That entire meal from each team looked like below average BBQ. And that is being kind. There was Nearly Zero effort to think outside the box and cook something special. Beer can chicken? Really? That's your flavor profile? At least the one team did some Asian flavors.

I think part of the problem is the challenges aren't really that inventive. Do they REALLY need to make them cook for 300 people in every challenge? But even if we are going to have team catering challenges each week, the Judges should be really ripping into these guys for their lack of innovation and creativity.

Imagine the meal "McBeard" from a couple of seasons back would have made in this challenge. Could you see one of the Voltaggio Brothers slapping a soggy rib on a paper plate like that? There wasn't a single item in this last challenge that made me think: "I want to go to that Chef's Restaurant"

Yeah that's a big factor in how mediocre some of these dishes have been. They're relegated to doing buffet food.

This is a big part of the reason I liked last week's episode and challenge so much more. They were free to cook what they wanted instead of a steak or BBQ buffet.

He is the chef and owner of a really good restaurant and was a finalist for the Best Chef Award--Southeast from the James Beard Foundation. He has been inconsistent at times, but you can tell he is an amazing chef.

Can't wait for Men vs. Women Restaurant Wars. Let the cat fights begin!

I thought this in the beginning and went along with it when either Paul / Ed said that any elegance was going out the window for this challenge. But, it's BBQ ... everything is low & slow right?

Seems they should've had plenty of time to come up with inventive / unique sauces / flavors when everything was just chilling on the grill / in the smoker.

Which is what you and I would expect from "Top Chefs"

...unfortunately it seemed like the guests were just randoms looking for BBQ.

Also, I've been to Austin. Great food town. But even better Live Music Town. Those are the two acts their location scouts find to give a chance to represent Austin? You can find better bands in a random Bar on 6th Street on a typical Monday.

Meh. I'm in a grunch mood.

Huh - I thought Ed was trying to help Beverly with the vacuum seal thing? Korean solidarity and whatnot? Did I misinterpret?

Anyway agree Ed is kind of a curmudgeon, but that doesn't make me root for him less.

• To be fair to the rats the challenge was fairly restrictive. if they'd simply specified BBQ we might have seem beef ribs, sausage, lamb etc, but they didn't, they said they wanted traditional Texas pork ribs / brisket & chicken (until judge's table of course, then the judges went off the rails as usual, I found it funny that 2 New Yorkers, a Canadian and a Seattle wannabe were defining BBQ ).
• I don't care who you are, if you've never done a packer brisket before odds are you're going to screw it up.
• I was surprised nobody picked back ribs since they are a little easier to manage on an open pit than spares.

Just watched it again. It's quick, and probably borderline, but mostly just appears to be an extension of him being the head honcho most of the time and doesn't want anyone getting in his way.

You can tell Grayson was upset that Chris left they are definitely banging. And Grayson gets hotter each week imo.

haha, Malibu Chris definitely grew on me over time, so if true, good for him!




I think the brutal Top Chef schedule and related stress is causing her to lose a bit of weight - she really does look better and better each week imo

maybe she just isn't eating as much away from her kitchen/restaurant.

I think the liquid calories might be our girl's problem.

shane - very good read - she is a self proclaimed beer girl...