Hugh, you are hilarious and I am hooked on your blog too!

and I echo the feelings of most out here.... Thanks for saying what most of us were thinking!!!!

Hugh,

This is my first time reading your blog and like another viewer noted that she is hooked, I am hooked as well. I'm just loving your commentary...shits HILARIOUS and refreshing. However, I must ask, when you wrote 'currence' did you mean 'currants'? Any who...looking forward to reading your next blog, I'm sure it will be unique like you unibrow. :)

As someone (Carla) once said, she puts love into her cooking, and I think you can sense the feelings of the chef. Therefore, I would never want to taste the rage and vitriol that Heather puts into her food. Hugh, thank you for not being PC and for actually writing what we were all thinking on her behavior with the lovely and gracious Beverly. It was pretty astounding to see her trying to get Beverly kicked off the show, since she somehow didn't realize that she was the other half of that equation. Other than Heather, this is a good group of cheves, and while I haven't much interest in the Texas locale and cuisine, I'm enjoying their banter, kindnesses and creativity.

I clicked on Hugh Acheson's blog by accident, but I read it anyway and it was frickin' Hilarious! I loved it and now I am hooked! Keep up the great blogs Hugh!!

Heather obviously has lots of issues. A true chef is a leader and a good leader does not bully. Hope she watches these episodes with open eyes so she can see that the way she treats others is not acceptable. I hope she can pull a course correction to save her soul.

"What Heather is doing is not culinary leadership, it's belittling nonsense,"

A-Freakin men!!!

Not to mention the little jab when she made the Asian comment...Bev's style of cooking is Asian so what...her's isn't...

Hugh!

That is some of the wittiest writing I've ever come across in a blog on this site, well done chef. Screw Anthony B. and his attempt at being some pseudo intellectual foodie scripted smart-ass, you are the real deal. Who knows if Tony even writes half the stuff he's ripping on? Anyhoo, keep up the great blog writing and keeping us smiling. Cheers!

Someone noted below that the whole idea that Heather is a bully might be because she's a female, and someone else mentioned Ramsey and Bourdain.

Yes, if a man were acting this way, he'd be a bully as well.

And there is a difference between Heather and Ramsey (and Bourdain, though I can't speak as well to that) other than their standing in the culinary industry and genders. For one, Ramsey and Bourdain are pretty much asshats to everyone, not just one particular person in the group. Makes them assholes but not necessarily bullies. Heather has clearly chosen just one person, a person she perceives as weaker than herself, to attack.

Second, and most importantly, Ramsey DOES acknowledge when someone does well. His asshattery mostly comes out when it's HIS reputation on the line or when people are making clearly stupid mistakes (I've always wondered how all these chefs' brains leak out their ears in Hell's Kitchen because even the execs make mistakes I as a home cook wouldn't make). He doesn't just randomly attack people for not cooking his style or whatever. He compliments when something is done well, he's open and honest, even nice, when his kitchen isn't involved. Heather has done nothing but attack Bev, her cooking style, her tendency towards Asian cuisine, her "work ethic", etc. She's not once acknowledged Bev doing anything remotely well and went so far as to be willing to put herself on the chopping block just to bring Bev down. She rolls her eyes at the other chefs but hasn't gone to the extremes she has with Bev. She's not an equal opportunity bitch. Bullies pick and choose their victims, avoiding those who they perceive will stand up to them, and that's exactly what Heather has done.

Also, someone noted that it looked like Bev and Heather were purposely put together. I have the ep on iTunes and took a good look at the chef line up from when the QF winner was announced and the Elim was explained, and YES there is a lineup change. At the end of the QF, Bev was nowhere near Heather, as far as I could see. Come time to partner, there they are. Shame on Bravo for supporting bullying. This has to be the worst episode they've done, and they need to stand up and apologize for it. Bullying doesn't make good television or teachable moments. I'm very disappointed in a show I really enjoyed. They need to do something about this. Apologize at the very least.

Being born and raised in Chicago, I was excited to see how many Chicago based chefs were competing this season. I felt a sense of pride like I felt in watching Derek Rose and the Bulls last year. After watching the progression of Heather's unproffesional attitude in the kitchen my Chicago pride has taken a real shot to the heart. What a horrible representation of Sable. I feel sorry for that restaurant. I am guessing that about 50% of the people in the Chicagoland area that were thinking of going to Sable for dinner just changed their mind. This show can be great advertisement and at the same time can have a very negative effect.

Heather is a real bully, has no professionalism and cant work in teams. She really gets in my nerve and I think I will push the mute buttom when is her turn to talk. I thinks she is not aware of how rude she is and how by trying to belittle others she really is putting herself down. She tried to compliment the other chefs on their dishes last week. Not sure if she was kissing "-ss" as it was a voting challenge or she really has the capacity of complimenting others. I will not want to work in the real world with somebody like her. Imagine how she really is in her kitchen where there are no cameras. I really enjoy the show and I think this is the first season where I cant stand a chef. Beverly needs to get her guns out and defend herself.

Heather you are definitively a bully. One detail I have not seen posted is Heather's positive comments toward other chef's dishes which makes me think either she is been truth about it or she is kissing "-ss" to others while bullying her teamate. I know this show as well as a lot of the reality shows, shows only what is dramatic but this is the first seasen where I see somebody bullying another chef. Well I remember the season with Marcel he did not had a great experience but he made his opinions heard. Anyway I enjoy the show but I think I will press the mute button when Heather is ready to talk as I cant stand her condescending behavior.

I find Heather's comment about "being too Asian" slightly racist. Perhaps she brought her own prejudice onto show and it evident through her actions and attitude. Everyone on the show can see she is very angry and a bitter individual.

So yeah what was the deal with Heather? She was totally controlling the dish. She was worried about the dish being too Asian but she was the one bossing Beverly around. Beverly was asking her all the questions and getting input for the dish from her. I don't want to excuse Beverly from criticism; she should have stood up for herself more, but Heather was being a bully. Team work is necessary, even if you want to win. Don't hate on your partner; you're going to need them later more likely.

Agree with everyone else who finds Heather to be an obnoxious bully. The fact that Heather constantly complains about Bev's dishes being "too Asian" is ridiculous. There are a wide variety of styles and talents in these chefs, why should her "American Rustic/Comfort food" be considered the norm? It's getting pretty nit-picky and kinda racist, frankly. I cannot wait for Heather to be eliminated.

I wonder if Heather even knows that she is acting in a manner that I would describe as... inappropriate. I also question whether Heather even is aware of the consequences of her actions (i.e. how it makes other contestants feel, especially Bev). I think the worst thing about Heather (other than her lack of respect for everyone) is how she forces her twisted limited views upon the people around. For example, when she 'tells' Beverly "you feel like you have no confidence". One can say what they believe but one cannot dictate how others should feel, that's just ridiculous. Anyways, if this was "Survivor" Heather would be voted off the island lol.

GO TEAM GRAYSON and good on you Chef Acheson for calling Heather out on it as someone needed to say it (but be careful that people don't begin to question you position of impartiality as a judge).

As many people have already commented on, Heather's personality is very undercooked, and not well liked. Personally, I like Bev. She cooks with her culture in her heart. Also, the aforementioned incident before where Bev called out that she was going to get her meat or close the shop down, well the stress that is put on these chefs is tremendous, and sometimes stress comes out in the wrong ways. Also, Linsday is adorable. I love the way Hugh talked abut her accent changing; CUTE!

Heather is just someone who needs to control herself. Lead in a kitchen. I think not.

Congress recently made horsemeat legal in the U.S. Will Top chef texas allow the finalists to roast or broil My Friend, Flicka? Or Mr. Ed?

Heather is really being a jerk and karma is something else. That is all I got to say on that. I never like bullies, so you can figure out where I stand with Heather. Anyway, enough of that. I was heartbroken when I saw Nyesha go. It just wasn't Dakota's night and unfortunately, they both paid for it. I was happy that Nyesha redeemed herself in last chance kitchen, so we will see.

Why throw your team mate under the bus in a double elimination challenge where a two-person team is going to be eliminated? Did Heather believe the judges were going to split the team and send only one of them packing? Originally I was happy that Heather and all the other Chicago chefs made it on the show, but now I couldn't care less about seeing her compete another minute. Even when the chefs were voting who should go before the judges, she arrogantly refused to suggest a 3rd team for possible elimination. Was she afraid to name herself?

Here's what I don't get about the Heather/Bev dynamic: Does anyone else remember the earlier episode where Beverly loudly and rudely announced to all the customers at a supermarket meat counter that they were all just gonna have to shut it and wait because her needs took priority over everyone else's? Y'all remember that? It was one of the most belligerent and rude things I've seen done on this show. And now she's some fragile creature afraid to speak up for herself? Don't get me wrong, no doubt at all that Heather's a raging b!tch, but Beverly's sudden meekness is nearly as annoying to me.

I have watched all Top Chef seasons (including Masters and Just Desserts,) and while there have been some annoying or arrogant characters on the show, I have never experienced this mixture of anger or disgust over their antics as I did watching this last episode. What happened was not some made-for-TV drama or a idiosyncratic personality, but downright bullying and abuse. It made me both uncomfortable and angry that the producers think that this is a good form of entertainment.
I applaud you for this blog, Hugh!

So I wonder if Heather even realizes how horrible her attitude is and that this show is being watched by national television, which also could be viewed by either future employeers or invenstors. But the most the thing im waiting the most to see is either Bev or Grayson come up into Heathers' face and knock her down a couple pegs or better yet on the next challenge let Bev win and lets see Heather get sent home. I wonder how bad her rant infront of the judges is gonna be then. Grow a brain Heather, your what almost 30, grow the help and learn how to treat people.

Sorry. 1L; 2 Cs. Chef Colicchio. My bad.

Ouch! Sincerely hoping for Heather's whole personality to truthfully be greater than the sum of the parts we see on television. Reality television does not generally ennoble the view of human behavior while involved in a competition. That said, bullying is indeed a serious issue and witnessing it and responding to it can produce deep and difficult moments for all involved.

Makes me wonder if in addition to Chef Collichio's pressing concerns he might not also have been following the "If you have nothing good to say..." maxim regarding his own blog this week. (No offense to anyone else; it's a different issue with Chef Collichio. If I were as personally associated with TC as he is I would be taking some time for serious reflection regarding dealing with this issue before going on the record too.) The look on his face at Judge's table spoke volumes.

Also, he's consistently resisted the urge to change the ground rules after the fact, so factoring in bad behavior or switching out the announced method of elimination, however tempting in the moment, was not something he could consider without compromising the integrity of the competition.

Did he care? Despite his phrasing, my guess was a big yes. Could it be a factor in the judging? No.

I hope Heather is eliminated soon! People who ONLY cook in their "comfort" zone usually are eliminated before the semi finals. I can't stand her treatment of Beverly in the past 2 episodes. I also hope Heather watches herself on TV and realizes she is only making herself look bad, which could reflect on her professionally. I personally will never eat at any restaurant in which she is the chef due to her completely unprofessional behaviour on this show! She reminds me of a 5 year old who brings up old "hurts" just to get attention. Hugh hit the nail on the head when he commented on how Heather is bringing up incidents that happened in a previous challenge just to make herself look superior (and possibly get saved from elimination). I almost was rooting for for Heather to be eliminated so I would not have to be subjected to her nasty behavior. Unfortunately that would have meant that Bev was also eliminated. I was just hoping that Bev would say back to Heather that she doesn't want the dish to be too Rustic since that is not her style. LOL

Hugh rocks. Heather sucks. Peace out.

Hugh, your blog is full of witty commentary and spot-on observations. By far the best blog :)

OMGoodness!! Chef Hugh, you are hillarious and I am fully entertained with this blog. I completely agree with everything you just said, which is a huge feat due to the fact I wasn't really sure about you as a judge. You are a man of many words and you call it like you see it without demeaning people. Maybe Hurtful Heather could learn a few things from you. I can't wait to read the rest of your blogs.

Bev is NOT off the show yet, Nina. Yeah, maybe Bev cries too much, but when she gets to the kitchen, she shows off her cooking chops. Heather, let's just say I'll NEVER vote for you as the fan favorite. I still don't like Sarah, even though she copped up about the sausage. Don't care for Lindsey either, with the weird looking face and annoying drawl.

Heather may label her behaviour towards her fellow chefs as being assertive but the way that she berates Bev just shows how unprofessional, rude and bullheaded she is. And to make matters worse, she doesn't apologize at the end and doesn't take any ownership for the dish that she has clearly influenced. Also, some have touched upon it but the multiple times she has said that she didn't want to make the dish "too Asian" was very off putting.

For the future, I have no qualms with it being a double elimination but I do think that the elimination should be based on the two weakest members of any of the bottom teams.

Also, I hope that they clearly address Heather's behaviour at least in the reunion episode because Heather was clearly a bully towards the other chefs but especially towards Bev.

OMG, Sorry, Tom, Hugh wins the blogorama. Hugh, we only saw small glimpses of your wit and wisdom when you were on Masters - hope you have time in your career to keep on this series for future seasons - as mentioned above, YOU ROCK. Thanks for calling out Heather cuz she is a bully and deserves it and everyone loses more respect for her daily, and thanks for calling everything else as you see it, cuz that is what we love to hear and read and watch. Just enough knife to know you're serious, but just enough fun to remember it is entertainment. Don't ever change. Gonna have to put your restaurant on my foodie bucket list.

I hate bullies; I really do. Heather clearly enjoys bullying more than cooking, for if she were a "Top Chef" she would spend more time perfecting her skills rather than demeaning a fellow chef. This is abusive behavior, and I guarantee Heather does this to others, and not just in a professional setting. Hope she gets help after the show. So sad about Nyesha...truly an unfair challenge.

I REALLY, REALLY hated this challenge. Pitting contestants against each other is a cheap attempt to create drama. With the exception of one, I think they all rose above the silliness of the concept and accepted their peer reviews with grace and dignity. As for Heather...unbelievable. I can't imagine any chef unwilling to stray from a comfortable style of cooking "I cook rustic American, that is what I know", has the fortitude to last. Heather may have the most bombing Rustic American food skilz on earth; her nasty disposition is what would keep me out of any restaurant where she was employed.

Heather is letting her ambitions get ahead of her professionalism. As far as professionalism at this point she has none. Unless she aspires to run a one-cook cafe, she has no place in this competition. The last resteraunt I worked in, it was a team effort and as we all know there is no "I" in team. Go home Heather!

I'm glad Bev is off the show. She should be able to control her emotions when competing at this level. The seconde chance kitchen is ridiculous!! are you thinking these chefs are playing a junior high basketball game?? Heather, I love your talent, verbally you were way out of line!!!! Nina from Paw Paw!!!

I didn't know what to think of u at first but can honestly say now that I find your point of view is insightful,daring,and just plain funnier than a fart to a bunch of third graders! You rock! I think enough has been said about Heather so I'll just add two words "ditto" and "damn"! I am hoping Edward pulls out strongly in the lead this season as I am from Kentucky and we cheer heartily for our own. Just look at our coll basketball fans. We r fanatics! So Ed has a big following!
Keep your blogs coming cause we love reading them!!

I already had some choice words about Heather's behavior on The Blog "The Hunger Game". But I'm still thinking her. I can't seem to understand the ferocity of her disrespect of Bev - so much that she would risk putting herself in danger. Then I looked at the bios and saw they are both from Chicago and wonder if there is some history between their restaurants or even them? The thing is - Bev is a head chef just like Heather. Smarten up Heather - there are talented chefs around you who can support you to win the top prize, or those same chefs could sabotage you and get you off the show - which I'm sure will illicit a huge sigh of relief from competitors and viewers alike.

Man, that Heather's not only weapons-grade vicious, she's also kind of dumb. She made a lot of enemies among the other chefs, particularly Ed and Grayson, after her repeated attacks on Beverly. Nobody's gonna go out of their way to help or support her anymore, except maybe Ty-Lor.

Wow, I always thought Heather was a little too aggressive and always had to have the last word before this last episode, but now I cannot stand to even hear her voice, because I know that it will just be complaining, making excuses, putting people in their place and bullying or just being rude and self-centered. She may be a good chef, but she is definitely not the kind of person with whom I would want to associate. I have never been a fan of Beverly's either, but at least she is willing to compromise (perhaps too much) during the cooking process. I think the most innane part of the whole situation is that during the taping of the collaboration and cooking, all you saw was Beverly making suggestions and Heather saying "no" everytime, and then in the stew room while the judges were talking, Heather said she was "sorry" if she hurt Beverly's feelings (really genuine, huh?), but that she didn't have control over anything in that dish!!! I'm sorry, what???! She is one of the most controlling and unlikeable people I've encountered recently, and I don't think she sets a good example for other people as people, let alone as a chef.

Bev needs the T-Shirt for season 1 " I'm not your bitch, Bitch!"

Heather is a complete cancer of a human being. And that is being nice. I could care less if she was the best chef on the planet. She is inhuman and I will be more than happy when she gets the boot.

good write up Hugh. I was so happy when you were brought back on TC Masters and very glad you are on the show this year.

Heather is a bully and a Top Chef needs to cook well but also get along with people. She obviously feels threathened by Bev otherwise she wouldn't want her eliminated so badly. Beverly is classy and a good cook. If she didn't spend time on last weeks shrimp and god forbid they found dirt in it Heather wouldv'e gone after her on that. I know you don't eliminate by what goes on behind the scenes but in this case get rid of Heather. Thanks

Am in total agreement regarding Heather!! There have been chefs that have driven me crazy in other seasons, but Heather is just a mean girl and sooooo unlikeable. And, Hugh, what a great blog. Looking forward to your next one. The writing is stellar.

A bully is a bully because deep down they know they don't measure up. Heather is a bully. I'm sure her twisted sense of reality has her believing she's culling a weakling. However, the truth is that she's actually threatened by Bev and thinks she can browbeat her into elimination. And Bev is above that! Kudos to her!! Hey Heather, why don't you just shut up and cook? Or are you afraid to??

I agree with all the above comments regarding Heather. Heather is a mean, nasty, obnoxious bully. She has Bev in her sights because she recognizes that Bev is very vulnerable because of her past history. This to me is really despicable on Heather's part. I really think Heather enjoys making people feel badly.

Bring back Nyesha! Lose Heather! I don't think Heather gave a dang about Bev's background. Bullies usually don't care about anyone but themselves. LOVE Hugh's blog!

Hugh - keep writing blogs. Your comments are awesome and I truly laughed all the way through it (except the one paragraph - how sad.)

Let me sum it up by saying I can't wait to see Heather get eliminated. Her conduct on the show is loathsome. Though Dakota got eliminated for the undercooked venison she can be proud of herself for going out defending Beverly against Heather's bullying and lies at Judge's Table. I look forward to seeing Heather get the old heave-ho as I hate to see nastiness reinforced in any way.