Official Top Chef Las Vegas thread *Premieres 8/19*

[chell]

I've been voting for Kevin and need to go back & finish up the rest of my votes.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I disagree that Kevin played it safe. He sous-vide (sp?) his lamb, a technique he never tried before. That's taking a huge risk. The judges may not have realized that (and certainly the guests didn't). It's possible that Tom clued them in, and we just didn't see it on camera. That may have been what got him the win--daring to try a different technique, and doing so well, even if the food was "simple".

As to who will win, it will be interesting. If you look back, Stephanie was always a frontrunner. Hung may not have been a huge favorite, but he was always out front, too, as was Harold. I hope Michael goes next. I'm not so sure they want to have the brothers do head-to-head at the finale, or just drag out the drama for a while. In the past, things ike the lesbian couple didn't get all that far.

 

[domesticking]

I disagree that Kevin played it safe. He sous-vide (sp?) his lamb, a technique he never tried before. That's taking a huge risk. The judges may not have realized that (and certainly the guests didn't). It's possible that Tom clued them in, and we just didn't see it on camera. That may have been what got him the win--daring to try a different technique, and doing so well, even if the food was "simple".

As to who will win, it will be interesting. If you look back, Stephanie was always a frontrunner. Hung may not have been a huge favorite, but he was always out front, too, as was Harold. I hope Michael goes next. I'm not so sure they want to have the brothers do head-to-head at the finale, or just drag out the drama for a while. In the past, things ike the lesbian couple didn't get all that far.

As for Kevin playing it safe, I don't even know if that's what the judges really thought. A lot of what we perceive is the product of editing. The diners could have been ooohing and aaahhing over Kevin's food, but Thomas Keller said, well, if there's one negative, it's blah, blah, blah. There's no telling what we're NOT seeing.

Kevin is the one to beat. He nailed the pig challenge and the vegetarian challenge. Is there anything he can't do?

As far as Stephanie's season, Richard Blais was the one to beat that year, right? He choked, and Stephanie didn't. In Hung's season, I thought he was always the one to beat.

For me, the "frontrunner" has won every year except for Richard Blais' season and Stefan's season. In those two seasons, the frontrunner choked or made some error and left room for someone else to swoop in.

 

[Imzadi]

In the past, things ike the lesbian couple didn't get all that far.

That's because one of them couldn't cook very well. She was really out of her league. I think she only got in because they found out she was part of a couple & her partner was trying out too. Otherwise, she might have never made it in. Kind of like how Robin probably got in because she's a cancer survivor and let everyone know each and every week.

In Hung's season, I thought he was always the one to beat.

For me, the "frontrunner" has won every year except for Richard Blais' season and Stefan's season. In those two season, the frontrunner choked or made some error and left room for someone else to swoop in.

I know I was rooting for Hung. He can take apart a chicken faster than a NASCAR pit crew can change all the tires on a race car. But I thought Hung was up against someone who also could have won?

Stefan had a problem with that darn ice cream/ sorbet maker, that has NEVER made sorbet for anyone. Even one of the Top Chef masters had a problem with it. You'd think someone on the production staff would have replaced it after the second time it didn't work.

 

[TwingleMum]

I think he may as well but I'm not going to say he will for sure. There have been a couple times that someone was the obvious front runner and I just knew they were going to win. But come the final challenge, something happens and they mess up.

You never know what can happen.

ITA. Remember Richard Blaise from two seasons ago. I thought for sure he was going to win but Stephanie did.

 

[TwingleMum]

Michael keeps saying things and looking like a horses backside. Did you see his face he was a little worried. I'm hoping Michael goes next but for drama they may want it to be brother vs brother.

 

[Tasmen]

ITA. Remember Richard Blaise from two seasons ago. I thought for sure he was going to win but Stephanie did.

That's one of the specific examples I was thinking of. He had it in the bag and then he choked It made me so sad.

 

[chell]

As for Kevin's food being "simple" sometimes it is best to let the food speak for its self and stand out on its own and not hide the true flavor of it with too much other stuff. In my opinion an outstanding chef can make simple foods and make them taste amazing. Almost anyone can make a sauce to make something bland taste so-so or taste good.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I have to agree with Michelle--a really well-roasted chicken can be divine. Ditto for a grilled steak,corn on the cob, or even a great burger. It doesn't mean that you can't appreciate the effort going into a more complex dish, but food doesn't have to be fancy to be delicious. Another good example was the dice challenge--where they had to roll, and that's how many ingredients they used. Didn't some people have 4 or 5, and still do really well?

 

[RUDisney]

As for Kevin's food being "simple" sometimes it is best to let the food speak for its self and stand out on its own and not hide the true flavor of it with too much other stuff. In my opinion an outstanding chef can make simple foods and make them taste amazing. Almost anyone can make a sauce to make something bland taste so-so or taste good.

This sounds like Tom Colicchio's coca cola commercial. "Keep it simple." I guess Tom really believes in that.

 

[chell]

This sounds like Tom Colicchio's coca cola commercial. "Keep it simple." I guess Tom really believes in that.

You know I forgot all about that! I really am a fan of letting the food speak for itself.

 

[Imzadi]

Bumping. Got buried because there was no new episode last week due to Turkey Day.

 

[LexiC123]

Poor Jen...done in by over-salting. Guess her duck wasn't ducky enough to save her.

I'd love Kevin to win, but they're all so good, any one of them could take the title.

PS - Did anyone see the coming attractions for next week's episode? Some of the dinner guest's comments were downright brutal!

 

[happygirl]

Bumping. Got buried because there was no new episode last week due to Turkey Day.

Thanks for finding this

 

[Disney Ron]

Kevin is my choice to win, but if it had to be one of the brothers. I like Brian better.

Boy Padma looked real cute pregnant in that white dress. I never looked liked that when I was pregnant.

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[happygirl]

I really thought Micheal was going home from the way it was edited. I think it was so close, last night I think the only reason Jennifer went home was her failure to keep the fire going.

I was glad Brian won the challenge. Kevin looked really bad in last night epsiode it looks like he forgot to comb his hair. How long were they home for? I didn't even know that Polmaia sp? was pregnant she was really showing on last night show.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think that while judging is supposed to be on just that challenges food, Jennifer went home not just because of the salt and the fire, but because she lost interest through part of the competition.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Bumping. Got buried because there was no new episode last week due to Turkey Day.

Thanks! I was trying to find it, but couldn't figure out how to 'find all threads started by' me!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Crud buckets. I have not seen the new episode. Was it on last night? Hmmmm.

So Jen went home? Not a surprise really.

 

[charming23]

I was glad Jen was sent home. Not the she is not a good chef but I don't think she is as good as the other three. She seems to have had a lot of mistakes, however small or big, that have derailed some of her confidence.

I hope Kevin wins. He has been consitently good and while he is "simple" he gets the job done.