Never Underestimate the Palate of the Dishwasher

As the TOPCHEF junkie that I am...

- Excited that I now live where Bravo is carried by the local cable company.
- Thrilled that a new season has begun.
- Disappointed that the first quickfire challenge was and elimination round.
- Shocked at the lack of knife skills by some of the "chefs"
- Not surprised that the two "chefs" that made salads in the first episode have been eliminated. Did they miss what Tom said about salads not actually being "cooked" from a previous season.
- Not at all surprised that Eugene (the one that has worked his way up from dishwasher) was the among the top three "chefs" in the first elimination challenge. The Executive Chef of one of my former employers worked his way up from a teenager doing dishes. Cuyler was fantastic. The company thought so too. Sent him to culinary school, then gave him a restaurant.
Eugene probably ate many different things throughout his career that he developed the ability to recreate what he tastes. This might be why he was able to taste something at the Indian deli counter and recreate it. Classic Indian dish from someone that has never eaten Indian. That is a person that is able to breakdown flavor.
- Bothered with quickfire challenge from episode 2. Hot dogs are a fantastic canvas. Jill was the only one that used an actual HOT DOG. The "chefs" made all sorts of street cart foods, but none was a HOT DOG. And then there is Stefan...hello...street carts don't normally sell beer.
- Sorry Jill was sent home. Innovative to use ostrich egg for a quiche. Unfortunately, she did not present/defend herself well. I did not see her remaining much past the first handful of episodes, but Ariane should have been told "Please pack your knives and go." There should be a point that inedible loses to innovative.
- Disturbed about a "spherical olive". Fabio kicked ass and took names. But like I was about Marcel and Hung; don't mess with the chemical compound of food. Just serve me an olive. (In all fairness, I would pick off an olive. I don't eat them)
- Anticipating more catch phrases from this season. "I'm not your bitch, Bitch." "It is what it is." "I'm having a culinary boner" and what I imagine will become one of this season's "I will make you say my name and slap your mamma."

finally a female wins

I am a TOP CHEF fanatic. (I would give my eye tooth to spend a day watching Tom Colicchio in the kitchen.) I discovered the show during the first season while visiting my grandmother. Upon my return home, I learned that I would not see my new favorite show because COMCAST cable does not have BRAVOTV in the line up. How would I know who won? God bless my sister, who also quickly became addicted. She would DVR the show in Virginia, transfer it to VHS, and send me the tapes. She was not allowed to speak about anyone that heard "please pack your knives and go."

I believe that the title of chef belongs to a person that inspires and respects the people that work for/with them in the kitchen. "Chef" is someone that can humble themselves and realize that the front of the house personel or the dishwasher are just as important as the food on the plate.

Harold, from the beginning of season one, continued to impress me. I felt as though he would respect me, the former server, line cook (where he started), prep cook, dishwasher, bartender, etc. I was thrilled when he won.

Season two was fun to watch, but i was not inspired by any of the chefs. Bickering and back-stabbing don't do a kitchen staff any good. Ilan was the best choice (although Sam was the easiest on the eyes).

Season three's outcome did not please me. I was disappointed when Hung, who should have been eliminated due to lack of safety, became TOP CHEF. While all of the "chefs" run around to beat the clock, Hung was dangerous. At one point during the season he had a near miss with Casey's throat and a santuko knife.

Season four brought back all of the joy and anticipation of TOP CHEF. From the beginning I was thrilled with three "Chefs", Stephanie, Antonia, and Richard. All were respectful of others. All had great dishes throughout competition. I was set for a two female, one male finale. Unfortunately, Antonia had a bad day in Puerto Rico and was told to pack her knives. This left Stephanie, Richard, and Lisa (ugh!).

Rooting for Stephanie (1st) and Richard (2nd), I was disappointed when Richard fell flat in the final elimination challenge. Finally, a female would win, but who? Please not Lisa. I was on the edge of my seat. Stephanie had impressed Colicchio with the braised pistachios and olives, giving him something he had never before had. He was admittedly worried when the dish was served. But apparently, when you give Colicchio something new, you win. Yeah, Stephanie!!!!!

I look forward to season five, which is rumored to be a mini-season with tweens & teens. I am all for inspiring youth to cook, but is it the best idea to give a hormonal 14 year old girl a chef's knife?

P.S. Thanks to Donna, who TIVO'd season four and let me invade her house to watch weekly.