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Top Chef Masters: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:00:54 -0700

On Thursday, Bravo announced a second season of Top Chef Masters. When I heard the news, I had mixed feelings. While I'm a huge fan of Top Chef, the first season of Masters seemed to drag on. Kelly Choi was annoying and the critics lackluster. Although the participating chefs have not been announced, I'm not sure I want to watch. How about you? Am I the only one who is starting to tire of the Top Chef brand?

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Bravo Picks Up Second Season of Top Chef Masters

YumSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:30:52 -0700

As Bravo's Top Chef Las Vegas reaches the halfway mark, the network continues to expand its Top Chef empire. First it released plans to shoot Top Chef 7, and now the network has announced that it's bringing back Top Chef Masters for a sophomore season.

The second season of Masters, which was the highest-rated first season competition series in Bravo history, will see the return of Gael Greene, James Oseland, and Jay Rayner as critics, as well as bubbly (and slightly bubbleheaded) host Kelly Choi. This time, however, Top Chef veteran judge Gail Simmons will also have a place at the Critics' Table.

Now for the fun part. Guessing who will star on the show next. Any takers? Here are my guesses: While it sounds like Ming Tsai probably won't be a contender, what about Marcus Samuelsson, Tom Douglas, Kent Rathbun, and Charlie Palmer?

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Ming Tsai Talks Food, Cooking, and Top Chef Masters

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:50:32 -0700

I've been sold on Ming Tsai ever since he was a barrel of laughs in Aspen, so when I heard he was headed west, I knew I had to meet him. Ming was in town hosting a benefit for Macy's Come Together, a campaign to provide 10 million meals for families in need. I caught up with him in the green room before his demo, where he shared his thoughts on the importance of cooking for others, why you shouldn't buy a $4.99 skillet, and whether we're likely to see him on Top Chef Masters. Read his thoughts after the jump

How Well Do You Know Chef Rick Bayless?

partysugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:50:14 -0700

By now you probably know that the winner of Top Chef Masters was chef Rick Bayless from Chicago. From watching the final episode we learned a little bit about Rick's history. For example, his parents owned a barbecue joint that served a special homemade barbecue sauce.

But, other than that, you probably don't know that much about Bayless. Thus, I've put together a quiz that teaches you about the acclaimed Mexican cuisine expert. Sound like fun? Take it now!

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Top Chef Masters: Season Finale

partysugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:15:13 -0700

One chef took home the $100,000 prize on the final episode of Top Chef Masters last night. It was a nostalgic show that looked back at the final three chefs' - Michael Chiarello, Rick Bayless, and Hubert Keller - food memories and culinary careers. Did you watch? Let's discuss the details (spoilers ahead) after the break.

Top Chef Masters: Episode 9

partysugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:15:14 -0700

Only four masters remained on last night's episode of Top Chef Masters. The best part was when the Top Chef alum showed up! Did you watch? To discuss the episode, read more.

Doesn't Rick Bayless's beard kinda remind you of Spencer Pratt's?
What do you think of Anito Lo?
How is your palette? Could you name those dishes?
Which ex-Top Chef contestant would you pick to be your sous chef?
Who was out of line: Dale or Chiarello?
How hot is Hubert Keller?
Who do you think will win?

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Top Chef Masters: Episode 8

partysugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:30:58 -0700

The second episode of the champions round aired last night on Bravo's Top Chef Masters. The chefs faced off in battle burger and the tables were turned when former cheftestant Spike Mendelsohn judged the burgers. Did you watch? Let's discuss after the break

Top Chef Masters: Episode 7

partysugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:20:13 -0700

Signature dishes spoke volumes on last night's episode of Top Chef Masters. We kicked off the champions round as the previous episodes' winners - Art Smith, Suzanne Tracht, Rick Bayless, Anita Lo, Michael Chiarello, and Hubert Keller -each returned to make a play at the master title.

Are you still watching? Thankful for the return of episode-by-episode elimination, now that the tournament-style part of the show is over? Then let's discuss when you read more.

Did you love watching the masters in the mise en place relay race? Were you surprised by their skills?
Which chef's signature dish would you rather eat? Whose would you rather reinvent?
Would you rather see the chefs cook for other chefs or for critics?
Seriously, who is funnier: Rick Bayless or Art Smith?
Did you agree that Art Smith's burger looked "terrifying"? How would you have cooked the burger and egg differently?
Did you like the more radical reinventions or the chefs who stayed truer to the dish?

Source: Bravo

Top Chef Masters: Episode 6

partysugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:30:40 -0700

The first round of Top Chef Masters was completed last night. The final quartet of chefs included no females, but Jonathan Waxman, Roy Yamaguchi, Michael Cimarusti, and Art Smith. The best thing about this episode was the return of Gail Simmons. Did you watch? If you are interested in discussing, read more.

Is it bad that I secretly want Jonathan Waxman to win simply because he trained Bobby Flay?
Have you ever been to Roy's? Do you like his Hawaiian Fusion?
If you competed on Top Chef Masters, what would your charity be?
How fabulous is Art Smith? Wouldn't Richard from Top Chef 5 consider him a teddy bear?
Whose quickfire dish looked the best to you?
There was a lot of camaraderie between the masters, do you think the regular Top Chef contestants would have felt differently about the shop-for-each-other elimination challenge?
How inspiring was it when the chefs set each other up with wonderful ingredients?
When should a chef cook out of his comfort zone and when should he stick to what he knows?
"Gael Greene and I go way back." Do you think Jonathan and Gael had a fling in the 80s?
Are you excited for the Champions Round?

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Top Chef Masters: Episode 5

partysugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:08:22 -0700

Since I heard Michael Chiarello was competing on Top Chef Masters, I've been anxiously awaiting the chef's return to television. The suspense ended with last night's episode. Chiarello competed against Nils Noren, Rick Moonen, and Lachlan Mackinnon Patterson. There was junk food and the stars of Flipping Out. Did you watch? To discuss the episode, read more.

I can't tell: is Lachlan hot or simply an ugly hot guy?
Whose quickfire dish looked the most appetizing?
Did you feel bad for Rick Zero Stars?
When the appliances don't work - like Chiarello's ice cream maker - I can't help but wonder if Bravo planted a faulty machine. Thoughts?
Do you wish Los Angeles played a bigger role in the competition?
Would deep-fried speck-wrapped pineapple taste good?
What did you think of Jay's description of Rick's dessert?: "A good panna cotta, if it's set right, is meant to wobble like a woman's breast."
Have you ever had a strawberry that tasted like meat?
Overall, how do you feel about Top Chef Masters?

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