# Top Chef Masters - Season 4 Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 25, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387 "2012-07-25T23:09:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/1 "2012-07-25T23:09:05Z")
Season 4 starts tonight. Hoping it will be a good season. New host, Curtis Stone. Darn, I wanted him to be cooking. Why is a guy that trained under Marco Pierre White hosting? Also a new judge, Ruth Reichl. Thank goodness James Oseland is back as judge. **Chefs** - a few have been on before (Art Smith) Krista Simmons Francis Lam Patricia Yeo Takashi Yagihashi Art Smith Sue Torres Thierry Rautureau Missy Robbins Kerry Heffernan Debbie Gold Lorena Garcia Mark Gaier Clark Frasier Chris Cosentino ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/2 "2012-07-26T01:34:27Z")
Had no idea. Thanks for the heads-up! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/3 "2012-07-26T03:15:58Z")
I thought they got off to a good start. It’s nice seeing some really serious cooking again. Vegas was the best season ever in regular Top Chef. I’m hoping they’ll be just as good in Masters. Art looks so strange skinny. Nice seeing Thierry Rautureau (the French guy in the straw hat) again. He got eliminated first the last time he was on. Repeats at 10:30 Central and I’ll have more to say after seeing it again. I am shocked they eliminated someone. I thought the lady that cut herself and left would count as this weeks elimination. Eliminating two people screws up their production schedule. Unless they were planning a double elimination sometime anyhow. ---
**Author:** ![GovernmentMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GovernmentMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GovernmentMan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/4 "2012-07-26T03:22:46Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Season 4 starts tonight. Hoping it will be a good season. > > New host, Curtis Stone. Darn, I wanted him to be cooking. Why is a guy that trained under Marco Pierre White hosting? Because he’s not much of a chef. I don’t recall him ever being much of a chef. Has he ever run a kitchen? I don’t think a guy who’s pretty much just a ‘food personality’ would get in Top Chef Masters. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/5 "2012-07-26T03:35:58Z")
He ran one of Marco’s Michelin star restaurants for a few years. He took a break and did the tv thing in Australia. I guess the money is too good to ever stop and start cooking in a restaurant again. He hasn’t cooked at a pro level in over five years. He may not be at Top Chef Masters level anymore. He’d need to jump back in the kitchen somewhere and cook for at least a year to get back his skills. > [@](#): > > On completing his qualifications as a chef, Stone began cooking in London under Marco Pierre White at the Café Royal and Mirabelle.[5] He went on to become head chef at White’s Quo Vadis. > **[Curtis Stone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_Stone)** > > Curtis Travis Stone OAM (born 4 November 1975) is an Australian celebrity chef, author, and television personality. Stone has been the fresh food and recipes ambassador for Coles Supermarkets in Australia since 2010. > Stone was born in Melbourne in Australia. He grew up in the suburb of East Keilor. Stone began cooking with his paternal grandmother, Maude, at the age of four. His father, Bryan Stone, is an accountant, and his mother, Lorraine, is a florist; they separated when Stone was two ye... > [@GovernmentMan](#): > > Because he’s not much of a chef. I don’t recall him ever being much of a chef. Has he ever run a kitchen? > > I don’t think a guy who’s pretty much just a ‘food personality’ would get in Top Chef Masters. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/6 "2012-07-26T04:40:10Z")
That was a bit bizarre - I got strong flashbacks to a couple of old movies. First, the Asian lady (Patricia) reminded me of Linda Hunt on “The Year of Living Dangerously” in both her androgynous look and her voice, which was a dead match. The older blonde male couple looked like were both trying to imitate[Rocky Horror](http://images1.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Rocky-Horror-Picture-Show-the-rocky-horror-picture-show-822467_330_500.jpg) from the Picture Show, and were rather successful. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/7 "2012-08-02T03:22:13Z")
I really liked tonight’s episode. No weird tricks or stupid requirements. Just make a fabulous wedding for a wonderful couple. They had plenty of chefs and that made a big difference. As I recall top Chef S1 had to do a wedding with only six chefs. I’m liking this group a lot already. There are some genuine personalities. One guy even lost his temper at Whole Foods. But, when Art got into trouble they busted their asses helping him. Really a nice group of professionals. I hope the attitude doesn’t change as the season rolls on. [SPOILER]I am mystified by who went home. Serving raw meat has ALWAYS been the absolute unforgivable sin on Top Chef. I’m baffled why that guy didn’t go home with the raw salmon dish. That grilled cabbage must have really reeked to send the lady chef home. I’m glad Art was ok. They’ve said many times that professional wedding cakes takes several days to make. Art had 12 hours. At least it tasted good.[/SPOILER] ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/8 "2012-08-02T17:41:55Z")
Art was unusually obnoxious this episode-- I don’t know if he just got a bad edit, or what… “I’ve made cakes for FAMOUS PEOPLE and my cakes are AWESOME and my wedding was full of AWESOME FAMOUS PEOPLE!” shaddup! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/9 "2012-08-02T20:05:19Z")
Art boosted a lot the last season he was on. He does seem edgier and more quick tempered this season. Art got a much needed slice of humble pie after that cake fell. He looked mortified as he wheeled it out to the wedding guests. It was nice not having a QF this episode. Blogs for this episode. [http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef-masters/season-4/blogs](http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef-masters/season-4/blogs) Curtis describes the food. Makes me hungry. 😉 I’m impressed at how well these chefs did. Weddings are often not very successful on regular Top Chef. > [@](#): > > For most of the chefs, it worked out. Using elements of traditional Asian and Filipino cuisine was a winning idea for Thierry, who took a huge chance making Blood Soup. It was rich and flavorful with just enough chili and vinegar to keep the dish playful. Takashi’s Braised Pork Belly with Pickled Daikon and Steamed Bun was a nod to the whole roasted pig that is customary at Filipino weddings. It was spectacular. The pork belly was so juicy and the daikon added the right balance of acidity. But it was Patricia’s Pickled Mackerel with Young Coconut and Chiles, a creamy Asian ceviche, that blew everyone away. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/10 "2012-08-02T20:19:22Z")
I’ll ALWAYS be of the opinion in a challenge like last night’s that: I’d rather plese the client than please the judges. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/11 "2012-08-03T03:27:43Z")
When Art was gushing to the bride about how “I made a cake for LADY GAGA!!!”, all I was thinking was if I were the bride, I’d be a lot more repulsed by that fact than the bride on the show seemed to be. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/12 "2012-08-03T20:04:31Z")
I’ve just got to say that everyone needs to read Hugh Acheson’s blogs. He’s a hoot. Art was insufferable, and I’m glad he got his comeuppance. I think the blond couple look like twins and that’s sort of icky. I love TC Masters, because there’s usually so little boasting, and “my dish was clearly superior (when they haven’t even tasted the dish they’re comparing theirs to)”. I like it because the Masters are usually openly admiring and supportive of their opponents. StG ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/13 "2012-08-09T08:06:12Z")
Art better get a mirror and check his ass for spur marks. Chris rode that dude like a first year sous chef. Let’ ignore Chris. This group’s professionalism is how great cooking happens. These people have each others backs. They seem so happy for whoever wins. Also, I like seeing these Masters get back into the grove of cooking. So many of them spend a lot of time running their businesses. They seem so excited to focus entirely on cooking for a change. I’ve always wondered if Masters sparks a new burst of creativity after the show is over? I can see some of these chefs getting back to experimenting & creating new dishes for their kitchens to serve. [SPOILER]So long Mark. Top Chef’s scallop karma claims another victim. I just wonder if Clark can focus and continue without Mark. There was a lesbian couple on TC awhile ago. The partner got eliminated and then the next episode the other one left. She seemed thrown off her game and worried about he SO.[/SPOILER] ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/14 "2012-08-16T03:20:27Z")
It’s all about the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. Great scenery and perfect for high def. Didn’t know the B52’s were still touring. The Indian tribe at the Grand Canyon is the one that built the Skywalk a few years ago. I’ve been wanting to visit for awhile. The chefs did a great job coping with unfamiliar ingredients. That banana yucca was a tough challenge. The prickly pear wasn’t easy either. [SPOILER]I wanted to see Kerry leave. He went for fine dining when he knew the challenge was family style served outdoors at the canyon. That mismatch of style messed up Clark’s rustic corn dish. So long Clark. I barely learned your name. [/SPOILER] ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2012, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/15 "2012-08-16T03:37:36Z")
As always with TCM, I was impressed with the friendliness and helpfulness the contestants brought to the challenge - you’re fire isn’t going well? Use mine. I like watching them all hang out watching the judging remotely. It lets them really express themselves without having to worry about ticking off the judges. StG ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/16 "2012-08-23T03:06:32Z")
Indigo Girls this week. Plus scrumptious Holly Madison. Fun episode. Pool parties are always fun. Looked like some really good food. Lorena continues to surprise me. I only knew her from the Taco Bell ads. I liked Thierry Rautureau. Glad he did better than his last season. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/17 "2012-08-30T04:44:44Z")
I didn’t care much for tonights episode. Dita Von Teese’s sexy comments about food seemed too fake and forced. I could almost hear the director encouraging her to say more and more outrageous stuff. Wow, Patricia has a temper. This was the most stressed I’ve seen the Masters. The challenge was so silly and impossible. Open a Restaurant in 8 hours and make Thai food. Something only Patricia had any experience with. I felt bad seeing these great chefs serve this bad food to an expert Thai chef. That had to be embarrassing. According to James Oseland the food was pretty bad. It’s best to forget this episode and hope next week is better. So long Art. He’s a great southern cook. But he’s not really a Master chef. I’m surprised Art got this far in the competition. > **[Thai Try | Bravo](https://www.bravotv.com/top-chef-masters/season-4/blogs/james-oseland/thai-try?page=0,1)** > > This week's episode of Top Chef Masters was the most intense, the saddest, the most gut-wrenching of any I've watched, through any season. What happened to the chefs this week is something something that happens to everyone: things don't do quite... > [@](#): > > Thai food is one of my areas of expertise — I know the country and its food intimately. I’ve traveled there more than 20 times. And I love Thai food; I could eat it for three meals a day for the rest of my life and be blissfully happy — the extraordinary coriander-root-and-garlic-spiced chicken of the northeast, the herb-crazed sladas of the south. And so facing the prospect of the contestants making a Thai feast filled me with both excitement and dread. It could go brilliantly — the bright, harmonious, gracefully aggressive flavors I know and love — or it could flop, the chefs turning in pale imitations more in tune with takeout pad thai than authentic Thai cuisine. It’s not a style of food that you can spend two hours studying and pull off without a hitch; you can’t substitute ingredients at will or by necessity. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/18 "2012-09-06T06:07:57Z")
I liked the new head to head cooking challenge. Especially because it took two lost challenges to go home. Thats more of a match style competition. I hope we see this EC on regular top chef. Lorena has really surprised me this season. The master chefs are beginning to respect her skills. She can cook with the best of them. Next week is the final 4. Where did this season go? It’s flew by quick. I thought Takashi would win this season. Can’t believe he got out cooked tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/19 "2012-09-07T17:37:04Z")
I was really hoping Patricia would lose, that woman gets on my nerves! Still shocked by who lost. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387/20 "2012-09-07T17:53:50Z")
I was reading the bios for the final 4. I didn’t realize Kerry had worked for Tom Colicchio. Kerry hasn’t got a lot of screen time. He’s been in the middle most of the season. He may surprise us and come out strong in the finals. Right now, Chris seems on track to win. But strange things happen on Top Chef. > [@](#): > > Heffernan came back to New York City, honing his skills at such highly regarded restaurants as Montrachet, Le Régence, Restaurant Bouley and Mondrian with Tom Colicchio before landing his first job as Chef de Cuisine at One Fifth Avenue. He later became the Executive Chef of the Westbury Hotel’s famed Polo Restaurant, training ground of such extraordinary talents as Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-chef-masters-season-4-thread/629387.md?page=2)