Before I read this blog, I said that Tom would lay it on Ed for not saying anything. Why not come right out and ask Alex if he took Ed's puree. Or ask him when he made his puree, the other chefs acknowledge that he didn't make any the previous day. I don't think its fair to let this go and move on. Alex cheated, even stole the puree. 90% of we viewers think so. Why don't you find out?

Tom,

You shouldn't be writing this justification. Your producers threw you and the other judges under the bus. In this era of reality TV, the execs lust after just this sort of luscious controversy to make ratings, to hell with honesty and fair play. Personally, I find this attitude repulsive and if this issue is not resolved before the end of the season I will not watch the show again.

Thank you Tom for your blog. I think you have successfully explicated this episode. But one thing is, Alex at least according to what I saw tonight, had no idea of what to do. The pea puree was something he was told in conversation with both Kenny and Andrea.

"there's no way we can know" - that's weak. There absolutely are ways to investigate this matter - the footage , even if it doesn't show him pilfering the puree, could at least be evaluated as to whether or not he was even working on a puree, or had enough time to prepare one.

This, in my eyes, affects the entire integrity of the show. I believe you that the judges have no foreknowledge of the goings on in the background - but that doesn't release the judges from the burden of upholding the sanctity of a competition on which people are judged for their ability to cook, NOT their ability to steal. Intent or no intent doesn't cut it in my book. If i unwittingly drive off in a car that's very similar to my own - but it isn't.. its still theft. Stupidity is not an excuse, frankly.

I hope the Palm cites the controversy as reason enough NOT to put Alex's face up on their wall, and i hope Top Chef learns a lesson or two about .

Unfortunately, the integrity issue remaining unaddressed makes the judges look as bad as the producers.

Seriously production had no footage to show whether Alex did or did not make a puree of peas? not a second, not even a background shot of him and peas? I cannot believe that there is nothing in the tapes that can provide a definitive answer but this sure smells like a ploy to get us to watch the reunion. Some "lost" footage will surface after Andy has grilled them about peas.

How sad that such a controversial occurrence would happen while filming and NO ONE will speak up. And even worse, it's out in the open now and still NO ONE will say anything? Was a search made to find the "lost" puree? Because, fact is, someone has unused peas, pureed or not. And Kenny even said that Alex had no time to make such a perfect puree. I think perhaps, Tom, you should persuade the producers to use the out-takes of the show and the comments of the sequestered contestants as more interesting that all the pathetic drama and what now seams to be underhandedness accepted in the show. Not to mention the great apparent lack of talent in this season. Hasn't some of the ads for Bravo recently said "Drama By Bravo". This isn't drama, this is a waste of a wonderful show that WAS putting reality television in an acceptable light... not any more. And the reality of that, as I sad before, is truly Sad.

Okay, but the contestants are being filmed every minute. The producers have to know whether the puree used was Ed's or Alex's.

Also, if the puree was forgotten by Ed, it would have been back at the other kitchen.

I think Top Chef must resolve this and not let it stand unsolved or as a mystery. I think all credibility is lost if they do.

It would be very easy to see if Alex actually bought green peas.I was impressed by the chef'snot airing their issues and concerns during some part of the judging. What a scandlal. It will always be known by the neame Peagate I have a feeling the truth will come out soon. Looking at the contestents' faces, you could see that they had already judged Alex as guilty. But they were embarrased. I think that was classy of them. I feel sad that this incident clouds the integrity of the players...I think it would have been handled differnetly if the judges had known. Remember the shaving incident.

UN-PEA-LIEVABLE !!!!!

Chef Tom, I'm leaning on the side of Alex lifting Ed's pea puree. Why? Because the editing emphasized it, moreover, Alex's expression tells of a man that says - I'd rather shut up and hope things just quiet down - type of reaction. I love this show and have watched every season, but this by far I think is the least exciting cast and probably the least talented. Just my opinion.

#3 seems... really unlikely at best. If Alex mixed Ed's puree up with his own, then there would still be a second puree in the kitchen, which I'm guessing Ed or someone else would have noticed. Three possibilities, perhaps, but if one trusts Kenny's comments on how long it takes to make a puree, #1 seems far more likely than #2 or #3.

Did Alex even buy Peas when he went to the grocery store? Perhaps a view of the contents of Alex's shopping cart or a view of his shopping receipt would reveal the truth.

Since Alex did not have a game plan until the next day, is there any camera footage showing that he prepared a pea puree the day before? The truth should be known and Alex's picture should be removed if he is a big cheater.

I think that there's one sure way to know whose pea puree that really was: look at the Whole Foods receipt that Ed brought back and look at the receipt that Alex brought back. If Alex didn't buy peas, then he couldn't have made a pea puree. I'm sure that the producers, at least, keep track of the receipts because otherwise how could they tell if the contestant stayed within their budget for a challenge? Alternately, if the peas were in the pantry, how could Alex have made it at the last minute in the kitchen of the Palms? He didn't bring it with him. We could all see that in the episode. Also, he denied seeing any pea puree when Ed asked him. And he was holding it in his hand the whole time! If he had made that pea puree, why didn't he just say "Yes, I have a pea puree that I made and it's right here." All his actions point to someone who did the wrong thing. To think that one of your contestants (in D.C. of all places) should do something so unethical and amoral and then be rewarded for it is really shocking to us viewers. I must say that I'm very disappointed in the outcome of this week's episode.

Why not have Alex duplicate his pea puree. If it tastes the same, that would show that he indeed made this puree.

I envision whirled peas... :-)

I agree with your post Tom, but still the "mystery of the pea purée" should be resolved by the network. Surely with so many cameras, someone must have seen something that can enlighten the issue. 90% of the viewers that voted believe Alex took the purée. If he really didn't, then at least the truth it should be broadcasted in the next episode, for his namesake.

I don't think it's possible that Alex mistook Ed's puree for his own. Alex had nothing finished and no direction on the first night; Ed had his puree in the cooler. It might help if there were a forum for chefs to bring up any concerns of impropriety. Perhaps you need an honor code! Also, I am surprised that the producers didn't say anything. I'll tell you one thing: I am going to learn to make Ed's pea puree!

Did Alex provide the pea puree recipe to The Palm? Did it come out the way it did on his plate in competition?

Also, aren't those cameras in the kitchen all the time? It seems a little weak that this is something "we'll never know."

It also seems unfair to future contestants that the integrity of the game appears so unimportant to the producers that they would not have alerted the judges the the controversy.

I find it hard to believe that there isn't either a) footage of what happened to Ed's pea puree (whether it was taken or left behind somewhere), or b) Alex making his own pea puree.

So, no one knows what really happened? Doesn't that make the choice of editing pretty irresponsible? Not to mention the fact that so much attention was given to it.

I think it's unconscionable for the producers to allow aspersions to be cast against Alex's integrity without supplying definitive proof one way or the other. With all of the cameras about, there has to be footage of Alex making a puree, or filching the wrong puree, or at the very least, some post-humous footage of another puree sitting somewhere back in a refrigerator, or TC kitchen, or somewhere. In every other season where an integrity issue like this has come up, the audience has been presented with the footage of exactly what happened: in season 2 with the lichee; in Top Chef Masters when Carmen forgot her food etc. etc. What is going on this season that the producers feel the need to resort to such sleazy editing tactics to generate drama?

This season surely doesn't measure up to Season 6 AT ALL, and it's a bitter disappointment.

Hi Tom, My husband and I love Top Chef. We have a great deal of respect for you and your team. We did not watch tonight. There may have been a "green elephant" in the room, you did have a stacked deck of "donkeys" at the judging table.

Unanswered in your three only options is, if both Ed and Alex made pea purees, what happened to Ed's? Magically disappear, or did you eat it while you were in the kitchen, not noticing what was going on.

Tom: You misused the apostrophe in writing the plural form of judge (it's judges, not judge's). You always ask the contestants, "Did you taste it?" Did you read it?

I'm watching the episode again, and low and behold, Tom is standing in the kitchen while Ed is asking what happened to his puree.

Are there new Producers this season? One of the reasons i enjoed Top Chef is that it has been one of the few Reality Television shows that has seemingly operated with some integrity and creative spirit. This season, however, seems more like an episode of Survivor. Every season has been competitive and career enhancing for the participants who do well, but never has there been a consistent thread of "playing the game" comments from the chefs. The love of cooking and the wishes of the participating chefs that the best food wins, is all but absent from this season.

I hear you about the pea puree and not being able to be sure. To me though it was a bit concerning that Alex seemed not to know what he was doing overnight and made no mention of pea puree that he would have had to have made during the prep time. Then all of a sudden he has this magic puree that pulls his whole dish together.

In addition, it's very clear that Ed's pea puree went somewhere and never turned up. I think Alex took it and knows he took it. Amazing if true though that he got away with it.

I agree completely with timelange. This is easy to solve as the camera footage would be proof. Kenny implied at the end that Alex didn't have time to create the puree. If Alex made a puree, it could be easily shown with video footage. Leaving things as the editors did just leaves a bad feeling for the end of the show. Alex wins but I as a viewer am left wondering if it was a clean wind. This isn't fair to Alex or the viewer.

I hear you about the pea puree and not being able to be sure. To me though it was a bit concerning that Alex seemed not to know what he was doing overnight and made no mention of pea puree that he would have had to have made during the prep time. Then all of a sudden he has this magic puree that pulls his whole dish together.

In addition, it's very clear that Ed's pea puree went somewhere and never turned up. I think Alex took it and knows he took it. Amazing if true though that he got away with it.

And it's really heartening to know that our elected officials are considered foodies because they're improving their palates on the taxpayers' dimes.

The reason why there is camera footage seen for every contestant during there cooking time. This is a recorded show it's not a live show, they should know what is going on there. What is the purpose of having the camera and yet not using as a proof of judging. I agree that is not a Top Chef winner yet it is a memorable one for a chef to win in a elimination round and to be recognized. We are speaking on integrity as a chef and as a show itself. The Show has a power to tackle this with the chef, for the benefit of the chef as well as the viewers. I guess everyone got pissed off on this one day challenge. Do something about it, its not too late. Or it may probably repeat the error that the judges will never know whats going on the kitchen.

A bitter disappointment is an understatement in my eyes. Losing faith in the Top Chef brand is closer to reality. The foodie forums are abuzz about this poor season, and this episode will do nothing to make it better.

tmelange also had it right with his comment. This issue needed to be resolved and easily could have with all the cameras around. After all the 'drama over food' of this season, the show now has a credibility issue too.

And seriously Tom? One of the scenarios you offered involves Alex using someone else's dish and innocently NOT knowing it was his. Is this to say that the texture, taste, ingredients, and packaging were all so similar that a chef (with trained palate) didn't notice using someone else's food? Come on.

And lastly, I actually feel bad for the chefs on this season. In all the other seasons, I liked most of the cheftestants, tried out some of their recipes, referenced their restaurant recommendations, and even tried to visit their restaurants. This year no one wins, as I hardly want to think about the sorry state of the show.

The producers won this elimination challenge, and the chefs all lost.

k.

Hi Chef Colicchio, First of all, I'm a huge fan of the show! I just wanted to say that since Alex supposedly made the pea puree the second day, he wouldn't have a pea puree to mistake for Ed's in the first place. That means he either made it on the second day, or stole Ed's. Thus, there are only two options, option 1 or option 2.

I am also pissed over the pea puree. I feel the integrity of the the show was breached and highly disappointed in the producers. Ed did not speak up because he had no proof that it was stolen. Yet it's all too coincidental. Top Chef producers need to step it up.

Alex wore the guilt on his face! Oh Top Chef, you give me heart burn today.

Were there camera's in the kitchen? Much of the show was shot there. "We will never know" is an obvious drama ploy on a show that could be done with all honesty. So you pay homage to one of the early masters in your art form. Puck from the old Mtv Real World. Maybe people will love to hate him and raise your rating. Most unfortunate is that reality TV is your art form.

@tmelange "This season surely doesn't measure up to Season 6 AT ALL, and it's a bitter disappointment."

Agreed!

As presented in the Power Lunch episode, It "looks" like Alex cheated on his way to win the challenge, and no one involved with the show said anything about it. Who is to say that something like this won't happen during the finale? If it's ok to lie, cheat and steal? What's the point of awarding a win for a single challenge then? Who can guarantee this won't happen during the finale?

To quote many TC "Chef"testants this season, this a game. Real World in the Top Chef Kitchen. Classy.

Pea-gate is a major credibility problem for the show. I hope the editors come up with film footage that puts it to rest. I'm afraid that you, Tom, are adding to the credibility issue by saying that you entered the kitchen after the incident, when in fact the camera shows you in your blue uniform next to Ed as he is madly looking for his peas.

I agree with tmelange -- there must be footage that shows what happened here. Ed's puree didn't just vanish. If that wasn't his puree, then what happened to his puree? Was it back at the Hilton? Then show it! When that sort of thing has happened in the past, the cameras always seem to have a shot of the left-behind item and we're always shown the footage, usually before the Chef even realizes the item is missing. As for Tom's 1-2-3 options, how could Alex have "inadvertently" used Ed's puree?! Either he made his own puree or he didn't. If he did, then where is Ed's puree? And if he didn't, then obviously that was Ed's puree. This is ridiculous. We saw Alex be dishonest about the puree, saying he didn't know Ed had made a puree when Kevin & Andrea clearly discussed it with him. And there's no footage of Alex making a puree?! No way. Tom's suggestion that I be impressed that the producers didn't tell the judges about the issue is way off the mark. This situation taints the integrity of the show, period. But I guess when you're looking at a season that is so far below the level of the previous season, maybe the producers are willing to sacrifice integrity to try and garner some interest or engage us. Shame on the producers and shame on the judges for not demanding this be resolved.

Come on Top Chef producers. Come clean on this!!!

Did anyone witness Alex making a pea purée? Did Ed taste the Alex purée? Too much coincidence that two purees were made! Was Alex asked about the source and his involvement in the pea purée

Alex not knowing his pea purée was someone? Give me a break. Tom must know the time and effort that must go inti that puree

All this tells me is that the producers are now allowing cheating to occur on Top Chef. They know what happened, they film the entire kitchen. I can see "no harm, no foul" since, to be fair, winning at this stage of the game doesn't do much for the contestants. But I can't believe that, and I can't stress this enough, there is a serious question of stealing other people's food and nothing is being done about it. It is probably the most serious offense that you can commit in the competition, and yet it is being shrugged off as "hey, maybe he didn't"

When Cliff held down Marcel, he was booted off the show immediately. Marcel wasn't hurt, and it didn't really change the competition, but nevertheless he broke the rules and was forced to face the consequences. I consider this question of cheating a far more serious offense, yet nothing is being done in comparison.

I am disappointed that Ed didn't say anything. I would be livid. But he's a nice guy, and nice guys don't say in the middle of judging "well he stole my puree!" How would he prove it? What could he say to show it was true? What would he demand be done? In the end he decided that saying nothing was the better option, but I wish he had said something.

Since it is clear that the show simply doesn't even care about whether contestants cheat, I can only cross my fingers and hope Alex gets whats coming to him.

Let's not forget, that the producers actually did cut in footage of Alex lying - he said he didn't know that Ed was making a pea puree when we clearly saw him sitting there with two other chefs discussing that Ed had made one! If the producers have footage of Alex making a pea puree the day of service, they clearly chose to leave that out for the sake of drama. I am really disapointed that the judges will apparently not be delving into this further. It may be just a "win" but it's a matter of pride for the winner especially since such a fuss was made about how good the pea puree was!!

"Top Chef" is my favorite show -- always has been. I can't believe that the producers didn't resolve the issue of whether Alex took Ed's pea puree, or conduct a timely investigation. Remember "Project Runway," when there were issues of designers' integrity? Tim Gunn came in to confront the designers and resolve the issues promptly. He said "Project Runway" was nothing without its integrity. The same goes for "Top Chef."

I think Alex took the pea puree, but am not in a position to know. The producers know, or were in a position to know. If Alex took the puree, his portrait does not deserve to be painted on the Palm's wall. As tmelange said, if Alex didn't take it, he's been unfairly slimed by the producers. This is disgusting, and I'm mad.

Wow - I have been a huge fan of Top Chef for 6 seasons -- tonights episode of season 7 "pea-gate" is making me wonder if I should even bother continuing to watch. What a disappointment.

I agree with tmelange -- in past seasons there has been footage to support/disprove something happening...Really, Tom, there is no footage of Alex making pea puree? What was the shot of the peas floating in water in a pot? Where was Alex making the peas? Why re-play the footage of Alex and Kenny discussing the amazing the pea puree that Ed made if not to create drama?

A huge disappointment in what had been a great show.

I agree with tmelange. Top Chef has either rewarded someone who cheated, or has maligned someone who did not. Either way, it's not acceptable and the full story needs to be presented. It's not fair to either Ed or Alex. (Potentially this also may have affected Andrea, as she was cut from the show with this episode.)

Top Chef is on seriously thin ice with me, and I may not be willing to stick around until the end of the season for the truth to come out.

If Alex did take the puree, which i personally believe he did, what happens when he makes it for the restaurant? And they realize it is not the same puree? This is ridiculous. Go through the footage and be honest with us. If Ed had that puree on his plate, he would have won the challenge and we all know that.

TEAM ED

=)

Alex even looked guilty. I cant believe that he would accidentally use someone else's dish! As many others have said there must be footage of Alex preparing his pea puree or taking Ed's. The mystery can be answered. Alex has sucked up till now and all of a sudden is the best...what the *#$%? If Alex hadn't made so many "Im in it for me no matter what" comments and had incidents like the cartilage he noticed and in an unsportsmanlike manner omitted to tell the other chef, I might be more willing to believe he was innocent!

I really like this show ever since I was the entire season 2 over a marathon weekend three or four years ago. I have not missed a season yet. Having said that, I feel that letting Alex win without presenting proof to the viewers is pretty low. Either he stole Ed's Pea Puree or he did not. tmelange makes an excellent point. What the heck is the point of the cameras if not to at least check ethical issues such as this one? The reasoning my Chef Colicchio is at best poor and at worst disingenuous. Personally, I think Alex stole the Pea Puree and the producers let him get away with it to generate a controversy and get the attention of potential viewers. So much for professional integrity and now I will just watch some show on Food Network. Any time I am at the Palm at D.C., I will order some peas or pea puree and "accidentally" mess-up that picture.

Really disappointed in the episode, the producers and Tom's surprisingly lame explanation.

Re the puree, the producers should have let the viewers see what happened AND informed the judges of what happened. The integrity of Alex's dish and win is being questioned. If he didn't steal the puree that should be made clear so he isn't unfairly maligned; if he did steal it he shouldn't have won and should have been tossed. And that is the part Tom chooses to ignore ... that if Alex cheated he would have been sent home, not Andrea .. so this unresolved issue could have affected the outcome.

Further, I am surprised that the non-porterhouse issue was neither addressed nor had consequences. In previous seasons this is exactly gthe sort fo thing the judges would have commented on and penalized. It seems that Tom is just taking the check now as he isn't holding this season tot he smae standards and he isn't prociding the same standard of judging that viewers have come to expect and deserve.