The caliber of the chefs is outstanding, when compared to years past, but each episode seems like a very special episode of Blossom... Gimmicky themes and too much chain-service. Are they competing for Top Chef or Top Line Cook?
You're right about line cook. Everyone knows there's BBQ in Texas, and it can be a tasty thing. But the BBQ cook is never called a chef.
For me it's hard to tell that the lineup is any better than the season with the Voltaggio twins (for instance). I think it's mainly what they're cooking - it's hard to make a bowl of chili seem like a culinary accomplishment. For me, the only thing I can tell is that Heather is a bitch (I actually rooted when they dumped her), and that Paul gets cuter each episode.
Paul is completely adorable. I want to pick him up and squeeze him and make him squee!
Speaking of Heather - what was her problem? She kept ragging on Beverly from day one, and I don't think it was just the two-day shrimp preparation. I totally cheered when she did herself in.
Have you been watching the Last Chance Kitchen episodes at all? Some more interesting stuff going on there- strictly focused on the food.
I'm actually a big fan of Top Chef and I'm liking (not loving) this season. I do agree that they're WAY overdoing the Texas angle; has there been any prior season where the competitions were so skewed to local tastes? None that I recall. This last episode started out promisingly and I assumed we would have a molecular gastronomy evening, but then we ended up with barbecue??? WTF? This makes me wonder if the finale will involve roping a steer, dispatching it, butchering it and making chili.
Since I lived in New York for a dozen years I think I can get away with saying that it's a pretentious New York thing. Or maybe it's a pretentious gay thing.
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Date: 2012-01-05 04:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-05 03:54 pm (UTC)For me it's hard to tell that the lineup is any better than the season with the Voltaggio twins (for instance). I think it's mainly what they're cooking - it's hard to make a bowl of chili seem like a culinary accomplishment. For me, the only thing I can tell is that Heather is a bitch (I actually rooted when they dumped her), and that Paul gets cuter each episode.
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Date: 2012-01-05 04:33 pm (UTC)Speaking of Heather - what was her problem? She kept ragging on Beverly from day one, and I don't think it was just the two-day shrimp preparation. I totally cheered when she did herself in.
Have you been watching the Last Chance Kitchen episodes at all? Some more interesting stuff going on there- strictly focused on the food.
Next week, restaurant wars!
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