Blogging Top Chef: Chewing It Up and Spitting It Out!

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Mark at Work...No More!

Cooking a fried-out curry

With a little kid, head full of curl-ies

I met a strange lady, she made me nervous

She took me in and made me cook fast

And she said,

"You come to Top Chef: Chicago

Where your cooking style we want to know?

Can't you hear, can't you hear the time go?

You better run, you better tie back your fro ."

Cooking for a man in “second city”

He was five foot nine and bald as can be

I said to the man, "Are you trying to hate me?”

He just smiled and sent me back to New Z.

And he said,

"You come from a land down under

You choice of food makes me wonder

Can't you hear, can't you hear Padma?

Pack your knives and your Marma(ite)."

-from Men at Work's Land Down Under

Episode 8 - A Common Thread

Congradulations to Chef Antonia

For winning both the QF and the Elimination challenge.

Ah Mate...

So sorry to see you go Chef Mark.

We wish you all the best.

Drop by our little kitchen sometime.

What a wonderful challenge with all the children. To learn more about "Common Threads", click HERE

Top Chef Week 8

Onto week 8. Tonight you need to bring $10 and pack the kids around the TV because the chefs are in the Elimination challenge with guest children chefs and a $10 budget.

Which one of these remaining chefs is packing their knives tonight? Do you really think Chef Tom does not like Chef Mark? We will find out soon.

The "LIVE" chat will be up tonight during the show. Please join us and other fans to chat while the show is on. Bring your own drinks, food and be ready for some fun. It is always a party in the chat room. Catch you tonight!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Chef Zoi Drops By BTC

We are thrilled to have Chef Zoi drop by the little kitchen to chat with us.

Chef Zoi, welcome to BTC

US:How hard was it competing against your girlfriend Jen?
Chef Zoi: Competing against Jen was difficult only because I know how talented she is and our styles are similar. But it was always great to be able to look up and see her there. she is an amazing chef and friend.

US: How do you feel about the judging on the show?

Chef Zoi: I think the judging is just that...judging. Everyone has the right to their own opinions, the judges included. most of the judges, Padma & Tom especially, have similar tastes (it seems). Therefore, someone with my background and sensibility may have been perceived as "less" educated, experienced, etc. I have been criticized for describing my style as "rustic" and "simple". Many people think that being a great chef means having to reinvent, wow, shock, etc. personally, that's not why I do what I do. History, family, the places I've traveled...these are the things that inspire. I respect where food has been as much as where it's going.

US: You were not happy with having to make pasta salad. What would you have done if not pasta salad?
Chef Zoi: Enough with the pasta salad! I don't really know what I should have or would have made instead. it was a team challenge, a group decision. and believe it or not, I didn't only make pasta salad that day. It was really more of an issue of ingredients. can't cry over pasta salad.

US: Fans have asked, "tell us about your earrings".
Chef Zoi: My earrings...ahhh yes. Believe it or not, I have been wearing "big earrings" for quite a few years. I don't really remember how it started, but I do love the way they feel. the weight. I am not really a flashy person, and I guess the earrings are my own little style. Never thought too much about it. Sorry if they "bugged" some people, but quite frankly what I wear is no one's business and those people who are haters should really get a life if that's all they can find to talk about. I have more interesting things about myself worth talking about if they could get past the earrings.

US: Are there any special projects or charities you would like to mention?

Chef Zoi: Currently I am working in Sonoma county, california wine country...being close to the source, the people and the land again has been great. This is what I am all about... also, Jen and I are doing an event next month with GLAAD on May 10. We are excited about that and feel proud to support such a great foundation. Beyond that, I am looking for the right time & place for my own restaurant. soon...

Thanks Chef Zoi for dropping by. We wish you all the best!

Labels: Chef Zoi

Padma Disappoints At UCLA‏

From our mailbox, the following experience with Padma. She kind of "knifed" one of her fans!

"I attended the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books again this year and was really looking forward to meeting Top Chef alumni C.J., Betty, and Brian and especially the host herself, Padma Lakshmi. The trio of former contestants could not have been nicer, and all three graciously signed my copy of the new Top Chef cookbook. I don't know whether it was the heat (the temperature was nearly 100 on Sunday) or some other issue, but Padma treated her fans with something bordering disdain.

For my part, I watched the first part of Padma's presentation at the Culinary Stage and then waited in line for about an hour for an opportunity to meet Padma and have my book signed. When it was finally my turn, she was preoccupied with members of her entourage and only looked up after I said hello. She then glanced at my copy of the Top Chef cookbook, and stated in a very curt manner that she wouldn't signed it. I was dumbfounded and when I asked why, she replied with a rhetorical question, "How can I sign something I didn't write?" She then turned towards the next person in line who,unfortunately, received the same treatment.

Interestingly enough, a copy of the Top Chef cookbook signed by both Padma and Tom is currently being offered for sale at abebooks.com

I've attended the Festival of Books off and on for the past 12 years and have never seen a writer/celebrity act so dismissively towards their fans."

Truly disappointing.
Brad

Thanks Brad for sharing this with us. We are also sorry you were disappointed.

Labels: Padma Lakshmi

Chef Sam Lands A New Gig

One of our favorite chefs... Chef Sam has signed on to run the restaurant at Jamie Mullholland's new surf shack in Montauk, Surf Lodge. Learn more HERE

Thanks Amanda for sharing this with us!

We know where Chef Biatch will be moving to now!

Labels: Chef Sam

Monday, April 28, 2008

Monday Morning Mix

CHICAGO STYLE!!!

Onto week 7 of Top Chef. See and what others are blogging with this Monday Morning Mixer.

Eric 3000 - The one, the only Eric is serving-Top Chef Chicago, episode seven: whose dish is it, anyway?

Amuse-Biatch has some thoughts on Chef Jennifer's pairing. Click HERE

What'ere, Jane Eyre recaps espisode 7 with Improv

MinxEats - recaps espisode 7 with reuniting feels so good - Top Chef Episode 7

My Monkey Could Do That -Improve Summary

Cliffieland - Don't miss- Episode: Improv [Or, I Am Curious (Yellow) Pop Rocks]

Chew On That - Have Top Chef Chicago Watch Episode # 7

Another great week of blogs and recaps. Thanks everyone for sharing them with all of us. Enjoy!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Sunday Roast

Your turn! Use the picture of Chef Tom and write your own caption in the comment area.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Question From The Comment Area

We received the following question in the comment area. " OK, so on the episode that aired tonight - WHO was the guest judge - attractive, tattoos, male?"

Glad you asked. It is Pastry Chef Johnny Iuzzini. You can check out his website HERE and his interview with Bravo HERE.

Thanks for the question J.David

Your Turn To Vote

Last weeks question was...

with 140 votes there were several that were close.

This week, the men were in the winners circle for the Quickfire and both teams for the Elimination challenge. Only Chef Mark was neither top or bottom. However it was a team that one the elimination challenge with Richard and Dale.

When it came time to send one packing, 4 women were on the chopping block. Only Chef Nikki was spared.

That leads us to this weeks question. We are not sure if a team should have been sent packing or if the worst chef was sent home. So the question is "Which Team or Chef should have packed their knives this week?

Thursday, April 24, 2008

CHOW Is Being Served

Chef Jennifer's CHOW interview, "Improvisation, Sexual Innuendo, and Croutons
A ménage à trois turns off the judges" is ready for you to listen to.

Jenny's on the Block!

Don't be fooled by the producers’ “plot”

It’s still, It’s still Jenny on Top

Used to have a little, now I have a lot

No matter if I go, I know why I came here (win Top Chef!)

From COCO500 to Top Chef show

To “on the block” to “pack your knives and go”

I stayed grounded as the critiques roll in

I'm real, I thought I told you

I'm real, even on Brav-ooo!

That's just me

Nothin phony, don't hate on me

What I get is more time with Zoi.

Don't be fooled by the judges’ “blind spot”

It’s still, It’s still Jenny on Top

Used to have a chance, now I have squat

No matter what now I know where I’m going (Home to Frisco!)

-From Jennifer Lopez's Jenny from the Block

Top Chef Week 7 Results

Oh what a sweet night it was.

Congratulations to Chef Richard for the QF win.

with his banana scallops with banana guacamole and chocolate ice cream.

Way to go team Chef Richard and Chef Dale.

For your elimination team win - Tofu steak marinated in beef fat with green curry. Enjoy your new cookware guys.

Ah... Chef Jennifer. We are sorry to see you go!

Sorry the menage a trois of orange with goat cheese, asparagus, salad and olive tapenade did not meet the judges favorite. We wish you all the best. Drop by this little kitchen any time.

The question of the night for us was...why a winning team but not an eliminated team?

Top Chef Hair

We understand the heat, the need to have it out of the way, the need for it not to fall into the food but...

Sometimes a look works with a headband.

and sometimes it does not.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Top Chef Week 7

6 down...10 to go.

Have you picked a favorite yet? Who is packing their knives tonight?

Our "LIVE" chat will be up and running tonight during the show. All are welcome to join and chat.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Top Chef News

Serving up a little Top Chef News!

Both Buddy TV and The Chicago Tribune are getting the word and the Casting call schedule out for auditions to Top Chef 5. It has begun.

Over on Entertainment Weekly, Ann Barrent has her own polls around the judges and football. Click HERE

From the LA Times, catch " 'Top Chef': I'm just not that into you... "and their break down of the different chefs