50 replies to this topic

[TWoP Nikita]

For all your media sharing and discussion needs.

[aceplace57]

I finally found an explanation of the new elimination rules.

Each of the first six episodes will feature a different group of four chefs who have already made an impact in the culinary world. From those four, one will be sent along to the finals, which will consist of six chefs, all of whom are playing for charity.

http://www.star-tele...ry/1423383.html

It sounds like a "one and done" scenario. We won't have time to associate names and faces for most of the chefs.

Edited by aceplace57, Jun 9, 2009 @ 5:50 PM.

[LizDC]

Jay Rayner Blog - Glamour with a Capital "G": Jay Rayner reveals how the 'Top Chef Masters' set differed from his expectations.

Burning Questions - Michael Schlow: Just Desserts - The eliminated chef respectfully disagrees with the judges' decision.

[Rickster]

Interesting interview with Jay Rayner. Includes why the judges' attitude is different than on Top Chef


Rayner Feedbag Interview

[cbwoman]

Hi everyone, I'm a first time poster long time reader. In the July'09 issue of Restaurant Hospitality magazine there are 3 TC Masters mentions. Lachlan MacKinnon's restaurant "Frasca Food and Wine" was chosen one the 3 top restaurants in the country. The article is "The Best Damn Rest.- Period". They say he delivers the total package of food, service, wine and vibe. The other two are Micheal Schwartz's "Micheal's Genuine Food and Drink" and Michel Richard's "Central Michel Richard". Hubert Keller was quoted on burgers being one of Top 5 American classics. And Jennifer Biesty had a recipe included from her restaurant. I don't know if this is a magazine that is available to the public or just to restaurant people, we get it at the restaurant I work at. Just thought someone would be interested.

[SorchaRei]

Restaurant Hospitality is online here. As far as I can tell, all the editorial content of the current issue is available for reading on the website.

[Puds38]

TC Masters renewed for second season.

A Season 2 lineup of chef'testants has not been set, but host Kelly Choi and the show's three judges -- Gael Greene, James Oseland and Jay Rayner -- will be back.

New episodes are expected to debut some time in 2010.

[Nutjob]

EW says Gail Simmons will serve as a judge. I'm not sure what that means, but I like Gail, so I'm OK with it. I wonder if they'll invite Chef Levebre back? ;)

Edited by Nutjob, Oct 22, 2009 @ 4:58 PM.

[Puds38]

Maybe She replaces Kelly Choi or serves as a guest judge? All the original critics are still there.

[aquamarine9]

The EW article mentions that Kelly will still be hosting and Gail will be a judge. So maybe Kelly's role will be equivalent to Padma's on TC (although she may not get a vote like Padma does now) and Gail's role will be like Tom's.

[kae71463]

Monica Pope of t'afia in Houston tweeted that she is headed to LA to film.
http://twitter.com/MonicaPope

[Lexistential]

Gael Greene tweeted the same thing.

[biakbiak]

Marcus Samuelsson and others spotted at WFs in LA.

Edited by biakbiak, Nov 2, 2009 @ 4:13 PM.

[HeavenLy]

Found this article about what it's like to be shopping at Whole Foods when Top Chef Masters suddenly arrives. Oh and they spot Susan Feniger and Rick Moonen!

And Eater's best guess list of who is in TCM2

Edited by HeavenLy, Dec 8, 2009 @ 10:37 PM.

[aceplace57]

I'm a little surprised none of the Top 4 finalists from last season's Masters is on the list. It would be great seeing Rick Moonen and Jonathan Waxman compete again. I hope the rumors about Charlie Palmer competing are true.

Edited by aceplace57, Dec 27, 2009 @ 8:49 PM.

[Nutjob]

It would be great seeing Rick Moonen and Jonathan Waxman compete again.

I agree, especially Moonen. If he had just plated his QF on time, I think he would have easily won his round.

[biakbiak]

Full Competitors List:

Jody Adams – Rialto Restaurant, Cambridge, Mass.
Govind Armstrong – 8 oz Burger Bar, Los Angeles, Calif.
Graham Elliot Bowles – Graham Elliot Restaurant, Chicago, Ill.
Jimmy Bradley – The Red Cat, New York, N.Y.
David Burke – David Burke Townhouse, New York, N.Y.
Wylie Dufresne – wd~50, New York, N.Y.
Susan Feniger – Street, Los Angeles, Calif.
Debbie Gold – The American Restaurant, Kansas City, Mo.
Carmen Gonzalez – Chef Consultant, New York, N.Y.
Maria Hines – Tilth, Seattle, Wash.
Susur Lee – Madeline’s, Toronto, Canada
Ludo Lefebvre – Ludo Bites, Los Angeles, Calif.
Tony Mantuano – Spiaggia, Chicago, Ill.
Rick Moonen – Rick Moonen’s RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nev.
Mark Peel – Campanile, Los Angeles, Calif.
Monica Pope – t’afla, Houston, Texas
Thierry Rautureau – Rover’s, Seattle, Wash.
Marcus Samuelsson – The Red Rooster, New York, N.Y.
Ana Sortun – Oleana, Cambridge, Mass.
Rick Tramonto – TRU, Chicago, Ill.
Jerry Traunfeld – Poppy, Seattle, Wash.
Jonathan Waxman – Barbuto, New York, N.Y.

Lots of repeats.

[Puds38]

Happy to see my imaginary boyfriend Govind, but I could live without poor sports Wylie and Ludo.

[Fukui San]

Ana Sortun of Oleana! I love that place. Haven't been to Rialto, but it has a rep.

Bowles and Dufresne were fun on the first time around, though I doubt they'll be paired again. Mark Peel I'd like to see more of, but I've seen enough of Ludo. Don't mind the repeats in general, since these really are top chefs and it seems a shame that the first round exits were there for such a short amount of time. And if this is going to be a franchise that will be around a while, why limit the pool that severely? Now if a finalist had been cast again, that'd be a different story.

Armstrong, Burke, Susur Lee, Tramanto, and Marcus Samuelsson have all been on Iron Chef America, all losses, I think. Samuelsson has the distinction of competing in the short lived "Iron Chef USA" precursor to "Iron Chef America" as well. Feniger is one of the Two Hot Tamales, if I remember right, and tied Flay in the infamous turkey episode. (Turkey sorbet! Yum.)

[vallegirl]

So very glad Rick Moonen is also back. Would that he plated his QF dish, we would have been spared having Chiarello advance. Maybe this time he'll manage his time better.

[Pj3422]

Lots of repeats

But not my favorite one -- John Besh. I'm looking forward to Mark Peel & Rick Moonen again, as well as Susan Feniger, Rick Tramonto and Marcus Samuelsson.

[heebiejeebie]

I have such a huge crush on Marcus Samuelsson. Just his voice alone is drool worthy. Thrilled he is on and nervous already for him not at least making into the second round. I never have liked Govind so he can go fast. So can Ludo. He was too annoying. The rest of the returnees I liked pretty much so I'm mixed that they are bringing them back. Is it really necessary? Are there not enough chefs to fill out a second season? Especially since the promos seem to show that the returnees are mixed in with newbies to the format; something I think might be a factor since those returning have a clearer idea as to what it all entails.

I was really hoping a second season would bring Gavin Kaysen to the mix. Then I can just turn the volume down completely to watch all the re-airs of his episode (s) and enjoy the eye candy with pretty food.

I'm actually more excited about this than the regular season. So glad Kelly is coming back.

Is the same judging panel coming back? I certainly hope so.

[morakot]

Yay, three Seattle chefs!

[sloopster]

I'm so glad to see this back! And happy to see WD, Govind Armstrong, Marcus Samuelsson, Rick Tramonto, Rick Moonen, Mark Peel - oh, hell, I'm glad to see every one except Ludo, and some of the people I've never heard of will probably annoy me but that's ok, I'm just delighted they've got 22 -wow - chefs participating.

[jmilazzo]

Is there a premiere date yet? I thought I had seen one, but I guess I was mistaken.

[AriAU]

Is there a premiere date yet? I thought I had seen one, but I guess I was mistaken.

Bravo website says April 7, 2010.

[aquamarine9]

I'm still bummed that Rick Bayless isn't coming back to defend his title. I hope Ludo L. makes a better showing this time around...he absolutely sucked in S1!

[JTMacc99]

Here are the Bios for season 2.

If I learned anything from last year, is that I can't tell a darn thing about these people just by reading. I know they are all talented, but I'll need to see them actually on my TV before I can decide which ones I end up liking. (For example, Yay! Mark Peel! )

[AriAU]

I will miss The Master and the other 2 finalists (as well as Besh), but I am overjoyed with the quality and resumes of the participants and hope that they all bring the same spirit that made the last season so much fun to watch. Great food, awesome food porn and even better camaraderie and team work. While Ludo was really annoying last time around, I think it was made worse by the fact that no one else acted that way.
Wish they cut the chefs more gradually like in TC Jr, but no way these guys could commit that level of time.

[stewedsquash]

Ha I went to the link above and was scrolling down the pics and said Whooa Is SHE gonna cook? in a very Kramerish way when I got to the picture of Gael Greene.