Top Chef 5: New York - Let's Dish!

Does anyone sense that Colichio is irritated or burned out with this bunch or the show in general. I don't sense harmony with Tom and the new judge.

They were contradicting each other last night. "I just dont see it." - Chef TC

I really like the insight on the blogs @Bravotv.com. Both Chef Tom and Toby's blogs were illuminating on why Toby thought he was there (wit=potshots="good" tv) and how he seemed to change his approach when he saw how seriously everyone else was taking this. Fish tacos notwithstanding.

My guess is that Toby is supposed to bring a Simon Cowell-like flavor to the show. Has anyone heard the circumstances behind Gail Simmons' leaving the show? I assume it's just because she just got married and went traveling, but it was a complete surprise to me. I just wondered if there was any dirt - but I can't find any on the internet, so there must not be any!

According to the Bravo blogs ... she didn't post blogs for the first few shows as she was on her honeymoon (if this was filmed in the summer, and she didn't do day-after posts until Novemberish, I want her vacay "benefits.") But she resumed day after comments a few episodes ago, so I think she is still there.

I was wondering some of the same, such as, will she not be judging the finale?

I recommend this site, if you like Top Chef, bc it restores some of my faith in the judging as Chef Tom, for example, reminds us over and over that they don't see the drama in the kitchen, so, for example, they don't see how Ariane manages not to overcook Turkey (breasts only, a much easier feat than a whole bird) and lamb, and other proteins by having EVERY OTHER COOK THERE breathe down her neck to make sure it's done, not over/under done. So even though I am screaming at the screen at her "talent" I feel a leetle bit better when Tom points it out, though the next day. Also, the blogs are pretty straight forward about their opinions of the chefs themselves, so you can read between the lines on their beliefs about the longevity of each contestant. Even Gail points out the basic, "straightforward" interpretation of the skate dish.

According to the Bravo blogs ... she didn't post blogs for the first few shows as she was on her honeymoon (if this was filmed in the summer, and she didn't do day-after posts until Novemberish, I want her vacay "benefits.") But she resumed day after comments a few episodes ago, so I think she is still there.

I was wondering some of the same, such as, will she not be judging the finale?

I recommend this site, if you like Top Chef, bc it restores some of my faith in the judging as Chef Tom, for example, reminds us over and over that they don't see the drama in the kitchen, so, for example, they don't see how Ariane manages not to overcook Turkey (breasts only, a much easier feat than a whole bird) and lamb, and other proteins by having EVERY OTHER COOK THERE breathe down her neck to make sure it's done, not over/under done. So even though I am screaming at the screen at her "talent" I feel a leetle bit better when Tom points it out, though the next day. Also, the blogs are pretty straight forward about their opinions of the chefs themselves, so you can read between the lines on their beliefs about the longevity of each contestant. Even Gail points out the basic, "straightforward" interpretation of the skate dish.

I like reading the Bravo blogs as well, in addition to the Top Chef coverage on Hungry Mag and Skillet Doux.

I'm actually surprised how honest the Bravo blogs seem to read. Richard Blais and Stephaine Izzard's blogs straightforward comments don't at all surprise me, being that they are merely spectators... but the blog entries by Colicchio, Gail and Toby all are pretty interesting to read. They seem pretty unfiltered, and like coffee-table talk on the episodes.
Which is one thing you tend to not find on network sponsored blogs, on the show's official site. Kudos to Bravo for that.


If you find yourself bored, each cast member's photo galleries are kind of interesting to look at. They're pretty much all pre-Top Chef photos, presumably submitted for the application process.

I found Tom to be totally irritating this week. He kept going on about honoring and respecting ingredients. Well, isn't that the same thing as cooking a good dish?

i think the point is is that no one was cooking good dishes....

i think the point is is that no one was cooking good dishes....

Yep.

This crew doesn't have the heavy hitters as compared to prior seasons. Interesting television but less interesting food.

I do not like the new snarky judge. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy good snark. He just seems more of a diva than in giving an honest review of the food. Which did look not so hot this week.

I do not like the new snarky judge. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy good snark. He just seems more of a diva than in giving an honest review of the food. Which did look not so hot this week.

I totally agree. The cutting jabs seem so forced and/or rehersed. He certainly does not come across as a food heavy-weight. Did you know that fennel has an anise-like taste?

Yes, I knew that fennel has an anise-like taste. That is why it is on my list of dislikes. Not that I hate it; I can, but you won't find fennel seeds in my herb/spice drawer nor fresh fennel in my fridge.

i disagree about the new judge, this crew of lackluster kitchen hacks needs someone to tell them that their creation taste like cat food, the talent on these season is pretty scarce
i would much rather see some of the folks from this area kicking foodie ass, than these fools removing the lamb from the bone and the fat from the pork

I think that the new Judge is not the problem... we are unhappy with more than Toby's commentary... it is the fact that the opportunity for such commentary is being provided by the contestants themselves.

When so many of the winning dishes are winning based on just being cooked correctly, and not ingenuity, flavour, etc, we are all left with dissatisfaction. Especially after seeing the talent interdispersed among questionable characters in previous episodes. We aren't seeing the talent, we aren't excited, we aren't inspired. Notice how nobody on the forum is dishing about the food? Oh yeah, the food. Perhaps Toby is just reminding us of the obvious, which will endear him to noone.

I wonder how much more Chef Tom will stick with this? We all know Padma, I mean whatever her character was in Glitter, will stick around long enough to spit another sample into her "I heart Padma" tshirt, available for sell-out at Bravotv.com. But Chef Tom? He does look more and more unhappy each episode.

i think the point is is that no one was cooking good dishes....

Yep.

This crew doesn't have the heavy hitters as compared to prior seasons. Interesting television but less interesting food.

Doesn't the contestant pool inevitably become a little weaker each season?

I have not seen much of this season (as I lack cable TV), but it seems, from what I have seen, the European contestants were supposed to offer some fresh perspectives. Whatever that means.

Reality TV shows operate one a downward spiral - hard to better a product a few seasons in. In regards to this particular show, the current contestants add little to the show. Little else has changed in regards to the show's structure. Sure there's that new judge, but to me that seems like a "jump the shark" move. The show has to revolve around the food, the preparation of the food, and the contestants' relation to the food (and relationships with each other based on the food/challenges). Judges seem secondary to me, although certain judges (Ted from Queer Eye, Anthony B) tend to add a level of education other judges do not bring to the show.