Top Chef All-Stars: LA

[Biff Tannen 45691]

12 minutes ago, Deej said:

They are going to find a way for Lee Anne to make it to the finals.

You shut your whore mouth.

[HoffaJimmy 316]

Just now, Biff Tannen said:

Kevin was my favorite, so I hope he can make it back thru LCK.  Very classy, but in my opinion dumb, to fall on his sword.   The judges didn't even deliberate.  He basically resigned.

Malarkey as FOH was smart, since he's opened a million restaurants and knows exactly how it should go down.

I liked the first round of the judges picking concepts.  That guarantees a degree of culinary focus with each restaurant.  Feels like a lot of losing restaurants in the past were just four chefs that each wanted to do their own thing and then force a concept around their individual dishes.  However, it also sets the Exec Chef up for much more responsibility if it fails.  

 

Yeah I like it and hate it. Granted they all have to cook food for a specific challenge but if I have never cooked "traditional southern" or "Haitian" food the only two people who could really go home in the new set up is the executive chef or the chef that runs the FOH of the house because the other two are just line cooks doing what the executive chef is telling them to do. 

Yes, I am aware that it's usually the executive chef or FOH chef that go home but how in previous RW if I made a shitty dish that was my concept based on the chosen theme of the restaurant  I could go home. There is no way that would have happened last night so basically 4 chefs got a free pass to the next round.

[ss13 1832]

Damn, the rare hour-long double post. 

[HoffaJimmy 316]

37 minutes ago, ss13 said:

Damn, the rare hour-long double post. 

 

Ha, that's pretty damn funny. I did some actual work for a bit and when I came back the screen was a bad gateway error so I just hit refresh. 

 

[NoName 16353]

feel terrible for Kevin - but kind of shocked there wasn't even any deliberation about Karen having a bad FOH and a bad dish

at the same time, i am floored that Kevin's team was that bad. no reason that he should have been the case with his team...got to think some of it was the editing. nobody on the team suggested editing the menu? 

[ss13 1832]

I’d be willing to bet the judges still did deliberate, they just chose to air it that way after his speech. 

[Chips O'Toole 1324]

I wish Kevin could have pivoted once he realized the concept was doomed given the time constraints. He essentially had the two best, most technical chefs in the competition just muscling through side dishes to fulfill the southern feast concept. It sucks, but he stuck with a concept that didn't allow any of them to really show out in those courses except for him with the chicken and the dessert. And he didn't execute either very well.  He definitely lost that challenge. 

[kevwun 15790]

I think the dessert turned out how he wanted it to, but the Judge's just didn't like it.  One of those things you grow up eating and love, but others not so much. 

[Biff Tannen 45691]

54 minutes ago, ss13 said:

I’d be willing to bet the judges still did deliberate, they just chose to air it that way after his speech. 

I thought about this, but I can’t recall when they’ve ever done that before. 

[ss13 1832]

Don’t know if it’s ever been that obvious. Everything failed. 

[ss13 1832]

Anyone watched LCK yet? They usually show extra judges’ tables scenes there at the beginning. 

[Deej 76806]

Kevin tried to do too much. Voltaggio knew it, but knew he wouldn't go down for it, himself.

[ss13 1832]

It never appeared Kevin's team split up for the shopping either. 

Feminine decor = Kevin's fault
Shitty '80s menu graphics = Kevin's fault
Serving canapes as a full course = Kevin's fault
Less than stellar namesake main dish = Kevin's fault
Dessert fail = Kevin's fault 

 

Did they compliment anything of his? The dilly beans, I guess. 

[TonyTexas 10515]

I’ve been hard on Malarkey as a cheesy pitchman who is a mediocre chef. But I’ve warmed up to him. He is very aware of the character he’s playing and a lot of his antics are tongue and cheek. I’ve learned that he is an extremely successful restauranteur. He’s opened, owned and sold dozens of restaurants. His net worth is reportedly in the $100 million area. 

[Biff Tannen 45691]

Just now, TonyTexas said:

I’ve been hard on Malarkey as a cheesy pitchman who is a mediocre chef. But I’ve warmed up to him. He is very aware of the character he’s playing and a lot of his antics are tongue and cheek. I’ve learned that he is an extremely successful restauranteur. He’s opened, owned and sold dozens of restaurants. His net worth is reportedly in the $100 million area. 

Yeah, I’ve never really had that big of a problem with him. Leann is my nemesis on this season. 

[ss13 1832]

This will SHOCK some of you, but Voltaggio didn’t listen to the rules again. 

[Radical Larry 28627]

Stephanie's biscuits look pretty good (no euphemism).

[ss13 1832]

Looks like we’re getting our wish. 

Funny none of them could successfully do an egg dish for fucking brunch. 

[ss13 1832]

Brooke really disliked the lack of eggs. 

[ss13 1832]

From the Bush’s beans challenge celebrating summer grilling to everyone freezing their ass off at elimination. 

[TonyTexas 10515]

[Deej 76806]

Voltaggio moving up in the pack on the backstretch. 

[Biff Tannen 45691]

Finally. Now if LCK shakes out the way I want, we should have a good group at the end. 

[TonyTexas 10515]

There might be several episodes of finale in Italy. Tom said this week that there is only 1 more LCK so there could be 6 going. I want Kevin back.Stephanie is probably the weakest of the remaining  chefs. Melissa, Gregory, Kevin, Voltaggio, Karen and Malarkey is probably the strongest lineup to go. 

[idigTexas 2289]

1 hour ago, Deej said:

Voltaggio moving up in the pack on the backstretch. 

As long as he is allowed to cook whatever the fuck he wants, he'll be fine.  Obviously, as already stated, he still hasn't learned to follow the rules of a challenge.

[Deej 76806]

Just has to make the finals.

Won't matter as they will hold Leanne's hand through LCK and hand her the victory. She must be scissoring Padma.

Edited May 16, 2020 by Deej

[ss13 1832]

LCK spoiler for those unaware. 

Kevin & Lee Anne had to fry an egg, make a French omelette, & then put a spin on Eggs Benedict. Kevin’s final dish gave him the win, so we’re all still good here.

[Deej 76806]

Whew!

[Biff Tannen 45691]

14 hours ago, ss13 said:

LCK spoiler for those unaware. 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

Kevin & Lee Anne had to fry an egg, make a French omelette, & then put a spin on Eggs Benedict. Kevin’s final dish gave him the win, so we’re all still good here.

 

Yeah, I don't know how to spoiler, but I saw it.

[AustinMT 952]

17 hours ago, Deej said:

Voltaggio moving up in the pack on the backstretch. 

I’ve been trying to figure out his strategy, or maybe lack of one?  On one hand, he seems indifferent and just foes what he feels like.  Clearly he know the “game” from his past appearances.   So he either is just on a lark, or he’s just been sticking to cooking good food, making sure he stays in, and waiting to get to the finals where he really can just do what he wants.

[TonyTexas 10515]

I just think that Voltaggio’s strengths are more technical than creative. He can outperform everyone inside the box.  It’s when he’s forced outside of it that he struggles. 

[idigTexas 2289]

4 hours ago, TonyTexas said:

I just think that Voltaggio’s strengths are more technical than creative. He can outperform everyone inside the box.  It’s when he’s forced outside of it that he struggles. 

This.

[Deej 76806]

And I appreciate that about him. So he sucks at thinking outside the box in some goofy challenge. If I had to eat at any of the contestants' restaurants, his would probably be the one I'd choose first. Well, maybe Kevin's. 

[Neonmoon 38129]

Voltaggio is easily the best chef. It’s funny how every episode, from his fellow competitors to the judges and guest judges, everyone loves him. He doesn’t follow the rules whatsoever, but every dish, they’re like, old Voltaggio you son of a bitch, that’s just delicious. I’m not saying he’s going to win. He fucks up every challenge by not following the rules. He probably couldn’t have been sent home already. But it’s just funny to watch the respect he’s shown. 
 

Gregory has probably had the strongest showing for me 

[TommyGufano 6021]

Melissa has had 2 meals described as Michelin Star quality" by guest chefs -- she's my #1 as of this moment.

[kevwun 15790]

I think any of Melissa, Gregory or Voltaggio could win it along with Kevin if he makes it back.  When there's a group of really talented chefs like this it's hard to say anyone is an odds on favorite because when they can cook what they want at the end someone is always going to make something mind blowing and have a great day.

[kevwun 15790]

20 hours ago, Deej said:

And I appreciate that about him. So he sucks at thinking outside the box in some goofy challenge. If I had to eat at any of the contestants' restaurants, his would probably be the one I'd choose first. Well, maybe Kevin's. 

Yeah, when the challenges are silly like cook something with Bush's baked beans, I don't much care who struggles with them.

[TonyTexas 10515]

3 hours ago, Neonmoon said:

Voltaggio is easily the best chef.

Opinions stated as fact like this make me laugh. Have you ever tasted his food? How about any of any of the other chefs?  He might have the biggest reputation and could win but he’s been 4th best in this competition based on judging results so far. 

[TonyTexas 10515]

To quantify, here’s a scorecard of results to date. It’s from a fantasy game by the podcast, Pack Your Knives
 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1qOckPdRtWc8PbEOKS1Jg5r-ZbyehJisIhkcA2j7EZ6A/htmlview

[Deej 76806]

Just have to be there at the end. Top Chef infuriates me with some of the dumbass challenges. And don't get me started on RW. If you put your neck out as head chef or front of house, likely you have the best chance of going home, while everyone else can slack. 

I know they changed it up a bit this season, but if you were truly clever, you wouldn't have put your best foot forward during the challenge to choose the concept. 

[kevwun 15790]

At least they stopped with the really dumb challenges, like having to use ingredients out of a vending machine.

[ss13 1832]

I don’t mind the QFs being ridiculous. $10K & no immunity now is perfect. Sponsors gotta get theirs too. 

[ss13 1832]

Those two tickets to Tokyo ain’t gonna be worth much. 

[ss13 1832]

How you gonna bring Kerri without Misty? 

[ss13 1832]

Nastia is still hot as shit. 

[Radical Larry 28627]

Yes she is.

[ss13 1832]

That was pretty obvious, Tom did not like her dish at all. 

[Bash Riprock 1695]

Fuck Karen

[ss13 1832]

Not after that powerlifting segment. 

[Mr. Blutarsky 133]

Just finished LCK. If you haven't watched it yet, it's a two parter and we couldn't find it on the Bravo app, but it's available on Youtube. Best one they've done so far and in my opinion as good as any regular episode they've had.