Very Bad Things: Blogging Top Chef
I've seen a torrent of outrage unleashed in the last week, most of it along the lines of:
"How could you send Dale home! Dale!!"
"Why not the sneering, contemptuous, less capable and unloveable Lisa?"
" Or the slippery, oleagenous Spike? He didn't even cook anything!"
"It's a fix, man! "
So what did happen? How come the more talented Dale, with a far more distinguished record of wins than his teammates, was the one to pack his knives....and...go? Lisa, it appeared, had two seriously screwed up dishes. Dale only had one!
True enough. But oh, what a one.
"How could you send Dale home! Dale!!"
"Why not the sneering, contemptuous, less capable and unloveable Lisa?"
" Or the slippery, oleagenous Spike? He didn't even cook anything!"
"It's a fix, man! "
So what did happen? How come the more talented Dale, with a far more distinguished record of wins than his teammates, was the one to pack his knives....and...go? Lisa, it appeared, had two seriously screwed up dishes. Dale only had one!
True enough. But oh, what a one.
Dale's "Butterscotch Scallops were supremely bad. Jaw droppingly bad. So bad that there was a long, awkward moment at the table when all the judges just sat there, silent, stunned with disbelief that anyone--especially Dale--could serve something so...disgusting. It's the only time on Top Chef that I literally could not take another bite.
Dale was in deep, deep trouble from the judges' first mouthful of this luminously wretched gunk.
Lisa's laksa was screwed up. Unpleasantly smoky. But I could eat it. Her "sticky rice" dessert was awful. But not dig a hole in the ground-stick my head in--pour in Clorox bad. Like those scallops. They were distinguished by their sheer degree of awfulness, sucking everything around them down with.
Judging on Top Chef -- as has been pointed out repeatedly (most recently and succinctly by my learned colleague, Ted Allen) is on a "What Have You Cooked For Me Lately" basis. We are not supposed to care what has been achieved previously. In fact, guest judges don't even know. The shows air long after filming. So Jose Andres, for instance, can in no way be expected to know--or care--if Dale won previous challenges, deserved to win them, loves puppies and long walks on the beach--or tortures hamsters in his spare time. After deliberation, the judges were unanimous in their feeling that it was Dale who--this week--f**ked up worst.
Let it be said that of the three knuckleheads who stood in front of us on that day, Dale is probably the one I'd hire as a cook. (Given only those three to choose from.) As a fan of the show, who's been keeping up as they are aired, I think he's clearly more talented and versatile than the others on his team.
But as Dale (and anyone in the restaurant business) would be the first to tell you: Shit happens. And that day--a LOT of shit happened to poor Dale.
He had the misfortune to almost win the Quickfire. Had he lost, and not come in second, he would not have been team leader--and would not have had the additional burden of leadership.
(A burden he was ill suited to carry)
He was even more unfortunate in that he WON the coin toss, after which he made the regrettable and ultimately foolish decision to anoint himself Exec Chef. Looking around at who he had to work with, and knowing, one would hope, that he was unlikely to be able to either lead or inspire them, he could have put ego aside and stayed out of the line of fire and avoided the clusterf**k.
The Spike Strategy (and make no mistake, it was a strategy), while not to be admired, was smart.
Notice, by the way, that when Dale and Lisa asked about how things were going in the dining room, Spike lied, telling them everything was fine. He knew--believe me--otherwise. His shrug and "I dunno" when asked about the "rice buying incident" at Judge's Table is worth noting as well. He knew Dale picked the rice pudding stuff out. He just saw no reason to not keep both teammates twisting in the wind. His service in the dining room did not suck. And his rib recipe (which he, apparently, made and put on the fire but did not himself serve) was quite good. They were the best part of Mai Buddha's otherwise sorry-ass offerings.
The dumplings, by the way, though seemingly admired in the edit, were in fact kinda greasy, and unwieldy.
Chef Andres's comment that the halo-halo was something he wanted to try on his menu, reflected Andres's interest in perhaps adapting the concept of this traditional Southeast Asian dessert. It is unlikely that he and Dale will be swapping recipes anytime soon. As halo-halos go? Dale's was muddy-colored and otherwise okay at best.
Had Dale been a little more mature, a little better suited to lead...had he not fancied himself a crotch grabbing gangster genius..had he not been the sort of guy who unnecessarily calls temp waiters, hired for the DAY "assholes", then he might well have seen the wisdom in adopting Stephanie's far smarter attitude over at Team Woodstock. Note the agreement on that team that whatever happened, no one from that team was going home that week. The whole concept, the menu, the division of labor was smartly designed to achieve just that. To protect the team--as a whole. To not f**k up--or allow anyone on their team to f**k up.
Dale--with many opportunities to do otherwise, just couldn't resist trying to shine as an individual. He reached too far--with a dish he'd never even made before. And he neglected to guard his flanks.
A final note to conspiracy theorists. There is no pressure from the producers to either keep particular contestants--or send others home. In all my appearances on Top Chef, I've never seen it, never felt it. I pity any producer who'd dare suggest to Tom Colicchio that he send someone home who did not deserve it--or spare the poorest candidate for reasons of greater drama. In fact, it's his moral gravitas that makes Top Chef worth watching, in spite of all the heavy-handed product placement and occasional silly challenges.
As for me? I could give a rat's ass who the producers or Bravo want to win or not win . What I've traditionally used the Glad Family of Bags for would probably not make a good commercial. When I read the surprising announcement that Michelob, a beer I don't drink and don't much like, was going to be "sponsoring" my Bravo blog, I advised them that I felt compelled to disappoint them.
Disagree with the decision to send Dale home all you like. But you delude yourself by thinking that judging is in any way beholden to sinister outside forces--or the market place. A decision on winners or losers can and has taken hours of argument and discussion. Not this time. The best chef on that particular day, won. The worst chef--on that particular day--went home.
Of the Terrible Trio, Dale will surely have a bright career. He's generally an excellent cook. His post-loss interviews have demonstrated commendable insight into where things went wrong for him.
Lisa, who's appearance and hostile, defiant-looking posture alone seem to have made her this season's designated villain surely does not deserve the hatred and vitriol seen on blogs and websites. Nor is it likely--barring the most freakish and flukey sudden realignment of the planets and spate of untimely deaths--that she shall win Top Chef. She's a decent cook--but a lucky one.
Blaming others ain't gonna take her far.
Spike, on the other hand, can look forward to a long career.
In politics. He's perfect for it.
You've convinced me, Tony. Our live blog readers over at ES are still itching for Lisa to get the boot though:
http://www.endlesssimmer.com/2008/05/28/live-blogging-top-chef-episode-12/
Butterscotch scallops?
Yea, even this line cook can tell you that would be a major failure. Sometimes one bad screwup is worse than a couple of minor ones.
Kudos from Texas, Tony. Hope you make it back here some day for some meat that's not oversmoked!
Very true. Tis the nature of reality TV shows...and I'm sure Dale will still have a lucrative career. As usual, you say it best!
Man, I miss Anthony's Top Chef blogging.
I, too, always kinda roll my eyes when people insist "it's the producers that insisted that Contestant X stay or go!"
Pretty sure that either Richard or Stephanie will win.
Also, you didn't mention the wise move of the gastropub team using Nikki as their mercenary with such a specific task in mind. That was great on their part.
Thank you so much for this entry. My friend and I watch Top Chef religiously and could not wait for Dale to go home. Sure, he may be a talented cook, but he's a cook with a bad attitude, an even worse temper, and a huge ego. All it takes is a look at Richard to see how a good chef with a big ego can keep himself and his attitude in check. Lisa's absolutely obnoxious and maybe on the whole should've gone before Dale, but this last week with the two of them standing so indignantly in front of you with their arms crossed, I was happy to see either of them go and didn't much care which one. Good on you and the fellow judges. I get so excited when you are on the show because I know there will be no crap. Keep it up and I'd love to see you on Top Chef more.
By the way, I think everyone who even tasted a bite of "butterscotch scallops" deserves a prize, I nearly lost it just seeing it on TV, I cannot even imagine what it smelled or tasted like.
No one can put it like you! nothing is better than a couple of snarky comments about producers and sponsors!
When are you going to do a day in the life of Tony?!!
I met Anthony Bourdain at LAX yesterday and it ruled!!! He was cool as hell but I did not get a hug... :(
So happy to see the blog and get your take on the whole controversy. I love your show and the blogs, keep them comin ;)
My wife and I noticed the crotch-grabbing tendency a few episodes ago. Clearly it was Dale's fatal tell.
Very interesting insights. I really enjoyed that episode, and was somewhat surprised that Dale left. However, I totally agree with your points. I hope you can get on the show more, Tony!
dale was a one trick pony to me, so im glad to hear hes gone! i say hear, because i haven't yet watched the episode.. so thanks for spoiling it for me tony >:( i really hope richard wins.
I like it that you mention how the producers put no pressure on the judges. I think that is one of the things that makes "Top Chef" a much better show than "Hell's Kitchen".
I hope the Glad people know how much we have appreciated them in the past for their many uses.
I've felt, for some time, similarly about Lisa: that everyone was snarking on her because of her attitude. And, y'know, maybe she is that unappealing in real life. Then again, when the shows are edited, the context is constructed: we see what the editors want us to see as they craft "dramatic moments". So, yes, she may not be everyone's favorite but I certainly think she is a skilled cook.
I only cooked on the line for a few years during college. I am, by no means, a chef. The first person eliminated each season could -in all likelihood- cook me under the table without blinking. I definitely am a good, home cook. But I think a lot of the arm-chair quarterbacking we see on the forums is disrespectful. Do some of the "Cheftestants" deserve it? Sure! But the vast quantity of judgment going on seems to bely the actual skill of these culinary competitors. You'd think, by looking at the blogs, that the food served by X-chef on "Top Chef" was so %$#@ty that even McDonalds wouldn't serve it!
But, still, that's the nature of the Internets: everyone's a critic and no one's accountable.
I do wonder if Dale was trying something I've seen done, before: making a thin (thinner than a tweel) layer of hardened sugar to go on the top of a seared scallop and then applying heat to the top to melt it and give it the appearance of a brule. Maybe a subtle application of butterscotch flavor in a teensy-tiny amount would have worked well. I don't know. I kinda doubt it, but I'm more interested in knowing what was going through his mind than passing armchair judgment.
I trust you and the judges, Tony; on both "Top Chef" and on "No Reservations" you have yet to disappoint me.
Be well!
My stupid cable company doesn't carry this channel, so I can't even watch and comment. However, I do find it interesting that Tony is now being censored (with **, see above) on his own blog! Blasphemy! Regardless, good to see you back, Tony. Look forward to more essays and rants about your travels. Cheers, Bonnie (artnlit)
Mr. Bourdain as usual, you rock.
Thank you for your comments... and I certainly agree. Dale definitely has a bright future ahead and I hope he can continue to promote Filipino cuisine through his creations. His desire to incorporate his culture into his food was one I truly admired, which is more than I can say for Lisa & Spike.
For the asterisks now inserted in Tony's beloved vulgar words on this very blog, I say:
"BOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Have they snuffed your cigarettes and enforced a rosehip-and-hibiscus-only regimen too? Coffee enemas and 5am yoga? Anyone else find this distressing? Bourdain rules - don't **** him up.
Glad you're back Tony! I miss this episode, and the subsequent backlash, so I can't comment on that... but I'm happy to read whatever food/travel stuffs you want to talk about.
Hey Tony, when you gonna be coming back down to SXM man? I got some good food, in this awesome restaurant, im sure even you will never be able to find.
Just as Tre was sent packing last season for his overly smoked potato dish, it proves once again that no matter what you've done in the past - one bad dish is all it takes to eliminate you.
Butterscotch on anything that isn't dessert is just a bad idea in general, I'd think.
Thank you for writing from the heart -- even if you're being censored. G** D*** sponsorship! I enjoy your shows and your writing and look forward to experiencing more.
--Jean
I saw this pop up on my feed reader.
Sorry I don't watch Top Chef - but I wanted to ask when you'll have new episodes of "No Reservations"?
Thanks,
Gerri
Salem, OR
I don't even like butterscotch on ice cream, let alone shellfish. And Lisa's way to valuable for entertainment purposes as a contrarian.
www.teaandfood.blogspot.com
I was just complaining elsewhere that it's all about the editing; I doubt Lisa's really a sweetheart in person, but Bravo knew what kind of drama lay in store for the audience and they worked it as best they could to make it seem "unfair" for Dale.
Problem is, they also edited it so Dale seemed childish (hitting lockers), only marginally more talented than most, and not at all a team player. So I honestly had no issues with seeing him go. To be fair, it was a series of misfortunate events that pushed him close to the edge but those scallops sounded unforgivable.
Every time something controversial happens, we hear about judging decisions being influenced by producers or etc. And every time I hear it I think "No way would Tom, Ted, or any other person on this show really want to go along with that." In a way, I was really glad that it wasn't even Tom at the table last week but YOU: I know Tom has scruples but you know damn well that you're heralded as the messiah of the food world by lots of kids these days. So then it goes from "Tom wouldn't do that" to "C'mon, this is ANTHONY BOURDAIN. Would BOURDAIN be in on a fix?"
Of course not.
This is exactly the blog I was waiting to read... on the Bravo site.
While I was pissed right after the episode, I thought about it more and generally reached the same conclusions that you did.
Dale got screwed being stuck with Spike and Lisa yet again. However, he did stick his neck out by insisting on being Executive Chef, having said many times before that Lisa and Spike were crappy chefs.
However, Dale wasn't as bad a team player as some people think. He worked happily with Richard on their winning tofu dish as well as on the winning movie challenge dish. I think he plays well with others when the other person cooperates too. Maybe he's just too immature to deal with people who are hard to get along with. But I think his frustration of being teamed with Lisa for the 3rd (4th?) time was evident. And that's what got him sent home.
That and the horrible sounding scallop dish. Wish more had been said about that in the editing, because I was pissed about the first point you brought up, the one bad dish vs. two.
Although I'll kind of bummed that my Top 4 prediction didn't come true (I was 3/4 though), I am comforted by the fact that Lisa will likely go home first in the finale and I can watch my favorites duke it out.
Again, thank you for writing this blog. Now my boyfriend can stop hearing me bitch about how Top Chef should be called Suck But Be Marginally Better Than The Other Guy For Weeks On End Chef.
P.S. I miss reading your posts on Ruhlman's blog.
Your point on the guest judges not knowing the contestants' past performance is well put, but Tom said that past performance would be taken into account this season. On a couple of occasions, a good performer who had a bad day was kept on based on their earlier success.
No slam on you, but if Tom had been there it's possible that Dale would not have been sent home, because Tom had the knowledge of past performance. I think he's said as much on his blog - of course, he did not taste the scallops, which apparently were much worse than was apparent from the viewing.
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Yeah not a great dish to even look at. I am no culinary intellect but butterscotch and scallops. Tony you have hit every point that I thought was Dale's misstep. There were a lot of chances for this to turn out differently for him.
The producers are doing an amazing job then making Lisa the evil villain. Is that CGI effects that has put that arrogant sneer on her sour mug at every judges table she is at? Most of them are losers judging interestingly. No I don't find her cooking abhorrently unappetizing but her presentation as a person is ... uuhhmmm not good
I think that Slacker Chef Spike should go look up Serial Killer Andrew and have him as a running mate in his future career.He has to go.
I knew that those butterscotch scallops must've been just this side of poison for Dale to get the boot. It doesn't matter anyway. The top three are clearly Antonia, Richard, and Stephanie. Dale, Spike, or Lisa can't compete with these three. Antonia has spot on instincts, Richard has outside the box techniques, and Stephanie understands fine cuisine. You can't say that about team loser at all.
Three nouns that, when used together, become far more profane than anything AB produces (not to cast aspersions on your peerless creativity with expletives, Tony...):
Crotch-grabber, butterscotch, scallops.
I'm no prude, but EEEEEEEw. Altogether too sticky and biological.
It's Dale who should be censored....
(But decent hygeine and butterscotch on bacon? HELL, yes! Maybe I should apply for Top Chef... ;-)
Thanks for writing here agin, AB. We missed you!
Yep, Tony, Spike's long career, all right - in waste management!
I doubt that much editing or scouring for footage is required to make either Dale or Lisa look awful. She of the perpetual sneer, and the bared teeth that passes for a smile. And petulant little Dale, name-calling everyone on his staff. His mother must be so proud.
The remaining three, and their lack of ugly drama, are so refreshing.
It's funny what you said about the "Glad family of products." Back in the '90s when they introduced "snack sized" ziplock bags, my friends and I snickered about them. They were clearly meant for one primary use - the perfect size for 1/4 ounce of something.
And now I use them all the time to send my kids' snacks to school.
I guess that's the real reason Spike is opening up an eatery in D.C. just a stone's throw from the U.S. Capitol...
Thank you for explaining in detail. I was previously convinced that the producers had a hand in deciding who and who would not go home on any given night, in conjunction with the judges. I am glad to hear more behind the scences details. At any rate, Spike, who likes to mess things up for other people, got what he deserved on this week's episode. Personally, as a person who worked long in the trenches of the restaurant biz, I place a fairly high value on how I think someone would work in a kitchen and how harmoniously they would run it. Neither Dale, nor Lisa, nor Spike seem like they would be a pleasure to work with. Spike is a conniving piece of work, Lisa is defensive and nonaccountable, and Dale is a pouty little %$#%.
So here's a question for you, Tony. If those quick fire challenges are, as you say, silly, what would you propose as an alternative? I'm genuinely curious...
Butterscotch Scallops.
Oh. Dear. God.
Tony, I have followed your television and writing career rather rabidly, and have enjoyed both. But it's the butterscotch scallops that have inspired me to write.
I am so very, very sorry you folks had to eat that.
Brooke
There is reason why besides Henckels Knives, stainless cookware and whole spices - the MOST important thing in any of my kitchens is a utensil container with no less than 50 spoons. Taste the food! If I ever see one of my line cooks TRY to serve a sauce without tasting - they can expect to wear it!
Anyway a wild boar (soon to be happy and on a hickory camp fire spit) out in the woods is calling my name and I can't think about extractions, emulsions, infusions, and crap like that; It's Glad time!
We always want to bitch about the wrong contestant going home, saying that reality TV is always fixed. Viewers are most always emotionally attached to these "characters" and thus they have an emotional reaction to them going home.
Even though, I still think what it on Network TV is completely fixed, it is nice to get some insight into one of my favorite reality shows as well as sponsorships in general.
I wonder how the scallops would have been with a delicate maple crust.
The butterscotch would overpower the scallops, but maybe, just maybe, a light smoky maple, not too sweet, may have done the trick...
I think I have some scallops and mussels in the deep freeze, maybe I'll experiment with a couple...
Tonight, down here in Texas, we are smoking Turkey Legs however, so the scallops will have to wait...
Tony, According to your logic, Lisa will win top chef if Antonia, Richard, or Stephanie screw up just one dish in the next few weeks. After all, you say that judges aren't supposed to factor in past performances, good or bad. As long as Lisa's dish is edible that's all that counts if the others make one mistake and she passes with a "C". If that's the case, then the show should change its name to "Lucky Chef". Mediocrity, take all!
Given that judging the show takes much longer than the edited version which airs, I think you do a great job. You never compromise your integrity.
I personally felt that when the judges say "this dish is THE worst" then the person responsible for cooking it should be out.
I hope you will return again to judge another episode in the future.
I don't think there's some kind of conspiracy, but Dale shouldn't have gone home. I do feel like Lisa is a far inferior chef compared to Dale as well as the remaining contestants. I have been, and will continue to pull for Richard. I feel he's the most creative and passionate about his work. It should, if things align well, boil down to Richard and Antonia.
Tony - I agree that on this night, it was right for Dale to go home and as you said, Dale himself realized he made mistakes. I usually agree with the judges choices and do believe that the cream will always rise to the top at the end of season.
I do admit that Dale always rubbed me the wrong way but that said I would certainly try to get a reservation at the restaurant that he is working at. ( after the show airing I am sure that is a hard reservation to get )
Some of the challenges are silly and I think some of the in-fighting is emphasized in the editing.
Ultimately, I trust the opinions of the judges and I always love when you are on the show.
Oh, how I've missed your Top Chef blog this year. But thanks for this post. The episode didn't make it clear why Dale was sent home, and this post goes a long way toward clearing things up.
And I'm still scratching my head as to why, oh why, Dale didn't let Lisa take the executive chef job and set her up for the fall. He probably would be in the final four if he had only used a little strategy.
My only question is, what gives with the chef's coat? They still allow you to wear that?
Seriously though, you are so fun to watch on the show, looking forward to many, many more quest appearances...
Dominic at Skillet Doux (www.skilletdoux.com) points out that a savory caramel sauce is a standard in Vietnamese cooking, and that Dale's recipe (on the bravo site) describes more of a savory caramel sauce with some scotch added. He also points out what are assuredly some errors in execution involving sugar that basically results in a sauce that is sweet, instead of the sweet/bitter/savory combo it should have been. Basically, butterscotch scallops isn't some off-the-wall horrible idea.
Anthony you are the HOTTEST thing on Top Chef - 2 appearances already this season - it's really too much to handle.
Dale should have gone home with Niki during the wedding fiasco. His days were numbered anyway. Spike should be in the final four for color and hotness if nothing else. Lisa - Miss "Follow the rules unless you want me to cook with polish sausage" will be out 1st half of the finale. Antonia is a good chef but her wins are for stuff she cooks at home. Whatever.
The finale should be Stephanie and Blaise and Stephanie will prevail.
I so appreciate your providing this insight. I have to admit, the idea of the butterscotch scallops underwhelmed me from the start...I couldn't imagine how it could be good. But then, the idea of peanut butter mashed potatoes this week filled me with disgust and the judges liked it. Shows what I know.
its spelled oleaginous, not oleagenous you schmuck. check your pocket thesaurus.
-just busting balls
Richard is the clear choice for me (he studied under Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller AND Ferran Adria) and he doesn't brag, takes criticism reasonably well, and elevates his team - while making consistently original and rock-solid food. BUT, I think they'll give it to Stephanie - The past winners have all been male, and in this Hillary-licious year, I think they'll give the nod to the Equal Rights Amendment. Thoughts? http://dishtc.blogspot.com
So, Tony, did they MAKE you wear the Official Standard Issue Colicchio Head Judge blue chef jacket? I guess the much better fitted, Cook Free Or Die with skull and crossbones white just frightened them too much . . . .
The Boy had only one word for the now-infamous scallop and butterscotch combo:
Vomitorious.
I've been a Top Chef fan since the beginning, but Dale's elimination was unforgivable. The show has jumped the shark with that episode, and surprisingly it wasn't due to bad writing, but bad judging.
If the point of Top Chef is to find the best chef (sound redundant?), then the overall win/loss record MUST be considered. The best have to stay around the longest.
I think it's slightly unfair to blame Tony because he has a valid point about not knowing who has historically done well since he can't see the previous episodes before judging. But that points out one fundamental - and in my opinion, now fatal - flaw in the show. Tony should never have been allowed within a mile of the elimination table. Why? BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHO THE BEST CHEF IS. You see one day, and even then, it's debatable who the worst chef was (granted, I couldn't taste the food, either, but yet I still know who's better because I've seen all the episodes). Colicchio should have been there to stop Tony's assinine choice of chefs to eliminate, or Padma should have stepped up. But my guess is that Padma gets very little respect from world-reknowned chefs when it comes to judging another chef.
Bottom line, without Colicchio or someone who has seen the arc of the season and who gets respect from other judges, the show can't work. It doesn't matter how well-qualified the guest judges are ... as we saw, they'll make much dumber decisions than choosing to cook a butterscotch scallop.
Let me just say, THANK YOU! Missed your blogging raggedy #@& on all things Top Chef. Can't say I understand all the rage of jettisoning Dale. Dude took the big leap, dude's got to take the big fall. Nor can I understand the Lisa hate. It's not like she tried to shave anybody's head.
Welcome back, Father Anthony.
Hey thanks for the blog, Tony! Good info.
Really miss your Webby-nominated stint as a blogger on TC. I hope they bring you back as a blogger there, sans Michelob, at some point. Your take on things is wonderful and insightful, as always.
Aloha from the Big Island.
If I could.......I would watch Anthony Bourdain 24 hours a day.
reruns and all !!!!
please make that possible and lets meet in Jamaica !!!!
Love ya
Thanks for the information, I don't get why everyone thinks they can pick a winner or loser, viewer wise of course. We only see what is happening and that is even done through lots of creative editing, but we are unable to partake of what keeps one contestant and sends another one home...the food!
We can complain and moan all we want, we still don't have a clue if any of them can actually cook and until TOP CHEF finally lets a fan of the show be part of a judges table we will have to continue to rely on people such as you and Chef Colicchio.
Personally I love watching them all $#@% themselves when they see you are going to be at judges table.
After "Into the Fire," I'm emboldened to know that Tony reads these comments, although he probably reads them in the same way I do, meaning scrolling slowly while speed-reading. Either way, I want to say that I've been a fan since the beginning of "No Reservations" because Tony is the only travel channel host (at the time when I first became a fan, nowadays Zimmern is pretty good with this) who is willing to point out that a road-side market stand can cook better, fresher and with more finesse than the four-star fusion chains. Having family from Hong Kong, I knew this, but in America we have a tendency of becoming star-struck, eating to impress our friends rather than our palates.
So, this comment is to suggest a Philadelphia show. This city that I've grown to love is the perfect example of this tragic American tendency towards over-hyping mediocre food. Steven Starr, who I personally think is the anti-christ has peppered the city with over-priced fusion style fashion restaurants that blind people to the exquisite offerings of local immigrant populations. With large Vietnamese and West African populations, and a growing Brazilian one, there are countless corner restaurants, not to mention food carts, with incredible offerings served with less pretense but so much more flavor. So, when it comes time for you to do a Philly show, skip the cheese steaks, snark at Steven Star, and come for the Pho, the Injera, and a city where under the tourist's board facade of "birth-place of the nation" is the home of some great food.
I have to assume Tony would tell the truth about the "What Have You Cooked For Me Lately" approach to judging (and not the evaluation of a chef's body of work), or the Sam Conspiracy from Season 2 wouldn't have happened. Also, I think he'd rather say nothing than to outright lie.
That said, I think that the butterscotch scallops (holy f**k!) would really have to cloy to warrant immediate punishment.
I have no delusions that M. Bourdain reads these comments, but it's fun to entertain the though of him looking at my blog. (insert wink emoticon here)
If Lisa would just get a haircut and maybe take a shower she would be a lot more likeable. Richard or Antonia will take the title this season.
Love you Tony!!!!!!!
Tony, it's no fun when a chef isn't rewarded for taking risks in creating a dish he's never done before. Even when it turns out badly, it's better than an imperfect dish that's already been tried and tested. Dale should've stayed to create the best roster of TC finalists. Ever. Instead, you erroneously rewarded mediocrity and we're stuck with Lisa.
This is no longer a competition. It's a joke. Whoever wins this season should be embarrassed. So disgusted am I at Bravo for mishandling JT, that I've stopped watching the show. Thanks.
ps - To think I actually paid full price for your Kitchen Confidential and its follow-up. Ugh. I probably won't hate you forever, like I will Bravo, but you suck for cheating Dale and the audience to a Clash of the Titans chef-off.
While you are back on the internet - who is this horrible douche nozzle they have on the travel network these days? The guy that bets you can't skydive or whatever? Please punch that smug look off his face if you ever encounter him!
Tony, you did a great job filling in for Tom last week.
Yeah you had more air time then you did when you judged in the first episode of this season of Top Chef.
I didn't want to see Dale go either, but you cleared it up here at your blog.
Butterscotch scallops YUCH. You said it best when you said they were Willy Wonkaish and yes butterscotch alone is way to sweet.
Hey how come you did not wear your whites I like that skull with the knife in his teeth logo. Maybe Claudia was right the Cheftestants would have been scared off.
Nice to hear from you Tony it has been awhile I know you have been busy traveling all over the place for NR.
I've been wondering why the chef Blogs at Bravo have been pretty sparse. Thanks for the insight.
Hopefully you're still here whenever the show gets around to Top Chef: Detroit, where the weak are killed then eaten.
Hey Bourdain when in the hell are you commin' to Chile???
We're wating for you.
Tony,
I have watched every season of Top Chef. I am no longer a pro chef, but I still dabble. I cannot believe some of the rubbish produced on the show, and whining about conditions by the contestants (A meal for $10???). A good cook can make a meal out of most anything, even on a budget and with little time. I would send most of the people home within the first week. Top Chef needs a better pre-screening process.
Oleagenous - so ripe! Your senses about food and people are so sharp - and I would say spot-on - so it really adds a lot to have you on the show. Would love to see you eat brain marinara or pigeon pie with the Berbers in Morocco or potatos and dal in the Himalayas. I'm a traveller and don't know anything about cooking- but am a true fan and look forward to watching you on your show.
So then why hasn't Richard been sent back?, He has had a few horrible dishes as well. You know what?, Because he's a great cook who won many challenges, and they don't want to because they know he's one of the top chefs there. Wait, same thing for dale. Yet you sent him home. I was disappointed at that moment to see how the show isn't really based on great cookers rather than on attitudes.
Anthony bourdain,come to tennessee for my birthday! I make the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on this planet. Its June 12...
Hi Tony:
Did you see Harold Dieterle's comments about you in his Top Chef blog? Essentially, he challenged your credibility as Tom's replacement on the Restaurant Wars episode. It seems that Harold is a bit of a chef-snob.
God, I love you. Of course, that may seem another irrational fangirl flailing, but there's some context to that affirmation. In my Newcastle-fueled insominiac glee, I began blogspotting tonight and belated caught your post. I couldn't agree with you more on what appeared to be a Mylanta-grabbing debacle from the Mai Buddha team. The dynamics of the team alone seemed to doom it to failure, and my "Top Chef" junkie group immediate starting betting on which teammate would be going home. There was no question from the get-go that Team Backbite was going down. Dale, out of the three, seems to be the best cook. But butterscotch scallops? Hand me the fermented shark first. If you serve two dishes of "meh" with a starter of OMGWTFALPACA, you're going home.
I am so happy that that jerk Spike is gone.
Tony I am certain that if you would make more of a regular appearance on Top Chef it's ratings would soar.
When I watch T.C. I am not in the mood for any feel good Abdul-esque judgements. I want snarky "what the hell were you thinking" questioning. I don't think anyone has to be Chef Shouty Spice to ask the tough questions. But in real life everyone is not a winner and everyone doesn't leave with their feelings intact.
While I must admit that I don't watch the Top Chef show, I have to wonder from the blogs and responses, "Do these people actually try what they cook?" Who in the world would combine the ingredient butterscotch with scallops without trying it, and if he did, what kind of taste buds does this guy have? I am not a leader of haute-cuisine, but even I know there are just some things you don't combine, and if you do combine them, you better make sure that they taste better than normal to get past the stereotypes that are going to hit them. Just seems crazy to me.
Every season people complain and moan when their favorite gets booted for creating some foul concoction. Anyone who's a real fan of the show should know by now that at any given judges table any chef can go. There's no coasting, no resting on your laurels. Don't wanna go home? Don't cook nasty food! I think it's an important part of the show - it keeps the contestants on their toes and keeps the pressure on them. Sucks for them, but a better viewing experience for us.
Great to hear from you AB - looking forward to the new season!
Please Tony, less "Top Chef" and more "No Reservations"! When does the new season start? I love the reruns (thank you Travel Channel for running them over and over again!), but I'm in desperate need for new episodes, to see the world through your jaded and gracious eyes again.
ANTHONY BOURDAIN, I love your show, I watch it every single night. I know it's kind of weird, but I think you would have a lot of fun if you went to, beleive it or not, th Islamic Republic of Iran. If you have any questions, you have my e-mail.
Sorry, here's my e-mail
dooshpup@yahoo.com
Mr. Bourdain,
I must tell you that I (in my 22 years) have never watched the Travel Channel in my life until I stumbled upon your show for some odd reason some months ago, not really being a TV watcher myself anyway. I loved it. My friends and I were having a cookout this evening on my back porch, I walked into the house and said, "Is that Anthony Bourdain I hear on the TV?". It was but it was also a re-run. Who cares, right?!
The reasoning behind what I just said is, I am a bartender on Indian Rocks Beach, FL. My friends know me as being the drunk that enjoys drinking and the bartender/drunk that enjoys getting everyone around me to drink. I love what I do and I don't care what people think nor what they say. That is why I am into No Reservations. You seem like the type of person who cares about the quality, (much like myself but in my case cocktails and not food)and cares about the people but always has a beer and a cigarrette in hand, like myself. Altogether that and the show really kicks &$# and if Travel Channel wants to air a re-run of it, who cares, right?!
At this moment it's 12:30 am and I was watching some %$#@ do a show about his "past" and "ancestries" from Ireland. I believe his name is Anthony Andrew. Obviously he upsets me, first of all because I am an Irish-American girl who was watching this idiot make the most stupid remarks and comments about a country he knows nothing about. Second, I felt like he was trying to pull off a show exactly like yours. (Can't entirely blame it on him though). He just doesn't pull it off well. Although your background history may or may not be Irish, I would much rather you be hosting it than him.
In closing with this comment, whenever I turn the TV on the first channel that comes to mind is the Travel Channel with hopes of your show being on air at that moment.
Rock on, Bourdain!
Hey, T! Just a reminder that July 16 is the premiere of the film version of "Mamma Mia!"! I know you wouldn't want to miss that!
;)
Tony, if you would like a pleasing (if longish)read sometime, you may have fun with The Top Chef "Peter Pan Lost Boys Picnic" Challenge; or, Jack Donaghy & Andy Cohen "Make It Work"
As much as I want to agree with Mr. Bourdain, Dale's elimination remains unforgivable. It is the worst elimination in the history of this show.
The show is "Top Chef" and not, as one of you said here, "Lucky Chef". The winner should be judged according to his or her body of work. One challenge does not make (or break) a chef. Otherwise, the show should be reformatted. Have chefs compete in a challenge and declare the Top Chef just in one episode. After all, the judges do not look into the contestant's history.
Besides, don't you think that even the best chefs have had a bad day in the kitchen?
I agree wholeheartedly. Stuff happens. Dale's butterscotch scallops were atrocious (and I didn't even have to taste them to tell you that). I say Kudos!
Stephanie, though perhaps not consistent enough to win the whole shebang, has always been my favorite.
I just found your blog today and I've been reading it for a while now...My name is Romina and I'm from Chile. I always watch the show with my dad, you are our hero!!!
"No Reservations" is the best show ever...
greetings from Chile!
Romy.-
Regarding Team Woodstock - It was interesting to see Blaise trying to play down the grit in the clams. You would think that he would have learned his lesson after the salmon scales debacle. Thank goodness Antonia had her head in the game. It's between her and Stephie.
screw top chef it is over rated the chefs are horrible and people think that changing a combi temp is bad try working in a busy kitchen
Maybe you should have taken a doggy bag for you (TV) friend Andrew Zimmern. Does he follow you around?
Anyway, I was a fan of Dales and hate Lisa but I never thought you would be swayed by anybody let alone Bravo. Also, I've been saying the same thing about Dale's "strategy" taking the Executive Chef job. I think he called it captain.
Either he was so arrogant he thought he would save the day or thought he would be named "top sous chef" for not taking the lead in an Asian restaurant. The one thing he was right about was they were in trouble when you walked in. You've experienced enough true Asian food the weed out any pretentious crap.
Anyway I look forward to the next season of No Reservations.
It may be that the scallops were wretched, but sending contestants home without considering their prior performance is unfair to both the chefs and the viewers. Furthermore, it rewards the safe and mediocre at the expense of boldness.
You know this, Mr. Bourdain. I'm a fan of yours for your honesty above all else, but with this blog entry you aim to justify an outcome that wasn't justifiable. (When you say Dale is the chef you would most likely hire, you concede the point.)
A format that allows a superior contestant to be sent home based on one day's performance, while ignoring all that went before, kills the show's credibility. I hope that, given your access to its producers, you'll make this point to them.
Thanks for the blog Tony. I'm glad you will stick it to the Bravo! boards for soliciting your blog with a sponsor w/o your permission. I am glad you also explained the Dale/Lisa situation. As you know, it is difficult for viewers to judge - as we become attached to personalities to supplement our inability to taste their creations. After reading your comments, it makes sense that Dale was PYKAGed -- that scallop dish sounds awful. At least Lisa's were edible. Question: If Lisa had been head chef and the same dishes were produced, would she have been sent home?
As I jump on here a little late I agree with you. Dale seems rather good and has his heart in it but that day sucked for him. As with all contests - even ones on tv - you are working for the moment. And that is what you have to focus on - the moment.
I would also like to throw in here that you are by far the second sexiest man on the planet. Of course my husband has to be first.
Thank you for staying "real" in the limelight and giving us a little piece of your world and motivation to stay creative and strive to be our best.
Deb
Tony,
I would love to discuss the culture of food with you. As a sociologist, I am interested in how food is used in a cultural setting. I know you are a busy man, but I will give you my email just the same.
socteach@msn.com
Thanks for the inside information Mr. Bourdain, I appreciate the honesty and background on what gets left on the cutting room floor. While I thought that Dale was the overall best chef of the trio of whiners, it also seemed that he won the "screwed up the most" award for that episode.
I'm waiting patiently for TC tonight to see if Lisa's lucky streak runs out. I'm far from a professional chef, but her unimaginative and mediocre looking dishes make me feel like I would stand half a chance in the TC competition.
Hey Tony,
When are you coming to Honduras to do a show? Wa have great Mayan ruins, beautiful Caribbean islands, rainforest and most importantly excellent tropical food. Keep us posted!
We know, Mr. Bourdain. We know.
But we just miss Andrew so much! And we have no direction to vent except in Lisa's general. And she can't cook shrimp! She can't cook shrimp, Mr Bourdain!
This season has been very emotionally taxing on us all :(
I finally got to see your Cleveland show on reruns. It was, of course, awesome. The fact that you went to the Sausage Shoppe made all the difference. You should know that when it came on, the phone lines around Cleveland were all abuzz with "quick, turn on Channel 70, Anthony Bourdain is at the University Inn!" Ah, it's the little things.
Tony is the man. The end.
But blame the editing crew at the production company for our unending hatred of Lisa, they make it so easy.
I love seeing you as guest judge. You amuse me to no end.
I definitely think even the notion of butterscotch scallops is worthy of going home compared to actually carrying out 'campfire-esque' laksa. I mean...the scallops looked as if they had sugar flavored puss pouring out of them. Not good.
Hello,
This has nothing to do with Top Chef, I am coming to NYC at the end of June and I am excited to stop by Les Halles to have an excellent meal. I'm also going to start my job in South Korea soon and was wondering if you had any advice on what foods I should try.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Mr. Bourdain,
I started watching your show on the Travel Channel about a year ago. Let me first say that it is my favorite show on television! I find this interesting considering that I might be the anti-Bourdain. I am a conservative, practicing Roman Catholic, who was raised in the Midwest and South, and has never touched an illegal drug. However, I do love beer,food, and oddly enough for a conservative, France. I think you just might be the most honest man in public life today. I just finished reading Kitchen Confidential, and I was not dissappointed. My wife bought it for me along with Nasty Bits which I will start reading tonight. I will continue to read whatever you write, and look forward to your continued presence on my television. I think my fondness for you comes from my ability to recognize people who are great at what they do no matter what that might be. My favorite comedian is Patton Oswalt who is also very left leaning and doesn't pull any punches. Keep up all the great work. Best wishes!
Mr. Bourdain, my compliments on the well-written blog. I understand your point on eliminating Dale (even if it were an even choice, I think an Executive Chef should bear more of the blame for an overall failure of a restaurant (hence Trey, likely the 2nd best chef of season 3, was justly cut when his restaurant failed in the 2nd part of the restaurant wars)), even if it is has led to the current situation where Lisa is in the final three (even if I can agree with the Dale cutting decision, I'm much more annoyed (and suspicious (unlike you, I have less confidence in the moral authority of Top Chef) with the decision to cut Antonia while keeping Lisa, but that wasn't your fault).
I'd also like to compliment you on your excellent show and recommend you visit Kerala. If you want spicy food (including one of the few places in India where you can get excellently made beef dishes), beautiful terrain, friendly people, interesting history, Kerala can't be beat (I'll admit my bias due to it being my ancestral land, but it ain't called "God's Own Country" for nothing.
Essentially in order to be a finalist on Top Chef you only need to be second to last each week. Well hey, that describes 80% of the workforce so why not Top Chef? What I realize is that no real top chef would be caught dead on this show. (Sorry Tony.)
I only started watching this show this season after friends raved about it. It's pretty bad. I even gave it another chance last night which is why I am on here today. "What does Bourdain have to say about this crap?" I do wonder at the wisdom of being a guest judge except for the benefit of telling someone their dessert tastes like "baby's vomit with wood chips". I hope Bravo pays well for that as it's the smartest thing anyone has said on that show yet.
I think "No Reservations" is one of the most genuine shows on TV and I'm looking forward to another season.
Tony, you are my hero. Your imperviousness to crap and straight talk is what makes you a great judge. If only you could tolerate a few more episodes, though I do understand why you may not. I am glad you saw the food for the way it was. As much as I thought Dale was the better chef, he did have the weakest dish and went home deservedly. Thanks for making our days more interesting and giving us tasty (or not so tasty) things to look forward to.
Tony, where did you get your sweater with the buttons on the shoulder? That is a fantastic sweater!
This entry is the reason Anthony is teh awesome!
I just read Harold's blog--a little late--about the fact that you judged restaurant wars. He was out of line. You know more about tasting good food than any of the guest judges they have and are more than capable of determining who stank and who deserved to stay. I think that a cook is judged on what he/she does that day--not on the basis of the "body of work". Ask yourself--when was the last time you got a bad taco and forgave because the chef has historically made better ones. For that reason, Dale's elimination was proper. Congratulations Chef, you did the right thing.
The first time I tried scallops was in Capiz, Philippines where it was served steamed, still on the shell and it was soooo gooood! Simple and perfect.
I stopped watching reality cooking contest because I'm not too sure it's for real, but if you Tony was on it. There's probably some truth in it.
Going back to Capiz, Phils. This province is famous for its "manananggal" an evil woman that after midnight it rubs certain oil on the waist area to get ready to separate the top half from the buttom part. Then she flies away (just half of her body) to look for small babies and eat them. There's also the "Kapre" -it's a giant hairy guy with a big tobacco on his mouth hanging out on the tree near a beautiful womans house. He's trying to get some,I guess!
best moment on this episode on top chef was when you talked about how if anyone messed w you they'd be "entering a world of sh*t!
hahaha classic!
hilma from st martin says hello!! we were talking about you last time we were there in april!
ever check out tanoreen in brooklyn? i think it's your kind of place.
I wish you were on the show at least as often as Ted. I cannot wait to see and hear you tomorrow in person at the Moore theater.
Mr. Bourdain, I like the way you express your thoughts. It makes "No Reservations" very interesting. It was a pleasant surprise to see you as guest judge in Top Chef. Hopefully, you'll be in the finale as well.
This is the first time that I found your blog. I saw you last night at the Moore Theater in Seattle for the No reservations tour....YOU WERE WONDERFUL....so inspiring, funny, smart, interesting etc...I had a question that I didnt get to ask: I was wondering about the Bhang Lassi (butchered spelling?) in India...is that basically "reefer" tea? How strong is it? (in effect-not flavor) I thought that maybe you had to edit yourself a wee bit for the show.
A non-pissed off vegetarian from the Seattle crowd. Thanks for the great evening!
What if your daughter decides someday to become vegetarian? Wish I'd thought to ask that last night. ;-)
Chef Bourdain,
I realize you don't know me from the Easter Bunny but, I am a fan, a culinary student, and a fellow adventurer. At 5 years old my favorite dish was steamed clams and raw seafood. My mother always said, "just try a bite". She also said I was funny.
I know I should be on your team and would be an incredible asset. I am the most adventurous person I know as I have scared all my friends with daring tactics and wild culinary creations.
I am available to travel as I have nothing to hold me back. I have traveled from Mexico to many of the Caribbean Islands to Eastern Europe. I love visiting new cultures and experiencing their cuisine.
I am young and have everything to gain and so do you by considering me for your team.
- Kelly J.
Liked the acrobatics on the 4 wheeler...you do some interestinjg things with the beer. And would ya do some comparision on cookin with the spirits? No, not the dead ones....whiskeys and the like.
Oh and about those who cant handle the beer drinking...tell em to poss off, they are "PISS HEADS" anyway!!
I've always thought that Dale was a hard worker, he always seems to pick up the slack from the other contestants, and he usually mans up to his mistakes.
That being said, he was definately one of the biggest whiners of the crew. He was so pugnacious and so quick to point out everyone else's mistakes. I think that Dale and Lisa were both fair game to go home after the restaurant wars challenge.
-DJ From Atlanta.
I don't watch top chef or whatever the %$@&, so this has nothing to do with that. ANYWAY...I just lost my kick %$@& waitressing job because I'm a rockstar/saucebox who has you as inspiration, but I'm not as good at getting away with my badass-ness as you are so, I'm le fired. Because I know you love me and wish only the best for the very special individuals who aspire to come anywhere close to your epic greatness, will you please write me a letter of reference if only because it would be funny as hell and would get me hired anywhere. I don't even care if you watch my 'Travel With Tony' video again and then write "This girl is bat-%$@& insane, don't hire her...Seriously." It would still be awesome and I would appreciate the sentiment. Please, pretty please? I'm so devoted I practically dream about you and I dare say you would have loved to have me on the floor at Les Halles in your day. I would have sold a drowning man two bottles of wine anyday you asked it of me :) If you do so desire to do unto me such a great honor, I believe Zero Point Zero productions has all of my contact information. I'd love it and I do still hope to meet you someday, somehow.
Help my sexy %$@& get a job!!
xoxo
Tony,
Love the show and your books. When is "Gone Bamboo" Gonna be made into a movie? Ooops .... was that top secret...lol Who would you choose to play the leading role? Do you have another Novel in the works?
Thanks for shedding some light on what happened during that episode, the one that left me completely "perplexed", and that had me change to some other channel the next week, because I no longer wanted to watch Top Chef. It just seemed outreageous to leave Lisa there, over Dale. He had showed so much talent, and, even though he had an attitude, well, Lisa managed to be even harder to like, with an even worst attitude.
I appreciate you taking the time to explain to us what happened. You might have convinced me that Top Chef could be worth another shot on my TV.
Hey Tony - just watched the Hawaii episode for the first time and was thrilled to find you with a legendary north shore surfer Derrick Doerner. It was a wild interaction for me because I’m a surfer and know about Derrick Doerner and also am a big fan of yours. I watch your show all the time.
Derrick Doerner has probably felt it all in a lot of ways. I’ve never surfed a thirty foot wave but based upon the thrill I’ve gotten by surfing a three foot one, I can only imagine what that sensation is like. A couple of years ago I was out in La Jolla and went out surfing on a whim. I became so addicted to it I could hardly believe what I felt. It was on some level like the greatest drug I could ever imagine. I have to say, it was a little rough watching the footage of you guys hanging out. I felt like you didn’t know that much about surfing and sort of wound up inadvertently asking what amounted to somewhat shameless questions about it, invoking his anger in some way. I watched it wishing that you had surfed at some point to know what it feels like, which has to be about the greatest feeling in the world. You probably should have spoken about it in the way that it feels like doing some drug you’ve been exposed to at some point in your past. It’s probably better.
Anyway, I’m still a fan, but it just re-emphasized the phenomenon for me that is surfing. If you surf and you fall in love with it, all of the mysteries of the world can be opened up to you. Literally. Balance being among the most central. By the way, can you give us a new episode or two man? I can’t stand to watch all the other lousy stuff they’re putting on T.V. these days. And if this Andrew Anthony guy can have a T.V. show than clearly I should have one. I don't get it.
this entry is why I love you. Not in a creepy, stalker way, mind you.
It's been extremely disappointing that NO ONE, not even the commenters on this post, noticed the extreme poetry and utter perfection of your renami