In regards to Susur's comment to Carmen on the wedding buffet episode, I didn't find it sexist at all. I think what he meant by that statement was "Tony is a man so it is only courteous that he do these things; you're a woman, women shouldn't have to lift heavy things." Well, at least that was what I interpreted it as, taking into consideration that he is a little rocky in English. I agree with others that if he had understood to use the word 'woman,' he would have used that instead.

My sister on the other hand, thought Susur was clueless and took Carmen's question LITERALLY.

Susur: "Tony is the man."
Carmen: "What about me baby?"
Susur's translation- "Am I a man too, Susur?"
thereby Susur responds: "You? You're the girl!"

I think my sister's analysis might be more accurate...Susur seems to be oblivious to the planes flying over his head, lol. But the man sure can cook!

Thanks for your blog Gail! I love reading your comments and insights!

I too, am surprised at your constant criticism of Susur's attitude. As others have pointed out in the comments, you obviously did not watch the show as closely and took several items out of context. Funny enough, on Top Chef, Tom C. is constantly pointing out how it doesn't matter what goes on in the kitchen as long as the food coming out is great. I think Jonathan is much more arrogant than Susur (arrogant versus confident) and a bit whiny--especially during the offal challenge. But if his food is good, I don't begrudge him moving on. From season 1, I know you have a long relationship with Jonathan, and it is clear in your comments you favor him. As a critic, I think you should set your personal prejudices aside and focus on the food. It also wouldn't help to cut Susur a little slack on his language, take his comments into context, and hold the other contestants to the same standards.

I love Susur, he is smart, confident, talented, and humorous which sometimes may not be appreciated by others. I was worried about the Tailgating party thinking what he was going to do. Because he is intelligent, he cooked something that was unusual and he was one of the top three selected. Hey, nothing matters as long as your food is enjoyed. Meanwhile, Rick, Tony and Jonathan were so overconfident and they were the lowest scorers. Confident is good, but sometimes overconfidence could head to derailment. I also love Marcus, very humble and hard-working. Susan is also fun to watch. I hope to see Susur, Susan and Marcus to compete!

Gael,

I'm sure the tailgating food was great. The bottom 3 were just less great than the top 3. Amazingly, 2 chefs had no idea what a typical tailgate was about: Susur and Marcus. Yet they did well. Surprisingly, all the food seemed abit pedestrian. Pizza and tacos! Wow! The regular TC cheftestants pulled out more remarkable fare! Your continued criticism of Susur's attitude surprises me. I find him focused and determined. He wants to win! If he inadvertently steps on other chefs' toes, it is up to them to say, "Ouch".

Although Susur can make people (and myself) uncomfortable, I feel like he's completely misunderstood. As many others on here have pointed out, he doesn't seem to mean the things he says because he simply doesn't understand how people interpret it over here! Plus, it's all about the food and Susur Lee is a genius

I agree that the atmosphere doesn't seem as friendly as last season, or even earlier episodes of this season. I enjoy watching friendly rivalry of gentlemen (and women) chefs. The cutthroat attitude lately is not appealing to me.

Is there anyone else who is a little dismayed that we have judges who have never tailgated favoring contestants who, for the most part, didn't make tailgate inspired food?(Gail referring to the event as a, "tailgate picnic" case in point.) A themed challenge should stick to the theme and the judges should be experts in said theme. To have career critics, who would consider real tailgating food plebeian, judge this competition is ludicrous. If the show wants to have fine dining chefs and judges, let's have fine dining themed competitions. Not these ridiculous challenges which only serve to turn promising opportunity into 'The Hills' with food. I feel quite certain that if any of those judges had ever attended a real tailgating party stocked with real tailgaters and not invited Bravo guests, the results may have been very different. This is by no means an attempt to take away from Susan's win as I do believe she had a winning dish. Kudos Susan.

Susur's comment to Tony was culturally insensitive, but so was the "ping-pong" crack that Marcus made toward Susur later on (which Susur seemed to enjoy).

I'm assuming that your reference to bullying in the wedding episode was the following exchange:

Tony: "We have to start setting up the buffet."
Susur: "Thank you Tony. Tony is the man."
Carmen: "What about me, Baby?"
Susur: "You? You're the girl!"

I think it's pretty clear that Susur was also impressed with Carmen's work (evidently more-so than the judges), but she happens to be female, not male. Sure, he could have said "You're the woman!" as opposed to "You're the girl!" but perhaps it is a little insensitive to demand a grasp of the English language which would allow for such subtle political distinctions. Essentially, I see Susur getting the "villain edit" and this is the second time you've alluded to sexism on Susur's part which is not seen in the broadcast of said wedding episode. I know that it's part of the show's M.O. to have "heroes" and "villains", but I would hope that a food writer would not propagate these false insinuations.

Further, the concern and--perhaps unrequited--friendship visible on Susur's face when Tony said he was leaving was touching.

Your comment about cooking for for the fans ("wowing") is contrary to a previous win you gave Joedy in the wedding challenge. The bride did not want lamb. Joedy did it anyway - and she won. It doesn't matter that the bride ultimately said she liked it, what mattered was she didn't want it at the outstet. And aren't chefs supposed to give the customer what they want? BTW, I didn't get to taste Tony's pizza but it looked great and was a better tailgate offering than Susur's dish(es).

I agree that Susur did not belittle Carmen. He'd told someone else he was "the man", and Carmen asked what she was, and he said, "you're the girl." I understand some women don't like being called "girls", but I think his usage was about cadence; he would probably have used "woman" if it'd been a single syllable.

I also think it's over the top to claim he "harassed" Tony. He clearly thought he was being congenial and did not realize how much he was getting on Tony's nerves.

This really is fun watching Susan work. I think she'd have won this challenge even without the USC gear.

Are you still in Tunisia? I wonder if they tailgate over there...

I started out not liking Rick because of the editing of trailers; he came off really brash. But I have gotten to like him. However, for me it's Susan all the way!

jsmith,

You should remember that Susur referred to himself as a ninja in at least one previous episode, which is probably where Gael got that reference.

Maybe I misunderstood it, but I didn't take Susar's so called sexist comment that way? I didn't think he meant it as a sexist comment, but I could be wrong?

Gael, I agree with you on so many levels about how the tone of the competition seems to change as the female chefs pack their knives and go. It's not that the women are any less competitive than the men; rather, their presence seems to perhaps bring a greater spirit of civility and mutual respect to the game. I don't know why this is exactly and I don't want to incite a gender-based debate about it on your blog---I just think it's pretty fascinating to watch group dynamics evolve as different variables change.

I too was sad to see Jody go and definitely things have gotten more competitive.

One of the things I loved about Top Chef Masters Season One was that camaraderie. These folks were masters in all senses of the word - helping each other, wanting to win because your dish was the best, not because you physically prevented someone from working, or wrecked their dish.

I am deeply disappointed in Susur. He has the skills, but not the compassion. You can be compeititve and still be human.

May Tony's graciousness doubly bless the rest of his career - he may have lost last nights show but I think he gained many fans for his food and conduct.

OMG. So funny! Keep up the great work.

Gael,

I couldn't agree more with your comments, as well as MMCR posted as well!

My girlfriend on the East Coast and I dish every Thursday night and compare our impressions of the show - she and I have wanted Susur to go DOWN almost from the very beginning.

I had the pleasure of meeting Susan at the Culinary Theater event held @ Mandalay Bay in Vegas a few weeks ago. She spent about 5 minutes talking with us and was just the way you see her on TV - warm, funny, very very nice -- I'm rooting for her to win too!

BUT NOW onto something besides food -- GAEL, if you ever read the comments to your own blog, please tell me where you got that black jacket with the green gecko!???? It was great!

Gail, for your running commentary this season on Susur Lee's apparent insensitivity, your calling a native Hong Kon and adopted Canadian a "ninja" (Japanese) is culturally insensitive. If you think this racial nuance is being taken out of context, you should follow your own advice when you rail on Chef Lee and let it go.

Susur has to learn that winning isn't the only important part of this competition.How you treat the people you work with is important too.SUSAN has it all.She's a great chef, consistant and creative, she's so kind to the others, and she has a wonderful sense of humor!Hope she wins!

Gail, I have been to Spaggia and it is wonderful. You should definitely go.
I was sorry to see Tony go also. He was a great contestant!

In regard to the comment about Susur, I have to say that I watched the wedding episode and don't remember him saying anything that was belittling to Carmen... plus, when he referenced that Tony about the Soprano, it truly seemed like he was just smiling about the fact that Tony reminded him of a familiar tv character. It didn't appear to me that he meant anything offensive at all. Susur seems to be just brilliant at what he does, he works very hard and with high energy, yet he also made a comment on one show that made him seem somewhat meditative and philosophical about it all... he's one of the only chefs who hasn't said how badly he wants to win. He's just confident, and his confidence is well justified. Jonathan Waxman, on the other hand seems to be the opposite: feigning the calm on the outside but more competitive and angry underneath that. Plus, he doesn't seem to have the same talent as Susur. His dishes are admittedly more simple, with less technique and even "messy," as he described it in this episode.