OMG the episode I just watched where a SNAKE 
made an appearance!!! My online research says it was a black racer. Still no thank you. 
2 Likes
Yes, the snake was something!! I love how Kristin and Gail “broke the 4th wall” and hopped right on that table!! 
5 Likes
Yes that was this weeks episode. I loved the realness of that. So like Tom to just with flat affect say “watch out for that snake” 
What did you think about Sieger at the end? I mentioned previously there was something about him that was different about the way he was with the other contestants and the judges.
I’m not saying he was right to do that but I sort of enjoyed him “shaking things up”
2 Likes
Not entirely clear what Sieger’s point was? In all of the judging, making a good dish (taste and quality) always counts. I think he was trying to say that Jonathan’s dish did not showcase the ingredients as well, but the judges disagreed. Seemed like a bit of a sore loser at that point. The diners also did not love his dish. As Jonathan said to him, not the way to go out, but can understand his frustration.
7 Likes
Again not saying what’s right and what’s wrong but I wonder if this is a case of “playing favorites” - YES, liver pate is not going to be a fan favorite - was that one of the qualifications of the challenge? Fans weren’t voting. Has Jonathan managed to skate by a couple times? I say yes.
No doubt Sieger was/is maybe a little full of himself - as many chefs are. He had all season had a certain reserve - at least on his edit - to indicate he was not quite in the mix with the chefs and judges - that may just be my viewpoint.
I do give credit that they aired that portion. Maybe they feared more backlash from him if they didn’t??
Just an interesting show discussion piece.
3 Likes
I would have been right there with them!
2 Likes
I was disappointed with Sieger’s pushback. Soured me on him. But thinking about it, I do wonder if something else was at play. He had been eliminated before and was quite chill.
2 Likes
Kristen talked about this some this week and sort of indicated that when she was voted off (she came back and then won) she considered challenging the judges a bit but didn’t. I can’t remember all she said but it left me with a feeling of “some wish they could share some words, but in the end don’t”
- she seemed to sort of get why he did.
She also said the next episode was her fav of this season. I’m curious!
1 Like
The vessel challenge was the best of the season IMO! I also liked that recreate mystery dish challenge. IMO, the three finalists deserve to be there!
2 Likes
I was impressed by Jonathan‘s enthusiasm for everything pumpkin. He was truly thinking and cooking from his heart. Just that is aesthetic sense wasn’t the best. Still, he showed himself to be a really nice person.
Jonathan just didn’t do as much as the others. At least he went out on something good - not a mistake. He was very gracious.
And I have liked how in the last couple of episodes he quietly told Sieger “you don’t want to go out like this” and someone else - I think this episode - “breathe”.
One reason I like Top Chef vs other “reality” shows is that the contestant appear to connect with each other, help each other, seem to be there to cook and not create drama.
3 Likes
Agree, although there are some that criticize the show for that reason - chefs are too nice to each other! I like that you get to know the chefs and while competitive, they are not often super cut-throat or out to sabotage the others. I also agree that Jonathan was the correct choice to leave, even though Lawrence had some uneven wrapper thicknesses. Happy for any of them to win!
2 Likes
Good episode. I held my breath for Lawrence to get that 3rd spot. Though I think it may be a challenge for him to beat the two women, I’m rooting for him .
Shows like Top Chef, Survivor and others that are so long lasting morph over time. While early on in Top Chef seasons the chefs were less friendly and more overtly competitive they are a little more casual now.
But who can forget some of those seasons and rivalries… who remembers the Voltaggio brothers, Stefan (bald guy with a bad a_s attitude but I enjoyed him so, and who can forget “Top Chef Scallop”??!
2 Likes
Does anyone else feel like Laurence did a lot/too much Cantonese?
I get cooking in your comfort zone and chefs being true to their roots, but I like to see them branch some. Of course, in recent seasons, chefs have been praised for cooking “their” food so…
IIRC correctly, Laurence was not professionally trained as a chef, so I imagine he would not feel comfortable whipping up a beef Wellington. 
He’s such a nice guy! I feel like Sherry and Rhoda have a slight edge, but it’s anyone’s game and I would be happy to see any of them win.
1 Like
It seems like he is a little more limited and i largely am rooting for him because he seems like a nice guy with great potential.
He has held his own though and had some wins - quick fire or otherwise- right?
Also just saw this - I don’t watch until the next day anyway but fyi
1 Like
In a lot of the Top Chef seasons, there seemed to be a lot of contestants who made pasta for so many challenges, so I think it’s been nice to see less of that this season. I think that Rhoda should have left after the pavlova incident, for which she had a terrible attitude about making dessert and took four hours to make a bad one. Hoping Laurence or Sherry win.
2 Likes
I agree that Rhoda should have been eliminated - 4 hours and all she actually cooked was a meringue that didn’t work. (But I think the judges thought she was a better chef than Oscar (probably true) but at least Oscar cooked! So maybe I am team Sherry or team Laurence now. lol
3 Likes
I’m rooting for Sherry. She was relatively invisible in the beginning but was so consistent and quite creative!
Am I the first to watch the finale?
I have to say I’m a little disappointed. Sort of in the show. I feel it was EVIDENT through the finale who was getting more screen time and then eventually won.
While I didn’t taste it, her food seemed the least interesting to me.
I honestly thought Sherry was going to win. The duck seemed to take Lawrence out. I wonder if her ice cream hadn’t melted of the win would have swayed her way.
3 Likes
Seemed like it was a very close race and the ice cream probably took Sherry out. I did not think the outcome was clear, although Lawrence’s duck definitely kept him from winning. Overall, thought it was a good season with likeable chefs.
On another note, Tom Colicchio is closing his flagship NYC restaurant Craft.
2 Likes