Top Chef Seven--May Contain Spoilers!

[LisaInNc]

I think that Arnold is going to be an interesting character to watch.

I think that it's too early to see who is going to shine. I really like it when the dark horses really shine. Remember Carla Hall (goofy hair and she always cooked with love). I never saw that coming.

I am going to get tired of Angelo quickly except I am going to want to eat his food. I swear after Victoria and Alberts and Le Bernadin I don't want to eat anywhere else except fine dining. That lottery money that I am going to need hasn't shown up yet darn it!

Anyone try the Top chef wine?

Lisa

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I'm sorry, I hope I didn't offend Just that on TV here, they always announce the show coming up next and the times it's showing on all zones. For example, 10pm Eastern, 9pm Central 7pm Pacific.

Oh no, not at all. I wasn't sure what prompted what the original comment, so I was just kind of wondering out loud if I was a dingbat because I can never remember the difference between time zones. I was making fun of myself, actually

And salmon in a cupcake Salmon-colored frosting would be pretty, but I couldn't imaging biting into a cupcake and getting fish instead LOL

Ugh... they used seaweed last night!

 

[can84]

Just a reminder, all new Top Chef tonight!

Oh no, not at all. I wasn't sure what prompted what the original comment, so I was just kind of wondering out loud if I was a dingbat because I can never remember the difference between time zones. I was making fun of myself, actually



Ugh... they used seaweed last night!

Can't imagine what a seaweed cupcake would taste like--and kinda hope I never find out!

 

[LiberalPrincess]

I really like Kenny, and I think Angelo is a cocky jerk.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

Oh, and I love seaweed. Sushi would not be the same without it.

 

[Imzadi]

Padma was still packing some um, baby weight. She is a beautiful woman though.

I get annoyed (at no one in particular) when people point out that a woman who looks amazing, still has some baby weight. You carry & plop out an 8 lb watermelon after 9 months.

People have come to have unrealistic expectations for how much a woman can healthily lose in a certain amount of time. She looks fantastic. Padma is obviously breastfeeding. I heard women tend to lose baby weight slower when they are bfing.

Gentlemen, gentlemen. If I'm right - and I'm not saying I am, it was a question - any of Gail's features you appreciate now would likely become even more enhanced.

I thought they seemed pretty enhanced last season. I'm female, so it takes a lot for me to notice a gal's enhancements. But, I thought she had already had a baby and was still "puffy" from breastfeeding last season. Maybe she, too, still has leftover baby weight in the tummy.

 

[can84]

Well, that was an interesting episode! Was kind of surprised at Angelo's dish

 

[onelilspark]

I sell food to schools...I'm glad they showed how small the budget is! That being said, there's a lot more that goes into what schools can and cannot serve that they glazed over. They needed to have nutrition requirements as well as highlight how many breads, veggies, dairy, etc they needed in their meal to be a "true" school lunch. Some of those meals did not have enough food.

 

[RyMickey]

Two desserts in a row get the boot...

Jacqueline leaving isn't quite a surprise considering that she was in the bottom last week as well. I also wasn't surprised at the sly deviousness from Angelo...I wasn't a fan of him last week and I do think he was all about taking advantage of that immunity (which, in and itself isn't a bad thing, but it won't make me think you're a nice guy....which really doesn't matter either since that's not what this show's about).

 

[Imzadi]

Sherry chicken for kids?

Part of the budget that could have paid for the chocolate that loser wanted to use could have come from the money used to pay the for the sherry.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Agreed, Imzadi. I was shocked that she wasn't eliminated simply for that.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Sherry chicken for kids?

Part of the budget that could have paid for the chocolate that loser wanted to use could have come from the money used to pay the for the sherry.

My thoughts exactly! Not only was a sherry dish inappropriate for kids but the money spent on the sherry could have been used for the chocolate.

 

[Robinrs]

Sherry chicken for kids?

Part of the budget that could have paid for the chocolate that loser wanted to use could have come from the money used to pay the for the sherry.

I was AMAZED by this, too... what the And then she tried to defend her choice, what a jerkette!

I think the Angelo/Kenny fight will keep the producers happy. They look (and bait) this kind of animosity every year.

I think Angelo's "faux pas" was indeed his strategy. Outwit, outplay outlast in Top Chef territory. He wanted to GET Kenny and it worked.

Nice guys DO finish last on TC, the audience doesn't have to vote for them. The creepiest person ever can win this show... and HAS!

 

[jagmom]

I thought Angelo wanted to win, so I am surprised that he didn't try to make a great dish. I guess its good strategy, but not good Top Chef.

Haven't the contestents learned anything? Desserts are the kiss of death.

I was surprised that the judges didn't say more about the Sherry being inappropriate for kids. However, in past seasons, when the chefs have kept the spirit of the challenge, it hasn't been a lifesaver. What I mean is, if the judges liked a dish but it wasn't within the rules of the challenge, they didn't use that to send the chef home. Although, they didn't like the dish in this case, so not sure if that makes sense either.

 

[RUDisney]

My thoughts exactly! Not only was a sherry dish inappropriate for kids but the money spent on the sherry could have been used for the chocolate.

Why is sherry chicken inappropriate for kids? There is no alcohol left in it and sherry is a nice flavor enhancer for kid or adult palates. I thought that it was odd that Gail said she likes vodka but doesn't cook with it. I guess she never makes vodka sauce, then... a staple in my house.

That being said, I think it was a weird choice considering their budget. Chicken thighs with a little adobo sprinkled on them and then baked would have stretched the budget much more and would have provided a great tasting chicken for the kids.

I found it odd that none of the teams did a pasta dish. That seems to be a standard in school cafeterias.

Angelo was too obvious in trying to sabotage Kenny.

 

[Robinrs]

Why is sherry chicken inappropriate for kids? There is no alcohol left in it and sherry is a nice flavor enhancer for kid or adult palates. I thought that it was odd that Gail said she likes vodka but doesn't cook with it. I guess she never makes vodka sauce, then... a staple in my house.

I find any alcohol-y or wine tastes offensive and always have. There are MILLIONS of choices to give children, why pick a taste that is not one they're accustomed to? There is only one chance to make an impression, her choice was almost assinine in my opinion. She wasn't there to enhance middle school childrens' palates, but to give them something they'd like.

 

[anniemae]

I couldnt believe they thought a little stick of celery with peanut butter mousse would constitute a vegetable! They HAD to know better than that. I think Angelo and the girl who had immunity (can't remember her name) should have let the other two do more of the menu planning since they had immunity. If I remember correctly the girl came up with the burger and she said something like, "and we can do a celery stick for the vegetable." In her defense though, Kenny and the other guy should have spoken up more and had more say in the menu since it was their butts on the line if they lost.

Oh, and dosen't that girl look just like Rose O'Donnell???

 

[Robinrs]

I couldnt believe they thought a little stick of celery with peanut butter mousse would constitute a vegetable! They HAD to know better than that. I think Angelo and the girl who had immunity (can't remember her name) should have let the other two do more of the menu planning since they had immunity. If I remember correctly the girl came up with the burger and she said something like, "and we can do a celery stick for the vegetable." In her defense though, Kenny and the other guy should have spoken up more and had more say in the menu since it was their butts on the line if they lost.

Oh, and dosen't that girl look just like Rose O'Donnell???

How did any chef think that a tomato was a vegetable?????

I think we keep forgetting that this is a competition. Why would Angelo and Tracey help Kenny and Ed? That was up to them and they didn't do it.

 

[cristit14]

Oh, and dosen't that girl look just like Rose O'Donnell???

She reminds me of Rosie too.

I'm not really liking Angelo so far. He seems too sneaky. I do like Kenny, but he should have spoken up more.

 

[Imzadi]

Haven't the contestents learned anything? Desserts are the kiss of death.

Yes, it's like they've never watched the show.

Someone here asked why didn't they do a pasta? Those people get sent home too. The last two seasons, the chefs who made pasta salad got sent home.

I was surprised that the judges didn't say more about the Sherry being inappropriate for kids. However, in past seasons, when the chefs have kept the spirit of the challenge, it hasn't been a lifesaver. What I mean is, if the judges liked a dish but it wasn't within the rules of the challenge, they didn't use that to send the chef home. Although, they didn't like the dish in this case, so not sure if that makes sense either.

Yes, the chefs could have made a lowfat Croque Monseur (fancy grilled ham & cheese sandwich) and it would have been in keeping with the spirit of the challenge while they could have gotten fancy with it.

If you think grilled grilled ham & cheese can't go over with the judges, the 5 star, exclusive, fancy celebrity catering company I used to work for, whose clientelle is celebs and multi-billionaires, including Trump & the "Real Housewives of NYC" uber-rich crowd, all go crazy for it when they serve it as hors d'oeuvres. (Of course, our version wasn't lowfat. Made with exotic ham, lots of butter, some flavored oil, and homemade sourdough.) "Ah! Croque Monseur! I love these!" Maybe they aren't used to their private chefs making them at home?

Why is sherry chicken inappropriate for kids? There is no alcohol left in it and sherry is a nice flavor enhancer for kid or adult palates.

That being said, I think it was a weird choice considering their budget. Chicken thighs with a little adobo sprinkled on them and then baked would have stretched the budget much more.

Actually, if kids aren't used to the alcohol taste in their foods, they wouldn't have liked it. People usually have to become accustomed to the taste of alcohol based flavors in foods.

You said yourself it caused a budgeting problem. That was a main point the judges emphasized happening for ALL schools. Then you get ONE chef who uses up so much of the budget on alcohol for a kids dish, that the chef who got sent home didn't have the chocolate she wanted to build a decent dessert.

She should have fought more to get the chocolate and said, she'd only have 2 ingredients and couldn't make anything decent. But, Alcohol Girl should have not chosen sherry chicken. The winning teams each had well balanced menus in which one dish didn't overpower or hog their budgets.

I find any alcohol-y or wine tastes offensive and always have. There are MILLIONS of choices to give children, why pick a taste that is not one they're accustomed to?

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner.

That same catering company I mentioned above made boeuf bourguignon. The guests were all moaning and sighing over it. It was made by an authentic French chef with expensive wines cognacs & whatever. When I had it for dinner later, I went, "EWWW!" I'm sure it was tasted exquisite to those who would know, but I don't drink or use alcohol in my foods, other than a splash of white wines. To my palate the burgundy was way overpowering. I thought that immediately when Alcohol Girl said she was making sherry chicken.

How did any chef think that a tomato was a vegetable?????

I still think of tomatoes as a vegetable.
A while back, the government tried to pass off ketchup in the school menu as a serving of vegetable.

I'm also allergic to most raw fruits (called Oral Allergy Syndrome.) That now explains why I'm allergic to raw tomatoes, too.