Top Chef All Stars starts 12/1/10! No ADVANCE Spoilers!

[happygirl]

I wish Marcel would have went instead of Tiffany,

 

[TheDisneyGirl]

I think he was drunk and it made Marcel's true colors come out.

See ya Jamie!

Enough with the team challenges! I'm really surprised that, on a show that is supposed to be "all-star", every challenge has been team oriented which I think doesn't showcase the chefs abilities as well. I know that the next one is restaurant wars which can be interesting, but once again, someone won't be cooking and will be judged on essentially waiting tables! These people are chefs for crying out loud - it's not Top Wait Staff!

And Carla is really kicking rear this season - I don't remember her being as good last time she was on, do you?

ITA about the team challenges, enough is enough with them. They all are such strong chefs, but they imo looked like they suffered from being together. If they fail individually I can understand that, but if one person brings the team down that is not fair. Restaurant Wars is my favorite part of the show, because it is about concept too. They shouldn't have to serve though. They should have waitstaff so they can all cook and showcase their skill.

Yes, Carla is doing her thing and bringing it. I think her last season she was nervous and missing her family a lot. I remember that coming up with her more. GO CARLA!

 

[happygirl]

I hope either Carla or Richard wins the whole thing.

 

[RUDisney]

I think he was drunk and it made Marcel's true colors come out.

See ya Jamie!

Enough with the team challenges! I'm really surprised that, on a show that is supposed to be "all-star", every challenge has been team oriented which I think doesn't showcase the chefs abilities as well. I know that the next one is restaurant wars which can be interesting, but once again, someone won't be cooking and will be judged on essentially waiting tables! These people are chefs for crying out loud - it's not Top Wait Staff!

And Carla is really kicking rear this season - I don't remember her being as good last time she was on, do you?

In a real restaurant, there is wait staff and a maitre d' or at least a host/hostess. The chef only comes out to meet and greet when he/she can or when someone requests to meet the chef (and he/she is able to come out).

While I can see that a team challenge or two can show who is taking the lead on the challenge, that is not everyone's personality. Sometimes it's easier to lead people whom you pay and not those who are your peers.

I like the individual challenges better.

 

[antmaril]

I hope either Carla or Richard wins the whole thing.

Me too

 

[kaytieeldr]

Is there a Top Chef thread that has spoilers?

No, but feel free to start one; also, see televisionwithoutpity.com - its message boards may have spoilers.

I did change the thread title; ideally it's clearer now that we just mean "don't give any advance knowledge, but once a show airs, it's a free-for-all"

 

[can84]

Not sure if anyone saw this, but Eric Ripert offered Jamie lessons at Le Bernadin http://http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/season-8/blogs/eric-ripert/an-offer-jamie-cant-refuse

 

[klacey1]

So thrilled with this week! Carla really just warms my soul, lol. Just seeing her on the screen makes me laugh. So happy she won!
Marcel was being so immature-- never has someone in the bottom not allowed the winner (especially a winner as gracious as Carla) a little time to revel in their happiness! I usually like him, though.
Tiffani never really did anything for me-- good or bad, so I don't really care about her leaving. Thrilled Jamie's gone-- when she first said "cucumber water" I grimaced. I definitely understand what they said-- a "washed out" dish. Augh!

 

[happygirl]

If anyone has any spoilers PLEASE PLEASE PM I love spoilers

 

[jen0610]

I hope either Carla or Richard wins the whole thing.

Carla and Richard in the final would be so interesting to see what they come up with. Their prefered styles of cooking are so far apart in the approaches they take.

 

[Imzadi]

In a real restaurant, there is wait staff and a maitre d' or at least a host/hostess. The chef only comes out to meet and greet when he/she can or when someone requests to meet the chef (and he/she is able to come out).

While I can see that a team challenge or two can show who is taking the lead on the challenge, that is not everyone's personality. Sometimes it's easier to lead people whom you pay and not those who are your peers.

Yes, it's called Front of House and Back of House -- and for good reason. All these celebrity cooking shows have really elevated the position & personae of a chef. But, it is really a working class, blue collar, get your hands & elbows dirty position. Except for a few star chefs & owners, most don't have the flowery personality to deal in the front of house.

And speaking as a former wait staff at high end establishments, all they need to give orders to the waitstaff is to be owner. No personality required. You can't believer the real way some of them treat the wait staff. DOGS are given orders in a more respectful fashion. Some audience members here have gotten shocked & offended at the chefs over-use of swearing & colorful language. In my experience most of the chefs & owners have been more like Anthony Bourdain & Marcel.

For some reason, in this industry, the inanimate plate of food and the guests are considered more important that the lowly menial staff who serve them.

Speaking of Bourdain, he's on next week, and he's giving the SAME sound bite & criticism he already used. Does he just sit at home, trying to make them up so he can pull them out of his hat to be purposely cruel and sound witty? Yeah, that's showing his real class.

I hope either Carla or Richard wins the whole thing.

I agree.



I think Fabio is going to take the hit this week. From the previews, he's front of house next week. Usually it's the kiss of death, unless they also happen to have immunity. Just like Casey, he's still going to be expected to pull off a meal & be up front. Maybe, his bro-mate, Richard will help cook his meal. Richard has enough integrity to cook it right. Richard prefers a fair fight, not needing to sabotage another chef.

 

[agnes!]

... I think Fabio is going to take the hit this week. From the previews, he's front of house next week. Usually it's the kiss of death, unless they also happen to have immunity. Just like Casey, he's still going to be expected to pull off a meal & be up front. Maybe, his bro-mate, Richard will help cook his meal. Richard has enough integrity to cook it right. Richard prefers a fair fight, not needing to sabotage another chef.

Yeah, unlike Angelo.

From the previews it looks like Mike Isabella really goes off on Marcel.

*SO* glad Jamie went home...she just didn't seem to be trying this season, not sure why she even bothered. I was shocked Richard said something to her that one episode (the tennis one), he seems fairly mild-mannered.

Carla & Richard in the finale...oh YEAH.

And what's with these episodes where so much of the Challenge has nothing to do with cooking - not that the people who caught the biggest fish actually won, but *still*... I turned to my DD and said "Well, if they don't catch anything, maybe they can scoop up some seawater and use that as a base for some chowder or soup or to brine meat."

agnes!

 

[jen0610]

Yes, it's called Front of House and Back of House -- and for good reason. All these celebrity cooking shows have really elevated the position & personae of a chef. But, it is really a working class, blue collar, get your hands & elbows dirty position. Except for a few star chefs & owners, most don't have the flowery personality to deal in the front of house.

And speaking as a former wait staff at high end establishments, all they need to give orders to the waitstaff is to be owner. No personality required. You can't believer the real way some of them treat the wait staff. DOGS are given orders in a more respectful fashion. Some audience members here have gotten shocked & offended at the chefs over-use of swearing & colorful language. In my experience most of the chefs & owners have been more like Anthony Bourdain & Marcel.

The way they speak to each other in the kitchen - doesn't faze me a bit. Richard's repeated telling/asking Fabio things - I am sure he was in his cooking zone and that is what he does things in "his" kitchen.

But I think the issue most viewers have, with Marcel, is he comes across very smug and hatefull. He does not lose gracefully. His comment to Carla, was that of a spoiled brat. Antonia said as that group was leaving, she knew that they - her group and the guys - were in the bottom teams.

As my dad says, Marcel's mouth overloads his *** and his mouth is writing checks his body can't cash. He isn't as good as he thinks he is and one of these days, his comments will catch someone at the wrong time and it won't be a good outcome for Marcel.

 

[Pastamom]

Would love Carla and Richard in the finals.

Marcel and his foam need to go....

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yeah, unlike Angelo.

From the previews it looks like Mike Isabella really goes off on Marcel.

*SO* glad Jamie went home...she just didn't seem to be trying this season, not sure why she even bothered. I was shocked Richard said something to her that one episode (the tennis one), he seems fairly mild-mannered.

Carla & Richard in the finale...oh YEAH.

And what's with these episodes where so much of the Challenge has nothing to do with cooking - not that the people who caught the biggest fish actually won, but *still*... I turned to my DD and said "Well, if they don't catch anything, maybe they can scoop up some seawater and use that as a base for some chowder or soup or to brine meat."

agnes!

"Next Iron Chef" had a similar challenge this past season.

Contestants who caught little or nothing could use their bait in their dishes.

 

[ppony]

Contestants who caught little or nothing could use their bait in their dishes.

SUSHI!!!
Sorry, couldn't help it.

 

[Imzadi]

The way they speak to each other in the kitchen - doesn't faze me a bit. Richard's repeated telling/asking Fabio things - I am sure he was in his cooking zone and that is what he does things in "his" kitchen.

But I think the issue most viewers have, with Marcel, is he comes across very smug and hatefull. He does not lose gracefully. His comment to Carla, was that of a spoiled brat. Antonia said as that group was leaving, she knew that they - her group and the guys - were in the bottom teams.

As my dad says, Marcel's mouth overloads his *** and his mouth is writing checks his body can't cash. He isn't as good as he thinks he is and one of these days, his comments will catch someone at the wrong time and it won't be a good outcome for Marcel.

I think you took my comments the wrong way, or I wrote them unclearly. I TOTALLY agree with you on how Marcel is an SOB on the way he treated Carla.

My comments were about the upcoming Restaurant Wars. The show tries to make it seem like having a flowery, charming personality has anything to do with being a successful top chef in the industry, and so they judge the chef handling the front for that. I was trying to point out, no, it doesn't. They deliberately hire Front of House people who have all those skills for dealing with the public, while they are yelling at those same Front of House people once they get to the back of the kitchen.

If this is how Anthony Bourdain openly, publicly and deliberately thinks up things to say to the chefs on the show, can you imagine how he used to talk to his waiters back of house, if they did something wrong? He delights in putting down people he has power over. People like him feel since they are paying underlings, they have paid for the RIGHT to treat them like scum and with contempt.

I was SOOOOOO happy that episode Fabio stuck up for himself , saying Bourdain can criticize his food, but Bourdain deliberately made it personal and attacked Fabio. A waiter, dependent on a paycheck, can't do that, can't simply walk away from that paycheck, unless he has the self esteem to know he deserves be treated with respect. That his job as a waiter, a dishwasher, a runner, does not define who he is or his station in life. Unfortunately, some only walk when they have the knowledge they can get a job at a different restaurant.

Maybe, Bourdain walked away from his restaurant when he did because he knew he might get knifed in the back in his own kitchen if he stayed any longer. Yes, Marcel had better watch out, too.

 

[4greatboys]

I think Fabio is going to take the hit this week. From the previews, he's front of house next week. Usually it's the kiss of death, unless they also happen to have immunity. Just like Casey, he's still going to be expected to pull off a meal & be up front. Maybe, his bro-mate, Richard will help cook his meal. Richard has enough integrity to cook it right. Richard prefers a fair fight, not needing to sabotage another chef.

He was front of the house on his season and they loved him.

I've had enough of the team challenges. Let them just cook. That's how Jaime skated by so long--and thank goodness she is gone. I was really happy Carla won.

I think they were wrong to give Antonia crap for the others dishes. Yes they were a team but it is also a competition. She also seems like such a nice person I doubt she would do anything underhanded just to get ahead.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Maybe, his bro-mate, Richard will help cook his meal. Richard has enough integrity to cook it right. Richard prefers a fair fight, not needing to sabotage another chef.

That's why I like Tiffany D, who has been kind of hiding in the shadows so far. But I guess as long as you aren't the loser, you can still be the winner. I really liked her last season. She would always say she wanted to compete against the best.

Yeah, unlike Angelo.

See, I'm not convinced that Angelo is trying to sabotage. I really think he thinks he's helping. They brought that up in the reunion show last season.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Don't we all work with a Marcel? With a Jaime? With a Bourdain?

I see it as part of the "challenge" - doing your best work despite people like this.

Good culinary training involves learning to do all of the jobs that a restaurant offers, so that chefs can learn what it takes to do those jobs well. They shouldn't be let off easily if they don't do a good job anywhere other than behind the stove, IMO. Granted, it may not be their forte, but they should know how to do it and do it well - if they're well rounded.