In The Pink

Bravo has a lot to blush about, but does Jen?

Last night's reunion show had some fun moments with the stew room antics and 'Black Hammer' comments. But Jen's deep blush when the host asked about her relationship was quite a surprise. I noticed no such blush on Zoi. What does -that- mean?

Dale packs his nuts

Oops, my bad,
I meant...
'Dale packs his knives & goes'

Everyone realized that this guy had issues, but I have to give props to the reviewer at BuddyTv that guessed that tonight would be the night that Dale would 'PYK&G'.

Quote:

I think that Dale makes interesting and exciting food, but this next episode is Restaurant Wars and we've already seen that cooperation and controlling his response to team-related frustration are not necessarily his strong suits. - L.S., BuddyTv

Couldn't agree more, I think he's quite capable as a solo chef, but to be a true executive 'top' chef you need to be able to control your kitchen. I just don't see those skills in this guy.

You may declare 'Oh, its those editing monkeys at Bravo.' but for me, as soon as I saw him do a crotch-grab in front of a tv crew, I knew he just didn't have the smarts to run a 4-star anything.

So congrats again to Stephanie, Richard, and Antonia - I'd wait in line to go to your 35 seat diner, anytime. -----------
P.S.

Was it any surprise that both teams wanted Jen as sous?

P.P.S.

via TWoP:

"Lisa?, embrace the potato."

I'm Judge Ted, the Foodie.

Top Chef, now spiced up with... quizzes?!
I went on Bravo's web site and found that they've upped the entertainment quotient of TC. Kinda. At any rate, here are my results for the terminally curious or totally bored TC fans:


This second quiz is quite interesting... since I did it twice, and the second time around I intentionally got -all- the answers -wrong-, and yet was still declared a 'foodie'...


Bravo's quizzes, opens in new window -here-. There are also games like 'Chef Suduko' there, but I didn't try'm. *If you do, let me know if they're *exciting*...

eta: Current standings on Bravo's Ep407 poll

Did Jen deserve to go home?

Yes -- 39% (3946 votes)
No --- 61% (6238 votes)

The Truth, Improv'd

Take a look at the links. Now we really know that the wrong gal was packing her knives...

Padma, looking at Jen just after the PYK&G moment. She looks quite distressed, no doubt about it.

More convinced that ever that TomC was the one actually influencing Ted and Padma go go along with dumping Jen in favor of the drama duo. Purely a ratings ploy?... or something else?

Top Chef's own Lee Anne wrote in her blog:

I was sad to see Jen go. Again, everything is judged a single challenge at a time, and she is WAY more skilled than some of the remaining contestants. She is the Tre of this season, having gone home too early. I had found her food up until that point to be not only inspired and original, but food that I would eat anytime.

And Jen's quoted here in NYmag:

What did you like about your dish?
Just the technique of caramelizing goat cheese like that is really unique. The chefs, the other contestants, devoured the leftovers. They were like: “This is the bomb, this is so good.” No one had seen that technique with the cheese before.

When other chefs gobble down Jen's food... need I say more?

TWoP poll update: Now 90% think Antonia/Lisa deserved knifing.

Orange Turned-on Asparagus*

*that's code for 'Beware capricious judges who'll skewer you whilst letting others who ignore their challenge elements slide!'
Our Jen unexpectedly trips over an asparagus stalk.

I'm sorry we didn't get to see all the cooking Jen did (thanks to Bravo's editing monkeys) but the other chefs did, which makes Dale's remark even more telling: 'She scared me when she cooked, she was so good.' We know he's not the type to say that randomly. And I found the other chef's crying 'What?!' plus Stephanie's annoyed "Jen's going home, leave me alone." very telling as well. Thats all in Bravo's 'extra' Ep4.07 video, of course. Note: not surprisingly, this vid has been overloaded with hits since the show aired - be patient, or try later.

It appears Jen got the shaft and the other chefs knew it instantly. Hey 'Top Chef' if you're so sure about your judging why didn't you include those bits in the actual show? So 'Thanks again' Bravo Editing Monkeys. I'm hoping they turn the animals from the Zoo episode loose on you. Except for the penguins, of course, unless they're rabid.

eta:
TWoP's poll, 80% say Antonia or Lisa should have gone, not Jen.