Seeing as last Thursday was Thanksgiving, we didn't post our usual recap of Top Chef. But we're back with our thoughts on last night's episode, which had us getting pretty philosophical about the business of being a chef and how important it is to show some personality on television...
Note: We reveal the winner and loser below.
For their quickfire challenge, the chefs had to make a breakfast amuse bouche for guest judge Rocco DiSpirito (speaking of someone who loves television...) and then, for the elimination challenge, each chef had to prepare a dish for a 2 1/2-minute, on-camera demonstration. Here's what we learned.
1. When Rocco says he likes bacon, cook bacon. We were a little miffed that Rocco mentioned his love of bacon right before the quickfire challenge. Obviously that cut down on the variation between dishes. We applauded Fabio for doing something different (and, gasp, bacon-less) but then he was penalized for it. Yes, the cappuccino shot was heavy, but Rocco still called out Fabio's dish for simply not being the tastes he preferred.
2. Leah's right about an amuse bouche. She sounded a little whiney, but we're with her on the fact that an amuse bouche should be one bite. Some of those dishes looked like full-on appetizers.
3. We thought we were watching The Next Food Network Star for a minute. Live demonstrations... mugging for the camera... Top Chef is usually less about the marketing of a personality and more about the food, food, food.
4. And yet, we think that was good. We think. We're still conflicted. But let's be honest, even Thomas Keller shows up on television these days. It's part of the business if you want to be well-known and sell lots of cookbooks. So for a chef to act like he's above it seems foolish.
5. Fabio gets it. He made a relatively sophisticated dish (seared tuna) but he understood the fact that he needed to keep it simple. In his words, "My mom is watching TV." He also seduced everyone who was watching him.
6. Simple steals the show. Ariane rose to the top in this challenge. She made a very simple, seasonal (we assume this episode was taped in late summer) salad of New Jersey tomatoes, watermelon, and feta cheese. When the top three chefs made their dishes for the Today Show, the hosts chose her as the winner. It was an interesting moment—a chef who seems unlikely to win the whole competition wins over an audience with approachable food. Which is more important these days? Good food that appeals to the masses or original, inventive food that appeals to a smaller audience? Or can you do both?
7. Kathie Lee Gifford did not show nice manners. We're sorry, but spitting your food out on national television? We're sure Jeff's dish was different, but it obviously impressed the Top Chef judges so it wasn't inedible. Kathie Lee could have showed some poise and kept her food in her mouth.
8. Stick to what you know. Alex thought making dessert would be an "easy way to the top," but he didn't give himself enough time to make his crème brûlée and the plan backfired. Goodbye, Alex.
So, this episode made us think. Do you have to appeal to Today Show viewers to be a successful chef these days? Is it a bad thing that that's part of the business? What did you think of this episode?
Related:
Episode 1: Ethnic Foods Galore
Episode 2: Hot Dogs and Angry Chefs
(Images: Bravo)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I thought it was a great episode. Although I don't believe that being on TV is a necessity to becoming a well-known chef, it doesn't hurt to have the skill! And all the talk about how a salad was a copout...this challenge was not about just cooking skills, it was about presenting. And everyone loved her salad so that's not even a valid excuse.
Kathy Lee was TERRIBLE, as soon as they showed her face I knew she was going to pull something to keep the attention on her.
view valleyval's profile
Does anyone else think that this is the worst season so far?
view cweingarten's profile
cweingarten: Funny, I actually think this is one of my favorites. They are doing a lot more individual challenges rather than group challenges, so chefs get to stand on their own, which I like. Personalities aren't quite as crazy as in past seasons, but that'll probably change...
view Elizabeth P's profile
I liked this episode a lot - it kind of showed Jamie's true colors, she is starting to get on my nerves with her attitude -- "I've done TV before, this is so easy" -- and then being a brat about it! And I love Carla, she is a little bonkers but she's representing DC!
view birdie_dc's profile
Agree Elizabeth P. Personalities have been lacking outside of a couple of them. Hoping it gets better as the chefs get whittled down.
I also dislike Rocco immensely, so seeing him on this early bothered me.
view cweingarten's profile
I also think though that the chefs aren't as skilled. I mean, how did that chef not know that you can't do creme brulee in an hour? Hell, even I knew that.
Egg not finished and you've "done tv before?"
These are Cooking 101 lessons.
view cweingarten's profile
I think the reason that they have introduced this challenge is to start testing the contestants on their ability to perform live and do demonstrations. Last season Top Chef began a road show with contestants giving demonstrations to live audiences. Also, winners and top contestants will be doing lots of live presentations and TV work after the show. This is probably the show's way of testing contestants' ability to perform so they know what to coach them on later.
As to #8, Rocco really is a publicity wh***! I can't imagine that he is doing any cooking any more, with all the commercials, reality TV appearances (this is not the only show he is on), and Dancing With the Star appearances. Why doesn't he just go to acting school and dedicate himself to his real craft?
view jgphotomom's profile
Oops, I meant #1 - the Rocco comment.
view jgphotomom's profile
Ugggghhhh Katie Lee Gifford. Why is she still around?
view sleggo's profile
I am also a HUGE Carla fan birdie_DC! She's so bananas! I love her! I think she would have clapped that enthusiastically no matter who won! Also what was up with that 2 minute segment that was just about how hosea and leah have sexual tension??? Drama nonsequiter.
view FromTheFuture's profile
I am glad that they chose to do an on-camera segment. I think the reason why they did that might be because of last seasons' armcrossing, perpetually bad mood having Lisa. Can you imagine her having to do this challenge....Chefs needs to be marketable (they have to not only cook their food, but sell it as well)...whether they get on TV or not, likeability is a factor
view wwoolsey's profile
Kathy Lee has always been a no-class, talentless attention whore. I remember seeing this whole mess play out on the Today show months ago and was as disgusted then as I am now. Why can't she just go away?
view Cupajo's profile
I'm not sure what made me cringe more -- Jeff complaining about having to serve his dish to women with an unsophisticated palate... or then Kathie Lee Gifford spitting her food out!
view Anokha's profile
I like this season a lot. I thought the only interesting thing about last season was Spike. Fabio -- what a stud. I also really like Carla. I love to watch her face when they announce the challenge. I also love Arian -- is that how you spell it? I've been silently cheering for her ever since the show started. I hope she can find the confidence she needs to stay there awhile.
I have to admit, I love Kathie Lee, but I cringed when she spat that food out. I really like the guy whose food she spat. He sort of the quiet, brooding sort.
view mamaspank's profile
Anokha--I'm with you on that. The judges always say that good food is good food. I'm sure a sophisticated palate would better be able to appreciate some foods, but lack of sophistication in the hoi polloi's palates never sounds (to me) like anything but a cop out. But, seeing as I'm sure his interview was probably recorded after Kathy Lee spit out his food, he was probably reacting to her horrid behavior. That was completely unacceptable--embarassing for her to do, and embarassing for me to watch.
view Jenny B's profile