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Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.13 - Going Whole Hog

YumSugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:32:22 -0700

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Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.12 - Off to the Butchers

YumSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:56:45 -0700

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Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.11 - The War Is On!

YumSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 23:56:44 -0700

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Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.10 - Light n' Healthy

YumSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 03:01:33 -0700

This week's Top Chef took another turn towards the catering when the cheftestants had to cook for the folks at the Chicago Policy Academy. In the end we traded in last week's wedding wars for lunchbox wars. We also got a nice dose of against the grain drama. Did you watch? What did you think? Check out my thoughts and tell me yours when you read more.

Once the episode started I got three emails from pals declaring their love for guest judge Sam Talbot. Are you on the same page as them?
Did you like the salad challenge? I thought Antonia's poached egg salad was total food porn. Even Sam said it was sexy!
I groaned a bit when I found out the elimination challenge was another catering-type challenge.
Do you think Spike spent more time trying to mess with his opponents than he did planning his meal?
You know, I couldn't help but think of former cheftestant Ryan Scott. He headed up Myth Cafe, which was known for their great boxed lunches. Too bad he didn't make it this far.
Okay the big drama came from Lisa's camp. Do you think someone really sabotaged her rice?
I thought it was interesting that Stephanie and Dale were the best in this challenge. They're both from the Chicago area and I wondered if that helped them at all.
Do you think Dale deserved to win? Who had your vote?
It was tense at judge's panel. Do you think it was bad of Lisa to call out the fact that Andrew didn't follow the rules to a T?
And finally, who are you rooting for now? Got any votes for the top four?

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Photos courtesy of Bravo

Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.10 - Light n' Healthy

YumSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:48:30 -0700

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Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.9 - Wedding Wars

YumSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 23:25:52 -0700

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Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.7 - Improv

YumSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:15:35 -0700

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Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.6 - Tailgaters

YumSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:17:15 -0700

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Let's Dish: Top Chef 4.4 - Movie Night

YumSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:13:33 -0700

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Top Chef 3.11 - Snacks on a Plane Recap

YumSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:22:06 -0700

Well folks, we are down to the final six cheftestants, and I must say I was slightly shocked by last night's episode. Shocked by who was eliminated, shocked by how mean guest judge Anthony Bourdain was - although I should have been expecting it - and shocked by how many folks overcooked fish. I could go on and on about my shock, but let's just start at the beginning for now.

The episode starts with Padma sneaking into the dorms and rousing the chefs from their slumber. And naturally, she has a surprise! They stagger into the (super swanky) kitchen area and are told they have 20 minutes to make her breakfast with ingredients in the kitchen. No time to change, no time to think, just make. Oh and they're endorsed by Breville's blender, so they might want to use that too.

To find out what happens next, read more

Once the challenge starts, the cheftestants (as Hung said) "scatter like roaches." Truffle oil is falling off the counter, bell peppers are lying on the floor and burners are barely burning. All of the chefs decide to play it a little safe - crepes, French toast, eggs in a nest, etc - and Hung wins the challenge with a well prepared take on steak and eggs and a papaya smoothie. Did I mention that his papaya smoothie was spiked with Grand Marnier? I'm sure it gave him an edge, but the simple combo of blended papaya with milk is fantastic, so I'm sure his would have been fantastic with or without the added bonus.

As winner of the elimination challenge, Hung is presented a copy of Padma's upcoming cookbook and will be able to pick his protein first. However, before they can begin, it's time to pack their bags and head West to Aspen! But oh wait, there's a slight detour and they're going to New York first!

When the cheftestants arrive at the Newark airport, they're ready to head to New York, but are told to check in to their airport hotel and prepare for an elimination challenge the next day. The challenge takes place - hair caps and all - in the kitchen for Continental airlines. They have two hours to prepare business class appropriate meals that will be reheated and served to the judges - including guest judges Anthony Bourdain and Jimmy Canora of Continental's Congress of Chefs - and a fleet of elite flight attendants.

Four of the six chefs opt for fish, Hung takes the fatty Chilean Sea Bass, Brian takes lobster (to go with this gigantic steak), CJ takes halibut and Sara opts for salmon. Casey and Dale take meats, veal and steak respectively. The fishes - except for Hung's - are overcooked and rubbery. Bourdain says he didn't even know what Brian's lobster was and Sara's salmon is awful and inconsistent. In the end Casey walked away the winner with grilled veal medallions and cauliflower gratin.

However it isn't the fish, but side dishes that send folks home. Sara's couscous is considered an afterthought - which she agrees with - and CJ's burnt broccolini is according to Tom, the "worst dish that they've had in three years of the competition." Bourdain backs it up by saying that it looked like they were cleaning Bob Marley's house and found it in the closet. Ouch, harsh words for some sad broccolini.

Unfortunately, it isn't just harsh words that are given to CJ. He is also given the boot. I must say, I was a bit shocked. I honestly thought he would be in the final four. It looks like it must have been a tough decision, I mean Padma is practically in tears as she tells him to go home.

Things to ponder...

Did you think the beginning was staged? Something about it seemed like they re-enacted the scene.
This is probably some sort of sin to ponder, but is Bourdain's mean guy schtick too predictable? Oh and If you haven't read his thoughts on the evening, you really should.
Were you as touched by how sad Padma was, as I was?
Who are you rooting for? I think I'm rooting for Hung, but with my track record that must mean he's going home next week.
Oh and, I don't know about you, but I have to figure out how to fly business class from now on...

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Top Chef 4 Star All Stars Recap

YumSugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:20:59 -0700

Last night Top Chef kicked off its new season with an All Star battle that pitted season one chefs against season two. On the season one team we had Harold, Stephen (oh how I missed his condescending smug attitude), Tiffani and Dave - surprisingly absent was Leanne, but she couldn't participate because she is now Bravo TV's food producer). The season two team consisted of fan favorite Sam, Elia, Marcel and Ilan. The two teams were going head to head and the team with the most wins contributed $20,000 to their favorite charity.

Overall it was a bit lackluster - there was no drama unfolding, as no one was getting kicked off, and all the food looked delicious - however it was fun to see my favorite contestants back in the kitchen. It was definitely a great tease (or should I say amuse-bouche) to lead into season three. There were a few good quotes and I'm sure you guys want to know about the food, and see some pictures. So let's get started, just read more

First of all, I can't get on with any of the recapping without pointing out three things. (1) Marcel rapped, again... (2) was that the Brooklyn bridge carved into Ilan's hair? I'm pretty sure it was and (3) the immersion blender in Ilan's mouth looked a bit... wrong? Oh my, now on to the recap!

The challenge started off with Padma and Chef Tom telling the former contestants that each team needed a team captain. Initially I thought it would be the two winners, but I should have known better! Instead of having the teams pick captains, the captains were chosen by a quickfire challenge! They were presented with two eggs and a large oven mitt. The oven mitt was for them to wear, because Padma tells them that they will be cooking eggs with one hand behind their back. They then cut to Stephen who says, "If you can't cook eggs, you're probably better off not being in the kitchen." I guess no one told those folks in Hell's Kitchen that.

In the end, Stephen wins with a "perfect omelette" and is chosen captain of season one - competing for the Susan G. Komen foundation. And even though his dish was topped with a dollop of saffron foam, Marcel is the runner-up and is chosen as captain for season two - competing for Share Our Strength.

The teams are then told that they're making a four course meal consisting of scallops, lobster, duck and kobe beef. Each team member chooses an ingredient and they will go head-to-head against the other season's chef. The team with the most winning dishes will be the victors.

Up first: Dave vs Elia with scallops - Elia produces two versions both paired with a marmalade, Dave produces a smoked scallop with a tapenade. In the end Elia's wins, although I must admit, I was rooting for Dave.

Next up: Stephen vs Marcel with lobster - Marcel's dish includes both a gelee and a foam (served tableside even!), both of which begin to deflate in the hot Miami heat. Stephen's is immaculately plated and consisted of beautiful saffron tones. Winner? Stephen.

Third course: Harold vs. Ilan with duck - The showdown is on! Season one winner vs season two winner, should be impressive, no? Actually turned out that the judges didn't really love either of them. Harold's was "incomplete" and Ilan's was a mess. In the end incomplete wins over a mess, and I say hurray, because well it's no secret, I heart Harold.

Last up: Tiffani vs Sam with kobe beef: Both dishes looked great, but Tiffani's was the winner. Chef Tom even mentions how nice it is to have her food again.

With a vote of 3-1, season 1 is declared the victor!

If you missed the show, you can check it out later this week (check the Bravo schedule) or stream it over the internet. Also, for a few hysterical comments on last night's show, visit our pals at We Cook, They Dish.

Now for a few of my favorite quotes:

"If the bitch can cook, let him cook!" - Dave about Marcel

"I have way too many people at home watching, I can't go home against this guy." - Harold about Marcel

"I'm so weeded right now." - Marcel

"I don't want to prove myself to these guys anymore." - Dave

"He's KIND OF cute?!?" - Ted Allen about Sam

"Don't read the blogs because you'll find shit on there that you don't want to know about yourself. Stuff that you probably didn't even know about yourself." - Sam

Oh Sam, was it something we said?

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"America's Next Top Model": Overwhelmed Down Under

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:15:49 -0700

One of my favorite moments from last night's "America's Next Top Model" - and there were many - was when Jael, conducting a model-on-the-street interview while wearing a tutu over jeans, declared: "I think I'm good at talking to other human beings."

I find this funny, because the first time I saw Jael, I actually thought: "Wow, she has such a bizarre way of interacting with other human beings." Sort of like she might be an alien doing her best approximation of a person.

Needless to say, Jael didn't shine in this week's challenge, which had the girls traveling to Sydney and learning the ropes of commercial acting and being on video. This involved not only talking to other human beings but also using Australian slang and, as if that weren't horrifying enough, Australian accents. I understand that top models need to be well-spoken, but I can't imagine that "the ability to speak in a bad Aussie accent" is something any of them really need to add to the ol' resume.

Check out the "ANTM" group, or for more of my take and to see a gallery of photos from last night, read more

So not surprisingly, Jael got kicked off, and Britney joined her in the bottom two. I felt bad about Brit's whole car-accident short-term memory loss thing, but she was really remembering her lines perfectly fine, and if she had just stopped crying, she would have pulled the commercial off quite well. That girl needs to chill out, or she's going home next.

My prediction: Renee will win it all. She takes great photos, and she's well-spoken. A close second, I think, is Jaslene, but she seriously needs to learn to enunciate. What do you guys think?

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The Beckhams Asked to Join Reality TV Pantheon

Molly — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:25:39 -0800

David and Victoria Beckham may not be household names in the US (at least Posh hasn't been since her fabulous Spice Girls days), but all that may change if the couple signs on for a rumored The Osbournes-style reality television show. Fox has reportedly offered the Beckhams the chance to catapult into the stratosphere of American fame through the medium of having their life recorded on tape and edited into tidy half hour long segments. That or the awesome chance to publicly make fools of themselves and embarrass their three young children.

That being said, I would totally watch this Meet the Beckhams nonsense. Not only because David is smoking hot (albeit, mute) and Victoria actually seems pretty adorable and hilarious despite her constant scowl, but because maybe, just maybe, there would be a camera in the bedroom. Yowza.

For more of Posh at the Gaultier Couture show just read more

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Enjoy Citrus-y Paris

Molly — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:13:23 -0800

It was orange and yellow all the way for Paris Hilton while on a break from filming The Hottie and the Nottie. It's a good thing that no matter how busy Paris gets with her film "career" she'll always have time to maintain her fake tan. Speaking of her illustrious career, word is that Paris has been offered a role in an upcoming reality TV show to star alongside porn star Jenna Jameson and teach virgins the sexual ropes. Sounds promising.

Something tells me that even Paris has too much dignity to sign onto a project like that anymore. She may not have many big acting awards in her future, but I'd like to think her days of showing the world her explicit sexual techniques on purpose (come on, the sex tape counts as purposeful) are, thankfully, behind her.

For more of Citrus Paris just read more

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