Reality on Bravo

Aisha Tyler was a guest on this week’s episode of Top Chef Chicago.

This week’s Top Chef elimination challenge was the most interesting of the season — even if it’s only in the fourth week. Manuel, who was partnered with Spike, was eliminated after he failed to give enough of himself for the challenge.

Contestants — or “cheftestants” as they’re called — were paired off and forced to create one portion of a mutl-portion meal that was inspired by a movie. Spike’s Vietnamese inspiration played into what ultimately had his team in the bottom two. The result was Manuel, a chef more known for his Mexican flair, being asked to pack his knives.

I have to say Top Chef hasn’t been as exciting this season as I expected. Of course, I think that’s all about to change … did you see Jennifer get angry in the previews for the next episode? I think we’re about to have a foodie fight!

Top Chef, Aisha Tyler, Bravo, Manuel

SPOILER ALERT: If you haven’t seen the premiere episode, some surprises will be ruined if you read more than the first few sentences of this post …

Chicago, otherwise known as the Windy City, is the culinary centerpiece of the Midwest. The city is known for many styles of cuisine — the most casual being the deep-dish pizza. So what better way to start off Top Chef Chicago than with a Quickfire challenge where the 16 contestants make that signature dish?

For these chefs, who came from around the world to compete for this season’s title, making a pizza would seem easy, right? Well, as with many Top Chef challenges, it proved a bit more, well, challenging than even these experienced chefs expected.

Each took their own spin, and many of the pizzas fell apart. Some had issues with the crust overgrowing the pan. Others had crust sticking to the pan. In the end, it was 26-year-old Nimma who came up short in the Quickfire challenge.

For the Elimination Challenge, contestants were put up against one another to make classic dishes, including things like lasagna and Eggs Benedict. There were some amazing-looking dishes in the end — it makes you want to reach into the TV and taste what they’re making — but the judges ultimately came to the decision Nimma would need to pack her knives.

“Unfortunately, no one will know I’m a very good cook,” Nimma said before leaving the show. “… I’m not going to stop cooking. This is what I love to do. I know I have a God-given talent …”

Even though Nimma already is gone, you can get to know her by watching her introduction video from bravotv.com:

The first challenge winner was … well, I’ll keep at least one surprise in case you didn’t have a chance to see the premiere you recorded on your DVR.

Top Chef, Top Chef Chicago

Padma was recently spotted at Celebrating the La Perla Legacy Event earlier this month, and she couldn’t have looked hotter. In fact, with every picture I see of her, Padma simply outdoes herself. Rarely is she not on top of the fashion game and rarely does she take a bad picture (although, hey…it happens to all of us…) Why does Padma always look so hot?

1. She understands her body. Sure, Padma has a great figure. Few of us “mortals” can actually boast her curves. That said, she doesn’t pick out just any clothing. Even Paddie has her figure faults, and she knows how to use what she wears to minimize them.

2. She’s confident. What scar? Padma isn’t perfect, but she is confident about her look. Who cares if she has a huge scar? Who cares if she’s wearing couture or sweats? Padma doesn’t!

3. Her clothes make a statement. No, she’s not always wearing the weirdest outfit or the prettiest outfit…or even the most note-worthy outfit. She does stick to her “style” though, letting her clothes say something about her. She’s not afraid to take risks when she wants, even if the Top Chef producers may be rolling their eyes at her kitchen dress.

We can all take a few lessons from Miss Padma Lakshmi. She really does march to the beat of her own drummer, and in this world, that’s abnormal for any TV personality. I know there’s been a lot of backlash about her qualifications to actually judge Top Chef, but I do think that she’s doing a great job. And…anyone who is half as classy as Padma, in my opinion, is beautiful.

As part of the NaBloPoMo celebration, I’m posting my list of top 30 Most Fabulous Bravo Personalities. The points of qualification? Only one: be utterly fabulous. “Fabulous can mean intriguing, funny, hot, crazy…or all of the above. Stop back every day during November to see if you favorite star has made the list!

Today’s Fabulous #8 is Ted Allen, the culinary member of the Fab Five and a judge on Top Chef.

Why is Ted fabulous? Ted Allen is freakin’ amazing. He’s one of the few Bravo personalities who has been featured on two Bravo shows (QE and TC). In fact, the only other person to do that, I think, is Tim Gunn (Could this be a hint at an upcoming member of this list?). In addition, Ted is often an “expert” on other TV shows as well, in particular, Food Network’s Iron Chef America. When it comes to food, he knows what’s up!

Check back tomorrow for #6!

(Don’t forget to leave a comment here for your chance to win a cookbook with Project Blog!)

Here’s the list of my 30 Fabulous Bravo Personalities so far:

8. Heidi Klum, Project Runway
9. Padma Lakshmi, Top Chef
10. Harold Dieterle, Top Chef
11. Brian Peeler, Work Out
12. James Lipton, The Actor’s Studio
13. Jai Rodriguez, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
14. Kara Keough, the Real Housewives of Orange County
15. Rebecca Cardon, Work Out
16 - 17. Zoila and Monkey, Flipping Out
18. Jo De La Rosa, The Real Housewives of Orange County
19 - 20. The Griffins, My Life on the D-List
21. Goil Amornvivat, Top Design
22. Steven Asprinio, Top Chef Season One
23. Andy Cohen, Bravo Exec
24. Marcel Vigneron, Top Chef Season Two
25. Kelly Wearstler, Top Design
26. Chloe Dao, Project Runway Season Two
27. Vicki Gunvalson, The Real Housewives of Orange County
28. Dale Levitski, Top Chef Season Three
29. Carson Kressley, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
30. Jeff Lewis, Flipping Out

Have someone you’d like to nominate? Feel free to email me at allison.boyer - at - yahoo - dot - com today or leave a comment telling us why your nominee is Bravo-fabulous!

As part of the NaBloPoMo celebration, I’m posting my list of top 30 Most Fabulous Bravo Personalities. The points of qualification? Only one: be utterly fabulous. “Fabulous can mean intriguing, funny, hot, crazy…or all of the above. Stop back every day during November to see if you favorite star has made the list!

Today’s Fabulous #8 is Heidi ,the host of Project Runway and #9 is Padma Lakshmi, the host of Top Chef.

Why are Heidi and Padma fabulous? Talk about some serious girl power! Heidi Klum and Padma Lakshmi are the perfect picks for hosts of the two most popular Bravo TV shows - Project Runway and Top Chef. They’re so different, too. Heidi is the cool, intimidating super model that contestants feel honored to meet and scared to displease until the very end. Padma is the girl-next-door type, on the other hand. By the end of the competitions, the players are her bffs.

I admire both women equally, however. To me, it’s perfect to have them judge, not just act as pretty faces on the show. Two very different women - both super fabulous!

Check back tomorrow for #7!

(Don’t forget to leave a comment here for your chance to win a cookbook with Project Blog!)

Here’s the list of my 30 Fabulous Bravo Personalities so far:

8. Heidi Klum, Project Runway
9. Padma Lakshmi, Top Chef
10. Harold Dieterle, Top Chef
11. Brian Peeler, Work Out
12. James Lipton, The Actor’s Studio
13. Jai Rodriguez, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
14. Kara Keough, the Real Housewives of Orange County
15. Rebecca Cardon, Work Out
16 - 17. Zoila and Monkey, Flipping Out
18. Jo De La Rosa, The Real Housewives of Orange County
19 - 20. The Griffins, My Life on the D-List
21. Goil Amornvivat, Top Design
22. Steven Asprinio, Top Chef Season One
23. Andy Cohen, Bravo Exec
24. Marcel Vigneron, Top Chef Season Two
25. Kelly Wearstler, Top Design
26. Chloe Dao, Project Runway Season Two
27. Vicki Gunvalson, The Real Housewives of Orange County
28. Dale Levitski, Top Chef Season Three
29. Carson Kressley, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
30. Jeff Lewis, Flipping Out

Have someone you’d like to nominate? Feel free to email me at allison.boyer - at - yahoo - dot - com today or leave a comment telling us why your nominee is Bravo-fabulous!

As part of the NaBloPoMo celebration, I’m posting my list of top 30 Most Fabulous Bravo Personalities. The points of qualification? Only one: be utterly fabulous. “Fabulous can mean intriguing, funny, hot, crazy…or all of the above. Stop back every day during November to see if you favorite star has made the list!

Today’s Fabulous #10 is Harold Dieterle, the season one winner of Top Chef.

Why is Harold fabulous? I couldn’t make a list of fabulous Bravo personalities without talking about the man who was the original Top Chef. Harold cooks with soul, and his personality makes him a great choice for Top Chef. He actually used the money for his own restaurant too (unlike Ilan, who twittered it away on traveling because he didn’t actually have any viable chef skills). Harold proved to us all that being a Top Chef is about being a leader, not just having great food, and really, I still kind of miss season one - it was by far the best season of Top Chef so far.

Check back tomorrow for #9!

(Don’t forget to leave a comment here for your chance to win a cookbook with Project Blog!)

Here’s the list of my 30 Fabulous Bravo Personalities so far:

10. Harold Dieterle, Top Chef
11. Brian Peeler, Work Out
12. James Lipton, The Actor’s Studio
13. Jai Rodriguez, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
14. Kara Keough, the Real Housewives of Orange County
15. Rebecca Cardon, Work Out
16 - 17. Zoila and Monkey, Flipping Out
18. Jo De La Rosa, The Real Housewives of Orange County
19 - 20. The Griffins, My Life on the D-List
21. Goil Amornvivat, Top Design
22. Steven Asprinio, Top Chef Season One
23. Andy Cohen, Bravo Exec
24. Marcel Vigneron, Top Chef Season Two
25. Kelly Wearstler, Top Design
26. Chloe Dao, Project Runway Season Two
27. Vicki Gunvalson, The Real Housewives of Orange County
28. Dale Levitski, Top Chef Season Three
29. Carson Kressley, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
30. Jeff Lewis, Flipping Out

Have someone you’d like to nominate? Feel free to email me at allison.boyer - at - yahoo - dot - com today or leave a comment telling us why your nominee is Bravo-fabulous!

As part of the NaBloPoMo celebration, I’m posting my list of top 30 Most Fabulous Bravo Personalities. The points of qualification? Only one: be utterly fabulous. “Fabulous can mean intriguing, funny, hot, crazy…or all of the above. Stop back every day during November to see if you favorite star has made the list!

Today’s Fabulous #22 is Steven Asprinio from Top Chef Season One.

Why is Steven fabulous? It’s Friday night. What better to do on a Friday night than go out for drinks? And they Friday, instead of grabbing that ice cold beer, trade up in life for a glass of wine. That’s what Steven Asprinio would do, after all.

Seriously, folks. This guys is amazingly knowledgeable about wine. And…well…he’s a little crazy. He’s kind of like a cartoon character. So confident, so willing to speak his mind, so unaware that everyone around him is making fun of him. Even Tim Gunn can’t believe that he’s for real. He is very real, however. Real and fabulous.

Because as much as people have made fun of Steven in the past, he gets the last laugh. Do you know where he’ll be laughing? ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK. Steven has incredible drive, and of all the Top Chef past contestants, I do think that he’s one of the few we’ll hear from again. I think that Steven will really make a difference in world of food (and wine).

Check back tomorrow for #21!

Here’s the list of my 30 Fabulous Bravo Personalities so far:

22. Steven Asprinio, Top Chef Season One
23. Andy Cohen, Bravo Exec
24. Marcel Vigneron, Top Chef Season Two
25. Kelly Wearstler, Top Design
26. Chloe Dao, Project Runway Season Two
27. Vicki Gunvalson, The Real Housewives of Orange County
28. Dale Levitski, Top Chef Season Three
29. Carson Kressley, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
30. Jeff Lewis, Flipping Out

Have someone you’d like to nominate? Feel free to email me at allison.boyer - at - yahoo - dot - com today or leave a comment telling us why your nominee is Bravo-fabulous!

As part of the NaBloPoMo celebration, I’m posting my list of top 30 Most Fabulous Bravo Personalities. The points of qualification? Only one: be utterly fabulous. “Fabulous can mean intriguing, funny, hot, crazy…or all of the above. Stop back every day during November to see if you favorite star has made the list!

Today’s Fabulous #24 is Marcel Vigneron, the runner up for Top Chef Season Two.

Why is Marcel fabulous?He cooks. He raps. He has funky hair. I mean, what else do you need in life?

Marcel is a fabulous Bravo personality for one other reason as well - he took everything like a man. Honestly, the kid is annoying as hell. You can tell, just by seeing the show and seeing live interviews with him. I bet that anyone who is locked in a room with Marcel and a shotgun woudl shoot him/herself after about 24 hours or so. But you know what? That’s Marcel. And he’s comfortable in his own skin.

So comfortable that when people began to pick on him, he just said “Whatever” and moved on with his life. As annoying as Marcel may be, he didn’t deserve half of the shit that he put up with on Top Chef. He didn’t lose spirit though. He allowed that to drive him nearer and nearer to the finale. To me, that’s what Bravo spirit is all about!

Check back tomorrow for #23!

Here’s the list of my 30 Fabulous Bravo Personalities so far:

24. Marcel Vigneron, Top Chef Season Two
25. Kelly Wearstler, Top Design
26. Chloe Dao, Project Runway Season Two
27. Vicki Gunvalson, The Real Housewives of Orange County
28. Dale Levitski, Top Chef Season Three
29. Carson Kressley, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
30. Jeff Lewis, Flipping Out

Have someone you’d like to nominate? Feel free to email me at allison.boyer - at - yahoo - dot - com today or leave a comment telling us why your nominee is Bravo-fabulous!

As part of the NaBloPoMo celebration, I’m posting my list of top 30 Most Fabulous Bravo Personalities. The points of qualification? Only one: be utterly fabulous. “Fabulous can mean intriguing, funny, hot, crazy…or all of the above. Stop back every day during November to see if you favorite star has made the list!

Today’s Fabulous #28 is Dale Levitski, one of the top three contestants from Bravo’s Top Chef.

Why is Dale Fabulous? Have you seen TC3? I mean, Dale was the underdog, but during the show, he found himself after almost a year of not cooking at all. His story was amazing…almost as amazing as the random stuff he’d say on the show. Who can forget “I don’t know anything about cowboys…well, I’ve slept with a few…”? And I mean, those dimples? They’re just adorable. I predict that we’ll be seeing more of Dale in the culinary world (and hey, if Bravo gave him his own show…I’d watch…)

Check back tomorrow for #27!

28. Dale Levitski, Top Chef Season Three
29. Carson Kressley, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
30. Jeff Lewis, Flipping Out

Grub Review - by Lessa McDonald

(Lessa is a 451Press writer at http://watchingrachaelray.com, http://watchingsurvivor.com , http://bigbrothercraze.com, and recently took a vacation - where she was delighted to be introduced to Betty, of Top Chef, Season Two, at her restaurant, Grub, in LA. What follows is the experience in her own words. Thanks for guest-posting, Lessa!)

Imagine my surprise, upon waking up one lovely October morning on my vacation, to discover that the first order of business was lunch! Ok, so not so much a surprise, since we slept in till noon, lolling about in the glow of the California sun, safely cooled by the best air conditioning this Alaskan could ever hope for. My surprise came in when we decided where to eat lunch, and my hostess, Erica, said “Let’s do Grub! You know, Baddabing Betty’s place?”

At which point I’m pretty sure there was a whole bunch of fan-girly squealing involved, because I am oh so mature like that.

Yes, it seems that my friends, who I was meeting in person for the first time after knowing them online for years, not only are fans of Betty from Top Chef Season Two already, but know her personally and eat at her restaurant at LEAST every other day! Betty Fraser & Denise Decarlo’s Grub was less then three blocks away. There was NO WAY I was going to turn down the chance to meet Betty in person!

(more…)

There’s an interesting article in the New York Post online today about Project Runway. The writer notes something that I’ve noticed too - Project Runway has a higher talent level every season. (So does Top Chef for that matter). I have to say, it does worry me a bit.

The real premise behind Project Runway is that the competition should help to forward the careers for some up-and-coming designers who haven’t been lucky enough to strike it big yet. As the New York Post author points out, this season brings us a red carpet dress designer who’s worked with Jessica Alba as well as a designer who’s made the cover of the Victoria’s Secrets catalog. Hrm. That doesn’t really seem like “up-and-coming…”

The fact is, in the designing world, you can be in one day and out the next, such as Heidi Klum teaches us. It’s not like cooking. If you make good food today, that isn’t going to change. Sure, there are certain trends, but people food doesn’t really go in and out of style. Fashion does. I’m worried that some of these professionals who’ve found success are just in it for some easy money (little do they know how un-easy that will be!)

(more…)

The season’s just ended with the talented Hung Huynh reining supreme as the winner, and I already miss it. I miss the drama. I miss Tom Colicchio. Hell, I even miss Gail.

But I did want to take a moment to congratulate Hung once again. It was a well-deserved win. There’s no news yet as to how he’ll spend his money - hopefully he won’t ass it away like season two winner Ilan Hall. In any case, he’s a little bit of information about Hung, since he is America’s Top Chef!

Hometown: Pittsfield, Massachusetts although he was actually born in Vietnam

Previous Job before Top Chef: Executive Sous Chef at Guy Savoy

Sign: Aquarius

Relationship Status: Single

Fun Fact: Hung speaks four different languages.

My Favorite TC Hung Moment: When he broke down the chickens during the restaurant race in like, two seconds

Hung, Hung Huynh, Top Chef

Rocco says he didn’t go out to celebrate after the show, but “Those guys definitely did. I think Dale took everyone to Boy’s Club. Maybe he converted a few.”

Read more about Rocco’s take on the finale here.

My favorite quote of the article? “It tasted like Indian sewer water.” Um. Ew. What dish was he talking about? I bet you can guess without even reading the article. Poor Dale…

So, do you think Hung deserved to win? I do…and here’s why:

*He took the judges’ criticisms and ran with it. They said they couldn’t see Hung in Hung’s food, so it was important for him to work on cooking with more identity and soul. Hung stepped up to that challenge. This meal was all about him.

*His food has been solid throughout the competition. There’s really not been a week when I thought he was in significant trouble. Although he was in the bottom a few times, he was never THE bottom person (or even really close for that matter).

*He met the “fourth course” challenge with a good dessert. I feel like Casey and Dale both relied on their sous chefs to come up with a plan, but Hung said “I know what to do” and just gave Sara direction on what to do it. Yes, it wasn’t “innovative.” But, it was a damn good cake, AND let’s not forget that he baked it at a high altitude. That’s not exactly easy.

*His knife skills are awesome. Like I’ve said in the past, I believe that anyone, given the time and drive, can learn those knife skills. Most people don’t. Why? It’s freaking hard. Hung found a skill that he could hone, and he did. Watching him is just fun.

*He showed that he was a leader in the kitchen. During this episode, he really showed that he could respectfully boss around even the best of the best.

*He played the game. Hung got a lot of criticism for times in this competition where he ended early and yet did not help the other chefs finish. Good for him. This was a competition! Although I thought it was nice of Casey, Dale, etc. to help one another pack up when time was short, I would have played the game the same way Hung did. And you know, he did it in a respectful way. That’s the difference between Hung and Marcel - Hung respects his fellow chefs, while still playing to win.

I went into tonight betting on Casey but cheering for Dale. Oddly enough, I think the judges made the best decision. Do you think Hung deserved to win?

Hung, Top Chef, Bravo

…until the Top Chef finale!

Top Chef, Bravo, Top Chef finale