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Top Chef Quiz: Culinary Olympics

partysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:15:16 -0800

Things took a serious turn on the most recent episode of Top Chef. The cheftestants had to cook serious food for some serious chefs. Thomas Keller appeared, the Voltaggio brothers struggled, and Kevin experimented with the culinary technique known as sous vide. How closely were you watching? Find out when you take the quiz!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

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Top Chef Vegas: Episode 12

partysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:12:49 -0800

It was down to five cheftestants on last night's episode of Top Chef. The final Las Vegas challenge - the next two shows take place in Napa, California - highlighted the Bocuse d'Or, the world's most prestigious classical cooking competition. A plethora of big name chefs including Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud, guest judged. Ready to discuss? Keep reading.

Top Chef Quiz: Strip Around the World

partysugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:15:58 -0800

From breakfast in bed to big top-inspired soup, last night's episode of Top Chef had the chefs cooking up some crazy casino-inspired dishes, but not everyone's gamble paid off.

Emotions were high, and, of course, someone went home. Did you get too wrapped up in the drama to pay attention to the details? Take my quiz and test your savvy.

Photo courtesy of Bravo

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Top Chef Vegas: Episode 11

partysugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00:55 -0800

After a brief hiatus with last week's Fabio-hosted reunion dinner, we went back to Vegas - and into Padma's hotel room - for this week's episode of Top Chef.

The final six chefs started things off by cooking breakfast in bed for their fearless hostess and her celebrity chef friend Nigella Lawson. For the elimination challenge, each contestant created a dish for a party, drawing inspiration from different casinos on the strip. Who was playing to win? Let's talk about it when you read more.

I love how Nigella said Eli's dish "would be" good hangover food - you know, in theory. Whose quickfire dish would you want to eat if you were hungover?
How did you feel about Nigella as a guest judge?
What casino do you think would be hardest to base a dish around?
Kevin's dish looked great, but can anyone explain what it had to do with the Mirage?
Why do you think Jennifer has seemingly lost so much of her confidence?
With all the focus on Bryan's son and family life, did you think he might get kicked off?
Isn't it odd that the remaining guys are sharing a room? Shouldn't they be able to spread out by now?
What was up with the wind in that party venue?
Are buffalo wings something you associate with New York City? What iconic NYC food would you riff on in Michael's position?
How do you feel about who won and lost?

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Yummy Links: From Cranberry Bars to Drink Sticks

partysugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:50:34 -0800

Make your own Starbucks-style cranberry bliss bars. - Serious Eats
An inside look at New York's Top Chef season seven casting call. - Eater NY
Speaking of Top Chef casting calls, here's what the head of casting has to say. - Andrew Zimmern
Why you should give Spanish paprika a try. - The Atlantic
Jay Leno does his best impression of Gordon Ramsay. - Eat Me Daily
Feeling adventurous this Thanksgiving? Then learn how to deep-fry a turkey. - Chow
Catch up with Top Chef season three alum Chris CJ Jacobson. - Grub Street LA
At your next party, serve cocktails with homemade swizzle sticks. - Hostess With the Mostess

Top Chef Reunion Dinner: Did You Watch?

partysugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:30:43 -0800

The latest season of Top Chef was put on hold last night and instead of the regularly scheduled programming, Bravo brought us a little special. An all-star dinner hosted by season 5 fan favorite and upcoming reality star, Fabio Viviani. The best and most infamous competitors from the first five seasons of Top Chef gathered in Los Angeles to eat and relive their TC histories. Did you watch? Want to discuss? You know what to do: read more.

How fabulous was the intro? So fun to see the chefs now and then!
What with all the spinoffs, I can't help but wonder: Why doesn't Bravo do a Top Chef best of the best? And pit the final three chefs from the first 5 seasons against one another?
Who were you most excited to see? I didn't realize how much I missed Carla!
Has your opinion of any of the chefs changed?
Do you think the conversation was force fed by the producers?
What season did you start watching Top Chef?
What was your favorite line? Mine was when Harold said, "The Top Chef knife block needs to be napalmed, in my opinion."
How cute were Marcel and Ilan when they were grocery shopping?
What did you think of Fabio as the host?
Overall, did you enjoy the special?

Yummy Links: From Top Chef's Finale to Spanish Chorizo

partysugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:50:08 -0800

The finale of Top Chef Vegas was recently filmed in Napa Valley. - Eater
The New Yorker get to know Los Angeles restaurant critic Jonathan Gold. - Grub Street NY
Ubuntu, Napa's vegetarian darling of a restaurant, may start serving meat. - SF Foodie
Thirteen individuals who are making waves in the food industry. - Chow
One Houston restaurant critic has dropped his anonymity. - Eat Me Daily
What your beer says about you. - Serious Eats
Spanish chorizo adds a richness and flavor to everything it touches. - The Epi-Log

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Top Chef Quiz: Meat Natalie

partysugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:15:41 -0700

On the most recent Top Chef, the cheftestants were invited to cook in Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak restaurant, only instead of making steaks, they created vegetarian dishes for Natalie Portman. Did you watch? More importantly, were you paying attention? Find out now and take the quiz!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

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Top Chef Vegas: Episode 10

partysugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:30:24 -0700

Things are winding down on the sixth season of Top Chef Vegas. After last night's episode only six cheftestants remain. Instead of a guest judge that's a chef, the actress Natalie Portman decides the fate of the competitors. It was all about vegetarian food. Did you watch? Let's discuss it after the break.

Bravo Turns to Pastry For Next Top Chef Spinoff

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:15:59 -0700

First Top Chef Junior, then Top Chef Masters , Top Chef Wine, and Top Chef, the Magazine. What's next: Top Chef Desserts? Actually, yes. This week, Bravo begins casting calls for a new TC spinoff airing in 2010, Top Chef: Just Desserts. In a move that means year-round Top Chef programming, the show will feature pastry chefs living together and facing off in - you guessed it! - a weekly elimination. No word yet on who the host or judges will be.

Calling pastry "a different skill," Bravo exec Frances Berwick added, "We're finding people really love this franchise, and there seems to be no end to the interest in it." Really? I beg to differ and, like PartySugar, I am tiring of the Top Chef brand - not to mention all the cake competitions that have become so prolific on TV.

What say you? Will you watch Top Chef: Just Desserts?

Photos courtesy of Bravo