This season it is very transparent that the producers are heavily involved (up to this point at least) in the selection of who's going home.

So who's left?

Casey - Very good looking, brngs a lot of sex appeal to the show, isn't afraid of confrontation which makes good TV. No way she's going home anytime soon. You can just feel it, they want her to go far.

Tre - Solid cooking chops, good looking, avoids confrontation but will not likely back down if provoked. Not going home soon

Hung - This years Marcel/Stephen. Makes for Good TV. Will be around for a while but may "arrogant" himself right off the show in 3 weeks or so.

Dale - Outspoke, fun to look at, interesting charecter. Not going home soon, but they arent setting him up like someone who's going deep into the competition either. A big error can send him home soon.

CJ - Pretty quiet, solid cook with a lot of know how, perhaps this years Harold/Sam. He'll go deep.

Sara M. They've been setting her exit up for a few weeks now. If I were a betting men (NOT ME! LOL) I'd put money on her exit next week.

Brian - Another one they've been setting up for an exit for a while - Dude, you have to do something other than fish and everyone knows it. Three to four weeks left for him max, most likey two would be my guess.

Howie - Semi villian, solid cook but prone to bonehead mistakes. He's likely for an exit soon


Its pretty obvious that some of the chefs' indescressions are made a much bigger deal of than others for the simple reason of the "show".

I really enjoy watching Top Chef but the producers role is becomeing more and more apparent with each season.

Have to agree with that last comment. The producers seem heavily involved. Good-bye to the boring.

Not to digress, but how long as Dale been at Cru? When I was last there, it was known as a wine bar with some of the worst staff you could find. Worse, for a wine bar it had a pretty wine-unfriendly menu.

The Cru experience I will never forget: Having my pronounciation of a wine CORRECTED by some 22 year old waitress clearly hired for her looks. Nothing says "Please don't leave me any tip" and "you two really should find a better place to hang out" than loudly correcting me. Luckily, my wife and I were able to laugh at her. "Gruet" has been a running joke with us for a while now.

According to Metromix, he subbed for an ailing chef and was there about a month awhile back:

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/dini ... _top_promo

Dale is now working at Sola on Lincoln near Byron. Perhaps this is in addition to working at Cru.

sarcon wrote:Dale is now working at Sola on Lincoln near Byron. Perhaps this is in addition to working at Cru.

How long has he been at Sola?

From the comment above, it looks like Dale was brought in to fix the problems that I noted. From the review, it sounds like he did a decent job.

sarcon wrote:Dale is now working at Sola on Lincoln near Byron. Perhaps this is in addition to working at Cru.

It was my understanding that Dale was consulting at Cru -- not actually working there -- but I could be mistaken.

=R=

How long has he been at Sola?

That I do not know. I just know he served us our port at the end of our meal there.

Considering the fact that Howie has been in the bottom three/group just about every episode, it's next to inevitable that he's going to get the boot. The only question is when, and I have a hunch that the chopping block table goes a lot like this:

Collichio: Well, it's between Sara and Howie. Thoughts?

Gail: They're both equally worthy of going home.

Padma: I agree. They both have their pros and cons. This is a tough decision.

Producers: Sara's boring, Howie is a better antagonist and you're just going to send him home eventually anyways. You all know it. Give us some good tv and send Sara home.

Gail & Padma: Sara, pack your knives and go.

Collichio: Whatever. (sighs) Is Bourdain blogging for me this week again?

Dale is working at Sola but currrently is travelling. I was just there and I asked.

BTW - Sola now has a wonderful kids menu...

Maybe Dale will start serving his famous Peach Cobbler!

The judges have said that although they obviously know when they've seen someone in the bottom group a few times in a row, they make their decision solely on the latest challenge. And I believe them.

I think the judge's decisions this season have been quite fair, with the people who deserve to go home going home. Hell's Kitchen, well, that's another story.

The "producers pulling the strings" sentiments are always going to be out there, but I think insisting that the producers are obviously keeping the more interesting people is selling the editors short. Mchodera has it right on when s/he (sorry, don't know!) says the editors could make Julia Child look tyrranical. And I disagree with the sentiment that the remaining contestants are obviously the most interesting. CJ and Brian are arguably the most milquetoast of all the male contestants (at least by television standards), and you can't tell me that Joey, Sandee, Clay and Micah wouldn't make for more "interesting" TV than at least half of the folks who are still there.

Bottom line is that there's no reason for the producers to control eliminations. That's what editors are for. You let the thing play out however it plays out, and any good editor can make sure that the people who are left standing at the end are the most interesting.

It's also worth remembering that the judges don't see all of the behind-the-scenes interaction. They see Sara walking in, pouty, upset and, by her own admission, totally demoralized, they see Howie declaring very firmly and calmly that she wasn't pulling her weight, and then they see Sara falling apart even more. Without the context of the rest of the show, what conclusion would you take away from that?

Dmnkly wrote:It's also worth remembering that the judges don't see all of the behind-the-scenes interaction. They see Sara walking in, pouty, upset and, by her own admission, totally demoralized, they see Howie declaring very firmly and calmly that she wasn't pulling her weight, and then they see Sara falling apart even more. Without the context of the rest of the show, what conclusion would you take away from that?

But the judges were also at the carts and saw for themselves what was going on -- the statements in the room weren't their only guides. Based upon what went on in the room, though, they could conclude two things (reasonably, I suppose):

1) Sara is a whiner and a bit of a diva and the reason why this team didn't perform well.

2) Howie is a "bulldog" and doesn't work well in a team, and the reason why the team didn't perform well.

While I thought Sara didn't do herself any favors in the judge's room, I thought the judges could have justifiably gone either way.

aschie30 wrote:While I thought Sara didn't do herself any favors in the judge's room, I thought the judges could have justifiably gone either way.

Oh, absolutely! I agree 100%. And the two aren't mutually exclusive, either. I suspect they thought both, and in the end the fact that Sara was just a mess at the judges' table put her over the edge.

And you're right, suggesting that the judges' table is all the judges see is an overstatement. But I hope the point that they're working with a very limited view and are missing a lot of context, including many of the big pivotal moments that make the final cut we see, is taken.

What I take issue with is the suggestion that this week's decision, and the makeup of the crew still standing, is some obvious indication that the producers are making (or nudging) the calls. If that's what you want to believe, that's what you're going to see, but it flies in the face of most evidence and logic.

Dmnkly wrote:

aschie30 wrote:While I thought Sara didn't do herself any favors in the judge's room, I thought the judges could have justifiably gone either way.

Oh, absolutely! I agree 100%. And the two aren't mutually exclusive, either. I suspect they thought both, and in the end the fact that Sara was just a mess at the judges' table put her over the edge.

And you're right, suggesting that the judges' table is all the judges see is an overstatement. But I hope the point that they're working with a very limited view and are missing a lot of context, including many of the big pivotal moments that make the final cut we see, is taken.

What I take issue with is the suggestion that this week's decision, and the makeup of the crew still standing, is some obvious indication that the producers are making (or nudging) the calls. If that's what you want to believe, that's what you're going to see, but it flies in the face of most evidence and logic.

Well I wish the producers would find a way to require Howie to wear a headband. All of that sweat is really disturbing.

Dmnkly wrote:And you're right, suggesting that the judges' table is all the judges see is an overstatement. But I hope the point that they're working with a very limited view and are missing a lot of context, including many of the big pivotal moments that make the final cut we see, is taken.

In the mid-season special, Padma said that we only see a tiny portion of their judges table discussion. They go on for about 2 hours before making their decision.

You know...i would really like to think that the bottom line consideration and tie breaker, if you will, is the food. Was Howie's food better or worse than Sara's food? And while that sandwich wasn't a typical Cuban it didn't look inedible...and those shakes sounded undrinkable. Ice??? In a Shake???? It's a shake...not a smoothie. Just fricking off.

They liked the Quesadilla (casey) ..they liked the ceviche (cj). They gave the win to Tre for his shrimp and grits despite Brian's huge contribution as a sort of team leader and carnival barker -- but they liked that shrimp best.

Now...there have obviously been other challenges where behavior or plan of attack had a lot to do with elimination...but I really hope it's the food.

I think the producers don't have anything to say about the winners or losers. I think at this point in the popularity of this show it would be very inadvisable to run this contest strictly for ratings. There are far too many reality shows on the air and discovering that the "fix" is in at one of them...that would be a major scandal, even in these cynical days.

aschie30 wrote:Well I wish the producers would find a way to require Howie to wear a headband. All of that sweat is really disturbing.

I'm glad to see I wasn't the only person horrified by the sweating thing! I think Howie's sandwiches should have been considered inedible simply because of all of the sweating he did over them. It was disgusting, and unfortunately it wasn't the first time we've seen oceans of his sweat drip into the food he has prepared.

It was disgusting, and unfortunately it wasn't the first time we've seen oceans of his sweat drip into the food he has prepared.

Oh my god, AGREED. I'm the type of person who laughs at "restaurant exposes" and reminds people they've been eating out for YEARS without getting sick, so what they don't know is probably not hurting them, but watching Howie cook makes me NEVER want to eat in a restaurant again. if that is acceptable hygiene, that is flat out disgusting. (and yes, I realize that it goes right along with everything else, in that a little sweat in my food has never hurt me before, but it absolutely repulses me in a way that even poor handwashing never has. I don't know why, it just does.)

sweetsalty wrote:but it absolutely repulses me in a way that even poor handwashing never has. I don't know why, it just does.)

Perhaps because it gushing as if it's flowing from a hose?

As I've said, this is something that is becoming increasing disturbing to me. Why does it go on? Laying awake at night thinking of this (just kidding), I've come to a few conclusions:

1) Why don't the other cheftestants raise it as an issue? Because everyone around Howie is involved in their own thing, they don't notice it. Because perspiration is clear, unless you're actually looking at someone's face, you won't notice it.

2) The cameramen must notice it - do they just snicker as the tape is rolling, figuring it'll make for good tv?

3) Why don't the judges stop it? Because I don't think the judges would have known about his sweating into the food. They don't see the food being prepared and taste it only after Howie has thoroughly sweated it in it (apparently the sweat does not adversely affect the taste of the food because Howie has won two elimination challenges). Also, they don't see the rough cuts until almost the time we do, in any case, well-after the food has been prepared, so they don't know to stop it.

4) But, the bottom line: Howie knows he sweats into the food, and he obviously does not care. Which is further evidence of Howie's surlyness, in my opinion. He's obviously compelled to cook - and he's talented apparently - but doesn't seem to give a sh*t that he is drenching his food with his own fluids and that would be not only unhealthful but unpleasant to his customers. I'll say it again, Howie is an ass.

I don't know if this has already been posted, but Anthony Bourdain now has a permanent blog on the Bravo site.

A great move, now if only they'd replace Ted Allen (sorry Ted!) with Tony as the semi-permanent guest judge.

gleam wrote:I don't know if this has already been posted, but Anthony Bourdain now has a permanent blog on the Bravo site.

A great move, now if only they'd replace Ted Allen (sorry Ted!) with Tony as the semi-permanent guest judge.

No way, keep Ted, lose Gail Simmons!

Also cooking on all cylinders this week is:

Click here.

Link edited to fit page width--Mod

aschie30 wrote:3) Why don't the judges stop it? Because I don't think the judges would have known about his sweating into the food. They don't see the food being prepared and taste it only after Howie has thoroughly sweated it in it (apparently the sweat does not adversely affect the taste of the food because Howie has won two elimination challenges). Also, they don't see the rough cuts until almost the time we do, in any case, well-after the food has been prepared, so they don't know to stop it.

Since previous contestants have been eliminated due to lack of proper seasoning, perhaps Howie's sweat gives him an advantage by adding extra salt to his dishes!

Fujisan wrote:

aschie30 wrote:3) Why don't the judges stop it? Because I don't think the judges would have known about his sweating into the food. They don't see the food being prepared and taste it only after Howie has thoroughly sweated it in it (apparently the sweat does not adversely affect the taste of the food because Howie has won two elimination challenges). Also, they don't see the rough cuts until almost the time we do, in any case, well-after the food has been prepared, so they don't know to stop it.

Since previous contestants have been eliminated due to lack of proper seasoning, perhaps Howie's sweat gives him an advantage by adding extra salt to his dishes!

Not enouogh salt in a hamburger?
Were they serious? Getting ripped for not enough salt?
I never put salt in a burger, for the reason that I don't want salty tasting burgers.
Pepper and whatever else I have around and want to dump in there is another matter.

Fujisan wrote:

aschie30 wrote:3) Why don't the judges stop it? Because I don't think the judges would have known about his sweating into the food. They don't see the food being prepared and taste it only after Howie has thoroughly sweated it in it (apparently the sweat does not adversely affect the taste of the food because Howie has won two elimination challenges). Also, they don't see the rough cuts until almost the time we do, in any case, well-after the food has been prepared, so they don't know to stop it.

Since previous contestants have been eliminated due to lack of proper seasoning, perhaps Howie's sweat gives him an advantage by adding extra salt to his dishes!

That's funny! I was actually thinking -- does Howie have to undersalt his dishes to account for the "natural" salt in his sweat?

My prediction: Howie goes next for sweating into his dishes.

[Scene: Judges table. Post-elimination Challenge.]

Collicchio: On the one hand, this is a tough decision, but on the other hand, it isn't. I mean, Casey, you totally didn't understand the challenge. And Howie, your dish was tasty and well-seasoned, but you sweat into your dish.

Howie: (whiny, flat voice) I've worked in a lot of kitchens, Chef, and I've seen a lot worse than sweat going into dishes over the years.

Collicchio: But you sweat bullets into your dishes, Howie, and what's worse, you knew you were doing it.

Padma: Howie, pack your . . .

DML wrote:The Cru experience I will never forget: Having my pronounciation of a wine CORRECTED by some 22 year old waitress clearly hired for her looks. Nothing says "Please don't leave me any tip" and "you two really should find a better place to hang out" than loudly correcting me. Luckily, my wife and I were able to laugh at her. "Gruet" has been a running joke with us for a while now.

A bit off-topic, but this made me laugh because it reminded me of an experience I had at the (now-defunct) Clark St. Heaven on Seven several years ago. I ordered a bowl of gumbo, only to have the waiter say, "Do you mean the JUM-bo?" I can only surmise that he was enjoying a private joke, because how do you work there and NOT know how to pronounce gumbo?

OH the irony of the judges calling out Brian on his sweating during service

Perhaps the most creatively edited judges table discussion ever -- it was so disjointed I couldn't follow their criticisms -- but clearly done to make it appear that either Brian or Dale was going home. So I thought, Dale is going home for scented candles (really stupid, by the way) or Brian because he was sweating and a bit of a spazz in the front of the house (not surprising, by the way). How lame! But I got suckered.

I'm looking forward to the "[H]ung Burger" (endorsed by Daniel Boulud) at the nearest Red Robin.

gmonkey wrote:OH the irony of the judges calling out Brian on his sweating during service

IIRC, it was the 'secret' blogger that called Brian out on the sweating. Padma actually said she didn't notice. Although it is strange that they mead a big deal of it.

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