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Kelly Choi

Ode to My Freshman Class

Kelly Choi talks about her first experiences on the set.

Jul 22, 2009

The chipper culinary students who judged the Elimination meal were, of course, incredibly psyched to eat our four maestros' fare. Everyone loved Art’s generous plate of fried chicken two ways, and his petite bowl of mango pie with the simple sugar crust was a spot-on dessert. It was Southern perfection, y’all.

Jonathan’s pork chop and sausage with creamy celery root puree was, indeed, ugly as hell, but as crude as it looked, it tasted equally as good. It cracked me up how much he was pining about the days when he could see better. Jonathan, I have a good lasik doctor to tell you about, call me.

And Roy, your slower-paced yet thoughtful method wasn’t best suited for this challenge, but your lemongrass kalbi was tasty, and your chivalrous elegance impressed us all.

As for Michael, next time I’m in LA, I am so all over Providence for the catch of the day. People, if you live in southern Cali and haven’t been, just GO.

Since shooting TC Masters, I’ve seen Jonathan and Michael at various foodie events, and my heart instantly melted each time. Just can’t help it. My freshman class didn’t bring me an apple on our first day, but they left a taste in my mouth that was sweeter than any forbidden
fruit.

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Kelly I have to know who you were wearing in tonight's final elimination episode. It was just such a pretty dress and I want one!

I too was so impressed with the camaraderie of these 4 awesome chefs! Many love the cut-throat competition, but this episode was such a breath of fresh air!

As far as the winner - all I can say is that this is the second Chicago chef to take all in the Masters.....Chicago is a culinary force to be reckoned with!!!!!!

First of all, I couldn't tell that was your first episode at all, you may have been nervous before it started, but it sure didn't show on screen. Secondly, this was the most amazingly fun episode of Top Chef (Masters or not) ever. This group of competitors was simply fantastic to watch and I'm sure a pure joy to be around. I knew Art Smith would be fun to watch, but I really was blown away by the respect and chemistry that the four chefs had for each other! As always Kelly, it's a pleasure to watch you host this show, you've done more than fill Padma's shoes, you've put your own twist on the job and have brought such great knowledge and passion to the show. I walk away cheerful and with a huge smile on my face after every episode, in no small part due to your work. I work a block away from Art and Soul so I know what I'm doing after work tomorrow, bring on the fried chicken!

Kelly,

I shouldn't be shocked tonight, but I am. Clearly everyone prefered Jonathan Waxman's dish and yet he was not put through. Was that a PC moment? Do we always have to have someone gay in the finals even if his dish was not that great or inventive? So where's the black man or woman if you are so PC? And to give top marks for fried chicken to a Top Chef Master. . .what? My God, my boyfriend could have won!!!!!!! He makes the best fried chicken I have ever eaten.

Shari

Kelly, I envy you your dinner with those four. Did you get to do the same with the other chefs?

Also, I'm dying to know, where did you get the dress you wore for the elimination challenge (the one with the circles all over it)? I loved it!

Kelly that red dress from tonight's episode (July 22) is just beautiful. Can you tell me who the designer is?

Kelly Choi, you need to be the main host of Top Chef! You blow Padma out of the WATER!!!

You are THE best!

Love the blog Kelly! I like the insights you give. I can only imgagine how awe-inspiring this particular job was for you. I would have loved to have seen more footage of the dinner.

But I have to say, for your first show, you seemed very at-ease with everything and like you had been hosting for years.

Hi I am a die hard fun of Top Chef Masters. Please bring Andrew Zimmerman on, I want to know if he cooks real food Frank

I so much enjoy you hosting over Padma. You seem so sincere and "uneffected". I am sooo jealous that you got to host the chefs at your apartment. I would have loved to have been there. Wish we could have seen more footage of the meal that was prepared.

love you on the show! i don't want masters to end! is there a season 2 lined up? b/c my friends and i want to see more of you. why'd i leave nyc?! i wish we could see more of your food knowledge and loveable personality on top chef like i did on eat out ny. p.s. thanks for the engaging blog posts.

I'm going to miss the camaraderie amongst all the contestants and judges when this show ends, because I have a bad feeling the forthcoming Vegas "Top Chef" is going to be sauced up by the producers to "Real Housewives" levels of drama, trash and stupidity...

Anyway, Art's win doesn't surprise me per se, because he's about as TCM as the definition gets, but I think I was surprised about the simplicity of what he served getting such high marks. That's not to say his win wasn't deserved, but I would have expected some more of something new in this competition.

Cannot WAIT for the final rounds!

Kelly, The food has all looked amazing, but the clothes that you are wearing are to die for. The flowered dress two weeks ago looked perfect. Most of the shows on Bravo involve hosts in things that I would not be caught dead in, but I have loved every single outfit they have shown you in. Do you get to shop for your own, or is there a buyer for the show? I have to know!

I wished the dinner party at "your apt" was shown a bit more (at least a couple of mins). this should've been done for the other eps too. just seeing the masters and you conversing and getting to know each other over great food really got me excited. i can't believe this was your first ep. you're very eloquent and seem down to earth. keep up the good work, kelly!

Kelly, I LOVE the show and could watch it forever.I think it would be alot of fun for you to have the chefs try cooking for a school lunchroom so they have to change their ideas and make something kids would eat.

Kelly, I love the show and could watch it forever. I think it would be fun if you had the chefs cook for a school lunchroom, that way the chefs would have to make a nutritious meal that LOOKED appetizing so the kids would actually eat it.

A fan of the show and you are simply delightful! I went ga-ga for that Black with turqouis border and Gustav Klimt-ish embellishment!!! Looks like a collection Galliano did for Dior. Whose is it?! XOXO!

Kelly!

I love the show and you are simply delightful!

I went ga-ga for that mod black with turqouise detail and Gustav Klimt-ish embellishments!! Whose is it?

Keep up the great work! XOXO. Tatiana, San Juan PR

Kelly, Love the show. Can't wait to see who wins.

In watching the judging, I can't help but wonder how the comments might be different if the judges didn't know who made the dishes. They often put their comments in terms of what they expected that chef's food to taste like.

it's an interesting idea, but not sure if it works to incorporate it for next season. It's more of a test for the critics i guess.

Thanks for a great season. -Mike

kelly, I definitely enjoy watching you , to be honest i would love to see u from now on doing top chef, u are great I will miss seeing u when this show ends!!:)