December 7, 2007
Last night was the Bravo Christmas party. I wish that I could report this morning that there was some sort of mayhem involving opium, a candy cane, and Sir Tim Gunn, but it was all pretty legit and nice.
There was a big raffle with prizes aplenty. Our boss Lauren lerves a raffle, and we have been conditioned to be very excited about them, too. Why is it so fun to pick names out of a bowl and give prizes? It just IS, people. Try it. There was a ton of champagne and everybody got a 2008 edition of Zagat's NYC restaurant guide. Who doesn't need that, seriously?
It was a nice party, but can we all agree that when it comes right down to it, work Christmas parties are always a little weird? A little stilted? Once at a CBS Morning Show Christmas party a colleague stumbled over in her (always) too high heels and said "I just want you to know I don't hate you because you're gay."
Comments
Mike B. wrote:
Marcel took the Wolverine thing a litte too far, not so great looking. And poor Josie, my kingdom for a can opener!
posted on December 7, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Donna wrote:
Dave from season 1
Michael from season 2
Howie from season 3
posted on December 7, 2007 at 12:47 PM
Julia wrote:
You asked us what we think of Top Chef Holiday special. It's a great idea to bring the chefs together again. I loved everything except sending those chefs back with trays in their hands. It's not a good idea. Also, psychologically, if viewers’ favorite chefs win, the viewers feel like a winner, too. I would shower a lot of gifts to the rest of chefs. I felt bad for Marcel whose comments of working his butt off to cook and did not end up winning anything. Padma needs to stop babygirl talking, "yum, yum, yum...." Be more classic, and professional. There is one judge guest (with glasses, bold headed, skinny), boy he is so pathetic, negative, and pain. It's not pleasant to see him there. Chef Eric Ripert is the best guest judge in the show, with style and a very hot looking. Love to see CJ and Tre. They are great people.
posted on December 7, 2007 at 1:13 PM
kris i. wrote:
Two words, SAM TALBOT.
posted on December 7, 2007 at 2:03 PM
Naruv wrote:
What the heck happened to Stephen?
He blew everyone out of the water last time. Granted he hasn't been in a kitchen since then, but still...
I assume because Hung, Harold, Ilan were not present that means we can expect a Winners vs Judges contest soon? =p
posted on December 7, 2007 at 2:13 PM
Kelly-Ann wrote:
Andy,
I'm sorry that Sir Tim Gunn was not at your party last night...He was with me!
And about 500 other people at a Liz Claiborne Fashion Show in Kansas City.
He is WYSIWYG. I am impressed! He is the sweetest most elegant man in the world...you are so lucky to work with him!
Love your blogs and Bravo! Do you have plans for the holidays to visit your family in St. Louis...or fly off to a warmer climate?
Kelly-Ann in Kansas
posted on December 7, 2007 at 2:26 PM
Mike B. wrote:
p.s. I don't hate you because you are gay either.
posted on December 7, 2007 at 2:51 PM
Andrea wrote:
I was thrilled that CJ was there. I LOVE him and can't get enough. He's so hilarious, is he single?
I can't stand Marcel, but he evokes emotion which I guess makes for good TV.
I have no idea why Sandy was there. She didn't come anywhere close to winning her season, and although I like her fine I don't think she proved herself as a contender, and thus didn't deserve a spot.
If I were doing the picking: Elia & Mike, And Leah instead of Sandy.
posted on December 7, 2007 at 3:25 PM
anyacat wrote:
Tiff wins and she didn't cook anything? The veal was cooked by someone else, all she did was put the dish together. Tre cooks and goes home with some books? As I recall, one of the strongest candidates of last season was eliminated because he didn't cook.
posted on December 7, 2007 at 6:18 PM
Debbie wrote:
I have to know - is Padma a JUDGE or a HOST?
posted on December 7, 2007 at 7:14 PM
Amy wrote:
Bravo did a fine job picking the contestants, and the winner did a great job bringing it. It was nice to see a non-boy win something on Top Chef, and rightfully so. Tiff did a great job. People that still harbor resentment over Marcel need to get jobs, hobbies, and/or talent. What's wrong with y'all? The man can cook. As opposed to all of you that don't like him.
posted on December 7, 2007 at 8:40 PM
Mark wrote:
Was there anyone you wished had competed but wasn't on the show?
Season 1: Dave Martin, Lee Anne Wong
Season 2: Cliff Crooks, Elia Aboumrad, Sam Talbot
Season 3: Casey Thompson
posted on December 7, 2007 at 10:29 PM
Sour Chef Humor wrote:
Thank you Andy. This holiday special ROCKED!!
We had a great time and loved the challenges and all the chefs. What a wonderful holiday gift to all the TC fans. Thank you, Tom, Padma, Gail, our beloved Ted, the guest judges and the 8 chefs. Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday and all the best in 2008. We can not wait for TC4 in Chicago.
posted on December 8, 2007 at 12:20 AM
Mark wrote:
BTW, I really enjoyed the holiday special. Season 1 had good reps; Marcel was a good choice for Season 2; Tre and CJ were good choices for Season 3.
posted on December 8, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Andy B. wrote:
Hey Andy. The Top Chef special, was a good idea. It was nice to see a group of contestants, from all three seasons. In fact, it would be nice to have it, twice a year, in between T.C. season's. Each time, with different contestants, from every season. Of course, never including the winners, of each season.
Yes, I do think a contest of season winners vs. the judges, renown chefs, or renown guest chefs, would be a good idea, and very competitive.
It was good to see the contestants in the special, but Sandie, should not have been in it. Only contestants that make it to the top 8, should be considered. Not counting the winners, that leaves 21 contestants available, with the list growing, with each season.
posted on December 8, 2007 at 11:47 AM
mo spaulding wrote:
I only wish that you would have had Anthony B there as a Chef judge. Also, I Know You have the money, it would have been cool if you had awarded Tiffany and Tre $20,000 each! Think about it. It would have been festive. It Is Christmas!! I love Top Chef! Where will you go next year? How about Bean Town. Boston!! You could serve the Red Socks Nation!! Happy Holidays. Mo
p.s. Sam and Mikey for New Years slap down?
posted on December 8, 2007 at 12:46 PM
deirdre wrote:
Why did she feel it was necessry to tell you she didn't hate you beacuse you are gay; Did she hate you for another reason? Was it Julie Chen? She loves her some spikey heels.
I really like the Chef Special, I agree with Kris I - Sam Talbot and it was interesting to see the see Marcel - who I've always liked - put out two bad dishes. WTF? Also, why can't poor Tiffany get along with people? And, lastly, where can one get the receipe for her Butterscotch pudding???
posted on December 9, 2007 at 8:10 AM
mich wrote:
I wish Betty was not there - she is a venomous person. Also missed Dave and Howie . . they were both great ... the show was good and I was glad to see Tiffini win something - she is always like the bridesmaid. Happy Holidays to all
posted on December 9, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Brian wrote:
Am I the only one who feels that these TC contenders are receiving the short end of the stick? The measley prize of only $20,000, and hey got an hour and a half of prime television, without paying the talent. I saw national automobile commercials,as well as other high-priced merchandise being pushed, presumably scoring a ton of revenue! They actually played the entire show late Wednesday night/Thursday morning, thus making even more more big bucks. They will play this show several more times. At least have an escalating level of prizes, trips, etc. I don't know how the magnanamous Tre was able to wear that smile after receiving a stack of books, as the kindly Tom says it's Christmas, and he shouldn't walk away empty handed. (Yeah, go ahead and schlep 60 pounds of books back to Texas) A contestant off the street can go on Wheel of Fortune and make a lot more money, and the others get to keep their cash also. I like the show, and I understand that many chefs would love the opportunity to get their names out there, but I think that the allumni deserve a bit more respect. Even the American Idol contestants get to tour the country and make some money (yes, I am aware that they all signed ridiculous contracts, with big fists in their pockets). CJ gave me the impression that he was down on his luck when he whined that he could really use the money. Anyway, I really like the program, but especially with all the "plugs" , I believe that BRAVO could loosen the purse strings a little. I look forward to next season.
PS Is it true that the stalker Jeff and Casey were married? heehee
posted on December 9, 2007 at 6:23 PM
John wrote:
I would have liked to see Dale, considering you were in his hometown. Hopefully we'll see more of him in the future.
posted on December 10, 2007 at 9:40 AM
Julia wrote:
I agree with Andrea, Sandy is a poor choice of holiday cooking show. She seems to be a great person, but her concepts of cooking might be beyond reach. However, between Tre and Tiff, I personally believe Tiff is a better chef than Tre. Too bad they only gave Tre a bunch of cheap books which he could download all the recipes from the internet. I wished Casey could be here. It would be nice to see her again. I agree, this is a great idea to bring these chefs back again. We all miss seeing them.
posted on December 11, 2007 at 1:43 PM
Brenda wrote:
How do i find the recipe for the butterscotah pudding from "The Top Chef Holiday Special?"
Brenda
posted on December 14, 2007 at 2:37 AM