Top Chef: Discussion - Bravo

molds! You are genius! Gauge girl gets the auf! Oh wait that is Project Runway....Gauge girl gets the CUT!

Yay! An Atlanta chef takes the first win! Now you know the girl with the crazy earrings wasn't going home THAT early. People will tune in just to stare at her ears haha

I was finally able to catch the premiere - not sure about the twists but I'm going to reserve judgement for a few episodes... Early favorites include Mattin, Jesse (though I don't know that she's going to be around very long) and Ron (same story- I like him but I don't know that he'll be around for many episodes). Jen-that-works-for-Eric-Ripert reminds me of a *****ier Casey from Miami. I'm also of the thinking that Mike I. is annoying and needs to go soon (though I'll bet he's be around for most of the season). Oh, and the brothers thing is a new take, but, much like girlfriends Jen and Zoi in Chicago, I think it's going to be run into the ground that "Hey! They're brothers! On Top Chef! Together!" Two thoughts: Preeti with those clams? Seriously? And okay, for some reason whenever Robin comes on screen, I cannot help but think of Nurse Jackie. So glad Top Chef is back! :)

I enjoyed the first episode and it was a big change in the drama department from Top Chef Masters. The twists were a bit gimmicky, but overall the quality of competitors looks great and I think we are going to have a compelling season ahead of us. I don't have any favorites of yet. Actually, I don't even know any names! I try not to bond with the FNG's until I know they are going to be around for a few weeks. :D

Is anyone else already really bored with the sibling rivalry? They're brothers - we get it. Move on, please. I watched both episodes last night as I had forgotten to record the week before, and it seems to me that the men this season far outshine the women in talent. Anyone else feel that way?

I'm so happy Robin finally got tossed. She was really an anchor around the neck of the show as far as talent is concerned... The top three this week are the best three Chefs and no matter which one wins I will be content that a skilled contestant was selected as Top Chef (unlike many of the other seasons.)

This season has generally been very boring. it was obvious from the beginning 1st couple of weeks that there was a superior group of chefs this was Kevin, and the 2 brothers and that barring a massive screw up they would make the final 3. This season had the biggest talent gab I feel. There was also a second tier group that had Eli and Jenn as well As Mike Isabelle and it was apparent as well. That they kept Robin there that long was in fact disappointing as she should have went at or when Matin went home.

[QUOTE=Bacchus;137585]I'm so happy Robin finally got tossed. She was really an anchor around the neck of the show as far as talent is concerned... [B] The top three this week are the best three Chefs and no matter which one wins I will be content that a skilled contestant was selected as Top Chef (unlike many of the other seasons.)[/B][/QUOTE] You mean the brothers and Kevin? Do you know that they are the final 3? I wouldn't be surprised, I think they are the best too. I am rooting for Kevin though. I think he has been consistently the strongest through the competition.

[QUOTE=tatertots;137595]You mean the brothers and Kevin? Do you know that they are the final 3? [/QUOTE] They'd have to poison the judges to not be the final three. As mr.unamazing pointed out, they are in a different class above the next tier of Chefs. Still, I guess something could happen where only two of those three get in - but whoever replaced them would automatically be the third place finisher. Oh and I do agree that there is not much drama, but I don't really tune in as much for that. Season 2 was all about the drama and the cooking sucked (which is why I will always consider it the worst season.)

True season 2 was awful. Especially there decision on who they chose to win (Illan). Also now looking back find it funny everytime Sam guest judges sometimes because time has shown what I thought while the show was on that he was the best. His success also could dictate that.

Ugh season 2 was so bad! Freaking Marcel (blech), Ilan winning (really?!) and the stupid hair cutting incident is all that anyone remembers. Sam should have totally won and that much drama was totally unnecessary. The brothers and Kevin are definitely on their own tier. The only way they may not all make it is if they really want a female int he final 3, then I think one of the brothers would get the shaft.

If I had too choose right now who makes the top 2 I think that might be Kevin and of the 2 brother I think I'll go with Micheal. It just seems to me that Micheal will probably take a bigger risk and this will probably propell him to the top 2. This is why he has been in bottom before and why he is so good.

This though didn't reveal really anything. All we can get from that is there was a bet. We don't even know if he won or lost.

I would go with Kevin and Bryan. Seems like when it comes down to the end, the judges always go with less edgy stuff and more consevative meals done well.

I don't trust that spoiler at all. The only spoiler site I really trust is Vevmo and sometimes even it's wrong (mainly though just speculation stuff like I Love Buddah) If Kevin doesn't win I will be completely shocked and disappointed just like last season when Jose one.

Yes you are right. I was talking about him. I thought mainly that Hosea coasted through the contest performing a little better then best and then won the show. I didn't really think it was fair that he didn't have to make a dessert. I also didn't like that by pure luck of him getting that thing in his food he was given so many advantages. I would have much rather seen since they were supposed to be the best 2 compete agianst each and try to make the best meal possible and not have handicaps limiting the fianl result.

And the winner is...MICHAEL VOLTAGGIO! booo, I liked Kevin and Brian better but any of the 3 were deserving.

Yes! The spoiler was wrong. Just as I had predicted. Because I'm SO FREAKING AWESOME.

I liked Jen the best, but overall I guess this was one of the best seasons in terms of talent.

I think that Brian and Michael were more deserving than Kevin, although I don't doubt he is an excellent chef. In the end, I personally think Brian should have won although I can understand why the judges picked Michael. There is no question this was the best talent pool of Chefs ever on Top Chef. Actually, I think any of the top 3 would have won on any other season.

I think it was a great talent pool too Bacchus. I think I liked Kevin more than Michael only because I could see myself actually ordering and eating his food more than Michaels. That's the one tough thing about Top Chef, I am in no way a food master or fit to be a critic and since we can't really taste the food it's hard for the audience to really judge unless they have had something similar are are chefs/big cooks themselves. I guess I could just relate to Kevin's style more than Michael's but that doesn't make it better or worse in technical ability, creativity or talent. I also agree that any of the 3 could have taken it in pretty much any other season, but I also think there was a lot of junk among the whole cast that probably helped them to shine more. I mean between the 3 of them they won 12 out of 13 of the elimination challenges! That's ridiculous!

[QUOTE]I guess I could just relate to Kevin's style more than Michael's but that doesn't make it better or worse in technical ability, creativity or talent.[/QUOTE] Back in the day, I was a waiter at a few fine dinning restaurants (and thus my interest in these types of shows.) It was during those formative years that I became a food snob and wine snob (i.e. Bacchus) - which is why I tend to like the offering put forth by the Volts over Kevin. Still, if I was going to have one of them over to cook me comfort food for dinner, there is no question it would be Kevin. (Although, I'd definitely go drinking with Mike and to a sleep study session with Brian.)

I definitely get the appeal of his food and cooking style and I totally respect him I just haven't had tons of fine dining experiences so I'm still more attracted to comfort food. I do think he was the most creative and the most willing to push boundaries which I really liked about his style. I would totally party with Michael! He's in LA right? I might have to visit his restaurant some time...

Kevin won most of the challenges.