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Archive through December 30, 2006

The TVClubHouse: Other Reality Shows ARCHIVES: Archives for 2008 - 1: Top Chef - Prior Seasons: ARCHIVES: Archive through December 30, 2006 users admin

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Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 12:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Elia is Mexican (born in Mexico City), not French. Love her accent. :-)

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 11:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
It was clear from the beginning that the Black team would lose. Not listening to the professional caterer on your team was a big clue that they'd fail miserably. And as soon as Elia said "2000 appetizers for 200 people for 2 hours" (or whatever it was), I knew they'd fail.

Whether or not people are going to eat (and just because it was a "Hollywood party" doesn't mean people are not going to eat) you need to have food available. Elia's team didn't even consider a dish for vegetarians -- if I'd been at that party, I wouldn't have been able to eat a thing they served.

That said, I think it was stupid for Mia to fall on her chef's knife for Elia. Just because Elia is "classically trained" does not a top chef make. She obviously couldn't lead a team -- the fact that no thought at all was put into the table decorations was also quite offputting. And to cook to order for a cocktail party? Not the brightest move. I don't think it was communication -- or lack thereof -- between the front and back. Those in the back couldn't cook things fast enough to keep the table supplied with food. Empty platters on a table? Sin number 1 at a cocktail party!

I've been trying to remember my catering formula... I can remember the number of appetizers to have (8-12 different appetizers for a party of 100 or more), but can't remember the quantity. Was it 12 per person per hour?

At any rate, even if the Orange team's offerings were a bit more pedestrian, at least there was an abundance of food. And a great display, that really did look festive.

I had really been liking Cliff, but I'm not wild about his ego any more. And Marcel's trying to take kudos away from Sam was just plain wrong. There was no way Marcel was gonna be considered the winner in this, a team, challenge. Betty's cocktail for the quickfire challenge? Um, no way in heck would I serve that, let alone TASTE it. Curdled Bailey's? Ugh! Elia also didn't impress, refusing to consider a cheese appetizer (hello? remember us vegetarians?). Michael's taking the initiative and buying the ingredients for his surf and turf was proactive, but he still doesn't impress me as a top chef (surf and turf???). Sam did impress me with his leadership, especially starting the challenge off by getting Betty and Marcel to put their differences aside (and putting the two "talkers" at the tables).

So, I'm thinking I'm liking Ilan and Sam for the finale. We'll see... :-)

Trueheart
Member

09-12-2006

Monday, December 18, 2006 - 12:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Trueheart a private message Print Post    
So, I'm thinking I'm liking Ilan and Sam for the finale. We'll see...

If we are being fair....yes these two should be in the F2.

BUT I WANT SAM TO WIN!!! So in that case, I do not want Ilan there. He is to much competition!

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Monday, December 18, 2006 - 1:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maris a private message Print Post    
I liked Mia, loved her going off on Cliff and he deserved it. How brave he was throwing her under the bus when he knew he was safe and had nothing to lose. Elia should have gone even though I do like her. She has a very strong identity and unfortunately she cant get beyond the haute/nouvelle cuisine that is her forte.

I am ready for Betty to go. She is always commenting, with my expertise in this area I should excel and she ends up being the worst and not only that making basic mistakes.

I think the judges were wrong about Mia not speaking up loudly enough. What was she supposed to do get into a verbal screaming match and demand that they listen to her? she tried and tried more than once but was totally ignored. Wasnt she the one in the end with Michael who bought more lobster than she was told to because she didnt think they had enough food? she tried and I dont know whta more she could have done.

I think she was just tired of the egos and dealing with the egos and was ready to go back to her restaurant. I think she just didnt want it anymore and she knew she didnt have a hope of winning so why not try and save the person you want to win the whole thing.

I am pretty sure it would drive her nuts if Cliff or Marcel won it.

on the cheese, gorgonzola is a very acquired taste and it stinks unbelievably so I would have said no on the gorgonzola appetizer too. There was soo much seafood though.

Brian2204
Member

09-14-2004

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 3:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Brian2204 a private message Print Post    
Is there a new episode on tonight??

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 3:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
I don't know for sure, but it does not look like it. Which is a rip off, cuz wasn't there a repeat just the week before last?

Brian2204
Member

09-14-2004

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 5:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Brian2204 a private message Print Post    
There sure was!!! But it's really not suprising considering pretty much all the shows right now are in reruns...no doubt waiting for the Feb sweeps period.

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 6:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maris a private message Print Post    
They said at the last show the next episode is in January.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 8:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
GGRRRR!! This sucks!!! I love this show, but I want to see the 13 episodes RIGHT IN A ROW!!! Forget this repeat crap and "waiting for sweeps" mentality. If you want the show to end during sweeps, start it LATER! If not - -just show us the danged show!

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 8:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
It's quite normal for almost all shows, of any kind, to go into rerun mode for the last two weeks of the year. Unfortunately, my DVR just says "another contestant eliminated" and I have no clue if it's new till I watch it. So thanks for the head's up! (And yes, grr... this show they could show all at once!)

Gemma120in2002
Member

07-05-2003

Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 5:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gemma120in2002 a private message Print Post    
It's been my experience that in a professional kitchen the female chefs do need to really speak up and assert themselves very strongly. The kitchen culture is very different from any culture I've ever experienced. I used to be in the ARMY, so I'm not prissy or inexperienced in working with men. The kitchen brigade is militaristic, but it's also very juvenile in many instances. Mia needed to tell them what the typical hollywood coctail party was all about. She needed to tell them that they needed to prep the simple easy stuff and make lots of it so that they could keep a bountiful table, and that would give them the freedom to prepare one or two amazing hors d'oeuvres a la minute. This way they could do what the judges wanted them to do, WOW them. This looked like an hors d'oeuvres reception, which means that they are hungry and not getting a meal. They could have done the simple fruit and cheese platter as well as an antipasto platter to create height and abundance, then they could have had cheese straws, baked brie platters with toast points and pita points as well as sugared fruit and an apricot mango chutney. Then they could have put out the amazing food and it would have made them look like stars instead of like losers,

Lizziedi
Member

10-05-2005

Friday, December 22, 2006 - 3:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lizziedi a private message Print Post    
I must have missed the announcement that there wouldn't be a new show this week. But then, Bravo seems to run about two minutes late in their schedule here, so it cuts off the very end of the show on my Tivo.

I also agree that it's very frustrating to try and figure out if the show is on! And with this kind of reality show, Bravo should be maintaining the momentum & enthusiasm we have each week. I understand the usual "Christmas Break", but I think we should have had shows up until now, and then a break until January.

Gemma, enjoyed your post. I think the keyword was "bountiful". That would have made all the difference. Mmmm . . . baked brie, apricot mango chutney. Just because some of the appetizers would not have been true originals, doesn't mean they wouldn't be enjoyed, which is what Sam's team understood.

Alisons
Member

01-10-2003

Friday, December 22, 2006 - 6:05 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Alisons a private message Print Post    
<--- Wants to invest in Gemma's restaurant!

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Friday, December 22, 2006 - 3:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Whoami a private message Print Post    
<---Wants to eat at Gemma's restaurant!!

Gemma120in2002
Member

07-05-2003

Friday, December 22, 2006 - 6:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gemma120in2002 a private message Print Post    
LOL! Gemma doesn't have her own food business anymore because she likes to sleep! But I work in a restaurant where we make almost everything from scratch. That is really becoming pretty rare these days.

Gemma120in2002
Member

07-05-2003

Friday, December 22, 2006 - 7:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gemma120in2002 a private message Print Post    
Oh yeah, I wanted to tell anyone who wants to incorporate a citrus juice with a cream in either a drink or a recipe. You must first simmer the juice. There is an enzyme in the juice that causes the cream to curdle. Simmering the juice will destroy that enzyme. If you don't want to fiddle with that, use flavorings and extracts and the zest of whichever citrus juice you are using. Most of the flavor is actually in the zest.

A quick spread for toast for Christmas gifts. We are down to the wire and I know that there are gifts you are wishing you had the time to buy, but didn't get around to getting. Get some peach or apricot preserves. Smuckers makes a pretty good product. Put the preserves in a sauce pan and heat gently over a medium low heat. To this add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes (per 8-oz jar of preserves.)

You can remove the lable from the jelly jar and then put the cooled preserves back into the jar. If you want to can this you will need to use canning jars and lids and follow canning directions. I just tell people that it's not sealed and that it needs to go into the refrigerator and not sit out on the shelf.

For pastry gifts to go with the spread I use puff pastry to make sweet puff straws and savory cheese straws. (The cheese straws are really good with the peach preserves.)

I make sweet straws using puff pastry, melted butter and cinnamon sugar. Brush the cold puff pastry with melted butter and then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Put back into the refrigerator for 10 minutes to chill again. Heat the oven to 375 degrees and then take the puff pastry out again and turn over and brush with melted butter and then sprinkle the back with cinnamon sugar. (this is easier to do if you are working on parchment or plastic wrap. It goes much faster) Chill the pastry again. Then after the dough is chilled again, get a pizza cutter and cut the puff pastry into 1/2 inch strips. Then twist the ends until the pastry strips look like corkscrews. Put back into the refrigerator for another 10-15 minutes. When the dough is firm and cold again, put them into the oven and watch closely to prevent burning. They can be done in 10 - 15 minutes. Let them brown, but not burn.

For cheese straws, finely process shredded parmesan or asiago cheese. Brush the first side of the puff pastry with melted butter and sprinkle the cheese on that side. Put back into the fridge to chill. Brush the second side of the puff pastry with egg wash and then sprinkle with sesame seeds, finely chopped fresh rosemary, kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Slice with pizza cutter into 1/2 inch strips and twist. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Start to watch them carefully at around 7 minutes.

Lizziedi
Member

10-05-2005

Saturday, December 23, 2006 - 12:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lizziedi a private message Print Post    
Thank you for the advise, Gemma. I always assumed that citrus & cream could never mix. I have put a tablespoon of lemon juice in milk to create "buttermilk"--for baking recipes when I had no buttermilk.

We just used a bit of a large jar of Smuckers Raspberry Preserves to make a batch of Almond Jewel Cookies, so I'm going to try the preserve recipe with the rest.

And thank you so much for the cheese straw recipe! Our most exclusive restaurant has always made them, and I never knew how it was done.

So, as a thanks, here's our family's recipe for Almond Jewels. I've made them every year since the kids were babies. I've seen a similar recipe at the bakery, but we always think ours are best. This is not a big recipe, makes around 30 cookies. We usually make a double or second batch.

ALMOND JEWELS

1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp almond extract
1 egg yolk
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 slightly beaten egg white
2 cups finely chopped almonds
Raspberry jam

Cream butter & sugar together in a bowl. Add almond extract and egg yolk and mix until smooth. Combine flour & baking powder, add to the butter/sugar mix, blending well.

Form the dough into balls about walnut size. Moisten in egg white, roll in nuts. Place on cookie sheet covered in foil. (I also use PAM or oil on the sheet) Gently make an indentation on top of each ball using the handle of a large wooden spoon. Fill with raspberry jam.

Bake 8-10 minutes in a pre-heated 350 degree oven.

Ovens & altitudes vary, so I watch for a slight golden color when done. These cookies are fragile when they come out--they must cool first. I carefully lay them on a plate & chill or freeze them--then set them out later.

Alisons
Member

01-10-2003

Saturday, December 23, 2006 - 6:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Alisons a private message Print Post    
Merry Christmas to everyone! All these tips and recipes are making me feel very festive!

My holiday table is holding ham, red beans and rice, fried plantains, green bean casserole (the infamous one with the mushroom soup) and mashed sweet potatoes. I know that sounds like a lot of starch, but dad won't eat sweet potatoes but likes red beans and rice. None of them have ever had fried plantains before so I'm not sure they will actually eat them. Oh and a roast beef. (Mom won't eat beef so I have to also have ham.) There is a good Jamaican restaurant which is providing a lot of the food, the only things I am actually making are the mashed sweet and the green bean casserole, so I am kind of off the hook. I also got homemade bread and rolls for sandwiches afterwards.

Dessert is cherry cupcakes (dad loves cherry cake and it is his birthday today) and Boston cream pie (mom's favorite.)

Today we are eating out at a German restaurant for supper and tomorrow Italian for lunch. (Merry "axis powers" Christmas, I guess!)

I feel overfull just typing this!!

Gemma120in2002
Member

07-05-2003

Monday, December 25, 2006 - 5:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gemma120in2002 a private message Print Post    
LOL! I hope everything was wonderful! It sounds like you did an amazing job of taking care of your family's likes and dislikes. Just look at all the leftovers you'll have! Mmmm!

Alisons
Member

01-10-2003

Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 2:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Alisons a private message Print Post    
Well, I would have had amazing leftovers if I had not packed them up and sent them with my family. My parents are in their 70s and caring for my grandmother (91) and great aunt (86), so I like to make sure that they have a lot of pre-prepared meals available. At Thanksgiving I sent them back with all the leftovers plus 26 quarts of frozen soup (I made vegetable, chili, split pea with ham and turkey noodle.)

The roast beef was to die for. It never would have occurred to me to get my roast beef done at a Jamaican restaurant, but it was oh so fabulous. I will plug the restaurant, Jamaica Jamaica, for those of you who ever visit Reston, VA. Otherwise, check out www.Jamaica2x.com.

Hope all your holidays were happy! Now let's get the darn program back on the air!

Lizziedi
Member

10-05-2005

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 12:20 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lizziedi a private message Print Post    
Alisons, I loved reading your Christmas table spread. Smiled at your careful choices to suit every individual, "so&so doesn't like this, so I made this." I do holiday cooking to suit everyone's tastes also: vegetarian, meat-lovers & my grandson can't have any dairy products. It seems complicated, but it's worth it when no-one is left out of a great holiday dinner. Wish I could try that Jamaican restaurant, as far as I know we don't even have a Jamaican restaurant here, (New Mexico).

Gemma, I simmered the rest of the raspberry jam with pepper flakes, added a TBSP salted butter for a tiny touch of salty taste and 1 tsp dried orange peel, and served it with baked buttered sourdough toast points. Excellent, and the pepper flakes became a whole subject of conversation.

Yes, let's get this show back on the air! If anyone knows the next air date, I'd love to hear it. I'm hoping it's Wednesday week.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 11:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
It's January 3 for the next new show. :-( They'll have to flash those names a gazillion times to remind me who the heck they are!

Konamouse
Member

07-16-2001

Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 10:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Konamouse a private message Print Post    
nice to see the end of last season (the first time for me). a cute little marathon last night.

Wow.
'squeek'

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 10:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
I think it is a bad idea to have so much time lapse. I have totally forgotten everyone. Betty and Marcel come to mind, but that is it for a quick think... And plus now I don't really care anymore.

Cokegirl
Member

03-08-2004

Saturday, December 30, 2006 - 12:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cokegirl a private message Print Post    
I have to LOL at myself because I've been avoiding this topic for 2 weeks. I didn't have the time to watch the shows and didn't want to be spoiled and it was repeats LOL darn it!