Top Chef Las Vegas

[erika]

Was I the only one who found Wolfgang Puck a little too unforgiving about dude frying the steak? I mean, I know it might be unconventional, but no one mentioned whether or not it tasted GOOD. (I know it wasn't smoky enough, but they just seemed so offended that he decided to cook a steak that way, that they couldn't get past the impropriety of the whole thing)

For some reason I really like Ashley... She might be one of my favorites.

[Sarah]

He was a bit of a prig about it, but I think a lot of it had to do with the perversity of the choice.  It's all very well respecting the cooking traditions of one's culture, but to insist upon them even when another method makes more sense is just pig-headed.

I like her, too, because she is polite, self-possessed, and well-spoken.  Plus I think she may have a brain in her head.  But since there was no discussion of her dish during the show, I have no sense of her talent as a chef.  The preview promo, however, seemed to suggest she was going to garner some praise.

[kevin_]

enough with stuffing vegas down our throats. so awkward with the showgirls and the poker chips.

after a season of top chef masters i like seeing the young'uns again but the needless drama and the lower skills seems all the more apparent, especially for people like me who mainly watch for the food porn.

[Sarah]

Apparently a ton of people were glad to see Jennifer Z. go because they were repelled by her overly large ear holes and drooping lobes.  I didn't even notice them.

[Martin]

Just caught up. Sarah is dead on as usual. Don't worry about overanalyzing - I enjoy it.

So much to hate. The stupid Vegas tie-ins mentioned above by kevin, the fucking scallops (always with the fucking scallops)... and of course I want to stab that idiot Mike with his own knife.

[jbissell]

enough with stuffing vegas down our throats. so awkward with the showgirls and the poker chips.

after a season of top chef masters i like seeing the young'uns again but the needless drama and the lower skills seems all the more apparent, especially for people like me who mainly watch for the food porn.

Just wait til they have to make a 3am meal for a group of fancy hookers.

[Sarah]

Don't worry about overanalyzing - I enjoy it.

Well, that's one, anyway.  Thanks, Martin.

[Andy]

I enjoy it as well.

[kevin_]

my eyes were drawn mostly to her blob of a throat tat.

[Sarah]

Aw, Andy, you're sweet to say so.  Esp. given that I haven't sent you your hankies yet (it's been way too hot for me to be using an iron, a vital part of the process).

Kevin_, I read somewhere that one of the tattoos is a chained heart, the word "sacred" appears on her throat, and "scarred" decorates her upper bosom.  A little too fraught for me.

[senorcorazon]

SO. HAPPY. And yes, agree with everything Sarah has to say. I'm so pissed that my blind choices are again WAY off. At least I got El Beardo right.

Also, Max is recapping on Eater again. I promise this is the last time I will mention it.



http://eater.com/archives/2009/08/top_chef_episode_1_las_vegas_ink.php

So begins three months of me trying to find torrents of this show and occasionally suckering in and paying on iTunes.

[jbissell]

Am I the only one who was a little annoyed by Ashley's moping about the challenge?  I understand, but it can't possibly be the first time she's ever had to prepare something wedding-related.

[Barry Egan]

Ashley's negativity bummed me out, as well.  Fine, hate marriage, but you're there to cook, not to advocate.
My vote goes to anyone who never uses the words "seviche" or "reduction".  We're trying to eat over here!

[Omar]

Ashley's negativity bummed me out, as well.  Fine, hate marriage, but you're there to cook, not to advocate.
My vote goes to anyone who never uses the words "seviche" or "reduction".  We're trying to eat over here!

Speaking of Ashley, since cheftestants seems to love the tattoos, I would recommend that future aspirants get this phrase inked on their forearm or other readily accessible area: "I am NOT a pastry chef, so I will NOT make a dessert unless I fucking have to."

SPOILER:





















Glad to see the droopy, seemingly incompetent Eve get the boot.  And kudos to the dear boys who kicked ass (while taking some pretty significant risks like meringue-encased quac and tofu ceviche) like few have ever done in any Top Chef team challenges.  Bravo indeed!

[jbissell]

Part of me was hoping they would lose, just to see He-Man Woman Hater Mike lose his shit.  I thought it was pretty obvious who was going home, and I was quite pleased it was her.