Next Iron Chef?

[-Cp]

Did anyone else watch this show? Someone call 911 - Chef Besh got robbed..

[CatheyJ]

Im happy.. I was rooting for Simon!

[Mezzaluna]

I think Chef Symon is the kind of chef they were looking for. He's got an edginess about him (maybe it's the bald look and the soul patch) and I think he'll do fine. I thought he'd lost when he got poor marks for his scordalia (garlic sauce) from Chef Cora, but he pulled through. Chef Besh is a bit cocky (they've got enough of that with Bobby Flay) but he's into more "refined" French style food which I think is too subtle for what the show wanted.

[shel]

When the show started I was rooting for Tracy Des Jardines. as she's a hometown chef (as were several others) and I've had her food. However, in my heart I figured it would come down to Besh and Symon. I think I preferred Symon, but I like Besh for a number of reasons as well.
I don't think Besh got robbed - both he and Symon are very good at what they do, and from what I read elsewhere, the voting was reasonably close. Either will make a good Iron Chef.

shel

[bubbamom]

In my heart of hearts, right from the start, I thought it would be a tie between Besh and Simon and they would either have them on alternating shows or that they would add a fourth IC. IMO Simon has more a Batalli personality and Besh more a Flay personality so from that perspective, perhaps Simon was the better choice. Both had high points and low points in the results of their cooking competition and it'll be interesting to see how Simon does. I think what might have pushed Simon over the top was his imersion (is that the right term) cooking of the sword fish. I don't think its a technique that has been shown a lot before -- a bit more cutting edge. Guess we'll just have to see how it plays out.

As an aside, I was pleasantly surprised to see Morimoto's personality finally emerge. His technique's and presentation are generally beyond reproach, but his personality gets hidden beneath his concentration.

[CatheyJ]

Originally Posted by bubbamom

As an aside, I was pleasantly surprised to see Morimoto's personality finally emerge. His technique's and presentation are generally beyond reproach, but his personality gets hidden beneath his concentration.

I thought so too.. He was so cute and made me laugh a few times.

[-Cp]

You all know that this show was looking for a Mario replacement, right? He's no longer on Food Network....

I don't find Besh to be cocky at all - I think most of his gestures were in made in fun..... and not at all that he's seriously cocky...

The deal-breaker for me on Symon was on the airplane show - he kept yelling at the cameras to get out of his way... Uhh.. HELLO?!?! you're on a TV SHOW!! If you don't like cameras, then you're applying for the wrong job...

[abefroman]

Originally Posted by -Cp

You all know that this show was looking for a Mario replacement, right? He's no longer on Food Network....

I figured that when he wasn't a judge, also didn't he used to do Everyday Italian, no Giada?

Does Mario have any shows on other channels?

[-Cp]

Originally Posted by abefroman

I figured that when he wasn't a judge, also didn't he used to do Everyday Italian, no Giada?

Does Mario have any shows on other channels?

FOOD NET CHEF MARIO FLAMES OUT

[shel]

Originally Posted by abefroman

Does Mario have any shows on other channels?

His next TV project is:

October 2007: Filming - PBS Series
Mario is spending October in Spain filming his new PBS series
highlighting the country's culture and sights. He will be joined by
Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, New York Times food
columnist Mark Bittman and Spanish TV actress Claudia Bassols.
The show, which will be shot over a span of 10 weeks in English
and Spanish, will be "a showcase of Spain as it has never been
seen before".

"Spain ... on the road Again" will run on US public television
PBS as 13 one-hour episodes during late next year and is
expected to be broadcast in other nations as well.

shel

[Quinn01]

I thought Besh got robbed too, untill i personaly talked to Symon yesterday night. He was at my school (CIA) doing a demo for us and i passed him outside and i asked him if he thought they both worked at even levels and he said that it was different you dont see alot on tv which he found out from watching.

But i dont really know, they are both great chefs just in different areas.

[abefroman]

Originally Posted by shel

Mario will be leaving FoodNetwork. His next TV project is:

October 2007: Filming - PBS Series
Mario is spending October in Spain filming his new PBS series
highlighting the country's culture and sights. He will be joined by
Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, New York Times food
columnist Mark Bittman and Spanish TV actress Claudia Bassols.
The show, which will be shot over a span of 10 weeks in English
and Spanish, will be "a showcase of Spain as it has never been
seen before".

"Spain ... on the road Again" will run on US public television
PBS as 13 one-hour episodes during late next year and is
expected to be broadcast in other nations as well.

shel

Ooooohhh, thats sounds good.

PBS is able to pay him more than the food network?

[shel]

Originally Posted by abefroman

PBS is able to pay him more than the food network?

You all know that this show was looking for a Mario replacement, right? He's no longer on FOOD NETWORK

First of all, Batali is in a position where he needn’t do a TV show for the money. He owns all or part of seven restaurants, has a cookware and a clothing line, several cookbooks, and a number of other business interests. He’s partnered with Joe and Lidia Bastianich in several restaurant ventures and is also producing at least one wine with them.

Further, according to a report that appeared in several places, including TV guide, Mario is still with Food Network and will continue appearing as an Iron Chef. Back in September both Mario and FN execs confirmed this, and Mario said that he’d already taped a few IC shows.

Mario Batali is still part of the Food Network family.

Food Network Is Still Hot for Mario Batali

It should also be noted that, although Molto Mario has been cancelled, the show itself has been out of production since, if I recall correctly, 2004, and FN has been showing reruns for quite some time. This, BTW, has been the case with many other FN shows.

FWIW,

shel