Rai

In case there's any confusion, I'm not saying that having the numbered knife means you HAVE to be executive chef. But it is a question that Tom has asked in multiple seasons, so people being prepared to answer it doesn't seem like a bad idea. Always be preppin'. Also, why pick Ashleigh over Buddha? Nick clearly wanted to work with people who had similar flavor profiles to him and said as much. Ashleigh cooks more in Nick's wheelhouse than Buddha does. Really no way to judge how he'd fare in an southern American food context. Buddha's incredibly talented and a strong contender for the win, but he's had his stumbles too.

Tom specifically asked Chris why he ceded the executive chef responsibility when he got to choose the team, so it has been raised as an expectation before. I think of all the way back to season 3 when Brian Malarky was the executive chef of the boat party challenge, and he made a big deal about how there was no other choice, that's why they're all there. That's the attitude Tom seems to encourage, and it makes sense as a way to stand out in the competition.

I'm really happy Ashleigh got the win, although I would've pegged Damarr for the win given how much focus the judges put on him when he was on the line and that dessert. Still, if that gumbo was that good, and her expediting meant all the dishes were at the proper level of seasoning (cough, other team), then it makes sense she was the winner. The judges also noted how calm and well-oiled the line was, which is the direct responsibility of the expediter/executive chef. They got to see her leadership in action, and they loved her food. That's enough justification for me! Still, Buddha did a great job with FOH. Nick chose his team members well, and the whole concept came together pretty organically. It's interesting that Nick was content to take a backseat role and that Tom didn't come for him on that. Perhaps if they had been the losing team, that point would've come up, like on season 15 when Chris picked the team and then had Claudette be the executive chef. I've been rooting for Nick though, and it was great to see him come through with such a focused dish that sounded incredible. For Buddha, "ham butter" is something that could go VERY wrong, but it sounds like he had the right deftness to make it savory, not gross. I've been irrationally annoyed by Jackson, so I don't mind him going. I just don't know why Evelyn (one of my faves!) didn't talk him out of serving two courses at once or his other bright ideas. It's easy to pin Luke's terrible seasoning on Jackson, but there was a whole team involved. Evelyn didn't attend to the seasoning and cohesion of the dishes as much as she could've. I'm glad Jae is back on the upswing though. Still, if I was forced to pick a top three now, it'd be Evelyn, Buddha, and Damarr. Still, since Jackson was doing great until he took on a role he was WHOLLY unsuited for, I suppose anything could still happen.

With Restaurant Wars on the horizon, I'm interested to discuss RW episodes from the past. They always tweak the format somewhat, so I'm wondering which season do you think got the easiest version? Or the hardest? Season 13 with the lunch AND dinner set up was pretty brutal. Seasons 5-7 had the spaces provided for them already (although one team in season 6 may have had equipment malfunctions, it turned out), so in comparison to others, I feel like that's an easy set-up. What role do you think is the hardest to fill?

I was into all of it, and I think the correct queen won the musical challenge, but oh my god, enough with the wig snatches and stripping in the lip syncs. I can't. The ghost of Samantha Ballentines has cursed this lip sync stage.

I've already said my piece on Gail's figure, so I don't need to rehash it. She got 'em, deal with it, continues to be my stance. Anyway, while the set-up was stupid, paying the bills with a dinosaur movie is pretty unobjectionable, and I think the chefs mostly acquitted themselves well. The correct team won. I would've eaten that entire menu, although I probably would've liked to have swapped Nick's dish for Buddha's. What a stunning plate with an unusual protein. I loved that all three starters made their portions bite-size to mimic what looks like the coolest moment in a goofy dinosaur movie. I will miss Jo. She was one of my favorite personalities on the show, and she really knew her Jurassic franchise history. The carrots to call back to the very first movie? Hilarious. It's too bad the execution was off. (Also, I totally was there opening weekend for the first movie. I was in jr. high, and me and a couple friends arrived super early, believing there would be a line. There wasn't. But somehow we ended up having to sit in the front row in a packed theater anyway.) I think Jae could've gotten away with the meatballs and pickled napa cabbage and MAYBE the noodles if she had focused the dish more. Sounded like the chop was what nearly got her the chop (hey oh!). I hope she turns it around next episode. It seems like the top chefs are Evelyn, Jackson, Buddha, and Damarr. I'd like Jae and Nick to be in that group too. I think Ashleigh's just not going to make it, and Luke seems trapped in his head. Ultimately, I'm rooting for Evelyn or Damarr, I think. Unless Jae brings herself back up! I loved the quickfire, although I have to admit, I'd struggle with anything that had a "draw." That's not a texture frontier I'm entirely ready to enter. But the offerings mostly sounded good, and I enjoyed seeing everyone get into it. Also, I totally got the purple and silver nailpolishes from Kwame's line, and the purple held up pretty well! Looking forward to trying out the silver soon.

I have to give it to the Spanish queens: They're not afraid to get really gross and go to the extreme. However, **I** might be too squeamish for this season. Between the monsters runway and the improv foods, I feel like I've been challenged. In the gag reflex. (Fitting when you think about it!) I think the safe group had three of the best performers overall, but I can't argue with the winner. Still, once again, I feel like Juriji got overlooked. I don't even want to like her that much, but she keeps impressing me. I also loved the runway. I adore Almodóvar, and no one disappointed. I even enjoyed Samantha's reveal. I also was impressed she ended her performance fully dressed and with a wig on, but she sure took a terrible way through it. Jota was amazing with it, although I think Samantha sealed her fate with her first jerk-off joke and it went downhill from there. Anyway, Samantha is clearly talented and well loved and maybe just not the right fit for this show. Eduardo Casanova may have the bad taste to have encouraged Samantha in the lip sync, but oh my god, he was a great judge overall and what a look. Pure fabulousness head to toe. This still feels like Sharonne's to lose, but I hope Onyx and Drag Sethlas hang in there, and Juriji gets her due. Every time I watch an episode, I just come away feeling happy. I love this version!

Yeah, I don't think of Blaise as a villain. Just completely awkward and unbearable. I legit don't know what changed for him because I thought he was great on his original season and all-stars (until his narrative about him "choking" took over and crowded out Stephanie's achievement), but the instant he was on the judges side of the table, he became cringe city. Sir, I too am an awkward dork, so I feel for you. But wow. Also, I have no problems with Brooke or Kelsey just being who they are and living their lives. Plastic surgery is not my thing, but it doesn't indicate anything about content of character or cooking talent. I remember not loving Brooke's attitude toward Shirley by the end of season 14 but otherwise, I think she's mad talented and unobjectionable. Same with Kelsey.

I'm stoked to see Jaida Essence Hall be part of this. Since she became Queen right when lockdown started on the pandemic, she really got the least amount of opportunities Drag Race winners normally get. And she's truly one of my favorites too. Yvie Oddly is another fave (and homestate gal rep!), so I'm glad she's on too. She will probably bring some drama. Raja is one of those queen of queens for me. She's an icon and a legend -- but Jaida Essence Hall is the moment, y'all.

First of all, I really liked Ashleigh's pep rap in the mirror. That was super cute and leagues better than Marcel's awkward diss track poem that he did back in season 2. Let it flow, Ashleigh! Maybe onto the plate better though! I remember when this season's location was announced, there was a lot of grumbling about giving Texas tourism money given the horrible anti-choice legislation that had just gotten signed into law. Top Chef didn't really address that in their publicity (and probably can't), but this episode definitely felt like a message regarding women's rights and in response to said awful legislation. I appreciated that. I also appreciated learning about some of the figures represented. I definitely know who Ann Richards was, but I didn't know who Bessie Coleman was. She sounds fascinating. Buddha's dish just sounded delicious and I wanted it all in my face. For the first time, I really got into Jackson's thinking with his "heart and guts" hook. That was fun and creative. But I was super happy Evelyn won. She most clearly represented her inspiration, and it was a pretty dish too. I'm rooting for her and Jae the most, I think. I recall one time on Top Chef Masters, Tom took a moment to say that the masters had figured out something regular cheftestants never do which is to cook a really strong dish and worry about how it fits into the challenge later. We've seen some cheftestants attempt to do that, I feel, but never with dishes strong enough that they could bend the interpretations of the challenges to fit in with what they cooked. So I guess that's how I feel about this challenge. For those who didn't know who their inspirations were, necessarily, they also didn't go for the strongest possible hook. Why didn't Ashleigh do some kind of stew or cured meat dish when she learned her figure came from a Norwegian background? It doesn't have to be Norwegian specifically, but she could've better adapted their broad culinary traditions into her own style more strongly, I think. I keep thinking Damarr is the one to beat, but Jackson is nailing his placement every episode. I hope Evelyn continues to thrive though. Last note: Luke, I know you worked in the best restaurant in the world, but "chicken fudge" is really reaching. Let's not.

If Samantha Ballentines is going to skate by every week by shedding all her clothes and wig in the lip sync, I'm really going to look askance on this season. Also to look askance about: the talent show. Everyone was amazing, tbh. Like. Incredible performances (aided by the pit crew) and looks across the board. But as an American, I'm super SUPER uncomfortable with Sharronne's puppet. That's stepping over a certain line for me. I don't know what the conversation in Spain around racism and colorism has arrived at, but I was just not on board with it. Incredible voice? Yes. She's a queen to beat. But the best singer nomination should've been Juriji, and there shouldn't be any debate about it. The runway was incredible, but what's the line between drag and costume really? I'm starting to question it this season. It was SO FUN to see the season 1 queens. Vulcano and Hugacio, you remain the queens of my heart. Everyone's glow up was on fire though. Liking the cast, liking the challenges, but there are questions that I have!

I'm really rooting for Nick, but I'm starting to worry he may not have the chops to go all the way. Very happy for Evelyn though! I would've thought Jae should go in over Jackson. Her "kajun" food looked INCREDIBLE and drew almost as many raves as Evelyn's. Out of all the dishes tonight, Jae's intrigued me the most. I love the idea of shredded brisket with pappadelle, and think that perhaps some kind of brisket stroganoff could've worked for Jo. Especially since she likes cooking with mushrooms! I did think Jackson should've shredded his brisket, not ground it, but since it worked out for me, what do I know. I thought Luke's dish looked stunning, although presentation obviously goes to Buddha. I am bummed Ashleigh was chopped and I hope she comes back. Using the burnt ends was very smart on both Evelyn's and Jackson's parts, and that would've been part of my suggested strategy to anyone. The burnt ends are the best part, get in there. Definitely enjoying the Houston-focused season more than the general Texas season. It's like two different shows, not just seasons.

OOOOOOOOOF. That lipsync. TOTAL mess. But okay, let's get a little chaotic here. I do think that the range of looks from this cast of queens is so much fiercer than other franchises, including the original recipe. Oh my goodness. The top three were top tier, but honestly, there wasn't really a bad look on the runway, IMO. I worry she won't go far, so I want to give a shout-out to Diamante and her baseball outfit here. LOVED it. Very representative of the Dominican Republic! That said, Onyx's angel look -- wow. Just incredible work. I actually can't tell if it's drag or a costume, but it truly sold an inhuman statue come to life, and I live. My subtitles are very hard to make out on the screen, and it will drive me nuts until I die, I guess. Fortunately, I know enough Spanish to recognize when someone's called a cow! I'm really happy to have this particular version back. Come through, reinas!

I found the Rusical delightful, which cannot be said about all of them (I can't rewatch the Trump one, for instance). I would've loved to have seen Lady Camden's take on Saltine, sure, because she was correct there needed to be an air of romance going on. Perhaps "vulnerability" would be better to say. Bosco comes off super confident all the time, which is great normally, but more range was needed in the role. Also, considering it's a burlesque girl, I'm really surprised Bosco didn't put in more flirty gestures and teases. Burlesque! Art of the tease! However, it was delightful to see Lady Camden just tear it up, and Leslie Jordan made me giggle every time he was on camera. Had no idea about his drag past. I thought Deja slayed her rap, but it's true on reflection she didn't stand out otherwise. I thought Daya's Kiss outfit was great -- for Kiss cosplay. I'm all in on genderfuck drag, but she didn't come off draggy. Just a Kiss stan. Angeria's runway was gorgeous. Jorgeous wore a new wig, but his runway looked the same otherwise? Idk. I have LOVED hearing how ninja and kung-fu movies have informed Jorgeous's dancing just as much as pop music. That's something we don't hear enough about on Drag Race, and I'm into it. I don't think Willow Pill has the same range of facial motion necessarily? As part of her condition? Either way, I thought she did great and still Lady Camden deserved the win. It's true Bosco's looks are repetitive, but this one was the best by far. I'm glad she's still here! I also think I'm starting to go all in on Lady Camden.

I agree that one needs to be able to taste to get the best end result. Still doesn't mean he can't get something tasty together. I mean, many, many restaurant dishes are made by line cooks with colds who SHOULDN'T have come into work, but they did, and their taste buds probably aren't up to par either. I wonder what Jackson is like cooking at full strength. Could be even better! But also, potential manipulation on a reality show? /clutches pearls.

I'm guessing Jackson has an unusually strong taste memory, which is helping him out. It's something that's aided (and hindered) me in my own cooking at times -- remembering how flavor profiles have developed and how well they might combine. I'm just a home cook, but it's helped me get better at winging it at times. A guy on his level has a great theoretical cupboard to pull from and feel comfortable that he's headed in the right direction. Given how important presentation is in fine dining and how chefs need to be able to replicate an intricate plate multiple times a night, this challenge makes sense on that level. In a cheeky way, it also speaks to how presentation can either elevate expectations or trick them. I love a more cerebral challenge on occasion.

I may be allergic to beets, especially the skins. But it's something that comes and goes. Could be the chemicals in the soil? Who knows? No other veggie affects me, but there are times where my hands tingle and swell after handling raw, unpeeled beets. But not every time! It's really weird, and I would stop trying to deal with them except they show up in my CSA shares a lot.

I know Kwame was something of a fashion plate. I totally ordered a couple of his nail polishes too!

I ordered the eggplant and the silver colors, and I'm pretty stoked. I generally like ORLY, and it would be amazing if they can do even a teeny bit of what he promises.

Most of their intros were pretty good, and I don't know what happened after that. I actually think Betsy DeVos could be a GREAT choice. You just have to play her as so rich she doesn't understand daily struggles and also generally clueless. I mean, she went on a whole thing about how teachers should be armed in case bears break into the classrooms. This is comedy gold, people! (Except that she actually impacted our education system super horribly as well.) Jasmine had a good idea, but Jasmine was not good. All of them were a good idea, but all of them failed to execute accept for Deja who did have a genuine ease in her performance. (Is it unfair to bring in Kate McKinnon to make my case for Betsy DeVos? Probably this helped fuel Jasmine's inspiration, but honey, know your limits. )

It's almost like women have unfairly high beauty expectations foisted upon them, right? Totally cool with having the men dress better and more flamboyantly too though. Let's make that happen.

I do not know why, but Sam just bugged the hell out of me. He seems nice! He seems friendly! But he also came off as pretty try-hard, and I just COULD NOT by the end of this episode. Dude, I love a potato. I have loved many potatoes. But you are a little obsessed. As a bosom buddy of Gail's, you might say, I hate the fact that so much nice clothing is cut for women with smaller racks, so that when it's on someone of our build, things get bosomy. But the older I get, the more I feel this is really other peoples' problem. It's the body I got, so learn how to deal, folks. 😃 Intrigued by Jo, Nick, Damarr, Evelyn, Jae, and Sarah who has that Stephanie Cmar sense of humor going. Wanting to be impressed by Ashleigh. Buddha is interesting, but I don't think he needs this show, and neither does someone like Luke or Jackson. Robert and Monique might be solid middle of the pack chefs. Anyone who I forgot....probably a reason for that.

I don't get why Pangina is somehow a diva over her elimination but Jimbo is just being frank about his feelings. If anything, Jimbo comes off far more petty than Pangina. I don't really care about strategy or shady boots or whatever -- finally, a little cut-throat action was called for. I just don't enjoy giving one person's behavior a pass and not the other's. So I'm team let them both vent and sulk. I get it. It's more honest too.

So, the publishing world was rocked last year by the death of Dick Robinson, the president of Scholastic (home of Clifford the Big Red Dog and Harry Potter). He ended up leaving the company shares to an employee, not his kids. This was a scandal, especially since there were implications of romance between Robinson and his (actually very worthy) successor. However, his kids were described thusly in the Wall Street Journal: And I gotta tell y'all, when I read "I fish the fish and cull the deer," I felt that this was a man who might appreciate the Big Sandwich.

It worked itself out eventually. I had a great time with Jonah and the bots overall! (Lalala)