Top Chef All Stars: LA

[osufeth24]

What did he do in Restaurant Wars that you didn’t like? He fell on the sword and took personal responsibility for the failure. I’m sure there’s something, just curious to what it is.

Wasn't that, but I think his true personality side came out a bit, by one, his theming having a plantation and when in LCK calling California land of the fruits and nuts

 

[rigs32]

I'm going to quote some users on reddit as they put my thoughts into words regarding Kevin in Restaurant wars:

"it's one thing to talk vaguely and euphemistically about Southern cultural heritage, it's another to talk about wanting to open a restaurant "influenced by the the plantation south." Paula Deen-sized yikes."

"What’s funny is just as Kevin was going into that comment, I paused the show and pointed out to my fiancée how ironic it was that Kevin was essentially doing slave owner food, while Greg was very much making slave food, Haiti has a long and tragic history with the slave trade. Kevin then went and called his own food plantation food, making things even more awkward and ironic. I suppose it’s not wrong to own where that food comes from instead of pretending that basically every cultural tradition from the upper-class south doesn’t have its roots in slave ownership, but it does make for some slightly awkward viewing"

"Yes THANK YOU! It was super awkward. As soon as me and my partner heard him call it that we were like “well obviously we can’t root for the SLAVE RESTAURANT” lol. Literally the line he said about his granny owning a plantation made me think “like how old is this bitty did she own slaves too?” (It’s a joke—I’m aware this is mathematically impossible). Also my GF is Indian and was not a huge fan of “this is America’s first curry”. The whole thing was just a little tone def to be honest. "

"I don't know a ton about southern cooking, but seems pretty messed up for a white chef to be making plantation cooking his 'thing', especially considering we all know it was not white people doing the cooking on plantations! "

"And also it's not like the style of cuisine changed between the ante to post-bellum periods, why wouldn't he just call it 'traditional southern cuisine' when the only difference is whether the people serving it were legally considered property."

 

[fly girl]

Wasn't that, but I think his true personality side came out a bit, by one, his theming having a plantation and when in LCK calling California land of the fruits and nuts

Hmmm, I have to admit I didn't read it that way at all.

Kevin's niche is southern cooking, not fancy micro green and tweezer food. That family style plantation era theme was an aspect of the restaurant decor. Was it the best? No. He missed the mark, sounds like in more ways than one. But I didn't take his original theme of the Country Captain to be slave owner food. Do you think the panel would have picked him if they thought it was slave owner food? No way.

And the land of nuts and fruits, I saw it as Kevin being the jokester he is. I don't think he had ill intent upon that statement since he was supposed to cook California cuisine, and that is produce CA is known for. And he has lived in the west (Portland) so I didn't take it as Mr. Southern slamming liberals. To me, he said it in jest, but to others it may not have gone over so lightly. He has joked with Nini and her jumpsuits, and made numerous cracks in the kitchen. His humor may not be for everyone, but I find him funny. That quip wasn't my favorite, but I did not take offense.

I don't think Kevin is perfect, but I do see him as someone who cares about doing the right thing and treating others like he would like to be treated. By the way he discusses his bout with cancer, he "grew up" and saw some things he didn't like and made a positive change to be a better man. That is the Kevin I see when I watch Top Chef. YMMV.

And FWIW, his Red Beard group of restaurants is run alongside Chef Marco Shaw, whom Kevin worked for in Portland. I don't think Chef Shaw who has owned his own restaurants would collaborate with someone whom he felt didn't treat him as an equal.

This is just my take. I understand if you disagree or don't like him. Not everyone is going to see it the same way.

 

[osufeth24]

I'll admit when I first heard Kevin make that comment about Fruits and nuts, didn't think anything of it. Then I googled it when I saw people upset, and saw how tone deaf it came across

 

[osufeth24]

Hmmm, I have to admit I didn't read it that way at all.

Kevin's niche is southern cooking, not fancy micro green and tweezer food. That family style plantation era theme was an aspect of the restaurant decor. Was it the best? No. He missed the mark, sounds like in more ways than one. But I didn't take his original theme of the Country Captain to be slave owner food. Do you think the panel would have picked him if they thought it was slave owner food? No way.

And the land of nuts and fruits, I saw it as Kevin being the jokester he is. I don't think he had ill intent upon that statement since he was supposed to cook California cuisine, and that is produce CA is known for. And he has lived in the west (Portland) so I didn't take it as Mr. Southern slamming liberals. To me, he said it in jest, but to others it may not have gone over so lightly. He has joked with Nini and her jumpsuits, and made numerous cracks in the kitchen. His humor may not be for everyone, but I find him funny. That quip wasn't my favorite, but I did not take offense.

I don't think Kevin is perfect, but I do see him as someone who cares about doing the right thing and treating others like he would like to be treated. By the way he discusses his bout with cancer, he "grew up" and saw some things he didn't like and made a positive change to be a better man. That is the Kevin I see when I watch Top Chef. YMMV.

And FWIW, his Red Beard group of restaurants is run alongside Chef Marco Shaw, whom Kevin worked for in Portland. I don't think Chef Shaw who has owned his own restaurants would collaborate with someone whom he felt didn't treat him as an equal.

This is just my take. I understand if you disagree or don't like him. Not everyone is going to see it the same way.

did we just disagree in a polite and nice way? I'm so confused right now

 

[fly girl]

did we just disagree in a polite and nice way? I'm so confused right now

We did.

The way it should be.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I missed all the "plantation" stuff with Kevin. But I do want to point out that, in the South, "plantation" has different meanings. We moved here from the Northeast 5 years ago (currently in North Carolina). I always thought of plantations as "slaves picking cotton for the Master". Then we get down here, and housing subdivisions are frequently called plantations. We were horrified at first--who would want to live there? But, it's just a word used to describe a tract of land. I'm still a little horrified, because of my 50+ years of thinking of the word in one, specific way. And I don't think I could live in such a development, without offering my northern friends a long-winded explanation about how, no, we don't live in Tara, there aren't slave quarters out back, etc.

 

[fly girl]

Spoiler

Well, it wasn't the final 3 I wanted, but I am still very happy. I think they made the right choice.

Love the smile Stephanie had when Padma mmm'ed her prosciutto ragu. You could tell she was so excited. Very sweet.

Broke my heart when the one guy said Bryan's dish lacked any heart and soul. That was a big ouch! He wanted to elevate a simple dish and he missed the mark. But they said his pasta was delicious. Watching his reaction when Padma told him the reviews, you could see he was crushed.

Oh, Kevin. That was not a sprinkle of parmigiano. That was a mound! He did what Gregory did last week with the truffle. But I think it was the pork dish that killed him. Tough pork is like shoe leather, yikes! His parting thoughts were genuine. Keep hope and preserve through rough times, very resonating in our current climate.

Final 3 definitely deserve to be where they are at. But by the preview of next week, my gut thinks Bryan has the edge, then Melissa.

And why oh why is Malarkey back! NOOOOO!!!! Why do that to any cheftestant!!??? Poor Stephanie. Hopefully they will get along and she can reign him in.

 

[starvenger]

He's back because they usually bring the recently eliminated chefs along to be sous chefs. I'm sure the conversation went something like:
"Hey, you want to go to Tuscany?"
"Here's my passport. Let's go"

 

[fly girl]

He's back because they usually bring the recently eliminated chefs along to be sous chefs. I'm sure the conversation went something like:
"Hey, you want to go to Tuscany?"
"Here's my passport. Let's go"

I know, but it has been so enjoyable to not have to hear him these past view episodes. I’m sick of the “Malarkey Show.”

And I do feel bad for her having him. Hopefully he will prove me wrong. Doubtful though.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I thought the owner of the prosciutto place had said that it shouldn't be cooked. I was sure the one who'd cooked it into a dish would have gotten bad reviews, but didn't.

Also, of the two chefs who did well, I was sure the other one would win, because they raved over those dishes. They enjoyed the others, too, but those dishes didn't seem to get the same ratings. There must be a whole lot more that goes on that the editors left on the cutting room hard drive. The same thing happened last week.

 

[robinb]

I'm happy with the final 3, although I wish that Gregory was in it. I'm starting to warm up a bit to Stephanie. I'm thinking that she may be the dark horse for the win.

 

[SamFaniam]

I am pleased with the final 3, and would be happy with any of them winning.

I missed all the "plantation" stuff with Kevin. But I do want to point out that, in the South, "plantation" has different meanings. We moved here from the Northeast 5 years ago (currently in North Carolina). I always thought of plantations as "slaves picking cotton for the Master". Then we get down here, and housing subdivisions are frequently called plantations. We were horrified at first--who would want to live there? But, it's just a word used to describe a tract of land. I'm still a little horrified, because of my 50+ years of thinking of the word in one, specific way. And I don't think I could live in such a development, without offering my northern friends a long-winded explanation about how, no, we don't live in Tara, there aren't slave quarters out back, etc.

A little OT, but plantation is a term used for an area of land, usually designated as agricultural and often as part of a colonial effort. The first plantations were set up by the British in Ireland. The earliest settlements in what is today the United States we’re almost all plantations, including Roanoke, Plymouth, and Jamestown.

I think because of the history of slavery in our country, that term does have rather a negative connotation. And, when you think that plantation systems were often used to subjugate local people, perhaps it should.

 

[fly girl]

I'm happy with the final 3, although I wish that Gregory was in it. I'm starting to warm up a bit to Stephanie. I'm thinking that she may be the dark horse for the win.

Gregory, Melissa, Bryan would have been a fun match to watch.

Stephanie has really come on strong lately. She really could pull it off! But with who she has for a sous chef ... I can't wait to see if she just got stuck with him or actually picked him.

I thought the owner of the prosciutto place had said that it shouldn't be cooked. I was sure the one who'd cooked it into a dish would have gotten bad reviews, but didn't.

Also, of the two chefs who did well, I was sure the other one would win, because they raved over those dishes. They enjoyed the others, too, but those dishes didn't seem to get the same ratings. There must be a whole lot more that goes on that the editors left on the cutting room hard drive. The same thing happened last week.

Me too! When she said she was cooking it, I said to myself she's a goner. WRONG! ha ha ha

They do tend to play with you on who is winning and who is eliminated.

 

[nikkistevej]

I've always wanted Bryan V to win(he's a fellow Marylander), but would have also liked Gregory to be in the final and win. Ehhh on Stephanie and Melissa the whole season- but I have a feeling one of them will win.

 

[soccerdad72]

Bryan has been my favorite all along, but I have to admit, I think he probably should have gone home last week. I think the producers wanted him in the finale one way or the other and fortunately for him, Kevin also made some mistakes.

Melissa has been killing it though, so she will be tough competition.

 

[RUDisney]

I most want to have Melissa cook for me. She creates interesting fusions that pique my curiosity.

 

[wildride]

This just set up for Melissa to win. It’s so obvious

 

[FigmentSpark]

I hope Brian gets it. But he hasn't done as well this year as he did in the other season.

 

[starvenger]

This just set up for Melissa to win. It’s so obvious

Wouldn't say it was set up. But it feels like a winners edit.

And she has clearly been killing it from the start. Same can be said for Kevin and Gregory though. Until the three times where they didn't.