Thursday, January 19, 2012
Food media 'Top Chef' season 9, episode 11
Posted by Debbie Michaud @DebsMichaud on Thu, Jan 19, 2012 at 1:01 PM
- Bravo TV/NBC Universal
- The face of evil
Anthony Bourdain's Frenchier, more distinguished-looking twin Eric Ripert shows up in the kitchen with a denim laundry bag filled with Padma. For the Quickfire, the chefs have to pick three ingredients each from a moving conveyor belt. The catch is that the conveyor belt is full of crappy ingredients and the longer a chef waits the better crap gets except that means the longer you wait the less time that you have to cook. Tough decisions! Classic Top Chef! A brief but epic battle between Chris J., an elusive bucket of lobsters, and the conveyor belt follows.
In the end, Ripert and his belted laundry bag in heels like Bev's dish the best, but - Oh no! - she forgot her curried Rice Crispies topping. So she can't be champion. Guess we'll give immunity to ol' Lindsay and her bouillabaisse, they say. Actually, I say good job to Lindsay for impressing a Frenchie with your bouillabaisse. Good Job!
So Quickfire's over, and in walks big time movie star Charlize Theron. Sarah starts crying. Edward wets his pants. Padma regrets wearing a laundry bag (even though cinching it with a belt did give her a waistline at least) instead of a nice dress like move star Charlize Theron. Charlize is starring as the evil queen in the forthcoming Snow White and the Huntsman and she wants a wicked feast. And a wicked feast she shall have.
I gotta say, this was a pretty fun episode to watch. I loved the creativity in the conception and presentation of the dishes and how much fun the judges all had eating for once in their lives. Tom was straight-up giddy about Chris J.'s apple creation. Paul's "bloody" handprint on the plate was scary and hilarious. And who didn't think that Grayson was gonna tank with that black chicken? But it was so creepy and weird and awkward when she explained about the slaughtered bird and its dead baby egg. And apparently it was moist and tender too.
The judges love everything but have to decide between the three least awesome dishes. Sarah, Grayson and Bev end up on the bottom three and Bev gets sent home. I was surprised and not. I know she played it relatively safe, but this is the second time Sarah's risotto has been called undercooked. I think I would have sent Sarah home here.
But Bev beats on Nyesha in LCK. That's too bad. I wanted to see her take it all the way because that would have been awesome right?
SCORE:
OUT: No one! Great job guys!
IN:
FuziOH: Paul, Edward, and Grayson
JMF: Lindsay, Paul and Chris J
totm: Edward, Grayson, and Chris J
DRATL: Lindsey, Paul and Edward
Comments (7)
Showing 1-7 of 7
I thought it was delicious how Lindsay won only because Bev screwed up. I'm anxiously awaiting both Lindsay and Sarah being bested by Beverly in LCK. I was sorry to see Nyesha go, however. She's a talented chef, for sure.
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Fuzi you are so right. I correctly predicted at the end of last night's show that Beverly would beat out Nyesha and you are right to post that Lindsay AND Sarah will fall to her as well. I, like most of the contestants, didn't like Beverly's wimpy miscues and lack of back bone and social skills in the kitchen. But she has proven to be quite and accomplished Chef to the chagrin of Heather, Lindsay and Sarah who all thought their winning was preordained. Paul looks like he has this (and so far $35K) in the bag. Chris and Edward don't have it and we know Lindsay and Sarah don't either.
By far the best episode this season, even if they did show a shot of the downtown Dallas skyline, not San Antonio's, when they came back from commercial at the 50-minute mark. (Seriously, people?) Sad to see Bev go. Can't relay the things I was calling those women who were bagging on her.
I have been so sick of watching Sarah bully Bev these many episodes. And even though the judges criticized Sarah's undercooked risotto for the SECOND time! and had the minutest issue with Bev's dish, they sent Bev packing! Of course, we know by the disclaimer (in small print) at the end of each show that the producers have ultimate input as to the final decision, it appears clear to me that Sarah's and Lindsay's mentors have more than a little sway with the producers. Especially since both of those mentors have appeared frequently on TC or other related food shows. I have been watching TC since the first show but must say that this is the least impressive group of chef-testants ever. Are the really good ones out there unwilling to be made to look foolish and incompetent? Has TC jumped the shark?? Is it me, or do you also sense a lack of enthusiasm on the part of Padma, Tom, Gail, etc.? The formula is getting tired. Too many rediculous 'tests' - restaurant wars? how absurd! as if these people should be judged on their ability to put together a new restaurant in a few hours. Me thinks it's time for a fresh approach or to put an end to it all before it gets more embarrassing. Oh, and BTW I had dinner at Tom's restaurant Craft in NYC and ordered foie gras, it arrived with a rather long human hair in it. Under TC standards, Tom should have been booted off the show!
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