228 replies to this topic

[Novus Questus]

This guy seems to have a helluva culinary pedigree. Perhaps the fact that he has an accent won't qualify him for an early dismissal, as seems to have happened to Cheftestants in the past.

[Basch]

This guy . . . is gonna be a problem. Seems to have a big personality and is already clashing with others.

I'm intrigued by the relationship between him and Fabio, though.

[ShaolinSnoWhite]

I was annoyed that Stefan was arguing that a vinaigrette is not an emulsion (I'm not a professional chef, but any colloidal suspension of liquid in another liquid is an emulsion). Not only that, but WHO SITS AROUND AND ARGUES ABOUT THAT STUFF?? That just reeks of ego. I bet that deep down, he's really lacking in confidence and he is just overcompensating.

[Mell]

Not only did he win the first QF and EC, in the preview the blonde girl tells him he has immunity later on. He'll probably be one of the frontrunners. It does seem like he will be a jerk/troublemaker, but he seems talented and I'm intrigued by the idea of a non-American TC winner, so I'm rooting or him at the moment. (I reserve the right to change my mind!)

[davepy]

Definitely front runner material, and I could seriously dig him if it weren't for the emulsions comment. I'm having a seriously tough time getting past that. He's also a caterer, which is rarely a good thing, but he works out of Napa, as in French Laundry territory, so he's definitely got talent (seems to have a good pedigree prior to his catering career too). Let's see if he gets the villain treatment--seems well suited for it.

[OilyHumanoid]

I'm going to let the emulsion comment slide for now. Stefan doesn't annoy me that much, but they've only aired one episode. We'll see.

Edited by OilyHumanoid, Nov 13, 2008 @ 12:40 PM.

[Screamie]

I think he's definitely the next Marcel. I'm 99% certain he'll at least make the top 5.

[screamapiller]

but he works out of Napa, as in French Laundry territory

Did I miss something somewhere? I don't remember hearing Napa (and he did work at the Villagio Spa in Yountville at one point), but both his catering company and the restaurant he worked at prior to opening it (Enoteca Drago) are in Santa Monica.

[LazyNina]

Stefan bugs me. I think Screamie is right. He is definitely the next Marcel. Ugh.

[Canmander]

I'm intrigued by the idea of a non-American TC winner

That was annoying, for him to be all, "ooo, I'm going to shake things up with my crazy exotic European self!" Hung wasn't exactly white bread American. He needs to get over it.

[davepy]

Did I miss something somewhere? I don't remember hearing Napa (and he did work at the Villagio Spa in Yountville at one point), but both his catering company and the restaurant he worked at prior to opening it (Enoteca Drago) are in Santa Monica.

Ah, I conflated his current gig w/the Villagio, which is in Napa (Yountville Napa, CA). Didn't know his actual catering company was in Santa Monica.

[irishchik]

After watching the premiere about six times, I'm sorry, but he looks closer to 40 than 35. Does TC/PTB check birth certificates or passports ?

[arc]

I've heard that many cooks and chefs look older than they are. Long, tough hours + immense heat in the kitchen = aged.

[screamapiller]

After watching the premiere about six times, I'm sorry, but he looks closer to 40 than 35. Does TC/PTB check birth certificates or passports ?

I've heard that many cooks and chefs look older than they are. Long, tough hours + immense heat in the kitchen = aged.

And they only look older when booze, drugs, and partying are added to the mix. Not to say that's the case with Stefan, but I know a lot of chefs who look like ten miles of bad road thanks to their lives of excess.

I think Stefan just has one of those faces that looks "old", and has probably passed for older since he was a teenager (I can sympathize; when I was 17, people thought my 7 year old sister was my daughter).

[VeniVidiVici]

I gotta agree that the whole "emulsion" bit was over-the-top and obnoxious. And yes, a vinaigrette is an emulsion.

I actually dig him for the most part and I have him pegged for top 3, along with Hosea. Still need to decided on who #3 will be.

[baldhermit]

I've got to say, part of Stefan's ego does seem justified considering his resumee. However, I am very curious how he will fare when they throw biscuits and gravy, or some other obscure only known in northern america type of dish at him.
I think it's too soon to call out top 3 though, I had high hopes for Cliff at one point.

[roorooby]

Still need to decided on who #3 will be.

Fabio, I think. As Bausch said, they have an interesting dynamic between them, and certainly perceive each other as competitors as well as compatriots.

On the other hand, Leah. I think maybe that's the top four?

However, I am very curious how he will fare when they throw biscuits and gravy, or some other obscure only known in northern america type of dish at him.

We're gonna get World Spin. Just like we got "World Dog."

Edited by roorooby, Nov 30, 2008 @ 4:45 AM.

[oldsoul]

He really hasn't lived up to his own hype yet. He may still, I think he is talented, but his stubbornly insisting that fish are a vegetarian option after the argument over vinaigrettes makes wonder if he is too limited in his outlook -- a kind of "my way or no way" vibe.

Edited by oldsoul, Dec 1, 2008 @ 3:24 PM.

[judyfan]

... the relationship between him and Fabio...

Oh, ugh... all it is, to me anyway, is typical euroarrogance.... "simply by vritue of being born in europe, we are better than all the amercians put together" never mind that they live/work/are appearing on tv in the US. Of course, Fabio seems guiltier of this than Stefan, but they're both jackasses imo.

[Rocket]

Oh, ugh... all it is, to me anyway, is typical euroarrogance.... "simply by vritue of being born in europe, we are better than all the amercians put together" never mind that they live/work/are appearing on tv in the US. Of course, Fabio seems guiltier of this than Stefan, but they're both jackasses imo.

Eh. As an American who has lived in a couple different European countries, I can assure you that attitude is not limited to Europeans in the U.S. I don't hold it against either Stefan or Fabio; forming Team Europe is no different than forming Team Rainbow or Team People Who Really Like Ketchup or whatever. It's just a common bond.

[Aunt Julia]

Is it just me, or does he seem to have faded a bit into the background lately?

[notsarahlee]

I just don't think Stefan is particularly telegenic. This was definitely noticeable in the Today Show challenge - his dish was probably very good, and the technical aspects of his presentation were above average (like when he did his "TV time" plate switch) but he's dry and not especially animated. I don't think he had much of a chance of winning that particular challenge, since the judges definitely took charisma into consideration when selecting their top three contestants.

Ultimately, though, this isn't a personality contest, and Stefan's dishes are still doing well. He just isn't as interesting to watch as some of the other contestants.

[lulee]

Please tell me he did not say "that douche Hosea" in his interview clip about shopping for the tomatoes.

[Basch]

He most certainly did.

The only thing about this dude I find entertaining is how he fell victim to his own hubris at the Quickfire Challenge.

Still, I guess he'll be the villain of the season now that Daniel's gone.

[Suzako]

I gotta say, his crush on Jamie was the funniest thing I've seen on TV in a long time. He makes her presents! Bwah!

[JodithGrace]

Yes but after seeing those pants he made for the stuffed rabbit (?) I don't think he has Project Runway in his future.

[Mell]

For some reason I had the idea that Stefan had a crush on Jamie even before this episode. I don't know why. I don't think there's been an indication shown until now. Maybe I was just speculating it and it turned out to be true. Heh.

[roorooby]

However, I am very curious how he will fare when they throw biscuits and gravy, or some other obscure only known in northern america type of dish at him.

Well, now we know what he can do once he hacks the top off an egg.

[Sarah6881]

I've been hedging my bets that Stefan is definately in the Top 3. Though, I think his stubborn- and strong-headedness may be his downfall, I see him as the next Richard Blaze (my bet for winner, though, not my fav for S4).

Personally, I think he's charming and very attractive, it might have to do a bit with the accent but he's just dreamy to me. And what a surprise that he's in love with Jamie and was married twice to the same woman. It's the standard case of the arrogant, presumptuous man who's a bit of a masochist when it comes to relationships by vying for a woman who's completely unattainable/uninterested. Personally, I would kiss him on the mouth with tongue.

And the Hosea comment was hilarious. He does seem like a bit of a d-bag, but I think it's just the fact that he has d-bag facial hair.

[lz1982]

My new name for Stefan is Sex Luthor. He's bald, hot and evil. Yes/no?