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*** OFFICIAL*** Top Chef - Season 8 thread

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Well, Bourdain seems to have already worn out his welcome. I think that Fabio handled him pretty well when he reversed the lecture at the judges' table. Everything he said was 100% valid, especially to a hack former-chef who was more interested in insulting people than actually being a competent judge. I really respected that. Of course, you can open your mouth with a lot of confidence if you have two restaurants and are already fairly successful. Nonetheless, it took balls.

I agree. I don't like Bourdain. Not his show. Not his attitude. Not his stupid gold-hoop earing.

His comments on Fabio's dish were just ridicule. Not constructive at all as a judge should be. Granted Bourdain, long ago, realized he could make a name for himself as being the gruff/tough guy who "told it like it is", and he's made a living off it. That's fine and dandy. But STFU and say someting note-worthy and contrsuctive. I could sit there and say "this sucks" too.

C'mon, Bourdain's "unfuck this dish" comment had me rolling.

yes. This was classic and a good description too.
 
C'mon, Bourdain's "unfuck this dish" comment had me rolling.

Possibly the best judges line in 7+ seasons of Top Chef.

As for the rest of the season though, I don't have much hope. The majority of the contestants were chosen for douchebaggery rather than talent. The producers just chose the biggest idiots in the hopes of getting some drama.
 
Possibly the best judges line in 7+ seasons of Top Chef.

As for the rest of the season though, I don't have much hope. The majority of the contestants were chosen for douchebaggery rather than talent. The producers just chose the biggest idiots in the hopes of getting some drama.

I agree with you in regards to most of the contestants, but I think some of the contestants are actually pretty talented--Jen and Tre come to mind.
 
Possibly the best judges line in 7+ seasons of Top Chef.

As for the rest of the season though, I don't have much hope. The majority of the contestants were chosen for douchebaggery rather than talent. The producers just chose the biggest idiots in the hopes of getting some drama.

seemed like a pretty goddamn talented list when i saw it.
 
I think there is a PILE of talent in the pool. I think they did a good job of juggling talent, fan favorites and "personalities" into the mix.

I honestly forsee this as being one of the best (if not best) seasons.
 
seemed like a pretty goddamn talented list when i saw it.

This is ATOT though Ns1. 50% of the posters here could compete on Top Chef. But they don't need tom due to the super models, 6 figure incomes and general omnipotence. 🙂
 
I thought fabio came off as a little bitch. Bourdain is there to be harsh like that. He was justified too, the dish looked like shit, and sounded like it didn't taste that good either.
 
I thought fabio came off as a little bitch. Bourdain is there to be harsh like that. He was justified too, the dish looked like shit, and sounded like it didn't taste that good either.

Funny as reading Tom's blog he basically says it wasn't THAT bad.
 
and FWIW, I love bourdain. He might be a hack chef these days, but he's eaten EVERYTHING and is a great food writer.
 
Watched the episode last night.. could definitely see this as the best season yet. Hoping for Tre, Richard and Angelo to make it to the finals.
 
I can't deal with any more Richard Blais. To the extent that I might not watch this just because he's on it. He manages to be one of the more abrasive and more arrogant people they've had on the show, and they've had some real assholes.

He's not my favorite, but they've certainly had a lot more arrogant chefs on the show.

I think Richard and Angelo have to be two of the favorites. Both of them kicked ass throughout most of their seasons, then made a few mistakes in the finale that cost them the victory.

I'd like to see Jamie or Spike win.

I would have really liked to see Sam from season 2 and Kevin and Bryan from season 6. Those 3 guys would have been my favorites.
 
Spike! Must! Win!

i'd actually love to see Tre win. he got so boned on season 3. while either way i think Hung was winning that season, it'd be great to see him do well or win allstars.
 
He's not my favorite, but they've certainly had a lot more arrogant chefs on the show.

I think Richard and Angelo have to be two of the favorites. Both of them kicked ass throughout most of their seasons, then made a few mistakes in the finale that cost them the victory.

I'd like to see Jamie or Spike win.

I would have really liked to see Sam from season 2 and Kevin and Bryan from season 6. Those 3 guys would have been my favorites.

More arrogant chefs, but Bourdain hasn't been a chef in years. His product is his attitude, not necessarily his knowledge of food. And I'm a fan of the guy, too, let me be clear on that. I would love to have a beer with the guy. But I think he's lousy for a chef competition that was built upon the credibility of its judges. Read some of the background before season 1 - they went after people who had serious food credentials, because they wanted the show to have credibility. The quote was something along the lines of this being a serious competition with serious talent, and since the audience can't smell or taste the food, they needed top tier food people to do the talking.

Bourdain isn't it. He's perfectly fine as a guest judge on Hell's Kitchen or something, but not Top Chef.
 
More arrogant chefs, but Bourdain hasn't been a chef in years. His product is his attitude, not necessarily his knowledge of food. And I'm a fan of the guy, too, let me be clear on that. I would love to have a beer with the guy. But I think he's lousy for a chef competition that was built upon the credibility of its judges. Read some of the background before season 1 - they went after people who had serious food credentials, because they wanted the show to have credibility. The quote was something along the lines of this being a serious competition with serious talent, and since the audience can't smell or taste the food, they needed top tier food people to do the talking.

Bourdain isn't it. He's perfectly fine as a guest judge on Hell's Kitchen or something, but not Top Chef.

What exactly are Padma's and Gail's credentials as a chef? Gail is a writer and Padma is a model and you don't seem to have any trouble with them being there, so your objection to Bourdain sounds like bullshit.
 
What exactly are Padma's and Gail's credentials as a chef? Gail is a writer and Padma is a model and you don't seem to have any trouble with them being there, so your objection to Bourdain sounds like bullshit.

Easy chief. Padma's the host. She has no credentials, she walks around and hosts the show.

Gail's job is to be objective about food. She's was critic and she's been around for a while. As far as judging food goes, she's probably as qualified as Colicchio is for his commercial success in running restaurants.

I love Bourdain, but his primary product hasn't been food for a long time. He's an entertainer who happens to center around eating. I'd love his opinion on where to find a good local bite anywhere in southeast asia, but I wouldn't put him on speed dial for cutting edge cuisine and fine dining. It's not his thing - watch his show, it's clearly not even what he prefers.

Let's be real here. Bourdain is replacing Eric Ripert. I like Bourdain a lot more, but Ripert is a million times more credible as a judge.
 
I argue that Bourdain has a ton of experience since he's basically eaten everything that is good on this earth.

The man does know what tastes good
 
He's not really famous for that, though. He's famous for his wit. A definite step down from Ripert as a judge.
 
just watched the EP

this is going to be the best season of TC yet.

those first 2 challenges were fucking AWESOME

@FrozenScallops ROFL
 
According to Wiki, Padma has written a cookbook and been a host for a a few shows on Food Network. I think it's safe to say, she is a little be bit more than just a pretty face to look at.

And the challenge tonight was ridiculous. Great season so far!
 
Jen didn't put out a good dish, but I'm surprised the judges were not more critical of Jamie's decision to get stitches and essentially eliminate her role in the execution of a dish.

there have been many instances on Top Chef where contestants just tough it out when they incur some type of injury, and it seems Jamie got a free pass for not cooking in an elimination round of Top Chef.
 
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