Top Chef Chicago

[Omar]

"congratulations, you won the fucking bronze medal"

I've really warmed to Richard of late.

Non-meth-feuled Quote of the Season.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

ive been trying to figure out this ENTIRE season why (oh why! oh why!) has Lisa survived when she obviously possesses a bad attitude, can only make semi-decent dishes, and is constantly pissed or sulking. 



to top it off, she's ugly.

[jbissell]

ive been trying to figure out this ENTIRE season why (oh why! oh why!) has Lisa survived when she obviously possesses a bad attitude, can only make semi-decent dishes, and is constantly pissed or sulking. 

to top it off, she's ugly.

The judges claim that the only thing considered is the food produced by the chefs and anything that happens in the kitchen personality-wise never factors in their decision. I have a really hard time believing this. Honestly, even if Lisa was a much better chef than she appears to be, would anyone ever want to work for or with her? I think not. 

[iAmBaronVonTito]

ive been trying to figure out this ENTIRE season why (oh why! oh why!) has Lisa survived when she obviously possesses a bad attitude, can only make semi-decent dishes, and is constantly pissed or sulking. 

to top it off, she's ugly.

The judges claim that the only thing considered is the food produced by the chefs and anything that happens in the kitchen personality-wise never factors in their decision. I have a really hard time believing this. Honestly, even if Lisa was a much better chef than she appears to be, would anyone ever want to work for or with her? I think not. 

i agree on all accounts considering a few weeks ago both Tom and Padma commented on Lisa's apparent attitude problem, her habit of blaming anything that goes wrong on EVERYBODY else, and her inability to take any kind of criticism. 

BOOoooo.

[Sarah]

I felt so strongly that the decision to keep Lisa had nothing to do with cooking and everything to do with injecting a little suspense into the whole affair that I can't really care.  If Antonia had stayed--and I wish she could have--I would have been perfectly content no matter who won.  Now, I'll at least be rooting against Lisa.

P.S.  II thought Stephanie was amazing to Dale when she found out he'd neglected to refrigerate the pork belly.  Can you imagine what Lisa would have done?

[Omar]

P.S.  II thought Stephanie was amazing to Dale when she found out he'd neglected to refrigerate the pork belly.  Can you imagine what Lisa would have done?

That was a great moment.  He left the pork belly to rot overnight, and her response was "That's ok."  Love it. 

[Miss]

I honestly thought Antonia would win. I really was convinced she would've won the whole thing.

[Miss]

I thought Harold's comments about Bourdain were extremely bizarre.  I actually had to read them several times to make sure I wasn't missing something.  Bourdain graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and spent the next 20 years running various kitchens in NYC restaurants, including the highly-respected Les Halles.  Not to mention traveling around the globe sampling world cuisines for the past five years or so.  The notion that he has no credibility in assessing the food on a reality television program because his highest-profile post was at a bistro-style restaurant is absurd.  Plus, Bourdain (and guest judge José Andrés) injected some life into the proceedings, unlike the increasingly narcotized Colicchio, barking out the same old notes about improper seasonings and other minor quibbles, often with an annoying 'tude.

Who talked smack about my Tony? Harold's going down!

[Martin]

As always, I'm a day behind but I just caught up with this week's episode and I'm shocked. It's bullshit. Like Sarah, I'm suspecting executive foul play. At least to some extent. What does the disclaimer during the credits say now? The judges can be influenced by the producers or something? No?

PS. Two revelations in this episode (or I haven't been paying attention): Steph has known Dale for ten years, and Lisa is jewish.

[Laurie]

I'm guessing Lisa is a Sephardi.

[erika]

I'm guessing Lisa is a Sephardi.

mmmm a little pale for that. I'm guessing Russian origin.

[Martin]

To confuse things further, her last name is Fernandes.

[jbissell]

PS. Two revelations in this episode (or I haven't been paying attention): Steph has known Dale for ten years, and Lisa is jewish.

I thought the fact that she's known Dale for so long was the main reason she wasn't more upset about him leaving out the pork bellies. If it had been Spike or someone else maybe it would've been more of an issue for her.

[Laurie]

To confuse things further, her last name is Fernandes.

That's why I'm guessing Sephardi!

I know a lot of pale Jewbans and folks from Spain.

[joanna]

people, can we please address the real issue that this episode raised?






lisa is putting stuff in her hair to make it look like that? that's a choice?


anyway, i'll be happy whether stephanie or richard wins. they're both talented, professional, calm, kind people. obviously it would be refreshing if a woman won top chef, but i think they're equally deserving.