Top Chef, Season 3: Episode 11
I actually watched Top Chef as it aired last night. I will say that as the numbers start to dwindle it does become more interesting to “Watch What Happens”.
I once again was able to predict who was going to get cut. Maybe I am jaded, or just watch too much TV, but whenever the producers and editors show some of these interviews, you begin to be able to predict the outcome. As CJ sat there saying how he was excited to go to New York City, because that is where he needed to be and as he spoke about realizing that he needed to start shooting for the culinary stars, I began saying my good-byes.
I am offering up a challenge next week. I am going to watch it as it airs and after the first 15 minutes see if I can predict the loser of the night. I wonder if I can set aside my personal favorites for what will probably happen. I must admit that when Tre left I knew that it was going to happen, but I kept hoping that the judges would happily surprise me.
Oh, speaking of Tre, I guess that there is some good news out there for him and his career, but the word is that they are trying not to have it leak out until the Top Chef Reunion Show. Also, don’t forget to vote for your Fan Favorite. From now until September 25th you can vote via text message or on-line for your Favorite Top Chef. The winning chef wins $10,000 and each time you enter you are placed in a sweepstakes to win a dinner for you and 10 friends prepared by the winner of Top Chef Miami.
It was great having Anthony Bourdain back. He can be so ruthless, as he fairly admits. I enjoy his thoughts of the final five and agree that the true shocker will be if Brian can actually make it through another week:
It’s down to five. Casey, in spite of the dismaying “onion incident”, continues to come on strong. The talented, mercurial, possibly jacked-on-Fresca Hung remains entirely unpredictable. At this point, it’s impossible to tell which Hung will show up on any given day: the Crunchberry Kid, Elroy Jetson, or the mature classicist. Whether knocking others down like ten pins in his rush for the tempura flakes, laughing goofily like some character from an old Warner Brothers cartoon, or sneering at the guest judge, he’s still a triple threat. Dale’s competence and intelligence continue to serve him well. Behind somewhat in the creativity sweepstakes, he’ll need some Ilan-style luck to go all the way (meaning someone else will have to screw up.)
Sarah, something of a dark horse candidate, hangs on. Her offering this last challenge was a disaster — but not an entirely disgraceful one. She was, at least, referencing Provencale and Moroccan flavors — albeit with an inappropriately oily, cold water fish. If she’d dialed way back on the anise, leaned heavier on the garlic, completely re-thought the cous-cous and swapped a less oily, white fleshed fish for the salmon, her dish could have been quite nice. So she is hardly without hope. Brian, though, is leaking blood in the water. He can no longer run. Nor can he hide.
2 opinions for Top Chef, Season 3: Episode 11
Mary Jo Manzanares
Sep 13, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Top Chef is the only reality show that I’ve ever watched, and I love it!
But — read why I don’t think this week’s episode was reality at all:
http://www.flyawaycafe.com/top-chef-airline-food/
Predicting Top Chef
Sep 19, 2007 at 10:23 am
[...] gave myself a challenge last week, and I intend to follow through. I must admit that I am in my infancy when it comes to my food [...]
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