304 replies to this topic

[TWoP Nikita]

From Zap2it:

Nathan Myhrvold serves as guest judge; the chefs split into teams for a BBQ showdown in the elimination challenge.

[tessa261]

Sarah made some bitchy comments about Ed - undeserved imo. I still don't understand what happened and why she went to the medic. Drink water! It was also bitchy to come to plate for the judges, leave right afterward, and say that she doesn't have any guilty feelings about it.



Edited: "she" not "he"

Edited by tessa261, Jan 4, 2012 @ 11:18 PM.

[strebor]

I really hate those terribly hot environments for the cheftestants. It's unfair for all of them along with being a health hazard.

[Camo]

I wish it had been Sarah. She's a cloying bitch, and yeah, the fact that she got a reprieve from her illness to serve only her rubbery chicken? Bye. Whatever, she bugs. TH'ing about not having balls to Ed and having a 'dark side'? Shut it, and speak up without your endless tears.

Wait, I wish it had been stupid-assed ponytail Chris. So needy, that one.

[WaltersHair]

For a split second, I thought a giant box of wine was being wheeled in, not volumes of Moderist Cuisine.

The second the word 'salty' came out of Chris C's mouth, I knew he was a goner. Tom does not forgive easily and never forgives salt.

Ed fell several levels with me tonight. I know sleep deprivation can cause one to be crabby, but he should have talked it out with Sarah.

Ty-Lor grows on me each week.

[redundant1]

I would've been so annoyed if Chris J. won that Quickfire. He pulls some Matrix berry out of his ass, tosses some lemons and limes in soda water and calls it a day? Boring.

[CrumbyButtons]

TH'ing about not having balls to Ed and having a 'dark side'?

That was ridiculous - Ed has a "dark side" because he pointed out that Heather used his cake recipe twice? That's a dark side? Man, I'm black as coal.

I do hate when something happens to one contestant (on any show) and the others all talk about how they would have handled it (perfectly of course!). You really don't know unless it happens to you. That said, it was sure convenient that Sarah was okay to serve her crap, but nothing else.

I would've been so annoyed if Chris J. won that Quickfire. He pulls some Matrix berry out of his ass, tosses some lemons and limes in soda water and calls it a day? Boring.

Totally agree. I was pissed that he was in the top.

Edited by CrumbyButtons, Jan 4, 2012 @ 11:24 PM.

[SpeciousLogic]

I think I used to work with the guy who commented on Chris' T-shirt. :-o

Agreed that it's unfortunate their shooting schedule put them in the middle of the hottest Texas summer on record. Water is your friend, people!

Hopefully Sarah is a short-timer. Her act, while nowhere near that of Heather, is rapidly wearing thin.

Bev still seems content to hide in the corner. It's working for now, but timidity is a killer in RW.

Not looking forward to RW; seems like it's almost always a shocking elimination of someone I like and thought would go far.

[rustyspigot]

Heh, at Malibu Chris and his naked lady modern art.

I can't wait til next when Beverly loses a finger and drops more food on Padma! Man she was a mess tonight.

Where's this season set in again? Someone beat me with a brisket.

[DoleWhip]

The editing had me thinking Beverly was out. Personally I wanted Chris J to go because I hate his hairstyle (as well as Ed, since he seemed like a jerk during service). But I think the elimination choice was fair. If the salty marinades ruined the meats before they were even cooked, that's more significant than any other error in a barbecue challenge.

[caci66]

Fairly good episode. Still, I'm really tired of all the western themes. Apparently, there is no diverse culture in Texas. I understand why Chris left, but I wish Sara had gone. She just annoys me. I looked up the cooking book on Barnes and Noble - around $400 dollars for that thing. I'm guessing that Ty-lor would still rather have some money, but at least he got immunity.

[Nell Huxleigh]

Yeah, Sarah didn't have the balls to tell Ed he didn't have the balls to tell a raging misfit walrus to quit taking credit for his work. Beverly is a scary bully - and Ed is like a nice guy. I wonder why he didn't want to set her off, gee, I wonder what Heather may have done if called on it.

And did Moto douche imply that the book was ripping he himself Moto off our that he learned it first or what? Is that like me shitting on Michael Phelps's accomplishments because I learned to swim before him? Or is he really confused and thinks he invented something? And I prayed to TV that Tom would double eliminate Moto for douchey t-shirt wearing. I'm on a crusade now against Chefs who are so weirdly hostile about people who care about our awful farming system.

Edited by Nell Huxleigh, Jan 4, 2012 @ 11:34 PM.

[Lamb18]

This was a brutal challenge. I hope BBQ Wars does not replace Restaurant Wars. Ed was an ass with his comments about Sara. Heat stroke is no joke. Her absence was inconvenient, but was she supposed to do, keep on working and die? Her face had been quite red for awhile. I feel like the producers were rather negligent of the contestants' health in the planning and execution of this challenge. 100-degree days are common in the summer in Texas and to have them stay up all night, then be constantly in the sun with those hot pits was just negligent. They were probably dehydrated, too. I couldn't tell if they had access to air conditioning to go in and cool off now and then.

Bev was disappointing. I am rooting for her but I want her to try harder. I felt like she just kept a low profile for a team challenge after getting thoroughly reamed in the past couple of team challenges she was in. I think she shines better when she's on her own (except in modernist food challenges).

I was sorry to see Malibu go. I felt like the judges thought the losers were equally bad and just picked Chris because they had to pick someone. Now Heather can snuggle up to him in the sequester house.

I guess I like Paul for the win. I would like it to be Beverly just to smack Heather in the face, but I don't think she'll make it to the end.

[redfin4]

Agree about Sarah. It's looking like Keith had her number way back in episode 1!

Sarah slammed Ed in her confessional about not talking to Heather to her face then Sarah goes and does the very same thing to Ed! In her confessional about the EC, Sarah goes off on Ed because he was short with her after she came back for service. But when they're waiting to be called to JT, Sarah's all wishy washy dancing around the subject. Practice what you preach Sarah and tell Ed to his face. I'm kinda glad Ed cut her off there too.

[isiscloud]

Sarah should have gone and gotten her ass handed to her in last chance kitchen. She should have gone, but her medical condition (besides being a bitch) kept her there another week. The comment to Ed about making his cake was totally uncalled for. Heather was the one working on dessert and he let her use it so STFU.

It felt like we had this already, but I guess the first challenge was chili. The whole "Texas cuisine" theme is getting old.

[tessa261]

This was a brutal challenge. I hope BBQ Wars does not replace Restaurant Wars. Ed was an ass with his comments about Sara. Heat stroke is no joke. Her absence was inconvenient, but was she supposed to do, keep on working and die? Her face had been quite red for awhile. I feel like the producers were rather negligent of the contestants' health in the planning and execution of this challenge. 100-degree days are common in the summer in Texas and to have them stay up all night, then be constantly in the sun with those hot pits was just negligent. They were probably dehydrated, too. I couldn't tell if they had access to air conditioning to go in and cool off now and then.

Well I would make bitchy comments too if she was well enough to come back to plate the judges' food (and try to move the food/system that the other two had going for them) then left almost immediately afterwards. If she's feeling bad, then stay at the hospital.

[avecsans]

Wow, this season sucks. Enough already with the stay up all night and swelter under the blazing sun to cook for 300 people challenges. Obviously the guy who owns the Salt Lick would have kicked ass in this challenge and he's probably not Top Chef material.

I couldn't decide who was worse in the Sarah vs. Ed grudge match. Ed is a douche for sure, but I did agree with him that if Sarah was so sick that she had to go to the hospital, she then should not have showed up to plate the judges' food and then bailed again.

Never heard of the Quickfire judge. I laughed when Beverly foamed him and Padma. It reminded me of the Loggins and Messina song that went, "what a shot you would be if you could shoot at me with those angry eyes." Easy, Padma. The foam could not make your dress any more fug than it was.

[Lamb18]

Well I would make bitchy comments too if she was well enough to come back to plate the judges' food (and try to move the food/system that the other two had going for them) then left almost immediately afterwards. If she's feeling bad, then stay at the hospital.

He was making bitchy comments before she was back from the hospital. I kind of agree with his comments about just serving the judges, then sitting down. That seemed kind of strange.

[isiscloud]

He was making bitchy comments before she was back from the hospital.

He seemed to be wondering what was going on with her beyond, she's going to be OK. He and Ty didn't want to be on a team with her in the first place, but she didn't want to be on a team with anyone else. Not even her best bud Lindsay, who is even more low profile than Beverly.

[mparcher]

Did only one team use the smoker?? I would have used that as much as possible and just used the open pit to finish stuff.

[Lamb18]

I noticed the convenient product placement with using Dr. Pepper in the sauce, then there was a Dr. Pepper commercial. I was wondering what kind of beer was used for the chicken, but I guess the beer company did not pay for an ad.

[Ketzel]

I was sympathetic to Sarah and kind of annoyed with Ed's comments on her leaving (although getting that no sleep can make people shorter-tempered than their norm). And then Sara pulled that passive-aggressive bullshit at judges' table.

It was after Tom lectured the team on having cut the brisket too early and letting it sit on the steam table, and Ed tried to explain that they were short-handed and trying to make it possible to keep up with the long line of people they anticipated serving. Tom went on to tell the team that they should have sliced the brisket as they served it, anyway. (Although to digress - I always think those comments of his are "damned if you do-damned if you don't" critiques. If they had sliced as they served, and there was a long line of people complaining about the wait, I'm sure that would have been a criticism, also.) Sarah then piped up to say how much she WISHED she had been able to help with the service. Which translated to me as "Don't blame ME, Tom, I had NOTHING to do with the decision to cut the brisket too early, mmmkay?"

Bitchy thing to do.

Edited by Ketzel, Jan 4, 2012 @ 11:52 PM.

[ratgirlagogo]

Ty-Lor grows on me each week.

Me too. And this is painful to admit because he is the cheftestant I most hated from the get go, just on general principle. Not that he still doesn't seem super nouveau-Williamsburg to me, but what the hell. It seems that a) he can indeed cook and b) he is indeed a nice guy (or at least knows how to play one on television). Feh, whatever. I shall henceforth blame the destruction of my old neighborhood on someone else.

I feel like the producers were rather negligent of the contestants' health in the planning and execution of this challenge. 100-degree days are common in the summer in Texas and to have them stay up all night, then be constantly in the sun with those hot pits was just negligent. They were probably dehydrated, too. I couldn't tell if they had access to air conditioning to go in and cool off now and then.

Hasn't it been established at some point that they don't use air conditioning in this show even when it's available, because it drowns out the body mics? I remember this coming up in the Miami season as well. But I agree this just seemed ridiculous and unnecessary. It certainly does nothing to "improve" the show from my standpoint.

I knew the salt thing was going to do in Malibu Chris. I'm surprised he survived the last couple of challenges, frankly. I thought that salmon on the Tribute Dinner would have sent him home.

[Tarasme]

Bwah! I was really looking forward to seeing my Top Chef tonight but damn I pretty much want to excoriate them all.

Ed- HATE! Everyone is so "annoying" to him and his general self absorbed snark is gross. Then I have to watch his damn mandibles move horizontally from one another, like his top jaw moves to my left while his bottom jaw shoots right. Fuck'im.

What in God's name was CJ wearing at the house?!? With his idiot hair and v-necked pink tshirt, increase his moob cup size one letter and he'd be a pregnant woman. Then, his railing on about *his* food in the QF. Good lord I hope he grows up soon.

Sara (with an h, without an h, whatever)- having experienced heat exhaustion while on the job this summer, I can attest to how quickly it happens and how horrible it is, HOWEVER, I do think these chefs should need to be available for the entire challenge and have a damn reason to take care of themselves. Sara's only redemption for this was that she did her cooking and her teammates really did not have to slice that brisket when they did.

Sara, unlike, for me, Ed, seems like a nice enough human being but really has some vulnerabilities when it comes to this competition.

Likewise for Beverly.

Chris C (Malibu, if I got the initial wrong)- kind of like the first EC when he sat there while another chef bought cooked shrimp, he got nailed because he sat back and went along to get along. Sayonara.

Ty- actually could like him, someday, but he's starting to get whiny just like almost everybody else this cycle.

The only pleasant entertainment for me this evening was seeing Paul take his team's reins, watch his team do their best with no bitching, and enjoy that their teamwork and ingenuity got them a win and 5k each.

[SpeciousLogic]

Did only one team use the smoker?? I would have used that as much as possible and just used the open pit to finish stuff.

I think that's correct, and that was the winning team...so there's a lesson in there somewhere.

And I'm so glad the Blue Team won, since my 2 faves (Paul & Grayson) were there.

BTW, what was that weird spazzy thing Grayson did about the frog? I didn't get it.

I noticed the convenient product placement with using Dr. Pepper in the sauce, then there was a Dr. Pepper commercial. I was wondering what kind of beer was used for the chicken, but I guess the beer company did not pay for an ad.

I'm far more annoyed about the ubiquitous, over-the-top ads for the cars. Their comments about the truck looked like they were scripted straight from an actual commercial, which makes them all look like cheap product whores. I couldn't live with myself if someone told me to recite those gagworthy lines on national TV.

[CrumbyButtons]

Did only one team use the smoker??

I don't think so. IIRC, Chris with the ponytail came over and asked "who has meat in foil in the smoker?" That's how Paul and Grayson knew that their meat fell. If Chris wasn't using the smoker, why would he be looking in it? And why specify "in foil"? But yet, when Paul and Grayson went to retrieve their meat, there didn't seem to be any meat in there besides meat in foil. So, I don't think they were the only ones - but it really wasn't clear (to me, anyway).

[tessa261]

He was making bitchy comments before she was back from the hospital.

He seemed to be wondering what was going on with her beyond, she's going to be OK. He and Ty didn't want to be on a team with her in the first place, but she didn't want to be on a team with anyone else. Not even her best bud Lindsay, who is even more low profile than Beverly.

Agreed. The previews made it seem like the "what happened to her...is she dead" comment to be bitchy but in context, when Sarah was leaving, it was actually him expressing concern. Also, the TH are after the whole incident so there's also that to take into consideration with some of his comments. IMO it's after she came back/left that he got cranky.

[Rickster]

Never heard of the Quickfire judge

Former chief technology officer at Microsoft who cashed in his options and decided to cook, among other things. Not really a chef, but a foodie with a scientific bent and a lot of money.

While it could happen to anyone, I have to think Sara's weight might have been a factor in her problem.

A little puzzled about the time spent cooking, since while brisket takes a very long time, ribs are a couple of hours at most and chicken less. Maybe it was the quantity they had to make.

Edited by Rickster, Jan 5, 2012 @ 12:02 AM.

[cherry malotte]

I can't help myself, I like Ed. It's the no nonsense attitude, it may rubs people the wrong way but so be it. I agree with him, why the fuck bother to come back and throw the not so great chicken on a plate? Go stay in the air conditioned ER with a bottle of water and relax if you are that sick.

They could have gotten rid of Beverly this week and no one would miss her. I hated how Heather bullied her, there was no call for that, but she's running out of tricks. Not cooked beans and sub par cole slaw should have been enough to pack anybody's knives. I hope to Christ she isn't one of the last ones standing.

I've actually used that Dr Pepper recipe, it's pretty good.

This season has been very la-de-da, la-de-da for me. Just been waiting for RW, which is next week thank heavens.

Edited by cherry malotte, Jan 5, 2012 @ 9:02 AM.

[hunterhunted]

I was really enthused at seeing the Salt Lick because my brother almost died of meat poisoning (TM the Simpsons). However, bbquing is a real skill that not everyone has. My family has been bbquing for 15-20 years and ther are still somethings that I don't know.