Top Chef Chicago (Spoiler Thread)

[Bob Slydell]

And with the previews showing Zoi having a whiny meltdown & Jennifer going to bat for her, these two will definitely be around for a while. I say another 4 shows at least. I think we should have a DIS contest to see who gets closest to seeing how many more episodes they will keep the couple together on the show.

So, who had 1 episode in the pool.

With all the time it seems like some of those folks (like Zoi, the Australian dude and Spike) have seemed to have spent in the bottom group, is it really that much of a shock that Zoi's gone?

Naturally, Jennifer's going to go to bat for her and be pissed she's gone, but seriously, she couldn't have been that surprised. Zoi hasn't done anything to impress the judges the whole show.

 

[Bob Slydell]

BTW, does anyone wonder why the judges didn't make mention of the fact that Richard's dish was the same thing he did the week before? Salmon and "faux" caviar two weeks in a row?

 

[BratTink]

BTW, does anyone wonder why the judges didn't make mention of the fact that Richard's dish was the same thing he did the week before? Salmon and "faux" caviar two weeks in a row?

I'm pretty sure that Tom did say something to Padma about the caviar.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I'm pretty sure that Tom did say something to Padma about the caviar.

I must have missed it. I'll have to go back to my DVR and take a look.

 

[BratTink]

I think it was when the meal was served. I'd like to know if I'm remembering correctly

I'm a little surprised that Zoi did leave last night. I really thought Bravo would keep the couple on for a while. I was hoping they would get rid of Richard. I don't know why, but I just can't stand him.
My winner prediction: not a female.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I'm glad it was Zoi rather than Spike. I like Spike. (Ooh, a new bumper sticker!) Zoi just seemed way out of her league. You have to wonder, would she have made the cut (to be on the show at all) if she weren't half of a lesbian couple? They get thousands of applicants.

I know we've debated whether they take past challenges into account--Richard has been knocking them out of the park, maybe that helped him. Plus, didn't Nimma, the first chef eliminated, also get hosed for poor seasoning? And this was a challenge about having a good palate.

I also think Richard had the courage of his convictions, and was trying to "think outside the box". I never got that feeling about Zoi--she seemed to just be trying not to get eliminated.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I'm glad it was Zoi rather than Spike. I like Spike. (Ooh, a new bumper sticker!) Zoi just seemed way out of her league. You have to wonder, would she have made the cut (to be on the show at all) if she weren't half of a lesbian couple? They get thousands of applicants.

I know we've debated whether they take past challenges into account--Richard has been knocking them out of the park, maybe that helped him. Plus, didn't Nimma, the first chef eliminated, also get hosed for poor seasoning? And this was a challenge about having a good palate.

I also think Richard had the courage of his convictions, and was trying to "think outside the box". I never got that feeling about Zoi--she seemed to just be trying not to get eliminated.

ITA with your whole post. I have to believe that Zoi and Jen were picked together for the drama. I disagree that keeping Zoi would have been better for drama, as I think we're going to see Jen going ape-you-know-what over the next few weeks with Zoi being eliminated (which adds drama, obviously )

I also agree that Richard was probably given a pass for his past performance. I do think he's an "out of the box" guy, but one week I'd like to see him cook something without a gimmick, like suvee (sp?) machines and mini-smokers.

 

[robinb]

I'm just glad it was Zoi rather than Richard. I thought that the fish scales would be unforgivable. But ... this was the second week in a row where Zoi said that she liked to cook with BOLD flavors (remember "Talk to Her" last week?) and the dish ended up bland.

AFAIC, Spike can leave anytime. He's a big crybaby.

Oh! One more thing ... I LOVED seeing the Walnut Room at *cough* Macy's. Did anyone else notice that they referred to it as "The Former Marshall Field's Building". Macy's must not have paid for the product placement . I adore the Walnut Room and all the fond memories I have of Marshall Fields ... I had many a chicken pot pie with a glass of white wine in that room .

 

[Becky2005]

Oh! One more thing ... I LOVED seeing the Walnut Room at *cough* Macy's. Did anyone else notice that they referred to it as "The Former Marshall Field's Building". Macy's must not have paid for the product placement .

I caught that and was just telling DH about it this morning!!! I was laughing so hard when that came on. DH did say it was since they didn't have to pay but my thought was THAT and they might just have a riot on their hands calling it *the other store name*!!!

 

[RUDisney]

I almost got out of bed last night to give my cheers that Zoi was gone, but I was comfortable and didn't want to ruin it for the west coast.

I really thought it was going to be the guy at the beginning with the black hair whose name I can't recall now to be eliminated because he said that some would be eliminated and he whispered, "not me." I thought that was his kiss of death.

OK, Top Chef, let's get on to the chef cooking and away from the catering for the rest of the season!

 

[robinb]

OK, Top Chef, let's get on to the chef cooking and away from the catering for the rest of the season!

No can do. They're doing Da Bears game next week. Oh goody. A tailgate !

 

[Honu]

No can do. They're doing Da Bears game next week. Oh goody. A tailgate !

I was disappointed to see that too. Block party, part duex.

 

[Figment22]

And what was with Dale going off on Lisa like that? What an idiot! He was ticked off because she got to go to Italy so he goes ballistic on her.

I have to watch the episode again. I was flipping back and forth between TC and the Yankees' game.

 

[disneyrun]

I'm a newbie to the Top Chef world but I'm totally hooked! LOVE IT! That said, I could see why Dale went crazy with Lisa. Things worked out in the end but it seems she's consistently whiny. With the quick fires, interviews, etc. I think she'd just be a total pain to work with!! I like the girl who won the quick fire last night but I don't have a definitive favorite just yet.

 

[RUDisney]

No can do. They're doing Da Bears game next week. Oh goody. A tailgate !

Oh, darn it. I forgot about that. Ooh, more picnic food. Woo hoo!

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm glad it was Zoi rather than Spike. I like Spike. (Ooh, a new bumper sticker!) Zoi just seemed way out of her league. You have to wonder, would she have made the cut (to be on the show at all) if she weren't half of a lesbian couple? They get thousands of applicants.

I know we've debated whether they take past challenges into account--Richard has been knocking them out of the park, maybe that helped him. Plus, didn't Nimma, the first chef eliminated, also get hosed for poor seasoning? And this was a challenge about having a good palate.

I also think Richard had the courage of his convictions, and was trying to "think outside the box". I never got that feeling about Zoi--she seemed to just be trying not to get eliminated.

I agree with you as well. I think they producers were going to gage if the lesbian couple" thing would be the big draw but it really did not seem to matter very much. Zoi was probably a good cook but out of her league with trained chefs. I thought that she was a little intimidated working with them and generally erred on the side of caution when seasoning. Too bad really, because if she was used to heavy seasoning she would have fared better if she trusted herself.

Richard stood by his dish and I bet that saved him. He has an adventurous side and his food is not boring.

ITA with your whole post. I have to believe that Zoi and Jen were picked together for the drama. I disagree that keeping Zoi would have been better for drama, as I think we're going to see Jen going ape-you-know-what over the next few weeks with Zoi being eliminated (which adds drama, obviously )

I also agree that Richard was probably given a pass for his past performance. I do think he's an "out of the box" guy, but one week I'd like to see him cook something without a gimmick, like suvee (sp?) machines and mini-smokers.

Between Jen and Lisa there is going to be drama. We are used to seeing the guys complain about each other, but these two are going to provide plenty to chat about, I think.

Richard is going to have to cook without his gadgets. I know that it is possible to sous vide ( I had to go to Bravotv to find out what the spelling was, it was driving me crazy ) a protein, but can he cook it any other way? I imagine he will be moved to cook out of his comfort zone soon.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay - is it just me, or is Top Chef going to be awarding a consolation prize for profanity?

 

[RUDisney]

I was sorry to see last night's elimination. So, making a gourmet meal for a tailgate is wrong but being sloppy about your work environment and licking a spoon and putting it into the soup pot is ok? Mark should have gone home last night.

People DO tailgate like Ryan sometimes. While I've never thought to take poached pears and creme fraische, he's given me an idea for something different at a tailgate.

Tom Colicchio has obviously never been to a West Point tailgate. I have had some fabulous meals at those tailgates, ala Ryan's style of food.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I was sad to see Ryan go. He was definitely comic relief, whether he intended to be or not.
Nikki has had a lot of stinker dishes, and she didn't even make the sausage. Sha hasn't really impressed since the first elimination challenge
Mark was a gross slob. The double dipping IN FRONT OF THE JUDGES was inexcusable. He was a mess and looked so overwhelmed and defeated.
But big, dumb Ryan had to get knifed.

Oh, and Jen is doing this for Zoi now. In case you missed when she told us that about 5000 times last night.

And Ryan's exit remarks, did they not sound like Michael Scott from The office? It was especially distracting b/c Ryan's last name is Scott, too.

 

[Angelhalo]

oops messed up post.