Top Chef: Las Vegas

[brvheart 1,768]

Even better news: if there aren't good proteins in heaven, he'll still be able to whip you up something tasty and fulfilling.

....according to Natalie Portman. I never trust a vegetarian.

[Pot Odds RAC 23]

Jesus, Marcel is such a little twat. He needs to be held down and head-shaved again.

[Belanger25 3]

Jesus, Marcel is such a little twat. He needs to be held down and head-shaved again.

I've watched about a half hour of this so far, and I've wanted him to choke on some food for about 29 of those 30 minutes.God he's so fricken annoying.

[BigDMcGee 3,367]

marcel is god

[theresa113 0]

The issue with Marcel is that he is extremely insecure with himself. His arrogance is just a mask. Like Stephan, he is confident in is cooking. Unlike Stephan, he is not comfortable with himself. I think it was evident last night why he was treated the way he was on his season. He could have easily won over the other chefs and the audience with a little self effacing humor. Too bad the only thing anyone can see about him besides his cooking is that he is a twat. He had the perfect opportunity to prove everyone wrong and he didn't.However, I did like the show last night. It was evident which seasons were strong and which ones (the third) were not. I love having Fabio as the host... he took the job so seriously and he was not afraid to ask the tough questions. He really wanted people to have the opportunity to explain themselves and I liked that.

[SBriand 4]

I didn't watch this yet but I loved Marcel.

[Pot Odds RAC 23]

I didn't watch this yet but I loved Marcel.

Dude was being such an immature douche I honestly thought Fabio was just going to ask him to leave. They also showed a clip from the Season 5 Finale where, after the dinner, the Judges were trying to get input from the Sous-Chefs regarding the preparation. Marcel wouldn't stop talking over the English Judge who basically said: "Look. Shut up and let me ask my question before you try and answer it." Marcel again acted like an immature arrogant prick and stormed off the set.He was OK during his Season. But he came across so poorly last night. Sort of like when someone is acting with such lousy social skills that you actually feel uncomfortable for him wishing it would just stop.

[speedz99 145]

I didn't watch the episode...probably never will unless you guys tell me it's worth it.Regarding Marcel, I'd wager a guess that he plays up his obnoxious attitude because being his season's "bad guy"* led to the only real attention he's ever gotten in his life, positive or negative. He probably thinks that going on tv and acting like an ass one more time will be good for his career.*Even though rational people agree that Ilan was the real douche that year.

[Pot Odds RAC 23]

I didn't watch the episode...probably never will unless you guys tell me it's worth it.Regarding Marcel, I'd wager a guess that he plays up his obnoxious attitude because being his season's "bad guy"* led to the only real attention he's ever gotten in his life, positive or negative. He probably thinks that going on tv and acting like an ass one more time will be good for his career.*Even though rational people agree that Ilan was the real douche that year.

I am enough of a "fan" that I enjoyed the episode. But it really wasn't that great. Not as boring as many "reunion" shows. So many of these reunion shows are just a stupid Q&A talk show format, or answering insipid reader questions. I mean, we watch the original show because of the food theme. At least for this one they found a way to keep it relevant to the original show by having them cook a dinner party meal and they all sat and ate together. No way Marcel was aware enough to be playing up his social ineptness for the camera. The sad thing is I think he is really talented. This is one of those cases which we were discussing earlier where a guy could be talented as Hell, but I'd never invest in him to run a Kitchen for me. Yes, some chefs will tolerate, at least for a short period of time, working for/with an ass hole. But after seeing this episode I am convinced that Marcel would never have the strength of personality to keep a talented staff. Michelin Brother, even though he has personality issues, has enough Strength of Leadership that he could command presence in the Kitchen and his staff (conceivably) would work hard to succeed. Marcel would get his head shaved in the walk-in.

[Pot Odds RAC 23]

...and Hung who has a ton of talent AND ego, but also has Strength of Personality. He even admitted that he learned a lot about himself during and as a result of the show.

[runthemover 40]

you gays are way overreacting over this. Marcel was talking and Toby interrupted him. Marcel said he didn't want to talk about the bad shit that happened and Fabio kept bringing it up so obviously he was going to be a bit prickly. basically Marcel is nice and annoying but gets quite agitatedin fabio's defense he was seemingly trying to bring things up in a way that would allow the chefs to get some cathartic release or explain themselves without filtering/editing. however, none of the chefs wanted to do this which is why it turned into "good tv". I say "seemingly" because obviously he didn't come up with these questions himself though probably he believes that's what he's doing even though the producers know exactly what they are doing.by the way I'm fairly sure every Chef said something along the lines of "I learned a lot about myself" but, yes, we'll go with Hung having an awesome personalitypretty sure that stephanie didn't show up because she didn't want to be the worst chef there. oh yes i did!season 3 made the classic mistake of doing 3 dishes slightly related dishes. "they weren't married" to paraphrase what someone said once

[theresa113 0]

...and Hung who has a ton of talent AND ego, but also has Strength of Personality. He even admitted that he learned a lot about himself during and as a result of the show.

Marcel said it as well. However, Hung stated some specific things he learned (such as being more aware of his environment) and Marcel did not speak of one thing that would show any self criticism. I would guess that Marcel has Avoidant and Narcissitic personality disorders. He is still a talented chef and I was impressed that he and Ilan worked together to make the salt encrusted fish. Unfortunately, there are very talented people who have personality disorders. Its those disorders that will always hold them back from expressing their true talents.

[timwakefield 69]

I didn't watch the episode...probably never will unless you guys tell me it's worth it.

Dave wasn't there. In other words, meh. Having to see Ilan's stupid face is always a negative, and he was there. So again: meh.Harold needs to lose a few pounds. He carries it in his neck, which is not a good look.

But he came across so poorly last night. Sort of like when someone is acting with such lousy social skills that you actually feel uncomfortable for him wishing it would just stop.

I agree with this. He's just way too insecure and he turns that insecurity into defensiveness and false bravado. My impression of him at the reunion: "I'm not a douche, you're a douche! Why do you think I'm a douche? You obviously don't know me, which makes you the douche. Leave me alone! [almost cries] "He's also clearly a damn good chef, but he needs to learn people skills.

[theresa113 0]

Did any of you read Tom's Blog on the Natalie Portman challenge? Very insightful, Tom discusses Kevin's strengths in comparison to the V brothers.

[LadyGrey 8]

Did any of you read Tom's Blog on the Natalie Portman challenge? Very insightful, Tom discusses Kevin's strengths in comparison to the V brothers.

I was just thinking today about how I hadn't been reading the blogs. This one you linked was really spot on though, especially what he said about Mike trying to make the leeks into scallops. I'd been thinking along those lines but he articulated it perfectly.As for Kevin vs the Voltaggios, I don't mind that Kevin won but as a vegetarian I think that using mushrooms in this challenge was the 'safe' option. Everyone knows that mushrooms have a 'meaty' flavour and texture, using them was easy, especially compared to Michelin Boy making banana and asparagus work together.EDIT: Oh wow, from Gail's blog "No beans or legumes, few eggs and little dairy were used (despite their being encouraged to do so)." - so the contestants really were allowed to use all kinds of grains and dairy etc and for some reason they just didn't.... I can't believe that.

[brvheart 1,768]

It was hilarious when Bryan's two year old kid called him Bryan... instead of Daddy. Bryan seems like the kind of guy that would beat his kid if he called him dad.Also, Michael is a huge ass. Kevin is really messing with his ego.

[vbnautilus 49]

FINALLY

[timwakefield 69]

I feel like if they had reversed their dishes, and Eli had served the poor panna cotta and Robyn had served the disgusting Liquid Circus Soup, Robyn would still have gone home. In other words, I feel like they just couldn't let her get to the final 5, having been on the bottom almost literally every week. Eventually they had to get rid of her, even if one of her competitors was again nice enough to serve something disgusting and inedible, next to her barely-edible concoction.Wait, did you say candy-apple-peanut soup with popcorn and some kind of frosting? Ooooo that sounds.....sorry dude, I can't fake it. That sounds fucking awful.

[speedz99 145]

Also, Michael is a huge ass. Kevin is really messing with his ego.

Michael won the elimination challenge and considers Kevin's food to be child's play...his ego is just fine.

I feel like if they had reversed their dishes, and Eli had served the poor panna cotta and Robyn had served the disgusting Liquid Circus Soup, Robyn would still have gone home.

Yeah, I can't imagine this isn't the case. It was crappy dish versus absolutely disgusting dish, Eli really should have lost. I'll have to read Tom's blog about this one. Kevin's comment about Eli's dish being one that would have to be reworked a few times was bullshit...that's a dish that you'd make once and then totally scrap because it fell so flat.

[vbnautilus 49]

Yeah, I can't imagine this isn't the case. It was crappy dish versus absolutely disgusting dish, Eli really should have lost. I'll have to read Tom's blog about this one. Kevin's comment about Eli's dish being one that would have to be reworked a few times was bullshit...that's a dish that you'd make once and then totally scrap because it fell so flat.

Between you and me, I kind of liked Eli’s dish. It was not successful by a long shot, and I understand why my fellow judges truly did not, but I enjoyed it. I think the raspberry dome should have topped the other elements (circuses happen under the big top, right?) — it would have been fun in a way befitting the circus theme to break through that to find what surprises awaited beneath. Even so, the theme was better realized than in Robin’s dish, where she just never translated the Dale Chihuly glass sculpture from the lobby of the Bellagio to her dish. The colors of the flowers in that handblown glass sculpture are so vivid, the texture so striking, and yet we were handed a piece of white panna cotta in a pale purple sauce with a pice of amber sugar on top (which, incidentally, made the photo taken for the episode, but didn’t make it to our plates). Right now every pastry chef who watched the program is thinking, “Ohmigod, there are SO many ways to pull this off!” If you know how to work with sugars, you cold make little translucent flowers in a host of colors, using dyes. Even if you’re not proficient enough to work in sugars, there are myriad ways to work with the colors and the idea of flowers. Panna cotta is basic, simple fare, but Robin’s wasn’t well done; the texture was wrong. And the sauce was terrible. What can I say? At the end of the day, every element of her dish failed. Eli’s dish was less bad. And so it was Robin’s turn to go.

[runthemover 40]

you also might've missed tom's reluctance at times in the episode to totally trash Eli's dish. he was on the cusp of a compliment on a couple occasions.

[Ron_Mexico 4,238]

Maybe Michael's ego is in check, but he's starting to belittle Kevin on a regular basis, the true sign of an insecure person. Kevin seems like the nicest guy on the planet. There is no reason to bash his cooking. The way he described his Steak and Eggs made me instantly hungry, and considering my terribly limited palate, that is an accomplishment for this program. (I don't eat seafood, or anything from the ocean, hate broccoli, cauli, asparagus, spinach and the majority of what it is they make. I know, I suck)Michael's comment in the upcoming episode preview about "he makes the food that Kevin does on his day off" just wreaks of douchiness. Make your food, be confident in it and let it talk for itself. He just feels everyone is inferior to him and he should coast to the finale. Whatever, he's obviously talented, but a bit of a prick. Although, in his defense, Robin was in the effing way during his quickfire challenge. Get your shit when he's done, dummy.

[brvheart 1,768]

Maybe Michael's ego is in check, but he's starting to belittle Kevin on a regular basis, the true sign of an insecure person. Kevin seems like the nicest guy on the planet. There is no reason to bash his cooking. The way he described his Steak and Eggs made me instantly hungry, and considering my terribly limited palate, that is an accomplishment for this program. (I don't eat seafood, or anything from the ocean, hate broccoli, cauli, asparagus, spinach and the majority of what it is they make. I know, I suck)Michael's comment in the upcoming episode preview about "he makes the food that Kevin does on his day off" just wreaks of douchiness. Make your food, be confident in it and let it talk for itself. He just feels everyone is inferior to him and he should coast to the finale. Whatever, he's obviously talented, but a bit of a prick. Although, in his defense, Robin was in the effing way during his quickfire challenge. Get your shit when he's done, dummy.

exactly.Also, I believe that Robyn mentioned that someone had asked her to come over there and move her stuff out of the way.

[vbnautilus 49]

you also might've missed tom's reluctance at times in the episode to totally trash Eli's dish. he was on the cusp of a compliment on a couple occasions.

hmm, pretty sure that was just between Tom and me.

[FileError404 0]

I don't know about the "Inspirational" Casinos the producers picked. Circus Circus? Excalibur? Really? Why not "Randy's Shithole" ...or... BINIONS instead? It's not like the Paris, Rio or Luxor could fuel some creativity...Just disappointed in my J-girl. Hope she snaps out of it. But sure looks like a Voldouchio/McGingerbeard finale.