At first, I thought everyone was confusing new judge Toby Young - whom Padma called a "renowned food critic" - with A.A. Gill, one of the sharpest pens working for British newspapers.
Gill, a well-known if not infamous restaurant critic, once called f-bomb dropping Gordon Ramsay a wonderful chef, but "a second-rate human being." Ramsay paid Gill back by kicking him out of one of his restaurants - along with his companion Joan "Dynasty" Collins. The British press made hay out of those headlines for quite a while.
Young is probably best remembered, here in the U.S., for his book "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People." The movie based on the book starring Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) came and went at the box office.
But Young has indeed been a hired fork for U.K. publications. Right now, though, I'm not sure if he's the right fit for "Top Chef."
I understand why Bravo wants to spice up the judges panel with a witty, sharp-tongued Brit. (The vanilla blandness of off-on-her-honeymoon judge Gail is way worse than making a dessert with Diet Dr. Pepper.)
Gill, a well-known if not infamous restaurant critic, once called f-bomb dropping Gordon Ramsay a wonderful chef, but "a second-rate human being." Ramsay paid Gill back by kicking him out of one of his restaurants - along with his companion Joan "Dynasty" Collins. The British press made hay out of those headlines for quite a while.
Young is probably best remembered, here in the U.S., for his book "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People." The movie based on the book starring Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) came and went at the box office.
But Young has indeed been a hired fork for U.K. publications. Right now, though, I'm not sure if he's the right fit for "Top Chef."
I understand why Bravo wants to spice up the judges panel with a witty, sharp-tongued Brit. (The vanilla blandness of off-on-her-honeymoon judge Gail is way worse than making a dessert with Diet Dr. Pepper.)
But does any miss Ted Allen like I miss Ted Allen? And where, oh, where is Tony Bourdain when we need him?
The verdict is still out on Young. (NOTE: AS I watched the episode again, I must admit, he began growing on me.)
Elimination challenge had a nice twist with contestants tasting and judging dishes and then watching as others critiqued what they cooked.
High- and lowlights of this episode:
Fabio dissing Tattoo Girl (Jamie) for, once again, using scallops. "This is 'Top Chef' it's not 'Top Scallops.'"
Did you notice that accordian music played in the background when Fabio was on screen? I'm sure opera is next, because, you know, all they listen to in Italy is accordian music and opera. (And, yes, my tongue is firmly in my cheek.)
Was it really necessary to hear that Eugene's kid is now using the bathroom? TMI.
Fennel, orange and olives is an excellent combination - try it sometime - so nice to see Jamie take the win home this week. Even with scallops.
But Stefan's duck and red cabbage looked really good. I'm with Chef Tom on this one. This is a dish I would want to eat.
Blonde Guy's avocado sorbet being likened, by Young, as "Tom Cruise's cameo in 'Tropic Thunder' - an unexpected treat. "
Eugene's bizarre blend of daikon fettucine with tomato and basil - and being surprised that few liked his "creative" food.
Bangs Girl - what is her name? Melissa? - and her fish tacos that "tasted a bit like cat food." (OK, this made me laugh because Melissa said she wanted to put her personality in her food and I guess that means her personality is Little Friskies?)
"I don't think risotto makes a good garnish. Risotto is a dish." - Chef Tom.
Beaker's (OK, Carla's) idea to layer flavors and "love" (Was she having a 60s flashback?)
Two went down this week:
Melissa gets 86'ed for a "failure of imagination" and Eugene rejoins his potty training family for offending Chef Tom by overcooking red snapper.
Honor thy fish or get the steel boot.
The verdict is still out on Young. (NOTE: AS I watched the episode again, I must admit, he began growing on me.)
Elimination challenge had a nice twist with contestants tasting and judging dishes and then watching as others critiqued what they cooked.
High- and lowlights of this episode:
Fabio dissing Tattoo Girl (Jamie) for, once again, using scallops. "This is 'Top Chef' it's not 'Top Scallops.'"
Did you notice that accordian music played in the background when Fabio was on screen? I'm sure opera is next, because, you know, all they listen to in Italy is accordian music and opera. (And, yes, my tongue is firmly in my cheek.)
Was it really necessary to hear that Eugene's kid is now using the bathroom? TMI.
Fennel, orange and olives is an excellent combination - try it sometime - so nice to see Jamie take the win home this week. Even with scallops.
But Stefan's duck and red cabbage looked really good. I'm with Chef Tom on this one. This is a dish I would want to eat.
Blonde Guy's avocado sorbet being likened, by Young, as "Tom Cruise's cameo in 'Tropic Thunder' - an unexpected treat. "
Eugene's bizarre blend of daikon fettucine with tomato and basil - and being surprised that few liked his "creative" food.
Bangs Girl - what is her name? Melissa? - and her fish tacos that "tasted a bit like cat food." (OK, this made me laugh because Melissa said she wanted to put her personality in her food and I guess that means her personality is Little Friskies?)
"I don't think risotto makes a good garnish. Risotto is a dish." - Chef Tom.
Beaker's (OK, Carla's) idea to layer flavors and "love" (Was she having a 60s flashback?)
Two went down this week:
Melissa gets 86'ed for a "failure of imagination" and Eugene rejoins his potty training family for offending Chef Tom by overcooking red snapper.
Honor thy fish or get the steel boot.
3 comments:
Not every single time, but practically, when a chef opens up about home life or kids and such, it's their last week. same as Project Runway. Well, that's what they say about Project Runway. I'm way to macho to enjoy a fashion - art program!
I LOVE the new judge. I think he's hysterical! I'm sorry but I don't share your love for Bourdain. I think he is simply rude and arrogant. Love Ted. Loathe Gail. She's miserable and persnickety. Glad she's gone for the rest of the challenge. I didn't care for Jamie's attitude when she won. She was like "finally" as though the judges were wrong by not choosing her before. She couldn't believe it when she didn't win some of the previous challenges. Eugene should have stayed, Carla should have gone.
You knew Eugene was going home the minute he called home on the "Sidekick of Death". I was surprised it wasn't Beaker, but glad that she is around to amuse us for at least another week. And Marcel had his foams, Blonde Guy has his sorbets. Fabio's comments are the best, hopefully he stays around awhile.
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