Top Chef

[maxell1313]

shopper1 said:

Tiffani's interpersonal skills are sorely lacking, although I do think she was trying to be a bit nicer, although it was too little too late.
Still, I can't help but wonder if the other chefs would have been as hard on her if she were a male chef - would she have been perceived as a 'take charge' chef instead of the predictable fall back - bitch?

Still, I am glad that Harold won - his food was consistently good. I don't know how strong he is at team building - was it that the others really wanted to work for him - or did they really not want to work for Tiffani?

I think they really didn't want to work for Tiffani. At least, if I'd been in their shoes, I wouldn't have wanted to either. And I don't think Tiffani being female had anything to do with people disliking her. Had it been Stephen in the finals instead of her, I'd have hated him just as much. It wasn't until he was eliminated that he actually became tolerable and, dare I say it, fun. The fact that all four chefs chose Harold to win says a lot. Tiffani might be a good cook, but if everyone around her hates her, they're not going to give 100% FOR her, and the product will be lacking. You always work harder for someone you like and respect.

I was scared for a while the judges weren't going to pick Harold and was prepared to be furious. Good for them on going the "safe" route.

And as much as I love Dave, I have to admit that showing up to work late and hung over, even if he did have to work with evil personified, was not the most professional of attitudes. It was only going to be for a day, and if he concentrated on his dishes, he wouldn't have had to even talk to her all that much. (Then again, knowing Tiffani, she'd probably have demanded he attach himself to her hip.)

Anyway, a big congrats to Harold for winning it all! I'm thrilled for him and I hope to eat in one of his restaurants someday.

[FiggyPudding]

Dave does have a hair trigger response where Tiffany is concerned. I noticed that the slightest provocation from her sets him off. It was esp. noticeable during the Reunion, even though plenty of others were not happy with her.

Speaking from personal experience, I think Dave's grudges against Tiffany are definitely prompting this. When someone I know really well starts to get on my back about something, it pushes my buttons. I go from anger response 1 to 10 fairly quickly instead of being more moderate. All the baggage sets me off because I know what their tactics are and I'd rather skip the preamble and get to the end.

Not saying it's right, but I understand it. Plus, I've had some pretty horrid bosses before, and even though it would be great if everyone did their best regardless; that doesn't always happen in the real world. Ultimately, Tiffany had 'higher highs' and 'lower lows' with her food, and she lost. I don't think higher highs count more, because at one point they called one of her dishes a real disaster. I'm so glad Harold won.

He has a video clip on the Today Show with Al Roker. He did really well, except you can tell he has some nerves/adrenaline going on because of his voice. Cute.

[WitchyPoo]

Harold looks like a Muppet. A sweet Muppet.

[indygirl]

Bumping for new season!

I saw a commercial for the new episodes which begin in October. I couldn't find any information about the new chefs on Bravo's site, but that site is such a nightmare to navigate that I didn't spend too much time searching it.

Can't wait for this one to start up. I am assuming S1 chefs will show up in some capacity. I really want to see Harold, LeeAnne, and Dave And oddly enough, Stephen.

[FiggyPudding]

They ran a TC marathon yesterday, but only showed Nasty Delights through the Finale. This is the second time they've done a marathon that was missing episodes. I hope they do a complete run before Season 2, or hurry up and release a dvd.

Can't wait for this one to start up. I am assuming S1 chefs will show up in some capacity. I really want to see Harold, LeeAnne, and Dave And oddly enough, Stephen.

I heard on another TC group that Harold does make a guest judge appearance on S2.

[topher]

Season 2 cast

[biondetta]

A friend of mine actually worked on the show (not a contestant). I might see if I can get some gos from him.

[indygirl]

topher said:

Season 2 cast

Thanks, Topher.

biondetta said:

A friend of mine actually worked on the show (not a contestant). I might see if I can get some gos from him.

Oh yes, please!

[indygirl]

Double post, but it's been over month.

I am currently watching the marathon on Bravo--thank you Columbus Day!--and I was just wondering if there had ever been any report of Dave's trip to France with Jeffrey Chowderhead(?) and his team of chefs. Did he mention it on the reunion show? I can't even remember.

[kafka]

I haven't heard anything but I'm so glad you posted this, IndyGirl. (Yay, another show for us to share. Again.) Anyway, I told MrPancake last week that he absolutely HAD to watch this because it was even better than Project Runway. (Well, for Foodies it is. WAY better, but that's my bias speaking.)

I'm so glad the BillyJoel Bot has been replaced. The new female Host is actually from one of my beloved Sharpe's Rifles series (Sean Bean...... mmmmm....... <slurp>). She's utterly gorgeous (the first Indian int'l supermodel) but also someone with a whole series of cookbooks and food things under her belt.

She may not be a professional chef, but her life since leaving modelling has been heavily focused on food. (And on trying to seduce Sean Bean as the legendary but evil courtesan/concubine who takes over her country as "Regent.")(AHEM..... sorry, I promise to try to focus.....)

Bottom line: New Hostess is gorgeous, a Sharpe Woman, and actually knowledgeable about cooking....