I do it again, I would make sure they say that I'm the owner of restaurants in both Philly and New York. My guess is they're sort of not giving us the respect we deserve, just honing in on New York. And of course, that's ridiculous. Philly is our home, and most of what I do is here.
Did you feel as though the format for this final table �� mandatory dessert, the "mystery box" � damaged the finalists' ability to showcase their strengths?
It probably hurt them. It's like playing in the World Series in 60-degree temperatures or 40-degree temperatures. What's easier on the pitcher and batter? It's better when things are controlled. If they figure out how to do their best and plan it in their heads, I think it'd be much easier and better.
Now I don't know when Tom Colicchio actually told them [about the various twists]. It might have been 7 in the morning. So if they were told that at 7 a.m., it's not as much as a curveball, since we taped until the late afternoon. But generally speaking, my answer would be that those curveballs would only hurt the chefs.
How long did the taping for the Final Table actually last?
Five or six hours? I don't know. I have all these confidentality agreements so I can only give you the broad view.
Based on what you tasted, do you feel as though the right chef came out on top?
It was really close. And at the end of the day, I was not the judge who made those decisions. I really liked that dessert with the pumpkin seeds. It was really good. People said it was dried out, but it didn't matter � the flavors and consistencies were really good. I think that dessert was from the guy that won [Michael Voltaggio]. Bryan [Voltaggio] did the venison � that may have been the best [entr�e]. But if memory serves me well, I think that the right guy won.
I don't watch these things very often. I'm really way too busy to watch them every week, but I read on the Internet when people are like, "So and so should've won." But there's no way you can know who should've won by watching TV. You gotta eat it! I think that people really develop a fondness for the characters, like that guy with the beard [Kevin Gillespie]. He was a very folksy, likeable guy.
With so many palates at one table, there was bound to be some disagreements about specific dishes, right? Any disputes or differences in opinion that didn't make it onto the show?
Not really ... there were no major disagreements on this one. Tom Colicchio is excellent, by the way � he really is almost a professor with his analysis of food. My opinions are very basic � which may be better � but Tom's are so much astute and prolific. He's really good.
Taking their styles and cooking in consideration, which of the three chefs would you most like to hire for one of your restaurants?
If you really want me to be very honest with you, the conditions by which we eat this food, the number of dishes we have � it's not even close to being enough for me to determine if I would do a restaurant with them. If I were a judge the whole time, sure, I could figure it out.
Funny you say that, because leading up to the Final Table, they had the contestants saying stuff like, "This could make or break our careers!"
It's a television show, you know? It's a very well-done and successful one. It's inspired a lot of people to not only watch, but to want to cook.
You said you didn't care for the inclusion of bacon in Kevin's dessert. Safe to say we'll never see a bacon-laden dessert at a Starr restaurant?
Chefs are experimenting with lots of stuff, and pork has become a very important ingredient in cooking. Of course, it's always been. [That type of dessert] is being done a lot now ... but putting pork in a dessert for me is just gross. I don't want pig ice cream.
So are you not into that vein of experimentation?
When you're a young chef and you just start doing stuff for the sake of doing stuff ... your foundation needs to be strong. Your knowledge of classic techniques needs to be awesome. Then I think you start to play. That's the danger in cooking shows and things like this. Maybe a lot of people are going too quickly to the experimental stage before they have the basics down pat.
What are the chances of seeing a Top Chef season set in Philly in the future?
I don't know. Of course I put my two cents in that they should do that. I've pushed the producers. I told them they need to come to Philly, it's a great culinary town. I think they are considering it.
I, for one, have been miffed that Starr has been solely identified with New York in his TC appearances (I mean, I know he's a mogul, but he's OUR mogul, right?), but I certainly believe him when he says he'll make sure he's associated with Philly next time out. Thanks for asking him about it, Drew! And Mr. Starr, you are a terrific judge so don't forget us next time they ask you to appear!
Great Questions! Stephen Starr sounds hilarious! I think my favorite part is when he refers to Kevin as "that guy with the beard" and "folksy"
Top Chef Philadelphia would be awesome!!!
[...] Tom Colicchio Wants To Open A Restaurant In Philadelphia And *GASP* Maybe Even Film Top Chef Here [The Illadelph] Interview: Stephen Starr discusses the Top Chef Las Vegas Final Table [Meal Ticket] [...]
The great thing about acquiring NBC Universal is that Comcast just needs to command Bravo to film Top Chef here.
When I hear "Stephen Starr," I automatically think about Philadelphia. Maybe it's because I'm from Baltimore, and Philly is closer to me? And I have only eaten at Morimoto in Philly, but never in his NY outposts.
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| bravotv.com |
Last night, Top Chef's sixth season wrapped up in fairly dramatic fashion. Dramatic chair-leaning was involved.
First off, it should be said that this final three � brothers Bryan and Mike, and Kevin � is, in my opinion, the strongest in the show's history. Unlike last season, when I (and some of the rest of y'all, i'm guessing) boo-hissed at my screen due to the groan-inducing nature of the conclusion, I knew that all the remaining finalists were worthy adversaries for one another. While it's easy to argue that these three were groomed from the outset by producers based on their manifold archetypal value � tall good-looking blonde dudes! vicious sibling rivalries! jolly Southern gentlemen! pork fetishes! tattoos! beards! � you can't knock the numbers: This threesome combined to win 12 of the 13 elimination challenges this season. No joke.
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| bravotv.com |
To be honest, I was surprised and a little disappointed that they decided to switch up the free-for-all format of the final challenge this year. While in previous seasons the judges had final cheftestants cook up whatever they pleased (the transcendently beautiful Padma would always say something melodramatic like "cook us the best meal of life," and then make a series of sensual gesticulations), this year's ultimate challenge carried a barrage of stipulations and limitations that I believe hampered the overall results for the worse. At first, Bryan, Mike and Kevin are told that of the three courses they're required to cook, they'll have free reign over only one. For the other two, one must feature ingredients out of a Chopped mystery box (above � rockfish, kobacha squash, meyer lemon, etc.), and the other � the other must be DESSERT. Nooooooo.
Before they get their prep started, the chefs draw knives to see which eliminated contestants will back them up in the kitchen. Kevin pulls Preeti (who was probably offended by this facepalm-worthy WaPo correction) and Ash. Mike adds Jessi ("She's a workhorse") and Eli to his team. Bryan gets Ashley as well as our girl Jen.
While the three finalists sit and stew in a really nice hotel room, they're thrown for yet another loop when their adorable mothers show up and immediately start crying and matting down their sons' cowlicks with spitty fingers. This, of course, translates into even more work for the guys � now that mamadukes action is in the house, they have to tack on a fourth course, one inspired by a favorite childhood dish.
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| bravotv.com |
The cheftestants cook, Kev gets mad at Preeti for chopping veggies too slow, Bryan reveals that he hunts to "be more in tune with his ingredients," yeahyeahyeah. The final table, at Douglas Keane's Cyrus, features all the usual suspects, plus a murderers' row of big-deal restaurateurs, including Sam Nazarian, Donatella Arpaia and Philly's own Stephen Starr.
Kevin's mom dish, chicken skin over a complex squash casserole, is a huge hit. His mystery box dish features a wack matsutake mushroom, and his pork belly is also poorly received � odd, since pig is his wheelhouse. His similarily kosher-unfriendly dessert, a banana/peanut/chocolate/bacon deal, moves Starr to declare that he doesnt't want pork in his sweets.
Bryan's mom-homage sardine starter wins praise, but his sous-vide rockfish mystery box dish is deemed too safe by Gail. His venison/sunchoke pur�e main, on the other hand, is a smash, as is his polished dulce de leche cheesecake to round it all out.
Finally � Mike dehydrates broccoli for his childhood memory plate (he was a picky eater), but serves an iffy spot prawn with it. His dashi-glazed rockfish is generally well-received, and the same goes for his squab breast with pistachio cassoulet and 'shrooms. A chocolate/caramel/squash coulant/brulee combo for dessert doesn't quite come full circle.
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| bravotv.com |
At judges' table, Kevin's zapped at the outset (the unfortunate timing of some personal issues might've played a part), so it comes down � much to Bravo's devious glee, I'm sure � to the Voltaggio brothers (have I mentioned that they have a SIBLING RIVALRY?!). Bryan's food is "well-presented and beautifully constructed," says Tom C, while his brother "reached high, and often delivered." So who the hell is rightly supposed to take this thing?
Mike Voltaggio is your new Top Chef, winning $125,000, the title, and psychological dominance over his older brother for years to come.
Questions and thoughts for y'all (let's hear what you have to say in the comments):
- Hell of a close call between these two, based on both season-long success and finale performance. What, at the end of the day, do you think bumped Mike past Bryan?
- What went wrong for Kevin in this episode?
- What did you think of all these final-table curveballs � the mystery box, the mandatory dessert, the mom course? Good to level the playing field? Or squelching for the competitors?
- How much of a role � in any � did the Voltaggio sibling rivalry play in both of them to the very end?
- Is Mike the father of Padma's baby?
Check back on Meal Ticket a little later, when we'll chat with Stephen Starr about the Final Table.
I'm kind of disappointed that Michael won. Kevin had my vote going into it... but I guess divorce trumps top chef cause buddy seemed so sad and out of it. I'm also sad no one brought back Mattin or Ron asking for a sword. Preeti, however, is just terrible. And can Toby Young just go away for good? He's terrible and I don't want to hear about the atom bombs of taste exploding in his mouth... maybe bring back Michael Chiarello full time? :) Or if it must be a critic bring back Gael Greene and her hats. Sad that Top Chef Recaps are over... great job this season! (no photoshop this time?) Can you do weekly recaps of Jersey Shore to tide us over until the next season? Just a suggestion...
In the end it felt a bit like it was scripted to me, maybe even from the beginning, with the 'sibling rivalry' promos. Also, the brothers ALREADY worked for the big guys, had restaurants and even a Michelin star, so, what did they really need from Top Chef? Watched finale at 10 Arts, in front of the only TV that you could hear. Michael had more bravado w food and deserved the win, I think. It was a bit much though, w momma hugging one while looking at the other-perfect cheap reality TV. I thought there was more talent this season, obviously, but I think it was the worse season, except for our own JEN of course.
Best season, worst finale. Curveballs aren't necessary in the finale. It's better when they have free reign.
Wait, Kevin is single!?!? Holy moly, I am moving to Atlanta. Any boy who has a pig tattooed on his arm is destined to be my husband. I was team Kevin from the beginning, I think he was the strongest chef without using gimmicks that Michael used. If he had a bad day though, I think Michael was the runner up. I really didn't enjoy the restrictions that they imposed this season. If there were any season I wanted to see what they could do it would be them. I did like the mom bit though, because I'm cheesy and sentimental like that. I can't wait to see if they can keep this level of talent up next year. Awesome updates this season!! If you can throw some random photoshopping skills into Mealticket it would be much appreciated.
Last night felt like a regular episode to me. Sort of bland compared to some other episodes this season.
Great recap I will miss them! Will you do one final recap for the reunion show next week, please?! I have so many thoughts on Kevin from the episode. First, I believe there is direct correlation between Kevin's cooking and the height/style of his hair. Second, It's super sad that he separated from his wife right before :( Finally, he got Preeti! He might as well have only got one helper. This season finale was sooo boring and I hated the mystery box dealie. I would have been happier if Bryan won but honestly once Kev was sent packing it didn't matter. I think Mike I. is the father of Padmas's baby they always had a weird flirtation. She would coo his name during quickfires.
Agreed on this being the best 3 ever. Still think the finale was a little weird and anti-climactic. I could just feel Kevin's confidence slipping away after they put all those rules on. I'm not so mad at them setting up a brother vs. brother finale because they kept away from a lot of the cheap reality-show-style tactics this time, and both of them are good. Mike has some really intricate things going on and I could tell it was going to be him. I know the judges always like to say that it's better to be simple and make food that represents you, but they harped on Bryan a couple times recently for not seasoning his dishes enough, and they wanted Kevin to do more with the pork. I think Mike wins for complexity. My guess: Padma's baby dady is Sam from season 2. She was always way too in favor of him, and he came back for guest spots several times after, with her looking very excited to see him.
Ok, I am still very much Kevin 4eva and his little sad face and mom time broke my heart. Mike is DEF the father of Padma's baby-- the way that he said "Here's that emotion you wanted, Padma" when he won? Come on! He was referring to his stone cold demeanor when she told him she was with child. Also, I bet that Eli was bummed that he wasn't in the final three since they got a visit from their moms! But it's ok I guess because she was probably sitting with him on the couch that they share, consoling him for his loss. P.S. J Leo, can you blame Padma for always being in favor of Sam from Season 2? Sexy Diabetic!
Poncho: Agreed! The reunion show def needs a recap, especially because Kevin is supposed to drop some moralistic bombshell and because that dude they have hosting the reunion shows is kind of a bitch. I hated the mystery box. I like the ProjRunway final curveballs because they are supposed to continue the ideas already present in their collection. Forcing constraints on "the best meal of their lives" is unfair and taints the results. It played to Michael's strengths of out-there creativity, while ignoring Brian's impeccable technique and Kevin's penchant for simplicity. Also, Michael blows.
Social comments and analytics for this post... This post was mentioned on Twitter by mealticket: TOP CHEF LAS VEGAS Season Finale recap (read, comment!): http://tr.im/HgZ8...
[...] Top Chef D.C. really snuck the hell up on us, did it not? It seemed like just yesterday that we were bambling incoherently about Kevin’s fire-engine-red beard and our jawsome girl [...]
In the end it felt a bit like it was scripted to me, maybe even from the beginning, with the 'sibling rivalry' promos. Also, the brothers ALREADY worked for the big guys, had restaurants and even a Michelin star, so, what did they really need from Top Chef? Watched finale at 10 Arts, in front of the only TV that you could hear. Michael had more bravado w food and deserved the win, I think. It was a bit much though, w momma hugging one while looking at the other-perfect cheap reality TV. I thought there was more talent this season, obviously, but I think it was the worse season, except for our own JEN of course.
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We really enjoyed Stephen Starr's appearance on the last season of Top Chef -- he repped us well. Now comes word that the restaurateur will pull up a seat at the "Final Table" for tonight's episode, featuring cheftestants Kevin Gillespie, Michael Voltaggio and Bryan Voltaggio vying for the title. (Philly's own Jennifer Carroll was lamely sent home in part one of the finale last week.) We're sure he'll hold it down and provide some solid feedback during what is always our favorite challenge: When Padma and Co. tell the finalists to simply cook the best meal they've ever cooked. The results are always interesting.
Last week, we did a little poking around to try and determine which of the remaining chefs were hosting finale parties. Results here; do with them what you will.
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| bravotv.com |
It's part one of the Season 6 finale, and there are only a few things on my mind at this point in the competition. First � remember when Preeti said she became a chef because of 9/11? That was awesome.
Second � knowing what we know now, that Top Chef snoopage sesh from yesterday has created nothing but more confusion for me. And the last thing I need is more Top Chef confusion.
Quickfire: Our final four � Jen, Kevin, Bryan and Mike � show up one by one on a railroad platform at what looks like Shining Time Station, hair all different and strangely rested-looking. They're in Napa. Kevin's beard has a Facebook page. A pretty train arrives. The transcendently beautifully preggos Padma emerges alongside Top Chef Masters finalist Michael Chiarello. Does anyone else feel as though Padma should always be trailed by a Crazy 88-style entourage every time she enters or exits any type of door or vestibule?
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You know what? It's the second-to-last episode of this season. I'm just going to go ahead and get this out of my system:
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God that feels good. What am I supposed to do when this season is over? Read books? I'm so angry already.
So the Quickfire is that the final four cheftestants have to cook dishes for Padma and Chia on board the Napa Valley Wine Train, using grapes as a thematic ingredient. Kevin gets motion sickness easily so he's not feeling so hot about the situation, at least until he hears that the prize is a brand-new Toyota Prius. Jen reveals that she drives a 2000 Chevy Cavalier, which endears me to her even more � I'll race you down Broad in my '98 Civic with the cracked-ass back bumper, Jen!
Chia has kind words for all of the chefs and their dishes, even threatening to steal to Jen's chicken liver/clam/cabernet grape combo for his restaurant, but Mike ends up getting the keys to the whip with a "cous cous"-stuffed grape leaf (his "dishes" always have so "quotes" around the "ingredients") with a "scallop" "skewer." "Screw him, man," says Jen. GOOD FOR YOUUUU, Mike!
Elimination: Napa Valley's fall crush season is reason for celebration, and the foursome are told to cook two dishes apiece for a crowd of 150 rich people who wear denim shirts. One dish must be all-the-way vegetarian, while the other can feature a protein � but ALL the ingredients, S&P excepted, come from within a 50-mile radius. This stirs up some trepidation in Mike, who's used to cooking with space food sourced from the Crab Nebula, but Kevin, Jen and Bryan all seem OK with it.
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| bravotv.com |
"There's definitely a sibling rivalry," Mike says of competing against Bryan. Really? While we're all rattling off long-established absolute truths here, I definitely spend way too much time thinking about this show and Gail Simmons is definitely extremely into me.
Jen puts out a chevre mousse for her veg entry and a delicious-sounding roundup of braised duck legs and confit duck breast for her meaty plate; Chiarello compliments the "duckiness" of her Sonoma duck (are chefs allowed to say stuff like that?), but there's apparently too much salt in her goat cheese jawn. Mike's veggie pistou with slow-poached eggs and turnip/foie/pear soup earn dubious feedback. (His food causes Chiarello to utter the phrase "finish in my mouth," which made me laugh because I am 12 years of age.) Kev's roasted root-veg dish (above) is a huge hit, as is Bryan's goat cheese ravioli, and it's a battle of the short ribs for their meat courses: B's comes fig-glazed and flavorful, while K's ropy � sorry, "toothsome" � presentation with polenta is slightly less well-received.
The judges have quibbles for each of the chefs, but when it comes time for elimination, it's our girl Jen who's sent packing. Not to sound like too much of a homer here, but I think this is a perfect example of how utterly stupid it is for the judges to claim that they view the chefs' efforts on an episode-by-episode basis. If that were really true, Mike would've been axed, only because the stringent locavore parameters of the Elimination threw him off his game a bit � he stated himself that he missed his "tricks," and it showed in the mixed-bag reactions to his food. Jen's veg dish apparently had too much salt, but her duck was a smash across the board � even though they tried to twist her on-the-fly decision to confit her duck breast instead of grill it (coals weren't hot) into a shortcoming.
Next week: FINALE. OK Top Chef fans � who's taking this? My gut says Kevin, but based on my nosiness research, the logical pick here miiiightttt be Bryan. Let's hear what you have to say.
I can't recall a Top Chef "chopping block" session in six seasons when I couldn't pick at least one cheftestant or even say all of them deserve to go...but last night's elimination left me flummoxed on who they were sending packing. Right-on Drew, they loved Jen's duck, but seems the reason she was kicked to the curb, according to Tom, was it wasn't her initial intention?? Jen rocked and did us proud. My money's been on Kevin since Episode 1. If he doesn't pull a Blaise, he's taking the title.
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Forget it. I'm not even reading next week's recap. Shouldn't chefs be rewarded for thinking on the fly, not punished? It's good to let the 12 year old backpack rapper out. Don't want him to get suffocated.
I say we take friendly wagers on the ganador. Being in Philly means that we can use the term "high stakes," but instead spell "stake" like "steak," and the winner gets a cheesesteak. We've got to have odds, though, and Kevbo's at 10-1 (or maybe instead of winning cheesesteaks, I will eat 10 cheesesteaks if he wins). I put Li'l V at 3-1, and Bry-Bry's dead even. Thoughts?
I, too, enjoyed Jen's duckiness and her shout-out to the chevy cavalier. I was dissapointed that she gave her recipe away to the devil so eagerly. Jen works for a real man. Mike is a smug alert in himself. I wouldn't want to see Jen crusing down Walnut in that newfangled contraption anyway. I'd like Kev to win, cause I cook like that on my day off, but knowing Bravo, they will pick one brother over another. It's not about the food people, it's about the drama.
I couldn't join Kevin's group fast enough after I heard that. My wife and I want him to our personal gnome-chef. He's awesome. I was sad to see Jen go, but who could argue with this top 3? This is the best final group ever, I think, and she can't feel too bad. I would've taken her over anyone in season 1 or 2, maybe more, but, oh well. You kinda had to think they would set up the brother battle in the finale. Last year, they used the whole Hosea-Stefan feud (but forgot to realize that no one likes Hosea either) to make the finale personal. A sibling rivalry is just too easy for them to pass up. Thankfully, they deserve to be here. I'm rooting for Kevin. Any man that has a pig tattoo has a spot in my kitchen. But I have a feeling it will be a fancy technology-driven battle between the brothers. Out of the them, I think I like Bryan a little better.
Kevin 4-eva! And while I love Kevin the most, it upset me a little bit that he used the word "toothsome" incorrectly! He was trying to say that his dish had some texture, right? But toothsome means delicious or alluring (professor vocab, over here). Not the same. Although I'm sure his dish was delicious and alluring so whatever. Finally, if I had to pick between the two brothers I'd choose Michael because Bryan's mouth really freaks me out and tattoos are cool.
I've really been disappointed in this season of Top Chef. I haven't found any of the personalities at all interesting. I really hated Eli and his smarmy, "Mommy, the pressure is so tough" phone call and his I have my own restaurant and I'm big whoopie sh*t but I live with my parents thing. In truth I only wanted Ron to win because he almost got eaten by sharks or some crazy thing. But I do imagine that it will come down to Kevin or Bryan. Because they seem to be to the two best at consistently coming up with good stuff and never coming out with things that seem utterly terrible.
Kibby, your comment compelled me to google toothsome and I discovered that it can also mean "sexually attractive or exciting", weird. If Mike wins I'll be upset because he is a douche. Not Hosea-upset, but still upset. Gooooooooooo Kevin!!!!!!!!!!
How do I get in touch with Kevin? Can you direct me to a fine dining experience? Kim H
[...] Arboretum next Thursday, necessitating this awesome Photoshop. Still not nearly as horrible as our Top Chef/Kill Bill hatchet job. Great moments in Dick Vermeil-related [...]
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Yesterday, 10 Arts by Eric Ripert announced they'd be holding two big viewing events for the last two episodes of this season of Top Chef Las Vegas � from 7 to 11 tonight, guests can partake in final-four cheftestant Jennifer Carroll's $35 three-course prix-fixe, with the episode unfolding on flat-screen TVs in both the restaurant and bar/lounge areas. (They're also selling "Bet on Jen" buttons, with proceeds benefitting Philabundance.) Next Wednesday, Dec. 9, when it's whittled down to the final three, 10 Arts will do a $65 dinner deal that includes an autographed menu from Carroll as well as a champagne toast.
So is this is two-part celebration a giant tell of Carroll's victory on the show's sixth season, a la the big-ass party Jose Garces threw at Distrito when he became an Iron Chef? It's tempting to say yes � but first we gotta check on the other three cheftestants to see what their plans are. Meal Ticket just put in calls to the restaurants of fellow Top Chef finalists Kevin Gillespie, Michael Voltaggio and Bryan Voltaggio to see if they had any comparable events planned.
Woodfire Grill, Gillespie's restaurant in Atlanta, informed us, in an almost regrettable tone, that there was nothing Top Chef-related scheduled for this week or next. Pasadena, California's The Dining Room, where Michael Voltaggio is chef de cuisine, will be playing the show at their bar, but there are no official parties on the books for tonight or next Wednesday. Tonight's a normal night at Volt, Bryan Voltaggio's restaurant in Frederick, Maryland � but next week, the city of Frederick is hosting an invitation-only bash at the restaurant for the final episode.
Last year, eventual winner Hosea Rosenberg held a viewing party at a bar in Boulder, Carla Hall held a viewing party in D.C. and Stefan Richter, who didn't have a restaurant at the time, watched from home. (Check out our recap our last season's finale.)
So there y'all have it. Draw your own conclusions, Top Chef fans!
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Nope!
[...] is more than just trannies, Garces vs. Starr, sticky questions• Philly Cupcake opens Dec. 10• Is 10 Arts' Top Chef Las Vegas two-part viewing party a giant tell? Let's find out! Stuff to Win and CP Promotions• WIN tickets to see "Oh My God?"• WIN tickets to see [...]
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Eli, eh. He was OK, but never my favorite. Bryan is next on the chopping block (can you say battle of the Voltaggio brothers?). Final three prediction: Kevin, Jen, Mike. Team Jen all the way!
Eli was too prissy to go the distance in this competition. And what is wrong with Benevolent Bryan? Why would you help your strongest competitor do ANYTHING? He defeated himself right there.
Tom was actually apologetic someone had to go home--didn't know he was such as softee. I think I shouted "nooooooooo" when Padma told Eli and his knives to hit the road. Just think, last year at this time, Carla hi-dee-ho'd her way to the Final 3. This season's final 5 was no doubt the strongest cast to date. Jen has been awesome and the V-Bros are studs (in a chef, hetero way) but Kevin has dominated the competition, so my money's on him taking the title--he gets it that simple, well-executed food is what wins and he's followed that formula. Sadly, only one more episode of Top Chef and three more episodes of Dexter...how many days til pitchers and catchers?
Drew: you were the best damned dish washer Smitty's Pub has ever seen. However, the JV squad was not really for you.
I can't believe Kevin won 30k! Maybe now he can treat his grandmother to a nice breakfast instead of knocking her door down every morning for food. I kid, I love Kevin and hope he wins.
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