I think this was the best episode yet. Loved seeing Stephen’s dawning realization that he’s not really all that special. I was especially pleased with the winners, and I’d certainly like to try their sandwich.
The snackfood challenge back at the house was outstanding. It’s no surprise that Miguel won that. But the whole episode showed humor and perhaps even budding comradarie.
As Miguel points out, though, the competition is probably going to get more cut-throat soon, as evidence by his willingness to blame Andrea for their failure in this task. This was also in evidence when he spoke Spanish to the butchers and was better able to communicate and thereby frustrate Stephen at the Latin market.
The most shocking thing of the whole night was when Andrea offered to give Miguel her immunity when it looked like they might lose. The stunned look on the judges’ and Miguel’s faces was priceless. I guess she didn’t watch The Apprentice and see what happened to Bradford when he tried that stunt.
In the end, the decision who to send home was obvious. She was without a doubt the weakest contestant left, her team made the least appropriate dish for a street vendor and forgot a key ingredient. As she readily admitted, she was out of her league. But kudos, Lisa, for trying, testing your mettle and staying as long as you did.
I’ve been rooting for Miguel, but after last night and the previews of next week, it’s not looking good. He’s another who just doesn’t seem to grasp the “reality show” aspect. His teamate had immunity. He has to know at least a little about latin cuisine. He should have kicked Andrea to the curb and made what he wanted. Bland Spanish rice? Get outta here.
Good to see Dave have a chance to bask in the sun for once.
Harold seems talented, but removed from reality. Once again he’s complaining that he’s a restaurant chef and all the parts of the show that aren’t “restaurant chef cooking” don’t interest him. Hello! That’s what the show is about!.
Tiffany and LeAnn both appear mentally tough enough to stand the heat in the kitchen, Stephen won’t be able to hang with them IMHO.
This is a fun show, I can’t explain my compulsion to watch it.
It’s hard not to compare this show to Project Runway. Sooo…I think the biggest difference between the two shows can be boiled down to one word: Tim.
Tim is a teacher and mentor. A good deal of time on PR was spent on Tim as he went from contestant to contestant, looked at their work, critiqued it, offered suggestions where needed, etc. The designers needed that because, let’s face it, they’re on the show because they clearly don’t know everything there is to know about fashion.
So what does Top Chef have? Tom.
Tim, Tom. What a difference a letter makes! It’s so unfair of me to say, but there’s just something about Tom that makes me think “asshole.” He might not be. Really, he might very well be as helpful and kind as Tim but I see this smug smirk on his face it infuriates me in a way Stephan can never achieve.
The biggest problem is that Tom is a judge. He CAN’T critique or mentor because that would influence his abilities later. Indeed, in his blog this week, he even said as much: During my kitchen walk-through, I questioned Harold and Lisa’s choice of a seared tuna, which I thought would be a tough sell out on the street (although, since I was judging, I couldn’t come out and say so).
These contestants need someone to come in and say “Make it work!” and actually HELP them when they need it.
The best part (now that Candice is gone) is the casual swearing from everyone. That stuff doesn’t make it onto TV enough. Breakin’ down barriers here, people.