TOP CHEF MASTERS Recap: Episode 2
June 19, 2009 by SB
I think the most jarring thing to me about this episode was how completely different it was from the first one. It’s weird because you don’t realize during an entire season of regular Top Chef how used to everyone you get, to their dynamic and reactions and so forth. In the first episode, everyone was lighthearted and having a great time. This one was much more subdued and intense.
I think the most familiar face to most of us was Wylie Dufresne, who’s a regular judge on Top Chef. Like Hubert, I was completely cracked up by how totally different his competition persona was from his judging persona, but in a totally opposite way. He seems so mellow, so quiet and sweet when he judges, but he is an INTENSE competitor and knows how to drop a serious F-bomb (or fifty). I was so entertained.
The other judge I knew of ahead of time was Elizabeth Falkner, and I know she’s judged on TC before, but I actually am more familiar with her from the Food Network Challenges, and I am not predisposed to liking her. On FNC, she’s always “artistic” and then freaks out when people don’t “get it” and she doesn’t win. To me it’s like, it’s a competition and you know who you have to please, so if you want to win, make them happy and shut up. So I was kind of expecting that from her on Top Chef. She was much, much more tolerable than I anticipated, and I loved her whipping up chocolate chip cookies while they were waiting on the judges, and she was much more gracious than I had anticipated.
Graham was pretty awesome and he was the one I was really rooting for to win. He was funny, and I loved him and Wylie shopping together. But more than anything, he was like the exact opposite of Suzanne, who I was totally over almost from word one. Because first of all, not only does she have the personality of an overcooked noodle, she is obnoxiously snobby and I cannot get behind that, especially when it comes to food. I mean, it is clear to anyone who knows me that I am not a foodie, not in any way shape or form. Most of my cooking is influenced by generations and generations of poor Midwestern people, and while I don’t generally cook from a box, I’m also FAR from what you’d call an exotic eater, and I’m certainly not a health food/organic nut. I have no problem with people who are, because as with many issues out there, it doesn’t affect my life at all, and do what makes you happy. I DO get annoyed, however, when people get a superiority complex about it and get all holier than thou because they use “all natural ingredients”. Get over yourself, Suzanne. She’s all, “I know about Fritos and Doritos because I have teenagers.” WHATEVER! That’s like those people that act like they’re better than you because they don’t “watch a lot of TV”. I would almost guarantee she’s “one of those” too. Ugh, I’m getting annoyed all over again.
Graham, on the other hand, was totally unashamed of his affinity for all foods of all varieties, including the processed, packaged, and preserved kinds. And good for him! That’s the kind of guy whose restaurant I’d want to eat at. Suzanne can take her wheatgrass smoothie and shove it up her regularly cleansed colon for all I care.
Wow, I didn’t realize how much Suzanne animosity I had. But it doesn’t matter, because Hubert will own her.
Well, after that delightful little rant, I feel pretty satisfied that you all know my feelings on the episode! What did you guys think? Who were you rooting for? Were you happy with the outcome? Do you think Suzanne will even have a shot against my Hubert? Discuss!
SB has many interests, including photography, her pets, entertainment, traveling and writing. She does have a day job, but that mostly amounts to her being a sarcastic young woman with a lot of time on her hands, which is why she appreciates the opportunity to recap.
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I, like you, was totally rooting for Graham. Thought I knew he had no chance after everyone gushed over Suzanne’s Elimination dish. I thought his showed more thought and cohesion. She did win on heartiness. If was deserted on an island I’d want lots of food too.
What surprised me the most was how much Wylie came back. It didn’t seem to me that his chicken/egg thing was as out-of-this-world as the judges seemed to think. I was kinda eh for me. And missing a plate with chicken and then that judge giving him 4 1/2 stars? Come on. The Lost people only gave him 3 stars so I’m guessing it didn’t blow them away that much. At least Graham has those bragging rights. I really loved Wylie and Graham together. They were having so much fun and asking each to taste food. Loved it. The girls really brought it down for me 🙂
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You know, Strunkette, I really think that Suzanne’s dish was a lesson in “spin”. Call it a “holiday meal” on the island, and all of a sudden it’s not just a garbage bowl, which is what I thought it looked like.
I’m curious about next week–I didn’t recognize any of those people.
“garbage bowl” HAHAHAHAHA I love the way you think.
Great review BTW. I really enjoy your take on my favorite shows 🙂
Hahahaha! Must give credit to Billy on “garbage bowl”. It’s been a staple in our house for a few years, ever since KFC started making them. I don’t even know what they’re actually called, because we just call them the KFC Garbage Bowls. You know the ones, with mashed potatoes, cheese, popcorn chicken, gravy, and corn? Billy says it’s really the corn that pushes it over the top and makes it look like garbage, and I have to agree. 🙂
Hey SB, i am with you on Suzanne. It was instant dislike from the moment she opened her mouth, snobby beotch. I was with Graham all the way and disappointed! His tuna three ways was cool. What bugged me most was, what ingredient in Suzanne’s quick fire came from the vending machine? Did she sprinkle Frito dust to garnish? I saw nothing that looked or sounded right from the machine.
Next week is one I’m waiting for as I believe the bearded chef is Rick Bayless, Frontera Grill in Chicago – the only one I know for certain that I’ve tasted personally. If you’re ever in Chicago you should go http://www.fronterakitchens.com/
I think the only thing that Suzanne had in her quick fire that came from the vending machine is a Dr. Pepper aioli. I hardly think that qualifies as a “vending machine” quickfire. I also loved Graham. There is something to love about pudgy, young chefs with fresh ideas. I also loved the glasses. 🙂
I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE WON! SHE TOTALLY CHEATED ON THE QUICK FIRE! Seriously, the sauce had a tiny bit of Dr. Pepper in it? Totally missing the point.
Lisa, interesting that you should say that, because I live outside Chicago and spend most of my weekends in the city! I checked that website and it looked pretty good, so I’m going to have to check that out.
Good call, everybody, on her barely using ingredients. You’re all right, it’s total BS. I didn’t even really register it because in my mind it was just like the old version where they could pretty much ONLY use vending machine ingredients. She’s such a douche.
But, like I said, it’s only a matter of time before Hubert shows her how the big boys do it.