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Archive through December 16, 2009

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: Other Reality Shows ARCHIVES: Archives for 2010 - 2: Top Chef-Las Vegas: ARCHIVES: Archive through December 16, 2009 users admin

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Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 6:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
I was happy with all three for the finals and did not care who won as I think they all deserved it. I think I liked Kevin and Bryan a bit more than Michael, but I am not disappointed.

Beth4freedom
Member

10-24-2003

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 8:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beth4freedom a private message Print Post    
The helpers were assigned totally by luck of the draw, unlike the past when they simply chose the ORDER in which they would choose helpers. And ALL the former cheftestants were present, so the "pool" wasn't even the most recently eliminated.

That said, I know that Bryan had Jennifer, but not sure who his second one was.
Mike had Eli and I think Ashley (and as I remember, he said he was impressed with Ashley's work).
Kevin had Preeti, whom he was very frustrated with (he said he was even getting "angry", a rarity for Kevin!). And his second was Ash(?), I think. We didn't see too much of the helpers.
Kevin was very unhappy not to have either Jennifer or Eli, but got over it after the visit from his mother.

Carlpsmom
Member

01-03-2004

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 9:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Carlpsmom a private message Print Post    
I liked that Toby indicated that Kevin would be very successful.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 10:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Bryan's other sous chef was Ashley; Mike had Eli and Jessi. I like that Kevin never once blamed his sous chefs for his poor night. He actually blamed his own attitude in dealing with it! What a guy. :-)

The blogs are up. It's interesting to see the varied opinions between Gail, Toby and Chef Tom, but I think the latter lays it out the best. Read it HERE.

Beth4freedom
Member

10-24-2003

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 11:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beth4freedom a private message Print Post    
Thanks for the link!
Chef Tom's blog does explain who won each course: and it was the THIRD course where Michael actually nosed out Brian and won the day. Tom says that the editing was done in several ways to make you think Bryan would win (I barely remember Michael's third course being mentioned), but it was:
First course, Kevin
Second course, Michael
Third course, Michael
Fourth (dessert) course, Bryan
So actually Michael did NOT win on the dessert.

Lexie_girl
Member

07-30-2004

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 11:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lexie_girl a private message Print Post    
When Toby first appeared on TC last season as Gail's replacement, I really didn't care for him - but he started to grow on my by the end of the season. Now I really do like Toby as a judge and I value his opinion. I actually hope he stays on TC as a judge. I loved when he praised Kevin!

Aurora
Member

11-24-2006

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 12:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Aurora a private message Print Post    
Toby was a lot more negative last season and rarely had anything good to say about any of the dishes. I agree, he's better this year.

Tishala
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 12:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tishala a private message Print Post    
He may be less negative this year because there was more to be positive about. As Tom says on his blog, any of these 4 finalists could rightfully be TC and it just came down to who stepped up on a given day.

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 12:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
I wanted Kevin to win, but honestly this season was my favorite ever. From the beginning, it was clear that the Voltaggios, Kevin and Jen had some serious talent -- and I really appreciate watching a reality show that showcases truly talented people, and not just the most obnoxious or loud or quirky ones.

Peeper
Member

06-14-2004

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 1:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Peeper a private message Print Post    
The producers need to do a better job at editing. This season Kevin dominated with Brian right on his heels. Then on this last show it seemed that Kevin won the 1st (mama) challenge, Michael won the 2nd (basket) challenge, and Brian won the third (freestyle) and 4th (dessert) challenge so how did Michael become Top Chef.

The way it was edited, it did not make sense for Michael to win and made me feel like I wasted my time watching this whole season.

I am happy that kevin won so much money in the quickfire challenges and he won the chance to compete in the Bocuse d'Or.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 1:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Peeper - if you read Chef Tom's blog, he makes it clear that Brian did NOT win the third round. He did an excellent job, but they gave Michael the win for that one. He acknowledged that the editing certainly caused confusion (he even said he wondered if he remembered wrong as he watched!).

However, when they're at judges' table deliberating until 6:00 AM, there will definitely be many, many cuts!

I agree about Toby - I enjoyed him last season, but have enjoyed him more this season. I, too, think he's been more positive because there's been more good food.

Scout
Member

01-20-2005

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 2:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Scout a private message Print Post    
Last year, it seemed like Toby had all these one-liners that he was always trying to get out and it sometimes felt really forced. It was like he was trying to be Bruno from DTWS and say something clever every single time. This year, he just judged the dishes and seemed so much better.

I'm glad to hear that even Tom was confused about the way the editing played out. I know they like to do some misdirection, but it certainly seemed like Brian was robbed from the statements they made.

Lexie_girl
Member

07-30-2004

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 2:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lexie_girl a private message Print Post    
I should have edited my 11:59 a.m. post a little better. Toby started to grow on me after by the end of LAST season. (LOL... who could ever forget Carla's shout-out to Gail last season after she met Toby!)

So by the time this season started, I actually liked Toby.

Hermione69
Member

07-24-2002

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 3:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hermione69 a private message Print Post    
Congrats to Michael V. for the win.

I don't get how anyone can think it is the worst Top Chef season ever with the caliber of cooking that has been portrayed. Even if you didn't like him as a person, Michael's talent as a chef was undeniable.

I was glad one of the brothers won. I've said for awhile that I think they are more skilled. Their dishes have been amazingly creative, especially Michael's.

I know Kevin had a lot of fans and I liked him, too, and he will do very well for himself.

Hermione69
Member

07-24-2002

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 3:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hermione69 a private message Print Post    
Oh, and it was also obvious how much respect the final four had for each other, a point that is further reiterated in Tom' blog. That was really heartwarming to see.

LINK

Vacanick
Member

07-12-2004

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 3:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vacanick a private message Print Post    
From http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/12/10/top-chef-winner-says-victory-was-bittersweet/

Let’s talk about Kevin’s food. What did you mean when you called it simple?

The deal with Kevin’s food is it’s so understated when you see it. We never really ate each other’s food so when I sit there and I’m running all over the kitchen and I put together this crazy, artistic, beautiful dish, Kevin’s over there going through the motions. At first glance, I’m like, “Wow, wait a second, I know my food is better than that.” But then towards the end, the group got smaller and smaller, and I got to taste Kevin’s food and I have to say, it’s amazing. Kevin for sure deserved to be there in the end and was definitely a contender to win this competition. I mean, the guy’s a phenomenal cook.

Hermione69
Member

07-24-2002

Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 8:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hermione69 a private message Print Post    
Ooooo, I also gotta say I was super impressed to hear Kevin made it into M.I.T. Smart guy! And smarter guy to realize this was still the right career for him!

Pinkij
Member

05-02-2008

Friday, December 11, 2009 - 3:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pinkij a private message Print Post    
WGN radio Nick Digilio is going to have Michael V. on. Nick is filling in for someone in the morning and that is when Michael going to be on. around 11:35 am central time.

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Friday, December 11, 2009 - 6:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maris a private message Print Post    
I thought it was the worst top chef season because it was so orchestrated. Who didnt know that it wouldnt come down to two brothers, how contrived. I knew weeks ago they would do this, a cheap reality show trick. completely predictable

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Friday, December 11, 2009 - 8:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
I so do not agree - the top four were tremendous chefs. Their food got them there, not some trick. The show would lose all credibility with chefs and the industry if they pulled stunts like that.

Christy358
Member

07-10-2007

Friday, December 11, 2009 - 9:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Christy358 a private message Print Post    
Brothers in the same season is an obvious gimmick.

That they both turned out to be great cooks in an amazing group is the icing on the cake.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Saturday, December 12, 2009 - 6:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
I do think they wanted the brothers in the finals, but I don't think the judges let better chefs go in place of the brothers through out the competition. Unless the judges consistantly exaggerated the finalists' cooking, the best ones went. As to the finals, even Kevin admitted he didn't do his best.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Saturday, December 12, 2009 - 10:38 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Brothers in the same season - yes, but they've done partners in the same season, too. They may hope for more drama by casting them at the same time, but the judging comes down to the cooking. When they had the partners, one of them was gone really early on, and I'm sure the drama would have been better had she lasted longer.

I would LOVE to go to each of the finalists restaurants and eat their food. Given the rural girl that I am, I'd probably enjoy Kevin's style the most, but I'd love to try both Bryan and Michael's food, too. Oh yes - with a stop at Jen's hotel for some of her good sauces as well! :-)

Trueheart
Member

09-12-2006

Monday, December 14, 2009 - 12:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Trueheart a private message Print Post    
I have no doubt that the brothers were used to create a reality show angle.

I do not feel as though it was a "gimmick" per se but I'm sure they took as much advantage of their "rivalry" as they could. That being said I am not put off at all about the brothers going to the end together. I do NOT feel that was orchestrated or that they were kept in the game unfairly while others should have gone through.

The final four chefs, Jen, Michael, Bryan and Kevin were definitely THE BEST IMO. In fact if you can accuse the producers of anything it's that they cast these four, who seem to be very qualified for the show.....and then they cast the rest of the contestents who all seemed so far beneath them in skill and true culinary expertise. I thought it was clear from the very beginning that These four were the best and I kind of just watched while everyone else got cut week after week.

Jen was a good chef but I definitely don't think they "robbed" her of a place in the finale just so they could have the brothers together. She was very strong in the beginning and I think the judges always knew in the back of their mind that she was good which is why she made it to the finals. But the fact is she really crapped out around the middle of the competition and started making mistakes or dishes that didn't work.

And she did that for several weeks, where in that time, Bryan, Michael and Kevin still seemed to shine. So I think she knew, hell even I knew when she was in the F4 that she was the one who was closest to the chopping block.

I don't like Michael and I personally think it is wrong that he won. But I do believe he deserved to be in the finals and I think regardless of how he and Bryan may have seemed like prime reality show drama, I don't think that is why they got to the finals. Oh I'm sure the network took as much advantage of that as they could, but Bryan and Michael earned their spots the whole way IMO. Just because it was convenient for Bravo to highlight their sibling relationship doesn't mean that is the only reason they made it to the end.

But anyway. UGH. I was so disappointed. I wanted Bryan to win so badly. But when they praised him so much and it was made to appear that they liked his dishes more, I knew he wouldn't be the winner. I knew it would be misdirection. I told my sister (who was always a huge Kevin fan) "If Bryan doesn't win I guess I'll be happy if Kevin wins....just NOT Michael!"

But eh.....in the end....I thought it was an extremely enjoyable season. I have never seen a more deserving F4 or a F3 where I felt their talent was quite as equal as those three. I just happen to be the type of viewer that gets very bitter when my favorite doesn't win. lol I'm still pretty pissed that Michael won.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 5:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
I guess I just wasn't THAT interested and then I got spoiled for the final either online or on Twitter and I still haven't even watched the finale.

I gather Kevin was under a great deal of stress during the season and especially during the final and now we know why..

http://www.popeater.com/2009/12/16/top-chef-kevin-gillespie-divorce/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl2|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.popeater.com%2F2009%2F12%2F16%2Ftop-chef-kevin-gillespie-divorce%2F