Jon wrote:

Harold,

It is always great to hear the perspective of someone who has walked in the chef's shoes on the show.

I agree with you about Lee Anne, she is doing an amazing job with the food setups. The buffet for the first quickfire was amazing.

Smart move on Bravo's part hiring her as culinary producer. She is so talented and this will only further her exposure.

Jon H.

posted on June 22, 2007 at 3:52 PM

Trish wrote:

Hi Harold,
Sofar the eliminations have been spot on. I was slightly annoyed with Micah. I'm sure that she's not the only one missing her child or other family members. Everyone knows what they signed on for. Being away from loved ones does stink, but you don't see the other contestants crying about it. That citrus spread was beautiful and bright. LeeAnne is doing a great job as producer. I would love to see her cook again. She was always one of my favorites. I have to agree with your comments about the guest judge. He did seem a little harsh. I'm sure a quickfire is very stressful as I'm sure you know. Coming up with a great idea in 10 minutes would make me run out of the kitchen. Love your comments, Trish

posted on June 22, 2007 at 6:31 PM

deirdre wrote:

Harold,
I really appreciate how you always stick up for the contestants when the guest judges are there. I get what you're saying-- why not offer construcive suggestions or criticisms instead of mugging for the cameras...When are you going to be a guest judge again??? I really enjoyed that.

posted on June 22, 2007 at 7:21 PM

Barbara wrote:

Salmon can be a wonderful BBQ treat. We in the Pacific Northwest have BBQ salmon quite often and I was intregued(sorry about spelling) by the peach glaze Tre used on his salmon as well as distressed. Good salmon is a terrible thing to waste like that and making salmon poorly is what causes people to dislike it. Lee Ann is doing awesome as a producer!!!
I agree that its a little early for the boys, and that is how they are acting, like little boys, to start their whiny pissing contest. Give it a break boys cuz if you cant play nice you shouldnt play at all!

posted on June 22, 2007 at 7:23 PM

Jen wrote:

I love you to death (figuratively), but brisket?

My husband is a hardcore bar-b-que'er. Brisket, while wonderful and 100% bbq (as opposed to grilling, which is really what they were doing on this episode) takes about 8-12 hours to do well. It also requires indirect heat, preferably from a side mounted smoke box. While it can be done on a weber, it's very difficult to get right, especially without charcoal rails.

2hrs prep time and 2hrs cook time to do a brisket on a weber? Not likely.

posted on June 22, 2007 at 7:25 PM

Jen wrote:

I love you to death (figuratively), but brisket?

My husband is a hardcore bar-b-que'er. Brisket, while wonderful and 100% bbq (as opposed to grilling, which is really what they were doing on this episode) takes about 8-12 hours to do well. It also requires indirect heat, preferably from a side mounted smoke box. While it can be done on a weber, it's very difficult to get right, especially without charcoal rails.

2hrs prep time and 2hrs cook time to do a brisket on a weber? Not likely.

posted on June 22, 2007 at 7:26 PM

ceejay wrote:

Hey, Harold -- I am in total agreement with your assessment of the guest judges in the past, and especially this week. These well-known chefs certainly have nothing to prove to anyone at this point, and yet too many of them are pompous and nit-picky and harsh. Very little constructive criticism that would actually help the contestant and perhaps even help the audience to learn something! Love your blog. You might be the only sane one connected to the show at all. Oops -- LeeAnn too (sorry!).

posted on June 22, 2007 at 10:42 PM

Michael Carmona Round wrote:

i do think mikah was cry fir her daughter but it shurly also had to do with the quick fire and what the F do they care if she cry's dave always cryed even if he did great.

posted on June 23, 2007 at 7:32 AM

Barb wrote:

Hi Harold,

Loved your comments on this episode. I have a feeling that Tre and Hung will be the finalists this year but then who knows, there are some really good cheftestants in the group.

Really enjoyed the cook off between 1 and 2. Season one did a great job. I hope they bring you all back next year and let the three seasons compete against each other.

Good luck on the restaurant opening.

Barb

posted on June 23, 2007 at 7:10 PM

MA wrote:

Hi Harold,
I love your blog, I really feel you are fair and accurate in your evaluations. I also really love your comments about the guest judges because I do feel that they don't have to be so critical and harsh. Alan Wong from the last finale was so great, very encouraging, nice, and respectful. Had something good to say about everyone and didn't feel the need to put anyone down and merely judged the food. Keep up the great work and I look forward to your restaurant opening up in NYC.

posted on June 23, 2007 at 10:58 PM

Zooey wrote:

What is the best way to improve knife skills. Which foods would you recommend we practice chopping?

posted on June 24, 2007 at 12:15 AM

Jenn wrote:

Hi Harold!
One question - didn't Mikey win his first and only elimination challenge last season with salmon? I think it was the seven deadly sins episode. Not trying to be a smartass, really :). I agree that Hung is going to be interseting to watch!

posted on June 24, 2007 at 8:49 PM

L. Ives wrote:

Hiya Harold,

When you titled this blog " a shout out to LeeAnne"; I thought that it would be the coincidence of Brian's winning seafood sausage to (in S-1) LeeAnne's fine reinterpretation of junk food with her seafood sausage which was judged as delicious. (btw: you won that QF with your popcorn dish)...

The Howie vs Joey thing looked like "Battle of the Bulge". They both seem like short order cooks with lots of screen time going to the petulant overrated Howie. Next week, we get to see his sweat drip into his food! (How appetizing is that?)

I would like to see more of the other cooks and hear about their food. Here's hoping that the editors show more cooking and less drama. Let the food and other cooks speak for themselves.

posted on June 25, 2007 at 10:57 AM

Andrea wrote:

"I haven’t ever had a good salmon dish come out on the show, and I haven’t seen anybody really kill with the salmon." It's an interesting point, and you just know someone's going to go back and check through all the back episodes to see if it holds up. It ain't gonna be me, though - don't have the patience!

Thanks for pointing out a chef like Lia who is overlooked easily at this stage. I'm trying to remember to watch the ones we're not being made to watch.

posted on June 25, 2007 at 7:13 PM

ChefG wrote:

Hey Harold,

Loved watching Season 1 compete against Season 2.... didn't doubt you guys would take it.

As far as the salmon comment.. didn't Mikey's salmon with carrot chips impress the judges last season? Just a thought... even though I'm a chef I personally do not care for salmon.

Is your restaurant open yet? If not, when do you expect it to be? I will be in the city for the open calls next month and was wondering if you could recommend a good place to get a drink and bite to eat?

posted on June 25, 2007 at 8:05 PM

The TCS wrote:

Hey Harold, you're absolutely right about Hung. He seems to be leading the pack rather unequivocally... unless the post-production folks at Bravo are doing a serious bit of leading us on.

Hung and Tre seem to (rightfully) get the most camera time on each episode. They're fun to watch, their dishes tend to be the most dynamic and exciting, and Hung is so quotable. Examples here: http://ourstereo.com/topchef/?p=31

posted on June 26, 2007 at 12:55 AM

SpikeLikes wrote:

Hey Harold, tell your Blog editor you have a broken image on page 4 of this entry. This is a side bar, but I'm wondering how many thousands of people are saying, "SPOT ON!" because of the show. :)

Anyway, glad you are a part of the show and much like other fans...waiting to hear how you are doing - what the new restaurant is like and if we'll ever get to see you in your kitchen. Treat your dish dogs nicely please. The kitchen is a fun, but often heated place to be, isn't it?

posted on June 26, 2007 at 7:46 AM

Caitlin wrote:

Hey Harold,

Let start out by saying that season 1 is still my favorite. Season 2 didn't have nearly as many good cooks as season 1 and watching both seasons compete was very entertaining and impressive. I also absolutely love LeeAnn!!!! I wish you the best luck w/ your restraunt and I hope to see more of you soon!

posted on June 26, 2007 at 5:52 PM

Katie wrote:

I went to Perilla last night with a friend. We both agreed- you have never truly eaten until you've had something Harold has made! The hazelnut salad that came with the organic chicken was incredible. The only thing better- the duck meatballs and the lemon fennel donuts. You are truly a top chef!

posted on June 26, 2007 at 10:35 PM

Russell James wrote:

Dude,

Ok, I'm not a gourmet chef, I cook for my wife and love it...but come on these people make their livings on it and can't "keep it real" so to speak. They get a challenge like a barbeque, granted high class in Miami to show there stuff to the world, but they didn't learn from you. Keep it to what your audience wants. I'm a simple guy and at a barbeque I would love some chicken, pork, the sausage and seafood idea was great but even though it's high class lets remember out guests right? Lobster at a barbecue?

posted on June 27, 2007 at 1:18 AM

Milo wrote:

You are kidding me, Chef, that you have time to blog for this show while you are running a seriously TOP NOTCH restaurant in New York? Fantastic Job. Zagat.com seems to love you already. So happy to see your serious work. Your restaurant is beautiful. A labor of love.

posted on June 27, 2007 at 5:20 AM

chef scrappy wrote:

harold....
your sooo overrated and you know it..... you and most f your cast on season1, and 2 come up with the most un original food.. you might have these people fooled.. but deep down.. you know that your food isn't all that!!!!!!!!!!

posted on June 27, 2007 at 8:19 PM

Sharon wrote:

Harold,

CONGRATULATIONS on your success. I keep reading good review after good review of your restaurant. If I can ever go on a vacation I would love to go there!

Love ya - you're the real thing!

Sharon

posted on June 28, 2007 at 12:42 AM

Stephanie P wrote:

Hi Harold...hope things are going well in NYC. I'm glad somone noticed how well Leeanne does her job! I think some of the displays are amazing. I agree with you about Tre and salmon. I think he falls into these comfort zones and it hurts him when he puts out his product. I'm really looking forward to what CJ and Casey put out. They seem to be really talented. Have a great week!

posted on June 28, 2007 at 7:51 PM

Sue wrote:

Hi Harold,
I agree about Norm Van Aken. If he was to do to me what he did to Sara, I would probably run out of the kitchen. He seemed too firm and scared the poor girl.

I think the judges are right on the money this year. I think Tre, Hung and Brian will be in the top 3 so far.

On a different note. Hope your restaurant is going well. I was wondering if you could post your menu (I'm sure it's great).
Good luck with everything.

P.S. I'm glad you won Top Chef (you should have)!

posted on June 29, 2007 at 12:04 AM

Laura wrote:

Harold - As an avid Top Chef viewer and a New Yorker, I had to check out Perilla to see if it lived up to the hype. I definitely would say it did. I had a great experience at the restaurant - the ambience was just laid-back enough and the food was delectable. There were lots of ingredients used I hadn't heard of, but was eager to try and I was not disappointed. Bravo!

Laura

posted on June 29, 2007 at 10:38 AM

Joi wrote:

Hi Harold,

Great blog as usual. My only comment (and I am sure someone else has already said this) is about the salmon. Mikey "killed" not once, but twice with salmon last season in the 7 Deadly Sins episode, making him the only contestant ever (I believe) to win both the immunity and elimination challenges. But you are busy with your amazing new restaurant, so I understand the slip. Your still my favorite of all time!

Joi

posted on June 29, 2007 at 5:25 PM

Jennie wrote:

harold, please realize that you need to start writing interesting things in your blogs.

also, i love lee anne!!!!!!!!!! i am so happy she has that a ma zing job. also, what up padma.

posted on July 8, 2007 at 1:29 PM