Top Chef Season 5, NYC

Anybody want to use this thread to talk about this season's show? Not quite as much fun as last year's here in town, but usually good for a comment or two.

I'll start. Do they pick the inexperienced culinary school student intentionally to kick him off in the first elimination challenge?

Ding! Ding! Ding!

I guess they could have been hoping for a storyline of "brash young culinary genius outcooks the old pros" but this was not that guy. Nor was his friend who was eliminated in the quickfire challenge.

It's been fun watching the reruns of the previous seasons over the last few weeks. I didn't see seasons 1 or 2 when they were first on, so actually seeing Harold and Ilan win was fresh for me. To me its much more entertaining after the herd is thinned. They do tend to bring lambs to the slaughter, so to speak. I don't have a good feeling about the Chicago entrant, Radhika, this year. I thought she was going to go at the quickfire; she was way, way behind doing the brunoise. She was fortunate to escape the elimination challenge as well, having probably the third or fourth worst dish. Still, I'm glad Top Chef is back. Its one of the few TV shows I watch on a consistent basis.

I got around to watching the first episode tonight after work and almost jumped off my couch when I saw the 'peel apples' competition.

Maybe 6 months ago (my first job out of culinary school) a fellow line cook told me "dude, peel the 24 apples with your pairing knife...it'll totally help with your knife skills" I laughed and said sure, why not? I went on each day to peel those 24 apples faster and faster timing myself down to about the same time and waste as my peeler. Practice does make perfect and watching this episode I'm glad I took his advice. Now if only I would've applied for the show...I didn't know I could at 21.

I thought it was funny that Radhika stated that she'd cook more than Indian food and then proceeded to cook a chutney straight away....

mhill95149 wrote:I thought it was funny that Radhika stated that she'd cook more than Indian food and then proceeded to cook a chutney straight away....

I hope she kicks it up soon, her personality was kind of.....boring. She looked a little deer in the headlights a few times.

Jayz wrote:I got around to watching the first episode tonight after work and almost jumped off my couch when I saw the 'peel apples' competition.

I really loved this as the first contest of the season. It really set the tone for the "you need to have some skills to be here" demands of the show. It was cool how the challenge "climbed the ladder" of culinary skills from the most basic (peeling) to the more exacting (brunoise) to the creative/technique realm.

I have to say I was a pleased on a number of levels to see the loser of this contest leave. The idea of a spinach salad with cheese, nuts, and apples screamed "hotel banquet" and had me screaming for her immediate dismissal. Also, I was not looking forward to a sub-plot about her feelings about conflicts overseas and her veteran husband. (As it stands, the "gay vs. straight" theme that is developing is nauseating).

It was also interesting to see the two youngest and least experienced immediately booted from the group. It says a lot about the value of real-world experience in the culinary industry.

Best,
Michael

The bottom two definitely had "fish out of water" written all over them from the start.
Hey, I've never even been to culinary school but

• I know not to boil rice noodles (although I still end up with glop sometimes just with hot water)
• I wouldn't have called it tzatziki, but rather raita. Don't you have the internet around?
• That brings up a point: If I had an evening before going shopping, I'd have learned a few more things about my cuisine. Truly, is smoked fish all you can find out about Russian food?

The winner's food looked like the top of the heap long before the awards were given. I don't know how much of that is editing -- if it is, they should cut it out. But he seemed to have that magical finesse that so few have out there.

By the way... Apples and scallops? That had "butterscotch mistake" written all over it, yet the judges liked it.

JoelF wrote:I wouldn't have called it tzatziki, but rather raita. Don't you have the internet around?

Don't know about this show, but on Bravo's Project Runway someone was disqualified for a series of offenses including disppearing for a while and using cell phone and internet, as well as having textbooks. On that show, outside help of any kind is forbidden. I did think it was funny that he called it tzatziki instead of raita. Could have been a slip or (wildly speculating now) maybe he's engaging in psyching by pretending to know zip about Indian food yet coming up with that dish. Kind of an ungenerous speculation-- I know nothing about him-- but it seems like the show encourages people to engage in gamesmanshp. Hung acted like a jackass for much of his season when I think, based on the finale at Tramonto, that he actually has nice manners.

eatchicago wrote:Also, I was not looking forward to a sub-plot about her feelings about conflicts overseas and her veteran husband. (As it stands, the "gay vs. straight" theme that is developing is nauseating).

Yes, thank god she made that amateurish salad and got herself eliminated because I could see that subplot being milked to death, tears and all. As for "Team Rainbow," I hope they get eliminated forthwith just for trying to make a Survivor-ish alliance system (not that that will get them anywhere in individual challenges). One of the things I like about these Bravo shows is that, generally speaking, the contestants are professional and the drama is minimal.

Strangely, I'm rooting for Stefan.

eatchicago wrote:It was also interesting to see the two youngest and least experienced immediately booted from the group. It says a lot about the value of real-world experience in the culinary industry.

And they both went to the same culinary school. Does anyone remember if it was mentioned or not? Being the incubator for the 2 first dismissals is not a ringing endorsement of the institution.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:And they both went to the same culinary school. Does anyone remember if it was mentioned or not? Being the incubator for the 2 first dismissals is not a ringing endorsement of the institution.

=R=

CIA

eatchicago wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:And they both went to the same culinary school. Does anyone remember if it was mentioned or not? Being the incubator for the 2 first dismissals is not a ringing endorsement of the institution.

=R=

CIA

LOL . . . random chance sounds more like it.

=R=

The CIA produced the first three winners of Top Chef, so I think this had less to do with the school than their lack of experience.

Right...CIA has put out some of the country's best chefs and unfortunately for every good chef comes 25 poor cooks that go nowhere, that's college for you. Don't gawk at a college because of one poor graduate. (not saying anyone is doing just that, but CIA deserves respect for what it's done)

I can't wait for next week's episode...which I'll be watching on Thursday again because of work.

eatchicago wrote:(As it stands, the "gay vs. straight" theme that is developing is nauseating).

On Bravo in general or just this show? It seems to be a point in nearly all of their original programming. On the TC level it is especially annoying because it undermines what has always stood out as the best thing about cooking as a profession, namely the egalitarian nature of the job. Ultimately, in the professional kitchen, it never matters who you choose to spend your dormant hours with, who your mommy and daddy are, or if you are cool or not. Save for the microscopic anomaly known as celebrity chefs, all that matters on most kitchens is can you take the hours and stress, make good food cleanly, and, if called upon, lead your fellow soldiers into battle, that's it!

Stagger wrote:

eatchicago wrote:(As it stands, the "gay vs. straight" theme that is developing is nauseating).

On Bravo in general or just this show? It seems to be a point in nearly all of their original programming. On the TC level it is especially annoying because it undermines what has always stood out as the best thing about cooking as a profession, namely the egalitarian nature of the job. Ultimately, in the professional kitchen, it never matters who you choose to spend your dormant hours with, who your mommy and daddy are, or if you are cool or not. Save for the microscopic anomaly known as celebrity chefs, all that matters on most kitchens is can you take the hours and stress, make good food cleanly, and, if called upon, lead your fellow soldiers into battle, that's it!

I couldn't name another Bravo show, so just this one. It seemed lame and contrived.

If they'd watched the show at all (or had any common sense or creativity or something), they'd know you just don't make salad. Colicchio hates salads ("you didn't cook anything"). Even if it's a salad challenge, at least perfectly poach an egg or something. You just don't make salad.

we predicted that the nice southern girl would get the axe first after about five minutes of the show. and then the green goofy kid. easy pickin's.

the next to go will be the caterer chick with the afro and glasses. caterers and personal chefs cannot generally hack it on TC. restaurant chefs almost always win.

stefan and the italian guy look to be favorites. as does the pretty boy from miami. leah from NY might be a sleeper.

eatchicago wrote:The idea of a spinach salad with cheese, nuts, and apples screamed "hotel banquet" and had me screaming for her immediate dismissal. Also, I was not looking forward to a sub-plot about her feelings about conflicts overseas and her veteran husband.

The same thought crossed my mind. When I saw what she had presented, I said out loud "and you're going home."

I do think that it was an interesting editorial choice to build up a fair amount of backstory for a character who was bound to be short-lived. I'd have to check my DVR, but I think her minutes might have actually numbered 15.

eatchicago wrote:

Stagger wrote:

eatchicago wrote:(As it stands, the "gay vs. straight" theme that is developing is nauseating).

On Bravo in general or just this show? It seems to be a point in nearly all of their original programming. On the TC level it is especially annoying because it undermines what has always stood out as the best thing about cooking as a profession, namely the egalitarian nature of the job. Ultimately, in the professional kitchen, it never matters who you choose to spend your dormant hours with, who your mommy and daddy are, or if you are cool or not. Save for the microscopic anomaly known as celebrity chefs, all that matters on most kitchens is can you take the hours and stress, make good food cleanly, and, if called upon, lead your fellow soldiers into battle, that's it!

I couldn't name another Bravo show, so just this one. It seemed lame and contrived.

Bravo does tend to have a pretty high gay audience; that's why a lot of people were shocked and disappointed when Project Runway was supposed to move to Lifetime ("TV for Women"..."in Comas", I like to add!) because their audience is much different. Whether or not that's going to happen is up in the air and completely OT.

The alliance thing is pretty silly.

gastro gnome wrote:

eatchicago wrote:The idea of a spinach salad with cheese, nuts, and apples screamed "hotel banquet" and had me screaming for her immediate dismissal. Also, I was not looking forward to a sub-plot about her feelings about conflicts overseas and her veteran husband.

The same thought crossed my mind. When I saw what she had presented, I said out loud "and you're going home."

I do think that it was an interesting editorial choice to build up a fair amount of backstory for a character who was bound to be short-lived. I'd have to check my DVR, but I think her minutes might have actually numbered 15.

Same here- it's always the ones who they spend a lot of time on, talking a big story about how there's no way they're going home....automatic "you're out!"

Just made it through the first episode. I agree with everyone here...obviously if you make a salad you're going home (I hate it when people on reality shows don't go back and study past episodes of the show that they're on).

Oh yeah, and Team Rainbow...NOBODY CARES!

Just watched the first episode yesterday and can I say that I hope Eugene kicks everyone's asses out there. I was hoping that his dish was going to rock.

abe_froeman wrote:Bravo does tend to have a pretty high gay audience; that's why a lot of people were shocked and disappointed when Project Runway was supposed to move to Lifetime ("TV for Women"..."in Comas", I like to add!) because their audience is much different. Whether or not that's going to happen is up in the air and completely OT.

The alliance thing is pretty silly.

The whole juggernaut started with Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. I get the sense that the producers really try to keep the gay thread alive.

radiator wrote:It's been fun watching the reruns of the previous seasons over the last few weeks. I didn't see seasons 1 or 2 when they were first on, so actually seeing Harold and Ilan win was fresh for me. To me its much more entertaining after the herd is thinned. They do tend to bring lambs to the slaughter, so to speak. I don't have a good feeling about the Chicago entrant, Radhika, this year. I thought she was going to go at the quickfire; she was way, way behind doing the brunoise. She was fortunate to escape the elimination challenge as well, having probably the third or fourth worst dish. Still, I'm glad Top Chef is back. Its one of the few TV shows I watch on a consistent basis.

I don't see seasons 1, 2, or 3 on Bravo's website (I didn't start watching until last season), and I don't see any dvd releases on amazon, at least. Is there somewhere online I can watch the past seasons?

I don't have cable, so I can't watch the reruns on Bravo. I'm watching it on bravotv.com after they make the episodes available. Finally got a chance to watch the first episode last night, which is great. What would I do without the internet?

I have a really stupid question. I don't have a TV so I stream the episodes from Bravo's site. But the only way I know how to get to the current episode is through the Top Chef front page. But the link to stream the current episode usually has (or is preceded by) a picture of that episode's two losers! Is there any way I can link directly to the stream without ruining the surprise of who packs their knives?

My favorite moment from Episode #2: "If I take the fall today, you guys are really gonna hear it!"

Really? If your dish sucks, it's the other contestant's fault? You're relying on their palates to bring you to victory?
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On a pure culinary basis, my personal favorite so far is Jamie. I loved the concept of the chilled corn soup, especially in that it fit the "Craft" theme perfectly (I thought it was better, conceptually, than the carpaccio). I like her cooking style.

Best,
Michael

I was confused by the Quickfire challenge. Were they supposed to make their own hot dogs from scratch or not? I know they marked down the woman who used the store bought ones, but her idea was what I thought was the concept of the challenge. For the rest of them, a ground meat sausage made in an hour is not a hot dog, it's a sausage, so what was the challenge supposed to be about?

rickster wrote:I was confused by the Quickfire challenge. Were they supposed to make their own hot dogs from scratch or not? I know they marked down the woman who used the store bought ones, but her idea was what I thought was the concept of the challenge. For the rest of them, a ground meat sausage made in an hour is not a hot dog, it's a sausage, so what was the challenge supposed to be about?

They weren't very clear. I'm chalking that up to bad editing. Obviously the challenge was to create your own sausage-oriented dish.