Episode 8: "Common Threads" Options

[WhataJoke]

WAJ,

Harold's salmon was probably the worse dish of what was served to the wedding guests. If it weren't for Stephen's repeat performance of bad FOH, Harold might have been on the chopping block. As for the eggshells that Bear asked about, both you and I and anyone else who viewed that episode knows that the likely eggshell culprit was Tiffani - one camera shot showed her breaking eggs over the cake mix.

As for who cooked what other than Harold, like you I can't remember.

A lot of things said by Tom and Gail I found to be questionable.

I just read through Kecklers recap of the episode and the guests called Harold's Salmon "bad convention food." So his was obviously the worst food hands down. However Stephen's abandonment of the kitchen was the worse crime.
As for the Eggshells, yeah Shrek has to end up getting blamed for that and it always seemed pretty sabatour-like to me.

[chucole]

I would like three hours or even an all day marathon.

BUT can they get sponsors for that???
A two hour prime time show is highly unusual.
I wish that they would at least do a judges table prologue.
Even a quick hit of some of the
controversial stuff.....BUT do they really care??

NO..We are a minor amount of viewers here comparatively.
We are the fringe fanatics.

There are millions strong and one hour is enough for them
I am gathering......DRATS!
We could all write.... ya' never know...I will do that now.
But my one little letter won't matter. We all have to
do it.........so do it!!!

I'm NOT bossy I'm take charge (My friend Paige)

We could compromise at 90 minutes. Hey, I'm easy. But, I ain't cheap.

[helencrump]

I thought of a rather wicked set-up for an Elimination Challenge. It's based on my preference that a chef really know and be able to work in at least one cuisine other than the one she/he grew up with.

I think this could work when there are about 5-6 chefs or teams.

Let chefs/teams draw knives, and on the knives appear the words:
French
Italian
Middle Eastern (or Levantine)
Caribbean
Latin
Asian (or even SE Asian)
Scandinavian
Iberian

The actual words (cuisines) could be drawn from a list of what the chefs claim to know, on their applications.

Pause briefly to allow the chefs to try to trade away a cuisine they do not know for one they do know. Bit of drama, as Dale knows French perfectly well but has no intention of surrendering Asian to Lisa...

Once that settles down, announce that they're serving dishes rooted in those cuisines to 10 diners, and now it's time to draw knives to determine the order of their dishes. First course through to last course.

Pause briefly to allow the chefs to try to trade away that first course Scandinavian dish, cause they got nothin', for a fifth course they might succeed with. Bit of drama, as Richard knows what do in any situation, except a final course.

In any case, a chance to see what the chefs really know a lot about cuisines other than their own.

Or, have those knives include the names of some specific American cuisines, as some chefs are as unlikely to know those as to know Iberian.
New England
Southern
Tex-Mex
Southwest
California
Native American
Cajun
Creole
Etc

Fascinatingly mischevious!!

Now, after they've had a chance to swap knives to get a "known" cuisine, do they get to swap again to get the course they want?

Who could get the short end of that stick . . . er, knife?

[helencrump]

You know if you are cooking for yourself and you want to use the same spoon that is one thing, but for other people THAT IS GROSS.

You see other chef's taste their food, and they use a small spoon alot of times to taste it.

I guess to each their own, but after watching how he cooks- how many of us would want to eat at a resteraunt he is at?

double post . . . I didn't ask for it.

See below.

This post has been edited by helencrump: May 4, 2008 - 03:34 PM

[helencrump]

You know if you are cooking for yourself and you want to use the same spoon that is one thing, but for other people THAT IS GROSS.

You see other chef's taste their food, and they use a small spoon alot of times to taste it.

I guess to each their own, but after watching how he cooks- how many of us would want to eat at a resteraunt he is at?

We've seen Richard do it in the taco QF. And we've seen Mark do it . . . at least twice. Do you suppose others have done it as well, and just not gotten caught on film??? Methinks, yes . . . as it seems to be a plague amongst our season's cheftestants.

LeAnn says there are plastic spoons aplenty at the cookstations for just that purpose, yet they don't seem to be using them.

Maybe they don't know they're supposed to use them. Maybe they've previously not been held to such stringent sanitary standards.

Yet, I would not call this stringent.

This post has been edited by helencrump: May 4, 2008 - 03:21 PM

[helencrump]

We don't know for sure that he didn't know that or that she didn't say it...He may have and she may have...We just don't know what was NOT said....Maybe he didn't know but she told him.
But Tom does know food and he even knows
where truffles are found and NOT found

YES Simon....he was right.

He may have known but it also just wasn't very good.

So, I'll just take all this as an entertaining Wednesday evening, what with magical elves doing the business they're paid to do.

Notwithstanding the editing that occurs elsewhere in TVland with the reality shows. This is the only one I watch.

But methinks all is done for maximum drama and controversy and conversation . . . that bit of "chatter" all shows want so they can be even bigger than their 60 minutes on any particular evening.

Nonetheless, the Antonia/Lisa polish sausage item reeks in my craw when Ted says they did use it.

They didn't.

Make it work!!!

[HelenaHandbasket]

And DOES SHE EVER WASH HER HAIR????? OMG, if I walked into a restaurant and saw her cooking.... I'd walk out as fast as I could! What a greasy, dirty looking person!

I agree! I'm betting she carries an odor that resembles a mix of B.O., hemp, old grease and dirty Birkenstock feet. Phewey!

[NiCi]

So, I'll just take all this as an entertaining Wednesday evening, what with magical elves doing the business they're paid to do.

Notwithstanding the editing that occurs elsewhere in TVland with the reality shows. This is the only one I watch.

But methinks all is done for maximum drama and controversy and conversation . . . that bit of "chatter" all shows want so they can be even bigger than their 60 minutes on any particular evening.

Nonetheless, the Antonia/Lisa polish sausage item reeks in my craw when Ted says they did use it.

They didn't.

Make it work!!!

Helen, I can just picture the *snaps fingers three times* with your last sentence!
I agree, no matter which way you slice it, twarnt no polish sausage in thar!!!!!

[KSboy]

Hey, KS...good to see you back on the boards. How was the vacation?

I have to say I agree with you. This week the weaker dish didn't go home. Lisa is good TV...Stephanie had an off week...poor Mark didn't have enough protien.

Great to see you here...How are things, my friend?

From one KS to the other, I'm doing great. As I noted elsewhere on these boards, I got overwhelmed at work after vacation, and stayed away from these boards until I could get my head above water. Now, I'm enjoying the show, even if I'm increasingly scratching my head in bewilderment at some of the judges' decisions.

We've got a houseful of my inlaws staying with us right now for a family reunion, so I'm taking a quick personal breather long enough to get on line for a while.

[KSBEAR]

From one KS to the other, I'm doing great. As I noted elsewhere on these boards, I got overwhelmed at work after vacation, and stayed away from these boards until I could get my head above water. Now, I'm enjoying the show, even if I'm increasingly scratching my head in bewilderment at some of the judges' decisions.

We've got a houseful of my inlaws staying with us right now for a family reunion, so I'm taking a quick personal breather long enough to get on line for a while.

Dealing with family issues myself right now. Except mine is off watching over an elderly aunt who broke bones last weekend. Batching it with the dog...mowing the lawn for the second time this week (damn rain)...and cooking a big pot of chili. Never did learn how to make a batch for one. Good thing it freezes well!

[HelenaHandbasket]

You made me laugh very hard.
(Oy hard again)
Chuc.... Queen of the meat balls with pineapple

Disclaimer:.

The T-Shirt below DOES come with the man included

LMAO...that shirt is from one of the greatest movies ever made.

[Fordmanrod]

Bear I'll even go so far as saying that it was my least favorite challenge ever on the show. Awful premise for the quickfire, completely unrealistic time frame and just all around cruel to the couple who were most likely hoodwinked into going along with the idea. There was not one chance that these chefs were going to do well let alone excell.

And aside from going to Whole foods with only 10 bucks (completely unrealistic, not the $10 part but the Whole Foods part) I thought the last challenge was one of the best ever on the show.

I think this will be a complete cluster bleep and the sad part is that its exactly what the producers want.

I have to agree with you on this past weeks elim challange. I enjoyed it more than just about any of the past seasons challanges. TC was able to hit me where I live ( except shopping at Whole Foods)... the concept of putting a good meal together for 10 bucks is life in the real world. Adding the kids as helpers was a bonus..... it showed that kids can work in the kitchen and how a family can gain real quality time with thier kids by letting them help.

[Fordmanrod]

I just read through Kecklers recap of the episode and the guests called Harold's Salmon "bad convention food." So his was obviously the worst food hands down. However Stephen's abandonment of the kitchen was the worse crime.
As for the Eggshells, yeah Shrek has to end up getting blamed for that and it always seemed pretty sabatour-like to me.

I have not re-watched that episode but as I remember it besides the eggshells the judges were not happy with the fact that they used a cake mix for the cake.

[HelenaHandbasket]

My award for best line from episode #8 goes to Andrew: "I've got a culinary boner."

[lkbrose]

I think Lisa is a "biatch". She reminds me of Tiffany in season 1 - without the cooking chops.

She was "too good" to make Polish sausage -- which was her primary ingredient. Altough I like Antonia - this is the second time she didn't use the correct ingredients (Remember the gorilla food -- LAMB)

I think Dale has a right to go off on her. First she didn't want to collaborate on the Fire element (she shot everything down) and then she ends up winning for making "bacon". I think we should just call this the bacon contest -- if you use it you'll win.

I hate the fact they are doing wedding wars. These people get no sleep, no budget -- and this is a big day for the people getting married.

I'd much prefer the restaurant wars (without the redux - poor Tre) because they don't effect people's lives.

[NiCi]

My award for best line from episode #8 goes to Andrew: "I've got a culinary boner."

Ewwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!

[johnw]

I have not re-watched that episode but as I remember it besides the eggshells the judges were not happy with the fact that they used a cake mix for the cake.

Tom gave the chefs a pass on the cake mix because of the time element and the fact that if the wedding cake was a flop there would be no wedding cake. Certainly a cake made from scratch would be more than likely to be a disaster since no one was a pastry chef.

[Bed & Breakfast]

Hey everyone!

I have been incredibly busy, and have only read the first 10 pages. I have noticed, however, that my name has been taken in vain, (so to speak), so I decided I better write something out now, before I catch up with my reading.

I have decided, however, to take a slightly different approach, so that we don't end up having this board become a B&B/WAJ, Point/Counterpoint, as it seem to have the last couple of weeks. Instead, I'm just going to write a post why this week's elimination fit exactly into my "All About the Food" theory, and a second post on why it totally disproves the "ratings/fixed" theory. Simply my opinions, stated frankly, without all the back and forth. So .... onward!

For this week not to be about the food, you have to accept the concept that "off-putting" equals "inedible". It sure doesn't to me, for a couple of reasons. First, in my lexicon, on a scale of 0 to 10, off-putting could be anywhere from a 2 to a 5. It is a subjective term, and relies on personal taste. I find even the slightest amount of dill to be off-putting, but my wife loves it. Conversely, she is very sensitive to cilantro, whereas I love it. Neither would render any dish inedible; we just wouldn't care for the flavor combinations.

Secondly, we have seen off-putting many times before, and to my recollection, it has never been grounds for elimination, at least not on it's own. The first example that comes to mind is Casey's mole at Latin Lunch. Virtually no one liked it, yet she was not eliminated. When queried, she responded that it had turned out the way she wanted it to, so it came down to a matter of personal taste, and cheftestants are rarely eliminated for matters that can be considered personal taste, unless it's something like too much salt (and then the cheftestant usually makes the mistake of admitting there was too much at JT, instead of standing behind the dish).

So, by the end of JT, we had a dish that the judges didn't like the flavor profile of (though some people might, especially children), Mark's lousy curry, (which I thought was a mistake when he started talking about it), and an under-seasoned dish. (Frankly, all things being equal, I thought "under-seasoned" had a better chance of going home than did "off-putting"

As one of the three dishes was not distinctly worse than the others, the judges (as I've always maintained they do when there is not a clear "worst" dish), went to the next level of criteria; execution of the concept. As this was supposed to be a "family friendly" dish that people could replicate easily at home, Mark's dish was clearly the loser among the three. While you do not have to serve meat at every meal, a truly "family friendly", healthy meal does have to have protein. Mark was evidently oblivious to that fact, or that he could have a vegetarian dish that could supply the daily requirement of protein by adding things like beans, nuts or soy products. The other two dishes, though flawed, did provide at least some semblance of vitamins and proteins. His did not, thus he was eliminated, and it was for the food he prepared.

So, far from being "my worst nightmare", once again the judging was about the food.

My next post will explain why I think this, if not a "nightmare" for WAJ's point of view, it was at least a bad dream.

[Bed & Breakfast]

Ok, here's why I believe this elimination was certainly not about "ratings".

First, I pretty much dispute the idea of any of the eliminations being about ratings. For that to be true, the producers would have to look at the 2, 3 or 4 people eligible for elimination and tell the judges which one to send home. This, besides being illegal, would mean that the judges are just figureheads. I don't for one second that any of the judges, especially ones like Anthony Boudain and Daniel Boulod, would risk sullying their reputations in that manner. There is just too little to gain and too much to lose.

In the case of Mark's elimination, it doesn't even make sense. It goes against reason to think that either of the other two would bolster ratings more than he would. If I were a producer, Mark is the one person among those three that I would want to keep. He scores high with females from 18 to 42 because they think the little "Kiwi" is cute (just read the boards here). He also does well with males who like the "Dumb and Dumber/Thompson Brothers/Cheech and Chong" attitude he brings to the show. And, considering the "flavor of the week" definition seems to be controversy, well, past actions are the best predictors of future behavior, and who better to keep around than someone who has already "called out" the head judge? My gosh, I would be salivating to here what he would say the next time he was at JT.

No, if I were manipulating the eliminations for ratings, I would have sent either of the other two home before letting go of Mark.

Well, that's my opinion. I'll be interested to see how others have explained this week's outcome. Hopefully I can get caught up before Wed.

[Bed & Breakfast]

[/b]Was your name taken in vein??
(I know you are tounge and cheeky here..no fights )

I didn't see that as I might have stopped reading
WAJ 'cept for the highlights of conspiracy

See..we agree of course...But now I'm even thinking beyond that...We see that they didn't like the mole....But we see so little... So many other things could have been said.
They only show us the bad to throw us off or good.

I mean Padma could have said

It tasted terrible like cough syrup...but Gail could have said No way I loved it and Tom too. They may not have shown us peeps who liked Hung's rice on purpose....SEE???
Just an example...Even what you say is based on the little we hear...We have to throw all that out the window from now.
It is NOT reflective of what is really happening.

BTW ....Glad to see you back.....You were missed.

The only way I would take your name in
vein is............oh never mind.

Actually, I was almost swayed for a minute when the editors showed us the clip of Padma using the word "disgusting". But then I remembered it was Padma, and how much her opinion matters. lol