The contestants all eventually arrive at a ferry and introduce themselves to each other. Lauren the Army Wife starts jumping up and down and squealing. That must mean a gay guy has entered. FINALLY. With some guys you can't really tell at first, but before he even speaks we know that a.) Patrick has a fag hag, and b.) his eyebrows are ready to go straight from work to the midnight show lip synching the Lea Salonga role in Miss Saigon at Lucky Cheng's.
I'd give my life for yoooooou!
Patrick went to school with Army Wife, and he is here to share his passion with the world. He assures us that he's got a lot of it. Other things Patrick has a lot of: Makeup. Different overly earnest patronizing faces. Makeup. Did I already say that? He's a culinary student and knows that he was born with an innate talent that not everyone has. Other things Patrick was probably born with: one long eyebrow. A mom with a full makeup cabinet. A base coat. He seems like a sweet kid, but the graphic on his t-shirt is a cork screw that's going right through the middle of his chest.
That can't be a good sign.
As the ferry pulls away from the dock, Stefan, a Finlandian German guy, tries to impress Fabio with his Italian and Fabio's like yeah yeah pizza bagel that's great. Stefan has lived all over the world. Adventurous, cultured people move from place to place often. So do serial killers. Stefan is a pretty rigid German with piercing blue eyes and frankly, I am afraid of him.
The Iceman Cometh
Richard is a gay, and he says that what he's most excited about is seeing what Padma's wearing. LOL. He's a big honey bear and his t-shirt graphic is an old lady in a walker, what's not to like?
Honey Bear
The ferry docks and the chefs make their way to a park, where we meet Leah. Leah's a toothy girl who tells us her mom says whatever you do, don't cry or you'll look like a little bitch. We have the same mother! I wonder if, like me, she will often cry and look like a little bitch.
Advice? Don't cry. Eat. A lot.
Scar and the ever young and gorgeous Daddy Tom meet up with the Chefs and Scar talks about how tough New York is. She would know. She came to this city and made it the hard way. She found a rich old dude and made him hard. There over 650,000 food service industry people there and she's shared a bowl with more than half of them. "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!" That doesn't rhyme, but it's Scar, and that's just part of what makes her special.
This season is all about eggplant.
Time for the first Quickfire of the season and oh burn someone's getting eliminated. Harsh. I likey. The looks on the chefs faces are priceless. Jamie's head literally retracts into her body like a turtle.
Scared neckless.
Eugene is admittedly worried about going home first, but Army Wife is positive that she can handle cookin' in New York City! Hicks with chipper attitudes are usually the first ones run down by cabs in NY. They can't stop looking at the sky and shaking their heads in amazement.
The challenge is a three parter. The first round is to perfectly peel 15 apples with a knife. The top nine move on automatically, and the lower 8 will have to battle it out in the next round. Fabio tells us that he's not going home over an apple. "Not even if I have to swallow da happle ole." Calm down there, tiger. This isn't The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll.
Stefan is the first one done, and Carla makes it into the top nine, too. Carla wants to prove that caterers are just as talented as restaurant chefs. No one said they weren't, defensive. Carla looks paranoid. Like any second someone's gonna throw a ball and hit her in the face.
That light's bright. Wait. Is that a train? AAAAGGGH!
Stefan wins immunity for finishing first, and he says that now everyone's looking at him different. They're not just scared now, they're terrified.
The bottom eight have to compete in the second challenge, which is to brunoise two cups of apples. Daniel speeds through it, wins and is quickly joined on the safe side by three more people. The bottom four are left to compete in the third leg, which is to make a dish using their apples.
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Comments (26)
So glad this show is back on and you're here to share it with us.
It's a bit early to know all the characters yet but it seems like Stefan is in the lead for a$$hole of this season. Could be someone else is waiting to make a bid for that esteemed honor and only time will tell.
Top Chef has assembled another box of assorted nuts and hopefully it will be fun to watch.
Great recap and picture captions.
1 of 26 | Posted by skies | Posted on November 16, 2008 6:27 PM
Like dessert--your recap is totally worth it!
Is it just me, or does Radhika look like Helena Bonham Carter?
I wonder how Patrick got on the show to begin with. He's in culinary school still--aren't there many many applicants?
2 of 26 | Posted by silver | Posted on November 16, 2008 7:13 PM
YAYYYYYYYYYY!!! Flipit's back on Top Chef recaps!!!
Although LoLo did a great job too, but I LOVE your unique brand of humor, Flipit!
Anyway, looks like another interesting season of TC (my fave reality show).
Flipit, if you need a hag, I am so totally your girl! :P
3 of 26 | Posted by fierytopaz | Posted on November 16, 2008 7:19 PM
"Gail still doesn't have a mirror or gay friends, apparently, and I love her for staying so true to herself." hahahaha. I loved that dress. I'd wear it.
I thought the same thing about Kelly Ripa & that laundry thing...yeh, right!
Great Recap for a great show. You filled me in on the middle when I feel asleep. TY!
Love the pic recaps. They are awesome. All your work paid off.. love it.
4 of 26 | Posted by chooch850 | Posted on November 16, 2008 7:24 PM
hahahaha I love this season already! And I love your recaps more!
5 of 26 | Posted by Cherie | Posted on November 16, 2008 8:10 PM
Oh Flipit, how we missed ye. This recap was so funny, I actually started reading it to my husband. He doesn't even watch the show and was laughing his ass off! Awesome!
I thought that one guy... wasshisname prison lesbian looking hawaiian guy... was really smart. Most of the chefs seemed unfamiliar with the type of cooking they had to do. However, he went to the deli counter and asked to taste something. Then he figured he knew how to recreate that taste. I thought that was brilliant! And I was really disappointed he didn't win. Stefan is such a douchenozzle, but then I guess we have to have someone to hate. Well, besides the "I don't know if I am good enough" soccer mom because she won't be around that long anyway.
6 of 26 | Posted by Snootchy Bootches | Posted on November 17, 2008 3:09 AM
Loved the recap, Flipit!
Just one question -- did they ever say what culinary school Army Wife and Patrick went to? Because I'd say to AVOID it -- two losers on the first ep???
7 of 26 | Posted by LitChick35 | Posted on November 17, 2008 8:43 AM
Flip, I've gotta admit I'm one of the few who hasn't watched Top Chef before and the only reason I started this season was because my friend lured me to her premiere party with promises of vino. So I don't know if this is the normal reaction, but I'm a little shocked you didn't mention how Mr. Freaky Beard BLED ALL OVER HIS APPLES! I was pretty appalled. I couldn't believe the judges let that slide! Is that normal??
8 of 26 | Posted by Hoolia | Posted on November 17, 2008 9:30 AM
Glad Army Wife left because her voice was very annoying.
I think they put some more inexperienced people on so they can have some guilt-free eliminations in the beginning. Just a theory.
9 of 26 | Posted by suckitbitches | Posted on November 17, 2008 11:19 AM
First off it's great to have a new season of Top Chef, and it's even better to have flipit doing the recaps. The next few weeks are going to be great.
(B), I think I'm in love with Gail. At one point at judges' table when scar was flapping her gums the camera panned all the way down to Gail, who got a look on her face like someone shoved a turd directly under her nose. I know Gail can't be on the show every week because she has to keep America's eggs safe, but can we get like a picture in a picture of Gail in the background whenever Scar opens her cakehole? I'm telling you Gail has future Mrs Waffleboy written all over her, is she single?
Lastly, when Stefan had his little emuslion breakdown, was I the only one bothered by the fact America was getting run down by a chef from a country whose greatest cullinary achivement is cramming meat into animal casings (Please feel free to insert your own cheap joke here)?
Double lastly, "other things Patrick was probably born with: one long eyebrow." Awesome. Great espisode great show, can't wait for more
10 of 26 | Posted by waffleboy09 | Posted on November 17, 2008 11:25 AM
Jeff looks like a Tink-version of Chase from House...no??
11 of 26 | Posted by tebtosca | Posted on November 17, 2008 11:36 AM
It annoyed me when the spirt guide girl mispronounced Latkes. It's pronounced Lat-kas.
12 of 26 | Posted by sheyanicole | Posted on November 17, 2008 11:39 AM
Great recap!! Though, I can't believe no one mentioned how Pretty Boy is a dead ringer for Jesse Spencer (from House). I mean, they're practically identical.
13 of 26 | Posted by Kon4MItY | Posted on November 17, 2008 11:54 AM
HAHAHA thanks for reading I am cracking up over here. Kon4, yes he does!! I guess I was just blinded by his too bleached teeth to notice. It was like staring into the sun.
Helena B. Carter does look like Rad, but I like HBC so I'm not touching that one. Maybe she could make a movie about how she's sick of people expecting her to be sooo Indian. Thanks for the hag offer, fireyt!! Without my girls I wouldn't even get out of bed some mornings.
and "I know Gail can't be on the show every week because she has to keep America's eggs safe, but can we get like a picture in a picture of Gail in the background whenever Scar opens her cakehole?"LOL and well said. Yes on more Simmons pics.
LOVE
14 of 26 | Posted by flipit | Posted on November 17, 2008 1:18 PM
Awesome recap- I can't wait for more.
Litchick35- Both Patrick and Lauren went to/are attending CIA Hyde Park (arguably one of the best culinary schools in the country, if not the world), so I doubt it has anything to do with the school. Also, 4 other contestants from this season (Ariane, Danny, Leah, and Jamie) are alums. 3 out of the 4 previous winners went there (Harold, Ilan, and Hung). At any rate, it seems like going to CIA is your golden ticket to get on Top Chef.
15 of 26 | Posted by Sourire | Posted on November 18, 2008 1:57 AM
Haven't even finished the recap, but must post IMMEDIATELY to say, YAY! Flipits recapping!! I love me some LoLo, but Flipit, I started reading Tvgasm way back when for the Top Chef recaps, so nice to see you here!
16 of 26 | Posted by valmommyt | Posted on November 18, 2008 6:58 AM
We both watch too much tv, because this quote had me laughing until I cried:
"Gail "BURNT CHARRED EEEEGGGS" Simmons, who today is dressed like a pregnant Peggy borrowing one of Joan's day off dresses in Mad Men. "
Totally!!! I also love how you throw random commercial screen captures in and comment on them - brilliant!
Ok, enough praise for you - get back to work!
17 of 26 | Posted by valmommyt | Posted on November 18, 2008 7:20 AM
Hahaha -- thanks, Sourire! I didn't really think they went to a bad culinary school or anything, just thought it was funny that they kept talking about school ("I'm not worried about Chinatown! I took an Asian food class in culinary school!") and both got The Knife on the first episode.
18 of 26 | Posted by LitChick35 | Posted on November 18, 2008 8:12 AM
Great recap! Thanks!
Now, just for me, tell me, is Eugene a man or a woman! I have to a moman...just get ahold of yourself, moman! You used to be a dishwasher, and I tell ya, that's way harder than make some food! lol
I hate the Eurotrash team already..but Stefan means business and he's kicking some Yankes's ass!
Can't wait for next week!
Kisses!
19 of 26 | Posted by detinha | Posted on November 18, 2008 10:05 AM
Flipit... Carla looks like an uglier version of Joan from the show "Girlfriends."
20 of 26 | Posted by slutty_whore | Posted on November 18, 2008 10:29 AM
Oh what a great recap! Thanks so much flipit!
To me... that Stephan looked like a bald European Edward Norton in those screen caps. I didn't notice that when watching but might have been distracted by the accent. He might be the biggest a-hole but he can obviously cook! 2 wins the first episode is pretty awesome.
And silver- Radhika totally does look like Helena Bonham Carter!
The blood all over the apples should have be mentioned but I am thankful there was no screencap of that. That was dis.gust.ing.
21 of 26 | Posted by mrsc | Posted on November 18, 2008 11:10 AM
Yay, thanks for a great recap, Flipit. And special thanks for all the food-porn photos. I mean, I'm more of a food-piled-up-on-a-giant-platter type of person, but these teeny tiny portions still look ...yum.
I'm loving HoneyBear, and I hope he sticks around until he wins. I'm just glad he didn't have to cook with his apples, because I think Padma and Tom would have disqualified him rather than having to taste his blood. I also like Eugene.
Stefan will stick around for a long long time because he's the designated asshole for this year, and because, I guess, it looks like he knows what he's doing. Oh joy, I'll get to hear time and time again about asshole Europeans and Eurotrash for the next few weeks. We're not all bad!!!! I'll just have to remember that in a European Top Chef, it's doubtful the American contestants would be portrayed fairly, either. Although I don't think fairness has anything to do with Stefan's portrayal. He does seem like an asshole.
I hate Daniel's attitude and his stupid facial hair. It looks like he woke up and forgot to wipe off the twin night-spit rivulets. I don't want to be thinking night-spit when someone is serving me my food!
22 of 26 | Posted by sayhuh | Posted on November 18, 2008 12:07 PM
for the record, my dad and stefan know each other, and he is an ass. but kind of in a good way, in that he can cook and he knows it. I'm rooting for him though, he has insane skills.
23 of 26 | Posted by whitney | Posted on November 18, 2008 12:55 PM
You are welcome, darling. If there's anything I enjoy more than recapping Top Chef myself, it's reading your recaps of it. I truly appreciate how accepting everyone was of me last season, but we all know this is your show and are thrilled you're back.
Besides, I'm a sucker for footrubs. How could I have said no?
P.S. Yes, dishwashers are insane. If I have a choice between a dark alley with an escaped felon and a dark alley with a dishwasher, I'm taking my chances with the dude who hasn't seen a woman in a few decades and may be packing a shiv.
I was going for describing the felon there, but I think that could work for both. Hmm...
24 of 26 | Posted by LoLo | Posted on November 19, 2008 1:19 PM
We did and do appreciate your work too, Lolo. And funny comment about felons vs dishwasher. Hey, that could be a show!
25 of 26 | Posted by Snootchy Bootches | Posted on November 20, 2008 2:44 AM
I know I'm late commenting because I've been wrapped up in the scintillating world of chubby drag queens for the last week, but I want to thank you, Flipit, for pointing out and capturing Carla's skerd-of-being-run-down-by-the-train look.... now whenever I see her on the show I immediately burst into helplessly healthy belly laughter (which, on a big boy like me is saying something)... she is going to be screencap GOLD this season!
love to you, and love to the lovely LoLo, who will forever be a doll in my heart for coining the term "Fleasa"...
love, J-Mo :)
P.S. Honeybear better not make a pass at Daddy Tom, he is notoriously uncomfortable with gay 'mirations... Honeybear can come on over to my house and we can fantasize about Daddy Tom together! :)
26 of 26 | Posted by J-Mo | Posted on November 20, 2008 8:04 AM