Top Chef Masters - Who will be watching

[Imzadi]

Anita is an amazing cook, but even though we're starting to see a little of her personality, I hope she goes home tonight.

I agree. She seems like a nice person but she really doesn't have the kind of head for this kind of fast style competiton. I think she did the best she could do, but she's not in the league for this fast on your feet, improvisational stuff.

I think Jamie screwed her up too. You get two ploddingly slow people in the same kitchen and what can you do?

I do think it was pissy that they weren't told they would be serving the meals outside under the sun. That was actually a health hazard to do that. What if people got sick because the raw bar and mayo sauces spoiled before the last few people got served? That was a bad error in judgement on the producers of Top Chef. They left too little time to change plans. Plus, the chefs didn't have extra ingredients to make brilliant food switches.

Dale should have been sent home. What a real jerk. I know people will say Michael was the arrogant one, barking orders, not using his people, but in the various kitchens & catering company I worked for, that IS the way it is in most kitchens. Ever see Bobby Flay on Iron Chef? He has a reputation for being arrogant, cold & rude and barking orders at his employees in the kitchen. (Anthony Bourdain, too. ) Is it the best way of working or even a pleasant way of working? No. There really is something (usually ) to, "Too many cooks spoil the broth." Usually, there is one head chef with the ideas and the dishes in mind and he barks the orders, and the other chefs follow orders. I've seen owners and sous chefs get into fights and arguments like Dale. It's not fun being around knives then.

The kitchen area is called "Back of the House." Being a cook, chef, dishwasher, vegetable cutter, are really manual labor jobs. I've seen many "Dales" actually, with bad attitudes in the kitchens.

The customer area is called "Front of the House." It's where you get all the warm, fuzzy feelings and manners. This is where customer interaction is. Obviously, Hubert & Rick know how to elegantly and successfully straddle both areas with elegance & grace and bring that elegance to the Back of the House.

 

[Nancyg56]

Dale should have been sent home. What a real jerk. I know people will say Michael was the arrogant one, barking orders, not using his people, but in the various kitchens & catering company I worked for, that IS the way it is in most kitchens. Ever see Bobby Flay on Iron Chef? He has a reputation for being arrogant, cold & rude and barking orders at his employees in the kitchen. (Anthony Bourdain, too. ) Is it the best way of working or even a pleasant way of working? No. There really is something (usually ) to, "Too many cooks spoil the broth." Usually, there is one head chef with the ideas and the dishes in mind and he barks the orders, and the other chefs follow orders. I've seen owners and sous chefs get into fights and arguments like Dale. It's not fun being around knives then.

The kitchen area is called "Back of the House." Being a cook, chef, dishwasher, vegetable cutter, are really manual labor jobs. I've seen many "Dales" actually, with bad attitudes in the kitchens.

The customer area is called "Front of the House." It's where you get all the warm, fuzzy feelings and manners. This is where customer interaction is. Obviously, Hubert & Rick know how to elegantly and successfully straddle both areas with elegance & grace and bring that elegance to the Back of the House.

While I agree that there is only one head chef, the reason that Rick and Hubert succeeded so brilliantly is that they gave their sous chefs a chance to play to their strengths. Michael did not. Had he at least given his team a chance to contribute he may have had more cooperation and more teamwork. I cannot imagine that Michael would have trusted Richard to take over dessert nor would he have trusted the skills of his assistants to give their opinions for selections. A shame really, because they were all veterans of that kind of challenge and all talented Chefs in their own right. His heavy handed direction was key in his not delivering the same caliber of buffet that Hubert and Rick delivered.


Between Dale and Spike

I felt badly for Anita, She did well until the challenges got so difficult. I imagine that she is a genius in her kitchen and would love to sample some of her cuisine, but she just could not switch gears so fast. Just getting Jamie to light a fire would have made a huge difference. If her shellfish was prepped she might have been able to make a change.


This was a test of leadership more than anything else. I agree that the balance between front and back of the house is one many Chefs do not manage well and that Rick and Hubert managed that with Panache, but honestly both were not afraid to bring out the best n their team and let them participate in the win. Had Michael done that his sous chefs may have been more careful in the portions they served the critics. They could have been very careful in ensuring that only the best selections made it to the judges plates but instead served mealy swordfish and spongy cake.

My Dad was a seasoned working executive Chef before it was "cool" and he was well respected by his peers. He was in charge of his kitchen and could be a bear to work for if you messed up but he always gave his sous chefs a chance to shine and respected their skills. Without them he would not have been able to demonstrate his own skills.

 

[Imzadi]

I thought Michael doesn't own a restaurant anymore? He just does his TV show now? Maybe that's part of his not having enough confidence in other people's abilities.

Hubert & Rick spend a lot of time interviewing each person. They are used to managing other people still. They have great people skills and know how to read them.

You're right about now getting the best work out of your kitchen staff after they've been yelled at or not treated well. I've hated a lot of the kitchens I've been in.

 

[anniemae]

Imzadi-they said in the beginning of the show that Michael is back to owning a restaurant. He left the restaurant business to do the show on the food network. I think he left food network, but he is back in the restaurant business. His restaurant is Bottega in Napa Valley.

 

[Nancyg56]

You're right about now getting the best work out of your kitchen staff after they've been yelled at or not treated well. I've hated a lot of the kitchens I've been in.

Me too. Only thing worse than a hot kitchen on a busy Saturday night with one thing after anther going down the drain is being in that same hot kitchen and having the Chef screaming at you There is no way you can keep your composure and put forth your best when you are being micromanaged with a heavy hand. I never threw anyone under the bus (okay, one time when an appetizer cook threw a Puu-Puu Platter at me I tossed it back and made him apologize) but I also never felt compelled to dig a screamer out of the weeds more than I needed to do in order to keep the customer happy. (I was a waitress, I only helped my Dad in the kitchen)

 

[Robinrs]

I can't stand her voice. It's too high and nasal. For someone who has to speak a lot, you'd think they'd get someone with a pleasant speaking voice. They did that the first season of Top Chef, too. Got a model-type, absolutely wooden personality, who was very nasal sounding.

She's not as wooden as Mrs. Joel but she gives me the creeps, too.

It's really too bad that the show has not explained this because she is known for her hats. As a major NY restaurant reviewer for 40 years, she would always wear a hat whenever she appeared in public or before cameras to hide her face. She did this so that when she would go to review a restaurant, they would usually not recognize her and give her any special treatment or food. She would always make the reservation under a different name and would have her guests show up first to see where they were seated and how they were treated before she got there. Of course, after this show - well now everyone recognizes her!

Thanks for the defense of Ms. Greene, suzannen. She was the GOD of all things restaurants when I was there and she was highly recognizable then, too!

 

[pooh6890]

I am rooting for Hubert and Rick. After last night, I thought that Michael came off a little too arrogant and had a pretty bad attitude when the judges were going over everyone's meals. Also, making them all say his last name to possibly embarrass them? I still like him, but I think he came off a little jerky last night. By the way, that was by far the best episode last night and I am really going to miss this show. Looking forward to Top Chef Las Vegas next week.

 

[RUDisney]

I am rooting for Hubert and Rick. After last night, I thought that Michael came off a little too arrogant and had a pretty bad attitude when the judges were going over everyone's meals. Also, making them all say his last name to possibly embarrass them? I still like him, but I think he came off a little jerky last night. By the way, that was by far the best episode last night and I am really going to miss this show. Looking forward to Top Chef Las Vegas next week.

I agree with everything you've said. Last night, I kept thinking of the Seinfeld episode when George wanted to tell his coworker, "The jerk store called. They're running out of you." Michael was an ogre last night.

Wasn't it funny how the atmosphere changed to a conniving one when the TC contestants were back. The famous chefs were all happy to go out of their way for one another and then the former TCers were talking strategy and underhandedness.

Could you imagine if they pulled these changes on the normal TC crew? The famous chefs were frazzled. The normal contestants would have fallen off the deep end.

 

[pooh6890]

Yes, the famous chefs were all a bit frazzled. The contestants were enjoying that a little bit don't you think? It was also funny when the chefs were shopping without a list (who does that?) and they just figured they would put it all together when they got back. I can understand it a little though. When you are famous and have employees (300 for Hubert? wow) you don't do any shopping and just oversee. I love Hubert. He and Rick are just so pleasant and down to earth for such famous chefs........

 

[mishasmom]

I was REALLY disappointed with Michael last night. He acted like such a jerk! Now I'm hoping for Hubert or Rick to win. I also agree that they are just so nice. I read Rick's bio and it said he hosts cultural and foodie tours to Mexico-I would love to go on one of his tours!! I thought it was so funny when he was asking the chefs if they'd been to Mexico and CJ (is that the tall one's name??) said he'd been to Cozumel and Rick said "nope, that doesn't count". I don't know who I want to win more-maybe Hubert just a little bit.

 

[shortbun]

I was REALLY disappointed with Michael last night. He acted like such a jerk! Now I'm hoping for Hubert or Rick to win. I also agree that they are just so nice. I read Rick's bio and it said he hosts cultural and foodie tours to Mexico-I would love to go on one of his tours!! I thought it was so funny when he was asking the chefs if they'd been to Mexico and CJ (is that the tall one's name??) said he'd been to Cozumel and Rick said "nope, that doesn't count". I don't know who I want to win more-maybe Hubert just a little bit.

I thought Michael wasn't so much a jerk as a traditional chef-maybe the same thing. Hubert and Rick were great and I'm hoping one of them wins the whole banana. That Dael was someone I hated from the show he won, hated him and I was actually glad to see Michael give him a hard way to go. He's a horror!! Loved the way Hubert and Rick gave their sous chefs credit for their contributions but I think Spike probably had much to do with the gaspacho Hubert 'finished' because he had done a really spicy gaspacho in his season that everyone lliked.

 

[Alice28]

I've really been enjoying this season. I too am rooting for Rick or Hubert. I like Rick's personality just a TOUCH more, but it's pretty much equal. Both amazingly talented chefs, who also seem like really nice men. Michael painted himself to be an **** last night with all the demanding, making them run around, pronounce his name, etc. Was he trying to figure out who knew true Italian food (if they could pronounce his name?). I didn't quite get that.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not necessarily. It'll be on again and I'll try to note his explanation - but it had at least something to do with 'just knowing'... maybe how detail-oriented the sous chefs are?

 

[chell]

Michael did prove himself last night to be the kind of person I've always thought he was.

Rick & Hubert are in the final 3! I can't tell you how happy this household is!!! I would be happy with either one winning. After watching both of these guys I really can't pick one over the other. They are both such amazing chefs and seem to be such amazing people as well. They both have a passion for their art and for their charities.

We need to start saving up for one of those tours to Mexico! I can't even begin to imagine how amazing that would be.

 

[Imzadi]

Me too. Only thing worse than a hot kitchen on a busy Saturday night with one thing after anther going down the drain is being in that same hot kitchen and having the Chef screaming at you There is no way you can keep your composure and put forth your best when you are being micromanaged with a heavy hand.

<gasp!> I thought I recognised you! YOU were working in the kitchen next to me as we were being screamed at about a plate of food.

I thought Michael wasn't so much a jerk as a traditional chef-maybe the same thing.

Yeah, that's what Nancy & I are talking about. And what I mean about the "Back of the House." I think since the Food Network shows, being a "celebrity chef" with a public personae on dislay is more of a recent phenomenon. What goes on in the kitchen, with all the swearing & yelling and demeaning each other, especially the waiters is usually hidden back in the kitchen and is pretty "normal".

I don't get the needing to know how to pronounce Michael's last name though. Is that kind of like if you don't know Julia Child's last name is Child and not Childs, then you don't know how to make traditional French cooking from the Cordon Bleu?

 

[denisem]

Sorry, you can talk "back" & "front" of the house behaviour, but that SAME kind of stuff goes on in many fields, creative or not.

IMHO, to be effective, Michael's aggressive tactics only succeed when confronted with unacceptable work. For him to take that approach in the "hiring" phase not only alienated the sous-chefs, but apparently turned off most (of us) viewers in the process. For that reason alone, I find him an inferior to Anita in management skills, all else being equal.

Anita had already established herself as an extremely detailed, thoughtful chef who didn't do well with "curve balls". This challenge clearly went against her strengths.

As far as Hubert & Rick - they've both proven themselves to be "Masters Chefs" and gentleman and I'll be surprised if the final outcome is more than a coupla points.

 

[snykymom]

I thought Michael wasn't so much a jerk as a traditional chef-maybe the same thing. Hubert and Rick were great and I'm hoping one of them wins the whole banana. That Dael was someone I hated from the show he won, hated him and I was actually glad to see Michael give him a hard way to go. He's a horror!! Loved the way Hubert and Rick gave their sous chefs credit for their contributions but I think Spike probably had much to do with the gaspacho Hubert 'finished' because he had done a really spicy gaspacho in his season that everyone lliked.

Dale lost; Hung won that season.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Rick and Hubert are so awesome.

 

[Jennasis]

I am rooting for Michael. Something about him is cute as a button...even when he's being a jerk.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Tonight's finale starts at 10:15, following the one hour and fifteen minute premiere of Top Chef: Las Vegas.