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***** Top Chef: Las Vegas ***** - Page 3

post #61 of 124
10/29/09 at 3:04am
Another dismal performance by Jen. I think she used up her last chance. Mike V is such a poor loser ( LOL ) but you have to respect his ambition. The stand out top chef is becoming very clear. Atlanta may be the hot bed for top Top Chef's. Who wulda thunk.
I think the most wonderful thing in the world is another chef. I'm always excited about learning new things about food.
Paul Prudhomme
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post #62 of 124
10/29/09 at 3:38am
My questions......If it was supposed to be an entree, why did no one do a pasta? Is it possible that there was none in the Craftsteak kitchen? Also, only 2 people actually used beans for the protein. Did I miss something, or does this seem like a substantial gap?
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post #63 of 124
10/29/09 at 5:30am
I was a little surprised that there was no discussion of Jenn using butter on her dish table side except for being so sloppy. While they did specify vegetarian and not Vegan I think it's a real stretch to assume all vegetarians will eat dairy products.
With two hours any one could have made pasta. All of the dishes except for Kevins looked more like Apps.
I think the most wonderful thing in the world is another chef. I'm always excited about learning new things about food.
Paul Prudhomme
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post #64 of 124
10/29/09 at 5:45am
It's pretty obvious now that whether he wins or not Kevin is a top chef. He is able to take any ingredient and make it shine, whether he has worked with it before or not. All in all I was disappointed with most of the chefs... this surely must not be a great stretch for them to cook for vegeterians. And I was very confused about their lack of dairy because most vegeterians I know do include dairy in their diets. Where were the legumes, the cheeses, the grains? No wonder their dishes all looked like side items.

Mike V. is a very nasty competitor, it was simply uncalled for to make the comments he did. In truth he may be the most innovative and talented, but I think we are all aware of who's food we would continuously go back more for. I may try the banana/polenta but it's not something I will go want more of, I'm sure.

Finally, the right person goes home. I'm doing a jig.

"You are what you eat, so don't be fast, cheap, easy, or fake."

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post #65 of 124
10/29/09 at 7:44am
Thread Starter 
looks like robin is going to win the whole thing... lol, jay kay jay kay... wokka wokka wokka... seriously though, kevin is proving to be the most consistant and slowly coming out of his shell... jenn is falling off hard, and its showing, she has gone from confident and able to a complete nervous wreck... i felt bad for her when she was spilling that butter all over the place. i wasnt pleased with michael voltaggio's comments after he lost, not cool... but i am still rooting for him to go all the way... but i have a feeling it may come down to the two brothers and kevin at this point...

youre contradicting yourself, if youre saying jenn should not have used butter how could they use pasta then when it is full of egg?
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post #66 of 124
10/29/09 at 11:04am
I didn't say any one should have used pasta. I simply said two hours is plenty of time to make pasta.
Egg is not a requirement for pasta. While many vegetarians do eat Dairy many do not. I think it's a foolish assumption in a competition to use dairy unless that was discussed and we just didn't see it. The judges can be mighty fickle about the details that they fixate on.
I think the most wonderful thing in the world is another chef. I'm always excited about learning new things about food.
Paul Prudhomme
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post #67 of 124
10/29/09 at 1:39pm
How beautiful have the special guests with dietary restrictions been this season - first Zoe Dechanelle (sp?), now Natalie Portman!!! I love it.

I too was surprised by the lack of dairy and a bit disappointed with the overall output by the chefs. Just about every plate looked like enough food for a bird. When I think of a vegetarian dinner, I think of big, substantial plates loaded with beans, cheese, etc. not some cooked greens and sauces lined up pretty.

Oops, just did some fact checking and Miss Dechanelle was on Top Chef Masters. Nevertheless, sexy actress who doesn't eat meat and was on Top Chef recently.
Kohler Kitchen Sinks
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post #68 of 124
10/29/09 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 
the episode before this one the whole part with padma addressing the kitchen and outlining the competition was dubbed over... so who knows what really goes on...
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post #69 of 124
11/5/09 at 7:20am
Pretty dissappointing show last night, I wasn't entertained as much as I thought I would be but I did enjoy the commraderie between most folks. I never did like Fabio, and I didn't understand Marcel's chip on the shoulder. I always thought he was kind of creepy and lacking in social skills so I don't understand the need to continuously bring him back for TC specials. It was good to see Carla again.

"You are what you eat, so don't be fast, cheap, easy, or fake."

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post #70 of 124
11/6/09 at 1:58pm
I didn't bother watching it. I hate when they interrupt the season like this.
Kohler Kitchen Sinks
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post #71 of 124
11/7/09 at 8:33pm
Thread Starter 
for the ratings and controversy i imagine... i never cared for marcel's attitude or personality. fabio was prolly told by the producers to dig into marcel for all the details etc.
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post #72 of 124
11/8/09 at 8:36am
Actually, I thought it was the singularly most boring show I'd ever seen. And I've had a TV in my family since 1948.

This is the second time they've broken this series, for no good reason I can see. Two weeks ago they just didn't air the show; with no explanation given. Then they throw in that silly reunion.

Wonder if ratings have been slipping, and they're trying to just goose things?
They have taken the oath of the brother in blood, in leavened bread and salt. Rudyard Kipling
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post #73 of 124
11/11/09 at 6:03am
Fabio is a bit of a ponce. I could care less if the network wanted him to push Marcels buttons. That was just poor form. But since his restaurant is getting such poor reviews maybe Fabio needs to pimp him self out.
I'm no fan of Marcel but I think what happened to him in that season was pretty harsh. The humiliation of being over powered by some one stronger, physically larger and held down against his will on national TV is pretty hard to even imagine.
They must have a rock solid hold harmless in their contract because I would think Marcel would have a fair case against the show other wise. No doubt that incident will follow him the rest of his career.
I was actually embarrassed for Tom C and the other judges that the show stooped to the level of bringing that back up and clearly trying to profit from it.
Just pathetic.
Then again the whole show was just booooooooring.
I think the most wonderful thing in the world is another chef. I'm always excited about learning new things about food.
Paul Prudhomme
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post #74 of 124
11/11/09 at 10:51am
Thread Starter 
could or could'nt???
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post #75 of 124
11/11/09 at 8:00pm
Thread Starter 
not posting spoiler, but FINALLY~!

its about that person was dropped...

:peace:
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post #76 of 124
11/12/09 at 2:48am
I agree. I think Eli is a bit of a jerk, but he's clearly been the better chef throughout as has Jennifer. It's pretty obvious that the last three will be Bryan, Michael, and Kevin. I still say Kevin's going to take it all in the end.
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post #77 of 124
11/12/09 at 2:57am
I was more surprised at Jen actually saying that she is ready to go home than I was with the person who left.
I think the most wonderful thing in the world is another chef. I'm always excited about learning new things about food.
Paul Prudhomme
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post #78 of 124
11/12/09 at 4:41am
Looks like Michael is taking Kevin head on as his biggest competition. The first rule of competition though is to respect your competitor, and he obviously does not. It's a shame really.

"You are what you eat, so don't be fast, cheap, easy, or fake."

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post #79 of 124
11/12/09 at 7:40am
Thread Starter 
i think youre right... he seems to be the most consistant... silent but violent...
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post #80 of 124
11/12/09 at 7:42am
Really? That whole competition looks brutal to me I would think that after the first few weeks it would get old very quick.
Thanks,

Nicko 
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post #81 of 124
11/12/09 at 9:56am
I've really been rooting for Jen; she really had my admiration at the beginning,not only for her cooking, but for her tough chops in the kitchen. I'm hoping that she'll maybe do a little meditation and find that Jen again!

If not, I'd love to see Kevin win. He's so very quietly putting out some amazing food, and doesn't have the ego baggage the 2 brothers have.
__________________
"Like water for chocolate"
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post #82 of 124
11/12/09 at 10:15am
It's got to be a really tough schedule for sure not to mention the stess. Still, I had expected her to have more drive and ambition. My initial prediction was for her to be in the top four based on talent, not attrition. Then again you never know what's going to happen on the next episode. If I were a gambling man I'd wager that she pulls herself back up by her boot straps. It will be interesting to see what happens with Thomas keller.
I think the most wonderful thing in the world is another chef. I'm always excited about learning new things about food.
Paul Prudhomme
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post #83 of 124
11/19/09 at 1:28pm
So, it's down to the brothers, Kevin, and Jen...the 4 most of us expected.

Last night's challenge seemed ridiculously difficult. Any thoughts? :look:
Kohler Kitchen Sinks
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post #84 of 124
11/19/09 at 3:53pm
It was ridiculously difficult but also exceptionally rewarding. $30,000 and a chance to represent the US in the next competition? That's incredible.
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post #85 of 124
11/20/09 at 12:55pm
Definitely, I was really impressed with the concepts the contestants came up.
Kohler Kitchen Sinks
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post #86 of 124
11/24/09 at 4:19pm
Thread Starter 
it certainly was... but i had a feeling eli was going home... is there a new episode tomorrow or is going on next week?
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post #87 of 124
11/25/09 at 6:41am
I agree but the one thing I have to say is that while I think Kevin is an amazing chef he doesn't seem like the type of chef to go to the Bocuse D'Or. Not because he can't just because that isn't his style. I would of like for Brian Volltagio to have one that because I think he was best suited to compete in the Bocuse D'or.

Who will it be tonight?
Thanks,

Nicko 
ChefTalk.com Founder
All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking
All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking
Bacon (I made)
(26 photos)
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(8 items)
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post #88 of 124
11/25/09 at 7:45am
While I think you're right, the truth stands that they could not find any fault with Kevin's flavors and technique, although they all agreed that Brian's dish could be spectacular if he was given time to tweek it. The outcome of the show again illustrates Kevin's modesty, humbleness, and undisputable talent to take ingredients or techniques he has never dealth with before and do them quite well. Those abilities can very possibly help him prepare for a competition of this magnitude. And don't forget that Kevin stepped outside of his comfort zone and pushed his limitations on this challenge, and that's definitely a Bocuse d'Or criteria!

The younger Voltaggio's ego never fails to annoy me but it's finally catching up to him. I thought he would shine in this competition and it might've been a stroke of bad luck for him. His condescending attitude especially towards Kevin speaks volumes of his insecurity and the probable fear he has of losing to someone who cooks homestyle food. I'm tired of all the molecular gastronomy contestants from multiple seasons scoffing at simply prepared food. Brian does not share this 'tude thankfully.

"You are what you eat, so don't be fast, cheap, easy, or fake."

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post #89 of 124
11/25/09 at 7:56am
I agree. What a sore loser he was to say that "The food Kevin cooks I cook on my day off". He needs to man up and accept that flavor will always win out over technique.

I still say that for overall ability Brian is the best. Kevin will probably win but in terms of being well rounded he is more so than Kevin. He is also one of the most professional people on the show. The fact is Kevin would not of been won last week if it were not for Brian telling him how to cook with a circulator (something Kevin had no idea how to do). Brian told him exactly how to cook it and at what temperature and Kevin won. The sad thing is that the judges tables doesn't bring into play professionalism and if they did Brian would of (and should of in my opinion) that challenge.
Thanks,

Nicko 
ChefTalk.com Founder
All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking
All About Braising: The Art of Uncomplicated Cooking
Bacon (I made)
(26 photos)
Places I Have Cooked
(8 items)
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post #90 of 124
11/25/09 at 8:58am
Brian told him exactly how to cook

To me, the most telling part of that scene was when Brian was talking about sharing, and said, "Would my brother have done it? I'm not sure." I think everyone else is quite sure, though, that there's no way Michael would have done that.

Michael is certainly creative, and one of the most techniques-oriented competitors they've ever had. But in the real world the mark of a great chef is somebody who can prepare consistently high-quality food, day after day. In that regard, both Brian and Kevin have it all over him.

A great chef also has the ability to motivate others to excel. And in that regard, Michael is lacking. Throughout the series his approach has been "hey, I'm the only one in this kitchen who matters, and the rest of you are just taking up space."

There's someone just like him on that new Chef's Academy show. The guy brings two things to the table---nine years experience as a professional, and lots of attitude. Interestingly, of the two challenges so far, he's lost both abysmally.

Meanwhile, if Jen can maintain her focus, I think she still has a shot at it.

BTW, if I understand the promos correctly, there won't be a new episode until December 2.
They have taken the oath of the brother in blood, in leavened bread and salt. Rudyard Kipling
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