119 replies to this topic

[TWoP Nikita]

From Zap2it:

King crab in the Quickfire; salmon and sourdough in the Elimination Challenge.

This thread will open at 11:00pm EST on February 6th.

[TryDelta]

I really loved this episode. Good challenges and low on the gimmicks.

I wish it had been Josh leaving instead of Lizzie. In reality it sounded like Sheldon's dish was the worst (the green tea chai sourdough sounded hideous to me) but once again, past performance does seem to count.

Classy exit by Lizzie.

Edited by TryDelta, Feb 6, 2013 @ 11:02 PM.

[cooksdelight]

Why does Josh have to put bacon in every single thing he makes? Crab and bacon? So glad his quickfire dish sucked, he seemed so shocked that he didn't "100% nail it." 

I was waiting for someone to do a really meaty crab cake, southern style, with some hushpuppies and corn on the side. The best crab cakes I've ever had were in the low-country part of the south, and I've been to Alaska. 

I was excited to see them at the same place for the salmon bake that I've been. Mine was a wonderful experience, and not as cold. If any of you are ever up there on a cruise, take that as your day excursion.

Sheldon ... I knew he was in trouble when he picked chum. Maybe they eat that in Hawaii, but no place else that I know of. Just the mention of the name of it reminds me of Jaws. What was funniest to me was that not one of the judges figured out what they were eating, as I have to guess he put pieces of both kinds in their bowls.

Did they forget another person is coming back, LOL? Everyone kept saying "making it in the top three...."

Poor Lizzie. Her father story had me teary-eyed. She is someone I would like to have cook for me.

[Dewie]

Just checking in and agreeing with TryDelta's comments. This was the kind of episode that keeps me hooked.

[jeanneh]

When Emeril was talking to the other judges, he talked about one of his chefs taking "the mother" from the restaurant when they had to evacuate for Katrina. This chef fed "the mother" for the 3 months they were closed, and then brought it back when the restaurant re-opened. What was he talking about? Does it have something to do with making bread? (my impression)

[cooksdelight]

I think he was indeed referring to the starter stuff they use to make loaves of bread, leaving some and adding to it for next time.

[TudorQueen]

When Emeril was talking to the other judges, he talked about one of his chefs taking "the mother" from the restaurant when they had to evacuate for Katrina. This chef fed "the mother" for the 3 months they were closed, and then brought it back when the restaurant re-opened. What was he talking about? Does it have something to do with making bread? (my impression)

You're right, it's the basis for certain bread recipes. Anthony Bourdain, in Kitchen Confidential, tells a story about a demented chef he knew who kept getting work, in spite of being completely nuts, because his bread was so amazing, and this chef was obsessive about his 'mother', which was like something out of a sci-fi movie.

[SilentMinority]

Good episode, low on ridiculous constraints. Brooke is staying strong and if she doesn't lose focus, I think she's the odds-on favorite. And I'm good with that; she's earned it, and she's would be the rare non-asshole to win if she pulls it off.

The editing was harsher on Sheldon than Lizzie, but of course the elves would do that. I like both Lizzie and Sheldon so it was a no-win as long as Josh was staying.

I really wanted to taste some of those sourdoughs. Lizzie and Brooke, especially, seemed to have knocked their bread out of the park. I'm not normally a huge bread person, but a well-done sourdough will get my cravings going.

[LaurelG]

So Sheldon's salmon was bitter, his soup had the consistency of baby food and his green tea bread was not a hit either (is that the point at which Padma made a face?) - plus he used chum, the fish the locals serve their pets. Yet, Lizzie went home, despite making individual rolls for 200 and baking them to perfection. I like Sheldon, but this does seem to be a decision based on past performances. I would rather eat underseasoned fish (Lizzie did say she seasoned it) as opposed to bitter fish.

But I agree, Lizzie's was a very classy exit. I'm rooting for Brooke at this point.

[bellblue]

Lizzie wasn't the most exciting contestant to watch but I think I have wanted to eat every dish she's made. I can't say that for any of the other contestants. Her food always looks comforting and delicious. Of the 3 remaining, Josh's food has rarely looked appetizing to me. I can't believe he's still in the running.

[rhodaj]

Maybe it's because I'm from New England, but I always considered succotash to be a northern dish. In fact, succotash originated in the northeast and was introduced by the Narragansett Indians to the invading Europeans. So when Padma used succotash as an example of southern cuisine she really revealed her limited knowledge of food.

What's that quotation? It's better to say nothing and be thought of as ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

[WaltersHair]

I love salmon, so this whole episode had me salivating.

When the Hughnibrow frowned as Sheldon was describing his dish, I thought he was a goner.

Hate that Josh is still around. He's just the kind of poser who'd wear his handlebars now so he'd be recognized while the show is on.

Padma, WTF girl? More mannequin-coming-to-life stuff.


Go, Brooke, go!

[TryDelta]

I can't believe [Josh]'s still in the running.

He's the male Lisa Fernandes.

So when Padma used succotash as an example of southern cuisine she really revealed her limited knowledge of food.

Actually succotash is a pretty common dish in some parts of the deep South although you are correct in that its roots are from New England. So I would say Padma's observation was not incorrect.

Edited by TryDelta, Feb 6, 2013 @ 11:38 PM.

[cooksdelight]

I noticed when Lizzie was telling Tom what she was making, she said "not soup" since she's made soup the last few times in the EC. Bless her heart, maybe she should have stuck to what she does best.

[Lopethina]

Hate that Josh is still around. He's just the kind of poser who'd wear his handlebars now so he'd be recognized while the show is on.

Hilarious.

So far, he has failed at all of his supposed specialties. Maybe it's time to try another direction, like Mediterranean tapas or something.

[Modernwhimsy]

You're right, it's the basis for certain bread recipes. Anthony Bourdain, in Kitchen Confidential, tells a story about a demented chef he knew who kept getting work, in spite of being completely nuts, because his bread was so amazing, and this chef was obsessive about his 'mother', which was like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Everytime they talked about the sourdough starter, I was mentally yelling "Feed the Bitch!!!" Direct from the book. Tony would be so proud.

Not sure why more people don't eat chum. Oily fish is so yummy. It's only a matter of time before it becomes the new chutoro and we have to pay out the nose for it. They used to feed the fatty tuna to cats in Japan and look at it now!

I think sheldon always gets credit for being inventive and he gets the harshest edit. The judges usually end up writing/saying components of it were really good. Lizzie was gentle to watch.

I kind of smirked when Nailed It...didn't.

[bawarner]

Why does Josh have to put bacon in every single thing he makes?

Probably for the same reason Sheldon keeps cooking Asian (even though he doesn't want to be known as the chef who just cooks Asian food.)

So Sheldon's salmon was bitter, his soup had the consistency of baby food and his green tea bread was not a hit either (is that the point at which Padma made a face?) - plus he used chum, the fish the locals serve their pets. Yet, Lizzie went home, despite making individual rolls for 200 and baking them to perfection. I like Sheldon, but this does seem to be a decision based on past performances. I would rather eat underseasoned fish (Lizzie did say she seasoned it) as opposed to bitter fish.

I'm with you all the way. I'd add that he got these comments after getting at least one component on his last dish described as "inedible". I think maybe the judges feel sorry for him 'cause he's a little slow. I also think he could have put a sliver of raw chum salmon over that baby food and a steaming pile of bear shit and he would have stayed. Oh well, maybe next week.

[doodlesmomma]

Loved that Lizzie's defense of her dish was forthright and honest, not making excuses. She thought it was good, she stood by it. Tom and Gail's reminder to taste the finished dish was taken as it was offered. She's been my favorite for awhile now, just by her working in her quiet way, not having anything bad to say about anyone. Her food has looked good to me, and I think her doing something besides soup was a smart move, despite the jackass guest judge saying 'just a sandwich'. Give me a delicious sandwich any day. I guess Lizzie's wasn't delicious enough. Sad to see her go. Go Brooke and Sheldon; Josh, go home.

[Rickster]

I sort of call foul on expecting the chefs to bake something with a sourdough starter. It can be pretty tricky-any bread baking is-plus it looked like they had to transport the proofed loaves to the site for baking, which could be a nightmare.

It's not Top Baker. I'm surprised they did as well as they did.

[gigi1701]

I agree with you Rickster I have baked with sourdough starter for a few years now. It is very hard to work with, much harder than any other type of bread. I think that they had premade dough Instead of just sourdough starter and they added different spices, herbs and stuff at the end. That said Lizzy's rolls looked exceptionally beautiful. It seems that someone else had soggy and inedible sourdough, I am very surprised that It was only under seasoned fish that sent her home, don't they ever have salt on those tables?

[meanteeth]

I knew Josh was going to shoot himself in the foot using bacon with the crab. Crab's taste is so deliciously delicate, you have to be really careful with something like bacon. While it's true that most things taste better with bacon, it's also kind of a no-brainer when the challenge is to make the main ingredient shine that you DON'T use the one thing that is kind of hard to miss whenever it's used. I also thought it was funny that he fucked up the succotash. He loves to hold forth on Southern food and be so authoritative about anything that is remotely "South" (although I, too, do not associate succotash solely with the South-- I spent a chunk of my childhood in New England, where it is definitely a staple). It was great to hear someone say, "yeah, you got it wrong." I wish he had snipped Josh's handlebars after saying it.

Edited by meanteeth, Feb 7, 2013 @ 12:46 AM.

[Quilt Fairy]

I think that they had premade dough

We saw them making the dough.

[BuddhaBelly]

Probably for the same reason Sheldon keeps cooking Asian (even though he doesn't want to be known as the chef who just cooks Asian food.)

He should just give it up. No one criticizes Mario Batali for sticking to Italian cuisine or any of other other famous chefs for having a specialty.

[pivot]

I knew Lizzie would be in trouble after the quickfire comments from the guest judge. He seemed offended by what she served him. I did like that Josh was in the bottom on the quickfire though. I think Sheldon is hanging on by his fingertips right now. He keeps making simple mistakes on his elimination challenge dishes. It will be irritating if Josh manages to make it to the finale considering how many times earlier this season he should have been eliminated.

[Sybaril]

From the comments that we got from the judges, Lizzie's dish sounded like the most appetizing to me. In general I consider flavors that are overbearing, such as the garlic in Josh's dish and bitterness in Sheldon's dish, to be more unpalatable than something that's bland. As the old saying goes, you can always put more in, but you can't take it out. Also they did make it a point to mention that Lizzie's bread was definitely the best out of the bunch. Bread is such a basic food, and there's something extremely satisfying about eating perfectly baked bread, even plain.

I wonder what would've happened if she had tasted a completed version of the dish. It sounded like she was satisfied with the flavors separately, but together the salmon and citrus glaze was lost. It did look like there was a lot of bread for the amount of salmon that she plated. In that case, maybe she should've just cut the roll in half and placed heaps of salmon on top with the glaze drizzled over.

[Celtic Esquire]

I love how Josh can consistently cook his version of so-called Southern cuisine with bacon without being called one note but God forbid Shelden incorporate a chive or green onion in his bread and then get accused of cooking "Asian" food all the time.

The main components of the rest of his dish were pea soup and smoked salmon - dishes that are well known as Asian. ::sarcasm::

Edited by Celtic Esquire, Feb 7, 2013 @ 3:10 AM.

[biakbiak]

Sheldon brought up that he didn't want to be known as a chef who only cooks Asian and everyone's comments seem to bounce off of that; whereas Josh wants people to think he has a very specific style.

[Ginandtonic]

That quickfire challenge made me HUNGRY! Josh made bacon. Again. Glad he got called out on it being too much. But I love crab & would have just stood there & ate until I passed out from gluttony LOL.

I can't believe Lizzie made such a rookie mistake as not tasting all her components together. She deserves to go home just for doing that. She was in the final 4, how could she not taste her food?

[pennben]

Lizzie was gentle to watch.

That is such a fascinating way to describe watching her this season.

I was sorry to see her go this episode, but she left with dignity and class. Well-played.

Edited by pennben, Feb 7, 2013 @ 5:16 AM.

[tvmovielover]

Like many, I am disappointed to see gentle Lizzie gone and Mr Moustache still there but what can you do (I never think there is too much freshly baked bread but if you lose the salmon maybe there is)? I still loved this episode and am hungry now for freshly caught salmon and crab. Tom's comment about the bears was one of his funniest ever.