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

Okay, it has begun again. Top Chef 5: New York is two episodes old and I'm hooked already, of course - although I haven't figured out my favorites yet.

The first couple episodes always seem to weed out the truly incompetent - I remember the only person on the show ever from Kentucky (Hazard, if I remember right) was a guy that tried to serve a fruit salad in an apple he hollowed out with a plastic picnic cutlery knife for a quick-fire challenge. This year wasn't too different, with the losers so far being two CIA students (neither could seem to peel and brunoise an apple properly, nor come up with anything to do with it besides a salad) and someone who thought it would be a good idea to use an ostrich egg to make quiche for the "New Amercian Cuisine" challenge, where they had to feed rejected Top Chef applicants from NYC (who were pretty harsh, btw, but still....who could tell it was an ostrich-egg quiche? Nobody.)

I was also totally puzzled by an argument two of the contestants got into back at the house, one hot shot deriding another that "a vinaigrette is a vinaigrette - it's not an emulsion!" - which sent me staggering to the computer to check and see if I'm crazy. Turns out I'm not, at least on this account - everyone from Alton Brown to Harold McGee agree that a vinaigrette is an emulsion (albeit a temporary one unless stabilizers are added, but that's not what the guy was arguing.)

Top Chef airs Wednesday nights at 10 PM on Bravo TV, channel 58 on Insight. Normally the previous week's episode will air at 9 PM, right before the new one. You can see a lot of clips from the show, bios, blogs and recipes at bravotv.com

My prediction for who goes home next week: toss-up between Carla the Caterer (who garnished her apple pastry buckle with a sad, tired, dry curling-up piece of cheddar laid starkly on the plate) and Ariane the Dumbass, (who tried to pass off undercooked faro to Jean Georges Vongerichten in the quick fire challenge, then had everyone taste her dessert multiple times in the kitchen during the elimination challenge, and she kept saying "it's too sweet, right? Too sweet. It's really too sweet, isn't it?" and then didn't do anything about it.)

Right, people - I know you're watching the show. What do you think so far?

I love Top Chef! We're always in agony waiting between seasons.

I think Arian is gonna be outta there pretty soon. She was right - she didn't desvere it! (But then again, neither did ostrich egg chick.) Ironically, she cried that she didn't deserve it, yet didn't sacrifice herself. Hmmm, it appears as though she thought she did deserve to stay after all.

I don 't want to like the European guys, because of their "holier than thou" attitude, but they really seem to be doing well. I've never been a fan of the cocky people. (I hated Marcel - he drove me nuts!!!) I'd much rather someone with a good attitude win, but I know that this does not a Top Chef make.

I don't know everyone's names right now, but my two faves so far are the tatooted guy from Hawaii and the chick who did the chilled corn soup.

I love this show and never miss it. I haven't decided on any faves yet, but I do like Jamie and Danny so far. As Beth stated, I am not against the Euro's but so far I haven't warmed to their tudes. One thing I really like is Padma being back again. My oh my.

You can follow this link to find bio info on everyone. http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/season/5/bios/index.php

I'm terrible with names, but just having the two CIA trained chefs get booted first left me laughing. And Ariane (too sweet dessert girl) should have been the one to go. I am liking the tatooed guy who worked his way up from dishwasher thru the stations and is now on Top Chef. Quite an accomplishment in itself.

Just got back from NYC and ate at a few of my old spots-Around the Clock diner in lower east Village, Two Boots Pizza and tried a new one-Stanton Social in the lower east which was wonderful! We had a bit too much wine but plenty of amazing small plates! And of course had a gyro in the streets late night...!!

Fabio.....

Ha, you can have him....LOL.

fabio, fabio, where art thou fabio. i have a feeling he'll be last man standing. lol

Someone will take him down.

What's interesting is that back in the summer I took the family to Craft In LA. While the dinner was very good in almost all aspects, I've had better food right here in my hometown Louisville. On the other hand, I do love dining out in LA.

Arianne has to go.....she's willing to serve mediocre crap.

Arianne seem s like she just gives up on every challange. She doesn't seem to want to be there.
I feel like I'm at home watching the Europeans- I have lost count how many of those guys I've worked with in NYC. Can't wait to see their tempers.

Does anyone else read the Skillet Doux blog? It was recommended by Ted Allen on his blog last season. It gives a nice summary of the show every Monday with evaluations of each individual contestant.

http://www.skilletdoux.com/

I also think the Europeans are showing the best atm...

Dark Horses: Radhika and Jersey guy

I have a bit of a problem with the contestants reproducing recipes from thier restaurants. They should be taxed for unimagination, spherical olives or no.

Love the show, makes for a great party night (having friends over to watch together).

A lot of the contestants seem to use dishes from their restaurant, look at Marcel.. he was notorious, and so was Ilan.

I agree Ariane has to go...... but "dumbass"? That's a little harsh.

Love the show, makes for a great party night (having friends over to watch together).

I agree Ariane has to go...... but "dumbass"? That's a little harsh.

I'm sure I'll say MUCH worse about most of them before the series is over.

I did say "Let's Dish!"

Love the show, makes for a great party night (having friends over to watch together).

I agree Ariane has to go...... but "dumbass"? That's a little harsh.

I'm sure I'll say MUCH worse about most of them before the series is over.

I did say "Let's Dish!"

Then, Let's Dish!

There should probably be a whole other thread devoted to this topic...
I could go go on for days and days....
BTW...The early odds on bet for me is the Indian chef Radhika...I think there is more there than we've seen so far....