Top Chef Chicago (Spoiler Thread)

[NewJersey]

But I prefer no outside spoilers for the next weeks' shows.

Anyway, I knew that person was toast. You can kind of tell when someone has a competitive energy & is on fire. She kind of dragged her way through the whole show.

I agree on both points. She just had the demeanor of "I'm going home first" as soon as the show started.

 

[JR6ooo4]

How about eric's brown streak soufle! Ewwwwwwww!

Mikeeee

 

[Imzadi]

I felt bad for the New Zealand guy. They all got berated for not knowing the classics - but they were all AMERICAN classics. I feel he's going to have a hard time in the upcoming weeks.

 

[Imzadi]

How about eric's brown streak soufle! Ewwwwwwww!

Yeah, I think a soufle would have been tough. But I would have been sent home even before the quick fire. I'm used to thin crispy crust pizza. As soon as they said Deep Dish Pizza, I was going:

 

[Pea-n-Me]

She kind of dragged her way through the whole show

I agree. I couldn't believe she went to bed, either, while everyone else was hanging out in the new place. To me it seemed she didn't really want to be there. Sayonara!

 

[Oh Kay!]

First, I am happy to see that a half of the 4 I had picked out (Antonia, Manuel, Richard, and Spike) made top 4, and none made the bottom 4.

I hope Andrew sticks around; he has such a charming personality.

I LOVED Stephanie's duck dish which is surprising since I HATE duck. The egg roll and the baby bak choy looked especially delicious.

 

[Oh Kay!]

I felt bad for the New Zealand guy. They all got berated for not knowing the classics - but they were all AMERICAN classics. I feel he's going to have a hard time in the upcoming weeks.

Isn't the crab cake the only American classic on the menu?

 

[Imzadi]

Isn't the crab cake the only American classic on the menu?

Well, Tony said the piccata was a classic too. And he said that Stephanie's duck l'orange was done classically too. . . so I guess, I meant classic in that it's been in America a long time. I think Julia Child brought both of those dishes over actually, in her old cooking show.

 

[nannerbadnanner]

Man, Nikki's lasagna dish looked soooo good! My stomach is growling just thinking about it. Stephanie's duck also lucked yummy.

I don't think Ryan had a clue what chicken piccata was. I've never had it, but even I knew what the basic ingredients were. I felt bad for the souffle people. I'm glad that neither one was sent home.

Also, what's up with Andrew not knowing what ingredients were in mayo? That was just odd.

All in all, this looks like a good group! I'm excited about this season.

 

[Oh Kay!]

Well, Tony said the piccata was a classic too. And he said that Stephanie's duck l'orange was done classically too. . . so I guess, I meant classic in that it's been in America a long time. I think Julia Child brought both of those dishes over actually, in her old cooking show.

I see what you mean. Though they are dishes that Americans have enjoyed for many years, the menu items are French and Italian basics, so I think Mark was on equal footing there. I do agree that he might get into trouble with American regional cooking.

Also, what's up with Andrew not knowing what ingredients were in mayo? That was just odd.

Yes, that was very odd. I can understand not remembering the measurements, but Andrew acted as if it was the first time he had heard how mayo was made.

 

[Tamarap]

My entire family loves the show including DS's (13 & 10). Nimma had to go. We all said the same thing, lack of enthusiasm, just kind of dragged her way through.
I agree with Andrew not knowing how to make mayo. I mean I don't, but any chef worth their salt should. He got on my nerves quite a bit throughout the episode for some reason.
I can't wait for next week. Now I can stop watching all of my recorded episodes from the previous seasons

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Darn it! I'm kicking myself for not remembering to set my VCR! No Tivo in this house, I'm too cheap, but it's looking better and better...

Well, the good news is, they'll replay it many time in the next week, including next Wed., right before the new episode, so I'll see it eventually.

Anyway, I love this show and am glad that it's on again. Looking forward to reviews of Harold's restaurant, too!

 

[NewJersey]

I see what you mean. Though they are dishes that Americans have enjoyed for many years, the menu items are French and Italian basics, so I think Mark was on equal footing there. I do agree that he might get into trouble with American regional cooking.


Yes, that was very odd. I can understand not remembering the measurements, but Andrew acted as if it was the first time he had heard how mayo was made.

I loved that lasagna dish too! I laughed at her pizza though - she filled the whole pan with dough!

 

[NewJersey]

I LOVED Stephanie's duck dish which is surprising since I HATE duck. The egg roll and the baby bak choy looked especially delicious.

Hate duck, loved the dish too!

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

Hi Christine
Guess we'll be "hanging out" here together for the next few months!

Definately!


I was happy with who left, she was not that great and was too timid.

No real favorites/dislikes yet. I am going try to catch it again this weekend.

 

[Figment22]

Darn it! I'm kicking myself for not remembering to set my VCR! No Tivo in this house, I'm too cheap, but it's looking better and better...

Well, the good news is, they'll replay it many time in the next week, including next Wed., right before the new episode, so I'll see it eventually.

Last night's episode is on again tonight at 9:00 p.m. (and midnight, if you're a night owl). The only bad thing about missing the initial airing is that it was a supersized episode last night at 75 mins. From here on, it'll be an edited episode at 60 mins.


Random thoughts:
Andrew is going to get on my nerves quickly. I had the feeling that if I was in the kitchen with him like that , I'd want to swat him like a gnat!

What are the odds that a couple (Jennifer & Zoi) would both end up being selected for Top Chef? I'm sure that they get thousands of video applications each year. What's the likelihood that both would get picked? I have a feeling that the producers wanted to inject that into the "intrigue" this season. It'll be interesting to see how that pans out and what effect it'll have on the contestants.

How are you a chef at any level and not know Chicken Piccata?
When they were at the market, I was talking to the TV, "Lemons, capers". Although, I knew the judges would say goodbye to Nimma because too much or too little salt ALWAYS seems to be the deal breaker on TC, I think I would have kicked Ryan off just because he didn't know about Chicken Piccata.

I was glad Erik got a break last night. I think he may be an interesting chef and souffles are tough. It wasn't his fault that knife #8 fell to him.

All in all, it was a good first episode. And, I'm always happy when Tony Bourdain's on the show. Although he was pretty subdued last night.

 

[Honu]

No real favorites/dislikes yet.

I was hoping with all the San Franciscans this year, I'd be able to root for one of them, but no one really impressed me. Hopefully, it will get better.

 

[Nynaeve]

Oh my, they definitely got the elimination right!

That's what we thought too. It just seemed like she was trying to coast though, and the expressions when she got any criticism were awful! You could tell that she did not like being told anything was wrong with her cooking.

That one guy (I can't think of his name) is just trying way to hard to be cool, with all the swearing.

 

[WDWLVR]

I love this show and totally missed the first episode. I'll have to play catch up!

 

[cherylp3]

There should have been extra deep dish pans, or at least someone stating that 1 per person.

Regarding the couple
I was thinking what if there was a team challenge, if they are opposite they know the others weakness and if they get paired on the same team they'd probably work together well.