Top Chef Masters

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James Oseland
Parting Words: No, it's not James Oseland's last blog, but he does want to say a few things to the chefs before it all ends.

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Top Chef Masters

James Oseland

I don’t know about you, but watching Episode Nine of Top Chef Masters (“Masters of Disaster”) put me on edge. Maybe it was those left-hook, increasingly baroque Elimination Challenges that were thrown at the chefs (e.g., “Now, guys, you have to lose one of your sous-chefs!”). Maybe it was all the cranky exchanges between the former Top Chef contestants and Anita, Rick, Michael, and Hubert (I promise to divulge more about my feelings on that topic in next week’s blog). Or maybe it was merely the fact that, with only one more episode to go, we’re all nearly at the end of our journey together.

As I was contemplating what to blog about this week—hmmm, should I write about what chef X could have done differently or how chef Y stumbled?—I kept wanting to slow down and take a breath.

So I did. And some feelings bubbled up to the surface, feelings I’d like to share with all 24 contestants who have appeared on the entire run of the series, from Michael Schlow to Rick Bayless. Here goes:

I don’t blame you if you think I’m a jerk. I mean, I sit there all pursed-lipped in my suit and tie, quibbling about foods that you’ve slaved over and poured your hearts into for hours while meeting seemingly insurmountable obstacles—including, for starters, working in an unfamiliar kitchen without your usual staff. I complain about the too-briny shrimp. I criticize the plating of the dish that you had to get to the table at a speed that would make a hummingbird collapse. I make frowny faces at your food.

But here’s the thing: though I have tasted some foods during the past episodes that were less than life-changing, all in all every single dish I encountered exhibited in some big or small way why each and every one of you was brought on this show in the first place: you really are master chefs.

As critics on the show, Gael, Jay, and I were so often caught up in chronicling the itty-bitty, mosquito-in-the-room mistakes that we rarely had the opportunity to acknowledge the vastness of the challenges you rose to, episode after episode. There was also too little time to celebrate how each of you channeled your unique approach to food into your dishes. What you do, and what you accomplished for us on Top Chef Masters, is nothing short of astonishing. Your knowledge of ingredients, your innate skill with those ingredients, your generosity under pressure: all of those things are testaments to how gifted you are as chefs—or, perhaps more important, as cooks. To Douglas Rodriguez: I’d like you know that I think you’re a brilliant composer of dishes, a real maestro when it comes to bold flavor pairings. (And I loved the Gilligan’s Island wackiness of your flaming coconuts.) To Michael Chiarello: Few cooks I know understand the byways of Mediterranean herbs more intimately. To John Besh: I’d love to cook with you; your creative energy gave rise to some of the dishes I’ll remember the most fondly.
Wait a minute; I’d better stop. I wanted to keep this blog post short!

In parting, I’ll just say this: I once read that to understand someone, you must first sit down and have a meal with the person. With all of you, I would love nothing more than to do just that. And next time, I’m cooking.

Comments

26 Comments

: 08/25/2009 - 8:48am; mmc; All three top chef masters are winners. However thinking back did Chef Michael only deserve 3 1/2 stars?It just didn't compute. Having thought that, Rick Bayless did deserve to win. He's terriffic.

08/20/2009 - 1:02pm

Viewer from Napa

James, I have tasted Michael's polenta on several occasions and I can agree with the other guests at the finale....it is AMAZING and I can't wait to have it again!

For you to have made a pointed negative statement regarding the polenta and to have graded his performance as you did it appears to me (and to many others as I read the blogs) that you have a personal grudge against Michael. Could this be payback for his doily fun?

Rick Bayless is a fine chef but in this particular competition Michael showed his talent and artistry in cooking and grace under continual slander from immature young chefs and the occasional judge. Michael deserved to win.

Bravo Chef Chiarello!

08/20/2009 - 10:58am

Viewer

I was amazed at how nasty and judgemental the former TC contestants were, not just Spike & Dale. Their egos could blow up the room. I applaud the Masters for their professionalism, good sportsmanship and comradeship- it could have been cut-throat, but never sunk to that level. And for that reason the show was a joy to watch, whereas, I stopped watching other Bravo shows when the nastiness and bitchiness took over the purpose of the show.

I liked your judging best of all, although you downgraded Michael all the time, your explained your reasons.

: 08/20/2009 - 10:09am; Viewer; I found it interesting that during the finale, they showed how you never gave Michael more than 3.5 stars throughout the whole season - and low and behold you give him 3.5 stars again for the finale. Considering how Michael lost by .5 star, I personally think you had something against him the whole season.

: 08/20/2009 - 2:10am; Johnny; James, thank you for you insight, genuineness, and wonderful way with words. 5 stars!

: 08/19/2009 - 11:32pm; Pearlie; Why was it so difficult for Micheal to get no get more than 3/1/2 stars from you?It's amazing that he never amassed more from you. Pretty obvious you did not want him to win! Personal huh?

: 08/19/2009 - 11:25pm; Linda; Why was it that for Michael Chiarello you always gave him 3 or 3and1/2 stars when everyone else on the panel gave him 4 or more? Do you have a problem with him? Everyone said that polento was superb but you had criticism on the seasoning and did not give him the stars he deserved, causing him to lose. Not that Rick Bayless isn't just as deserving or more. If you look back on your ratings for Michael, they were always lower than everyone else's.Why would that be?

: 08/19/2009 - 11:25pm; disappointed; 3 1/2 stars for Chiarello!!! Give me a break.
Jimmy had it in for Chef C. from the start!

08/19/2009 - 8:30pm

Bolt

Ok, I have to admit I laughed pretty hard at 'I make frowny faces at your food.' Good stuff! I wasn't too sure what to make of this spin-off including the fact there were brand new judges. But I'm sold now, I am actually pretty sad that it is ending tonight.

All three of you were great and the blogs have added extra insight, it's been a fun season. I hope that a 2nd season of Masters happens or at the very least you make an appearance as a guest judge on the regular Top Chef!

08/19/2009 - 12:24am

ely

You are such a gentleman! It has been so refreshing to hear critique rather than criticism; collegial discourse rather than cocky disgust. You always find something to praise, and even when you are sending someone packing, you do it with empathy and tact.

If the regular season had more judges like you, maybe a higher quality cheftestant would audition. I think the last season showed how far the show had fallen, when the "chefs" seemed to consist of people more than willing to suffer abuse in order to jump start faltering careers.

What a pleasure to experience the humility and humor of true artists, and the respectful yet honest reviews of an equally humble and adorable judge.

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