Top Chef - Page 23 - OOTV -- Two Plus Two Poker Forums

Padma can rock any outfit. Denim, leather, red fur jacket, you name it.

I don't dislike Gail Simmons but have to laugh at her sometimes. It is just something about the way she phrases things ("the radiccio failed to honor the truffle") that I just find over the top in a humorous, rich-white-lady way.

I'm a big fan of some of the ex contestants as judges especially Richard Blais and Brooke. I also love Stephanie from Top Chef Chicago, such a good chef and seems like an awesomely cool and down to earth person.

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06-08-2020 , 08:44 PM

#552

REDeYeS00

always sloppy

Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 23,142

yeah, Gail tends to review things like a cookbook author (which she is) and not a chef (which she isn't).

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06-12-2020 , 10:22 PM

#553

charder30

formerly known as zj123

Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 27,426

This final 4 is tailor made for Stephanies strengths. I think shes clearly a step below the other 3 but she is very good at making pasta dishes. Melissa still the favorite though imo but Voltaggio could easily win as well. Should be a good final.

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06-13-2020 , 12:04 AM

#554

REDeYeS00

always sloppy

Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 23,142

obv Melissa’s to lose, but she’s been so damn consistent that it makes me wonder if she has an off day in her soon. Steph has the confidence building and could take it down. Voltaggio is a distant third at this point but could surprise in the end.
I just hope they all cook their best dishes in the end.

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06-16-2020 , 09:46 AM

#555

orange

Guest

Posts: n/a

Agreed on Melissa being the favorite, she's also cooking extremely well lately and has won the last 3 challenges. That said, I also agree with these challenges and environments favoring Stephanie. I feel like it'd be quite the upset if Stephanie won given the entire season...but who knows.

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06-16-2020 , 09:11 PM

#556

REDeYeS00

always sloppy

Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 23,142

the wildcard is the way they set up the finale with past contestants serving as part of the team. i really wish they would just let the three finalists cook their own food by themselves and not let other outside influences have the potential to impact the final results.

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06-16-2020 , 10:46 PM

#557

KDawg

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 21,002

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDeYeS88

But it’s always been: draft in your sous chefs for this.

I legit have no clue how each chef on their own would be able to execute a multi-course meal without at least one and preferably two sous’

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06-16-2020 , 10:52 PM

#558

REDeYeS00

always sloppy

Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 23,142

Understand it’s always been that way, I would just prefer the finale was chef on chef and not dependent on other people’s skill and/or degree of actually giving a ****.

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06-16-2020 , 10:57 PM

#559

El Rata

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 31,720

whoever picks gregory is going to win

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06-16-2020 , 11:22 PM

#560

REDeYeS00

always sloppy

Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 23,142

don’t disagree and that’s kinda my point. big advantage to have him on your team.

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06-16-2020 , 11:49 PM

#561

housenuts

1st Quartiled the 500

Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 50,079

No sous for every other ep, don't know why they need one for the final

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06-17-2020 , 10:43 AM

#562

trontron

old hand

Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,851

in fan of having a sous, but bring in more than just 3 people so that the finalist can pick someone they actually want to work with! with just 3 people, the luck of the draw plays a huge role and i think that's unworthy of a finale.

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06-17-2020 , 11:43 AM

#563

KDawg

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 21,002

Quote:

Originally Posted by housenuts

No sous for every other ep, don't know why they need one for the final

Because they are doing multiple courses for a whole dining room. That **** is tough! I’ve done wholesale and retail in the hospitality business and asked several friends who’ve been line cooks and sous chefs. They all said it would be a complete mess to attempt a meal solo on the scale of a top chef final. Basically you need sous chefs in that.

Getting Gregory wouldn’t actually mean you’re winning. You want to bring in people you trust and people that are beasts with prep and knife skills. There are plenty of options there from the eliminated chefs

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06-17-2020 , 11:45 AM

#564

housenuts

1st Quartiled the 500

Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 50,079

I guess if that's the case, then maybe change how the final operates such that they don't need sous'?

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06-17-2020 , 11:48 AM

#565

KDawg

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Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 21,002

If you can’t properly tell a sous how to execute a dish, you shouldn’t be top chef. These are all executive chefs, they should know how to work it

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06-17-2020 , 01:19 PM

#566

dedmau5

adept

Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 970

Being a great chef involves more than just cooking. Chef literally means "chief" as in leader or boss. Designing a menu, making sure it's executable, and that it can be delivered at scale by leading other cooks through a service are the responsibilities of a chef. The contestants had to demonstrate these skills throughout in the partner, team and restaurant wars challenges. Doing anything different in the finale would pretty much miss the point.

The only thing that I would change would be that they are allowed to bring in at least one of their own team. I believe they did that in Top Chef Masters and the results were pretty stellar.

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06-17-2020 , 01:22 PM

#567

dedmau5

adept

Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 970

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDawg

If you can’t properly tell a sous how to execute a dish, you shouldn’t be top chef. These are all executive chefs, they should know how to work it

Stephanie is not an executive chef, but rather a personal chef. Of all the contestants this season she was the only one who had no experience running a kitchen. I think this puts her at a decided disadvantage in the finale. OTOH, she is currently cooking great food and has a lot of confidence.

The difference in her demeanor between when she is cooking well and when she is struggling is remarkable. She absolutely beams when she knows she nailed it, which has been happening a lot lately. Early on in the season she was the cooking equivalent of Debbie Downer.

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06-17-2020 , 01:41 PM

#568

KDawg

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 21,002

Quote:

Originally Posted by dedmau5

The only thing that I would change would be that they are allowed to bring in at least one of their own team. I believe they did that in Top Chef Masters and the results were pretty stellar.

I'd love to see them do this. Some sort of familiarity with their main person would hopefully see some really great stuff put out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dedmau5

my bad, I forgot that with stephanie. She has been in enough professional kitchens to know how it all works out (though iirc where her and Kristen Kish worked it was more of a constant experimental kitchen? I could be wrong). That or if she can draft Karen, I would imagine that Karen's experience and relationship with Stephanie would be big for her (stephanie)

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06-19-2020 , 12:56 AM

#569

SarcasticRat

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Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,774

Really nice end to a great season. The right person definitely won and I knew it was over when that old guy started crying. That has to be the GOAT single season performance adjusting for competition, right?

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06-19-2020 , 07:04 AM

#570

brianr

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,680

Hard to top Michael V in season 6, but I agree this was an amazing season and great win.

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06-19-2020 , 10:14 PM

#571

housenuts

1st Quartiled the 500

Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 50,079

Fun season. 0/3 in finales for Bryan, poor guy.

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06-20-2020 , 09:27 AM

#572

Liverpool

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 7,079

Was pulling for Bryan but Melissa is a deserved winner. Great season all around.

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06-20-2020 , 11:38 AM

#573

Suigin406

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Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 27,242

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liverpool

Was pulling for Bryan but Melissa is a deserved winner. Great season all around.

Spoiler:

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06-20-2020 , 02:16 PM

#574

Melkerson

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11,106

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianr

Hard to top Michael V in season 6, but I agree this was an amazing season and great win.

I think she actually did top that Voltaggio win. Most dominant performance I can remember and her competition all brought their A-games as well.

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06-23-2020 , 11:50 PM

#575

orange

Guest

Posts: n/a

Agreed, a great season and a deserving winner. Melissa definitely seemed to have the most interesting and creative food given her theme in the finale. She seemed dominant compared to some the more recent winners.

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