Top Chef - Season Two

[letterdavidman]

All I could think when all of the contestant chefs were trash talking Marcel was "shut up, you fools." Tony Bordain was not going to take their word for it and seeing their hatred for this one guy made him put him in the top 2 instead of letting him go because his turkey was dry, especially after his lame excuse that it was the oven's fault.

I'd like to see Frank make good on his threat to Marcel.

Can you tell I'm not a Marcel fan?

But Frank is a tool.

 

[LoraJ]

I don't know what to think of Betty anymore. I was watching the earlier episodes where she was all smiles and joy. And now that she has been on the chopping block, it's like she is flailing. No more smiling Betty. I won't write her off yet, I am giving her one more episode.

Still love Cliff though.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I suspected all that smiling (and flirting with Tom Collichio ) Betty was doing early on was fake. Her true colors sure came out the other night! I was hoping she'd go, but it was clear that Carlos was the true loser of that challenge (though Betty was a close second ).

It was true that Marcel was the only one who did what was asked of them (even if it was dry ). I'm finding him less annoying than he was at first. Michael at least made four dishes even if they weren't stellar (we all work with a Michael, don't we?).

I also thought the Quick Challenge was interesting. Fifteen minutes was tough, though. It would have taken me at least 15 minutes to decide which cans to pick.

Now, the mushroom soup - that looked awesome! I think I'm going to get the recipe off the TC website and try it myself. Funny how she was so goofy during the challenge, but was the winner after all.

I also didn't like the way that Frank tried to trash Marcel at the Judge's Table - it just made him look bad.

 

[RUDisney]

But Frank is a tool.

I'll definitely give you that one!

I think the thing that bugs me most about Marcel are those 2 splotches of hair underneath his lips. It's almost like he parts it in the middle to make 2 distinct hairballs. Blech! Couple that with his arrogance and I just can't stand him.

 

[letterdavidman]

I'll definitely give you that one!

I think the thing that bugs me most about Marcel are those 2 splotches of hair underneath his lips. It's almost like he parts it in the middle to make 2 distinct hairballs. Blech! Couple that with his arrogance and I just can't stand him.

No doubt, he is arrogant. But one thing many people on this thread fail to admit is that he is much more a team player than Betty. Look, after watching the first episode, I wanted to slap the little creep. But (and I can't remember if this was in episode two or three) when Betty just went off on him during the TGIF challenge, totally unprovoked, that sent her freefalling down to the bottom of the contestant pool, in my estimation. And, despite her barely concealed loathing of Marcel, he has on more than one occasion tried to help her, when he had nothing personally to gain from doing so.

At this point, if Betty ends up winning this thing, it'd be like if that uber-b**** Tiffany from season one had been the big winner instead of Harold.

 

[Allison]

No doubt, he is arrogant. But one thing many people on this thread fail to admit is that he is much more a team player than Betty. Look, after watching the first episode, I wanted to slap the little creep. But (and I can't remember if this was in episode two or three) when Betty just went off on him during the TGIF challenge, totally unprovoked, that sent her freefalling down to the bottom of the contestant pool, in my estimation. And, despite her barely concealed loathing of Marcel, he has on more than one occasion tried to help her, when he had nothing personally to gain from doing so.

At this point, if Betty ends up winning this thing, it'd be like if that uber-b**** Tiffany from season one had been the big winner instead of Harold.

What was with Betty trying to blame the people trying to help her with her dish? They didn't even do anything because it was burning (not their fault) and she stopped them. She just needed to accept that it sucked.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Not sorry to see Carlos go--Dude, you made a salad! In 4 hours! And it wasn't even anything special, as salads go!

I have to agree about Betty. I don't know if the pressure's getting to her, or what.

Definitely Sam, Ilan, and Cliff in the top 3. Cliff's been my favorite since the beginning--he just quietly brings it every time. Sam, too. I wonder if, this being the second season, they tried to pick more "characters" than last time.

Oh, and I totally agree about Marcel's chin thing. It looks like he drooled out a hairball (but maybe I just have too many kids and cats).

 

[RUDisney]

At this point, if Betty ends up winning this thing, it'd be like if that uber-b**** Tiffany from season one had been the big winner instead of Harold.

At least Tiffany was good at what she did, albeit a whacko. Who cooks in a quiet kitchen?

I agree with your estimations of Betty. I liked her at first, but I was hoping that they'd take her out on Wednesday night, even if Carlos did just make a salad. Sure, he was marked to go, as is Michael.

I like Cliff, Sam and Ilan. I'm wondering if Michael will wind up being the Dave of last season. Played up to be a screw-up but makes it to the final 3 anyway.

 

[Robinrs]

Cliff is my favorite, too. He reminds me a bit of Harold from last season: quiet, not into the soap opera of other competitors, and extremely creative and balanced in his dishes. Ilan and Sam round out my top 3.

Michael was really irritating with his party-guy attitude in earlier episodes, but he really stepped it up with Ilan on the winning dish this week. He even looked genuinely happy for Ilan when Ilan was named the winner - compare that to Mia's face when her frog legs didn't win.

I totally agree. Cliff Sam and Ilan, real men COOK!

I also like Michael, he's like a big kid! Marcel makes me sick and Mia seems two faced.

This has been SOME group! This is one show I wish came on more than once a week!

 

[Robinrs]

I suspected all that smiling (and flirting with Tom Collichio ) Betty was doing early on was fake. Her true colors sure came out the other night! I was hoping she'd go, but it was clear that Carlos was the true loser of that challenge (though Betty was a close second ).

It was true that Marcel was the only one who did what was asked of them (even if it was dry ). I'm finding him less annoying than he was at first. Michael at least made four dishes even if they weren't stellar (we all work with a Michael, don't we?).
Now, the mushroom soup - that looked awesome! I think I'm going to get the recipe off the TC website and try it myself. Funny how she was so goofy during the challenge, but was the winner after all.

I work with SEVERAL Michaels!!

I, too, loved that soup! Yum! Heck I like Campbells' Mushroom soup, I can only imagine what that tastes like!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Elia Aboumrad

Portobello & Button Mushroom Creme with Walnuts
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
1 pound button mushrooms, sliced
3 Portobello mushroom caps, cut into cubes
4 1/4 cups heavy cream
2 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
2 tablespoons chopped chives
Salt and pepper for seasoning

Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add button mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Add cream and chicken broth to mushrooms and bring to boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Cover mixture and continue to simmer for 20 minutes longer. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 20 minutes. Strain mixture, discarding mushrooms and reserving cream mixture.
3. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add Portobello mushrooms and cook until beginning to soften. Remove from heat.
4. To serve: Warm cream mixture if necessary. Divide between bowls and top with Portobello mushrooms, pecans and chives. Serve immediately.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Does anyone else get really hungry around 11pm on Wednesday evenings?

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Elia Aboumrad

Portobello & Button Mushroom Creme with Walnuts
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
1 pound button mushrooms, sliced
3 Portobello mushroom caps, cut into cubes
4 1/4 cups heavy cream
2 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
2 tablespoons chopped chives
Salt and pepper for seasoning

Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add button mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Add cream and chicken broth to mushrooms and bring to boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Cover mixture and continue to simmer for 20 minutes longer. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 20 minutes. Strain mixture, discarding mushrooms and reserving cream mixture.
3. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add Portobello mushrooms and cook until beginning to soften. Remove from heat.
4. To serve: Warm cream mixture if necessary. Divide between bowls and top with Portobello mushrooms, pecans and chives. Serve immediately.

Does anyone else find it odd that it is named :Mushroom Soup with Walnuts but they use Pecans?

 

[Nancyg56]

I totally agree. Cliff Sam and Ilan, real men COOK!

I also like Michael, he's like a big kid! Marcel makes me sick and Mia seems two faced.

This has been SOME group! This is one show I wish came on more than once a week!

ITA with all you said. I like Michael. I think he is in way over his head bit he can cook, he just lacks imagination, I think.

Marcel just creeps me out, but he went to bat with the challenge this week. Mia plays both sides against the middle.

Betty's outburst at the judges table makes me wonder if she is whacked. She really looked like she needed some anger management training.

The three men, Sam, Clif (my favorite) and Ilan bring it home every week. Once a week is not enough for me!

 

[letterdavidman]

ITA with all you said. I like Michael. I think he is in way over his head bit he can cook, he just lacks imagination, I think.

Marcel just creeps me out, but he went to bat with the challenge this week. Mia plays both sides against the middle.

Betty's outburst at the judges table makes me wonder if she is whacked. She really looked like she needed some anger management training.

The three men, Sam, Clif (my favorite) and Ilan bring it home every week. Once a week is not enough for me!

Yeah. I've got Cliff penned to win the whole thing. Actually, I'd be happy at this point if the winner was anyone, as long as it wasn't Betty. Actually, Elia coming out on top would be extremely cool (as she can really cook, and she's cute).

 

[TheDoctor]

I love the line from the visiting judge that Michael was the love child of Charlie Manson and Betty Crocker. Michael has talent but not the training and expierence of the other chefs. Betty lost it a little in that Marcel was not on the chopping block despite the attempt of Frank and others to bad mouth Marcel's dishes. Attacking Marcel was silly and her attack on Carlos was over the top.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Anyone else craving scrambled eggs and salt air?

 

[3princesses4us]

Anyone else craving scrambled eggs and salt air?

With a little less sand though.

God help me, I'm starting to like Marcel! And Betty who's been annoying me moved up a few notches by giving Michael (DH's favorite ) some eggs. Scary episode though. Two of my faves were in the bottom three!

 

[letterdavidman]

With a little less sand though.

God help me, I'm starting to like Marcel! And Betty who's been annoying me moved up a few notches by giving Michael (DH's favorite ) some eggs. Scary episode though. Two of my faves were in the bottom three!

Betty's now officially off of my "Must Leave NOW" list, and has been replaced with Mia.

Glad to see Frank go, too. Cackled when he spewed that nonsense about "true chefs" being gentlemen. And this was after: a) threatening Marcel with a beating for moving his toothbrush; and b) being the only contestant (that had eggs) that was perfectly content to let Michael twist in the wind during the beach challenge.

 

[LoraJ]

I was definitely afraid with Cliff in the bottom. And it's good to see the old Betty back! I don't mind Marcel as much anymore. In fact, I think I'll be sad no matter who leaves from now on.

Don't know if you have seen the promo yet, but the chefs get a visit from a chef from last year in the next episode.