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i just think he tries waaay too hard. he wants to be tough, funny and sophisticated but cannot seem to master any of it. it's schtick that works better on paper than on TV. tom seems to be the most tired of his style, so i expect his star turn to be only this season.
Carla reeks of a Dale to me. Makes what looks like a big move late only because there are so few chefs to cook against. Then when it comes time to do something right rather than do nothing wrong she's got nothing. It's the chefs that do something early to stand out versus 12-15 people that are the ones to truly watch out for. The rest is editing to help sell the finals as competitive. Remember it's been WEEKS since they last competed. Those that have the time and energy to prep for this have a major advantage.Very.
I cant remember Hosea making one great dish this whole season. How do you put him ahead of Fabio?
Hosea has petered out and is lucky to still be left. I feel like he started strong, but he is not doing anything coming down the stretch.
I think Carla and Stefan have clearly pulled ahead of both of them at this point so the difference between Hosea and Fabio is not very big and I agree that Hosea seems to be fading while Fabio enters the final with some momentum. Both have two elimination challenge wins, but Hosea's last win came in episode 6 and he's been in the bottom group the past two weeks in a row while Fabio has been in the top group for 3 of the past 4 shows. I'm probably downgrading Fabio a bit because I think he is very lucky to be alive still since he should have been eliminated instead of Jeff in episode 10. But, he's easily the most entertaining contestant this year.
While in a restaurant setting, overcooking is a cardinal sin, it seems to be a pattern that the judges look at over (and sometimes under, though they seem a bit more harsh there) cooking as ONE aspect to the dish. So, if someone had a great idea, good presentation, good combination of flavors that resulted in a well seasoned dish, that can overcome the one mistake of overcooking, especially in this setting which is not a usual work setting (where you just cant send something out that is overcooked - here you have no ability to make that choice without going home).Just my take - but I have seen the judges before say "this was not cooked right, but the seasoning was great" or something along those lines.Choke said:
I also think they're more likely to disregard overcooking since some of these dishes may have been sitting around a little longer than normal. Undercooking is undercooking no matter what.
Undercooked eggs is a british thing as Toby pointed out. They don't treat their chickens like sewer rats and therefore don't have near the concern we have to have about poultry cooking.
yes
Quickfire challenge is between Jamie, Jeff, and LeahWinner gets back in the competition and it's back to 5 chefs.
Thanks
Fabio IMO
Yep.Love Carla coming on strong here.
do *not* underestimate Big Bird!Carla
She could have cooked cat turds. No way they have an all male final three on this show.It will be mildly interesting to see if she wins it like Stephanie, or flames out like Casey. Probably pull a Casey. Stephanie was strong the whole season. Casey came on strong at the end, just like Carla.
I don't think it is the cockiness in of itselfIt's the cockiness that outstrips the performance
Agreed. But I think the expectations are higher for him as well. I am pretty sure Tom thinks Stephan is the best of the group and maybe he is just trying to make him take it up one more notch before the finally. You have to like Carla though. She can cook, she has a killer personality, and it would speak volumes to have a minority woman win top chef. I still think Stephan is the better overall cook, but I will be happy if Carla wins for sure.
It may be because of the editing, but Stephan's facial expressions all are more than cocky, they are smug and superior, like "I am Euro Uberchef and none of these mere mortals are worthy of being in my presence. I tolerate them because of this silly game, but my victory is pre-ordained." That goes beyond cocky. He's like Drago in Rocky IV and Carla gets to play Rocky!
Except in reality Drago would have killed Rocky.I have the feeling the same can be said of Stephan over Carla; generally speaking that is. But this is entertainment and people love the underdog, so . . .
You are out of your mind, of course.Though Jamie did look like she had dropped a pound or two, but I might be out of my mind as well.
Funny, I kind of thought she had gained weight.
It was getting late for me, so I could have dreamed it.
Yeah, if you read Tom Caliccihio's blog it is clear Jeff really never had a chance since some of his food got screwed up by the heating trays.
Not to make excuses, but Casey didn't adjust well to the altitude and they cooked their final dish at 10,000 feet. I think she'll do well to work with Hootie next week. They would work well together. Blais and Hosea would be a good match also.
Yeah, I saw at least an extra 10-15# there.
Totally agree. I even said that to my wife.
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Leah's always looked good. Massive cans to boot. Too bad she's nuts.
like you, i wanted jeff to win last night. it was as much to push stefan and fabio out as anything though. he would have made it to the finale if he only needed to be in the final three. it sucks for him but it was certainly better circumstances than his last out.i like hosea and would be happy enough with him winning it all. anyone but stefan really. stefan's been coasting the last few weeks. he has cut corners, become lazy and isn't giving his all. he may have the most talent but he doesn't want it bad enough anymore.carla and hosea certainly have worked hard. they've taken chances, especially carla, and its paid dividends. she has a lot of momentum going into next week. confidence that can serve her well. my concern is that the grand finale - "make us your best 3-course meal" - won't be refined enough to win it all. padma was killing me last night in that little mardi gras dress. nice to gail back. no one seems to miss toby.
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