I was pretty shocked to see the result of the elimination challenge. I thought the blue team had the temperament and skill to easily win this challenge. The lack of dessert was, at first glance, a smart move, as it usually is the kiss of death. However, it was an uphill climb as you stated, because they had not 1, but 2 desserts which were both done well. They might have gotten away with no desserts if they executed everything else well, which they didn't.

Clearly, overconfidence and lofty goals must've been the explanation. No turmoil, everyone started together and calm. I think they tried to do too much, and it bit them. Front of house is probably the #2 kiss of death in restaurant wars, and unless you're personable and attentive, a la Fabio from last season, a losing effort can cost you as well.

Kudos to Robin for standing her ground. When Lil Volt is losing his brother, and publicly, no less, you know he's crossed the line. At least he keeps his dislike of her in the kitchen. Eli, however, has a clear issue, and the douche factor seems to multiply as time goes on. One can only hope that she outlasts him by one episode, that would be great.

I agree with you, I miss watching them try to decorate as well. Hopefully they'll go back to that next year.

Still looking like Dirty Bear, Bitter "Bikini" Jen, and the Volts for final 4.

Keep up the great work J-mo!

Things that pissed me off this episode:

1. This RW was really narrow compared to former ones. I mean, they were not decorating and they were told they had to base their menu on sustainable fish.

2. Eli did well at front of the house. NO. WAY. He is gross and if he were my host I would have walked out at the sight of his unhygenic ass.

3. Previews for next week: Nastalie (yeah, meant to do that) Portman? Isn't she a vegan? Did we learn nothing from that Zooey bullshit? Really, I think it is important to be able to adapt, but (okay, no one jump on my case here) I think it is unrealistic for a vegan to walk into a non-vegan restaurant and expect amazing food. Sure, I believe that most places should have a vegetarian option, but how many places do you know that have vegan options?

Also, Sexist works for the same restaurant group as my brother. No surprise: he is a douchebag when not competing too, apparently. My brother said, "You know, the guy with the douchey hair." I was like "Which ONE?"

Every week I like Big Volt's prefessionalism more and more. And I would like to try both desserts - they looked delish!

messystation:

Good call on the preview, I had a Zooey flashback as well. I like Natalie Portman but I couldn't disagree more with her diet choices, and further, I think it's a waste of a top chef challenge to remove all proteins, eggs and dairy.

Oh well, "rice" cream anyone?

J-mo!

This was one of my favorite recaps you've ever done. I was laughing so hard, especially at this photo-cap:
"...and prove that white people still hold the top spot for embarrassingly uncool usage of hip-hop slang..."

HOLLER BACK YOU'ALL
HAHA

Gosh, this episode really made me hate Lil V (btw, I LOVED the Kate Gosselin comparison, he looks a little like her too!) So what he is saying is all of those boys can gang up on Robin day in and day out, make stupid comments about how awful she is, be total shitheads behind her back and to her face, and the one time she stands up for herself to back up her own damn dish - they accuse her of being unprofessional?!?!?! WTF? Not only am I glad Robin told KateG to Fuck off, I wish she also kicked him in the balls!

Jen, pull yourself together - You can totally do this - TEAM BITTERJEN!!

still team Jen!!!! make it happen!

Okay, so does anyone have the story on why BitterJen pulled and angry DirtyBear out of there after Sticky Wicket got sent packing? I want to know the "rest of the story"... I hope BitterJen and DirtyBear pick themselves up after this. They need to be in the final four!

bluzgirl:

As team players, they (Jen and Kevin) both felt they did the worst job of the night and would be going home. Since Kevin was responsible for cooking Laurine's dish, and it turned out cooked improperly, he felt responsible for her being kicked off. She even said "I don't blame you" when she hugged him goodbye. I believe Jen sensed Kevin's being upset and tried to get him away from judges' table ASAP.

Thanks, LuckyLouie. I must have missed that part. Just another example of total class from Kevin.

This was the best episode! At least it was for me.
Great great recapping J-Mo!

I think DB and Bitter Jen might have been overconfident. Was she crazy thinking she was going to cook her mussels and fish to order? Even I knew that was a bad idea.

Yay to 80s Hooker for standing up for herself. She tried to be calm and reasonable but when it was obvious Lil Volt was going to bully her physically, she flipped. I would have too. She tried to reason with him later. But see this is the thing: you can't reason with unreasonable people. Her best ploy was to ignore him. I do hope he gives her the 2500 he said he would though.

There are now only 2 women left right? Oh wow. I do hope 80s Hooker outlasts Sexist Swine and I-sleep-in-my-ill-fitting-suit FatKid. Whatever you might want to say about her, she's played this game with dignity and grace. Even if at times it's the grace of an elephant.

By the way, what does sustainable fish mean? Chef Moon said it with this tone of tremendous gravity but I don't know why.

Remember: wherever you go, there you are.

Viane Slice

Lil Volt really got on my nerves this episode, as well.... Robin was right to stand by her dish and it turned out to be a fine dessert. Maybe if he wasn't in her face and allowed her to concentrate, the dish would have gotten done sooner and to his liking. He seemed to just want credit for everything, versus working as a team member, especially once his dishes were served. I'm glad Big Volt was there to tell his brother to STFU. Big Volt must be the eldest child, because he always seems so exasperated by everything his brother does.

But, in my opinion, Top Chef needs to stop the stunts (turning itself into ANTM) with the lesbian couple from two seasons ago and now brothers trying to one-up each other. Next, we'll have trannies and shorties running the kitchen!

Viane--that's the word here, Go 80's to top 5!!!! She can even take lil volt if she can . . . which would mean him failing big, but you never know.

the hypocrisy of that confrontation made me nuts, and I think Big V's assessment was just as douchy. At the saran war, the two of them cursed up a storm at each other, why couldn't 80's--coz she's a woman? Less of a chef? off coz they're a couple of douche nozzels in need of a swift kick in the arse!

It should have been Jen's week--lucky Sticky forgot to even describe the food, and was pretty expendable . . .

It seems like it's taking forever for this to get to the top people . . . is it me!?

Heart, J-mo, hope you're backs better!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

"Next, we'll have trannies and shorties running the kitchen!"

I must have been asleep because I thought we already had a few trannies in the show this season.

"Big Volt must be the eldest child"

I beleive it has been mentioned he is indeed the older brother hence the big volt moniker.

" lesbian couple from two seasons ago "

Well if seasons five team Eurotrash was female I think people would have been saying they were a lesbian couple.

Lovesies #1: J-Mo's recaps. Loved hearing your take on the RW. Your screencaps and the resulting titles are just Hilarious! Seriously, the effort is very appreciated. The DB capture w/ the V bros. bickering in the background ... Ha!

Lovesies #2: The QF challenge. LOVED it! I hope they keep that one.

Lovesies #3: Big Volt. I loved the way he basically said a big FU to his PITA bro. in the stew room.

Hatesies - Li'l Volt. Uggh! I really loathe his condesending attitude. Is he the best chef? Maybe. I actually think that he might be. Altho, I'm thinking that DB is giving him a strong fight. In fact, points-wise ... DB is just slightly ahead of the game.

Actually, if given a choice ... I believe that I'd rather eat DB's food rather than Li'l Volt's. MV's food may be more technically advanced, but DB's food looks like it might be more palatable.

Re: Robin & Li'l Volt. Hahahaha! I think Mikey wasn't used to being stood up to. Good for Robin! That being said, MV was the team leader and believe he should have been deferred to. Perhaps the wrong time for Robin to assert herself (during RW) however, the manner in which she was rudely and practically physically brushed aside by "His Awesomeness" was downright offensive.

I was thoroughly entertained when Big Bro told him to get back to work and plate. Heh

Really Hatesies: What an obnoxious tool Li'l Volt, His Royal Whine-ness, was to try and take all the credit for Robin's execution of the pear pltbbhhtt.

I must say that my esteem for Robin suffered slightly when MV mentioned he was going to share the $$ with his teammates and she looked up at him adoringly. *sigh*

Realistically, I understand that the money would be appreciated, but I LOVED it when Bryan told him (in an awesomely snide voice, I might add) to keep his money.

Final note: His Royal Whine-ness is the better chef, but Big Bad Volt is the better man.

Go DB!!!

I don't understand going on national tv and behaving badly. Mean people suck.

I like your recaps, but I wish you were a little less colorful with the names, because you're confusing the hell out of me. I've had to stop reading you because I have no idea of who you're talking about half the time, and I watched the show.

Much more to say. But the only part of the show that I caught was the judge's table when they said that Sexist Pigshit was the only one who did things right. I was shocked that Bitter Jen and Dirty Bear were in the bottom. I didn't want to catch the re-run after hearing al of this. But so far the recap is fabu darling.

So, it's ok for '80s Hooker to try to "help" Eli cook scallops by telling him what to do, completely unsolicited, but Lil Volt can't "help" her by telling her what to do? I snickered when she lost her shit over the kind of behavior that is typical of her--granted, she is all sweet and nicey-nice about it.

She should have been gone a couple of weeks ago when she nearly poisoned the judges by serving fish that she knew had gone bad. Just because I can't stand Sexist Pigshit and Fat Kid (and Lil Volt, to a lesser extent), I can't get on '80s Hooker's team because she IS undeserving.

I don't know what the hell went wrong with Bitter Jen and Dirty Bear. They dodged several bullets thanks to Sticky's non-performance at the front of the house. It's not entirely her fault that she didn't send back the poorly cooked lamb--somebody cooked it badly to start with.

I'm a vegetarian (not vegan) but I totally agree that the chefs should not be judged on a style of cooking (vegan) that is so specialized and is something that they are not trained in. Let alone twice in one season! It's a good way to send one of the better chefs home while keeping a less deserving one who happens to have experience with vegan cuisine.

Yeschef, I realize that the nickname Big Volt meant he was the eldest child; I was referring (not clearly enough) to birth order and his attitude toward his brother, which is with exasperated frustration. As an eldest child, I can relate to a younger sibling's idiotic attitude! Birth order plays a role in personalities (usually eldest children are more serious.) I'm not sure if Lil Volt is the youngest or the middle child, (remember they mentioned a sister in the military a few eps back), but that's all I meant. I'm really not that stupid! LOL.

J-Mo, you are all shades of awesome.

I felt so bad for Dirty Bear and Bitter Jen - I really thought they had it in them to win this one, but a series of poor decisions definitely set them up for failure.

I still want to see them both in the finale; I'd eat at either of their restaurants ANY day of the week.

LOVED when Big Volt told Baby Volt to keep the money - especially when he said he's sick of seeing the bad behavior being rewarded. WORD, Big Volt.

As far as the cussing in the kitchen - happens all over the place. I'm not sure how prevelant it is in fine dining retaurants, but I know quite a few people in the biz and they all cuss like sailors. Lil Volt's a dick.

Love you lots!
SWAK, PottyMouth

This has been a question on my mind for awhile. What would happen to a chef if they didn't serve a dish that they knew was awful? Would they get eliminated for not presenting a dish? And what do you do if a dish you make is over salted?

As for all this bullshit with 80's hooker vs. the rest of the Top Chefs. She is clearly being allowed to stay on because of the added drama or spice that she adds to the show. She should have been gone with that shrimp dish. Just like Sexist Pigshit should have been gone with his Greek salad. I for one I am getting tired of watching all the negative nonsense week after week. And little volt is acting just like most chefs I have ever worked with and I think he just thinks he needs to act like that. But nothing made me laugh more than when Bravo showed how delisional he really is.

I just seriously hope that Dirty and Bitter don't pull a Richard Blaise and start to choke at the end. And Pigshit doesn't pull a flease and slip into the finals. Because I don't think he cooks with love. I just hope the final for this show isn't the aborotion that the final between Ilan and Marcel was.

I hope Dirty and Bitter don't loose their edge. But this will teach them to not be too over confident and to trust their instincts.

Pixielated, Oh how I love a spirited debate!!!!! You're right, of course, Robin doesn't deserve to take out better chefs, but honey, that's why we want it!!!!! It's wrong, but sometimes wrong feels right!! hee . . .

I've wondered what happens when food goes bad too, the one time they all teamed up to help out the one with food issues (can't remember who . . .)

My theory about the volts is Mommy and Daddy loved big Volt better, and little Volt is acting up as a result . . . what about me WAAAAAA!!!!!

Yay for commentapalooza!

LuckyLouie... thanks for the love, glad you enjoyed the recap, and I agree with pretty much everything you laid out (especially regarding rehashing a vegan challenge!) xoxo :)

messystation... I've always been curious, is that your screenname because you HAVE one? I'm not judging, you should see my cube at work, it looks like a tornado tore through and then a rainstorm of glitter and high-liters followed, I'm just intrigued. Anyhow, here's what I like about what pissed you off this episode: Totally agree about the narrowness of the challenge, I want to see the Volts and Fat Kid come up with decoration ideas for a restaurant... also I think Eli did get a positive edit, there's just no way that everyone would have been charmed by someone as obviously smarmy as he is, and I bet they didn't show all the complaints Revolt had as well... and again, recycling the Zooey Deschanel challenge from Top Chef Masters REALLY has me pissed off... okay, mostly because I already used all my vegan jokes on that recap. P.S. Thanks for the douchefirmation on Sexist Pigshit, now I don't feel so bad about all the horrible things I say about him... xoxo :)

zerocool... and is that your screenname because you think you're not cool, or are you just really warm and sweaty a lot of the time (like my BF is)? Just curious. Also, I agree with you, those desserts looked like heaven, especially the chocolate ganache and mint ice cream! xoxo :)

carmelicious... Aw, shucks, thank you... I find that lately my day isn't complete unless I make fun of either Jon or K(hate)! xoxo :)

hollagirl2... Mariah Carey sang that! xoxo :)

bluzgirl... LuckyLouie was right about Jen kinda pulling DirtyBear out of the judging room I think, and I kinda ran out of room to mention the situation, PLUS before they kicked Laurine off and the Volts & Fat Kid were asking DirtyBear back in the Stew Room about what went down at Judges' Table, it was HIS turn to be annoyed and he told them he didn't want to talk about it because he was really angry (except he did it in a nice way). You're also right that DeeBee is always a class act! xoxo :)

viane slice... Thanks sugarpie! You're right, Bitter Jen's game plan was a head-scratcher this time, and Sexist Pigshit seems like he just washed his hands of the whole thing the minute his two dishes were done, I dunno why nobody called him out on not helping her butcher fish or cook. Plus, LOL about 80's Hooker's "grace of an elephant". As far as the sustainable seafood thing, as best I can gather it refers to seafood production that does not damage the environment or other species while maintaining a high quality of stock... it's way too complicated for me to understand without slapping the label "green fishing" on it... but that's kinda what it boils down to. xoxo :)

slutty_whore... you know, I kinda felt the same way about allowing both brothers to compete in the same season at first, but now I'm kinda liking the fact that they're pitting them against each other. Besides, neither Daddy Tom nor Scar is yet as certifiably NUTBALL as Tyra Banks is! xoxo :)

juddfan... The back is just fine, thanks! And about the Hypocrites Convention, I KNOW, right? Totally made me annoyed at them for making a HUGE double-standard (it's okay when Li'l Volt swears because he's being "a leader" while 80's Hooker's just being "unprofessional"). xoxo :)

yeschef... you're right, this season the trannies have been of the FTM variety (Not-So-Pretty & MaryMann). And you're awful quiet this season, I would have thought you'd have been weighing in a lot more... am I getting things right?, or making so many mistakes it's too much?, LOL! xoxo :)

cbc-cca... Thanks for your lovesies & hatesies! Mostly for your lovesies! You are right, though, when 80's Hooker was smiling at Li'l Volt with her shining eyes over the $2500.00 gift I felt like screaming at the TV "YOU KNOW HE WOULDN'T GIVE YOU A DIME IF HE WEREN'T ON TV RIGHT NOW." but to be fair, that may be a lot of money to her right now, I JUST discovered through internet research that her restaurant Crave closed about a year ago, so she may be having trouble making ends meet. Hard to say, but thanks for your take on things! xoxo :)

wasabipeas... AMEN to that! Plus meanies are also often uglies! xoxo :)

Astounded... Shucks, I am truly sorry about that, I didn't realize I wasn't being clear enough. Hopefully this legend will help!:

Jen Zavala = Scarred
Eve Aronoff = WackEve
Preeti Mistry = Not-So-Pretty
Jesse Sandlin = Biker Chick
Hector Santiago = Papi Cholo
Mattin Noblia = Sattine
Ron Duprat = Island Mon Ron
Ashley Merriman = MaryMann
Ash Fulk = Gay Ashlee
Laurine Wickett = Sticky Wickett
Mike Isabella = Sexist Pigshit
Eli Kirshtein = Fat Kid
Robin Leventhal = 80's Hooker
Jennifer Carroll = Bitter Jen
Kevin Gillespie = DirtyBear
Michael Voltaggio = Li'l Volt
Bryan Voltaggio = Big Volt

Tom Colicchio = Daddy Tom
Padma Lakshmi = Scar
Gail Simmons = Gail
Toby Young = Tiny Tewwible Toby (or any combination of alliterating T's and Tw's)

and in THIS episode:

Rick Moonen = Moonie, Reverend Moon
Charlie Palmer (from last ep) = Cliff Clavin
Michael Chiarello = Smirky McSmugMug

I hope this is helpful to you, and again, sorry for the confusion, but thanks for letting me know. xoxo :)

reckless_saturn_11... Thanks lovemuffin, you're sweet! As for your question about not presenting a dish, I remember it happening in the QuickFire a couple of times where people didn't get stuff done in time, and I think Season One's Big Gay Dave FORGOT to make a dish once, but I can't quite recall an instance where someone didn't serve because they thought the food was crap. I'm guessing that would probably be an automatic go-home, by reason of the fact that "So-and-so put out a dish that didn't taste all that great, but at least they put out a dish, period!" Or at least, that's what we'd probably hear, anyhow. As far as 80's Hooker still being around, Daddy Tom always INSISTS that they judge based on the food alone and NOT on the personalities, and in her case I think she's just gotten lucky that there's always been someone else who screwed up their dish just a LITTLE bit more than she did. On the other hand, if the producers ARE keeping her around just for drama's sake, then I'd say it's working, wouldn't you, LOL? We're all talking about it, anyhow. Thanks for the love as always! xoxo :)

PottyMouth... Thank you again sweetiecake, you're nine kinds of lovely yourself! I agree with you, I work for a giant corporate conglomerate, and cussing happens around here all the time (this is an office, not a roller derby) but then again we're not under the same kinds of pressures, either! At least not in the kitchen or break room, anyhow. Thanks again darlin'! xoxo :)

pixielated... I totally feel you, girl, 80's gets on my nerves, too, but to be fair, when she was talking to Eli about his scallop dish (that he was cooking at home) as best I could see she was only suggesting what kind of stoneware to use, not making actual suggestions for the dish, and she did not push him aside and take over cooking like Li'l Volt did to her... that was kinda what crossed the line for me was his jumping in to take over. However, I still respect you even if you're not lovin' the 80's as much as I am (and part of my love for her is just orneryness at wanting some of the other jerkwads to suffer some more) and I would NEVER disagree with you about her being undeserving of winning... she is not a Top Chef. More like a Bottom-Half Chef. And I fear you may be right, I'm guessing 80's Hooker knows all kinds of stuff about all-natural and non-carnivorous cuisine, so she may live to annoy another week! Thanks for the comment, hon! xoxo :)

Thanks you guys for chiming in as always! LOVE it! You crack me right the fuck up!

love, J-Mo :)

P.S. Still working on my drag-queens comment, will post later on this recap, K? :)

" What would happen to a chef if they didn't serve a dish that they knew was awful? Would they get eliminated for not presenting a dish?"

There have been a few times they haven't presented a dish in the quickfires and gave their reasons for it.

As for the elimination challenges the judges have said you shouldn't have served it but that was for dishes that may have made someone sick so they may not get elimanated for not serving a dish if they outlined their reasons for it. If someone who did serve a dish was worse then what wasn't served they would likely get elimanted due to how the dish that wasn't served conceptualy sounded. I came to this because a few times a cheftestant mentioned the dish they were planning on serving but changed to another dish the judges asked you should have served that.

So yeah it would depend on how well the chef defended themself and what was presented by the other chefs.

As for oversalting a dish that depends. Soups you can fix by adding more soup stock or water or any liquid that would be apporiate for the soup that is unsalted. I have read to toss in a potato that has been peeled and quarted then remove the potato after 15 minutes but this obiously has a not only a time constraint but also the taste factor of the potato. You can either discard the potato or eat it.

Sauces can be fixed by adding brown sugar, cream, vinegar depending upon the sauce. Once again time as well as what goes into the meal matters as to what you add to dilute the salt.

THERE you are! Your answer is better than mine, too. xoxo :)

love, J-Mo :)

I changed my mind and posted the drag queen comment on last week's recap. If you're interested in reading it, please visit the archives and go to the October 21st entry that's titled: "Top Chef: It All Comes Back To Food & Whine".

love, J-Mo :)

Been reading more then commenting. Thing is I keep forgetting to set the dvr to watch the episodes so I don't often feel like commenting till I watch the episode and then it is too late.

In addition to correcting the oversalting most over salt mistakes take place in a few cooking types that involve slow cooking such as stews or roasts since people when they first taste it they think it needs salt when it is actually too soon to get a proper idea of what the meal is going to taste like so they keeping adding salt and bam it's too salty at the end.

Oversalting occurs in baking because you don't double the salt when you double the recipe and since a lot of recipe books don't mention this (in the recipe or in the cookbook hints, whatever section they would put it in) people double the salt.

Plus people often use table salt when they should be using kosher or sea salt for cooking meals. It may look coarse and large but actually you can better judge how much salt to put in then shaking a regular table salt shaker.

Hi, J-Mo! I have a suspicion that Ash may not have been the last member of Team Rainbow. Some folks are *very* quiet about their sexuality. Just sayin'.

yeschef... Good advice regarding the salting, especially in regards to baking, I never knew that, although I haven't yet produced any salt-lick cookies, I will keep that in mind for future goodies!

And LeeBee... ooh, now you got me all intrigued here! Let's go down the list, shall we?...

Big Volt - I don't think so, I'm pretty sure he's married & stuff, which doesn't mean anything necessarily, but I don't get a vibe on him.

Li'l Volt - ew ew ew ew, no way, and not just cuz he has kids, but because I don't want him on our team, period.

Sexist Pigshit - Same as Li'l Volt, plus I heard him say somewhere he's got a girlfriend ALTHOUGH he did seem REALLY friendly with Gay Ashlee, so I guess he could be D-L but no, the fabric of the universe would tear and the space-time continuum would implode if it were true so I say not him.

Fat Kid - I think I already called it... he has a girlfriend... with an air-valve.

Bitter Jen - It's certainly possible, but I seem to remember her saying how cute she thought Todd English was... then again, he looks like a drag queen out of drag... PLUS, she was super-torn-up when MaryMann got sent home, but it could have just been a sisters thingy

DirtyBear - Mmmmmm, that'd be sweet and I would personally love it because he's just so damned cute, but I think he's got a wifey, too, so as much as I want him to be I think he's just not...

which leaves us with...

80's Hooker? Well, now, that's a distinct possibility, Seattle's very lesbian friendly, she never mentions a hubby or boyfriend. Funny, she's been flying under my gaydar on that score, mostly because of all the other wacky shitstorms that are revolving around her... if only I could see inside her closet and find a toolbelt!

love, J-Mo :)

Some one on a previous episode posted that Sexist Pigshit actually got married?!?!

Was it an arranged marriage from the old country? LOL

Oh and J-Mo, "zerocool" is from a very corny movie that I loooove. But it's too embarrasing to admit which movie!

Juddfan, I wouldn't mind if '80s Hooker beat out Fat Kid or Sexist Pigshit, but what if she beat out Bitter Jen or Dirty Bear? It COULD happen, in view of what went on this past week.

Maybe not pix, as they had Sticky to eliminate this time, instead of them. It would be a travesty if it did happen. This season had a lot of bottom feeders, and this week will likely be the one that 80's will either bite it or take one of the douches out, at last I'm excited to see . . .

Inquiring minds who wanna know -

According the Washington Post - Mike I. really did get married ... to a biped female ... with a pulse! washingtonpost -dot- com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/18/AR2009091800203

DB lives with a woman ... I'm not sure if it's his wife or not.

Big Volt has a wife and the cutest little boy (Sparky?).

FatKid - Ewwwww! Don't even want to think about it. Altho, he must feel like a real stud bringing a date into mommy and daddy's house. Umm ... according to the previews for this week, he loves Nastalie Portman (love this nickname!) for the sole reason that she appeared *quote* "in the most important movie ever made.". (end quote)

80's Hooker - not sure. But I see her as more of a divorcee/cougar.

Bitter Jen - Hmmmm. Cat Cora part Deux?

Li'l Volt - I can totally see him as a "hit it and quit it" kind of tool.

zerocool........Hee! I know what movie you're from :D

My secret's out! :)

All that hype and Natalie Portman's big surprise is just that she's a vegan? There's gotta be more than that, no? I read she was born in Israel, so I hope she's at least a kosher vegan.

In my imaginary Natalie Portman's "big secret" scenario, she tells the cheftestants that every meal she eats must contain a certain amount of poison but not quite enough to kill her. 'Cause something like that could really make it fun for the cheftestants AND for us viewers.

Great recap, J-Mo!

It's funny how the red team didn't want to do dessert, because someone always goes home. Well, in restaurant wars, one team loses, regardless of if they cook dessert or not! If their dishes were stellar, I am sure the judge's wouldn't care if there was dessert or not.

I am leery to eat any dish whose name starts with Pith. Just sayin'

While I am not a big fan of fish (except deep fried with chips and lots of tarter sauce), I might become a convert if it's dressed in drag! That was one cute dish.

Lil Volt isn't professional at all - he acts just like a junior version of Gordon Ramsay, but without big enough chops to carry it off.

Toby said he would give R3Volt three stars? I wonder if this was based on the 5-star scale used on Top Chef Masters?

I don't blame 80's Hooker at all for getting all into Lil Volt's shit. She is obviously a professional and has SOME talent, or she wouldn't still be here - so let her do her own dish. Michael should keep his dooooooooooooshbaggery to himself and worry about his own cooking. And cussing!

Until next time! I'll be glad for you to see me, I guar-on-tee!!

Lots O' Love

zerocool:
Hmmmmm ... something to do with computers?

I just finished with all the comments and had to add something. I always find the vegan challenges very funny. I was introduced to a vegan several years ago by my bf and when he visits, I try to fix things he can eat, rather than surviving on salad for a week.

I actually do Thanksgiving dinner and make vegan substitutions for him. Stuffing for instance is easy. Mix bread, onions, celery, and seasonings together. Take some out and moisten it with vegetable stock. Add sausage and chicken stock to the rest, and you have two tasty versions of the same thing.

Potatoes for the vegan get mashed with some acceptable margarine product and some vegetable stock. Add a bit of s & p and there you go.

You can make a mean bean dip with Northern beans, mashed, mixed with onion and celery, a bit of olive oil, s & p - serve with Ritz crackers or celery sticks.

While it may not be fancy-shmancy gourmet food, with just a little thought and planning many dishes can be converted for the vegans with very little effort.

Believe me, the vegan in your life will love you for putting forth a little effort in trying to give them something tasty that thay can enjoy, instead of salad while everyone else eats their favorites. I even have a vegan cake recipe that is really good, even to a carnivore like me.

Lots O' Love

"I wonder if this was based on the 5-star scale used on Top Chef Masters?"

More likely it is the standard restaurant critic staring in which three is actually something most restaurants are happy to get opening night.

Of course if he was using Michelin Stars three is the max a restaurant can get.

I forgot to say thanks for the suggestions on how to make food less salty. I have been cooking for years now and almost always under salt because I am afraid of it being too salty, but now I can just play around to my hearts desire because I can at least have a way to fix it.

reckless_saturn_11 - Just be careful. Even though those tricks can work to reduce the saltiness, they will only have so much of an effect. If something is just way, way too salty, nothing will totally bring you back to where you need to be. My advice is to not be afraid to play around and be creative, but still use just a bit of caution still with the salt.

Happy cooking!