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Blog entry by Amy Hanek

Last night, no one felt the pressure of Top Chef’s finale more than Stefan.

First he was a little lonely for his Euro-buddy, Fabio. And to tell you the truth, I was a little bored, without my favorite Italian there to feed me one-liners. Beignets and Café Au Lait on the Creole Queen – bo-ring!

But then, Tom informed the three remaining cheftestants that their final challenge would be to make the best 3-course meal of their life. And that sous chefs from past-seasons would help. Marcel (from season 2) joined Stefan, Casey (from season 3) joined Carla and Richard (from season 4) joined Hosea. My ears perked up a little.

I did, however, completely forget about Fabio as Stefan and Hosea began fighting over food like a couple of third-graders.

First, Stefan wanted two of the three fois gras. Hosea had them first and stood his ground. He told Stefan he would give him half (one and a half for each). Stefan huffed angrily and told Hosea to forget it. What? Did self-deserving-Stefan feel he deserved more than half? And I thought Hosea was being nice. I mean, he grabbed those birds first. This IS the finale.

Then, Stefan pointed out that Hosea had ALL the Caviar. Well Hosea learned his lesson with the fois gras. Practically ignoring Stefan, he didn’t offer him anything. You GO Hosea!

Then, on day two, the final day for these final three, Tom threw a curveball – of course.

Red fish, crab and alligator were handed over as main ingredients to be used in an additional hors d’ oeuvre. To decide who would get what, the chefs had to look for a baby baked inside a king cake. Hosea was declared king as he produced the small, plastic baby. And I think we all cheered a little for Hosea as he took the redfish for himself, gave Carla the crab and gave Stefan that alligator (or as Stefan would say, “s**t stick”).

My hopes for Carla ran high as she dodged one bullet after another. Then, poor, poor Carla let Casey tell her what to do. Now, I think we can all agree, that Casey is a very proficient chef, but just doesn’t know how to bring the love into her food. So, the judges all noticed the difference in Carla’s version of meat and potatoes. And we were all disappointed.

Hosea used Richard’s blackberry garnish, which the judges didn’t like either. But it was just a garnish, so he wasn’t heavily penalized. So, at the end of the day, it seemed that these three sous chefs were only good for taking orders from their chefs. Nothing else. 

Stefan made a fabulous alligator soup and served a fantastic squab with his small fois gras but dug his own hole with a dessert that Gail dated back to 1982. It looked to me like something you could put together from a dessert buffet. Not very relevant.

But Hosea finished his meal with venison. And Toby wondered several times if dessert shouldn’t be the correct ending to any meal. I got a little angry as Toby harped on this point over and over. Who felt that Toby was pushing the Stefan-ticket a little too much in the end? (I’m raising my hand).

So, among Carla’s regretful tears, Hosea pulled out the final win, making him the Top Chef for season 5. Yay Hosea!

Next week, the chefs answer questions, but I will tune in for just one question. Are Leah and Hosea together now? Part of me would love to see their on-screen heat transcend off-screen, but I also get the feeling that Hosea is too good for Leah. Especially now that he is the Top Chef.

Blog entry by Amy Hanek
 
I've been drinking coffee ALL day. And it's because I don't want to fall asleep in front of Top Chef tonight. Sure, I could tape the show and catch up on what I missed in the morning, but it's the finale!!
 
There's been a little debate lately over the integrity of those Bravo producers and the judges decisions. And I'm not naive to the fact that food may not always be the determining factor here. But, I still believe that as cream rises to the top, so will the obvious winner tonight.
 
As a fan of girl-power to the end and Carla's ingredient of love in everything she makes, I have to shout out, "Hootie-Hoo!" But who knows?
 
I also wonder if anyone out there whipping up something special to snack on tonight? I mean, food and food kinda go together. If you are, email me a pic or description of your offerings at: hanekja@jetbroadband.com. I'd love to post them tomorrow!
 
Until then, Hootie-Hoo!!

Blog entry by Amy Hanek
 
Last night, our New York cheftestants arrived to New Orleans anxious to cook up a storm large enough to rival Hurricane Katrina. But instead, they were faced with a leisurely afternoon meal with Emeril Lagasse.
 
Of course the big wow was that three of the winningest chefs, already eliminated, were doing the cooking.
 
Leah, Jeff and Jamie were given a chance to take one of the final three spots and even win the whole ball of wax. Fabio seemed especially peeved with this arrangement.
 
I fully expected a few chefs to ring out a "BAM" or two as they rushed through this quickfire. At the very least, it would've made good TV. And I have to wonder, if only Hosea and Leah had been on again. Maybe there would've been enough heat in her food? But no. Jeff pushed through, leaving the girls behind. Buh-bye Jamie and Leah.
 
Jeff won with his own version of that southern-style trendy dish, shrimp and grits. But he replaced the shrimp with crawfish, of course. Most of all, he impressed Emeril with his ability to "bring the heat."
 
Next, the five cheftestants went to a warehouse called, Mardis Gras World. While surrounded by this year's parade floats, they were informed they'd be whipping up two dishes and one cocktail for a masquerade ball. And if making it into the top three weren't enough motivation, the winning chef would also win a brand new Toyota (can you say "major product placement?"). I think Fabio was drooling a little.
 
Staying true to tradition, the most popular dishes were gumbo and beignets. And while watching I wondered, would the judges considered this boring or uncreative? And could any of these chefs REALLY pull it off?
 
In the end, Stefan's gumbo and apple beignet lacked soul and depth (go figure) and he and Fabio risked packing their knives. Jeff didn't win with his own pot de crème and fried oyster, so he had to leave.
 
Carla and Hosea came out of nowhere with winning flavor combinations. Hosea made a gumbo that Emeril approved of (the secret's in the roux) and fried catfish. Hosea only really showed creativity in his catfish. He used sweet potatoes, creating a surprising layer of flavor that agreed with the judges.
 
Carla really called it with her Tortoise and the Hare story. She came out of nowhere with her "soul food." And most of all, she won a Toyota. She made an oyster stew with shrimp and andouille beignets. So for those Carla fans out there - yay!
 
I couldn't believe Fabio was sent packing. And at 11:15 last night, Team Euro was no more. 
 
Maybe it's his adorable dimples, or funny way of saying things, but I really wanted Fabio to stay. Emeril just didn't think his Italian-infused Creole creations were hot enough. That's find, as long as Emeril isn't making a judgement on how hot Fabio is. Because he'd be very wrong.
 
And Stefan. Well, he may be a talented chef, but very cocky. Even Tom called him on his over-confident attitude. It would've been nice to see him pack those knives and go. Still, it may just be a matter of time. Two weeks in a row, he's faced the judges and the possibility of elimination.
 
What do you think? Did Jeff deserve to stay anyway? I think it was a little unfair that he had to win the elimination challenge to stick around. And he was so close. But I was thrilled to see Carla win it for all the girls.

If you are interested in the inside scoop about Leah and Hosea's kiss on Top Chef, and what the fallout was for her when she got home to her boyfriend, check this out.

Special thanks to blog reader Debbie for sending along this link. I was right -- Leah was ready to go home some time ago.

Blog entry by Amy Hanek
 
Can you believe that we're down to just five cheftestants already? And that this episode will the be the last in New York?
 
The quickfire challenge began with well-known molecular gastronomist, Wylie Dufrense. And as an average foodie, I heard molecular gastronomy and thought immediately of Marcel from season 4 (I think). With his wild hair and quirky personality, he always reminded me of Mr. Heat-Miser from Christmas special fame. But I digress.
 
Wylie asked these final five chefs to use eggs to make breakfast for him. But they had to incorporate molecular gastronomy into their dishes. Carla brought the love (again) with her Dr. Suess-inspired dish, Green Eggs and Ham. I think the other chefs chuckled as she whipped up her spinach-infused eggs. But when she was proclaimed the winner, she probably wondered, who's laughing now?
 
On to the main challenge: The Last Supper.
 
First off, did anyone notice the very long table with Chef Jacques Pepin planted right in the middle, like Jesus? And for each of the cheftestants to cook for some really great chefs somehow proved that their greatness in the kitchen could transcend easily outside the show.
 
I really felt kind of bored as I tuned in, yet another week, even though the show is coming to a close. But when Fabio broke his finger and Stefan overcooked the Salmon, I sat up and really took notice. I'm even beginning to wonder if any of this is scripted. And if I'm really just tuning in to another soap opera called, "As the Chef Dices." Throw in Carla's theater training and her unforgettable one-liners and you have a pretty entertaining hour of television.
 
In the end Fabio finally won a challenge with his Roasted Chicken. Jacques Pepin acted as guest judge in the final elimination. It was nice to see the simple foods were recognized. I think Fabio's chicken outdid Carla's squab. But her peas were a thing of beauty. I was glad to see Fabio not only win a challenge for once, but with a broken finger.
 
Now, I didn't catch all of what Fabio said when it broke, but it was something like, "I'll just chop it off and sear it on the flat top to stop the bleeding. And tomorrow I'll go to the hospital and they can sew it back on." Priceless.
 
I'd post a recipe, but the website won't allow me to grab links of the actual recipes (darn it).
 
Stefan, Leah and Hosea faced going home and I was glad to see it was Leah in the end. I think she's a pretty good chef, but falls apart inside just before reaching greatness. I mean undercooked eggs? It's too bad. She really has some great skills, most of the time.
 
This was probably for the best. I'm not sure how she'd fair in New Orleans with her co-chef, Hosea. Because there, they will have to... bring the heat!
 
So, what do you think? Do think Stefan should have gone home with his overcooked Salmon? Or Hosea with his lifeless tomato provencal? I glimpsed Emeril in the previews of next week's episode and look forward to his personality mixed with those crazy Euros. And Carla. She'll have to remember to pack that love up with her knives.

Blog entry by Amy Hanek

I can't believe there are only six cheftestants left. The season's coming close to the end. So close, I can almost smell it. Or was that the fish from last night's challenges?

The quickfire challenge began with the guest judge - absolutely charming and adorable, Chef Eric Ripert. What a doll. And next to Toby Young, Ripert comes off as a really, really nice guy.

Ripert is all about the fish. But his genius-menu isn't just in the flavors or design. It's in the knife skills needed to filet any type of fish. Big or small. With perfection.

Carla's "wee" sardine was massacred, and Jamie made an amateur-at-best attempt. And wouldn't you know it? Ripert kept smiling and only pointed out the positive. And he had me. I thought, this guy's actually nice. I guess I'll always be a sucker for a really nice guy in chef whites.

Then we find out that Stefan grew up filleting... eel? Already I'm getting a little TMI (too much information). Yuck!! And once again, Stefan's European background (and very weird childhood) will result in his winning the quickfire challenge. Big surprise.

On to lunch. At least everyone thought so. But by now, these chefs should know that there are no free lunches. After six courses (that's a LOT of seafood!!!), and oohing and aahing, the six remaining chefs are told they will be recreating these dishes themselves. Most faces were like, "say wha?"

In the end, Fabio, Stefan and Carla (you go girl) rose to the top, making the job of choosing a winner very difficult. But Padma called it when she said to Chef Ripert that Stefan's "dangerously nipping at your heels." I knew. I knew that once again, The-Great-Stefan had sewn it up.

And Jamie, who floundered (pun intended) with her dish from start to finish, went home. So sadly, Team Rainbow is no more.

 

I was a little disappointed. Jamie carries more expertise to her dishes than Leah and has a much, much better attitude. If Leah rolls her eyes one more at the judges.... well, she should be thankful to still be around. That's all. I mean she's really messed up a lot lately.

 

On a side note, did anyone notice that Tom's tie was almost identical to Ripert's? It looked as if they'd been out shopping together. Awwww. That's so cute!

 

Also, I noticed that Bravo has opened their online polls for this season's "fan favorite." Anyone have any ideas? Do you like Fabio's sexy broken English or Carla's peppy personality? Does Stefan somehow make you smile (it could happen) or do Hosea and Leah's love transcend from your TV into your living room?

 

Any of the already eliminated contestants are eligible to win too. Even Patrick, who didn't make it into a TC kitchen. Will anyone vote for him? I seem to remember him being kinda sweet, I think.

 

Here's the link for your official vote: http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/fan-favorite

 

 

Blog by Amy Hanek
 
Kicking off a Superbowl themed Top Chef this week, Padma places an obvious product placement into the show with her Quaker Oats Quickfire challenge on football squares. Each of the remaining seven chefs pick a square, assigning them a duo of ingredients - all of which include oats. Scott Conant, the owner of Scarpetta (an Italian restaurant) is the guest judge this week.
 
And I think Fabio is smitten, just a little. So, when Conant doesn't return those feelings toward Fabio's food, Fabio takes offense.
 
In the end, Fabio, Leah and Jeff "fumble" this challenge and Stefan (big surprise) wins with a banana mousse with oats and oat almond petit fours, making this his 5th win in a row. Carla presents a little foreshadowing with her comment that Jeff just can't "quiet the creative monkeys" and needs to simplify.
 
On to the main event - a Top Chef Bowl.
 
This Superbowl-style elimination challenge brings back more All Stars from past seasons. In no particular order they are: Spike (season 4), Andrew (season 4), Josie (season 2), Andrea (season 1), Camille (season 3), Nikki (season 4) and Miguel (season 1).
 
Because Stefan won the Quickfire Challenge he gets to choose what team's city he will represent and who he will cook against from the All Stars. Stefan chooses Dallas and Andrea. Fabio speculates that his European buddy chose the nuts and grains girl, assuming he has this challenge sewn up. More foreshadowing?
 
After over two hours of cooking, 20 minutes at a time, the Home Team (season 5) wins the team challenge against the All Stars - 37 to 33. It was close. And only made closer with the losers, Jeff, Fabio and Stefan.
 
Say Wha?
 
I couldn't believe both Europeans and Jeff made it to the losing end of this competition. And it's a good thing their egos deflated a little with the loss. I don' think all three would've fit into the room together, otherwise. Especially Stefan's.
 
Carla brought her love to the table this week, with her 20-minute gumbo, representing New Orleans (VERY risky) and won two Super Bowl tickets for this weekend's game. Lucky girl. Here's her recipe for those cooking along at home: http://recipes.mt.bravotv.com/top_chef/season_5_1/episode_10_2/crayfish_and_andouille_gumbo.php
 
Jeff was told his ceviche just didn't pack enough flavor and was sent home to Miami. He blamed those "creative monkeys" on his way out the door.
 
This episode woke me up a little as the tables turned for most of the chefs.
 
Maybe Stefan and Fabio can incorporate humble pie onto their plates next week. It'll be interesting to see.

Blog entry by Amy Hanek

Last night I tuned in for Top Chef from a condo in Fort Myers, FL. My family and I are on a vacation, trying to escape the cold VA weather. And I'm freezing this morning anyway (temps are in the low thirties).

Anyway, when in Fort Myers, I'm always sure to indulge in the local phenom - Norman Love Chocolates. I snacked on them while watching Top Chef last night. And yes, they are as good as they look.

Because I missed the last two weeks of Top Chef, I hadn't met the newest judge, Toby Young. And after reading Nona and Lindsey's post, I expected a little more arrogance. I'm wondering if some of his rudeness is being edited out to keep viewers from turning the channel to "Lost" or "American Idol" in disgust.

So, the much anticipated Restaurant Wars kicked off last night with the introduction of guest judge, Steven Starr. Starr made it clear to the chefs by explaining, "It's not just about the food..." If only everyone had listened. These ominous words rang true at judges table later.

Offering up their restaurant concepts and a tasting to Starr, the eight remaining chefs vied for a chance to run their own restaurant, or not. Jamie, one of the more honest ones admitted what quite a few might have been thinking - "I don't think I want to win this challenge."

Fabio staked his claim as usual with his gutsy remark about restaurant wars, "In love and war you are allowed to do everything." And he follows through with that later. When Starr passes on Stefan's "lunch concept," complete with a prime rib sandwich (not a cheesesteak), Fabio and Stefan plan a European takeover anyway.

It was disappointing to watch Leah's Asian concept get lost in translation as she and Hosea hooked up. I even wonder if she wasn't smooching on Hosea long before now, but had just been caught this week. The couple have been chummy for a while.

Anyway, Leah can cry distraction while undercooking her Black Cod this week. But next week, she better start worrying about the competition at hand and not the cute chef in the next room, or she'll be hitting the road.

I wish Radhika had risen to the challenge too. She had a great "foreward thinking concept" according to Starr with her "Old Spice Trade" concept. And it all fell to pieces when she gave no direction at all. When push came to shove, she hid in the kitchen, instead of wooing those guests out front.

If it weren't for Fabio and Stefan (men we all love to hate), both restaurants would have been almost complete disasters.

And as Starr said in the beginning, "It's not just about the food..." Fabio became the saving grace for "Sunset Lounge" with his front of the house skills. This forced "Sahana" into the losing category. And Carla and Radhika on the chopping blocks.

Carla's desserts fell to pieces when her cake didn't measure up and the freezers weren't able to freeze her yogurt correctly. And yet, Stefan won the entire challenge with his Ginger and Lemongrass Panna Cotta - found here:
http://recipes.mt.bravotv.com/top_chef/season_5_1/episode_9_2/ginger_and_lemongrass_panna_cotta.php

And his freezers weren't working either.

Stefan's philosophy: "You fix stuff."

Carla's philosophy: Exclaim, "It's a hot mess" and then give it (the food) some love.

Guess which one worked.

My favorite one-liner from Toby Young was, "the couscous tasted like dishwater." I have to wonder if he's speaking from experience.

But, I think my favorite one-liner all night came from one of the diners when asked about the Sunset Lounge's first course (an amuse busche). While commenting, "It amused my busche" I can only assume she was a victim of Fabio's wooing.

Starr awarded a GE suite of appliances (more product placement) to Stefan for winning over the hearts of his restaurant's guests with his stellar desserts and Radhika was sent packing for hiding in the kitchen most of the night.

Bye bye, Ariane

The latest episode of Top Chef reminds me of why I am simultaneously intoxicated and embarassed by the show. Watching the contestants work with all that beautiful local food at Stone Barns = intoxicating. Hearing this new judge, Toby Young, actually use the phrase, "The pesto is the Big Bad Wolf that blows this house down" = embarassing.

But the show started far from the shining gold tomatoes and fresh pork belly of the farm -- in fact, on the opposite side of the spectrum. The Quickfire Challenge gave the contestants a pile of canned and processed foods from which to prepare a dandy dish in just 15 minutes. Why the need for speed? The guest judge on the challenge was Season 3 winner Hung, the inhuman speed machine.

It was during this challenge when Ken Doll Jeff stopped being so attractive to me: "Padma reveals a pile of garbage... Jesus Christ, what a mess," he says when the canned and processed products are unveiled. I wouldn't exactly call artichokes and garbanzo beans "garbage," Ken Doll. Lots of people would be happy to have those things in their cupboard. The housewife remark right after that only made matters worse, but he did redeem himself some with those golden-fried conch nuggets with a pina colada side. If I could try any of the Quickfire dishes right now, it would be Fabio's artichoke and chili pepper macaroni and cheese. Yum.

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Does every television competition show have to have a snarky British judge? Every single one?

Food critic and author Toby Young, who is known for his harsh criticism, joined the judges table on last night's episode of "Top Chef," just in time for a double elimination challenge. Guess the "spirit of the holidays" has left the kitchen.

Young replaces Gail Simmons for the rest of the season, who I guess is off getting married and honeymooning, etc. Congrats, Gail, have fun, but come back to work soon, 'k?

Last night's Quickfire Challenge was amusing: Make dessert with no sugar. OK, that leaves fruit and honey and, oh yeah, Diet Dr. Pepper. What the...

Jeez, the product placement is getting really lame on this show.

Padma and a fine looking French fellow, Jean-Cristophe Novelli, taste all the desserts (he asks the chefs questions and makes a few comments and I can barely understand him, but did I mention he was fine looking?) and Radhika wins for her challah bread pudding (Holla!) 

So she has immunity in the elimination challenge, where two chefs will be told to pack their knives and go. 

The chefs are divided into two groups and told they have no limits other than a budget to prepare their best dishes, family style, for the judges, including the fine French fellow and the snarky Brit, and some "food experts." This should have made them all quiver a little. 

As they shop at Whole Foods and do their prep work, the cheftestants keep sniping at each other's food choices, which ends up being foreshadowing. When the first group presents their dishes to the panel, they learn their fellow contestants are the "food experts" that will critique their dishes. When the second group serves, they will be serving the first group, who will get to rant and rave about their food.

The new judge lived up to his reputation by ripping into the dishes he didn't like, including Radhika's crab bisque, which he likened to the fabled weapons of mass destruction. Breathe a big sigh you made that kickin' bread pudding, Radhika, or you would have likely been kicked to the curb.

He also hated Gene's fried fish over radish pasta (ew) and Melissa's ahi tuna tacos (he said they smelled like cat food. Meow.) No one was very pleased with Carla's gremolata, which they all said had too strong of a raw garlic flavor. I heart Carla, so I was a little worried at this point.

Did anyone else notice the tension between Colicchio and Young when they argued over Pretty Boy Jeff's tapas creation? Me thinks Tom and Toby are not BFF.

Jamie finally pulls out a win for her seared scallops with fennel and oranges (yum). Good for her. Now maybe she will stop complaining about not winning. Seriously girl, nobody likes a sore loser.

Since Radhika was immune, Carla, Gene and Melissa faced the chopping block. Oh happy, happy joy, joy...Carla is spared and Melissa and Gene hit the bricks.

About darn time, I say. I was tired of Melissa whining how she needed to do better and yet she never did any better. And Gene, fettucine made out of daikon? Original's one thing, but gross gets you sent packing.

What do you think? Did the right two get cut? What about the new judge. Dish it, foodies, any of those recipes sound like something you'd want to try?