julia wrote:

I agree, I didn't think Joey would be sent home. Is it possible that they are "saving" the female chefs because so many have been sent home? Good luck with your restaurant!

posted on August 2, 2007 at 1:21 PM

nilo wrote:

Hi Harold!

First off, I really appreciated your honest assessment of Rocco. I really do think he's a talented chef who sort of allowed himself to get distracted from cheffing (verb???) and got a bit carried away with celebrity. I think your analysis of where he should go from here was damn good advice. I hope he takes it.

I was talking over on Television Without Pity about the episode last night. I'm wondering if one of the reasons Sara stayed was because soooooo many of the females have been let go?

Truthfully, I was ok with Joey being the one to go. As I said on TWoP, I'm not sure which was worse:
* Hung, who knew what to do and how to do it, but couldn't inspire his partner to do it
* Joey, who admittedly said he pretty much has to be whacked upside the head to listen to anyone AND seemed to have selective memory of what actually was discussed the day before both in the kitchen and at the store.
* Sara, who pretty much did nothing. She didn't contribute really anything to make the dish succeed or fail.

The only one I didn't think should have gone home was Howie - which was weird because I think Howie's inability to work at all with women is really starting to come across.

But who cares? I'm thrilled CJ finally got a win. And Tre cracked me up with his, "I'll smile now" followed by that gorgeous grin.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 1:24 PM

smk wrote:

Harold,

Nice insight into Rocco. Bourdain had some interesting comments on him, too. If anything, Rocco should serve as a cautionary tale to people who succumb to the celebrity reality show - unfortunately, a lot of people will only know him from The Restaurant, where he came off looking like an arrogant asshole, and not an accomplished, James Beard Award winning chef.
Flew a little too close to the sun, eh?
I agree with you that Sara should have gone. I'm really getting bothered with the way the eliminations are going here. While there are some worthy contenders still on, both this week's and last week's make really no sense. And how many times does Hung have to end up in the bottom, AND not 'get it' that his work is sub-par or off-mark? He's not that interesting of a character, let me tell ya, and I think that's what Bravo thought he'd bring to the table. As it turns out, I (and several others) would have loved to watch the Joey Howie show right to the end.
That said, I'm rooting for Tre.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 1:28 PM

Patty wrote:

I thought Sara was sure to be sent home in this elimination challenge as well. I was surprised that most of the chefs after opening up the Bertolini frozen dinners still did not use the IQF method. It is obivious after examining the contents that the pasta is individually frozen, the vegetables are individual and the sauce is cut up in chunks, etc. It was a great episode anyways!

posted on August 2, 2007 at 1:46 PM

Shelema wrote:

Hi Harold, loved you in season 1. You're so right about Rocco too. Of course I've never met him, but as an outsider, it looked as if he loved the limelight and attention too much. Loved it more than being the real chef he was. Ah well, we all have Perilla now,so who cares. Sorry to see Joey go. He should be proud of the work he did up to this point

posted on August 2, 2007 at 1:48 PM

Sam wrote:

"How are the mighty fallen"?? Shouldn't it be "How the mighty have fallen"?? You should probably get it right before talkin' smack about somebody else.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 1:48 PM

Dana wrote:

Harold, I went into this episode hoping that Sara would get booted. How has she lasted this long? I honestly don't get it.

It's a good thing Hung didn't get booted. There probably would have been some kind of Ginsu showdown. :p

posted on August 2, 2007 at 2:13 PM

Donna wrote:

Hi Harold,

Loved seeing you on the reunion show. I say "yes" to the cook off between you and the judges. It would be awesome!

I enjoy reading your blog with your take on the shows. It helps us fans understand why certain things happen the way they do. Keep up the good work although it probably takes you away from your restaurant.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 2:23 PM

eric76 wrote:

Sara didn't do as much as Howie, but it was clearly obvious that Howie was not going to let her do anything and would battle her every step of the way.

Howie has the least skills of being a team player. There are few areas of specialty where someone someone who is incapable of being a team player can excell. Very few.

I don't know if it was intentional, but by refusing to let Sara help and doing everything himself, to anyone lookig on it seems that Sara didn't do anything and should go. In reality, the problem wasn't that Sara didn't do anything but that Howie was actively beligerant toward his teammate and refused to allow her to have any meaningful participation.

Howie should have gone.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 2:28 PM

Tracy wrote:

Harold always love your blog.Thanks for your insight and opinions.You don't mince words.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 2:45 PM

Matt wrote:

First? I hope. I'm coming to your restaurant, Harold. Save me some duck meatballs. Good luck.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 2:46 PM

gary.e wrote:

Harold: I always look forward to your comments on the show, I was some what disappointeed with Rocco, he was not the judge that i was exspecting, maybe I missed something, and there could have been more then Joey to leave and would not be missed. also I think you would make a good judge maybe next season, keep up the good work and best of luck...

posted on August 2, 2007 at 2:58 PM

julia wrote:

I agree, I didn't think Joey would be sent home. Is it possible that they are "saving" the female chefs because so many have been sent home? Good luck with your restaurant!

posted on August 2, 2007 at 3:38 PM

Susana wrote:

Harold - right on - as usual. I especially agree with your comment about Rocco. Wow, once upon a time he was a great, well respected chef, then he fell for that reality show - which led to all the drama, and boy did he end up looking bad (and I'm not referring to his new hair). Thanks for the insight.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 3:58 PM

art wrote:

"How are the mighty fallen?" WTH?

posted on August 2, 2007 at 4:01 PM

littletree wrote:

I think that Joey was kicked off instead of Sarah because they're running low on women. I'm sure the producers are watching stuff like that and wouldn't want it be down to 7 men, two women. Which is too bad, because yeah, she should have gone.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 4:54 PM

polly wrote:

art and Sam: "How are the mighty fallen" is a famous Biblical phrase. It is perfectly correct.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 5:39 PM

Ruby Lucero wrote:

I think it was a surprise that Joey was booted off.I thought he had more to bring to the drama in the kitchen. Anyways, I did want Sarah to leave since she was being pushy to Howie. I think the vote was wrong...I ask for a recount!

posted on August 2, 2007 at 5:48 PM

jamie wrote:

im glad you noticed they were thai apple eggplants that was kinda funny brian still didn't know what they were. if anything howies outburst probably pulled sara back on the boat who would want to be seen cowing to that bullshit. thanks for bringing the show back into balance.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 6:32 PM

MH wrote:

In all fairness, editing may have made Sara look bad -- and Howie was acting like a spoiled brat/control freak, much as I like him. And of all people, Harold would know that the show is created to emphasize the drama. Celebrity is a tough thing to handle -- and Harold hasn't always handled it gracefully. Everyone is capable of succumbing, so be careful about casting those stones.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 6:57 PM

Esbee wrote:

Those going off on Harold's title...

http://www.bartleby.com/108/10/1.html
See 1:18.

Sara should have been sent packing; she was utterly useless.

I'm glad Tre and CJ won. They both exude quiet confidence on the show, much as you did the first season.

Howie is ridiculously loud. And sweaty.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 7:50 PM

Morgaine Swann wrote:

I feel like Rocco got a raw deal. I want to see more of him, so I hope they have him back again.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 8:40 PM

lynp wrote:

I do not think Joey should have gone either. At least, he has not been on the bottom everytime like Hung and Sara. Hung is fun. Sara is not fun. She did not do anything.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 9:32 PM

nancy S. wrote:

Sara should have gone home, plain and simple. But perhaps what others are saying is true - they need to keep a few women around. And Hung needs to go. It's clear that Tom Collicchio favors him, though personally, I think Hung is an arrogant, delusional jerk, and not a team player at all.

When Ilan won season 2, I could never watch the reruns of that season again, though I can watch season 1 over and over. I also watch the reruns of season 3, and pick up a little more each time I see a show. But I have to say, if Hung wins this one, there will be no season 4 for me. It will be obvious that the winner is NOT the best chef. Ilan was extremely limited in his cooking, and childish in his behavior. Yet he won, though Tom C. repeatedly said that a top chef should be a leader and an innovator.

If Hung wins, I'll know that this is "Tom's Favorite Chef", not really "Top Chef".

I hope I'm wrong.

posted on August 2, 2007 at 9:38 PM

Eden wrote:

People, "How are the mighty fallen" is a real, very old (King James Bible, in fact -- 2 Samuel 1) phrasing.

posted on August 3, 2007 at 1:14 AM

Frank Seay wrote:

Hi Harold. For the most part I would have to agree with your comments. I really felt it was Sara's time to go this episode..even though it was obvious Joey was basically in the same boat with Sara, he did at least try to execute the dish in what he believed would be the best way...he had real desires in going to send some of his family to Italy, and his passion for pleasing with his dishes...it is obvious he cares a great deal. He nailed his weakness down pat when he basically stated you have to be forceful with me or I'm calling the shots....which Hung should have done. Hung knew the concept and i really couldn't get over why he demured over to Joey....I would've screamed,kicked,clawed, whatever it took to let Joey know
the IQF method was the way to go. Howie seems to be in his own little bulldogish world. He definitely thinks highly of himself , which is all well and good, but even he admitted that
perhaps CJ and Tre had a better ideal of what the challenge was all about...so kudos to him.. On an ending note....Me and my wife had the pleasure of dining at your restaurant this past month...and i must say overall we had a pleasurable meal. We both did have issues with only one thing and that was the PeekyToe Crab salad..specifically the ginger dressing would have been better served on the side as the amount we received on the salad was alittle overpowering and took away abit from the lucious pieces of crabmeat. We still plan of dining there again when in NY as the rest of our meal was "spot on" to use Chef Tom's vernacular. Keep up the good work. Regards, Frank.

posted on August 3, 2007 at 1:19 AM

Tami wrote:

I agree with you prdeictions 100% as i was thinking the same. While joey seemed hard headed, i thought if one of their team was to be eliminated it would be Hung. He had the concept and couldn't get Joey to hear him. Top Chef=leadership....we hear it again and again. Though i would have loved to be a fly on the wall when the decision was made to send Joey home, as Tom made his opinion of Sarah's lack of involvement quite clear. Best to you!

posted on August 3, 2007 at 1:42 AM

nate wrote:

I'll comment the same on this blog as I did on the others, my friend. No quickfire made it feel way too short.

posted on August 3, 2007 at 2:21 AM

Dave H wrote:

Samuel 1:27. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

I knew what you were saying, Harold. The hottest young chef in NYC reduced to shilling frozen dinners, and the hulking cheftestant brought to his knees by his former watermelon beverage idea thief foe.

Hung easily could have fixed this situation by just telling Joey to make some kickass "gravy" and he would take care of the rest, or at least the packaging part.

Sarah was portrayed strangely in the show. Perhaps the cigarette was a post coital celebration of one of the judges, or maybe they didn't want to cut yet another female chef.

posted on August 3, 2007 at 7:51 AM

Sarkika wrote:

I know Joey had a meltdown at his exit interview, and it probably embarrassed him badly, but it completely redeemed him in my eyes. What a sweetheart. No wonder he got so snarky in places -- he REALLY feel things. Joey rules!

posted on August 3, 2007 at 9:16 AM

marjorie wrote:

"how are the mighty fallen" -- actual biblical quote! king james translation! david's words of mourning over saul and jonathan, in the Second Book of Samuel. lookit harold, slinging the erudition as well as the smart cheffy commentary!

posted on August 3, 2007 at 11:34 AM

mako wrote:

THANK YOU SO MUCH HAROLD!
To point out the eggplant Brian saw was

THAI eggplant.

Not Japanese eggplant.

I think it's little strange that as a program they didn't give us what correct answer was.
It might be little thing but I would like to think all the information about food coming out of this program is precise.

posted on August 3, 2007 at 12:28 PM

Jen wrote:

Sara M. so far....she served undercooked chicken to the Moose Lodge (or whatever it was), couldn't make boxed gelatin, and did nothing on last night's challenge except gripe at Howie.

Heck, maybe I should sign up for the next season. I can do all of that...or not do it. Come on.

That being said, have we seen the other Sara do much of anything either?

posted on August 3, 2007 at 1:20 PM

Joan wrote:

During the cooking Joey put his cooking spoon into the sauce pot, tasted it from that spoon, then stuck the spoon into another cooking pot. I think he deserved to go for the unsanitary display.

posted on August 3, 2007 at 2:39 PM

Carla wrote:

I'm not a Rocco fan. He is arrogant and at the quick fire challenge he gave some looks to the cheftestants that were rude when they got it wrong. I 'd like to see him do it, I really would. I agree with you that this seasons culinary "bee" was so much easier then TC1.

posted on August 3, 2007 at 3:29 PM

Stephanie P wrote:

Hi Harold...great blog. Hope Perilla's doing well. Sam from season 2 said something nice about it in last week's blogs. I don't know much about chef Rocco, other than what I've heard about The Restaurant show. I guess since my first impression of him came from Talk Soup, I didn't know what to expect. I think the challenge was interesting though. Bourdain was wearing his snob status when he blogged this week...didn't think frozen food "counted" as a challenge. I can see his point. But these chefs apparently had some problems with it. Speaking of which, I'm getting a little tired of Howie. He reminds me of Joe Pesci from Casino. I keep expecting him to shout out "you better bring an army pal."

posted on August 3, 2007 at 6:46 PM

Bilybob wrote:

I agree that this "Bee" was much too easy. Perhaps most viewers haven't been keeping up with the bonus videos on this site and saw that there was a blindfold "bee" between Hung and Clay. I keep wondering to this day if that happened before everything started or if it was between the quickfire and elimination challenge.

posted on August 4, 2007 at 7:53 AM

Janice M. wrote:

Hi Harold,
I don't really think Sara can last much longer. The only thing positive I have heard about her dishes was on the chile rellenos a couple of weeks ago, but she wasn't in the top two.
Add a little green food coloring to Howie, and when he smiles, your looking at Shrek! Now his sidekick, donkey is gone.

posted on August 4, 2007 at 11:28 AM

Joe Lussier wrote:

Hey Harold who do you think you are, the second coming of Escoffier. How dare you bad mouth a man who got were he his by blood sweat and hard work and not by winning a reality show, ( and by the way what I saw of season 1 I dont think you should have won just as I feel that Elan should not have won in season 2. It sounds to me that you have let your 15 minutes of fame go to your head.

posted on August 4, 2007 at 3:52 PM

Catherine wrote:

Hi Harold,
I just got a chance to see last weeks show, and I agree Joey should have not gone home. Why is Hung still there?? He has been on the chopping block for the past 3 or 4 times, he does not know what he is doing and is always blaming everyone else around him. He should have been the one to go, or Sara should have. I was really glad to see Trey and CJ win they deserved it.
Thanks for your great comments and good luck with the new restaurant.
Catherine

posted on August 4, 2007 at 9:25 PM

Mary wrote:

Ciao Harold!
As a Sicilian-American and Italian teacher, I really admired your warmth and general classiness. That said, did you know someone devised a drinking game in which the players had to do a shot every time you said something humble? Now that says it all!
Hair fatto bella figura!

posted on August 4, 2007 at 10:02 PM

bobby wrote:

When I saw Rocco last week, I was quite shocked by his appearance. I had the pleasure of dining at his former place, Union Pacific, and he sat down and shmoozed at our table. He was so unaffected and adorable back then. Now he looks really strange- reddish hair color and weird eyes , as though he had some work done a la Joan Rivers. I hope he gets back into the kitchen soon and redyes his hair back to black. He has definitely changed, whether by Hollywood or his own devices! I miss the old Rocco.

posted on August 4, 2007 at 10:09 PM

Liz wrote:

The only place I'll disagree is over Sara. Thus far she's flown down the middle. Howie and Hung have both been at judge's table before with egregious mistakes, Hung in this case for the exact same problem which plagued him in this challenge: his arrogance. He thinks he knows what's right and everyone should simply recognize his brilliance and accede to him. When Joey didn't just bow and scrape and say "Oh yes, Hung, you're correct, Hung, whatever you say, Hung." he stopped communicating with Joey to the detriment of his food. He's had execution problems, he's had flavor profile problems, now he's proven his inability to be Top Chef because he's not a leader. So why is Hung still there? Looks like, from previews, he's at Judge's Table again next challenge! Get rid of Hung!

posted on August 5, 2007 at 6:27 AM

Andy B. wrote:

Hey Harold good blog. To Joey Lussier the blogger above, you are an idiot. Harold has a right to voice his opinion about anyone who's on Top Chef. Are you blind man, Harold is the best chef who has ever been on the show. No one else has showed the professionalism, integrity, and intensity as Harold. He gave and received so much respect from his peers in T.C.1, and his behavior was always impeccable. On top of all that his cooking was awesome. Winning many quickfire, and elimination challenges along the way to becoming Top Chef. If that don't convince you, what about his wonderful restaurant that opened in N.Y.C. Give Harold the credit he deserves Joey. So far of the 45 contestants on Top Chef no one else is even close.

posted on August 5, 2007 at 12:46 PM

JERILYNN PIERCE wrote:

First let me say, I love THIS SHOW. I've wathed it from SEASON ONE.I couldn't stand Marcel on season 2 and Steven should just stick with wines.The drama quenn this season is HUNG. He'as arrogant ,pompous, and belligerent. I can't wait to se him go.I do feel that when the chefs are pired or divided into teams, it always seems as if the wrong one has to pack his knives and go. Love ALL of the judges---they all seem to be fair and Tom has his eyes on who's doing the manipulating. Sarah has to go. She's just not ready, yet, for the big time. Oh, and Harold, you deserved to win season one, because I'm sure you worked your behind off to get there, too. As for Elan, if when he beat Marcel out, it felt like Christmas had come early. I'd eat anything he'd cook, anyday!

posted on August 5, 2007 at 2:12 PM

JERILYNN PIERCE wrote:

First let me say, I love THIS SHOW. I've wathed it from SEASON ONE.I couldn't stand Marcel on season 2 and Steven should just stick with wines.The drama quenn this season is HUNG. He's arrogant ,pompous, and belligerent. I can't wait to se him go.I do feel that when the chefs are paired or divided into teams, it always seems as if the wrong one has to pack his knives and go. Love ALL of the judges---they all seem to be fair and Tom has his eyes on who's doing the manipulating. Sarah has to go. She's just not ready, yet, for the big time. Oh, and Harold, you deserved to win season one, because I'm sure you worked your behind off to get there, too. As for Elan, when he beat Marcel out, it felt like Christmas had come early. I'd eat anything he'd cook, anyday!

posted on August 5, 2007 at 2:14 PM

Maria wrote:

I'm so surprised at Joey ,and for that matter all non winning chefs.Pasta to be frozen and re cooked at a later time. has to be cooked less even than al'dente.

posted on August 5, 2007 at 7:11 PM

nypeaches wrote:

I am shocked that everybody doesn't think it should have been Hung to go! When you know better and don't do better-you are no leader or chef! Sara contributed all the control-freak sexist Howie would let her. Joey was the last one of the group who should've packed his knives. Howie is a small man in size and stature and the coined term "bull dog" is everyone being nice. However, he does have skills. If Bravo's thing is to have Hung fill the Marcel shoes of this season, they are off the mark. Howie is your Marcel. Obnoxious, overbearing and talented.

posted on August 6, 2007 at 3:24 AM

Chef Oldskool wrote:

Harold, first of all let me say that I think you're one of the most talented chefs through season 3. I also think your season had the most talented chefs from top to bottom. That said, I don't think you're giving some of the other chefs in the following seasons enough credit. Most recently, Hung... The guy has skills. He said ahead of time that he knew how to tackle the project, he tried pushing it on Joey but was left with no options besides literally smacking Joey upside the head with a frozen block of sauce. Sure, I thought Hung's Chocolate Mousse Pie was weak, beyond weak... actually I thought that was his goodbye. He obviously has tallent though and I think everyone, including you, is curious to see what else he can come up with. His friendship with Marcel, or just him simply living in Vegas has led to a hatred by some watchers. I think most of the prenteders have been booted from season 3 by now, let's see what plays out.

*** cash money Sara is out next week.

posted on August 7, 2007 at 4:15 AM

Joe Lussier wrote:

Hey Andy B. I agree that Harold has the right to voice his opinion, and so do at least I didn't call him names. I truly felt that a couple of the cheftestants specialy Tiffany (Ithink that was here name) put up some very inovative and differant product, (Harold himself calls his food tweaked comfort food) I feel a top chef has to take chanses add do stuff outside his comfort zone. I trhink that Tiffany's interpersonal problems cost her. I am not saying that Harold can'nt cook In fact I am planning a trip to his restaurant in the near future. My statement was that Rocco has paid his dues got there the hard way, Harold took a short cut and should wait till he has earned the reputation that gives him the right to trash talk.

posted on August 7, 2007 at 7:30 AM

Juan wrote:

Harold,
I have a lot of respect for you and your craft. I also must say you are a gentlemen in the kitchen and a honorable person which is more than I can say about the usual "rabble" they have competing on "Top Chef".

The only thing I question is your increadibly "high prices" at your retaurant. I was going to visit your establishment but the cost seems prohibitive. A neighborhood retaurant should cater to the local community. With those prices you need to consider a new locale. As always I appreciate your honesty and humilty.

posted on August 7, 2007 at 11:25 AM

Chantal Gleason wrote:

Harold, I love reading what you have to say now that I've discovered the blogs. I think you're awesome and gorgeous. If I wasn't so strapped for cash right now, I would come visit you at your restaurant. Congratulations on all of your success, love ya!
Chantal

posted on August 7, 2007 at 1:25 PM

Maurice wrote:

hey Harold,

I'm an upcomming chef. who works in a high volume restaurant . in the restaurant that i work in there is no chefs. we only have a kitchen manager that i know more knowledge about food than. so my question for you is are there any alternative ways for me to further expand my knowledge in cooking from other chefs, or in a professional way?? please write back i would love your advice. thanks, Maurice

posted on August 8, 2007 at 4:45 AM

Lali wrote:

If you were Hung's size....partnered up with a guy Joey's size(who already is known for having an aggressive nature) I believe you'd be a little hesitant to get up in his face and yell something to him that you've already repeated several times in a nice manner. Joey couldn't just get off his high horse and that is why he got sent home.

posted on August 8, 2007 at 6:05 PM

Martha NS wrote:

I love top chef, but there will never be another season One and someone that will top, Top Chef Harold, his food made me want to do better, I do prep and presentation with other peoples food for parties. But I'm couldn't begin to dream of being so great and natural. Harold made me want to try all his dishes, I'm only sorry I can't afford to have a night out in his restaurant. As for this season, Tre reminds me of Harold, he's quiet but his food shines, and talks for him. Good luck.

posted on August 8, 2007 at 11:16 PM

Pam wrote:

I enjoy your blogs, Harold. You remind me of when I wanted to be in the kitchen and part of the dinner rush. You remind me of the time when I wanted to be a chef! I swear there is no better drug in the world than being in a kitchen during the dinner rush! Somehow, I am still in the food business (wholesale produce) but I have to say I miss the restaurant business...

posted on August 9, 2007 at 7:18 PM

Turtle J. wrote:

How the mighty have fallen? Rocco is generating a good income from his relationship with a company no different than any of the other chefs that brand things. Yes having a restaurant that is sucessful is great but even the best restaurant has a certain amount of time. Rocco's ability to cook hasn't gone away just because he currently doesn't have a place. Having eaten at UP he cooks rings around the likes of you and always will. Maybe once your restuarant is struggling and you are in need of cash to pay your bills you'll get off your high horse.

posted on August 10, 2007 at 6:34 AM

Mary from Virginia wrote:

when i saw it was Rocco, all i could focus on was the change in his facial features. that man has had "some work done." we read that he is 'supposed' to be a great chef. i have yet to see him deliver.
i agree with those who mentioned the ridiculous foods that were part of the blind tasting--oatmeal! what a joke that was.
BRAVO seems to be keeping Howie on for his 'bulldog' value, period. he seems to be staying on just to rile the other contestants.
Rocco will now be "Mr. Frozen Face" to me.

posted on August 10, 2007 at 9:09 AM

Zobie wrote:

I acknowledge that Hung has good skills. My issue with him, Marcel, and Howie are that they have no emotional intelligence. They don't know how to work well with others, they are egotistical and are not team players. No chef works in a vacuum. You have to be mature, see matters from other than your point of view and have great instincts when it comes to food. You also have to be a good businessman/woman. You have to be able to work with financial backers who don't want some flake ruining their multi-million dollar investment. You have to be able to handle the personnel in the kitchen. You have to be able to work the front of the house if your name is on the menu/front awning. Those chefs who seem to have a handle on this, are the ones who will win: Harold from Season 1. I'm not so sure about Ilan - he seems to be a little young. To me, Tre seems to be the stand-out from Season 3. Re: Rocco DiSpirito: I don't care what he's done to his face, his hair, etc. He demonstrated all of the immaturity/egotism of a Hung/Howie, etc. on "The Restaurant". He is experiencing the fallout of the lawsuits with Jeffrey Chodorow....so maybe that's why he's selling pots and pans on QVC and lending his name to the Bertolli products....whatever - I've never experienced his cooking, but I would agree that he probably just needs to get back into the kitchen, do his stuff, and the general snarkiness with go away....everyone in America loves a comeback story!Lastly, question for Harold/Chef Tom/Gail: Do the chefs have access to cryogenic freezing? A principal advantage of cryogenic freezing of food is that when the food defrosts, there is less deterioration to the food cells/molecules, so the flavor/color/nutrients don't run out of it after it thaws such as what typically happens when food is flash frozen in a traditional freezer.....IQF has similar advantages, but is not nearly as efficient. Or is cryogenic freezing more of an industrial process (used for processed/packaged food) and not one generally used in the kitchen?

posted on August 10, 2007 at 10:32 AM

Jen wrote:

First, the dynamic of the kitchen isn't important to the judges and then it becomes critical. Second, read Rocco's blog. Apart from your critique of him, he can't spell and doesn't undersand grammar.

posted on August 10, 2007 at 12:47 PM

Thinker wrote:

Who on this green earth are you to question Rocco? You opened a restaurant five minutes ago. Whatever Rocco has done, good or bad, it's silly to think he would look to you for advice.

And the snobbery of the cooking industry is mind-blowing. I suppose self promotion is a completely different monster than product promotion? Please, like Bourdain doesn't know that his appearances will sell books.

Also, I'd suggest proof reading.

posted on August 10, 2007 at 6:06 PM

Y wrote:

Harold, I would respect your assessment of Rocco more if you were so damn smug about it. Maybe you should remember once or twice that, for all the contempt you have for reality television, that no one would care about your restaurant if it weren't for the fact that you won Top Chef 1 -- and complained all the way through it, from the kid's monkfish challenge to competing on Top Chef All Stars. There's something called being gracious for the vehicle that helped you with your success, and as inconvenient as it was to compete in All Stars while you were opening your restaurant, you better recognize that you got a lot more publicity than you would have if you were not affiliated with Top Chef.

I hated how you sound so smug about "Oh ho ho, how the mighty have fallen" with regards to Rocco because that phrase is usually used by someone who is mighty as well, or at least a rival of the person he is talking about. With your one star restaurant and piddling reality show "fame," you are neither. Rocco was brought down by a reality show, yes, but YOU were MADE by a reality show. Judging by your sulky "I'm just a cook. I just want to cook" comments throughout the Top Chef run, you must have one hell of a time reconciling that in your head. So before you judge someone like Rocco, who was nothing but GRACIOUS while he guest judged on Top Chef, maybe you should try running a three star restaurant and winning a James Beard award. Maybe then I won't laugh my head off when you talk smugly about your superior. You've only had Perilla for a few months -- seriously, who do you think you are?

posted on August 11, 2007 at 8:10 PM

ck wrote:

UPDATE YOUR BLOG MAN!!!! A lot of us are waiting for your comments on the last episode. I know u have a restaurant, but you've been on time so far don't let us down now??

posted on August 13, 2007 at 9:52 PM

Ellen Cooney wrote:

Hey Harold - Congrats on Perilla - can't wait for my wonderful dinner in October - warned you I'd be there for my birthday and am bringing friends - what's with the quote confrontation with everyone on this blog - it's a bleeping quote for God's sake - get a life people and Rocco is sooooooooooo ancient History - let's move on - let's talk dish - so what is Dave up to - I loved him in episode one with you and all the other Great Chefs - keep up the great blog - and good luck at Perilla - see you soon - your favorite groupie - (besides your DAD) Ellen C. (Kevin's Wife)

posted on August 14, 2007 at 10:17 PM

laura wrote:

Harold, you are exceptional and you were my favorite from the get go for season 1. Rocco looks to skinny for an italian boy. But I think he just lost his charisma and self-confidence with his show. So much talent; get off the screen and back into the restaurant.

posted on August 15, 2007 at 3:42 PM

Jess wrote:

i know ultimately, it should come down to food - which is the worst. but watching Howie explode at everyone week after week, it's kind of sad and pathetic. if youre food was good, you wouldn't have to act that way. i think he is just trying to save his butt, but working in an environment with someone like that is hard enough alone.

i kept thinking, Joey or Howie should go - hell, why not both of them? i'm not saying they are terrible chefs, both of them at times during the competition showed that yeah they can cook, but being a Top Chef is more than just cooking.

isn't that way everyone likes you so much, Harold? me included! everyone wanted to work with you, you were easy going and damn straight you could cook!

ultimately in the competition they are weeding out the chef's looking for the Top Chef in the bunch, i think CJ and Tre are the top two in all of the competition. personally, i'm rooting for CJ (besides being cute -- by the way, there is always a very attractive male in every season...oh i'm not saying don't do that, it's always pleasing from a female point of view to watch a good lookin guy cook - season 1, you, season 2, Sam and now CJ..hmm) anyways, i do think CJ has what it takes to be Top Chef!

-jess

ps. i hope you are having great success with your restaurant! and it was great to see you again for the season 1 to season 2 challenge, and the little reunion show. - with the season 1 to season 2 challenge..c'mon, was it even a challenge? haha season 1 is still the best Top Chef season. :)

posted on August 16, 2007 at 2:30 AM

Rene wrote:

Hey Y,

Who does Harold think he is? Well I can't speak for him but for those of us who watched Rocco in The Restaurant and Harold in Top Chef, Harold is the guy with integrity. Harold is the guy who loves being a chef and loves everything that entails. I.E being there, cooking, and managing the staff.

Yeah, Rocco HAD a 2 great restaurants but what did he do with them? He ****ed them away because ultimately he wanted to be famous and be seen more than he wanted to run those restaurants.

Its a damn shame to witness talent, money, and time being wasted on someone who doesn't appreciate how fortunate he was. That's why men like Bourdain constantly bust his chops. He had everything he could possibly want and what other aspiring chefs would kill for yet he let his ego do all the thinking.

posted on August 17, 2007 at 5:46 AM

Jeff Schifrin wrote:

Could someone please tell me what the cooking term "French Rare" means??
Thank You,
Jeff

posted on October 26, 2007 at 4:20 PM