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View All PostsGail Simmons
The Dream Team
Top Chef judge Gail Simmons dishes on her 'Masters' experience.
Jul 8, 2009Anita’s was definitely my favorite. It was so out there. It really was an illusion. She took a daikon and made it look like a scallop, but when you flipped it over it was steak tartare. It was this bloody, red, visceral, incredible experience. She had this random seascape underneath. It made these snap crackle sounds with the shells. This broth also went with it. The one thing is that we weren’t sure how to eat it. Do you put the broth on the scallops? Do you eat it separately? I ate it separately, and someone else ate it together. I’m not quite sure. Maybe she left it up to us. It was just a shock. It was super bold. Everything tasted great. It can be a spectacle, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be great food. She did a great job of getting the challenge and really thinking about the challenge and making something outlandish and shocking and playing a trick on the eye, which is what magic is. At the same time she still thought about seasoning, flavor profiles, combinations of vegetables and meat and how that would go together, and it really made a great plate. She really did a fantastic job. I was really proud of her. She’s the strong silent type. She’s the one nobody sees coming and then she just kicks your ass.
I don’t know what happened to Doug. He did fine in the egg challenge. There were so many problems with his dish, unfortunately. Forget about the coconut that was on fire. I understand that would have been a spectacle, but it made absolutely no sense. I didn’t think the soup tasted really good. It was really muddled. It had flavors and it tasted like so many things I couldn’t clearly figure out what I was tasting. Then there were duck empanadas. They were cold and a little heavy. Then there was oyster with duck, which was fine, just not my favorite combination. I don’t think that anything on the plate was perfect in itself, so it’s hard when you put them together. You’ll never get something great out of three things that are only okay. It needs to add up to something better than itself. Then there was the flaming coconut.
Gail, So glad to see you on the show. As always, your insight was right on the money. Got to think it's a little intimidating critiqing these 'Masters'. I thoroughly enjoyed this show. Loved the chefs' mutual respect for each other, their humor, as well as their incredible talents.
Meringue: not Marange
I was so glad to see you on the show! Your comments were focused on the food not on yourself or trying to compliment the chefs for their efforts. I hope you are on for more episodes. I think many of the chef's were not really expecting the competitions to be as challenging as they are. I agree with you that they will have a new level of respect for what the TC contestants go through.
I love you on the shows Gail, may not always agree with you but you do always give your honest opinion no matter what it is. It is very rare that I do not agree with you. Wish you the best in your marriage, and CONGRATS!
i am watching the final qualifying episode of tcm, and i must say, that i really appreciate gails' comments. i felt so fulfilled when she went to new orleans, becuase it was the first thing i thought about. believe me, it was not easy her adoring viewers when she had to leave for half of a season. i must also say that this was the most endearing episode of this special show. there should be a 'special moments' chunk either on line or on the telee.
The best things about this show is the lack of whining, sabotage, and nasty remarks and the competition is still fierce and the food fabulous. The worst things are the superciliousness of the judges' remarks (esp. Gael Greene) and Kelly Choi. I hope previous TC contestants are watching and learning how to be a professional - or at least a decent human being. Look forward to the return of Padma and Tom in Season 6!
Top Chef Masters>>>>>>CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS no more was that in evidance with the final 4 Top Chef Masters.....Love both shows for different reasons....but the Top Chefs could take a lesson from the Masters...If your a great chef then just cook period....LOVE LOVE LOVE THE MASTERS !!!!!
i am commenting here because this is the blog i read. we're 21 minutes in, and i have to wax aesthetic; how about the soft, perfect sound the masters' glasses made on their toast to each other and their respective causes...masterful. awesome.
I just love this show, to see them help each other is just great. I could do with out the host. This is the best on TV
It's been refreshing to see the "Master Chef's" and just how respectful they are to each other. I dislike the backstabbing and nastyness of "Top Chef". It's a shame only one can win as I see them all as winners. I am still looking forward to the new season of Top Chef. One of my favorites. Hope you will do "Masters" again. I might add I did enjoy Kelly Choi.
I'm loving evey season of Top Chef and
I love Top Chef and Gail S. I learn the differances with your comments, also I am so into cooking now that I do my own challenges with my friends, they love it.
I love Top Chef & Top Chef Masters, Gail your the most sincere judge along with Tom C. he is sweet, I've learned alot from your comments, and now enjoy my challenges with my friends, thank you for your insight on these dishes.
Gail,
I have been a Top Chef fan from the very first season. I did not know what to expect with Top Chef Masters. I LOVE, LOVE Top Chef Masters! The finanlist were so much fun to watch and I was very impressed with the friendship and respect of all the chefs. They helped one another and there was NO drama. Just pure fun and talent to watch. For the first few shows I really missed the old judges but you came on and I was so glad to see you. You are a favorite!!!
I just watched the finale of Top Chef Masters and was so happy for Rick Bayless. He really is a great chef as well as a nice guy.Truthfully, these three chefs were my favorites from the first show. They are all so good that I would have been happy if any one of them won.What a great job you have Gail. You really seem to enjoy it.I'm glad you're back with Top Chef.
Hi Gail, I think you are great & so glad to have Top Chef Season starting. I have a question on the Top Chef Masters finale. What were the little wire like strips on Rick's watermelon salad? I found his recipe but those aren't listed.
Thanks for you help.
What a great show!! I haven't miss one episode ever since the first season started. I have to said Top Chef Master was a true inspiration. Thanks for such a fabulous program. Just wish one day I could meet one of the top chef masters, especially Rick Bayless.
Gail -
A very important question! Who made the ruffle-y dress you wore for the finale? I loved it!
Watching the Masters at work, I was impressed with how they conducted themselves. I have not always been impressed with 'behind the scenes' during regular Top Chef, returnees acting as sous chefs, as well as the recent contest held on "Next Food Network Star". Chefs, take a look at how you can compete strongly, yet maintain respect and dignity. Please, give us more of such class entertainment!
I am all for encouraging chefs of any age, but do not agree that Top Chef is family-friendly viewing. Some of the 'cheftestants' use of continual swearing and consequent bleeping gets very old. Even elementary age children can read lips ... And that is just the tip of the iceberg of poor behaviors that one wouldn't want children to emulate!
Love Top Chef Masters, it was so refreshing to watch a reality TV show that didn't include back stabbing, swearing, and sabotaging your opponent. Probably in real life to get people in their restaurants the Master Chefs do, but on the show they were all great sportsmen/women. Still didn't like the idea of taking Tom and Padma off and putting Kelly Choi in their place.
What a decade for being politically correct. How many times have we heard judges, including Gail Simmons, say "The meaning of chef is to please the customer's palate"? And now a winner is picked because "he's trying to teach us something". Just another "reality show" cop out.
This has been a great "appetizer" as we wait for the next season of the traditional "Top Chef", and these chefs are all amazing. I hope this actually raises the bar for the next season of "TC"'s competitors.
And, of course, WELCOME BACK to the blogosphere! 8-D
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