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Bravo show

post #1 of 43
3/13/06 at 12:59pm
Thread Starter 
I was wondering if anyone has seen the Next Top Chef show on Bravo last Wednesday? I didn't see anyone else talking about this so I thought I would start with that. I saw the first one and felt a bit betrayed. I saw previews for the one this Wednesday and now I feel taken advantage of. I was wondering what the communities thoughts might be on this show?
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post #2 of 43
3/13/06 at 2:29pm
I did catch the show... My girlfriend mentioned it on Wednesday as she is a project runway fan and I found out about its existence probably 5 mins before air, therefore had no previous expectations for this... Like any show of its kind, only 3 or 4 of the "cast" had any clue... I guess if they casted all knowleadgable passionate cooks, it would never appeal to the masses as entertainment... It was cool to see them try and work in Hubert Keller's kitchen... And also somewhat amusing to see some of the "signature" dishes... I may or may not watch again...
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post #3 of 43
3/13/06 at 2:58pm
I saw an ad in Sunday's paper for "Next Top Chef" here locally in the Twin Cities. If this is the same thing, it was meant for amateur cooks to prepare a 30-minute meal to be judged by real chefs.

Don't remember the date but it was in March.

doc
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post #4 of 43
3/14/06 at 3:57pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, so it's Tuesday night and I know that the Bravo show is going to be a complete train wreck and bad press for food service professionals. It's almost exactly like Next Top Model, except someone decided to perpetrate the foodservice industry and add undue drama. My girlfriend thinks it's fun and I don't. she says crap like: "Oh, so you guys are just a buch of drama queens who finally got their own show?" I told her that the show isn't reality, it's bullsh&t reality and can bearly be taken seriously for entertainment! Anyways, I'm mad about that and about how a professional cooking career can be molested like this. We have a bad rap as it is! Hey Hollywood jerks, give us a fricken break and leave us alone!!!! I think I'll go hit some golf balls at the indoor range tomorrow night while my girlfriend watches the most horrible show on national TV. And then go drink beers with my friend Jake!
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post #5 of 43
3/14/06 at 4:21pm
travisbickle,

I suspect you've been holding that in while.:)

Probably safer to let it out here than on the girlfriend.
just an old guy learning to live off his own cooking
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post #6 of 43
3/14/06 at 7:43pm
Thread Starter 
Skilletlicker...I've only been holding it in a week now. I hope I find a hobby this weekend besides being obsessed with food or cheesy TV about food.
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post #7 of 43
3/17/06 at 8:26am
Thread Starter 

I watched it again!!!

So last week, it was about sweets and some Anne Lennox look-a-like that runs a bakery in San Fransisco and she was throwing a party for all of her "bondage buddies" and the remaining 11 had to come up with "sexy" sweet things to eat. Anybody here see this? I'm so pathetic........So I sat through the whole thing and god, what a train wreck! The worst was hard to choose. I can't believe that most of these guys are actual chefs except Harold, Miguel, Tiffany and the Asian girl (forgot her name). I know the show is hype, but I can't resist watching like staring at some horrible accident. Anyway, my predictions for the top final three are: Harold, Tiffany, and the Asian girl, the Exec. Chef at CIA.
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post #8 of 43
3/20/06 at 6:52am
It should be. It's from the same producers.
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post #9 of 43
3/20/06 at 5:38pm
travisbickle,

I think I might have got hooked on this show and I'm blamin' you.
:D
just an old guy learning to live off his own cooking
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post #10 of 43
3/21/06 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 
Skilletlicker...So do you have any predictions? I feel rediculous even asking, but it's like picking a scab, I can't help it.
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post #11 of 43
3/21/06 at 5:01pm

If I had to bet:

Well, you mention: I think the wine guy will be in there 'til near the end anyway. I wouldn't go to a restaurant that emphasizes style over substance the way I think he does, but that's just me. The gourmands will keep him in the running.

My favorite is probably the Asian girl. Actually I think she looks more Polynesian. She must flambe a lot because her eyebrows are gone. She'd make a good daughter-in-law. Somebody's got to make a note of her name.

If Tiffany is the redhead she just scares me.

Harold and Miguel can both cook any they're both goofy enough in different ways to be entertaining.

Whenever anyones talking to the whole group, I get a kick out of the expression on the ex-computer guys face. Reminds me of guy on candid camera who's just startin to figure out somethin funny's goin on.

If forced to lay money down I'd say the CIA chef (Polynesian girl) wins it and wine guy and scary redhead are runners up.:crazy:
just an old guy learning to live off his own cooking
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post #12 of 43
3/22/06 at 9:43am
Thread Starter 
Yup...Tiffany is the red head. She made a comment last week about the woman that was throwing the party (who owns the pastry shop IN S.F.), the Anne Lennox look-a-like, and about how she had written an article about "queer women in the kitchen" and she said how much she enjoyed the article because..."it's tough being a woman in the kitchen, even tougher being queer." I think she's got a bit of a chip her shoulders about a couple of things.

Yeah, the ex-computer gut with the bleached out hair...he seems to get rattled pretty easy...maybe the proud owner od a delicate constitution.

I'm going with Harold pretty stong to the end. He doesn't have a lot of flash, but it seems like he's got strong kitchen "cred". We'll have to catch up on this stuff tomorrow morning. I just remembered today is Wednesday and I have to watch tonight. I think I need some therapy!
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post #13 of 43
3/22/06 at 10:45am
I've learned that I create the most offense when I'm trying hardest to be diplomatic, so I'll ask straight out. Are you getting paid to promote this show?
just an old guy learning to live off his own cooking
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post #14 of 43
3/22/06 at 11:28am
I just had to stick my head in here.
Is this the show that is produced by Billy Joels new little wife with nothing to do, so hubby got/bought her a show because she likes to cook?

Never! Live To Work!:::::::Work To Live!::Life Is To Short!!
Paninicakes.com

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post #15 of 43
3/22/06 at 11:48am
That's the show!


Katie Lee Joel may sing ...

...Leave me alone this is my Chef
...go ahead with you own Chef, leave me alone

...la la la la la la lala
;)



I've got the DVR recording the series right now. I thought last weeks show was pretty bad...I'll give it another week before deciding to keep it on the DVR record schedule or not.



dan

Enjoy the Food!

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post #16 of 43
3/22/06 at 12:12pm
Last week was pretty bad but we can all learn from it. There's little detail on the show about how the dishes are prepared but this week I'll make a few comments. No bashing, just comments. Everyone else please share. :)
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post #17 of 43
3/22/06 at 1:27pm
Panini, Kuan, gonefishin,

Nice to "see" y'all.
just an old guy learning to live off his own cooking
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post #18 of 43
3/22/06 at 9:03pm
Third episode; cookin' for the kids

I'm beginning to get a little worried here. I'm really not asking for much...just a little entertainment. I also don't think (:look:) I'm as critical as some others here may be. I'm just looking for a little entertainment.

I thought the first episode started out fine...a nice introduction to the show and participants. It looked to focus quite a bit on the attitudes more than anything else. But perhaps this is just to get you introduced to the participating cooks and chefs. Which I'm perfectly fine with...you have to draw people in someone...and you have to make it popular to a wide range of viewers.

The second episode really threw me a bit. I didn't see much value to the whole thing. Is Howard Stern have some participation in this show as well? I don't know...I just thought there would have been so many better ways to watch their talents unfold.

By the time the third episode was half over...I began to wonder if we would see any of their talents come to light. I understand that serving your customer can be a compromising situation. I also thought that the whole idea of the catering to the kids could have been a cute little idea...to watch their faces...to see the reactions...on and on.

But to have this episode follow the one before :o I'm beginning to wonder if this series is going to be filled with a bunch of NON-events. I'll be watching next week...but I'm not sure about the week after that ;)

dan

Enjoy the Food!

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post #19 of 43
3/22/06 at 9:17pm
Tonight's show was really awful. I can't stand it anymore; it’s a total insult to the art. Tiffani was right when she refuse to compromise the quality of her food for this "challenge". But I do wonder if she was not immune from elimination if she would have been so vociferous.

This show is like the desperate housewives of cooking. But unfortunately like someone said in an earlier post, it’s like watching a bad accident… you just can’t look away.
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post #20 of 43
3/23/06 at 4:07am
Well there's nothing to comment on here. The octopus challenge was interesting although I would have given Tiffani's presentation a big fat ZERO. You don't put food on a plate then put a serving vessel with food in it on the same plate! You want all your food in the serving dish, not out! That's like dumping food on the table.
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post #21 of 43
3/23/06 at 8:24pm

At last...

Finally, some people who watch this show! I knew I could count on ChefTalk. :) I agree with y'all, it's been disappointing. I don't mind (most of) the contestants, they're a diverse bunch with varying degrees of talent/experience (I'm certainly no expert, mind you) and I understand that the creators need different personalities who will potentially clash to create drama/controversy... but the challenges have been l-a-m-e. Observations 3 weeks in:

Hostess Katie Lee Joel: Not to be unkind, but she is terrible. No personality, very unnatural in front of the camera. How did she get this job anyway? (Other than being Mrs. Billy?) Honey, you are no Heidi Klum.

Judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons: like them; both are competent (understatement for James Beard honoree Colicchio) in culinary knowledge. Gail seems like she could be a little b*tchy--which is okay.

I won't do a rundown of the contestants except this: Stephen's (the sommelier) gotsta go. Is he serious? He is so ridiculously pompous, it's comical. (The producers probably luuuuuuv him.)

Oh--the French Culinary Inst. Asian chick is Lee Anne.

Anyway, I'm willing to give it another go next week. What about y'all?
Health, schmealth. Give me the beef!
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post #22 of 43
3/24/06 at 4:42am
For all those wondering about Mrs. Joel, please read her bio here:

http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/Bios/Katie.shtml

And I agree with kuan, no need for bashing. It's always to stand in your own shoes and criticize someone else - and we wonder why people walk around with self esteem problems.

The goal of any television program is to make money for the network by getting viewers to watch. It may be entertaining to some and not to others as with any show. But if it entertains a non-foodie and provides them with a bit of a different perspective on the culinary field and creates an interest in food that goes beyone McDonalds, then it can't be that bad.
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post #23 of 43
3/24/06 at 4:56pm
mudbug, I feel that I must defend myself! I didn't consider anything I said to be "bashing". I specifically prefaced my comment (kuan asked for comments) regarding Katie Lee Joel by saying "not to be unkind", but I honestly think she is not right for that role. I have read her bio and I wasn't really impressed with her background, which, admittedly, is much more than I can say for myself--but I'm not hosting a culinary competition. (I'll concede, the Heidi Klum comment was a bit snarky.)

And certainly, I realize what the ultimate goal of a television program is. Obviously, I find it entertaining if I've watched it for 3 weeks and am willing to watch more, and have specifically sought out other food enthusiasts to discuss it! Should I not have said that the challenges were lame (an opinion that was voiced by others)?

I sincerely apologize if I crossed any lines, but I am truly surprised by this reaction. :confused: :(
Health, schmealth. Give me the beef!
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post #24 of 43
3/25/06 at 9:31am
Not a problem. Sometimes intentions are lost with lack of facial expression and tone of voice. ;)
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post #25 of 43
3/28/06 at 9:12pm
Thread Starter 
Is Billy Joel hetersexual? Or do you mean, "wife"?

Frankly, I'm concerned. Not that crappy television programing may be contributing to the over-all ignorance of our society, h*ll, that's been going on since TV has been around. I'm concerned that about the sensation of watching something like this that brings out the cynic in me. I witnessed a horrible 13 car pile up on the freeway today around 3:30 in the afternoon. I saw it begin in my rearview mirror and was able to pull over and watch the next forty seconds of high speed horror that took place. I did the responsible thing and called 911 while I watched a pick up truck go airborne and then I found myself lingering after all the debris had stopped moving and traffic stood still. I saw a few things that really rattled me as I stood not 15 yards from the worst of it. I don't know if anyone died as of yet, but it looked awful and I hope everyone made it through. What disturbed me is that I couldn't tear my self away. I was on my way to an important meeting, but I fely compelled to observe and I don't know for what reason. Today's experience was horrifying and yet at the same time, perfectly represents my feeling about watching shows like the Bravo chef show and that other cat puke show on FoodTV. Is it hard wired into our human nature to be morbidly curious? So I guess you'll find me at the scene of the accident yet again tomorrow night feeling relieved that that I'm not involved in this "pile up" and I can sit back with a nice plate of pasta and meatballs and watch the carnage from a far. God be with those people I saw today.
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post #26 of 43
3/28/06 at 9:35pm
Thread Starter 
Yo Skilletlicker...Sh*t, I wish I was getting paid. You just made me think a thought...maybe I should contact Bravo and cash in on the refuse they call "entertainment". Any kind of "press" is good press, especially for them. Admittedly, I have a bit of a negative perspective on this kind of programming because it lumps professional cooks and chefs in with "next top models", "next top designer", and who knows...."next top skilletlicker". (Just funnin' ya there) I think if the network trolls are going to make reality-type shows like this, then let's show the blood-n-guts. It's like how ancient Roman gladiator battles got started. Nobody was killed when it first started, but the people became bored with that and wanted to se more blood. I want to see REAL kitchens and REAL chefs with all of the REAL dialolouge. Come on Bravo, give up the gold! And FoodTV...let's see some late night programming that truly represents our profession and stop making us look like a bunch of pansies!
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post #27 of 43
4/6/06 at 7:44am
Anyone watch last night's show? I would have won the quickfire challenge. Longan, durian, tamarind, ghee? Those would have been easy for me. :)

And about serving rare tuna in a Latino neighborhood? Hrm...
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post #28 of 43
4/6/06 at 10:01pm
I watched it, kuan! This was my favorite episode thus far. I loved the quickfire challenge. I'd like to know what all 20 were. I guess the "mo budda" guy should be a ghee master! :)

Yeah, the tuna was very ill-conceived. But the challenge was great, not so gimmicky as the previous ones. I also enjoyed seeing the participants outside of the competition mode--the junk food taste challenge was funny.
Health, schmealth. Give me the beef!
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post #29 of 43
4/7/06 at 7:59am
I have watched the show and it's not so great. They barely focus on the food. It's more about who that one guy is going to degrade this week. And they make these people look like jerks for not interacting with the people, but this is a show called Top Chef, not microwave dinners and fishsticks. I'd be a little ticked myself. (If I was a chef that is) BUt it's the first season, so I'm not loosing hope on this show. If it lasts on the air I'm sure they'll work out the kinks and stop trying to be like all of the other Apprentice knock offs.
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post #30 of 43
4/7/06 at 10:06am
I'm with you cajun_angel. I thought Project Runway (which Top Chef is modeled after) was much better the second season. In the meantime, we're barely halfway through so hopefully upcoming challenges will be more like this week's.
Health, schmealth. Give me the beef!
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