Top Chef was a repeat last night but I thought I would take the opportunity for us to debate and discuss the remaining chefs.
I've heard the next several episodes are supposed to be really good and that the finale is amazing. I can't wait. So who do we think might make it to the final three? If it is a final three. In a season filled with surprises, twists and turns, anything is possible. Like it or not, it's not all about talent. A good finale has to be built on drama, conflict and a little bit of the unexpected.
• Elia She's a little boring, but her taste level is pretty high. And yet, I'm still troubled by the idea that she only wanted to serve three seafood hor doeuvres at the LA Magazine party, and when asked to create a cutting edge Thanksgiving, all she came up with was a mushroom soup. I'm not so sure.
• Cliff He seems professional, focused and classy. Sure he was the only one who managed to get sand in his breakfast during the beach challenge, but something about him make me think he's going to go far. He might be my pick for the winner.
• Michael Poor Michael. Everyone wants to root for an underdog but this shlub is just in over his head. No way.
• Ilan Is anyone rooting for Ilan? I mean, sure he's cute and I love his glasses but nothing about him makes me hope he wins. Although I would love to try his Mushroom Paella & Fried Soft Shell Crab.
• Marcel This season's favorite villain. With his ridiculous hair, abrasive personality and gobbledygook about molecular gastronomy, I think it highly likely that he'll make it to the finals. Even if he's not competing, I'm sure he'll be thrown in there somewhere.
• Betty Whether you love her or hate her, Betty has been responsible for or involved in much of the drama this season. And is there anything more delicious than her prickly relationship with her nemesis Marcel? Her dishes seem to bounce back and force between simplistic comfort food (grilled cheese with portabella mushrooms) and surprisingly sophisticated (her black forest ham and egg "bundle"). I'd be surprised if she wasn't in the final three.
• Sam He seemed sweet and goofy at first, but as the show goes on, he's revealing himself to be a bit sneaky and self-serving. When on the chopping block he was quick to imply that Betty may have cheated and that Elia used store-bought frozen waffles. Is it possible that he, and not Marcel might be the villain of the finale? Hmmm...
while I have a totally platonic crush on Ilan, I think Cliff might be the one to win it. The thing I've enjoyed most this season is how they all get thrown off by the challenges, and sometimes come off as one-note as a result. ("but I don't know HOW to cook on a fire pit!")
That's a tough question, none of them have had any real WOW factor for me this season. I would think it will be either Cliff or Sam, and am really hoping it's not Sam as he has been kind of a jerk lately.
It took me a while to get into this show. It's no Project Runway, but maybe cuz there's no Tim Gunn...Has anyone seen Andre?
Anyway, Marcel is good tv, he's such a moron. And that hair...oy. Betty is too perky and she has a successful biz (but did she ever sleep in a car?)to go back to, so I think the winner will be Cliff. Pardon the pun, but Cliff is the dark horse. He stays out of the way, not a lot of drama but good solid food, presentation, creativity. Sam and Ilan cancel each other out. Elia will def self-distruct before it's all over. So yeah, CLiff is my pick.
I can't WAIT for the home design show!!!!
The winner of this seasons "Top Chef" will undoubtedly will be SAM!! You can say what you want about his tactics but he is simply head and shoulders above everybody else!!!! His dishes are innovative and presented beautifully, and he always seems to be in the top three. Cliff will join him in Hawaii. Ilan has a chance but it will have to take a complete meltdown from Sam or Cliff for him to take the crown.
I love Marcel. Love him. And his Astro Boy hair.
I know I'm the only Marcel fan -- other than, you know, himself -- but something about him is like... that kid in your Chem class who is always making such a douchebag of himself, but then, when he's your lab partner and you see that maybe he's actually kind of nice and sort of funny and then you kinda feel a little bad for him and utter lack of social skills.
Although don't ask me to explain why the dude totally has a tramp stamp tattoo, 'cause that's just weird and wrong.
I absolutely adore Ilan!!
I love the resto that he cooks/cooked at here in the City, Casa Mono, and if he was one of the people back in the kitchen making my wine stewed Cock's Combs, then he's alright in my book (plus, yeah, he's a cutie patootie).
I also have a massive girl crush on Elia. She's so talented, and omg, those eyes! Cliff seems talented too, but that whole "I used to be fat" thing with Sam just grates on me. Yeah, I know he has diabetes or something, but it just reminds me of the gratingness of Monica on "Friends" back in the day.
They did announce on the first show that it will be a final four--hurray!
I love this show! Having been introduced to, and spending a bit of time with Betty when I was out in L.A. I find myself rooting a bit for her. But I do think all the remaining chefs are talented. Marcel is young, talented and over-confident, almost rogue-like but I think he shows incredible promise. Sam is more mature and also talented in a lower key sort of way. I like him a lot. I also really like Cliff... he's pretty mellow and non-controversial, and seems open to learning, and takes criticism well, which I think is crucial. All in all, it will be a great finale. Can't wait!
I'm rooting for Ilan actually, haha. I think people under estimate him. He has been very consistant and professional with his work. I don't remember seeing or hearing anything really all that negative about the judges critiques on him. I believe Ilan, Sam and Betty will be the top three, possibly Marcel if he gets his act straight.
grant, you are a shrewd one. i totally agree that sam is a self-serving whiner, and i think ilan could benefit from therapy. lots and lots of therapy. (ever notice how his teeth are ALWAYS clenched? maybe he's the one who needs to get laid.) and betty... this woman is in her mid 40s??? i would've pegged her for an 8-year old schoolyard bully. the midge seems like he actually has some potential and solid training... if he'd only apply himself and "focus" as tony bourdain implored him to do, he might be a contender. and as you've said, elia is clearly working at a high level, but she's playing it way too safe.
then there's astro boy. my conspiratorial side says the producers have created this marcel-as-villain conceit in service of the surprise plot twist. meaning he could either take the crown, or just be revealed as the kind-hearted, decent guy he probably is (he's shown way more restraint and maturity than his detractors). maybe even both.
but regardless of how the competition plays out, in the real culinary world, i predict marcel will have a far greater impact than any of his fellow competitors simply because of his zeal to learn, experiment and innovate. it's that kind of progressive thinking that has the french so threatened by ferran adria and what's going on in spain right now. and i'm guessing sam, ilan and betty know exactly how they feel.
It's on again tonight I can't wait!! I was sad about last week's elimination but that's the way the cookie crumbles. I have a question... if Elia is from Mexico, why does she sound French?