Evan Weeks wrote:

This spot reserved for a comment in a moment after I read Ted's blog. :P

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:19 PM

sheryll wrote:

Hi Ted,

Entertaining post as always! As you said in a previous post, Howie was overdue to make an exit.

Since you mentioned "Iron Chef America", I have a question. Please compare and contrast the food that you have judged on ICA with the food from TC.

Thanks!

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:25 PM

David J Rust wrote:

In many ways, I think it was about time for Howie to go. Don't get me wrong: I think I'd enjoy any one of his pork-based creations! He, and all of his colleges from Clay on up to Tre, all have more talent in their little fingers than I do in my whole body! It's hard not to respect that kind of talent.

Now, true, before I sound like "it's an honor just to be nominated" I've been watching this show for some time and watching how Howie has had a very up-and-down performance. His food seems to suffer from both and over-abundance of confidence in his way of doing things as well as a stubbornness to listen to criticism.

At the same time, I got the impression that the guest judges weren't just "tough to impress" but actively being a bit bitchy. Now, granted, I'm guessing that the show is edited to come across that way for impact but, seriously, I echoed Brian's sentiment (and Casey's reassurance) that he -that all of them- did a good job. True, one of them had to go and I agree that Howie should have been the one, this week, but this was the first episode where I honestly felt a bit pissed off at the judges for their snark.

Some people, like Anthony Bourdain, can do criticism with style and panache. They can make snarky comments come out with style. Then again, Chef Bourdain is also a writer. When the two guest judges made their comments -both at judge's table and on the boat- I was cringing at their inelegance.

Hung's monkey could have done a better job!

Anyway Ted, I love your comments and continue to enjoy Top Chef Miami. Be well and eat well!

Yours,
Dave

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:28 PM

JustAnotherFan wrote:

I don't care what anyone says or still thinks about Howie. He is still my favorite and I believe he is a great chef despite the attitude. I wish I can say this to you personally Howie... I will miss you so much and GOOD LUCK!!! You have the talent, you are a Top Chef no matter what.

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:30 PM

Kit Cosper wrote:

Ted, Ted, Ted - you need to brush up on your Spamology. It's not a mystery (or potted) meat - it's actually pork shoulder. Perhaps you were too busy eating that 'nanner puddin' to study your SPAM?

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:31 PM

Michael Kukich wrote:

Great observation about Hung, this is the third time (?) he complained about a judge not getting his food. The whole point is to create food that the customers like. Complaining about people "not getting your food?" I can't believe the bikini girl finally won a competition! After showing a complete lack of knife skills two weeks ago there is no doubt she is still on the show as eye candy. Sorry, but if you don't possess basic kitchen skills, you have no business being an executive chef.

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:31 PM

Kat K. wrote:

Good gravy, Ted - might you have stopped by Hung's Smurfland for a psychedelic snack? Your writing tickles me more and more every week.

And bless your heart for your exultation of nanner puddin'. My beloved friend Miss Ellen had made me one each Thanksgiving for the past 8 or so years, and in trying times in the months between, it's almost a mantra for my friends and me. Nannerpuddinnannerpuddin... It's what they serve in my happy place.

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:32 PM

Harris wrote:

While he did try to do his best, I was finally glad to see Howie go. I don't understand how anyone could not notice that this man sweats profusely. Every time the camera was on Howie, all I saw was that rather large droplet of perspiration on the end of his nose ready to fall off into what ever he was cooking. I don't know about you, but if I want a little salt on my food, I will pull out an old fashioned salt shaker and sprinkle it as needed. On the lighter side, I am so pleased to see you, Ted, as a judge on this acclaimed show. I enjoyed you on Queer Eye and your culinary prowess is refreshing on Top Chef. Kudos to you and the other judges.

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:32 PM

gary e. wrote:

Oh!Ted how sweet thou are. and the sweat hog has gone to the smoke house. the dark days have lifted and there is a food god after all. and you say how sorry you are that tre was kicked off, hell you helped do it.

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:34 PM

Clay Colwell wrote:

I know that tons of people are going to ask, but it's got to be answered: why was the time-honored custom of letting folks throw themselves off the show rejected in this instance? Was it specifically to forestall the "YouCan'tFireMeIQuit" routine? It was a jarring change for me as a viewer.

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:42 PM

zach wrote:

i can't believe how quickly you got this posted. do you watch the show now or have you already seen it?

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:45 PM

Rick wrote:

A waiflike blog tonight, Tom─I think you might have taken a trip to Hung’s Smurf village. Too bad he wasn’t in the jelly aisle, because he could have made some marmalade skies with his dish. Tonight’s episode seemed strange. I think I’ll dub this one the changeling.

I think it was time to see Howie go sans the lofty swansong. He can’t improvise. I think he’s one of those trial and error cooks with an emphasis on the latter. If he rocked in the kitchen, I could dig his demeanor.

Still more about Tre . . . becoming tres excessif, no?

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:49 PM

BigBadTLR wrote:

I was really unimpressed with tonight's episode. The show was set up poorly, and I think the chefs got robbed. That's right, Bravo screwed this one up.
First off- this wasnt a team challenge at all. Every chef did dishes on their own. So The only 'team' part of it is that Brian could be sent home for someone else's mistakes. Howie went home because of Howie. But Brian could have for Howie or himself. That is not a team event.
Stop with the teams anyway. Let each chef go head to head and make their best dish. Tonight's show would have been best presented that way.
Complaint number two- what's with the super low budgets? Cough up the dough and let's see what these TOP chefs can make with caviar and truffles. It's supposed to be high end, but you give them $350 to shop? Come on- give them each $200 and let's see who is a chef and who is a cook.
Stupid budget restrictions are fine in a quickfire. But in the elimination rounds, let them go top shelf and make some truly exclusive dishes.
No more teams with this few chefs remaining. No more chump change restrictions.

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:50 PM

Edwin wrote:

Ted,

I thought Hung's dish in the quickfire was easily the best presentation. Best tasting, maybe not. But it was hilarious, and I can see the restaurant in a horridly overpriced hotel serving it with some completely inane name on the brunch menu.

On the other hand.....his hors d'oeurves were probably something I could have put together.

posted on September 5, 2007 at 11:56 PM

Dana wrote:

Ted,

LOVE the blog, I am still picking myself up from laughing so hard!! Only one comment - I think Myrtle Beach could rival your Panama City for that title!! LOL

I look forward to your next blog!!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 12:08 AM

NAN wrote:

Well surprise, surprise. I felt the judges were exceptionally rude in there words to all the chefs that dissappointed them.
Critique is one thing, insulting is quite another.

I would have told them to shove it if i had been any of the three. They are, afterall, chefs and deserve a certain amount of respect that should not be forgotten because they have a bad night or dish.

I don't expect you to understand this. You seem to think "cutting down" is a fun way to cut up. I bet you can dish it out, but you couldn't take it.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 12:09 AM

Colin wrote:

Must... stop... reading. Seriously, I've never had an issue with incontinence before, why is it suddenly a real danger.

Too funny. And Hung isn't ambiguous, he really is a dick.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 12:19 AM

Kathy wrote:

Will someone please tell me why on earth Casey won a computer when she won tonights elimination challenge, and Sara didn't win anything when she won the resturant wars???? (or the rest of them only getting books when they win for crying out loud). Also, why was Mia allowed to bow out last season and Tom said "We accept your decision" and Howie wasn't allowed to bow out...was he being punished for attitude issues? Just curious...

posted on September 6, 2007 at 12:30 AM

Lisa wrote:

"He fed us, regardless. That is what a chef should do. Howie should have found something to present."

Yeah, but the thing is, there was no time. Yes, you want everything timely in a restaurant, but if you're not finished after 15 minutes, your customers don't come back to the kitchen, ring a bell and say "SORRY! We're leaving!"

Well, some might - but they're better off gone.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 12:30 AM

CJP wrote:

Howie reminds me of the reaon for leaving the biz. He is a chef with a bad attitude. He will never be a great chef since he cannot learn-he cannot accept failure and will never improve.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 12:59 AM

Jamie B wrote:

Ha!
As always, Ted, you crack me up.
Howie was a favorite of mine, and I hate to see him leave, but it was well-deserved, unfortunately. My favorite bulldog seemed so changed in this episode. His fight was gone, and that for me was probably sadder than that mushroom phyllo cuppy mashy thing he presented as an appetizer. Resembles something we in Kentucky (and other Southern spots I'm sure) like to call shit on a shingle. Yeah, real discriminating palates here. Anyway.

I think Hung took a trip to Electric Ladyland. Wow. The prince of refinement actually seemed to enjoy what he was doing. Course, he still knows better than the experts...yawn. Could someone, anyone, please knock that ego down? I mean, he has Marcel beat by a mile and that is saying something.

Love the blog, and I'll be reading every hilarious sentence. No pressure!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 1:16 AM

Jason wrote:

Haha, I don't believe for a moment that the "bombay sapphire sky" was unpaid, considering all the bombay sapphire payola all over the show :-P

They've infiltrated your mind, Ted!!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 1:25 AM

Almeida T. Barnes wrote:

Don't you understand, Ted? Hung's been eating since he was young!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 1:39 AM

Andy B. wrote:

Hey Ted, yeah Howie gave up the good fight. He had enough. The quick fire was the beginning of his downfall. Right! You have to present something. A cop- out. Then two very bad dishes in the elimination. Pack your knives bulldog. Hey at least he won two elimination challenges. You did alright Howie. Now no more about tthe sweating ok bloggers!!!
As for Hung, mighty weird fellow. The mans mind is cukoo. What is he thinking in the quick fire! Thats why he never gains a advantage. He can't possibly win a quick fire. His comments and arguing with the judges are totally bizarre. Especially when he is jjustifiably wrong. Too bad! he can cook but never will get it. I'm afraid is time on T.C is coming to a end.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 1:42 AM

lauren wrote:

I heard Tre had something going on with Ebony and Food Network. Whatever he does, I'm sure he will be successful.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 1:50 AM

Sarit wrote:

Comment about Sara: Why in the world doesn't she cook more with cheese?? Isn't she a cheesemaker? Brian uses his talents of seafood almost to a disgusting amount, Howie Kleinberg was the pork man (too weird), seemed that you do what you know yet still try to grow (didn't mean to rhyme, sounds silly) - but Sara only did cheese once. Please comment on this at some time. Oh, thanks for the recipe for Nilla Wafers Banana pudding - now I want one for Bread pudding! PLEASE!!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 1:50 AM

george wrote:

i actually was quite amused by hung this episode. in general i think he's calmed down a lot and shown a sense of humor. is he still cocky? i would hope that he would back up his dishes and stand up for himself. can we sit safely at home and poke holes in his logic? yeah, but i'm here at home and he's cooking for weeks on end trying to constantly be "impressive." i think it's telling that his dish was actually not in the bottom tier of the quickfire.

and com'on. bi does not mean ambiguous. how old-fashioned. :)

it was time for howie to go but how does tre get the brunt of the criticism as the executive chef but brian skates by? evidently brian gets more leeway than tre? wtf.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 2:56 AM

Irie wrote:

Hmm...in TC competition, you're damned if you do and damned you don't. If a dish is really bad, contestants are condemned if they send it out and condemned if they don't. Catch-22 much?

I don't disagree with the judges' decision in this episode, but their comments (all of them, but especially Tom and Padma) were unnecessarily rude to the contestants (and have been all season). Critique the FOOD--don't humiliate the PERSON. Yes, editing is editing, but they said what they said the way they said it. I do enjoy your opinions, Ted, as well as your sense of humor and respect for the chefs.

Howie seemed a little defeated from the get-go, but it was nice to see him working with his teammates. The last two episodes raised my opinion of him considerably, and I was sorry to see him leave. He really does look like a great chef. Maybe Howie knew it was his turn to leave; maybe not. Why wasn't he allowed to withdraw himself from the competition? Consistency has been an issue this season (at least in the blogs)...Is not allowing chefs to withdraw themselves a new rule? Otto and Mia were allowed to bow out. Why not Howie? Perhaps Tom and Padma wanted the satisfaction of booting him themselves?

posted on September 6, 2007 at 3:22 AM

TDR wrote:

You referenced Spinal Tap. YES! :-D

posted on September 6, 2007 at 4:20 AM

scotts wrote:

I see this episode having the contestants fire-back at the judges for some of the crap that plagues this overall good show.

Hung's dish was the best in Quickfire, since the Quickfire was such a joke. 1 isle in the store with $10?
That the spam dish won, especially with the funny looks it got pre-eating, is classic.

While Hung was very lazy with his dishWho is so "high end" to say a dish is no good because its "from the 80's"?

Another team-challenge, crazy low budget, and normal time-contraints...then some very intense-flaming at the judges table. I enjoyed seeing the contestants getting p*ssed at the judges...maybe that was the point (more drama?).
While I don't like Howie much, he earned major respect from me tonight with 2 things:
"Do I look like I care about fashion? This entire outfit is from Target".
And then of course, his statement about having alot of fight left, but alot of pride first.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 6:15 AM

Joanne wrote:

And Casey, finally, won an Elimination. So how is she still on the show. Eye candy can be the only reason which is so dishearting to us viewers. I think this show is forgetting that the viewers really do want real chefs to win. This is one show that we do not care what the chef looks like. We care only that they can cook. So once again how is Casey still on this show. Casey would make a good Hostess but chef she is not.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 8:21 AM

Trish wrote:

Tim,
I really enjoy reading your blog. You always say what I'm thinking. Hung really cracked me up with his creation for the quickfire challenge. At least eveyone got a good laugh. Howie should have presented something at quickfire. He dug his own grave. Not sorry to see him go. I still wish that Tre was still in the competition. I really thought he would be in the finals. As for the elimination challenge. I feel that the judges were unfair. The budget was really small. How can you make high end food without money???????? I felt Brian did as good a job as he could. I really like him and hopes he stays. I also really like CJ. He seems to be very talented. Well down to the final six. Maybe the judges could be a little softer next time. I felt that they were really harsh. By the way, if the food was that bad, why did it all get eaten????????? I know that if something I eat isn't good, I won't eat it. Till next week,
Trish

posted on September 6, 2007 at 8:24 AM

paul wrote:

I do not disagree with the decision to send Howie home this evening as it seems that his dishes were not up to par. However, I take umbrage with the diametrically opposing values that the judges have adopted this season. I cannot count how many times I have heard a judge tell a contestant that it would be better to send nothing out than to send out a bad dish. The very concept was espoused last week regarding Tre's salmon dish. Then when a contestant has the balls to make a stand and say his dish is not edible or worth presenting, he is criticized for that decision. Please decide what you want and stick to it.
I am also tired of endless comparisons to what happens in real restaurants. Yes, I agree that in a restaurant many challenges are faced daily. However, generally speaking that restaurant is not cooking under the very precise rules that the contestants are working. To even allude to the possibility that Top Chef represents the real world is preposterous at best, and it is completely unfair to make comparisons between Top Chef challenges and the real world.
What I would like to see is some consistency. Don't tell the contestants it is better to not present a bad dish one week, and then the next week chastise them for doing exactly what they were told. I'm sure the competition is frustrating enough without the ambiguity in the expectations of the judges.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 8:30 AM

Candy wrote:

I have to agree with the others who stated that they need to stop with the team challenges. It gets tricky judging one person on a supposed team effort and that where we as viewers get to think that it's not fair.

I also did not like the elimination challenge. I think they were criticized too harshly. It felt like they were school aged children getting yelled at by the principal. I don't blame Howie for wanting to escape that, although he won't win the money now.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 8:36 AM

w wrote:

Could someone please explain to me why Hung is still there? Has he actually won anything? I know he's made a few good dishes, but so much of his stuff has major nothing or failures. And as someone said, the ego. I must be missing something because everyone's blogs say, "He can really cook," but, reallly? Please give examples of how his efforts have been against the remaining chefs, please...thanks

posted on September 6, 2007 at 8:55 AM

Janice wrote:

Howie should have served something? Isn't that exactly opposite of the message you guys gave Tre last week? Forked tongue, anyone?

posted on September 6, 2007 at 9:19 AM

Diana wrote:

"Damned if you do, damned if you don't." You get slapped upside the head if you serve something you know is not good ("I wouldn't let that dish leave my kitchen and be served."), and you get slapped upside the other side of the head if you decide your dish is so bad you shouldn't serve it (Howie's mandarin orange mess). The easy answer to say (not necessarily do 100% of the time) is just cook something good, but in the real world, mistakes happen and you don't have something good when "time is up." So what would each of the judges do in such a situation? Seems like you get knocked down no matter what you do.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 9:21 AM

Lynnette Dinolfo wrote:

Ted:
I've been a fan of TC since the first season, but I noticed this season that some of the winners of the challenge get a gift and some don't. Last night Casey won a computer, while a couple of weeks ago when Howie won he got a bottle of wine and I've noticed some people do not receive anything. Who makes up the prizes? The guest judges? I think everyone should have gotten something for winning.
Lynnette

posted on September 6, 2007 at 9:55 AM

Barry wrote:

Is it fair to expect Brian (or someone in his position) to prevent Howie from serving his dishes even if he thought they were unsuccessful? This would have most certainly been Howie's kiss of death, and from a competitor no less. How would the judges been able to validate Brian's decision?

posted on September 6, 2007 at 10:12 AM

k wrote:

"Listen to what the flower people say..."

LOVE it. You can never go wrong with a Spinal Tap quote. Way to represent Ohio, Ted! We're so proud.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 10:14 AM

kat wrote:

Ted, Ted, Ted,

I swear your blog is the very best! It entertaining & insightful...please don't ever stop. I completely agree with all of your comments. Is it me or were the judges extra snarcastic to night or what?

posted on September 6, 2007 at 10:16 AM

TNB wrote:

Ted,
Enjoyed your poetic blog!
I have to say that I was really disappointed with this episode.
How can you expect chefs to create delicious and different appetizers for 60 people, with only $50 each to spend? This is ridiculous! I also thought the judges acted particularly snotty about the whole thing! Not to mention, in the past, when someone has chosen to remove themselves from the competition, they have been allowed to do so. Pretty bogus this time if you ask me! Maybe this season will improve as we head into the final episodes - we can only hope!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 10:33 AM

s.n. wrote:

Ted:
Your comment about missing Tre since you booted him off two weeks ago is ridiculous since you kicked him off in April four months ago when the show was taped. How stupid do you think the viewers are? It appears that you are pandering to the many fans that are disappointed by your removal of Tre from the competition. I do think you are a better judge than those two guest losers they had on the judging panel last night.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 11:04 AM

Vijay wrote:

I agree with several others who posted earlier, that the criteria for sending someone home seems to be inconsistent from season to season and even from episode to episode. There were couple of participants earlier who chose to bow out and were let go. But Howie was reduced. Also, when some participants put out abad dish, they were advised not to put out anything at all if they think they screwed it up. Yet when Howie did the same he was criticized.
Sometimes certain chefs are retained even after bad outings basedon their past record, sometimes they are sent home just based on what happened that night.

I dont know if this inconsitency is intentional to generate artificial excitement and create an atmopshere of unpredicability. If so, it isnt working well.

WILL YOU GUYS SIT TOGETHER, FORMULATE AN UNIFORM SET OF CRITERIA/RULES FOR ELIMINATION AND THEN STICK TO THEM?

posted on September 6, 2007 at 11:27 AM

mike wrote:

Ted,

I would be interested in hearing you talk about leadership and integrity now that we are deep into the season. My take is that Howie was a pain but always truthful about his intentions. Crude, yes... dishonest, no! He was the worst and needed to go. My problem with some of the others is I would not work for nor trust them. CJ always seems to talk the high road, maybe because he is so tall Buit when puh comes to shove he is very happy to throw his "partners under the bus. Tre was the last example. He avoided any responsibility and dumped it on Tre. Cj does the very least required and waits for someone else to fall. Recall the Miami Beach nightclub challenge. In the front, knowing the food wasn't coming out but pleading it wasn't his fault. If he says he has the biggest b***s amoungthe contestents he sure doesn't show it. Not a leader and I would not trust him as a partner.

Casy, one quickfire challenge win for not cooking anything and one elimination week for finger food. If she wins it is time to rethink McDonalds!! My [problem with er is also about taking responsibility. She wins the Quickfire then mails in the elimination challenge. Putting Joey and Howie on the block. If she has any guts or integrity she would have refused the immunity and stood up there with her team. No way, she stands there in silence and lets them potentially take the fall for her lack of effort. When has she shown any leadership during this show.

My last crybaby is Hung. God forgive me but this guy just needs to get hit by a truck. How many times are we going to hear him say "I know I put in a great effort tonight". He is clearly the most talented chef standing, now that Tre is gone. But his ego far outshines his talent. My guess is if he worked for Tom C. he would last abut 20 minutes before Chef Tom told him to pack his knives. Hung is also great at post game blame games. Recall that he threw Joey under the bus with no problem. Even when he told he world ahead of time he knew the secret to success in the challenge. My take is he set that up so that if he was on the block, that was his ace in the hole. Where are all his Elimination wins?? The guest judge had it right that his selection last night was old and plain. He can call it "classic" but the truth was he was playing to aviod elimination rather than win.

I hope these are the next three to go. I would really appreciate you or Tom's insights on leadership in the kitchen.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 11:29 AM

dawgbite wrote:

Hey Ted. Michael Symon's restaurant is "Lola," not "Lolita."

I'll refrain from the Freud jokes.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 11:34 AM

Leslee wrote:

I'm glad to see Howie go. Now the two main hotheads of the season are gone, and perhaps the participants can concentrate on cooking, rather than defending themselves against the various sexist insults and swearing that seemed to be more important to Joey and Howie than their food. But the remaining cooks better step it up, or it'll be another lesser of evils victory this season, as it was in Season Two. Hung may think that every judge "doesn't get it," but he's the one in the weeds. We all know he can cook, although how we know it is a mystery. The guy put crap on a cucumber slice and called it "classic." Casey couldn't chop an onion, but she chopped the competition on that boat. It's anybody's game at this point, and they'd better bring it.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 11:41 AM

Katie wrote:

Why wasn't Howie allowed to withdraw? It seems to me on Season 2, there was a contestant - Mia - who "fell on the sword" for Elia and Colicchio accepted! How was Howie's situation different?

posted on September 6, 2007 at 12:02 PM

Rosalie wrote:

Ted...I cannot eat and read your blog at the same time! I nearly choked on my jerk chicken for lunch.

Side note: Dined at Sola last weekend. It was fabulous. The Cod was better than Nobu...(I really like the crispy skin.) Sesame Brittle ice cream...for a Vietnamese girl, raised on sesame candy and deep fried sesame balls...I was in heaven. Saw Dale, but just smiled...wanted to be discreet.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 12:41 PM

Mark wrote:

Dear Ted,

Flying through cliffs is next weeks lesson. Getting a Hung approved palate, the week after. Finally, I would not want Howie marinated food. So, air conditioning, it must be, Southern Boy.

You know, your blog and writing reminds me that this is a show. Maybe not just a show, but a show.

Good job.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 12:45 PM

shan wrote:

I'm confused. So Tre was sent home because as leader of his group he let inadequate food be served, but Brian as leader was not, because Howie served inadequate food and was sent home. Maybe you need to post a set of actual guidelines that the judges are following because something's not adding up.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 12:58 PM

Crispy wrote:

Ted, I knew you were a kindred spirit based on your affection for bacon, but be still my heart--you also love banana puddin'! This past weekend I supervised my 7 year-old son making his first batch of puddin', and darn if it didn't make me proud because it was absolutely delicious. Love ya!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 1:00 PM

Anna wrote:

Hi Ted,

Big fan and fellow Fort Greenian (go Smoke Joint!). Just wanted to say I love your writing and THANK YOU for the banana pudding recipe. I was lucky enough to have a chance visit with a distant relative who lives in North Carolina a number of years back who introduced me to this dish. I have to say, my life was changed and I embarked upon a number of years in high school making this wonderful dish, usually cheating and using packaged vanilla pudding. But now I'm definitely going to try the from scratch version. Also, if you're in the nabe and you haven't tried it, Magnolia makes a mean banana pudding. Watch out, I'm sure it's pure cream. But it's delicious if you can manage to hold yourself back from the cupcake table.

Cheers!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 1:07 PM

MarinaZ wrote:

Ted, you kill me! I have to tell you that I was considering boycotting Top Chef once they sent Tre packing. I seriously do not believe that the remaining cheftestants have Tre's talent.

I take exception to Padma telling Howie that THEY make the decision who goes home--what about last season when Mia "threw herself under the bus" for Elia? The judges are not consistent.

Thank you for writing such entertaining and thoughtful blogs. Looking forward to next week!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 1:23 PM

Irv wrote:

Dawgbite, Michael Symon has two restaurants in Cleveland: Lola AND Lolita.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 1:36 PM

chocolateohm wrote:

Ted -
Reading your blog is like smelling a refreshing spring rain as it washes away the vile bile spewed by Bourdain. Thanks for your thoughtful remarks and literary mirror.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 2:06 PM

anne wrote:

I was a new Top Chef viewer this season. As my son and I are Food Network addicts, finding Top Chef was another treat. Short lived. The season opener held promise, being able to deduce the gist of the show from seeing the previous seasons' winners perform. As the weeks rolled on, it became harder to assume that the contestants were all chefs (as opposed to cooks) and that there was a definitive set of standards for elimination. Some of this group are extremely talented, and obviously deserve to be named 'chef'. Some are just cooks, who prepare food to eat. A lot of us can do that. I have been impressed by the creativity, resourcefulness, quality of chefs like Casey, Tre, CJ, Dale, and others. But come on, Clay, Sandee, Howie ...just people who happen to cook food.
The judging has been a conundrum. Tom didn't know that a seafood was low cholesterol. No one brought up the fact that fresh pineapple will prevent gelatin from setting - did anyone know this? Anyone who has read a Jello box does. The continued presence of Howie (as a commercial draw in the antagonist position), especially after not plating in the first round, was an irritant. Really lousy food, and a contestant stays. Good food but not the right interpretation and the contestant leaves. I have seen more poor choices of dishes than in a roadside diner. I finally quit watching last week when Tre was let go. I understand how it was decided, but others deserved it more - CJ and Brian just plain backed off.
I have become addicted to the blogs. You guys are a riot! Would I love to cook with some of you! After learning Howie finally was gone I had to watch a rerun of the show to see how the judges came to their senses. Disappointed again. He basically just quit - he was no match for the competition and knew it. But using your reasoning last week, and the fact he had stayed after not plating before, Brian should have gone. And the food - how on earth can most of those contestants hold up their heads? Except the carpaccio, bread pudding, and seafood sausage there was no creativity, no planning, the food all looked 'yuck'. My 95 year old aunt can make better party dishes than those. And the budget was out of line - by Padma's own reasoning at 10 canapes per hour, they would have needed 1800, at a cost of little over 5 cents each. Impossible to even put CheezWhiz on a cracker for that. (And the Bertolli show was despicable - even I won't use that stuff.)
Will keep reading the blogs, you're great. No more shows.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 2:18 PM

elr wrote:

Why the double standard in attacking Howie's dishes and praising Hung's?
You can find the salmon on cucumber at the same Texas conference for Insurance adjusters as Howie's dishes. So why is Hung smart for doing something very unoriginal and Howie a schmuck for doing the same?
I understand that it was Howie's time, I understand the reasons why but if you purely look at the dishes, Hung was absolutely out of style. And if this is Top Chef and every single challenge you have to make the best dish possible, then I don't understand why Tom accepted the answer from Hung that he could have done a lot better and Tom agreeing with him in an understandable way, I felt that this was a miss representation of the contest. If this would truly be - something that the judges constantly repeat- a decision based on every single perfomrance, then this should have been a double evection week for Howie and Hung both. I love this show but it shows again that showbiz/reality shows don't work without hypocrisy.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 2:33 PM

John Tedesco wrote:

Ted,

The QF was demoralizing and set the tone for the remainder of the episode. It didn't help much that the guest judge was being a prat and far too picky given the parameters the chefs had to work with. Guys - pick a constraint, any constraint - but just one. Selct from this ailse with a decent budget. Shop in any ailse with just 10 bucks. But both of those AND 30 minutes to cook, well, that's why you got the smurfmonkey village and an upside down empty glass. After all - which was the worse sin - Howie's empty glass or Michael's snickers-cheeto from S2, that the judges found rude and condescending?
Finally, the boat - some big problems here. If you're going to feed some important guests then let THEM decide who stays, who goes. Otherwise you have guests saying the duxelles and salmon-caviar-cucumber were good when the guest judge says they weren't - I thought chefs are supposed to please their customers, and know who their customers are - not each other. This is why, as Chef Bourdain surmises, that Hung went simple because he interpreted Glam Miami fashionistas as model beanpoles who fill up on saltines. Finally, guest chef/judge what's-his-name (seriously, the best you could do?) told Howie his food tasted like [bleep]. That's not criticism, that's nasty, on national teevee, and completely uncalled for.
I do agree however that Howie tried to save face and quit before he was eliminated and I can see differences as well as the parallels among him Mia and Otto. Their quitting made sense, Howie's was a damage control measure.
The show is setting itself up for a name change to Mediocre Chef. If a talented chef flies too close to the sun and gets burned, he or she is off. But if you consistently land in the middle and then get lucky in the last 2 or challenges, well, ask Ilan what happens next....
Post Script: Thanks to the marathon before the new episode, I got to see you effusively declaring how great and innovative Hung's Tuna Tartare a la Nicoise was to Buloud, yet you called it cliche the next night to Zakarian. What's up with that?

posted on September 6, 2007 at 2:38 PM

Jean wrote:

I missed the first part explaining the Quickfire...but laughed at Hung's dish. I thought he should have won just on sheer creativity.

I'm glad I didn't have to taste Brian's dish. Ugh! Spam. I hate Spam, and no amount of frizzled onions or bean-paste glaze or balsamic drip or tomato water or any of the other weird-assed things these folks make is going to make Spam taste like anything other than Spam.

After hearing the rules for the Elimination Challenge, I gave all of the chefs kudos just for being able to put together enough food for 60 people using a $350 budget. I want to shop where they shop and get the same prices they get. There's no way in Hades I could feed that many people on that little amount of money...and I do the bulk of my grocery shopping at Wal-Mart!

I do have one question that I'm hoping someone could answer. After the group was done shopping at the market, the camera pulled in for a close-up of the RAV-4 tailgate. Was that a California license plate? I didn't think to "replay" my TIVO though...so I didn't look at it again. Did I see it incorrectly? If I didn't, I'm just trying to figure out why they would have a California-registered car in a Florida-based show.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 2:43 PM

Colleen wrote:

I look forward to your blog as much as I look forward to the show! Thanks for interesting writing and a mention of my literary friend Jonathon.
C

posted on September 6, 2007 at 2:55 PM

Adele wrote:

Ted,
I started going to the TC website to read Bourdain's blog, but now I read yours as well. Like your style, love your humor. I agree that Hung's party selection was less than inspired, but given the crowd and the budget, I don't think it was terrible. My bigger issue is that Bryan either is or isn't a leader. If he's not the next to go, he should be.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 3:08 PM

Marcy Sheiner wrote:

Ah, Ted, you are a real gem--the best part of Top Chef. I look forward to reading your blog from the moment the show ends. Keep up the great, funny critiques.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 3:09 PM

Zack wrote:

IMO, every judge last night acted like an ass. That $350.00 challenge was set up for failure and no matter how well the dishes came out, the judges were still going to be far over the top in their criticisms.

Note to judges, producers and editors. Their is only one Simon Cowell and IMO, he can pull off his act because he comes off as a stereotypical British snob. You do not have that luxury. The last thing you want to do is turn off your audience. The show shouldn't be about how big of a jerk a judge can be. It should be about the chefs.

The quick fire was a joke. I don't like Howie, but lets face it. Howie had one crappie isle of food to deal with.

The quick fire judge was so bad last night, I was hoping that one of the chefs would pull a knife out of the block that would have that chef choosing products from the pet food isle, for the quick fire. Milk Bones anyone?

posted on September 6, 2007 at 3:49 PM

topcheffanatic wrote:

Hi, Panama City Ted, and others. Glad to see the program back this week. All I can say as a normally enhanced 70 year old cook, chef want-to-be from the south.....Is where is the imagination of the Top Chef Contestents. When put before a crowd or making a meal, Betty Crocker and the Joy of Cooking reign supreme....They are in South FLA. foods abound and cultures abound and the cast is not wonderbread, but I feel their food is. Please guys and gals, take it up a notch. Sorry to be so negative, but it is hard to find positivity in these cooking styles......Thanks Ted for being here, I'm for you and all the judges. What a job! Thanks

posted on September 6, 2007 at 3:50 PM

Hot Coffee wrote:

NO FORMULA!

To those who are clamoring for a set criteria for the judging I say, No Way! Every challenge is different. If you want a standardized process, take the TAKS test and leave yourself behind!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 3:51 PM

bipolarbear wrote:

The judges were nasty last night, especially the guest judge, what's his name with the goatee. He was a major ass, spewing out unconstructive criticisms and unecessary profanity. Did he really have to say: "What the f*** is this?" to Hung's QF challenge dish, "This is f***ing ugly" to Howie's asparagus cigars, ant then telling Howie, "Your food tasted like crap."

I also didn't care much for Tom C's snapping at the chefs to "get out of here" after the elimination. C'mon, you're a judge...show some professionalism and respect for your chefs.

I also read Rocco's and Anthony's blogs...why didn't anyone mention this? Surely, they all can't condone it.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 4:12 PM

scarlett o'hara wrote:

Hi Ted. Love your blog. If you are ever in Michigan I am a displaced Southerner and will be happy to make you banana pudding and great fried chicken.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 4:13 PM

Raphael wrote:

I have to agree with several other bloggers. The judges let Mia and Otto withdraw from the competition. Howie should have been permitted the same courtesy. Really judges, kicking him off after he volunteered to step down makes you look petty and vindictive.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 4:34 PM

Julia wrote:

Anthony bourdain totally got Hung and his Smurfs but you, like gail and chef tom seem to enjoy to putting Hung down whenever you can.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 5:51 PM

Deborah R wrote:

Ah, I can see him now. The lone bulldog/seagull soaring across the horizon. Brilliant, Ted, just brilliant. Poor Howie, he underscores the notion that some of us are our own worst enemies. But I think he woke up to it in the end, which puts him ahead of those who never seem to figure out where they went wrong.

For once I agreed with Hung. The guest judge had no imagination and seemed to be a bit of a ... well, a bit of a Hung himself. I half expected him to tell the cheftestants "my monkey could do that!" I'm sorry he couldn't appreciate the Smurf Village. It isn't every day that you're presented with a culinary masterpiece constructed from Fruit Loops.

As for Michael Kukich's posting about Casey: Dale told us last week that his knife skills are horrible--is he being kept around as eye candy, too? Since she's won two quick fires and managed to impress the ed-in-chief of the nation's premier food magazine, Casey must be a talented chef. You shouldn't assume the judges share your inability to see past her looks. With a chauvenistic attitude like yours, Michael, you might want to steer clear of Howie's restaurant. We know how he loves to cook pork.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 6:21 PM

Loretta wrote:

Hung's "Smurf Village" had me laughing....and this is the first for me with this show. As much as I love the show, laughing is definitely optional. With the choices Hung had on his supermarket aisle hunt, he went for the outrageous. Good for Hung! People (like the judges) need to loosen up sometimes. Yes, the show is giving away money, trips and some culinary exploitation in Aspen but these chefs careers on not hinging on Bravo and Top Chef giving them their own restaurant or show!
Sure some of those appetizers on the "yacht" were visually unappealing; however, the fashion whores gobbled them up, didn't they? Free food is good! And that 4"2" new fashion designer just "loving" Casey's beef in a spoon......PLEASE! The only thing I wanted to eat from a spoon last nite was the Pepto Bismol to combat the nausea I felt watching the cranky judges and Michael Schwartz! Is he Rocco Dispirito's siamese half or what? The last time I saw a head that big was at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade!
Was Padma having a bad hair day or was she just so flustered by that blooming blouse she had on? How about Tom? OK, we know he wasn't having a bad hair day.......We all have bad days but last nite the judges were definitely ad commercials for Midol! Yikes, even I watching TV felt horrible and unloved.
$350 for upscale appetizers....give me a break! I bet Tom doesn't hand his chefs at his restaurants $350 and tell them to shop till they drop and produce high quality food. Just think how many pigs in a blanket $350 would have bought!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 7:01 PM

jake wrote:

I can't say I was overly impressed with Michael Schwartz's culinary erudition in watching his reaction to Hung's screwball but somehow appealing and innovative offering for the quickfire challenge. It's a shame that we as blog responders are expected to meet basic profanity standards in our comments (we know better words than most TV audiences, after all) and then some supposed paragon of culinary expertise sounds like the guy at the end of the bar in Cheektowaga, NY when the Bills quarterback gets sacked.

Hung got dealt a really bad hand and decided to just chuck it and have fun with it, offering a dish that was at least visually appealing and appeals to those of us who appreciate chefs who can still have fun with their food. Schwartz came across as coarse and vulgar, and as a chef who took himself far too seriously.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 7:10 PM

jennifer wrote:

Ted- i enjoy reading your blog and watching you on tv. Howie-i love you! one day i hope i am fortunate enough to get to meet you. good luck and God bless

posted on September 6, 2007 at 7:56 PM

Ellen wrote:

Well, the guy had to go - we all knew it. The problem is, last night didn't feel like the right time. I'd begun to grow fond of the gentler, more cooperative Howie. But last night?

I keep thinking back to that retch-inducing heap of risotto he produced for restaurant wars part one - the dish (and the attitude behind it) which brought his team down. THAT was deserving of his fall. Instead he received a get-out-of-jail-free card, and the viewers were treated to restaurant wars redux (and the fall of Tre, who, if the restaurant wars challenge had been a one-night stand, would still have been standing). Was that scenario constructed for the benefit of the contestants, the viewers, or Madonna's horrid little brother?

I'm not certain what these challenges show us about either chefs, competition, or reality.* And frankly, I'm not always certain what they show us about entertainment. That said, last night's quickfire challenge truly made me laugh - Hung's demented landscape created from cereal bits and pieces was brilliant. I wouldn't want to eat it, but I love its very existence.

* As this season wears on (and it is beginning to wear), it seems that the only way to survive is to avoid sticking one's neck out or taking any risks. What's left is middle-of-the-road and homogenized and boring (I don't blame Hung in the least for his elimination entry - he's not stupid). I know it's all a game, but ... how many more scallop dishes or seafood sausages or tuna tartare must we bear? And when do we get to really see them cook?

posted on September 6, 2007 at 8:01 PM

Julia wrote:

I hope Hung and Dale make the finale...but honestly I like all the chefs except CJ for what he did or didn't do regarding Trey.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 8:37 PM

jp wrote:

Does anyone else have a problem with the fact that CJ made a seafood sausage for an appetizer...doesn't really seem like an original idea...especially since Brian has worked that combination 2x's already.....Also, I am in such Tre withdrawl... it's just not the same!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 9:01 PM

Stacey wrote:

Ted - I absolutely loved sitting through your demo in Cleveland on Saturday (I was the Stacey whose mom has got it going on). Thank you for giving a shout out to the little town that often 'could not', these days!

Thank you also for taking all of your incredible high level experiences & knowledge and making all of these things accessible to the average person interested in food. I have learned a considerable amount from you, and I appreciate your patience as well as your willingness to simplify the culinary world. Keep on rockin'....be it to Neil Diamond or not!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 9:25 PM

C wrote:

Ted dude get it right - Hung's quote was "MY monkey can do that" Do you think he is referring to an actual primate? After seeing Hung in action low these several weeks I think NOT!

posted on September 6, 2007 at 9:32 PM

TMC wrote:

Ted, I usually agree with your comments, but I this time I bed to differ. I though it was incredibly rude the way Padma said "It's the judges choice" because other contestants have offered to step aside without such a rude backlash. There are other ways to handle that, though I realize we as viewers need to take editing into account. Regardless, I was left wondering where the judges manners were this evening.
It seems more and more that Bravo is going for the "reality show" experience which focuses on the constraints of the challenge and in this case not the food. This latest episode reminded me of the physical challenge on the old show Double Dare....time constraints and crappy products. I really liked Top Chef when it first came out because it was so unlike the other reality shows out there. It is rapidly approaching the point of no return, which is sad. At leas I'll have an extra hour of free time.

I would really like to see the judges, especially the soon to return Anthony Bourdain, as well as Tom Colicchio, attempt some of the stunts these contestants are required to pull off without making mistakes or serving food that could be labeled as uninspired. As of right now, not only are the challenges extremely ridiculous, but the judges are heading in that direction as well.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 9:48 PM

Megan wrote:

Come on folks, Cassey's knife skills cannot be that bad if she cut that carpaccio by hand so beautifully. Maybe her knife really was dull? And should she sunbath covered from head to toe? Her winning with the carpaccio was no different than the winning shrimp trio dishes. I thought it was a nice appetizer, and it actually did need the spoon since it had a shitake broth.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 9:54 PM

SJH wrote:

Hey Ted-
You are awesome- love your blogs.
I echo the criticisms of previous bloggers: what is up with these ridiculous budget constraints ? The chefs are so focused on the budget that it detracts from the prep of their food. A $350 budget to cater a boat full of pretentious Miami glamazon wannabes ? I spend more on that cooking Thanksgiving dinner for my family !!!!
Also, will you guys EVER admit that you hate Padma as much as a majority of your viewers do ??!?!?

posted on September 6, 2007 at 10:50 PM

Tatiana Bliss wrote:

Ted, your blog is so much better than the show.

posted on September 6, 2007 at 11:25 PM

SoTired wrote:

I am so very tired of the long suffering CJ. Is there a bigger wimp in the competition? Also, Casey reminds me of Salieri in Amadeus - is she the poster child for mediocracy? As for Brian....well, duh! Hung was right, play to the middle instead of the top and you have got a shot at winning. Stay strong Howie and Tre - you both should have been in the final three.

posted on September 7, 2007 at 12:00 AM

Stephen Monkarsh wrote:

Dear Ted:

Your prose is wicked good. It is so difficult to find such fabulous literary allusions and syntax. Too bad you aren't single!! Alas, I digress.

Getting back on point, regarding the ode to Jonathan Livingston Seagull, it was a tear jerker of a film. No tears were shed, however, for "the bulldog." I think the judges have been overly kind to Howie since the beginning of the season. If I recall correctly, Howie failed to present his dish in a timely fashion on the very first episode; a certain death knell he somehow averted. Frankly, I was disgusted throughout this season by his arrogant, obnoxious, abrasive behavior....not to mention being aghast while watching him sweat profusely from his forehead while preparing the dishes.

Tout est bien qui finit y bien. All is well that ends well!! I look forward to the next episode without the stuffed bird.

Stephen

posted on September 7, 2007 at 12:55 AM

FanFare wrote:

Dear Ted,
Thank you for this amusing blog. It is great to see you back to you pitch perfect prose from your mixed metaphorical tour of last week (Were you off your meds, honey?)... The analogy comparing Howie to JLS is extremely creative and actually appropriate seeing that Howie bit the dust on a boat out to sea...
The bad news is that TC fans' favorite "heavy" will no longer take the spotlight and give us something to complain about. The good news is that TC fans' favorite "heavy" will no longer take the spotlight from the rest of the crew. The fact that he had a hissy fit at QF and tipped his glass in defiance did not impress me. He was the king of excuses. He garnered way too much air and blog time. His departure rates a, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." The amazing thing about Howie is that he was allowed to linger so long on the show. He was given too much focus and airtime, even though he wasn't that great (except in his own mind). Now we can all move on with the rest of the season in peace and quiet.
It is interesting that faboulous Tre was booted for being too lax with "his crew" and creating/serving poor products. That seemed to be exactly what Brian did. Yet, he slid by. hmmm. It is fair to say that Howie laid the bigger egg.
The guest judge was very creepy, meanspirited, and charm free. Hung's QF entry was funny, period. At least he presented something that was probably edible and did it with style. I have found Hung to cook with joy in his heart and on his face. Obvoiusly, it was infectious to the rest of the cheftestants (except the cantankerous H-Bomb).

posted on September 7, 2007 at 7:31 AM

Dusty wrote:

Hi Ted, I don't know about the seagull comparision, but you reminded me how funny the whole episode was to watch, from Hung's smurf village to Howie's varied emotions. I think the challenges in this episode were very creative. Top Chef hooked me on the first season and I am still enjoying it very much.

posted on September 7, 2007 at 7:59 AM

Zack wrote:

If you really want to improve Top Chef, then it seems to me that no dish ought to be replicated twice by any chef within the season. Every week it seems like a dish is trotted out that has been made earlier in the season by one chef or another. For example, if one chef makes fillet mignon, then no chef including that chef who first made it ought to be allowed to make that dish again for that entire season. That would basically weed out the one trick (dish) pony chefs.

posted on September 7, 2007 at 9:02 AM

Zack wrote:

If you are going to give out rewards for winning challenges, then it seems to me that the values of those prizes ought to be about the same. No way should a computer have been given out when you consider the costs of the other prizes previously awarded. But then again, Casey got the computer so I shouldn't be surprised.

posted on September 7, 2007 at 9:37 AM

Jade wrote:

Hung's Quickfire challenge submission was definitely out there, but hey, it could have been worse: there could have been foam involved. ;)

Seriously, I thought the purpose of the challenge was to do something wild and impressive with a limited budget. You can't say Hung's edible diorama didn't fit the bill. It also added yet another facet to what appears to be an already multi-faceted personality.

I just wonder if getting the reaction he did to his QF dish is what sent him to go in completely the opposite direction for the elimination challenge. It was like he was saying, "Fine, you don't like wild and crazy? I'll give you the safe, boring crap you seem to want." Unfortunately, that almost got him sent packing.

I hope he manages to find a happy medium between uber-bland and Bizarroland. He's way too talented not to go all the way.

posted on September 7, 2007 at 1:30 PM

leslie wrote:

ted,
you are really dating yourself with the jonathon livingston seagull reference-a favorite of mine
ahhh the 70's

posted on September 7, 2007 at 3:29 PM

ely wrote:

HOWIE AND HUNG ARE HEROES

Vijay and Mike nailed it. The rules and the judging have been inconsistent to an extent that is incredibly insulting both to the viewers and to these talented chefs who are putting their careers on the line.

In one episode, Tom says it's not about personality, it's about the food; in the next, he says being a top chef is all about leadership qualities. The chefs are told to take risks, and then excoriated for doing so. They are told to serve only the best, and then criticized for for refusing to serve a sub-par dish. They are told to serve high-end food, and then given a fast-food budget. They are told to be creative, and then mocked for doing so. The judges graciously allow culinary sepuku (honorable suicide) in one episode, and then churlishly refuse to accept it in another. They are morons.

My heros on the last episode were Howie and Hung. They both, in their own inimitable ways, told the judges to screw themselves: Howie directly, as usual, and Hung, as usual, passive-aggressively. Does anyone really think Hung was playing the fool? The other chefs were laughing their heads off -- as was I --precisely because they all totally understood Hung's attitude: "OK, you asked for over-the-top-, risk-taking, colorful presentation, budget-conscious, outside-the-box-thinking wizardry? Here it is. Shove it." Good for Hung. And smart for Hung. He let off steam in a challenge that was totally without consequence. Poor Howie took it all seriously. But as usual, Howie was honest enough to tell it straight to the judges' faces.

Howie has always been honest, whether you like him or not. Since Episode One, he has stood up to the judges (which is why they dislike him). Although he has criticized other chefs, he has never blamed them for his own failings. And his decision to throw himself on his sword (or knife) for Brian was one of the most touching and honorable acts I have seen on this often silly show.

Good for Howie. Great for Howie.

Win or lose, I feel he triumphed over the sulking judges. He exited, not with his tail between his legs, but with his middle finger firmly raised in the wind. The next time Iam in Miami, I will make a special point to visit his restaurant.

It was the judges who came off as churlish, petulant, irrational, and obnoxious. Normally, I respect their opinions, and I do not disagree that Howie should have lost for the last episode's dishes. But their treatment of the chefs lowered them in my esteem. They were like nasty children: "You can't quit. We want to fire you. Na-na-na-na-na."

Had they graciously accepted Howie's offer, the show could have been uplifting, but the conclusion simply left me with a bad taste in my mouth. The nastier the judges acted, the more Howie grew in stature in comparison.

Finally, the judges' treatment of Brian, and his having to almost tearfully defend himself as Executive Chef, enfuriated me. He IS Executive Chef at an outstanding restaurant which is packed every night with discriminated diners.

I invite Padma to spend ONE NIGHT in the kitchen of Oceanaire and let's see how well she does. Wouldn't that be a great episode? Padma as Executive Chef, Tom in the front of the house insulting away all the diners, and the guest judges running around the kitchen in hysterics trying to create haute cuisine out of Sh-t and Shinola.

Watch what happens....

posted on September 7, 2007 at 5:59 PM

E wrote:

These judges suck. If they had gone the high end, less food side, they would have gotten grief. In previous episodes when they did desert, they got grief for that too, even though I bet $500 and a tar-tar that if they hadn't included desert in the tasting menu, they would have caught crap for that too.

I agree with the above poster. The judges have no integrity left.

I stop watching if CJ weren't so cute. Wonder if he'd consider dating a girl only 5 foot 1.

posted on September 7, 2007 at 7:31 PM

Ann wrote:

Good post "ely". I agree.

If I had been Howie, when Padma told him, "It's not your decision", I would have said exactly what I was thinking and the judges wouldn't have appreciated it. However, no one has noticed that Howie said nothing and was a total gentleman.

Another thing, no one mentions is that Howie has won 2 elimination rounds, I think that's more than anyone else.

But, in reality, it actually could have been Howie's decision. He could have very well turned around and walked away. What would the judges have done? They would have deserved that considering how childish, snotty, mean and miserable they are getting to be in their treatment of certain contestants.

Tom said "Get out of here"? Give me a break.

I loved it when Howie said to the judges, "you think I care about fashion. My whole outfit is from Target. " Way to go Howie, especially when so many of them think that they are the end all and be all of "high end" in everything. I love it when a down to earth person honest person can put pretenders in their places.

posted on September 7, 2007 at 8:17 PM

nece wrote:

Ted is it just me or did Sara not get a gift for her big elimination win last week, and Casey got this amazing gift for a small win. Sara's win last week was for the biggest, most important challenge so far! I dont know if I missed something or they just did'nt show it after editing but all she got was a good job and a pat on the back. If you get a chance can you address this issue please.

posted on September 7, 2007 at 8:41 PM

Ted wrote:

Thanks, all, for commenting. Leslie, I've dated myself honestly from the beginning of my little TV career, more's the pity-- but, for the record, when Jonathan Livingston Seagull came out, it was 1970, and I was five...

posted on September 7, 2007 at 10:43 PM

Coaster wrote:

I thought that this latest episode (Float Boat) was the funniest one to date.

My Bride and I laughed all of the way through it………until Howie tried to duck out. LMAO! Howie was pissed the second that the guest judge slammed him with a look that said it all. Howie was on his list from that point on. Now, I did read Chef Tonys blog on this episode and I agree with what he said wholeheartedly. Howie just wasn’t ready to accept the fact that he’s a hacker of a Chef. That sounds mean but, I feel it’s true. Howie had not one bit of history as a true Top Chef to draw from to astound the judges with true Float Boat fare. Although, Hung did…….LMAO! What a laugh we had.

Ted, as always, you’re a pretty good judge but, it’s too bad that all of you judge’s can’t see the Behind The Scene takes before lowering the boom. But, I do understand the logistic problems the producers would face doing that.
I think that if Top Chef has any class, they’ve already stepped up to the plate and have set Tre up with a spot on the production of the show like they’ve done previously with a past contestant. At least we hope so. He does possess class. It was also sad for us to see him leave the show so early. I think…..god forgive me for saying this…..the only one to date, sans Tre, that has what it’s going to take the grand prize is…………here goes……Hung. He will be this seasons Top Chef. God forgive me but, this episode was absolutely hilarious. And Hung made it so. At least he tried and to say that his dishes where HISTORIC? What? 800 years old Hung? WTF???? I think he was still caught up in his fantasy land he made in the quick fire challenge. LMAO! At least we know now that he has a sense of humor.
Casey………I agree with many on this Ted. I think that she's only there because she’s eye candy. Although, without having tasted her dishes………I regress.

Chef Tom said on his blog that he reformed his opinion about Brian in this episode. Again, it would be fairer to the contestant chefs’ that each of the judge’s see what has gone on behind the scenes before they throw them to the lions.

I do feel that the guest judge in this episode appeared to be the Lees (Trub/Sur lie) of the barrel as far as being a Top Chef judge. Surely Top Chef isn’t scratching the bottom of the barrel yet are they? It's only their third year Ted?

CJ didn’t impress me too much. He took up where Brian left off. Seafood again…..?!?!?! And Sara's Tomato Bread Pudding? What’s up with that?

Too many dishes are being done over and over. Like Chef Tom remarked about. Tuna Tar-Tar again? LMAO! My Bride said the same thing.

Can’t wait to see what’s in store on the next episode. Hope you’re back soon Ted although, Chef Tony will, I’m sure, tear them up at the table on this next episode…..as he does so well. If ever I was to be cut to pieces, I’d prefer it be by Chef Tony. Not literally though…………he has a sharp knife unlike Casey and a sharp tongue.

Be well Ted.

Coaster

posted on September 7, 2007 at 11:14 PM

Carissa wrote:

I'm echoing Kathy - I hope Sara won something for the restaurant challenge! I can't believe they'd give her a pat on the back and then hand Casey a MacBook the next episode. Please tell me she at least got a bottle of Bombay Sapphire - which I've always thought would be delightful with some Spam. Sigh.

posted on September 7, 2007 at 11:47 PM

meleny wrote:

Hi Ted! You seem to be trying to be Bourdain. You're not. But you are fabulous as Ted Allen. All that crap about JL Seagull. OK, we see the connection but, as Howie's excuses, it was lame and would have put you in consideration for "packing your knives". Get on with the Ted Allen review. It is point on and an amuse bouche that delights!

posted on September 8, 2007 at 3:17 AM

Lisa wrote:

It amazes me how many people write about Casey as being nothing more than eye candy for the show. I assumed from her bio. that she is an established chef. I know that I heard Tre comment on the truth of that. I just wonder how many of the people wriring these remarks have personally tried her food, how many are legitimate judges as they themselves are chefs at 3 to 4 star restaurants, how many are "Want-a-be's", and how many are down right jealous for there own lack of looks or youth? I guess you can tell by my asking those questions just how much I love this show, and how much I hate uninformed cruelty dressed in the guise of witty critiques. I think everyone of them has heard Tom Collechio comment on the total level of experience of this season of TC, as being alot higher than that contained within the previous seasons . Please remind these people of that and maybe those wearing blinders will remember that this is all about having a true love of the game as well as a deep respect for the profession.

posted on September 8, 2007 at 5:23 PM

Shannon wrote:

I would have thought that Howie would have received credit for not putting a mess on a plate and sending it out. How many times have the judges reaffirmed the importance of not serving anything short of your best.

Oh, the hypocrisy.

And CJ might be the most annoying blowhard I have ever watched. I hope he is not trusted.

posted on September 8, 2007 at 6:15 PM

Starrlight wrote:

OMG, this was a classic blog entry. Jonathon Livingston Bulldog indeed. I'd pay BIG to have dinner with Ted and Tony Bourdain!

posted on September 8, 2007 at 9:29 PM

Kat wrote:

Good blog. I hope by now Howie realizes he should have ALWAYS served something. Top Chef is a game show, a competition. It's NOT a weekly showcase of your talent and best possible dishes ever. There are obstacles to be faced by everyone. But SERVE SOMETHING. (Even a Smurf Village can make a contribution by showing effort in the face of futility--and lightening the mood).

Despite what he (and now, you) say, though, Hung hasn't convinced me at all that he's a CPA. His comment that the salmon/cucumber/caviar rounds would probably appeal to an average palate (and the guess that these "fashionistas" were not going to have particularly sophisticated palates) was not rank snobbery. It certainly appeared he was right.

I still hope Hung will win--but that Sara, Casey, and Dale get to hang around longer than Brian and CJ, two cheftestants who seem to "opt-out" an awful lot.

Oh, and re: the product placement for Apple's MacBook, Ted? I've got only two words to share with ya': Software. Games.

Adieu, Howie Livingston Seagull. You gave it a good run.

posted on September 8, 2007 at 9:49 PM

Cris wrote:

Ted Allen, how come you are suck a brown noser to Anthony Bourdain? When dining at Garage on the 1st night, you clearly enjoyed Hung's Tuna TarTar, yet on the 2nd night dining at Quatre with Anthony Bourdain , you ordered it a 2nd time and said it was cliche. Was this your way of brown nosing while Anthony Bourdain was there? Don't you have your own opinion?

posted on September 9, 2007 at 4:30 AM

Dana wrote:

Hi Ted,

I just wanted to say "thanks" for your posts, I think its great to know you're reading our responses! Whether one word or more, it's nice to hear from you more than once a week!
Thanks again,

posted on September 9, 2007 at 4:34 AM

PeachPie wrote:

"No dice, said Padma. Tom looked disgusted. And then, just as they should have, they threw him off."

Are you guys judging the food or the contestants personalities?

It doesnt matter what Howie's motives were. Period. Two past contestants wee allowed to bow out and Howie was not. The judges didn't like Howie? So what. I didn't like Howie much either.

The point is consistency in the rules.

And if this is "all about the food", then don't let your personal dislike for a chef color your decisions.

posted on September 9, 2007 at 9:05 AM

precious wrote:

So wait a minute. Maybe I'm misinterpreting what you've written.
Are you saying they saw Howie say f**k them in the stew room and that's why they threw him off?

I don't understand why you guys didn't allow him to walk away as he wanted to. Padma was rude to him. Tom should have turned his disgust in her direction rather than Howie's. She is a real piece of work and quite unpleasant. She looks at them like they're dirt.

Why would anyone of them be surprised by what Howie said? He's been spouting off like that since the beginning of the season.

I guess as long as it was directed towards the other cheftestants it was OK.
I think Howie was being honest when he thought Brian might be asked to leave. I certainly thought it would be Brian as the so called leader of the team. Isn't that why Tre was told to leave?

The only difference between the two of them was Tre was called executive chef (which Brian very cowardly made it clear he wasn't), and Brian was called leader.
It really is six in one hand and a half dozen in the other.

posted on September 9, 2007 at 12:37 PM

Virginia wrote:

Ted,
[About Howie]
First of all, Howie is very very very smart.
I completely agree. He seemed to have given up long before this episode. I mean, it almost [if I was a suspicious person] seemed as if Howie planned it.
Not so much the Quickfire - because I think [of course, without actually EATING the dish] that Howie was correct in his decision to not put out something he wasn't proud of. However, I believe he took advantage of the situatuion. He wanted an out, and he had to beat Brian to it. [Since Brian is expressing that he's homesick, etc]
He reeled us in against the judges [but I could never turn against you, Ted XD) by making the decision to not put anything out against an ass of a judge who was apparently ignorant to the advice of judges previously.
So, Howie made the decision to turn over a new leaf and become 'New-Howie' and make fans happy that he was trying. [He is either brilliant or so very lucky] He knows the behaviour of the people he's been LIVING with for weeks on end. He realised that the jerks [*cough cough* CJ and Hung *cough cough*] would make comments about his fugly dish, but not directly to him, but, they would on the dessert [or another dish] since Howie had the balls to not send something out first.
This, again, made fans feel bad for 'New Howie'.
All Howie had to do was spike - and he spiked HARD.

He might've been mad at you judges, because by coming out and defending Brian, and saying he was withdrawing himself he MADE the judges look like complete jerks. [It wasn't their fault] The judges had 2 options:
Kick Howie off - and made them look stupid for making them wait and saying Howie couldn't do it.
OR
Kick someone else off and make it look like they did it in SPITE of Howie. Yes, it sucked for them. And, Howie made sure of it.

So, that's my conspiracy theory - take it as you will.

Personally, I think it's a stroke of brillance.

posted on September 9, 2007 at 1:09 PM

Candace wrote:

Hi, Ted!

I can't believe they kept Howie as long as they did. And I will certainly miss TRE.

:(

posted on September 9, 2007 at 5:42 PM

Dave C wrote:

hung got the cereal aisle. CEREAL! it's easy to look at his dish and say "WTF is that?" but i wonder what any of the other chefs (including the judge) would have done with cereal. and i think had all 7 chefs had to use cereal, hung might not win but might be in the top 3 JUST off creativity alone. i applaud former "bad guy" hung ....while other chefs complained about their aisles (which were all far better than the cereal aisle) hung took a light fun attitude towards the challenge.

and i do think brian had a HUGE advantage with his aisle. in fact, i was watching the show with some other people and the second it showed his aisle i literally said "i'll bet anyone brian wins this challenge". not sure if chefs are familiar with spam, but to us "common folk" there are literally hundreds of things you can do with spam.

i never really liked howie. and everything he does seems to be a cop out. but one thing was that others have been "allowed" to "fall on their swords" in the past. i wonder why howie wasn't allowed to do the same?

posted on September 9, 2007 at 9:55 PM

ilovwhijiki wrote:

Since my heart was broken with Tre's departure, I missed the next episode on purpose. Any chance he could come back (similar to the surprise second chances of last season's Project Runway)?

Second question: When are you going to have a Vegan or Vegetarian salad using Tofu or Tempeh?

That's it. Love your show!

posted on September 10, 2007 at 12:10 AM

Cory wrote:

Ted, I always love your blogs. I'll have to go back and reread yours though as I got distracted by picturing our erstwhile Howie as a seagull. We can always count on you for a new and interesting perspective, keep it up!

posted on September 10, 2007 at 1:41 AM

Meredith wrote:

TEAM CASEY!

posted on September 10, 2007 at 6:58 PM

Morgaine Swann wrote:

Another Mac addict?! I knew there was something I liked about you. Do you have an iPhone yet?

posted on September 10, 2007 at 10:53 PM

Sally Hand wrote:

You do diservice to Jonathan. Howie is no leader. JLS taught others to fly - Howie taught no one to cook.

posted on September 11, 2007 at 5:03 PM

Lori B wrote:

OK, for Leslie and all Jonathan Livingston Seagull reminicsers (sp?) , what about "the Little Prince" , "i'm OK - You're OK!" that musical cartoon about the Point by hmmm, some Brit... and the first time you read the Tolkien trilogy. Thanks, Ted, for the blast from the past I can't seem to get out of my head.

posted on September 11, 2007 at 6:53 PM

Edwin wrote:

Richard Bach is currently about 70. He is an accomplished pilot, including working as a barnstormer and movie stunt pilot. He's also written quite a lot besides Jonathan Livingston Seagull. I think it's kind of sad he's mostly known for that rather silly book.

OK; I didn't like Howie. I also think Sarah N was at least as good in the "eye candy" department as Casey, so I find the comments about the producers keeping her for that reason suspect.

I also think that the judging has become more and more suspect: the guest judge on the hoity-toity- throng-on-a-boat episode was a reagent-grade jerk: rude, bullying, possibly stupid, clearly pompous, and obviously incapable of judicial temperament. I'll make sure to avoid any of his restaurants. At least Andrea Strong could speak a complete sentence without needing to be bleeped.

posted on September 12, 2007 at 12:10 AM

Esprit wrote:

When I first learned that Ted Allen would be judging Top Chef and contributing a blog, I looked forward to enjoying his comedic talent. Unfortunately, his blogs have become so distracting with word flourish, they are simply too difficult to read. Perhaps wit and wisdom are served best in bite-sized pieces.

posted on September 12, 2007 at 6:31 AM

korina wrote:

Personally I am glad the judges have put a stop to the contestants deciding when they should bail. But also, I think we have three totally different circumstances: Otto was stinking dishonest and leaving did give him a bit of grace; Mia was saving a friend and like she said, has a great gig anyway; and then our sweaty friend Howie...he just gave up, there was absolutely no honor and it was actually kind of self-serving. I mean, if you're going to go out on your terms, at least do something defiant like making a bologna on roman meal for every single challenge, you know, something that shows some gumption. But putting out crap and then saying, "It's my decision"? Huh uh, not buying it.
Next, Hung is good TV - I hate him. Well, not him personally, I don't know the guy, I just hate who he plays on TC. I can't imagine how he and Marcel could get along - there would be no breathing in any room those two egos would inhabit.
I love all the judges (except this week's guest, maybe bad editing, but all we got was rudeness without cleverness) and I absolutely adore Top Chef. I swore I would never watch reality TV, but Bravo has sucked me in over and over. I gleefully succumb.

posted on September 12, 2007 at 4:53 PM

anne wrote:

Yea, Ted,

I was also fortunate to have a Southern grandma and mother, so the real banana pudding, pecan pies, mincemeat pies etc were something to enjoy. I also remember something called yellow "pear" tomato preserves which I have never seen since.
I enjoy your postings and looking forward to the rest of the season.

Anne

posted on September 12, 2007 at 8:51 PM

mary wrote:

personally, i have no problem with howie. i think he is very talented adn just because some of the other chefs didn't like his attitude....too freakin' bad. maybe if sara had taken his advice on how NOT to put ice in a milkshake, she'd still be on the show. having said that, he did deserve to go this time around. and having said that...again...kudos to howie for stepping up and volunteering to get booted in place of brian. and where do padma and tom get off saying 'we make that decision' - did you forget you took otto's resignation in stride, as well as mia's.

posted on September 12, 2007 at 11:12 PM

Naya wrote:

I feel that the judge Schwartz, who was blasting Howie, knew him prior to this show. Their both from Miami, and I think they are rivals. The minute Howie saw him come in the kitchen to judge the quickfire , he knew he could not put out anything sub-standard. The guy had it in for Howie from the beginning. They obviously don't like each other. it was personal. It threw Howie off his game.

posted on September 13, 2007 at 12:59 AM

Gay wrote:

Please lay off Hung. The only reason Casey was so frightened of Hung and his knife was she is not very aquainted with chef knifes. After this season she is well aquainted with the camera. She gets more time than the commercials. I swear it's like watching something on the History channel and having someone giving commentary. The other night I actually switched over and listen to some of a George Bush speech. Shows how bad tv is getting or how really pitiful my life has become. I'm actually sitting here writing this. How sad.

posted on September 14, 2007 at 1:10 PM

Sheryll wrote:

"(Although I just got some exciting news about Tre today that I can’t publish; just know that good things continue for Chef Wilcox -- I’ll share the news when I can.) "

I'm assuming that you are referring to something other than just getting a five-star review, the first EVER given from the Dallas Morning News snarky food critic Bill Addison (admittedly, he's only been in Dallas about six months but this is the first five star review that he has awarded).

The review is posted on Abacus's website. Kent Rathbun, the restaurant's owner/head chef and Tre are mostly given equal credit.

posted on September 17, 2007 at 2:41 AM

Terri wrote:

When are you going to send Hung home. Being a team player is as important to being a top chef as good food. A top chef has to have a willining team as well as talent to lead. Hung is self-centered and inconsiderate of others. He is also very inconsistant.Of all the chefs he has always been my least favorite. He should have gone home instead of Joey. He asked about how to put the meal together and a top chef should be ale to take charge. Right or wrong, Joey exibited more top chef qualities than Hung.
I feel really bad for Padma for always having to give the bad news, but at she also gets to give the good news to the winner.

posted on September 19, 2007 at 10:05 PM

mike wrote:

I'm no big fan of Howie's, but I didn't like the way Michael Schwartz decided after the quickfire he had it in for Howie... he demanded to know who's food he was about to eat and you could see the disgust on his face when told it was Howie's. He decided he didn't like it BEFORE he tried it.

Simply unprofessional.

posted on September 29, 2007 at 8:49 PM