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."

coming of age in the late 80's

A friend and I were recently talking about those movies that define our life ('93 high school grads). Most of the list includes a performer with a connection to (think 6 degrees of separation) or was a member of the brat pack.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Better Off Dead, Can't Buy Me Love, Weird Science, Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Say Anything, Gross Pointe Blank (although this was not made during the same time period, it has to do with what many of us associate with high school.)

Almost all of the movies have at least one quote that sticks out in the mind. Do you remember them? What are they? Add other movies and quotes in the comments.

Manners

I openly admit one of my biggest pet peeves is table manners. My sister and I both have a problem with some of the judges we see on TOPCHEF and Iron Chef America. I am all for the European style of eating (no fork shifting), but we find that many are eating from muscle memory.

I know that I have my faults, and try my best to set a good example. It can be very difficult. Ella has been taught to hold her utensils correctly (no shoveling food at my table). She has been taught to sit facing forward, asked to be excused, etc. Most of the time I think she knows what she is doing wrong and chooses to do it anyway. As many times as I tell Ella "if there is food in your mouth, your mouth should be closed" I would hope she learned. Unfortunately, this is one of the things that I struggle with from time to time. She points out my faults, much to her pleasure, and my chagrin.

A couple of weeks ago she asked to be excused while I had my mouth full. I pointed to my mouth and shook my head. Which is when she said, "Mommy, finish your bite and say yes."

girls do funny things

Ella and Emma have been friends since they were in utero. Emma is 8 weeks older, but she is more petite than Ella.

Given that the girls share everything, last night at church they decided to share shoes. They were wearing the same style of shoe, just different sizes. (Ella 9, Emma 7.5)

No one noticed. I wondered why Ella kept taking off her right shoe and saying her toes hurt. Turns out the girls did not share both shoes, just the right one.

menendez pond birthday benefit

I love this family. They are good people and great friends.

Birthday Bash Benefit for Ronald McDonald House charities.
http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/news/story?page=b_BTL_3_05_08

we had a great time. congrats on being able to support a family for 35 days at the house. that is truly the big catch of the day.

thanks for the fun, food, and facial.

susan