SJ wrote:

Hey, Ted? Where I come from, we call the burgers from White Castle "Whitey One-Bites."

Nice to see some appreciation of Dale's FOH skills. And I'm very disappointed with the amount of static he took for the white dishes on black tablecloths. So much of restaurant aesthetics are subjective that it seems almost ludicrous to potentially knife someone for making a design decision.

posted on August 15, 2007 at 11:41 PM

Mariza wrote:

Ted, I agree with the candles. I cannot remember ever visiting a restaurant that had "scented" candles burning. I did however like the decor of Garage, but the decor of April was clearly the winner.

Thanks for your input. I love you as a judge --- hope its permanent!!!!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:08 AM

Sharon Wright wrote:

Thom,
I agree with all you say and to add to it, I was just glad to see see the chefs pull together and all seem to get along for a change. To see Howie and Sara work as a team when they had had such a terrible blow up just a while ago was wonderful. I felt badly for Brian, who was out of his element as front of the house...but he did try. It is all such a learning process, isn't it? I see the egos take a beating every week, but I also see personal growth each week.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:09 AM

Sharon Wright wrote:

Ted,
I just read over my message to you and realized I wrote Thom! OMG I am sorry! I mean TED!!! I apologize 100 times. Just got home from our girls night out and I'm tired and don't know what I'm doing. Watched the show on TiVo. I'd better go to bed. I'm loopy. I do want to say that I like the way you judge on the show. And Tom Collicio is a Bear, isn't he. What a cutie. I'm married to a guy like him and they are so cuddly.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:17 AM

J. wrote:

Ted, I agree with your disdain for the term "Politically Correct"...sometimes, rarely, I think it is used correctly to describe someone who has gone totally overboard on the sensitivity, but usually it is just bandied about as a complaint from people who wish it was still okay to use derogatory words and phrases about abused groups of society.

At any rate, I still think you over-apologized for your comment about the clothes, but whatever. I DON'T think that Top Chef is sexist...I think every boot so far has been the correct one.

I also thought it was a serious mistake to choose scented candles...but I didn't think that there was anything particularly wrong with the overall design of "Garage". I probably preferred "Restaurant April" (lousy name, by the way), but there's nothing wrong with fancy black tablecloths, and Dale was light-years ahead of Brian in the other front of the house duties. Also, I thought it was notable and commendable that team "Garage", the misfits, not only did not self-destruct, but actually had no personality clashes at all. Not even the hated Howie.

This, with the premiere, was my favorite episode all season. Plus, let's be honest...you're about 800 times better than Gail, Ted. You were always my favorite Queer Eye guy, and you're definitely my favorite judge here (although the good guest judges can be very interesting).

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:20 AM

Reagan wrote:

Ted,

I must say that I agree with you on all things said in tonight's blog.
However, my love for that wonderfully gay Dale has me a little biased. As a hostess from many a restaurant though, I understand that scented candles are definitely a no go. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find that the judges are giving the chef's another chance.
Perhaps some guilt from that horrible trick from the last episode?
Idk...but it all looks promising.
As always its always refreshing to see you on screen.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:26 AM

Emily wrote:

Ted,

No one is talking about blatant discrimination against the women- but there is a repeated pattern of ignoring them. When their dishes get rave reviews from the "customers"- they don't get called to judges' table. When the guest judge likes Casey's dish- she doesn't get mentioned in the top group. There's a lot of scientific research behind this- people tend to see people like them in top positions. That means that these top chefs tend to see other men as being like them- top chef material. Casey has all the qualities of a top chef but has gotten little attention on this season's show. If she's not a bitch, she's invisible.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:32 AM

kroo wrote:

Um--earth to Top Chef. You had Daniel Boulud as a guest judge and yet you had Colicchio spend all of his time reading some no-name blogger's snarky comments. What a waste of a guest judge.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:33 AM

aym wrote:

Tim,
I am glad that you have become a regular "guest" judge. You are refreshing, kind, and humorous.
Thanks!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:33 AM

pms wrote:

Ted, It's so good to have you back on Bravo.

What you say about PC is eloquent and welcome - denigrating common human decency has become the right's favorite sport. And who but you would bring it to the kitchen?

As for your facelift, when you get a good surgeon, nobody knows! But you always looked great - what was to improve?

I still feel the halter-top challenge WAS inherently unfair. There's more to being dressed up than heels, and you know it was never in the cards for Howie to show up in 4-inch pumps. Imagine the assholery generated by that! My biggest concern is the free-swinging boobs. Bound our not, they are an impediment in the kitchen - they're in the way! To have them barely covered and flapping free is actually not that comfy with tight jeans and high heels, but one's goal in wearing them is different than top-drawer grill food.

I salute you, sir.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:51 AM

simon wrote:

Ted, we count on you as an eyewitness to the food!

In future blogs, can you comment more extensively on the food itself, what was right, what was wrong, what was inexplicable, what was unforgivable?

posted on August 16, 2007 at 1:40 AM

Jess wrote:

Restaurant Wars 2! wow...

i was also shocked by the use of the scented candles! from the commercial alone i figured "oh that's it! they are gone for good!" despite cooking, design, decor any of that -- scented candles in a restaurant?

candles in a restaurant are awesome - i love them! my favorite restaurant, hangout lounge - is Largo in L.A. they have awesome food and great live shows like Jon Brion and its so dark you have tiny little candles nearby to even see what youre eating! it's great!

so the idea of candles in a restaurant, i understand, but scented?

hmm, by the looks of the previews for next week looks like some people made the same mistakes again.

ps. by the way, i love CJ! he looks like such a giant over everyone else, but i think he's really talented and kool and laid back. i really really hope he makes it to the top. :)

posted on August 16, 2007 at 2:07 AM

Liz Davis wrote:

Okay, Guess what? I think Howie is terrific! He is not my favorite, but you know, he USUALLY really does just defend his position when someone points a finger his way. Andl, there's a little ***hole in all of us and dont deny it! How many jokes do YOU know that start out... "My boss is such a WONDERFUL GUY,,,,," Well, I dont envy the judges decisions. Only thing that is clear to me is that Sara needs to be next if she doesnt win something. I REALLY dont want to see past winners canned for one bad day. Love Ya TED!!!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 2:10 AM

faustianbargain wrote:

By the way, anybody who thinks it’s “politically correct” to say that women face sexism in the workplace is, um, an idiot.

i am going to make a wild guess and assume that 1. you have never been a woman. 2. you have never worked in a restaurant kitchen.

cheers!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 2:25 AM

Bilybob wrote:

Ted,
First off, I've lost almost all respect for you because you think Bill Maher is a genius. Why is it that almost everybody I know doesn't even know who he is.

A guest blogger in the restaurants? What, did she have her wireless PDA in her lap writing this stuff? Or was she just writing notes to the judges? That's not blogging. It also seemed like all the judges, including the guest were relying way too much on her opinion than their own.

Since nobody went home this episode (I hesitate to say this week because all this stuff happened a long time ago), does that mean that 2 people will be going next episode?

posted on August 16, 2007 at 2:31 AM

workerdummy wrote:

Your "right-wing a**holes" comment was uncalled for. I'll agree with Simon (1:40 AM) and add that you leave your political leanings out of it. You'll offend less people.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 2:40 AM

kriselda jarnsaxa wrote:

Thank you guys for commenting on those candles. As someone who *does* get violent headaches from any kind of perfumes or artificial scents (and a few natural ones, but not anywhere near what I get from the fake ones,) I always appreciate it when someone remembers it. And, as others have noted, even for people who don't have problems in general with fragrance, it can really mess up the taste of food!

I thought it was great that - for the 2nd time this season - the editors put one team rejecting an item, for very good reasons, immediately followed by the other team selecting it and using it. Too funny!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 2:43 AM

scottme wrote:

Interesting challenge.
Tom said something along the lines of "Ultimately, I think it's going to come down to the food".

Whatever the results of part 2 of this challenge, it's no longer just about the food...as we are looking at the service, and interior design.

It's a great show. But, whoever the winner ends up being..it's not the "Top Chef".
All the teaming up, and other twists-for-drama...not to mention a single bad-dish can send possibly the best chef home...

But, seeing the hosts choose to not send anyone home on this challenge, shows adaptation at work (in a good way).

I look forward to seeing the adaptation itself adapt into season 4 and beyond. (Hint: more individual challenges, less people loosing because of team-composition).

posted on August 16, 2007 at 4:01 AM

Dolly wrote:

"Cheftestants". Don't.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 6:55 AM

Jeff wrote:

Ted,

We love you, your shows and your work on TC but you understand nothing about why we right-wingers abhor the PC culture. Please don't take another cheap swipe at us unless it's in a forum suitable for a thoughtful discussion. Let's keep it on the food here.

regards

posted on August 16, 2007 at 7:43 AM

KE wrote:

Ted, your comments are definitely my favorite because they cover both the food and the attitudes in the show. I'm with you on Tre--and how surprising he was in this week's episode. And I do think Howie needs to go. Not because he can't cook, although he has his moments, but because I can't imagine him leading a top-flight kitchen. There's a difference between determination/focus and being unable to play nicely with others. At least, Howie, learn how to recognize your weaknesses and apologize!

As for your face lift, consider it a compliment that no one commented. That means 1) it was so well done it doesn't look like a lift (just like you're refreshed) and 2) the only reason you needed it was because you wanted it. You've always been attractive!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 8:14 AM

Greg C. wrote:

Ted:
I'm going to basically agree with J. here...again (see Padma's blog). While I think neither resturant was bad, Garage seemed like the best of the worst. I personally think Resturant April is a boring, unimaginative name; Garage...interesting name, must have some interesting food. That's me though...I like things that stand out. Black tablecloth, white dish...I like the contrast. And honestly, I think the food at Garage seemed to be better than April's.

I do agree with you (and the rest of the world), scented candles were definitely not the way to go. Did you notice Casey suggested the same thing ("We should get something that smells nice for the tables") and Brian told her, "Uhhh...no.

All in all, it was a pleasant surprise to see Team Misfit get along, especially with Howie and Sara. It was nice to see them get along and execute without the drama. Which makes me think about what happens next week...

Anyway, love your blogs and your point of view on everything. And, BTW, I think it was Hung who said, "Queer Eye ain't got nothing on him"

posted on August 16, 2007 at 8:35 AM

Meg wrote:

I agree about the candles. For some reason, the smell of vanilla candles actually makes me nauseated. I would've had to leave right away. And I did not like the decor in "Garage." But, I didn't think "April" was much better. I do think we need to give them a little break on the decorating - if and when they do open their own restaurant, surely there will be professional decorators to help them with their "vision."

Great blog. I love reading your writing - makes my day start off with a smile.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 8:42 AM

austingal wrote:

As in previous seasons, I find myself wishing it weren't so. Why call the show "Top Chef" then? "Top Dish" would seem more appropriate. Being a top chef encompasses so much more than just putting out great food. Among other things, it requires leadership and teamworking skills. Your food can be better than anyone else's in the world, but if you can't lead your team of chefs to get behind you and execute it night after night, your restaurant will likely fail.

Why not take some sort of cumulative record into account when deciding who packs his or her knives? Howie has been at the bottom in 6 out of 8 challenges. Just because his dishes may have been "less bad" than others' on certain occasions, how many times can someone execute so poorly and still get to advance?

I know you don't make the rules and you're new to the regular judging group. But it's been a point of frustration for me all three seasons when truly talented chefs, who have more skills than just putting out good food, are let go on the basis of a single dish, while others who will never embody the true meaning of a "top chef" skate through over and over again just because they weren't the worst of the worst, regardless of how many times they are in the bottom group. I really, really, really wish they would modify the judging criteria in future seasons so that the decision IS based on more than the dish.

Howie should have gone last night because of his lousy track record AND his dish. While his risotto may not have been as bad as Tre's potatoes, Tre admitted his potatoes didn't work. Everyone, including Daniel Boulud, agreed it was a good idea that just didn't come out right under the circumstances. Aside from the risotto being overcooked, having wrong ingredients AND being a totally inappropriate seasonal menu choice, Howie was totally obstinate that he knew how to cook risotto better than Tom Colicchio or Daniel Boulud! Please, I don't know how you all can resist not eliminating him every time he opens his mouth!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 10:30 AM

scarlett o'hara wrote:

Hi Ted.
Love your blog and really enjoy watching you on TC. You have a great perspective and I agree with simon that it would be great if you went into more detail on the food.
As far as pc....... In the first season Lee Ann and Tiffany were strong and intresting personalities. Every week I looked forward to seeing what they would come up with.This season the female chefs not so much. They just seem bland and the food is uninspiring. Tre is quiet but his food looks incredible and he seems charming. The Harold for season 3. Last week Brian did an great job "out front" This week was a surprise. I'm glad they did not send anyone home.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 10:37 AM

Sue wrote:

Ted, I really love your blogs, the quick postings, the humor and how you address all our issues or concerns. Last week I had posted about the inequality of the women on Top Chef. This has nothing to do with the heels they had to wear last episode. I've noticed the bias towards men since last season and just wanted to know why the men are always forgiven over and over again and the women are not. Yes there are two women judges - but that doesn't make them immune to subconscious bias that is SOO prevalent in most industries, but especially this one. I would love to see a woman given a chance on this show that she might not have gotten otherwise.

p.s. Rat with Hats!! Love it!!!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 10:47 AM

Anne wrote:

Ted,

As Emily mentioned, a lot of sexism or any other "ism" is not due to bad intent but to the tendency of people to downplay or ignore people who are different from themselves or from what is considered the powerful or "in group".
That aside, I very much enjoy Top Chef and your critiques and commentaries.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 10:48 AM

julia wrote:

Ted; Enough with your comments on women chefs. I love your blog and your judging but stop beating yourself up. MOVE ON.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 11:31 AM

Heather wrote:

Ted,

What a show last night. I laughed, I cried, I feared Tre or Dale or Brian were going home...then I raged at being duped with no elimination. (Actually I did none of those other than the feeling duped part. Wait, I did laugh at Dale's QE comment.) So the question is: was there no dish so bad it deserved to send someone home? Much ado was made about the potatoes and the risotto -- but obviously other things were just as weighty. Is it right that those other things might have been the poor choice of candles, or the 'eew de Bree-an'? How can Dale and Bri have been considered for elim when they didn't cook? And then there was Sara for not speaking up for the overly-heavy menu...thankful that she wasn't thrown under the bus though, it almost looked like that was going to happen.

So we get to do this again next week, and I'm wondering how it can be any different. Mistakes will be made in the front of the house, cooking will fall apart in some way in the back of the house, group decisions will be made that will turn out to be bad ones...it stands to be just as difficult to make a decision next week as it was last night. Oh the suspense!

Back to cheftestants instead of chefpetitors? Be not afraid of the gift.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 11:33 AM

lynn schmollinger wrote:

I was looking forward to this episode because of your guest judge. Screw the blogger-when she gets a resturant than preach to us. There season would have ended last night if they elimanated all the people that screwed up. Howie with the cream in risotto?And this guy is an executive chef? Something so simple and yet it was made with cream. The lack of front end experience was shocking--a resturant is a business. Not to know the "trade" --scented candles, hard colors all the way down to silverware is basic 101. This was the most schocking episode yet. Basic stuff.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:03 PM

GaryD"Wells wrote:

I think if the judgement crew would not have backed HOWIE into a corner like you did, He would have made "THE GARAGE" have a good chance. The other crew of so called BEST OF THE BEST caved in. And if Sara would have "STUCK" to a female touch out front,and let Hung and Howie Cook,There would have been a winner! Candles,Dale Come on,that is for a jolly bar, not a resteraunt!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:07 PM

lynn schmollinger wrote:

Ted:
Cream in Risotto says it all. Howie is an executive chef. Scented candles was Hung and Dales idea? Doesn't Hung work in a high end resturant? The basic lack of front end knowledge was schocking. It can make or break a resturant. I was very impressed with the guest judge and you could have skipped the blogger. Who was the man who louded said "this is inedible"? Was he also a blogger of some type or just the rude patron?
lynn

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:13 PM

Sara wrote:

Ted! You have four perfectly qualified, reputable judges. So why do you care so much about some random blogger and continually refer back to her comments during judging. Yes an average person's views are important, but at least a consensus from a *group* of people would have been more fair (like the Elk's challenge) and not one random person's opinions. And to have it weigh so heavily on the judging just looks dumb, especially since she clearly has no taste.

For instance, I thought The Garage is an adorable name for a hidden upscale restaurant. She doesn't have to take it so literal.. geez. And the black decor was sophisticated and hip. Dale or Hung should have won this challenge. I just don't think a no-name person who lacks taste should be so mean and tacky with her comments.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:26 PM

Kim wrote:

As soon as I saw Dale go for the scented candles I ooh-oohed.
Even I knew it was a mistake. Every Candle Party even in Podunk USA tells you not to use scented candles on a dinner table. And thanks for reminding me about allergies. I forgot for just a moment that there are certain scents that give me an instant headache. I'd have needed a stretcher if THAT scent had been in Dale's restaurant. And Hung claims to be the master . . . .

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:47 PM

PM wrote:

Your jab on right-wingers with respect to political correctness was inappropriate, Ted.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:48 PM

Rboyn wrote:

Jeff wrote:

Ted,

We love you, your shows and your work on TC but you understand nothing about why we right-wingers abhor the PC culture. Please don't take another cheap swipe at us unless it's in a forum suitable for a thoughtful discussion. Let's keep it on the food here.

regards

Thanks Jeff, I agree completely.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 12:51 PM

Lotus wrote:

It is more than a little uncomfortable to shop and cook in high-heels, especially when it must be done in a lightening quick manner. On the other hand, had I been in the situation, I would've pulled my hair back pronto, and taken off my heels, if not in the restaurant, definitely in the trailer thingy. It was definitely unfair to the women but they should've been able to shift gears a little better. I was mortified watching the show last night and thinking that Tre was going to be sent home. And how unfair that would've been since he was stuck doing all of the cooking. CJ did not come through for the team this time. At all. Tre should've put CJ to work a little more. I hope Tre is a little firmer next time with his sous chef.

The Garage does seem like a weird name for a Top Chef restaurant. There used to be a dance club in NY called the Garage. Maybe that's where the name came from...it was one of those come-as-you-are places with good music. Didn't quite work with the food.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 1:30 PM

betsy simek wrote:

Why weren't decorators hired, as in season 2? After all, "it's a cooking show" we hear it all the time. And why not comment cards, like at the Elk's Club and last seasons Restaurant Wars?

As for the heaviness of the menu, I sometimes feel the judges are so out of touch with the majority of folks who go out to eat. Not all of us live in major cities where fine dining is what it is to them. I whole heartedly agree with Howie, no matter what season it is, if I'm paying $50 for a meal, I'm going to eat what I want, heavy or light, rich or not, and top it off with something rich and chocolate, even if I'm absolutely stuffed.

And for all the Howie bashers, what about Hung? Why with his self proclaimed talents, is he so constantly under the radar or in the bottom? Cauliflower foam in ice cream? And, Howie telling Sara not to put ice in those milk shakes was right on. No wonder they tasted watered down, they were. Despite his demeanor, Howie is a common sense chef most of the time, though I would like to see him cook something besides pork (protein, the risotto doesn't count.)

Ted, love your blogs, especially since you seem to be the only one to complete your assignment fast enough to satisfy our cravings for reading them. Keep up the good work!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 1:31 PM

soccerboi27_2001 wrote:

Ted -

I am very happy to see you as a judge on one of my favorite shows! I do think a lot was said over the table cloths and white plates that Dale selected. I'm sure its hard to be an interior designer when you were born to be a chef. However, I do agree with the scented candles... a big no-no. But Dale is the cutest on the show so no biggie in my book lol.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 1:49 PM

rbovaboy wrote:

I can understand Dale's thinking regarding the black table cloth, thinking that anything colorful would stand out against it. And accompanying it with the white dishes continued the theme of a garage, which I'm not sure is the best place to eat.
But does Dale really lack a sense of smell? And if so, why didn't Hung bark at it? Even Casey wanted to get something smelly for the table but only Brian had the Queer Eye vision that the others lacked.
Overall it was a good decision to give everyone a second chance, which is a lot more than most restaurants get on opening night. Cheers!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 1:53 PM

Rebecca wrote:

I have to agree with some of the other posters, Ted:

1) Quit beating up on yourself for your remarks during Cleavagegate. You were correct at the judges' table: if you're a good chef, your outfit shouldn't matter. Sara Mair was able to take it in stride, and she was wearing an extremely low-cut dress.

2) Daniel Boulud is the guest judge, and Bravo goes with everyone parroting the blogger's remarks? Please. That was insulting to the judges, the contestants, and, most importantly, us viewers. I have a blog, but that doesn't make me William freakin' Faulkner. Let the food pros judge, and let the foodie bloggers comment...on their own blogs.

And despite what others may think, you're right on about political correctness. Keep up the pointed remarks, politics or no. It's good to rattle others' cages. Finally, in regards to this challenge, I knew the second Howie said he makes risotto his own special way it was going to be a disaster.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 2:10 PM

faustianbargain wrote:

what is the problem with cream in the risotto?

repeating what i mentioned elsewhere...
(..)
I watched this yesterday in bits and pieces and caught the entire thing over three hours..Maybe I missed some parts of the show, but the one thing that surprised me was the reaction to Howie's Risotto. I was surprised that noone cared for the cream in Risotto. It is certainly not an ingredient out of place. Thomas Kellar seems to think so as does Alain Ducasse.

However, I have other issues with Howie's Risotto:

1. Risotto is rather tricky and tends to become a gummy mess when not cooked properly. This is NOT something that can be made ahead. In restaurants, it is made in a two-part cooking process where it is first par cooked and finished just before service.

2. I am all for the wild mushrooms, but not sure about the foie gras. It certainly didnt belong in the dish. But I dont remember that bit either and I only read online that he used foie gras in the Risotto.

3. I do think Risotto can be light and sublime..in summer or the dead cold of winter, it's great when done right. I also dont think the objection that wild mushrooms are not 'seasonal' is valid. Maybe it's not right with a creamy risotto, it can be..I dont know..it depends..but it is certainly not 'unseasonal'. This is Florida, afterall. Foie Gras, on the other hand,(if it was used) is a travesty to be serving in April. Maybe December..even January, but April? In Florida??? I dont think so.

4. An excellent Risotto 'flows' off the spoon. It shouldnt sit on the spoon nor should it be soupy. It is a silky, fluid and creamy. Howie certainly failed in technique and not so much with method. The last stage of finishing the Risottto is called 'mantecatura'. The butter or parmesan should be stirred in vigoursouly OFF the heat. But while using heavy cream, here is the trick...it should not be stirred in, but it should WHIPPED to a soft peak and FOLDED into the Risotto.

5. My problem was that he didnt mention deglazing the sauteed Risotto with wine. With so much butter and cheese and cream, there ought to be some acidity and when wine coats each grain of rice, it will provide the necessary acidity. Unless, of course..he did and I missed it.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 2:13 PM

Eliza Bennet wrote:

Ted, Ted, Ted, I enjoy you on the show, but you completely dissapointed me with your PC comment about 'right wingers'. Can't we all just get along?

posted on August 16, 2007 at 2:21 PM

Valerie Jones wrote:

Oh, c'mon, Ted. Wouldn't it make for tremendous hilarity to have the remaining guys cook just one quickfire in heels? Or would this unfairly disadvantage CJ by forcing him to cook in the tropopause?

posted on August 16, 2007 at 2:22 PM

Beth H. wrote:

After reading the recipes, I'm thinking of trying the lamb shanks and the risotto (but I'll leave out the cream).

posted on August 16, 2007 at 3:10 PM

co wrote:

I love your Ted. Marry me!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 3:12 PM

Megan wrote:

To the comments people have made about unconscious bias against women - there used to be hardly any women playing in orchestras. Try outs would be on stage in front of the judges. Someone changed that to playing behind a curtain, so the musicians were only judged by their music, all of a sudden much more women were hired. No one was keeping women out on purpose - it was in the producers best interest to have the best sounding orchestra, but their unconscious bias heard the female players as not playing as well.
IMO, Hung has been given many more breaks than Lia was given. They both come in with solid reputations, but Hung has been given extra chances, until he gets to what both of them are best at - fine dining. Bias against women can be done by women as well.
"I think the high-heels and silk-blouse problem was just something they didn’t anticipate" - I'll call that out to total BS. The whole point of the episode was to have them cook in those cloths. If it was only to mess with their head about not being able to party, they would have had chef jackets waiting for them, like they have had to wear at every single event. Everyone has a good idea the difference between what women normally wear clubbing and what men wear. It seems like some women are saying, "if I've had to do work in heels, you do too" and that is some serious backwards thinking. This is a *competition* about *skills*, disadvantages should be about knowledge and creativity. Sara's outfit was not made for cooking - did anyone look at the back? The apron gave no help to what she was worried about, front or back. They should have had jackets for these contestants (as would have been available at any restaurant or any catering) (heck, anywhere I worked someone would have handed her a tee shirt to put over her outfit) and I hope they never pull that stunt again.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 3:22 PM

Natalie Auberry wrote:

Hi, Ted!

As a fellow Hoosier (from north side of Indy - very close to Carmel), I must inform the world at large that I have never heard anything other than a White Castle burger referred to as a "slider." Case in point: the currently running White Castle tv ad wherein the Art Student/White Castle afficianado proffers a burger to the high school art student/White Castler on his enormous hand-made spatula, while intoning, "Slider?" Maybe they should have it trademarked or copyrighted or something!

Love you, love Queer Eye, love TC, and love all the fun we're having with the blogs! Keep on rockin' it Hoosier-foodie style!

posted on August 16, 2007 at 3:38 PM

Anamarie wrote:

Ted,
I loved your entry as always. Thank you for paying attention in English class.
I usually just read; I rarely post. I just wanted to point out how funny it is that the right wing subpopulation of Top Chef fans felt it necessary to point out that you offended them. It seems to me that when their entire political viewpoint is based around how the country would be better if people like you didn't exist, you shouldn't worry about what they think about anything! They hate you because you are gay, they hate me for my loathing of religion, is there anyone they don't hate? Is there ANYTHING that DOESN'T offend them?
I guess I should at least be impressed that someone right wing would address either of us as if they felt we were valid human beings. Sheesh, what a waste of human flesh.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 3:39 PM

Mike wrote:

Ted:

Great recap! My personal opinion is that the "guest" blogger was a useless addition. I had to go back and re-read her post just to be sure, but isn't the concept of a blog supposed to be personal opinion? I am fine with her saying that SHE thought the decor of The Garage was crap, that SHE hated the food and that SHE couldn't "get" the name, etc. Her prose was written as if she were a trained and experienced critic, well actually, it wasn't. A true review would actually critique the food and space instead of just ragging on it. The guest judge however, was excellent. He was very clear, pointed and non-derogatory with his comments, both good and bad. Oh, and someone on another blog seemed to think that the nasty blogger's guest monkey was Christopher Ciccone, an "interior designer" of some sort as well as being Mrs. Guy Ritchie's brother.

Didn't the previous seasons use "all" of the diners to inform the judges? I would think that this is a much more fair and balanced system for including subjective opinions. Also, I would love it if the judges stated their judging criteria up-front (like they do on Iron Chef). Give so many points for food quality, so much for atmosphere, so much for decor, etc. I know that it would help me better understand the judges’ decisions and remove some of what appears to be random or inconsistent decisions as to who stays and who packs their knives.

And finally, just to be bitchy for fun, wouldn't the other names for White Castle be better translated as "Castillo Blanco" and "Chateau Blanc"? Love the little buggers, but after living in the south previously, I’ve had to change my allegiance to Krystal.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 4:59 PM

Cie Kay wrote:

"I’m not going to speak for the producers, but I think the high-heels and silk-blouse problem was just something they didn’t anticipate; it certainly is nobody’s goal to create an uneven playing field or to show preferential treatment to men."

Wow, I didn't expect so much B.S. coming from you, of all people. How disappointing. What do you and the producers think a woman is going to wear for a night on the town? A pair of overalls and a straw hat??? Frankly, it would only be fair to see Tom try cooking in stiletto heels and a teddy, as you suggest. Maybe he would gain some feminine insight and humility, something he could really use in his role as a male chauvinist pig. (How many men are left vs. women, HMMM?) The only reason no one was voted off last night is because Tom's pet, Howie, was just about to get the boot and Tom couldn't stand that. Let's face it: Tom probably has more in common with you, Ted, than he wants to admit.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 5:12 PM

Eric wrote:

Ted,

C'mon...in the latest episode you want to throw Brian under the bus for things not going great in front of house? This happens on a nightly basis at some of the best restaurants across the country... how about we judge on back of the house... after all, it is called Top Chef, not Top FOH. Thanks, E

posted on August 16, 2007 at 6:09 PM

Deb wrote:

Ted, my Significant Bother and I had the honor of attending Crush in the City on the Queen Mary in Long Beach last weekend and really enjoyed your food demo! You have always been my fave of the Fab 5! Thanks for sharing your knowledge, experience, gossip and just generally being a great guy! Always a thrill to see you on Top Chef and looking forward to your new show on PBS.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 6:35 PM

Jake wrote:

Great blog ted...So far we have 2 contestents who show there sexual identaty
well really 1.5 hung's underhanded
"I go both ways" dosn't mean crap he could have just said that to be the token gay in most realaty shows (Top chef isn't one of those im really thinking more of the real world)

i personaly wanna see more of the chefs being who they are less howie screaming and being...well bleeped more hottub scenes lol

also i saw a white castle comerical there slider but i think they use a Y Not sure

Good luck in the slider debate

posted on August 16, 2007 at 7:30 PM

Ellen wrote:

When I responded to your blog entry last week, I hope I didn't imply that I thought the producers responsible for Cleavage-gate were either male or sexist. Cruel, conscienceless and perhaps mercenary (humiliation makes for such great television, darling). But male or sexist, no.

To move on to more positive things, I'm thrilled to see you as a judge of this show. I've missed you and the QE guys terribly, and I like the energy and input you bring to this competition. Don't go away.

Last night's episode made me worry on one count: Tre. He's someone I do not wish to see fail, and I hope he can pull it together for round two. I found it very curious in the Garage team, that Sara, who had just lost a competition with a misconceived basic dish, would stake her claim as executive chef. Unless the rules of engagement are changed, whoever is going home will go from the losing team. Hung is clearly talented, and would have been a far more sensible choice if that group wanted to go the distance (as long as they can keep his fish flakes away from the ice cream). None of them are thinking of the big picture at this point - very curious.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 7:31 PM

bob wrote:

Does EVERYTHING these days have to have some sort of queer reference? Can't we just focus on the food?

posted on August 16, 2007 at 7:37 PM

Steve wrote:

FYI - Sliders are alive and well in the US submarine service. I had my first slider back in 1977 when I reported aboard my first submarine. And, sliders are still served just about every Friday for lunch on many US submarines.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 8:18 PM

Laurie wrote:

Re: the proper nomanclature for White Castle burger

Two words----Rectal Rocket

posted on August 16, 2007 at 8:43 PM

Steve wrote:

Hi Ted -

I really enjoy reading your blogs.

I'm surprised nobody else mentioned this...who was that JERK that was talking to Dale - with such colorful quotes as "..if that's a Vegetable Medley..than I'm a Monkey"...and "it tastes like metal".
What's his story and CREDENTIALS ???
He was soooooooo PRETENTIOUS.
That CREEP-A-ZOID was sitting next to Fraulein Blogger.
Speaking of which....geez...where were her Sash and Medals...like those SILLY losers that were the guests during the Trio Challenge ?
Note to Fraulein Blogger: Who cares what you think....(other than the inconsistent "Top Chef" Producers).

Next to go......should be the other Sara.
Why ?
Because, of the Quickfire Burger Challenge.
The idea of NOT having a BUN on the "Burger"...instead making someone pick up a "burger" with LETTUCE instead is.....A DISTURBING IDEA.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 8:51 PM

Syllabucks wrote:

Boy you sure disappointed me. Leave the politics back home and focus on the COOKING SHOW.

Your political cheap shots were just that not: gratuitous cheap shots and they have no place in the kitchen.

posted on August 16, 2007 at 9:45 PM

Jill wrote:

Ted,

Yours has always been the first blog I read. As a proud right-winger, I must ask what I have done to deserve such a sucker-punch.

I must add: I believe it is the left who created, and now enforces, this miserable "PC" culture of oppression in which we all must live.

If you believe Bill Maher to be a genius, you really need to get out of the production studios more . . . yikes!

Let's get back to the food, mmm-kay?

posted on August 16, 2007 at 9:56 PM

Leigh wrote:

Ted:

You are fantastic! Loved everything you wrote.

I must echo what kroo wrote:
Why (WHY?!) on earth did TC spend so much time on a hostile blogger (with a rude dinner guest) when you had Daniel Boulud as a guest judge?
Why, Ted? Why?

posted on August 16, 2007 at 11:28 PM

Michael wrote:

Great Blog Ted
I don't care what you says about Dale... he is the cutest thing on TV. I want to make out with him.
And it seems like Brain 'bumped' into some party boys the night before and scored big time - Cause he just seemed wired to the gills - sweatin' and freakin'. Reminded me of Samual Jackosn's "Gator" in Jungle Fever. Thought for sure they were going to send him home with the numbers of his local NA chapters.

posted on August 17, 2007 at 3:15 AM

Linda Jackson wrote:

Tom, you are my favorite judge of all time on Top Chef, Iron Chef, or anything else you do. You nearly always critique with class, so I really like your style.
Do you think the judges were overly petty this week? Opening nights are filled with misses and panic. It just seemed like all the judges were making moutains out of molehills more than ever this episode. I also think that the "secret guest" comments were taken as fact by the judges instead of the opinions that they were. Anyway, you ROCK!

posted on August 17, 2007 at 4:25 AM

Cren wrote:

hi ted...

I've been watching all your shows...I just can't hate looking at you...(hehehe)...
i find you as a very attractive person. your style is just perfect...makes me proud to be one of your fans...
take care then...and i'm looking forward to your next blog next week. Have a great week!

Cren (",)

posted on August 17, 2007 at 7:06 AM

Laura wrote:

Restaurant Wars was one of the lamest episodes I've seen in the entire history of the show. What I hated most, more than un-inspired cooking or the fact that both teams suffered from none-too-well-trained wait staff, was that the judges (specifically Tom and Padma) seemed to be phoning it in. What was with all that reading of the blogger's remarks? Who is this blogger, and why should we care? That is, unless she herself was the guest judge, in which case her critique would be more warranted. But, because blogger Andrea is in the house, and zipped off a review, I'm supposed to appreciate the experience of listening to that review read to the audience, ad nauseum - ?

posted on August 17, 2007 at 9:59 AM

julia wrote:

Love your blog. It's unfortunate that you seem to be really concerned about women chefs and their cleavage but think nothing of putting down "right wing republicans."

posted on August 17, 2007 at 10:02 AM

kristina wrote:

Ted,
Love the "bear" comment (so true!) and agree with your comment regarding right wingers (also true!). people who think it was inappropriate are the type to repress any and all conflict and continue to discriminate. let this be the blog of the open-minded. thank you!

posted on August 17, 2007 at 11:12 AM

FanFare wrote:

Love your blog, Ted!

I never thought about the scented candle problem. At home, it can be pleasant to have one or two. However, in a restaurant which is permeated with an overpowering, flavorful aroma may give diners a headache (before they wait until the end of time for Howie's heavy handed risotto).

I thought Dale was a perfect host. He was unflappable (..."the meat tasted like metal?"...). He took complaints in stride. That said, this is a cooking contest! The food being good or bad (as the case may be) should be the only main criteria to send somebody home. (Hello, Howie - please pack your knives and... go!) In no previous Restaurant Wars have the side duties put a chef testant in peril. It seems disingenuous to now make the decor and FOH service more important than what was on the plate!

posted on August 17, 2007 at 12:13 PM

FanFare wrote:

Loved your blog and thanks for the clarification of last week's challenge.

I thought that Dale did a great job as host for his team. He was seemingly good natured and unflappable when complaints rolled in, "your meat tasted like metal?"...

Brian's mini freeze surprised me because he was so effervescent in last week's roach coach challenge. I wonder what changed in him. He seemed so nervous.

That said, this is a cooking show. Decor and FOH service should not be considered as important in judgement as what is served on the plate!

As for Howie's heavy handed risotto - again? Wasn't that what he served in the first challenge (minus the 2nd part of the dish). That risotto kept him in the game... How does he keep sliding through when he is also a slow cooker and whiner (as he described poor Sara N).

Hopefully, "R-W" part deux will yield a much better result. Happy judging!

posted on August 17, 2007 at 12:24 PM

Mark wrote:

always nice to see you on TV tederick!

i'm adding nothing new here saying you nailed it with the scented candles comments. you did it in a nicer way than the guest blogger too - i get her newsletter, which is just OK, but i don't think she was qualified to be a judge here. she seemed to resort to repeated and very personal attacks on one guys perspiration problem (her web site has a complete review of the evening). she seems very insecure. i'm not surprised, she seems to have gotten where she is based on a string of good luck. it is certainly not from talent. the blogger's writing style is generally quite poor, for a professional. on the basis of her performance and follow-up blog i am unsubscribing to her newsletter ...

who was that ignoramus at her table? the guy who took the (albeit offensive-smelling) candle display and extinguished it with his napkin and threw it on the floor? how rude and completely uncivilized! if he was judging these faux-restaurants as real restaurants then he could have had the decency to pretend behave like a real guest. and that snippy comment about the vegetables? please, you don't yell at your servers like that, even on reality TV. this man real was a vulgarian of the highest order. i hope he is routinely frog-marched out of restaurants when and if he behaves as he did on the show.

posted on August 17, 2007 at 12:24 PM

karen wrote:

Ted,
I thought your comments about the female chefs were fair. I'm glad Bravo put in the brief clip when a big pot almost (?) fell on Casey's feet in the roach coach. It proved Casey and Sara's points about the hazards of dressing up just to work in a greasy diner. Oddly enough, Tre took off more clothes to accomodate the grill work. Bacon can spit grease, too :)

As far as restaurant wars, it was totally fair to call for a do over since point by point critiques did not prove a clear winner.

Decor aside, I was surprised at the failure of so many of the courses in both restaurants. I felt bad that Tre had a bad night. Where was CJ as sous?

I agree that too much was made of Brian's sweat when it was due to hard work and sincerity. Dale's waiting experience gave him the edge, especially to blast the wait staff behind the scenes to get results. Would Brian have to have told his wait staff to replace silver if it was cleared? Where did Bravo get the servers - Hardees?

I agree with a few bloggers who pointed out that a revered judge was given about 5 sound bites one of which was "I agree with that."

Bravo's emphasis on snotty customer repartee and behind the scenes conflicts that have NOTHING to do with food production is a cop out. We want classy cooking and not trashy Jerry Springer style stagings.

P.S. I made the grits, bacon and shrimp recipe and wallowed in the flavors, although my grits didn't turn out as creamy as they should. I still say, Tre all the way.

posted on August 17, 2007 at 12:32 PM

OT wrote:

Will The Garage start with an unfair disadvantage in the next episode in that they have already been judged on their decor or will both teams be given a budget and allowed to re-decorate?

posted on August 17, 2007 at 12:39 PM

Amber wrote:

What a waste to have an amazing chef Daniel Boulud on and have the majority of review come from your lame secret blogger/plant. That was a waste. She was not qualified and her personal and degrading comments- which you read aloud- were weak and have no place on top chef. Leave blog comments on the web. Hopefully next week the judges can rely on their own assessment of the chefs. Sadly for Brian he has denigrated in front of national audience by someone who was completely unfit to judge- otherwise wouldn't she be sitting at judges table instead of behind a keyboard.

Ted- that was lame to come down on Brian like that, to single him out- pathetic.

posted on August 17, 2007 at 1:36 PM

Joanna wrote:

I enjoy your judging and usually your blogs. Please leave your political leanings out of this. Would someone's comments on left wingers have any place here? I am going to take a wild guess that the audience of Top Chef is split 50/50 like the rest of the country.

posted on August 17, 2007 at 2:58 PM

lovesTC wrote:

Sorry, but I was so disappointed by the show. But, I thought it could have been so great. I'm always looking forward to some great food and judges who are happy with SOME of the food. But, the show almost seemed slow and depressing and the theme seemed to spread to the judges who were obviously underwhelmed. The candles?!?! I'm not a top or even a bottom chef and I wanted to reach through the TV and break all the scented candles in that restaurant. Ummm, I'd have to say the same for the black tablecloths..

better food and ambience next week!

posted on August 17, 2007 at 5:05 PM

Deb wrote:

Ted, I really respected your fair handedness up until the point where you lumped everyone with a different political viewpoint into one mean-spirited insult: right winged a**holes. Speaking as someone who is the lone conservative in my teaching department, I have to challenge your assessment that "pc" is a tool reserved to the ignorant on the right. Clearly you have never been the target of a left wing a**hole who cannot posibly tolerate or even begin to understand that a woman can have a legitimate moral / religious opposition to abortion, for example. I have been insulted countless times by people who want to demonize me and my beliefs simply because they did not fit the attitudes of the predominant group. I don't particularly care whether its a right winged or left winged person doing the demonizing, but I don't think a person (you) can be intellectually honest and actually defend the idea that only one group can be intolerant or hyper sensitive. I have noticed that people tend to assume that they cannot possibly be bigoted and judgemental as "They" are the true enlightened ones and anyone who disagrees with them has to be a raging prejudicial idiot. So don't lump people into groups --- it's unfair, and I'm betting that I am not the only person reading your blog who feels this way about your broad brush insult.
Also -as far as the belief by some that women are being target: your statements regarding the role of women in the production, etc., of Top Chef certainly appears to deflect the criticism. But I wonder about the decisions to sexualize the show. Cassie works with Howie and Joey and viewers get to vote on whether the guys want to get rid of her or have a relationship with her. I know that women have a hard time competing in a male-dominated occupation, so is it so far fetched to question whether or not some underlying sexism is at play? There have been some intersting studies made of men and women in leadership roles, and some of the research shows that men AND women don't think too highly of women in leadership roles and that women who exert their opinions may be labled as "bitch" or "tough as nails" or "on the rag." That may not be the case here, but it is something to consider. Women in professional positions are a lot tougher on each other, so viewers cannot automatically rule out that some subconscious bias is occurring. I would advise the producers to avoid the sexual undertones in otehr parts of the show if they want to diffuse acusations of sexism.

posted on August 17, 2007 at 5:26 PM

Wendy Berry wrote:

Ted, you are a class act. I have had a crush on you (even though I am straight woman) since Queer Eye. I love your insight on Top Chef and your appearances on Iron Chef. You are terrific!

posted on August 17, 2007 at 7:00 PM

Ann wrote:

This show is not about politics. It's not about gays. It should be about food.

The show started out great in the beginning. Now, it seems that everyone is forgetting the purpose of the show and it's turning into something else.

Could we please just back to the basic premise of the show?

posted on August 17, 2007 at 8:35 PM

Richard wrote:

I enjoy reading the blogs, though I also like listening to podcasts as they reveal more of the verbal emphasis on meaning in the text.
In regard to a recent topic of names for White Castle hamburgers, my Arthur Murray's dance partner many years ago in Queens called them 'Nanny Goats' as did all of her family. I never did understand exactly why, though I guess it had something to do with how cheap they were and thus we would get 30 to 50 of them and eat them down like goats go for just about anything!
Richard

posted on August 17, 2007 at 9:18 PM

Gigi wrote:

Hi Ted.
As usual, it was a pleasure to see you on TC and I enjoyed your blog immensely, as usual. Your comment regarding Mr. Maher was of course right on target, but there are some (and we know who they are), who just don't get it. Oh well - to each his own.
Regarding the nasty diner, I read on Chowhound that it was Michael Ciccone (sp?) - Madonna's brother. Who knows whether that is true or not? I just hate it when I am seated next to someone rude in a restaurant (or anywhere else, for that matter).
As for the heavy menu, I personally think there is never, ever a time when Fois Gras is inappropriate. But living in south Florida, I can't bear the thought of eating that meal in even the relative non-swelter of April. On a snowy evening, with a lovely bottle of red wine, fire in the fireplace and with an added light salad amidst, perhaps.
Looking forward to TC next week and your comments after.

posted on August 17, 2007 at 9:57 PM

Brenda wrote:

Ted, you are the bomb!!!

What I didn't get was the scented candles in a restaurant called the "Garage." Maybe they should have gotten candles scented of motor oil... What a strange concept.

I also find this restaurant challenge extremely stupid. I think it's ridiculous to watch the chefs be judged on opening a restaurant in 24 hours. Last season, they gave them unreliable decorators, and this year was only marginally better. Then, there's nitpicking. What would Padma have served in a similar situation? PB&J? Give me a break. And last season, there's never a clear winner, because of COURSE you can't make a perfect restaurant in 24 hours...I mean, maybe YOU, but not anyone else. ;-) It bothers me to watch them being judged in this case, because I really believe that none of the judges could have done better in the same situation.

posted on August 18, 2007 at 2:48 AM

Mark wrote:

Ted, there was nothing wrong with being harsh on Dale for the "unforgivable" mistake of putting strongly scented candles throughout the dining room of The Garage. I don't think you were being whiny or nitpicky at all; I think you were being completely fair and objective. Let me put it this way. We can disagree about whether a particular color is tasteful or not (I happen to like black tablecloths--maybe I need some help from a Queer Eye), and we can say that our difference of opinion is merely a product of subjective preferences (without getting into a discussion of whose taste is superior). But to anyone who has a normal sense of smell (a nonsmoker, for instance), overpowering scents are offensive, and there's no getting around it. When my nose is overwhelmed by a strong scent, I feel like I am literally under attack. I'm rational enough not to start throwing punches in self-defense without thinking, but I feel like I'm about to start panicking until I get myself under control. Offensive odors are a very serious matter.

You defended your remarks about the overpowering candles by noting the fact that "almost every serious restaurant in the country forbids smoking." If that's the case, then I'm curious about their attitude concerning chefs who smoke. I'm not talking about having a policy that requires smokers to go outside the building to do their smoking; I'm asking whether those restaurants will even hire chefs who smoke. At the risk of offending smokers, I'd like to point out that cigarettes leave strong lingering odors on clothing, skin, and hair, so being in the presence of someone who has been smoking is almost as bad as being in the presence of a burning cigarette. I can smell them coming from ten feet away. Isn't that disruptive in the kitchen?

I find it interesting that several of the "cheftestants" smoke. For example, we could see Dale smoking on the balcony. At the judges' table, he admitted that he has a poor sense of smell. Surely smoking has a debilitating effect on a person's sense of taste as well as his/her sense of smell. Ted, have you noticed whether chefs who smoke are less able to produce dishes that taste good than chefs who don't smoke?

posted on August 18, 2007 at 4:50 AM

Mark wrote:

Ted, I just wanted to add that I also found it interesting that: 1) CJ was glad that Casey was sharing the decorating duties because he thought it would help to have a woman's judgment--otherwise, the guys might choose black as one of their colors; and 2) Brian stopped Casey from buying scented candles at the store because, as he said, they are offensive to most diners. I guess the lesson here is that it's nice to have input from more than one person, regardless of gender.

posted on August 18, 2007 at 5:00 AM

Ann wrote:

Hi Ted, I absolutely love reading and watching/listening to your critiques on food. Whether it is on Top Chef or Iron Chef America, you always put a smile on my face! Even when I don't agree with you!

I'm glad that to see more of you this season than Gail as one of the judges. She just sounds whiny sometimes! It's so annoying!

posted on August 18, 2007 at 6:40 AM

FrenchFry wrote:

Hi Ted,
Great blog, per usual. You put the fun in blogging, really!

Perhaps Tre should have wrapped his smoking spuds in bacon...

posted on August 18, 2007 at 9:56 AM

Coaster wrote:

Mark that guest (So called) that did that has a lot to learn. Too bad I think that he didn't even know it when it happened to him...LOL!

I bet his food was sweat in (like Howie does everyone's food he prepares) or even spit into because he treated the server/receptionist (Front Of House) poorly. He might have also had food dropped into his lap and didn’t get a clue when it happened. He needs to be aware that most all restaurants have a policy (and sign) that means they can REFUSE service to ANYONE. Hope he reads this. It’ll save the Front House folks a lot of grief from people like him. I’m sure he blew the candle out first before putting the cloth napkin over it. If not, if it wouldn’t caught on fire, HE would be libel for the panicked guest injures that would ensue.

Ted, keep your PC comments to yourself….LOL! Don’t get me started! I hate the thought of you even watching/listening to Bill Maher I thought you had more class than that? LOL!

Like one other mentioned earlier (above), you are our only link to what the food you are served taste like. Be brutally honest and speak up more about it.

I look at a lot of the dishes prepared and think that all of the contestants are providing the first essential thing required for an enjoyable meal. They LOOK great but………..some of the ingredients are bizarre! I couldn’t imagine putting some of their concoctions together any time. You judges could let us know what you think about their combinations of ingredients.

Keep your humor and honesty intact and my Bride and I think that Bravo (Top Chef) should make you and Tony PREMINENT judges…(VBG).

Be safe………..

posted on August 18, 2007 at 11:20 AM

Hot Coffee wrote:

To the right-wingers who took offense to Ted saying:

"I hate the term “PC” -- it is used almost exclusively by right-wing assholes to discredit people having intelligent conversations about complex issues."

In this context, I take "assholes" to be a qualifier. Ted doesn't malign all Republicans or conservatives, just the ones who bandy the term "politically correct" as a way to avoid real consideration of difficult, complex issues. If you took "asshole" to refer to you, what's that about? And if you urged Ted to "get back to the food," are you not in fact manifesting the simplistic mindset to which Ted takes offense?

posted on August 18, 2007 at 12:02 PM

Dusty wrote:

Re the gender issue, it seems to me that, assuming the judges aren't biased and that the challenges aren't inherently biased, which I'm not entirely convinced is true, then someone needs to reevaluate how the casting gets done and, if necessary, actively recruit stronger female cheftestants. It seem to me that there have been, at best, over the three seasons, four or five females who were somewhat viable contenders for the win and dozen or so males, for almost a 1:3 ratio. And that's if you include the first season, which had a 2:3 ratio of strong females to males and featured the two women thus far who had the best chance of winning the whole prize.

Last season, Elia only made it to the #4 spot. This season, we the home viewer obviously don't know yet, but it wouldn't surprise me to see no women in the Top 4 or 5. This season seemed to feature a marked improvement in the male cheftestants, but not in the females. Why not just make the show all male? If you can't get stronger women, make it all men. At least then it's clearer that the problem is in the casting and not that women just can't compete on TC.

This is, of course, just my perception as a viewer from how the show is being presented on-air. If it's incorrect, perhaps there's something in the edit that's creating a misperception. Perhaps it's the fact that the cheftestants singled out for praise this season have been overwhemingly male, even when, as in the Latin challenge, there seemed to be good reason to call Sara M. to the JT for some props.

posted on August 18, 2007 at 12:05 PM

Jill wrote:

I agree with Laura's post. Why read aloud some low brow vulgarian blogger's review when we had one of the finest chefs in the world sitting on the panel?
I wanted to hear more about the food, not about the decor or to witness this blogger's love affair with her own prose which ain't that good.
To read this blogger's comments aloud to the chefs was Spartan-like and I felt bad for Brian when he had to hear that he needed Right Guard. Clearly, this blogger cannot distinquish between perspiration and B.O--maybe she was smelling the stench of her own review.

posted on August 18, 2007 at 12:41 PM

Andrea G wrote:

Why weren't decorators hired, as in season 2? After all, "it's a cooking show" we hear it all the time.
I would assume it's because the season 2 decorators were such a disaster. They had sounded like a great idea -- after all, the nuts and bolts of painting the walls has little to do with the point of the competition -- but they arrived very late and needed constant supervision and assistance. They made it damn near impossible for the contestants to get the cooking done.

posted on August 18, 2007 at 1:45 PM

Kaye wrote:

Ted,
I like your sharp and insightful comments. However, I'm disappointed that you act like many Hollywood celebrities,
"I'm rich and famous....if you don't think exactly like me, you're an a**hole!"
Please just stick to your usual interesting comments about Top Chef.

posted on August 18, 2007 at 5:35 PM

ely wrote:

I agree with everyone's comments about the insufferable guest blogger. Who is she? More to the point, who does she want to be? Hopefully, not a guest judge. Please don't bring her back.

I especially resented her comment about Brian needing Rightguard. Since everyone agreed that he did not smell, it is clear that her lack of credentials was exceeded only by her lack of honesty.

As for her obnoxious, pretentious companion-- whose on-air spoken comments qualified him only to receive a SAG [Screen Actors' Guild] paycheck, I don't care who he is. He doesn't deserve even this much of our attention.

Why was poor Chef Boulud relegated to smiling and nodding at the comments of a know-nothing blogger? I would have liked to know more about the food from someone actually qualified to judge it!

I am so glad Brian was not eliminated for the FOH snafus. He proved his true character by taking the blame for the poor service of the wait staff. His talents were wasted on this episode. The show is Top Chef, not Top Maitre D'. As a San Diegan who has had the sublime experience of eating at his restaurant, I am rooting for him!

As for the stinky candles -- they make me gag, too. Could the problem be that some of the Garage team are smokers? That will limit the sense of smell as well as deaden the palate. I have seen Sara M. smoke on previous episodes. I'm not sure about Dale. Back when I smoked, I couldn't have distinguished shallots from Shinola.

Looking forward to next episode.

posted on August 19, 2007 at 12:34 AM

Edwin wrote:

Unlike some of the other commentators, I detest candles in restaurants, scented candles even more so.

I think the negative comments about Garage's black tablecloths were (since I'm being PC) less than well thought out1

Since restaurants are never judged solely on the food, it's arguably fair to judge the chefs involved in the classroom-exercise restaurants on the service and decor. I also believe the problem set should have included appropriate wine pairings, with a commensurately larger food budget. It should also have permitted some trade-off between the amount spent on food and the amount spent on decor.

1: I view "PC" as largely equivalent to "tactful." Were I to be "non-PC," I'd call the comments about black tablecloths "inane."

posted on August 19, 2007 at 2:02 AM

PeachPie wrote:

Oh Ted, how I love your weekly blog.

I am loving Dale in this competition more and more. If this doesn't work out, the Food Channel should grab him up. This guy should stay in front of the camera.

Funny... for as much as I've diss'd Hung for his (often unwarranted) bravado and pig-headedness, Howie seems to be faring no better. Luv ya, babe...but honestly, you CAN'T always be right. It actually does pay to accept criticism sometimes. How the hell else are you going to learn anything new?

Keep it coming, Ted.
oxoxoxoxo Peach!

posted on August 19, 2007 at 8:52 AM

Pikop Andropov wrote:

Always good to see you on Top Chef, Ted.

A word about scented candles in restaurants....
Scented candles can be a good thing. Particularly when you get a table, like I so often do, which is directly in front of the restroom door (either gender). My favorite local Mexican restaurant, Gasso Libre, places a large bank of scented candles smoking away directly around each restroom door. Trouble is, every time I leave that place my eyes are watering. Not sure if it's from the aromas around the restrooms or the billows of smoke pouring off of those candles.

By the way, can you recommend a wine that would pair well with refried beans ?

Sincerely,
Pikop, world class foodie

posted on August 19, 2007 at 1:10 PM

mary wrote:

ted, i loved everything you said...almost. i agree with your restaurant and chef critique...but ted, ted, TED! 'bill maher is a genius'?!?!?!?! OY VEY! you're killin' me with that one. ahhh, ok - i still love you. (and just for the record, i am not a right winger, nor am i a left winger. i don't do the pc thing and i have a brother who is a sister, despite his questionable attire and lack of culinary sense. he is living proof that not all queers have 'the eye')

now - back to the food!
mary

posted on August 19, 2007 at 1:50 PM

Lara wrote:

Hey ted it looks like you are getting a lot of flack for speaking your mind.I hope that doesnt stop you from doing it in the future,if everyone thought the same way life would be boring,keep your opinions coming okay? I love you and your opinions.

From a huge fan,
Lara

posted on August 19, 2007 at 1:59 PM

Amy wrote:

Ted,
I love Top Chef! So I thought I would take a chance and write you a question: as a new fan of fish & seafood, I sank my mouth into a piece of salmon and my friend asked me if there were any bones at this restaurant? I have heard this in certain kinds of fish, but not all and have not seen it before in my salmon until the last 2 meals.... Did I miss them? Where they a "better" cut? How do you eat this safely and withouth picking through every small piece? ?

ps - definitely no teddy for Tom, but he sure is sexy in jeans!
Thanks!

posted on August 19, 2007 at 6:40 PM

PDN wrote:

Open-mindedness is a process, not a position. You can be equally open-minded as a liberal or a conservative (or equally close-minded). Having a strong position is not close-minded if you listen and access the arguements of the other side without second-guessing the motives of the other position or predetermining what you "think" the other side 'really' means. Pointing to the other position and saying "bad, bad, they are morally bad people because of their position" and determining the other position is not worth listening to because you already know what they 'really' mean is a close-minded position.

Again, having an open-mind is a process, not a position. I will continue to read Ted's blog because he is knowledgeable, readable, and entertaining. I will overlook the ad hominem political attack (as well as any perceived sexism from the last episode) because it is not his normal style and is clearly an abberation that does not define him.

Ted is snarky, but rarely mean.

posted on August 19, 2007 at 7:25 PM

Patty wrote:

It seems to me that more and more TC changes what is important based upon who they want to get rid of.
Supposedly it is about the food some shows and others there is more to being a Top Chef than just cooking on others.
It seemed to me that if anyone other that Tre had been the chef for April they would have been gone. Did anyone like ANY of his food??? And I am a big fan of Tre.

posted on August 20, 2007 at 11:42 AM

Magnolia wrote:

Ted, I for one, LOVE White Castle burgers! Unfortunately I now live in an area of the country where there are no WC 'restaurants', and the frozen ones are vile! I appreciate your no nonsense reviews in your blogs. But you guys are way too critical of the non-food issuses with the restaurants wars. It's an impossible task to do, period. None of you judges could do it either. It's a simple setup for failure. That's not what we want to see. We want a fair head to head cooking competition. I'd hate to see Brian or Dale go home just because they couldn't run the front of the house, which they never claimed they could do, and which has nothing to do with "cooking". Yes, if they owned a restaurant they need to be familiar with it, but not at this stage. I cry foul!

posted on August 20, 2007 at 12:23 PM

Clara wrote:

Ted!!!
Would you please be so kind as to answer this question? (And end my search!)

What does it mean when one says food is "authentic"? You see "authentic" recipes, "authentic" cooking methods, "authentic" ingredients, and so on and on.

The dictionary definition says simply that "authentic" is "genuine, real." What does that mean in the context of food? Say, for example, for Mexican, Chinese, Cuban, or Moroccan food?

Although foods, or dishes and ingredients, evolve, is there some "thing" that makes a food authentic? Is a Bastilla in today's Morocco that uses chicken or squab as "authentic" as a Bastilla from French Morocco in 1955, which used songbirds in the pie???

Obi Wan..., er, Ted, you are my only hope!!!

posted on August 20, 2007 at 12:56 PM

Deborah R wrote:

Unlike the poster Simon, I enjoy your blogs precisely because you give us the dish on more than the, well, dish. When it comes to your blog, please don't start making it just about the food. (But please--no more swipes at the right-wingers lest this forum erupt into a red/blue war zone. There are dozens of other sites for that, sigh.)

I was particularly interested to learn of the female leadership at Bravo--Bravo! Last week's challenge was sexist, but I don't think it was deliberate. I doubt it occurred to the producers that the female chefs would be wearing clothing--particularly high heels--that would create a physical disadvantage. I can't imagine having to shop and cook in stilettos and would love to stick a pair on the clueless posters who keep saying it shouldn't have mattered and then send them off to cook for a few hours in a roach coach.

On to this week: I'd love your take on the undercover blogger. I'm among the many viewers who didn't appreciate her pretentious review or her obnoxious dinner companion, and I hope she does not make a reappearance. As someone asked in a post to her Top Chef blog, why did the judges give the nasty opinions of silly blogger such weight?

posted on August 20, 2007 at 2:39 PM

Lesley wrote:

I have a question: why is Howie getting raked over the coals for putting cream in his risotto? My question becomes even more bothersome when one watches the first video of "The Wong Way to Cook" during which Lee Ann prepares Tre's winning dish, seared ostrich and risotto with heirloom tomatoes, WITH CREAM! Load the videao and take a look!!! Don't get me wrong -- I love Tre and I hope that he wins. But how do the judges justify giving Tre's risotto which has cream a victory and yet Howie gets skewered for adding cream???

posted on August 20, 2007 at 5:17 PM

Brittaleester wrote:

On Page 5 of this blog there is a picture of a disgusting hamburger. I am so sorry you had to eat that! What is the worst thing these chef's have made for you?

posted on August 20, 2007 at 6:44 PM

kristin B wrote:

ted,
I do agree with you about the scented candeles, but I really loved the rest of the garage.It was hip, and different, and I thought the black was just awesome. The chefs had better not screw up up as bad as last week. I love Dale, so I hope for the best for him. I also love Tre and CJ.
PS: I love you too, ted. I hope you become a permanant judge!

posted on August 20, 2007 at 8:13 PM

l luhrs wrote:

Chef Teddy,

I love it when you guest judge. You are well-spoken, don't hog the spotlight and you add specific comments that are pertinent to the discussion. Rock on, Chef.

posted on August 20, 2007 at 8:24 PM

Jessica wrote:

I just wondered if anyone besides me noticed how freaking ridiculas hung is..... I mean the guy is ALWAYS the first one in the quick fire... has anyone noticed that? He is such a tard

posted on August 21, 2007 at 3:14 PM

Barb wrote:

Ted,
Thank you for your fair, kind remarks to the Cheftestants. I appreciate that your criticism is done in such a way as to not degrade them, as other guest judges have done (I believe Alton Brown was the worst!!). You are usually right on with your comments ... I love seeing these young people excited about what they are doing -- Hung is always so sure of himself -- and usually wrong. He needs to go! Howie has great skills, but seems to come up short. Tre and Brian are my favorites -- Again, thank you, and keep up the good work -- I hope you are going to be permanent.

posted on August 22, 2007 at 10:44 AM

jack wrote:

I realize I'm Post # 4,412, but: regarding the 'restaurant wars', it is utterly insane to judge either Dale or Brian by their performances. The show isn't 'Top Maitre'd', and TC has no business expecting a cook to know what to do, how to move, etc., in the FOH. I mean, suppose there WERE a 'Top Maitre'd' show - would you devote an episode to tossing a few into the kitchen, to try their skills at sauces?
Oh. Before I forget. Dale is cute but the hair thing makes him look like one of the Whos down in Whoville (you know, the tall and the small...).

posted on August 22, 2007 at 7:59 PM

Mary wrote:

I am one of those people who never write letters to the editor, complain about bad food or poor service (just don't go back again), etc., but I just had to let someone know that I am so, so disappointed that Tre was sent home tonight. He was by far the hardest working chef. I just don't really know who to root for now. No one seems better than another. The show will be really hard to watch now.

posted on August 22, 2007 at 11:25 PM

Marilyn wrote:

How could you vote off Tre, he was the best chef you had on the show and the only one who did not cause drama. He was always cool and collected and his dishes were excellent. I will not watch the show after this week, when you voted him off you lost half your audience!

posted on August 22, 2007 at 11:32 PM

jacky wrote:

i just have one question...y would you guys take out tre?! hes one of the best chefs there! and uh howie should have left a long time ago...

posted on August 23, 2007 at 12:03 AM

Pablo wrote:

Hey TEd, LOve the show.. Can you explain to me why Howie is still in the show??? after being several episodes in loosing teams and being the worse by himself at times, I know if it was based on being civilized , he would have left the show in the first episode.
Why do you guys keep him ?

posted on August 23, 2007 at 12:17 AM

michael wrote:

Mr. Allen, PLEASE do not tell me that you just called Bill Maher, aka - El Diablo, a Genius?!?!!

The man.....(I've decided not to go on, as my words would become nasty).

Let's just put it this way, looking at his life, the things he's done, choices he's made, things he promotes as 'jokes', it's hard to respect him, or anyone else who respects him. Not saying I'm deserving of respect, but he is definitely NOT such a person either.

posted on August 23, 2007 at 1:08 AM

erin wrote:

I am still in shock over the fact that you and the judges voted out Tre tonight. It was a very disapointing and frustrating night. The teams should have never been given a re-do. All that says is that the judges had no idea who to kick off so instead of making a desision you all took the weak road out and voted on a "re-do" instead. I am very sad and trying to firure out if I should continue to watch this show.

posted on August 23, 2007 at 2:28 AM

Boo wrote:

Oldies told me that sliders weren't White Castle burgers but their fish sandwiches because they slid right through a body. After one try it seemed so apropos that I believed it.

It's my first time watching the show and it is great. Your participation is wonderful!

The show seems far more balanced than I thought a reality program would be.

I was disappointed that Tre went home tonight, but it does seem to back up the balance I sense. In the end it's about the food in the challenge and every show sticks to that. It's refreshing.

posted on August 23, 2007 at 2:36 AM

Paul G wrote:

It was fair of the judges to give the cheftestants a 2nd chance.
Having been in the business for 20+ years (shhhh), front of the house, back too, catering, banquets, bars....ect, I felt sort of sorry for them as they seemed to have an incompetant front house staff to help them out. Maybe you should have some of the staff from all those "hot Miami" restaurants work for them. At least that would put them on the same playing field out front. I've worked with temps, and boy its like working in a union hotel, where they act dumb and pretend not to know what to do. Oh and I heard the term "soft opening", which is what every "good" restaurant should to for honest feeback, to make improvments. Cj said "there's no restaurant that's perfect", just tell that to some of the five star places I've worked in. Now I own a B&B in Palm Springs, and Ted your invited any time you want to escape the traffic and pace of LA. Glad to see you on there! Great comments!

posted on August 23, 2007 at 2:50 AM

Mary Sue wrote:

I made a mistake in an earlier e-mail. It was Casey not Sarah that was the mess-up. M.S.

posted on August 23, 2007 at 9:57 AM

V.K. wrote:

How in the world could you have voted off the best chef on the show????? This is absolutely nonsense and I cannot believe that Tre was asked to go home. Eventhough he was the executive chef he was not supported by the rest of the team. As usual Casey slips by under the radar not even talked about much. She should have been sent home long time ago. You have made a terrible decision sending Tre home.

posted on August 23, 2007 at 10:30 PM

Lee wrote:

Even though I am really sad to see Tre go, I was rooting for the underdog Bad News Bears. Casey alone lost the quickfire for her team. I don't think that made that much of a difference in the final decision since it was all about the food.

Ted, you remind me of a right-wing co-worker in that both of you are totally opiniated, dogmatic, amusing in small doses, then tiresome when you go on and on.... I would rather read the behind-the-scenes thoughts about Top Chef. If I wanted politcs, I would read the CNN blogs.

posted on August 24, 2007 at 12:08 PM

Em wrote:

You know, it's a weird thing...I've definitely noticed, and been concerned with, the lack of female contestants as the show progresses. While i really doubt that Bravo did this on purpose, it really stood out when paired with the roach coach challenge. For me, it comes a little close to "the male chefs just happened to be better," which is something I've heard in my life over and over and over. I think it's indicative of a world where men are encouraged to achieve more, to be that macho leader who sucks it up and gets thing done. Women are chastised for complaining, as sara and casey were when they expressed discomfort with the challenge. (which, by the way: I wholeheartedly thank you for apologizing for your dismissive comment; it takes a big person to realize their mistakes.)

So what I'm saying is, I think that the elimination of female contestants is a valid concern. It wasn't knowingly done by the judges or anyone at bravo, and it doesn't mean that any of those people are sexist, but it does paint a disturbing picture to the viewer. Knowing that women are in positions of power at the station doesn't necessarily assuage those fears, because the problem is part of a culture of subtle misogyny which women are taught to buy into. The most hurtful thing, to me, is that instead of acknowledging the gender imbalance present in the restaurant industry and working against it, the show gave us a challenge that seemed especially cruel and damaging to the female contestants, and then mocked them for pointing it out. I mean, I love this show and I agree with 90% of the eliminations, but I'm gonna call shenanigans when I see it.

posted on August 24, 2007 at 1:20 PM

River wrote:

Just so you know, I'm a Christian and I have a ton of gay friends. I'm not offended by what you posted.

posted on August 30, 2007 at 4:12 PM

jake wrote:

Funny. I thought "politically correct" was a term reacted to defensively by left wing ***holes to try to varnish over their own unenlightened hatreds with a veneer of smug self-righteousness.

posted on September 9, 2007 at 12:24 PM

Candace wrote:

Don't feel bad, Ted! I like Bill Maher too!

:)

posted on September 9, 2007 at 5:36 PM

Kris K wrote:

Damn, Ted-

Can't believe you wrote "...(I hate the term “PC” -- it is used almost exclusively by right-wing assholes to discredit people having intelligent conversations about complex issues."

I didn't realize how much you hated conservatives. This is my last post to you. I had so much respect and affection for you. However, as I go back and read past blogs from you, my feelings have changed.

"Ain't no time to hate", as the Grateful Dead would sing. I hope you can grow up a bit and stop the attacks and hostilty against repubs and conservatives,

Oh well, it was nice admiring you, what a sad disappointment. Peace.

posted on September 29, 2007 at 12:27 PM