<p>One of my favorite shows and I have watched since the first season. I worked my way thru grad school at UCLA as a sous -chef at an upscale LA restaurant. I love the challenges involving prep skills. And I love any episode with the sexy Eric Ripert or Tony Bourdaine. Stefan is a classic euro-jerk, but he does have game, mad skills and should win.</p>
<p>I’ve watched every episode since season one, and absolutely love this show! The nice thing about it is that Bravo always repeats episodes in an “omnibus” format, so when my college kids come home, they catch up all in one day.</p>
<p>I agree that this group seems to get along really well–even Stefan is liked despite his sometimes cocky attitude, and they all seem to pull together as a team. I also dislike the new British judge, as he seems more interested in coming up with witty sound bites than actual constructive criticism. I think that Tom gets annoyed with him because he exaggerates so much. Last episode, after he slammed one dish, Tom said “It’s not as easy as it looks!” I think he is annoyed with him being simply a food critic rather than a judge who is also a chef.</p>
<p>yes…the Brit has got to go.</p>
<p>I love Tom he is my favorite out of everyone…he just seems like a guy you would want to go and have a drink with. If you did that with the Brit I think you would want to ask for another round just to get through the first :(</p>
<p>Addict since Season 3 (and I liked Hung :eek: - predicted in my own mind that he would win; and I think he reminded me of a friend of DS). </p>
<p>I think they must have edited to avoid showing Carla’s skill in the earlier episodes this season. I never expected her to go far - seemed like all she could make were desserts. I wasn’t a big fan of Jamie’s, so didn’t mind seeing her go. Leah doesn’t belong in the top 4 - no way. If they kick off Carla or Fabio to keep the romance drama going, I scream “unfair!” What are Hosea and Leah thinking, with this routine statement of how much they love their off-screen gf and bf? Who do they think are kidding? Surely not us.</p>
<p>I hate the new Brit judge. Bring back Gail - or anyone! Thom from Queer Eye is good. ;)</p>
<p>I can’t tolerate Hell’s Kitchen; DS likes it. The “contestants” seemed like a joke the one time I watched it. I do love Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares - airs on BBC America. Lots of bleeped out words, but serious attention to what makes successful restaurants. Current season seems to be all in American restaurants.</p>
<p>ETA: What’s this about litigation wrt Project Runway?? I guess I’m off to google that one.</p>
<p>BTW–anyone interested in the whole “kitchen scene” should read Tony Bourdain’s “Kitchen Confidential”. Best book EVER written on life in the food lane and all the craziness it entails. And you will never eat the seafood at Sunday Brunch again.</p>
<p>^^ Or mussels at just about any restaurant (I still do so at places I really trust).</p>
<p>The Project Runway litigation is over the move to Lifetime. Bravo is suing. I believe they already filmed the season for Lifetime, but they haven’t been able to show it.</p>
<p>(End hijack)</p>
<p>Love Ariane and Rhadika Fabio is my other top but yeah Carla grows on you. I used to have a colleague who had a similar look and energy so I like her more all of the time.</p>
<p>Wish Leah would just go. She threw Ariane under the bus on the farm fresh challenge. Hosea too should have helped instead of just letting her flounder.</p>
<p>Jamie leaving is a loss.</p>
<p>My pick for final four are Stephan, Fabio, Carla, and Hosea. I really think Carla has hit her stride and will begin to dazzle them. She sort of lost herself at first now she is ready. But really what the heck do I know ? :)</p>
<p>Has anyone else ever eaten a meal prepared by a top chef contestant? We had the best meal of our life prepared by Dave Martin (bleached head guy- season one) at a local restaurant here that was attended by several other contestants- including top somelier Stephen, and Leann.</p>
<p>Then we ate at Dave’s restaurant in Manhattan- it was okay. His mac and cheese with truffles is amazing- but I felt like he was trtying to satisfy tourists or something at the restaurant, and it was not the wonderful meal he served to a bunch of foodies.</p>
<p>I still intend to eat at one of Tom Callichio’s restaurants one of these days…just not when I have my kids with me.</p>
<p>The gorgeous blond male has a restaurant in South Beach. Perhaps one day…</p>
<p>There is a very interesting Blog with detailed analysis of each program and intelligent/knowledgeable commentary on the cheftestants here. I am as addicted to that as I am the actual show.</p>
<p>[Skillet</a> Doux: Top Chef Postmortem - Episode 11](<a href=“http://www.skilletdoux.com/2009/02/top-chef-postmortem-episode-11/comments/page/3/#comments]Skillet”>http://www.skilletdoux.com/2009/02/top-chef-postmortem-episode-11/comments/page/3/#comments)</p>
<p>I agree with those who’ve said they don’t like the new British judge. All he seems to do is try to come up with completely lame witticisms – “this dish reminds me of Elvis Presley, because . . . .!”-type stuff – or silly insults like “this dish tastes like cat food!” (My response to that was to wonder how he knows!)</p>
<p>Jeff was very cute. </p>
<p>I admit that I rooted for Marcel in season 2, even though he wasn’t very likeable, because I hated the way everyone ganged up on him and bullied him. In season 3, I actually liked Hung, because his talent lived up to his arrogance. This season does seem to have less personal conflict than most of the others I’ve watched (I never saw season 1).</p>
<p>Regarding Project Runway, NBC (which owns Bravo) sued Lifetime after Harvey Weinstein signed a contract to move the show from Bravo to Lifetime, and got a preliminary injunction barring Lifetime from airing Season 6 pending the outcome of the lawsuit. In the meantime, they’ve been filming Season 6, but can’t show it. (In fact, I think the finalists for Season 6 are showing at the February New York Fashion Week this coming Friday – but they’ll be showing their collections anonymously, so that the show won’t be spoiled if it ever does air.)</p>
<p>Yes. Dump the new judge and bring in Thom from Queer Eye. I wasn’t that fond of gail but anyone is better than that new ****** ( I will bleep myself). He is really unkind and, though I am no expert, it appears to me he does not know very much. I agree there is less drama and back-stabbing this season. I think that is why they kept Leah around. I think Leah should go next and leave the two euro-chefs, carla and the boy toy in the final four.
Thanks for the detailed update on Project Runway. I hope all settles soon.</p>
<p>mom-w-q</p>
<p>YES. I took my D’s and their BF’s and we went to Forte d’Asprinio in West Palm Beach. Stephen Asprinio of season one (he was the quirky wine expert) opened this up about a year ago with a silent partner. They have since parted ways and Stephen is not longer involved :(. He is from this area, and I believe his folks still live nearby.</p>
<p>We went within 2-3 mos of its opening, when Stephen was still heavily involved. We went specifically to eat in a TOP CHEF establishment. The decor was was purple and black and quite modern: it was both well done and pure Stephen. Not at all what you would expect for a Tuscan or Italian restaurant. My girls were seated across from me, and kept seeing Mr. A peeking out of the kitchen into the dining room. Every time I turned around to look, I missed him. Then, one of them nearly walked into him on the way to the powder room. </p>
<p>The dinner was FABULOUS. It was modern Tuscan food. The menu was just a little intimidating, but the mature waiter could not have been more helpful. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously. It was NOT that expensive, and the food really was divine. We still talk about the deconstructed Caesar salads that were served. Every ingredient was so fresh. There was a bit of a delay waiting for dessert, and the waiter apologized profusely and removed the charges. </p>
<p>We were all ready to go back when it was announced that Stephen had “moved on.” Reports are that the food is still quite good. But I don’t think we will drive the 45 minutes for just another good restaurant. </p>
<p>I think we will remember that meal for YEARS.</p>
<p>I know I’m not the only one who did a double-take every time they flashed the name of Jeff’s restaurant in South Beach across the screen, and I read it too quickly. It’s called, I believe, the “Dilido Beach Club.”</p>
<p>I would love to eat at Richard’s restaurant (Trail Blais?) - if I’m ever in Atlanta!</p>
<p>LOL Donna-L I was rushing to the end of the thread to post that! Oh my goodness! Even after I figured out that it had an additional “i” I still did the double take when they flashed it on the screen.</p>
<p>Would love to dine in a restaurant where any of these guys work. Maybe I’ll hit Jamie’s in SF</p>
<p>Why Thom from Queer Eye? He was the interior decorator! I think you might mean Ted Allen, who was Queer Eye’s foodie. And he is the frequent guest judge. I don’t think he could have taken over for Gayle while she’s on her honeymoon, though, because he’s got a full plate on Food Network, what with judging Iron Chef and doing his own show. (And boy is he annoying on his own show! He’s always yelling, and what’s with the fisheye lens? Good premise, I like the tests they do on “food myths”, but I can’t stand it when Ted tries to channel Bill Nye! OK, end of hijack.)</p>
<p>Friend of mine just ate at Tom’s Craft in NYC for her anniversary.Said it was one of the top meals of her life,and some of the best service as well.</p>