Top Chef - Season Two

[Pea-n-Me]

OP here!

Reading this thread on my dinner break and so glad Figment stepped in to say what I would have said had I been here (thanks). I'd hate to see the thread closed because I'm really looking forward to the last episode and want to hear your thoughts on it as well. Glad we're all back to being friends again.

Carry on...

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

From the beginning, Marcel stood apart from the other contestants. I don't think it's due his lack of social skill, because if you look at each contestants, I don't think any one of them set an example for social grace. I took notice of Marcel in the first episode when I learned he works at a Joel Robuchon restaurant. Joel Robuchon trained who's who of top chefs, and is considered one of the best, if not the best, chefs in the world right now. Compare that to other contestants--caterers, line cooks, room service cook. Sam and Cliff may be executive chefs, but not at very well known restaurants.

Now, for Marcel's social skills, he works at a very large kitchen, probably works with more people than the other contestants do at their workplace, and guessing by the clips from the last show, he lives with several other chefs. I don't think if he truly lacks social skills, he could survive in that environment.

I think other contestants decided to disliked Marcel, and interpret he's words and actions in the worst light. I liked Sam and Ilan at the beginning, but now I think Marcel deserves to win for putting up with all the immature unprofessional behaviors without whinig about them.

Well said!

I hope Marcel wins, too.

 

[sha_lyn]

ITA with oh Kay too.
Marcel is/was not the most annoying by far. Of the origional group, he wasn't my fav personality wise by far, but as the group thinned out he was the least annoying.
As far as food, I've thought I would like a lot of his dishes. He seems to approach cooking the way Alton Brown does.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Sorry, I still think Sam wuz robbed. He was the most consistently excellent chef, generally in the top 3. I also didn't like the way they decided between Elia and Marcel, and then between Sam and Ilan. Shouldn't they have evaluated them all together?

I think Marcel's a pain in the butt and I dont' care for his cooking style, but then again, I'm not much of a gourmet.

 

[sha_lyn]

Sorry, I still think Sam wuz robbed. He was the most consistently excellent chef, generally in the top 3. I also didn't like the way they decided between Elia and Marcel, and then between Sam and Ilan. Shouldn't they have evaluated them all together

They did evaluate them all together. They knew that Marcel's dish was the best, and Elia the worst. They then had to decide between Sam and Ilan because neither dish stood out as being better or worse

 

[Robinrs]

Touche.

And please accept my apology for dumping on your use of Mr. Brown--a certified legend, and, as a HUGE fan of music, an artist I genuinely really like--in your sig. As you have seen, I can go to some pretty ridiculous places (that's right, I said it) in the attempt to win a debate. And I'm sorry if I caused you any feelings of anger or discomfort by traipsing out onto that particular limb.

Now, as someone said earlier, let's get back to the TC discussion!

Marcel does kinda rule, though!

Great, I'm so glad we're all back on track... boy, did we get OFF. This is definitely what the producers wanted. Marcel brings that out in us!

And thanks so much to all of you for NOT shaving off my head!!! LOL!

My sister said she heard an interview with Sam saying that he thought that he was let go because he was boring. Watching a competition between him and Elia would be like watching paint dry....

It reminds me of the year Colby and Tina were the last two standing on Survivor. They both liked each other and so did everyone who watched the show. This KILLS ratings... and the producers know it.

Remember how they somehow managed to get Marcel and Ilan sit together on the plane? They WANT friction.

Unlike Marcel I don't like friction. That's why I removed my signatures. Maturity dictates that if you find out that others are rubbed wrong by you it's time to fix YOU, not them.

It's NOT about the food on this show, it's about the controversy and the ratings. It's obviously worked!

 

[letterdavidman]

Great, I'm so glad we're all back on track... boy, did we get OFF. This is definitely what the producers wanted. Marcel brings that out in us!

And thanks so much to all of you for NOT shaving off my head!!! LOL!

My sister said she heard an interview with Sam saying that he thought that he was let go because he was boring. Watching a competition between him and Elia would be like watching paint dry....

It reminds me of the year Colby and Tina were the last two standing on Survivor. They both liked each other and so did everyone who watched the show. This KILLS ratings... and the producers know it.

Remember how they somehow managed to get Marcel and Ilan sit together on the plane? They WANT friction.

Unlike Marcel I don't like friction. That's why I removed my signatures. Maturity dictates that if you find out that others are rubbed wrong by you it's time to fix YOU, not them.

It's NOT about the food on this show, it's about the controversy and the ratings. It's obviously worked!

All very cogent points.

Now, regarding your sig: PLEASE don't modify you sigs in any way because of me or anyone else. Like I said, I can be (and, more often than not, am) quite the annoying, jerky S.O.B. when I'm trying to make a point (just ask my wife... she gives new meaning to the phrase "long-suffering" ). And, really, who gives a rat's behind what I think? By all means, bring back the Godfather.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree, Robin. I think don't think you should change your signature - "Heh" as JB would say!

 

[Robinrs]

Wow, thanks you guys! I can take a bit of criticism towards me but not towards my GUYS.... LOL!

JB taught me more than you'll ever know. It hurt me to no end when he got involved in drugs and his life spun around. My girlfriend's father was his lawyer and informed me that his wife at the time, the one who died from the "surgery" on her nose, was the reason he was in so much trouble. She was a major drug addict and was a big influence on him. He told me he "loves her so much".... I guess the best of us are stupid that way.

Nonetheless, the only perfect person died on a cross 2006 years ago, we ALL fall short.

BTW, letterdavidman, your wife is soooo wrong. A jerk NEVER apologizes. A real man DOES.

 

[Jimbo]

They also seem to think that a bland host makes for good TV. Last year's Kathy Lee - I think that was her name - had no personality that I could find, and I was glad she got the axe. Then they replace her with Padamila, who talks like she's done a handful of quaaludes before show time.

Well, apparently it's not 'ludes, but I wasn't far off. This article (http://www.bestweekever.tv/2007/01/26/bwe-exclusive-padma-lakshmi-is-a-literal-pothead/) says that Padamala likes to smoke the herb. It all fits!

 

[RitaZ.]

Well, apparently it's not 'ludes, but I wasn't far off. This article (http://www.bestweekever.tv/2007/01/26/bwe-exclusive-padma-lakshmi-is-a-literal-pothead/) says that Padamala likes to smoke the herb. It all fits!

Well, that explains a lot.

 

[MosMom]

I was watching a repeat of the last season this morning and the difference is really staggering when watching them back to back. Even Tiffany was able to laugh and have a good time with her teammates. There was obviously drama but they were still able to behave like competitors and not brats.

I was watching the episode where they have the competition to do a junk food tasting. Even Stephen was having a good time.

I really hope they tell both of the remaining two to pack their knives and go. What a bunch of thumbsuckers.

 

[Figment22]

I was watching the episode where they have the competition to do a junk food tasting. Even Stephen was having a good time.

That was such fun to watch! Chunk LaFunk And, you're right. All of them were having a good time, even Tiffani and Stephen. Tiff comes off as an angel compared to this year's crew.

Thanks for the link, Jimbo. 'Splains a lot.

 

[Figment22]

I was alerted to this by an article on my Earthlink homepage:
I am NOT posting the series spoiler here but don't open the link if you don't want to know because the link is a DEFINITE spoiler for the finale and its outcome:

Bravo's 'Top Chef 2' winner prematurely revealed by 'Food & Wine?'

Has Food & Wine magazine, one of Top Chef's sponsors, inadvertently revealed the reality show's second season winner by posting an interview with one of the culinary competition's two remaining finalists on its website on Monday afternoon -- two days before Top Chef 2's conclusion is scheduled to air on Bravo?

 

[LisaL]

I was alerted to this by an article on my Earthlink homepage:
I am NOT posting the series spoiler here but don't open the link if you don't want to know because the link is a DEFINITE spoiler for the finale and its outcome:

Bravo's 'Top Chef 2' winner prematurely revealed by 'Food & Wine?'

You are an evil tempter...

Should I peek?

 

[powellrj]

Thanks for posting the spoiler. I told DH last night I was so ticked about the final 2 I wasn't even going to watch the show, so now I really don't have to!! I have watched both seasons, and after the last couple of shows, I didn't care who won.

Thanks again for posting, now I can go to bed early tonight!!

 

[Oh Kay!]

Well, guess who is a part owner of Casa Mono--none other than Mario Batali. A man who had worked years for Batali as the executive chef at Po and Babbo wanted to open a Spanish restaurant, and Batali backed him to open Casa Mono.

This season's final smells strongly of nepotism. IMHO, it seems like both Tom Colicchio and Food & Wine pre-ordained two people who have strong personal ties in the industry, and the whole bruhaha over Marcel was just a smoke screen.

Can you tell I'm bitter? I really don't care who wins at this point. Unless they have stronger contestants who can produce great food rather than drama for the next season, I think I'll cross this show off my list.

 

[Duckfan]

I had pretty much decided not to watch tonight or maybe even the last episode at all. I think that Sam should have been the winner, with his all round good food. He was creative and was mostly in the top of each challenge. I don't think either Ilan or Marcel inspired me as top chef.

 

[LoraJ]

Don't forget though that tonight's episode isn't just about Marcel and Ilan, because they get to choose people to help them in the kitchen.

 

[RUDisney]

Don't forget though that tonight's episode isn't just about Marcel and Ilan, because they get to choose people to help them in the kitchen.

Last time they had to choose out of the contestants who were brought back. So, Sam and Elia should be back. Maybe Betty and Mike? I doubt that Cliff would be coming back after his escapades. I wonder what they'll have to say about their chef after they compete. Can't you just see more of what Dave and Stephen did to Tiffany? "I think that you should pick Harold."