Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

So tonight's the big night. Marcel against Ilan. Foam versus saffron. Syndrome and Metrosexual Man, mano a mano. A whiny bitch who's arrogant and always getting emotions riled up, against probably the worst rapper ever who can find a thousand culinary uses for xanthan gum.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2...celilaneq3.jpg

From the commercials I've seen, it looks like each chef is preparing a five course meal, but the themes may be different. It doesn't seem as if they are going to get help from the last four contestants.

You know, on the first day I saw you, I just wanted to smack you in the mouth. - Ilan, to Marcel

I'm glad it's Ilan and me in the final. We'll settle this once and for all. - Marcel

So who do you think is going to win? And who are you pulling for tonight? I wonder if these two are gonna get in a fight.

ScottieK

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

Here's who will win:

<font color="white">
On January 29th, for at least 15 minutes, an interview and profile article was posted about the winner of the 2nd season. While it was pulled down shortly after fans found it, news of the gaffe - and the name of the winner - quickly made its way around the various message boards and blogs. On January 30th, in an apparent attempt to cover for their error, Food and Wine posted two articles, one featuring Ilan and one featuring Marcel, each written as if the subject had won, claiming that they'd had both versions ready to go for publication after the announcement was made. Many fans, however, were skeptical of the 2nd article, as the majority of the quotes seemed to be from previously published interviews, and there was no indication that the author of the article had actually spoken to the subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Chef_%28Season_2%29 </font>

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

Grrrrrr....I'm not looking not looking not looking....this is like recording a big game so you'll watch it later, then someone tells you who won before you get a chance to watch it. Nope, not looking.

FWIW, I voted Marcel across the board. Although Ilan does have a height and reach advantage, I think that once Marcel rakes him across the eyes and slaps Ilan's glasses off, he'll have a big advantage.

ScottieK

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

better team by Marcel.

what's up with the bay leaf for dessert?

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

Damn, Ilan wins. I hate that guy and am not at all impressed by his cuisine.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

Well that sucked, I thought Marcel killed that challenge and Ilan did the same [censored] he has done every week. But the judges got to eat it and they know more about food than me so I guess I can't really say that they made the wrong choice.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]
Well that sucked, I thought Marcel killed that challenge and Ilan did the same [censored] he has done every week. But the judges got to eat it and they know more about food than me so I guess I can't really say that they made the wrong choice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Marcel had 5 dishes. One was a green salad and one was Sam's idea. How is that "killing it"?

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Well that sucked, I thought Marcel killed that challenge and Ilan did the same [censored] he has done every week. But the judges got to eat it and they know more about food than me so I guess I can't really say that they made the wrong choice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Marcel had 5 dishes. One was a green salad and one was Sam's idea. How is that "killing it"?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't have a problem with Marcel getting credit for Sam's dish - that's the job, more or less. But he also has to take the hit for a salad that was apparently bland. Eh, who knows.

I wish Marcel had won, but mostly I just wish I hadn't known in advance.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

Like most of his items, bayleaf fritters are served as part of a desert at the restaurant Ilan worked at.

I hate him.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

It was painful to watch Ilan win but imagine how Sam must have felt.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

I love how the editing made it seem like Michael submarined Marcel. The furtive looks around the kitchen as he exits the walk-in, the interview quote, Marcel discovering numerous missing items... it all made me think Michael deliberately sold him short. Until I thought about how ridiculous that is, and how, if Marcel spotted two round pans of sauce or whatever missing, how would he not see a main protein in a pan in the same cooler? I thought the editors did an especially good job playing up Marcel "stealing" Michael, and then having that come back to bite him.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

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Damn, Ilan wins. I hate that guy and am not at all impressed by his cuisine.

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I hate him too. For all the complaining about Marcel's personality, if there's one person's I wouldn't put above it, it's Ilan's.

Although Elia's backstabbing really sucked too. I love how she got caught a couple times complaining about Marcel's performance in the final without having actually tasted his food. She was just on hate-autopilot.

And frankly, it seems to me Ilan was the very instrumental in keeping that going and increasing it throughout the last half of the competition. Even in his final words to the judges, he got multiple jabs in at Marcel. Holy crap man, give the hate a break! Very disgusting.

Oh, and Spanish food again? Okay. In Hawaii. Okey doke.

And that from someone who repeatedly makes fun of other people's cooking.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]
Well that sucked, I thought Marcel killed that challenge and Ilan did the same [censored] he has done every week. But the judges got to eat it and they know more about food than me so I guess I can't really say that they made the wrong choice.

[/ QUOTE ]

The judges blogs explain it pretty well. I thought Marcel too. The blogs really help show the whole story.

b

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Well that sucked, I thought Marcel killed that challenge and Ilan did the same [censored] he has done every week. But the judges got to eat it and they know more about food than me so I guess I can't really say that they made the wrong choice.

[/ QUOTE ]

The judges blogs explain it pretty well. I thought Marcel too. The blogs really help show the whole story.

b

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Thanks for pointing out the blogs. Yeah, Tom's two main criticisms with Marcel's meal were the second course salad and missing the fish in the third course. Even though the third course came out really well, Tom said it was odd to have two all-vegetable dishes in a row. Tom said that Ilan's only big mistake was having canned eel instead of fresh eel. Also consider the different attitudes of Betty and Elia, who were just glowing about Ilan (and I just rolled my eyes when Elia said that the judges couldn't pick Marcel, that it was unfair, blah blah blah). But compared to Sam and Michael...who were critical of Marcel in the kitchen, I guess I can see Ilan winning. Even though it's mostly Spanish food all over again. Also, Tom said that Marcel's execution with his molecular stuff is great, but isn't as technically sound as Ilan's Spanish cooking.

ScottieK

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

Using canned eels while having access to the best fresh seafood in the world should have gotten Ilan immediately disqualified.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

Meh.

I watched this after a pretty [censored] night (trip report will follow) but I thought this was lame.

Ilan did the same stuff he always does, which is stuff he didn't make up. Marcel kinda [censored] himself/got [censored]. I haven't read the blogs yet, so that should be interesting.

I think the person who came out the worst was still Elia, she just looks more and more like an idiot and a brat every time she's on TV.

Betty, btw, is still horrible and useless in the kitchen.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

Pretty much a complete joke that Sam didn't win this thing. I'm sure if each judge voted on who they thought was the best chef overall - or who they would want to build a restaurant around - it would be Sam. I can see the "Ilan is more polished than Marcel" argument, but Ilan more polished than Sam?? No. Something must have happened behind the scenes for the bald judge to suddenly bring up the "nothing cooked" excuse for Sam being eliminated.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

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Betty, btw, is still horrible and useless in the kitchen.


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yea, which is why ilan chose her as a sous-chef with $100,000 on the line. please stop pretending that you know what you're talking about.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]


The judges blogs explain it pretty well. I thought Marcel too. The blogs really help show the whole story.

b

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Link?

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Betty, btw, is still horrible and useless in the kitchen.


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yea, which is why ilan chose her as a sous-chef with $100,000 on the line. please stop pretending that you know what you're talking about.

[/ QUOTE ]

The lesser of evils is still evil. Betty sucks. Maybe she is a decent cook, but she is about as fake and annoying as someone can get. Ilan probably felt like he could control her more than the others.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Betty, btw, is still horrible and useless in the kitchen.


[/ QUOTE ]

yea, which is why ilan chose her as a sous-chef with $100,000 on the line. please stop pretending that you know what you're talking about.

[/ QUOTE ]

Did you not see the parts where she was [censored] up and Ilan had to yell at her (like Marcel did, but somehow she didn't cry) to put her in check?

Sorry I dissed your mom though duder.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

yea, cause ilan didn't have 2 months of working around her to base his decision off of or anything....

listen, just because you're a fat tub of lard doesn't mean that you know everything about being a chef.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]
yea, cause ilan didn't have 2 months of working around her to base his decision off of or anything....

listen, just because you're a fat tub of lard doesn't mean that you know everything about being a chef.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dude... is Ilan now a member of 2+2?

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

All,

I think the salad course as one of five in this competition was not just worthy of hurting his score, but a just plain bizarre decision. I mean, he could easily have kept a salad course that utilized his gimmick but maybe make it a small bed of salad w/ something tasty alongside or on top. I dunno, was weird. I find it hard to argue with the decision based on the judging criteria set forth. However, I think it would be better if next year they created a finale where someone like Ilan couldn't lean so heavily on existing experience.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]
Meh.

I watched this after a pretty [censored] night (trip report will follow) but I thought this was lame.

Ilan did the same stuff he always does, which is stuff he didn't make up. Marcel kinda [censored] himself/got [censored]. I haven't read the blogs yet, so that should be interesting.

I think the person who came out the worst was still Elia, she just looks more and more like an idiot and a brat every time she's on TV.

Betty, btw, is still horrible and useless in the kitchen.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it's clear what Elia is. She's The Talent, like Jimmy on "That Thing You Do". Almost with traces of Aspberger's but not quite. She's just very intense about what she does and doesn't understand people or other perspectives. Usually people like this are dudes. It doesn't make her a bad person though. I like people like that (when they're not driving me nuts), because they have an endearing quality that if they think something is right, they do it.

I think the Betty "screwup" was very very minor. It was just presentation, they would have found a way to do it. He raised his voice because he needed immediate reaction.

Watching this show I have no idea what makes a good chef. I have no idea what constitutes novel and not. I read the blogs. Do ingredients change everything? It seems like we're saying Ilan cooked the same old stuff, with different ingredients. Is that enough? When you're cooking the "best meal of your life" for bigshots, I don't see a problem with working 75-80% with stuff you know, and making minor tweaks. Taking risks has it's downside, as Marcel showed.

Obviously Sam could have done the best of both worlds.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

It's very disappointing that Ilan can get away with just recycling his Spanish standards throughout the whole season and wind up winning. Of course he can execute things he's done hundreds of times. Also, Elia and Ilan just seemed like total weenies once again.

I don't get Marcel picking Mikey. It's not like he's such a great talent you need to "steal" him from Ilan, he's messed up in the line before, and he doesn't really like Marcel and he's totally irresponsible. Seems like Frank would've been a better choice, even though Mia/Betty/Frank all pretty much suck even at basic prep.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

Oh, also pretty lame of Sam &amp; Mikey to not support him more in front of the judges. Who cares if you like the guy, it's your team, support your damn team. Also seems like the salad dish could have lost it for him. Very uninteresting, when the balls failed he should've improvised something to spice it up.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

I think he picked Mikey because Mikey is a line cook who's used to following directions and in theory would just shut up and work.

Frank's speach about how he wanted to "learn" Marcel something would make him in instant dq in my mind.

Mia might have been a better choice, but I don't think Mike's a bad one.

I hope for season three they move away from this bit. Too much potential for retarded stuff.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

I don't like Ilan either... but if I had to choose between Marcel and Ilan's meals for the eating... Ilan's not close. Then again, I'm not familiar enough with Spanish cuisine / influences to know how much he recycled the tradition. But some of Ilan's dishes looked outstanding to me (especially the "Surf &amp; Turf"). Perhaps if this were a "think out of the box be creative" chef competition Marcel destroys Ilan, but Ilan has consistently produced food I'd prefer to eat and looks much tastier.

The whole finale was a bit of a letdown, especially with the spectre of Sam hanging over the whole thing and his actual presence as a constant reminder. Would've been great to see him in the finale.

-Al

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

Ilan's dishes definitely looked tasty. In the blog they mention a lot how Ilan's stuff was cooked just right. In the video clips on the show it looks like Elia's doing most of the cooking, which would make it no surprise that everything was cooked right since Elia's technique was the best of anyone on the show.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]


The whole finale was a bit of a letdown, especially with the spectre of Sam hanging over the whole thing and his actual presence as a constant reminder. Would've been great to see him in the finale.

-Al

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Aloysius,

What did you think of Chef Tom's explanation in this weeks blog for not picking Sam? He said that the final rounds are the equivalent of playoffs, and the score starts 0-0. Or something like that.

cbloom, Marcel picked Mikey because Sam told him to, and Sam has a way of speaking which makes you very confident in what he is saying (kind of why he should have won). His slam on Marcel was probably retaliation for Marcel not giving him credit in front of the judges 8 weeks ago when Sam led the winning team. So you reap what you sow, I don't quite blame him for that. However, there is no way he ever should have volunteered for Marcel if he did not plan on having his back.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

Yeah, I definitely agree Sam lost the semi-final fair and square, I don't understand why there's controversy over that. Yeah, he deserved it based on overall performance, but he lost the semi-final so he's out. And it wasn't just the "nothing was cooked", his dishes just weren't anything amazing in the semi-final.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]
Yeah, I definitely agree Sam lost the semi-final fair and square, I don't understand why there's controversy over that. Yeah, he deserved it based on overall performance, but he lost the semi-final so he's out. And it wasn't just the "nothing was cooked", his dishes just weren't anything amazing in the semi-final.

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I just watched this episode last night. What I don't is if the decision was so close and so tough for the judges, as it was made out to be, why couldn't they go on past experiences? Sam was clearly the most well-rounded of all the chefs there and preformed the most consistently. I don't see why they can't weigh that in their decision when it is close.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


The judges blogs explain it pretty well. I thought Marcel too. The blogs really help show the whole story.

b

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Link?

[/ QUOTE ]

Here ya go

b

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

anyone who hasn't read the blogs, the shows staff relized that marcels group hadn't packed up the fish, gave each team an extra 5 minutes that morning and they still missed it. Amazing with so much on the line Marcel wouldn't be double checking stuff.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

I think the salad course sealed Marcel's fate much more than forgetting the fish. As Tom said in his blog, this is supposed to be the best meal you've ever made, and you made a boring salad? Then the isomalt gimmick was just totally wrong, even if had been able to do it. The goal of getting vinagrette onto a salad is to get it evenly distibuted. If all the vinagrette is hovering above the greens in a synthetic sugar bubble, what happens after you break it open? It's just going to make a puddle in the middle.

Marcel is so eager to use innovative techniques and do really impressive things, but he does them without thinking about how those techniques are going to create good food.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

Here are Anthony Bourdain's comments on the show, which were both funny and insightful:

http://blog.ruhlman.com/2007/01/guest_blogging_.html

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

If I had a choice tomorrow between going to Ilan's to eat, or Marcel's, I would pick Marcel, just to see what he was doing.

Since they looked very even in the finale, I would use that test.

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]
Here are Anthony Bourdain's comments on the show, which were both funny and insightful:

http://blog.ruhlman.com/2007/01/guest_blogging_.html

[/ QUOTE ]

By far, the best guest judge I saw. He wasn't insulting to anyone and didn't come across as pompous at all.

b

Re: Top Chef Finale 1/31
 

[ QUOTE ]
Here are Anthony Bourdain's comments on the show, which were both funny and insightful:

http://blog.ruhlman.com/2007/01/guest_blogging_.html

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice, entertaining read. When he puts Marcel in the same mold as a Stephen-like educator and not really a chef, then maybe Ilan deserved to win. Like Tom said in the post-show show after Sam got eliminated, hey, the objectively best team in baseball doesn't always win the World Series.

ScottieK