Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

[blockski]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

Not much yet, though it is early in the show. Because there are so many candidates early on, they focus much more on the food than the area. Once it's narrowed down to about 10, you'll more than likely see the chefs cooking in local places or cooking local food. They may cater an event (like the Mount Vernon one) or cook for a panel of judges that consists of well-known chefs from the city.

I would point out that all of the guest judges from the last round are either locals or have DC ties.

Spike - Good Stuff, and the soon to open We the Pizza
Mike Isabella - Zaytinya
Brian Voltaggio - Volt up in Frederick - also a former exec chef at Charlie Palmer
Eric Ripert - West End Bistro

To me, the local-ness of the actual food isn't all that important. I would like to see them do a take on a Ben's Chili Bowl half-smoke (all the way, baby - onions, chili, and mustard).

I'm sure Jose Andres will swing by sooner or later. Andres also cooks a lot at the DC Central Kitchen, a local homeless shelter - now that would be an interesting challenge. Or make them cook seafood right off the boat down at the Southwest Waterfront.

 

[bostonewe]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

I would point out that all of the guest judges from the last round are either locals or have DC ties.

Spike - Good Stuff, and the soon to open We the Pizza
Mike Isabella - Zaytinya
Brian Voltaggio - Volt up in Frederick - also a former exec chef at Charlie Palmer
Eric Ripert - West End Bistro

To me, the local-ness of the actual food isn't all that important. I would like to see them do a take on a Ben's Chili Bowl half-smoke (all the way, baby - onions, chili, and mustard).

I'm sure Jose Andres will swing by sooner or later. Andres also cooks a lot at the DC Central Kitchen, a local homeless shelter - now that would be an interesting challenge. Or make them cook seafood right off the boat down at the Southwest Waterfront.

True on the judges part. I'd forgotten to mention it. They do keep mentioning Eric's new restaurant. I'll have to bug my parents to go there when they drop off my brother at Georgetown and have them scope it out. My relatives in the MD area were not brave enough to eat at Bryan's restaurant, so I haven't gotten there...yet.

 

[Patman]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

I would point out that all of the guest judges from the last round are either locals or have DC ties.

Spike - Good Stuff, and the soon to open We the Pizza
Mike Isabella - Zaytinya
Brian Voltaggio - Volt up in Frederick - also a former exec chef at Charlie Palmer
Eric Ripert - West End Bistro

To me, the local-ness of the actual food isn't all that important. I would like to see them do a take on a Ben's Chili Bowl half-smoke (all the way, baby - onions, chili, and mustard).

I'm sure Jose Andres will swing by sooner or later. Andres also cooks a lot at the DC Central Kitchen, a local homeless shelter - now that would be an interesting challenge. Or make them cook seafood right off the boat down at the Southwest Waterfront.

We the Pizza looks good... if I had a group of friends (I'm working on it) and were more in the city I might swing by Cap Hill to bring something home. Being in Arlington I'd give it a pass for now unless I decide that 14" buffalo chicken pizza is my reward for hitting 3 wheels on the squat

In typical greater-DC fashion... its only rated 4 stars because somebody snarked at a typo.

I am looking forward to seeing them get into the city though I'm neither a foodie or a restaurant type (I'm enjoying my own Ludditeness too much)... DC is an interesting city when you get down to it... rough edges, political insanity, and all.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

Really didn't get into last week's episode and haven't seen all of this week's yet. My bad. But it looked intersting

 

[gregg729]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

My observations so far.....

It would have been really tough to get the same caliber of cheftestants from last season.

What's that on Amanda's lip? Does she have herpes?

I used to think Angelo was conceited, now I'm beginning to think it's more of a case of uber-cockiness?

Dang, did I miss last week's episode?

 

[vizoroo]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

My observations so far.....

It would have been really tough to get the same caliber of cheftestants from last season.

What's that on Amanda's lip? Does she have herpes?

I used to think Angelo was conceited, now I'm beginning to think it's more of a case of uber-cockiness?

Dang, did I miss last week's episode?

What have I learned so far?
Smarmy Angelo and Alpha Kenny and Kelly appear to have the most strength.
Alex, Ed and possibly Kevin can cook.
Between Tamesha and Tiffany; Amanda and Andrea who knows. (But now I'll have to stare at Amanda's lip thanks to you Greg.)
Stephen should be the next to leave.

This was the first week that I actually sorted out the players.

BTW, started watching next food network star. It's pretty good.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

I want to know what happened with the pea puree!!!

 

[vizoroo]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

I want to know what happened with the pea puree!!!

The pea puree is missing in action

 

[bostonewe]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

I'm not going to lie; I'm kind of disappointed in this season. I don't know if it's because I don't think the chefs are as talented as some of the previous seasons (and yes, I know we were all spoiled by the awesomeness of last season's chefs) or if it's because it's a serious lack of camaraderie between the chefs (in fact, I'd say it's almost out and out hostility). Ordinarily, I like getting some of the behind the scenes stuff to see how the chefs interact, but this season, I wish it was just straight cooking.

Anyway, I was also rewatching the Michelle Bernstein episode on my phone last night and I was really annoyed about the complaining about the egg. Duck testicles? Totally valid complaint in my book. Emu Egg? Not so much. If the chefs had watched the previous seasons, which they should have if they have any brains, then they should know that there is almost always an egg challenge. In fact, the one that stuck out in my mind while I was watching last night was the Wylie Dufresne egg challenge from Hosea's season. I believe it was Fabio (or Stefan) that served the egg dish in the egg shell. Since the emu eggshell is SO different from most other eggshells we encounter, it would have been awesome to see an egg dish served in it. I bet she could have done a custard with a meringue and served it inside and it would have been tasty.

The other thing that bothered me was during the "Cold War" challenge. Even if the chefs tried to remove their personal feelings about the other chefs in the house, they still would have had some influence. I'd have liked the dishes to have been anonymous. Each chef should have been asked to submit a written description of their dish ahead of time and that should have been presented to the judges and to the other chefs when the food was presented.

I do like seeing Ripert on the judging table on a regular basis. 1 - I think it increases the intimidation factor. Maybe people don't take Padma and Tom too seriously as cooks (their mistake on the Tom part), but you have to believe that a negative (or a positive) word from Eric Ripert carries quite a bit of weight when these chefs leave the show.

I've thought Tom's blog has been more insightful this season (despite the fact that he admits to being a bit sloppy with it since he's been in Australia). Especially during the pea puree fiasco. If it was that important to Ed and he couldn't find it right away, then he had better see if he can recreate it. It was clear that he had access to peas since they were presented (with negative commentary) on the plate.


Edit - I forgot to add that the more I rewatch the Marcel season, the more ****ed off I am that Elan won. I would have argued that any of the other top 4 should have won.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

I'm not going to lie; I'm kind of disappointed in this season. I don't know if it's because I don't think the chefs are as talented as some of the previous seasons (and yes, I know we were all spoiled by the awesomeness of last season's chefs) or if it's because it's a serious lack of camaraderie between the chefs (in fact, I'd say it's almost out and out hostility). Ordinarily, I like getting some of the behind the scenes stuff to see how the chefs interact, but this season, I wish it was just straight cooking.

I agree. For whatever reason this season has not been "must see" TV for me nor have I gone out of my way to watch a replay. Not sure if the show has jumped the shark or it's this year's cast.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

I think my biggest complaint from previous seasons is getting worse- the editing.

I think the creation of drama is terrible- we really don't know if there is real drama or not- but let the players let whatever happen. (I sometimes think that the confession room stuff is played up before taping, too- to make it more dramatic).

The whole deal last week with the pea purree was disgusting- if he didn't take it, then, for crying out loud, stop pretending he did, and show that he made his own. Especailly since he won- that really sheds some credibility issues with the winners, and that's just not cool.

Lastly- the food comments- it bugs me to no end that they bait and switch us on the food comments vs. who is winning. If that's how you play it up, that takes a LOT away from the cooking, and makes that kind of pretend. If someone's food is clearly that much better, then the comments should reflect that. Not that one person's positive comments are over played, and then they suddenly don't win. That makes the judges look like they have some kind of favoratism or that they are idiots. Neither of which are probably true, but the editing sure make one think that.




Side note- Mrs. Alfa ran into John Summerfield (the crazy guy who was gone in episode 1) at the local farmers market. Sounds like he wasn't exactly prepared to be on the show. Sounds like another chef I know..... But he appreciated our support, and I'm sure we will be back to the Lark sometime this year.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

They edited it to create drama: either he stole it and they didn't show the "money shot" proving he did it- or he didn't steal it at all.

And I disagree with bostonewe, what made the pea puree awesome according to one of the chefs (the black guy who had lamb) said it had to sit overnight and took a lot of time to prepare. He didn't make it the night before so Alex didn't make it the second day.

And its why Ed couldn't make it again, there simply wasn't the time to do it properly.

 

[bostonewe]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

Alfa - I do agree the editing has gotten much worse. The drama of working really hard to produce good food during these challenges should be drama enough. I don't need the crap like the Real Housewives shows when I'm watching cooking. I also feel like we're not seeing as much food/cooking.

Tba - I respectfully disagree. While the editing makes it tough to gauge, it does look like Alex made one (that won) the day of the challenge. As one of the earlier chefs said, part of being a chef is dealing with a problem as it arises. Ed didn't see the puree after a quick look around, then he should have come up with a decent substitute, which the judges clearly don't think he did.

Edit - I believe it's Kenny that you're referring to. I think he talks a lot and definitely has an agenda.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

Kenny and Angelo seem to spend a great deal of time on their respective strategies or agendas. And they are both unpleasant.

Episode 7 and now the players are taking shape, but it is truly a muddle. Last year the top 4 may have been TOO good. Now we have to deal with a muddle both in personalities (neither totally pleasant or unpleasant, mainly undistinguishable) and abilities.

At this point I have Angelo at the top and Stephen on the bottom. And the rest is roll of the dice.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

Top Chef seems to have fallen off the list of must see tv this year.
Restaurant Wars seemed watered down to me and Kenny,The Beast", joins the early departure lounge. Next week a visit to the CIA and I don't mean the Culinary Institute.

I have read that Tom Colicchio' twitter account says 3 other chefs saw Alex make the pea puree. Alex remains in the eye of the storm as his contributions to EVOO, winning team in RW, were questioned. Angelo and Ed saw to it that he was not in the kitchen during service, but the prep he did on both lamb and fish had to be cleaned up.

And, Stephen, despite the fact that I keep staring at Amanda's upper lip, she is probably on the way out sooner than later. It woould seem to me she should have been front of the house for team Twenty One 21 in RW. She cut the steaks to thin and consequently over cooked them. Much rather have Kelly in my kitchen.

Down to 7 chefs--only Amanda and Alex appear to be non-finals worthy. Its getting interesting now.

 

[blockski]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

Alex taking that head first digger into the stove was hilarious. Cooking skills aside, the dude is a serious klutz.

 

[Slap Shot]

Even though he made some poor dishes, given his overall performance I was suprised to see Kenny leave over (Amanda?) on Wed.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

Even though he made some poor dishes, given his overall performance I was suprised to see Kenny leave over (Amanda?) on Wed.

It is the what have you done for me lately that determines the outcome.

In Tom's blog, he even commented the producers weren't happy that Kenny was eliminated. They wanted the Kenny vs Angelo tension to continue.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

The Bottom:
Alex disguised veal parmesano as a brick and the judges sent him home. Amanda disguised French onion soup as french onion soup with oxtail marmalade. And Angelo took classic beef wellington and turned it into a Domino's special

Tiffany is rising to the top with wins in both the QF and EC. Think her dimples get deeper with every win.

 

[bostonewe]

Re: Top Chef D.C. - Season 7

Tiffany is rising to the top with wins in both the QF and EC. Think her dimples get deeper with every win.

The only thing about her I don't like is her laugh - it's a bit over the top for me. We're very very impressed with her performance over the last few days.

Hopefully things will start to get interesting soon.