Sorry, guys -- discuss away!

What the heck is going on with you guys anyway??? No love for us!!!!????

Sorry I'm not feeling the love--feeling a little pissy and neglected!!! It's not fair and I'm gonna pout--so there!!!

I am sorry to say that I have just watched my last episode of Top (Sellout) Chef. During the quick fire challenge, the producers had the opportunity to highlight some of the "top" beers in the world by highlighting micro or craft beers from the United States. Alas, what did they do? They went way out on a limb and offered beers from Anheuser-Busch, Stella Artois...and Red Hook.( A brewery that Anheuser owns a controlling interest in) What a bunch of sellouts! I have lost complete respect for the show....and the show has lost a viewer. I guess I will switch to Hell's Kitchen!

Oh goodness....

Oh well...sorry to see you go...but, I don't think anyone is going to lose any sleep over your decision. I watch HK AND Top Chef...they are not on at the same time.

I totally agree with you, I think all of the marketing during the show period is getting a little ridiculous. I think that's why I like Hell's Kitchen. No advertisement bull$hit.
And Chef Ramsey is hot.

Just a thought about the beer. I only like it with tomato juice and salt, doesn't matter if it's domestic or foreign. Bravo has had alcohol on all seasons. What if a chef is a recovering alcoholic? Are they disqualified?

Another freakin drive by---daym I thought I had moved far enough from Detroit.

I too watch both and Bourdain too.

Are you mad at those little magical elves and taking it out on us?

{{{{weeping noisily in the corner}}}}

Double dipping---I'm gonna have to watch again because I didn't catch Mark on this episode, but I've seen Richard do it more than once. I like Richard and think he's a strong contender but I don't want to eat his food after watching him in the kitchen.

To quote Ross on Friends: They were on a break!

Georgous!!! I could listen to him talk to me all day about nothing & be the happiest little lady alive.
He's a total softy too.
Swoon indeed...

Ah! Our first, (to my recolection), "last episode" post and run. We've had a couple other P&Rs, but I don't think we've seen the "last episode" line untilnow.

Have you seen how many kids he's got??? Very potent indeed!

Yea and on BBC's The F Word he talks about having a low sperm count!!! And he has one set of twins?! Very very good with his kids.

Although I hate to see him go, I don't think Mark is going to be able to hang on much longer. He's been knocked so many times it almost seems like he's giving up. When asked about his soup, this was pretty apparent.

Maybe its his underdog stauts or the fact that he can play a didgeriedoo, but I'm hoping Mark is able stay in the competition a bit longer.
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No, but they probably know what beer tastes like. They can wing it and still not do too bad. They could still do the challenge without tasting the beers. Have Padma or the guest judge give you an indication of what the flavors are. I don't see it as a problem.

Kristl, where are you? I need questions answered and you give me the best answers

sorry guys, but I don't find this hot at all. Yuck!

Welcome---I like Mark too and I really hope he can step it up.

He only has four kids, but granted, two of them are twins!

I saw him on the F word too! It was the episode where they were raising Turkeys and one was sick. He was great with the kids, and with his mom, so he's not all bad.

I like him a lot ---smart man. Had a restaurant that failed or he bailed on so he's learned the hard way. I love Kitchen Nightmares where he goes in to turn a failing restaurant around---he's usually successful, unless the owners are complete idiots.

I think the question was about the cheftestants and I would hope that anyone applying to be on the show would consider their addiction and the stress level of the competition before committing to the show.

Agreed, I love that show as well. He's been through almost every situation in the restaurant industry, & has a lot of insight to give to restaurant owners & operators. I think the show Kitchen Nightmares was a brilliant idea, & it really helps us at home who own our own restaurants here (my fiance owns a sports bar & grill).
Brilliant dude.

Oh good for you kiddo--Tough business but can be a lot of fun. Just remember to keep it simple, buy local fresh ingredients and know your place in the marketplace.

No not bad, I'm sure they would make any concession for a guest judge, if they were allergic to shellfish it would not be included in the challenge, but for contestants *it is what it is*. They probably have to disclose any allergies or addictions. The elves can't be worried about scurrying around to cater to one cheftestants restriction.

Just a suggestion....

Since you're at work today, go ahead and create the threads for the remaining episodes. We're adults and can figure out when to start using them.

An idea. Thanks!

It's a tough business is right, & where we live, people are poping up new restaurants left & right, so we're really trying to just keep our customers coming back. We try and buy local as much as we can, & we have a great simple, low food cost menu that tastes great. We'll be having our one year this upcoming week, very exciting!

GOOD ONE BJ!!! I think I love you.

Can I get an amen?!

No kidding, how hard can it be, really?

Celebrate next week---you've earned it!! Most new restaurants don't make it a full year. After that you'll have to dig back in and work hard, but I think you should whoop it up all next week!!!

Thank you! I know, it's been a lot of hard work, & there are a lot of restaurant around that don't make it, your right. We're having a big anniversary party out at the restaurant, but then it's back to work.

It was mentioned in LeAnn's blog that the other contestants were there cooking hot dogs and hamburgers, since they are not living with the current contestants, where are they and what do they do? Any idea? What goes on after elimination? By the way Charleston has the best shrimp gumbo I've ever had.

Well I hope you get to party---dance on the tables or better yet the bar--take as much pleasure from the baby steps as you do the big strides. If I was as clever as most here I'd have you a big fancy anniversary card in this post.

Ususally they save these for the finale. I bet they are doing their Christmas shopping now too!

It's official I have a Stephanie Crush....I'm 4 seasons in and I have my first crush.....yup I'm 40 and I have a crush! Anyone else?

If they are doing their Christmas shopping now ----That is Just WRONG!

I totally agree with you on all the contestants! As you can tell by my screen name...I have a bit of a crush on Ryan and was heart broken last night when he got sent home. I threw a pillow at my t.v. and thank goodness my husband wasn't home or else I would have some explainin' to do. I definetly think it was Nikki's time to go, she has been in the bottom 3 a lot lately and that should affect the judges decision as well. I am happy for Dale though, this was a good challenge for him to (finally) win. And lol, I don't blame him for being bitter ..Italy or a jersey and grill....hmmm.... I think I'll take the luxurious trip to Italy.

Farewell Ryan, my love....

Welcome----I don't really have a crush but I sure would like her to win!!

Oh I'm going to Coyote Ugly it up!! LOL, just kidding, no one wants to see that, but it will be fun I'm sure!

Happy anniversary!! It can be fun and exciting. I've been there, too. I would also recommend that you and yours "shake hands and kiss babies". Meet your guests, touch them (appropriately ), learn their names and what they drink (it is huge to put a beverage in front of someone before they ask for it). Cultivating regulars will keep your business strong. I worked for a company that forwarded that EVERY guest is worth $15,000.00 - when you factor in word-of-mouth advertising, repeat business and the different people that a happy guest will bring in to your establishment. I really got behind that idea and often used it to inspire my staff to create an atmosphere where people feel important.

Also, if you are throwing an anniversary party (which you should), think about making it a benefit and donate proceeds to a popular non-profit local charity. The charity can provide your purveyors with tax/donation forms, your purveyors WILL donate (make them co-sponsors?), you can get GREAT press and it will ensconce your business in the community.

Best of luck!

I'll ask my question again for the new thread:

Can anyone say definitively what is and what isn't Tailgate food?

I think if you can cook it at the game its a tailgate.

Oh my gosh you should be a consultant. I'll bet KK will print you up some business cards.

I like Richard--fauxhawk not so much--double dipping not at all.

Ok, sure, if you can cook it at the game it's tailgate-----but you have to cook it well.

Go all Coyote on them just don't douse yourself in water!!

Well ... it looks like this week we will be going off -topic very soon. I don't see a lot of arguement over sending Ryan home. He took a risk in not following the theme of he task and when he failed to execute his plan well it cost him. Nikki should give him a big kiss... she gets to cook at least one more week but I don't she she has a snowball's chance in hell of getting to the final. One thing in her defense... what's with the judges waiting till late in the service to get around to her station. All of the chef's were told to cook for "X" amount of people and in that type of service what was she supposed to do .. tell people "I can't feed you.. my food has yet to be judged."? The judges need to get to the plates early in these group events... the longer the food "holds" the poorer it is going to taste.