Top Chef: New York

Long time no write, oh well. The new Top Chef series inspired me to begin blogging again.

The first challenge is incredible. I love the relay race element of the "Skills tournament" of it that culminates in cooking. I can't help but think about how Hung would have destroyed these contestants in the knife skills, though.

I need to rewatch the episode, but why do Patrick and lauren say they just reconnected? What are they long lost fiances or something? I mean, its nice to see an old friend, but they could just exchange cell phones and keep in touch. Such melodrama so early. I can't help but feel bad for any person who gets eliminated in the first episode of a reality show. They get such crap forever for being the "worst" even though they are incredibly talented (probably). They don't even get the face recognition of being on the show!

This incredible NY pad continues the trend of making the first season look like "Top Chef on a budget." San Francisco must have had places as large as this place in NY. It's just ludicrous that in such a high rent city, they could fit Season 1's entire house in Season 5's foyer. Well here's to Padma instead of Katie and hitting it big with new sponsors and ratings. My first Top Chef love will always be Harold though.

Okay, so already chefs are nervous saying they've never cooked Indian - or the dude who said he hadn't used a paring knife. Am I the only one who finds this kind of stuff unexcusable? Haven't they seen the previous series? Basic knife and cooking skills are tested throughout the competition. Versatility across ethnicities, across ingredients etc are important. And if someone says they don't have at least two desserts in mind, I might scream. Seriously, microwave connoisseur that I am, even *I* know some basic things I would work on before going on this show. At bare minimum, I'd take the previous 4 seasons challenges and try to do them all on my own, but whatever. Maybe I should make a guide book consisting of the criticisms of all the judges and previous challenges. It'd be a "judge philosophy" book for chefs!

one of these women reminds me of Tiffany because she's a bit stand offish and seems very focused on cooking and winning. Mostly, her comment about liking to cook in silence reminded me of Tiffany freaking out in the kitchen and asking everyone to be quiet.

Okay, so winning the first one may or may not mean winning TC according to them, but as we've discussed, the REAL factor is not winning the first elimination but winning my affection. (Yeah, last season disproves that - oh Ryan - so pretty, so not talented enough). I like Gene and Jeff, though. They're cute!

Ok but the elimination challenge - the judges were ridiculously rough. Not one of them learned by using recipes in a book? All of them by experience? really? not a single book? I find that hard to imagine. And, the expectation that if one is in New Jersey they should be able to see all parts of NYC? They've gotten harsher and meaner.

Also, Patrick was robbed. The judges table is very inconsistent - I thought basic culinary sins were worse than not having inspiration? I wish they had an actual rubric set up.

A total aside, Top Design was not that awesome this season but oh my goodness was the finale a debauchery. Perfect Preston should have won!