All stories about "Reality Tv"
Top Chef Finale: Surprising Missteps Lead to Squeaker Ending
Season 4, one of the snooziest, frustrating-to-watch installations of Top Chef is all over folks! The final meals have been plated and the Top Chef has been named—but not without some serious sweat, tears, and a few celebrity chef cameos along the way. This time Bravo decided to nix the cheesy “live finale” concept we saw last year—a decision no one is complaining about. Instead we watched our final three compete head-to-head in a very straightforward, not too exciting, four-course final challenge, each one aided by a different celebrity chef. Stephanie, who tied with Richard in Elimination wins, drew the lucky knife and got to pick her ingredients and chef first, selecting Eric “the Ripper” Ripert for her sous chef. Richard picked Dan Barber of Blue Hill and Lisa was paired with the Spotted Pig’s April Bloomfield. There was one twist however: the celeb chefs “called in sick” on the day of service, forcing the three cheftestants to “live and die by their own hand,” as Tom put it. (Rather melodramatically we might add.)
EaterWire: Padma's New Show, The New Kuma Inn, A Flatiron Tasting
PADMA'S UNIVERSE— According to a recent fluff piece in the LA Times, Padma's got a new show in the works: "In the meantime, she's developing a cooking and entertaining show with Chris Albrecht, IMG's president of global media (and former chairman and chief executive of HBO), to help get her back in the kitchen. Here's how it's loosely described: A group of fun, eclectic people come over to her house for a dinner party; we watch her prep, get ready and cook; guests arrive and eat; maybe someone plays music." [LAT]
BED-STUY— The owner of Kuma Inn is looking to expand. According to the Sun King Phojanakong will be opening a branch on Myrtle Ave near Fort Greene Park this fall. [NYS]
Flatiron Tasting, up next.>>Death To Society: Bravo Announces Top Chef for Teens
Bravo has just today announced the development of Top Chef Junior a spin-off of their runaway success Top Chef. Now children aged 13-16 can deal with the same stressful scenarios, harrowing cooking challenges, and self-esteem crushing defeats as their grown up counterparts. Hey stage moms and dads, get you kids' audition videos ready. From the release: 'With 'Top Chef Junior' we're reaching a growing market and are developing a series that will teach and test the skills of younger aspiring chefs and appeal to the whole family." At Eater HQ we're torn on whether this will be a huge ratings getter (it's always fun to watch kids break under the pressure) or a total flop (these mini-chefs will be highly unskilled). Probably the former. And in other Bravo news, the company announced a docu-series following celeb chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. Lets check out the full release:
Serious Eats tries out the new Hell's Kitchen game and doesn't find it unbearable: "If you mess up badly (or also at other times when I was doing OK), he’ll say things like, 'You donkey' and 'Move your ass' and 'Oh, fuck me senseless.' But he'll also compliment you when you're doing well, which sometimes comes off a bit weird...It's not a horrible game. The challenge is there, but it fails to be compelling." Hmm...kind of like the show? [SE via Eater LA]
Top Chef Chicago: Pork Dishes Lead to Finale Upset
Last night’s Top Chef whisked us away to Puerto Rico for part uno of the season finale, which proved to have no shortage of drama, swine, and tears. Upon arrival in PR, it was hard not to notice that Lisa stepped up her game by sporting a scary new "faux-hawk-like" 'do. Not to be outdone, Richard’s hair was sharkier than ever, and he made it known to the audience that he was surprised about Lisa’s presence in the finale. The quickfire challenge, in a nod to the environs, entailed creating two dishes involving “frituras” (fritters) using plantains as the key ingredient. Stephanie made tostones with seared tuna that impressed judge Wilo Benet (Pikayo Restaurant) and she took home her first quickfire win yet. After that, a brief interlude allowed the chefs to chill out with some native food, song, and dance. Padma, who seemed elated to be rockin’ ruffled, flowery cruisewear and a flower behind the ear, let loose on the dance floor.
Fox has finally released their Hell's Kitchen video game. According to Eater LA it's free to download but the uncensored version is gunna cost ya $19.99: "At least to hear Gordo call you a 'fucking donkey' will only cost a few bucks and not your dignity, like the HK contestants who've been ridiculed and shamed in front of millions." [Eater LA]
Reality TV: 'Chopping Block' in Action
A correspondent walking through Noho last night caught a glimpse of a taping of Chopping Block, the reality show that has been filming at the old Kelly & Peng space (now called Crimson) for a few weeks now. She says the restaurant was full at the time so we're guessing the crowd hovering around the entrance was going to be let in for the next seating/taping.
· Is ‘Chopping Block’ Shooting on the Bowery? [Cutlets]
· Reality Show Shooting at Kelly & Peng space [~E~]
EaterWire: Luca Lounge Officialy Not Doneski, Milant DOH'ed, Reality TV News, and a Latte Art War for Charity
EAST VILLAGE— Just last month everyone thought (per a sign in the window) that East Village veteran Luca Lounge was a goner. Not So! An email from the owner: "...we quite suddenly and unfairly did lose our lease due to an unexpected and outrageous rent increase. However, we fully intend to stay in this community and are planning to move the restaurant to 222 Avenue B - this location is just next door to our original space. So do plan to see a new, improved, and definitely alive and kicking Luca Lounge by the end of July." [EaterWire]
MIDTOWN EAST— Midtown Lunch is reporting that Midtown East staple Milant got a visit from the DOH: "...I talked to somebody at Milant who claimed it was a freezer temperature issue, which they immediately fixed on Friday afternoon. Now they’re just waiting for the inspector to return to give them the green light..." [Midtown Lunch]
Latte Art Throwndown, Reality TV ahead.>>An exciting piece of intel from the tipline: "...the former Daily Chow/Kelly and Peng/relocated East Village Yacht Club at the corner of Bowery and 2nd St is currently being renovated. They are installing all this sound equipment, and the construction workers confirmed that some sort of reality cooking show will be filmed there soon. They wouldn't disclose which one." Any guesses? [EaterWire]
Top Chef Chicago: Sam Talbot and Boxed Lunches Send Another NYC Chef Packin’
Last night’s Top Chef began with an airing of bad vibes throughout the house—everyone commenting that Dale was in fact a “little bitch." But all negativity was temporarily quelled upon arrival at the quickfire, where former cheftestant Sam Talbot stood looking luscious (yet incredibly cheesy) before the young chefs. Antonia for one got slightly hot and bothered. In no effort at subtlety, the challenge was to “put the sexy back into salad,” which was accomplished by Spike as he was declared the winner. For the EC, chefs had to create a healthy boxed lunch for Chicago cops following several stipulations. Spike’s advantage led him to create a mediocre chicken salad, which landed him in the bottom three. Dale took the win with his Vietnamese bison and Stephanie came in second with her mushroom/meatball soup. After a rocky judges’ table, the NYC crew lost another member last night, leaving only 3 remaining to fight it out for a spot in the finale.
Top Chef Recap: The Relay, Wedding Wars, and A Long Awaited Elimination
Now that’s more like it! Last night’s Top Chef was considerably more entertaining than the past few weeks thanks to one of the most ridiculous elimination challenges to date and the return of a favorite quickfire, the relay race (this time with a bonus terrifying monkfish). After an incredibly close race between the two teams, Stephanie pulled ahead in the mayo making, and Dale got so pissed about losing he lost it and punched a locker.
As for the elimination challenge, instead of “restaurant wars” the two teams catered a wedding for two restaurant professionals. Both teams b>pulled a 36-hour day between prepping, cooking, and the event itself. In the end, Nikki’s disorganized team (the groom) went down, and Stephanie’s team (the bride) pulled out on top. Guest judge, top pastry chef Gale Gand of Tru joined our favorite regular Gail at judges’ table. The NYC Crew lost another member last night, but not one that didn’t have it coming.
The NYC 5 become the NYC 4, next.>>Top Chef Chicago: Another NYC Chef Gets the Boot
The ongoing shitshow that is Top Chef Season 4 ensued last night, reaching all-time lows in both product placement and child exploitation. Guest judge Art Smith, Oprah’s personal chef and Common Threads guru, was on hand to judge both the quickfire and elimination challenge. Sorority sweetheart Gail Simmons was also back to put her two cents in on the EC. For the Quickfire, the chefs were asked to create a dish in 15 minutes using Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice, which was perhaps the most nauseating example of shill so far this season.
For the EC, the chefs were given a paltry budget of $10 and asked to create a healthy, simple meal for a family of four. (What is this, the Food Network?) After some bitching and chaos, the chefs pulled it together and were assisted by small children in the preparation of their meals. After seeing the little kids in chef’s hats, Antonia lost it and started crying, and Richard wanted to “go home and make some babies.” (TMI?) At the end of the day, Lisa, Steph and Mark were on the chopping block, while Antonia pulled out another win despite being immune. But the real story this week was that the NYC crew was whittled down to a mere 5 cheftestants.
Ahead, a check-in with our NYC crew>>
Mario Batali and Thomas Keller are the poster boys for the legion of chefs donning Crocs these days, but now multiple safety warnings have been issued for the shoes: "...the government of Japan ordered Crocs redesigned because of a potential hazard... 'When this resin material from which Crocs is created makes contact with the side of an escalator, the foot will get sucked in the mechanism of the escalator and take the child's foot with it,' said Andrew Laskin." Child, celebrity chef, whatever: just another reason to take the stairs, Mario. [ABC7 via Eater SF]
Eater Sneak Preview: Art Smith, Microwaves, and Product Placement
In this week's preview for the upcoming episode of Top Chef we learn some somewhat interesting but not so integral things: Mark, Antonia, and Stephanie are especially amped up to win, and James Beard award winner and Oprah's personal chef Art Smith will be the guest judge. We also know that for the quickfire chefs only have 15 minutes to make a meal, Uncle Ben's rice is somehow involved, and naturally, they can only cook their dishes in the microwave.
· All Top Chef Coverage [~E~]
Top Chef Chicago: Shocking Elimination Spares All 6 NYers
All six New York chefs held strong again this week in the face of some difficult competition. Last night was a serious reality check as there were almost no mistakes in either challenge and the judges were forced to make a decision based on more minor criterion. NYC “pastry icon” Johnny Iuzzini was on hand as guest judge during the QF in which the chefs had to make a dessert, (“the Achilles heel” of many a cheftestant,) while competing for a spot in the Top Chef cookbook, (another tactful product placement.) Johnny gave Richard the win for his “banana scallops with guac.”
For the EC, the chefs went to Second City and watched some improv, then had to pair up and create a dish based on words shouted out by the show’s audience. Ted Allen, who can’t ever shut up about his love for bacon, was also back last night in the EC judges’ table. Dale and Richard’s green perplexed tofu was declared the winner, with runners-up Spike and Andrew. Interestingly enough, it turned out to be kind of a battle of the sexes—with all boys teams on top, and the girls teams of Stephanie/Jen, and Antonia/Lisa on the chopping block.
Up ahead, a check-in with our NYC 6>>Bravo just announced that Top Chef is holding a casting call for Season 5 in NYC on Sunday May 11th at the The Culinary Institute of America. All you Manhattan sous chefs, caterers, food truck owners, and aspiring molecular gastronomists: get your resumes in order. [EaterWire]
Top Chef Chicago: NYers Barely Escape the Ax
These Polls Are Getting Ridic
Things are getting more tense on Top Chef after last week’s bitter smackdown. This week our cheftestants stepped it up with mostly above-average food, a tad more civility (except for Spike), and a whole assortment of bizarre hijinks. Up next, a summary of last night’s sports-themed ep, followed by our weekly check-in with the NYC 6, who again nearly escaped another elimination.
Summary: Last night’s episode started out with another confrontation between Dale and Lisa, Jennifer talking about missing Zoi, and Spike discussing how talented he is. In the Quickfire, the contestants created dished that paired perfectly with beer, conveniently offering an outlet for more product placement. Chicago Chef Koren "poker face" Grieveson of Avec presided as guest judge, and when all was said and done, Jen pulled out the QF win for shrimp beignets. For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs catered a Chicago Bears tailgate party, which was oddly reminiscent of the recent block party challenge. This time it was a solo challenge which made for less cattiness but still plenty of screw-ups and silliness. Dale ended up winning for his spicy ribs, and Ryan the charmer got the ax. Judge Paul Kahan of Chicago's Blackbird and Avec joined Gail and the usual twosome of TC and Pads.
After the jump, checking in with our NYC 6 and more>>Last week the Observer's Doree Shafrir presented a thesis that there was some connection between Jeffrey Chodorow and the Bravo show Real Housewives of New York City, because the characters dined in two of his restaurants. This week there's further damning evidence: "In the season finale of Real Housewives last night, Jeffrey Chodorow managed to get in one last plug for Kobe Club—I think it was Jill (maybe Bethenney?) on the phone, and she says something to the effect of, 'We’ll take them to Kobe Club, it has to be somewhere really special, these are JP Morgan bankers.'" [The Doree Chronicles]
Eater Sneak Preview: Top Cheffers Stressed, Dislike One Another
Episode 6 of Top Chef airs tomorrow night and we've got a sneak preview of the first minute of the show. Spike is realizing people think he should go home, Jennifer misses Zoi, Dale and Lisa can't stand each other, and Ryan is starting to feel the stress. Again tensions are running high and the contestants are put into a nonsensical situation that relates only tangentially to being a chef: tailgating for a football game. Chef Paul Kahan guest judges.
· All Top Chef Coverage [~E~]
Over at The Doree Chronicles, the Observer's Doree Shafrir notices some interesting links between Bravo reality show The Real Housewives of New York City and the one and only Jeffery Chodorow: "what I find most amusing is that the ladies seem to really enjoy going to Jeffrey Chodorow restaurants. Last night they were at China Grill (with a bunch of empty tables), another night they were at Kobe Club. Since Bravo never shows a brand name unless it’s been paid for and/or approved (seriously, they fuzz out, like, Coca-Cola. It’s ridiculous), I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that they made some kind of deal with Chodorow." [The Doree Chronicles]
It's safe to say the only people who could really appreciate Top Chef, The Cookbook are rabid Top Chef fans, which the LA Times reviewer is not: "The charts (a handy elimination bracket that even a kindergartner would appreciate), the quotes ('I've got a false testicle, and I'm ready to cook'), the trivia (the second-season winner's favorite piece of equipment is the short plancha spatula) and graphics ("Top Coif") are ridiculously hilarious (emphasis on the ridiculous). But can you actually cook from it? Would anyone want to?" One recipe she tried, the vending machine veggie loaf from season 2's Carlos Fernandez, "was wretched." True fans probably wouldn't get passed the Top Coif page (which is absolutely brill, btw) anyway. [LAT via Eater LA]
Top Chef Chicago: Episode 5 is a Chef Smackdown
Who writes these polls?
Based on last week’s clips, we were expecting a whole hot mess of drama to go down on last night’s Top Chef. While most of the episode contained the usual array of bitchiness and bad food, producers made us hold out until the end for a measly two minute "smackdown" that included bugging out, swearing, and screaming which, let's face it, ended up feeling a little bit contrived. Up ahead, a summary and then let’s check in with our NYC 6, who nearly lost another member last night.
Summary: Last night’s Quickfire was the “palate test,” which was a welcome break from some of the ridiculous cooking challenges of the past few weeks. This week’s guest judge was “East Meets West” celebrity chef Ming Tsai, who rolled up rockin’ a yin/yang necklace. After bragging considerably about her excellent palate, Antonia ended up winning. For the Elimination Challenge, the cheftestants broke up into teams of three to make first courses for a catered meal at the “Meals on Wheels” ball. Dishes were inspired by the elements, and Lisa, of team Fire, was awarded the win (and a trip to Italy) for making miso-crusted bacon. Then, as promised, Spike, Jennifer, Antonia, Dale, and Lisa completely lost it on each other at the end, probably the most enjoyable yet strangest two minutes of the whole show.
More drama from our NYC 6 after the jump>>Eater Sneak Preview: Top Cheffers' Palates Tested
The fifth episode of Top Chef airs tonight, and from the preview here and at the end of last week's show, it is going to be a doozy. Last week they hinted that this episode would have some serious fights, including a dramatic tiff between Dale and Jennifer. The above clip is just a strange exercise in elusive Top Chef editing where it looks like every single chef (and Antonia and Zoi especially) is on the chopping block. Bonus info: For the quickfire cheftestants will have to determine which ingredients are most expensive during a blind tasting and celeb chef Ming Tsai will be the guest judge.
· All Top Chef Coverage [~E~]
Top Chef Parodied on SNL
On Saturday, SNL, hosted by a Christopher Walken, ran a parody of your favorite show and ours, Top Chef. It features a faux-hawk joke ("It wouldn't be Top Chef without faux-hawks"), a quickfire where the cheftestants must make a pizza with beets, cous cous, and medicine, and the ultimate highlight, a creepy celebrity judge complete with mega sideburns named Wylie Delmario.
Video ahead.>>Top Chef Chicago: First New Yorker Gets the Ax
Last night’s Top Chef may have been the most random albeit most entertaining one yet—Daniel Boulud, Richard Roeper, a basket of greens, and movie-inspired dishes were all on the menu during this bizarre 4th ep. As usual, the spazzy antics of the young chefs did not disappoint: bitching, flailing, and clawing their way through this "cinema-themed" episode. A quick summary is up ahead followed by a breakdown of the ever-prominent NYC 7, who saw their first head roll last night.
Summary: As previously mentioned, Top Chef regular Daniel Boulud, (D-Biggity if you will), was front and center at the start of the quickfire. Bonus Info: We learned/were reminded that Ryan and Richard had both worked in one of his restaurants. Apparently Boulud’s style just wasn’t “Ryan’s thing.” Shocker. The QF challenge was to create a veggie plate using 3 classical techniques to impress D-Biggs. After whining about their lack of technical skills by many cheftestants, Dale pulled off his first win. Then, in a total segue of theme, the elimination challenge was to create a 6 course meal for Richard Roeper and Aisha Tyler, each course done by a different pair of chefs and inspired by a different film. (Who comes up with this stuff?) In the end, Richard, Andrew, and Dale's Willy Wonka dish was the winner, Padma's outfit was a feat in itself, and a panel of eight randoms accompanied the judges at the dinner table.
The NYC 7 Continues to Steal the Show>>Eater Sneak Preview: Top Cheffers Play with New Techniques, Face Boulud, Roeper
The fourth episode of Top Chef airs tomorrow night and according to the sneak peek above there's a big focus on new techniques and the chefs are as stressed as ever! Film critic Richard Roeper and actress Aisha Tyler are somehow involved, cute as a button Daniel Boulud judges the quickfire, and Padma is generally smokin'. Also, apparently this week there will be a big editorial focus on the lesbian relationship and the competitive advantage of having your significant other on the show.
· All Top Chef coverage [~E~]
Yesterday, Gothamist published an open letter to Ted Allen from 'the ghost of Oscar Tschirky', calling out the Top Chef judge for saying the Waldolf salad comes from 'Middle America.' Today, Sir Allen responds: "Point taken. Yes, the Waldorf Salad was invented by a chef at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. In the 1800s. Which is approximately the last century that anybody with a creative or adventurous palate served it....since then, the venerable combo of mayo and apples—like so many dishes that once were innovative and now are clichés—became more the province of, well, the provinces. Such as that from whence I sprang so long ago: Ohio." [Gothamist]
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