Chickabiddy

Well, even a stopped clock is right twice a day. ;-) Similarly, Fucking Fraser, who may indeed be a cancer, but is definitely a shit heel, is not wrong about this Chef’s food. The chef’s food and plating are more in line with a three star Holiday Inn than anything Michelin. There is nothing wrong with his food - it is just boring and uninspired. I am not sure why the new stew mantra has been “Garnishes, Garnishes, Garnishes,” but the Eggs Benedict could have used something. And not a spring of parsley. That is the height of 1950s sophistication. 🙄 Garnishes should always have a connection to what is in the dish - not just a random item plopped on he plate because it “looks cool.” 🙄 When I make Eggs Benedict at home, I always add a sprinkle of parsley or chives because it adds flavor, color, and completes the dish. Those eggs would have looked so much better, and a little less naked, with a little sprinkling of something. And any chef worth his salt should be able to make a dish that is both delicious and visually appealing. It’s not an either or situation with someone who actually knows what they’re doing. And while the guests were happy, they were the most ragtag group of influencers I have ever seen in the wild. They don’t strike me as an elevated group of sophisticates. They all seemed a little raggedy and schlubby. At any rate, this new chef is perfect for this show, provided he can read a preference sheet. 😉 He keeps it simple and straightforward with just enough skill to keep the guests on a cut-rate yacht vacation happy. His lack of complexity and refinement are perfect for the limits of his guests, his galley, and the suipport staff he has. In my opinion, Anthony’s only flaw was not being unable or unwilling to adapt to those limitations. Anthony belongs in a Michelin star restaurant with full kitchen staff and guests who know enough about an elevated dining experience to be able to wait between courses and hold a conversation. This new chef is right where he needs to be. And while, I think his plating is lacking, he is right to put his foot down with those harpies. They are completely out of pocket with the constant criticism. Though Kate racked up a lot of screen time yammering about Leon’s repetitive beef cheeks. It didn’t even really matter that he served them all the time because he served them to different guests. And yes to throwing Fraser overboard. He is completely insufferable. P.S. And Barbie and Kyle ARE cute together. 😉

Naturally. Well adjusted, secure, confident people make for lousy “reality” TV. 😉

Because Anthony had one bad charter with a group of uber demanding people with 67 food restrictions, all egged on by supreme harridan Jill. Barbie owned her part in the lunch fiasco by writing confusing notes for chef. Rachael had a few rough breakfasts when the chief stew took sloppy, confusing notes. No one wanted to boot her foul mouthed ass off the boat…lnotbafter she walked off and quit in a huff. And Anthony is struggling now because he is not supported or getting encouragement from anyone. We have Fucking Fraser walking through the kitchen and muttering shit about Anthony to everyone instead of being constructive. He tattles to Captain Kerry and gets him all spun up. As someone with a French mother, who lived in New Orleans for many years, loves finr dining, enjoys cooking, and enjoys food porn more, Anthony is one of the best chefs we have ever seen on any of these franchises. On top of that, he makes beautiful food for the crew, and we never see them having to order out food because the chef is too busy preparing food for guests.. We see that a lot on Below Deck Med and quite a few times with Ben previously on this show. Why can Anthony get the same benefit? So if Anthony’s struggle is affecting everybody’s tip, wouldn’t it be in their best interest, particularly Fraser’s, to jump in and help him? This is exactly why Kate had intensive tutorial sessions with Chef Matt one season because she was pissed that his shitty cooking was gonna hurt their tips. She didn’t do it out of love or the goodness of her heart. If they’re truly worried about the chef ruining their tips, the logical solution is for everybody to jump in and lend a hand, unless the story line is to let Anthony fail enough to get fired. Why have we seen the crew help out with clean up and prep on other shows in the franchise and not this one? And why would they leave that footage out. It only would prove the point that Anthony is truly in over his head. Maybe Anthony is being set up to fail, or at least struggle. Right, but Kerry already said it would be next to impossible to find a replacement for Anthony. So if Mr. Fixit isn’t trying to fix it, maybe it is a story line. But it would certainly help. Have you ever seen a fine dining kitchen in action? There are sous chefs, line cooks, sauciers, expediters food preppers, pastry chefs, and dish washers. Having a sous chef to help with prep and clean up would give the chef more time and mental to menu plan and perhaps work around his challenges with dyslexia. I doubt any company could get away with firing an employee because their dyslexia interfered with their reading without first trying to make reasonable accommodations first. The first solution can’t be, “His dyslexia, prevents him from reading the preference sheets, so let’s throw them overboard.”’ Not a good look in this day and age. After watching this show for years, I am seeing a pattern of the guests getting more demanding with food requests and restrictions, and the support for the chef decreasing. If the boat is big enough for four stews, the chef needs an assistant in the kitchen, particularly if they are serious about 7 star service. But we all know they are more interested in seven star drama, then actually providing a refined, elevated experience. And we all know that it what the producers are paid to do - gin up the drama, the tension, and the failure. Can’t have any dramatic firings if everyone is supported and successful in their jobs. 😉

I may be sitting at a table for one on this point, but I like what Barbie did with her toast at the table. Fucking Fraser has been running around the boat, talking shit about Barbie behind her back to anyone who will listen. And I commend Barbie for bringing it out in the open and trying to take some control back in the situation. She even acknowledged her part in the problem and stated that she wanted to do better and make things right. I think it was a boss move, and sometimes strong, assertive action, particularly from women, can make people feel uncomfortable. I mean, Fucking Fraser called Barbie a horrible person to her face in the previous episode, but runs to Captain Kerry all butt hurt and trying to get Barbie fired because she acknowledged the issues upfront on a night out and said she wants to make it better. And I don’t trust Fucking Xandie either because she has been living in Fraser’s back pocket where it is safe and comfortable. Fine, we all do what we got to survive, but it makes me doubt her take on the situation. Forall we know, she may be looking to take down the competition. and for those who say there must be hidden footage somewhere of Barbie really mouthing off to Fraser, do you really think Bravo would leave footage of high drama and rude behavior on the cutting room floor? No way. They live for people behaving badly on camera. And as we’ve seen, they have no problem putting together incriminating footage. to call people out on their shitty behavior. Ben, anyone? This is also why I don’t think there’s any footage of everyone rushing to Anthony’s help in the kitchen. If Chef were getting the kind of help that other chefs have gotten on the franchise, we would be seeing footage of it as proof that he’s totally out of his depth and needs to be fired. and an effort to end on a more positive note, I do love me some Captain Kerry. He’s a damn sight smarter than Captain Sandy, and he actually tries to get involved and lead the crew unlike Captain Lee. For what it’s worth, he gets top marks in my book.

I am late to the game with this show. Just wanted to add that the German immigrants dress more like Eastern Europeans and are probably Volga Germans. Catherine The Great, herself German born, invited large groups of Germans to settle along the Volga river. They left because the freedoms promised under Catherine were curtailed - hence no gun ownership. Volga Germans settled from Texas across the Great Plains up to Canada. And they may have actually arrived in New Orleans. New Orleans was the second largest port of immigration after New York. The city has the same mix of Italian, German and Irish ethnic groups. Fun fact: a true New Orleans city accent sounds a lot more like Brooklyn than southern, Cajun, or anything else. And a of times, unscrupulous ship captains, would just dump immigrants in New Orleans and tell them it was New York. And the immigrants didn’t know New York from New Orleans

Have to chime in again to share how much I fucking hate Fraser now. Ugh. I can’t believe that nasty little shit is running yo Captain Kerry every chance he gets to shit talk Chef Anthony! Chef did a fabulous job accommodating those 67 food restrictions from the guests. And Barbie was a stand up girl who owned her mistake and part in the lunchtime confusion. And, yes, he did get confused about the sushi request. But he he damn primary needs to speak up for herself and not let Jill run the entire show. Further, let’s remember that Anthony (and Barbie) are both working in a second language. This can complicate communication a lot. Fraser’s French sounds pretty good to my ear, but I’d like to see him do that 24/7 six weeks straight. What really irritates me even more about the situation is that Kerry seemed ready move on about it, but you have Fraser constantly whispering in his ear and making a target out of Anthony for a few hiccups that were not entirely his fault. Why in the hell is Fraser trying to make it worse instead of putting in a good word for a teammate who has been a solid team player from day one? Oh, I know, because Fraser is a total fucking shitheel. 🙄

I get the impression that Fraser really likes to have someone to pick on. First, it was Barbie, and now he seems to be going after Chef, whom he initially seemed quite friendly with - even chatting with his Maman. Was the kitchen a huge mess? Yes. But Chef is cranking out huge amounts of complicated food for guests and also does really nice food for the crew. He is a one-man show on a boat big enough to require four stews. And let's not forget that Chef cleaned up all of his OWN mess. Fraser did not help, nor was he asked to get involved. When Anthony had trouble sorting out breakfast after getting like 3 hours sleep, Fraser acts all put out that he has to spend 10 minutes helping Anthony come up with a menu. This after Frser dumped the murder mystery prep on the deck crew. If Fraser wanted to help Anthony instead of being a petty, critical bitch, he would have had a personal conversation with him as opposed to declaring to an audience on a night out that he is going to confront Chef for his sloppiness and lack of organization. Fraser could never come close to preparing the amount of quality food Anthony does in a million years. I am a good home cook. I have some skill. I will never be an Anthony, either. But I sure as shit know that cooking is messy work and complicated dishes all prepared a la minute require a LOT of dishes. The chef is not preparing a dump meal in a crock pot that can sit for three hours while he cleans and organizes the kitchen. And again, he has no sous chef or kitchen support and the pantry is far away from the kitchen. It just irritates me when Frser exaggerates a problem and then claims he is doing extra work that he isn't. And then he acts all flippant about good managers delegating their work to others when the deck crew helped him. Anthony is one of the best, hardest working, and most drama-free chefs we have ever had on a BD series, and fucking Fraser is still finding fault. Fraser is really turning into a toxic brat, and it's a shame because I used to really like him.

Fair. But this is what I saw as a viewer - 1. Cat was super shady with Barbie when she disturbed her mid task to say that Fraser wanted her to check up on Barbie because work wasn't getting done. She misrepresented what Fraser said. 2. Yes. She pushed back one time on the margaritas. It was a strange hill to die on but she was not rude or insubordinate. 3. When Fraser had the sit down with the two girls about their issues, he let Cat say her piece - where she lied about what she said to Barbie. She did not own up to coming in like a supervisor or claiming that Barbie wasn't working enough. When Barbie tried to respond with her perspective on the interaction, Fraser abruptly cut her off. So what kind of saint is going to be cool with that and not get a little attitude when you boss is constantly telling you to be nice? The implication is that Barbie is is the baddie and Cat is her poor victim. 4. Fraser approached her a little hot at the bar and was not overly friendly. Also, mangers should not have a work conversation like that late at night in a bar after lots of alcohol. It sends a mixed message and catches the employee off guard and not at their best to respond. 5. And let's not forget that Fraser lied to Kerry when he told him that Barbie was negative person who was not getting along with anyone on the boat. That was patently false and shit thing to do. And it sucks to have a boss like Fraser who plays favorites and is fast and loose with the truth. Being a leader is a lot more than getting to tell people what to do and getting to fire them if you don't like them. It's about setting an example and treating people fairly and honestly. True leaders don't hold their subordinates to higher standards than they themselves are willing to follow.

See, I think Fraser‘s problems with Barbie go back to the beginning. She has a strong personality and I think she intimidates Fraser at a minimum Barbie is a pretty, put together rich girl who still works hard. She is driven to succeed enough that she took a bartending class. She is good with a he guests, and her wealth and privilege give her an ease and confidence around them. That same wealth and privilege empower her to push back when she wants. She’s doesn’t need the job in the same way the others do. It’s obvious to me why Fraser identifies with one and not the other. And I think he feels intimidated because he wanted to get rid of her right away for very little reason. He was exaggerating the situation to Kerry, and he still thought it was too early to fire a good, hard working stew. Anf for what it’s worth, I don’t think a supervisor should give attitude or speak rudely to subordinates. Just because they can, doesn’t mean they should. It immediately sets an adversarial tone that’s not necessary. There are more productive ways to assert your managerial authority over your team.

So typically, I am a Fraser fan, but not so much this season. I think he is over, identifying with Cat’s wounded bird routine, and while I think Barbie has mild attitude, she is a really good, competent stew and actually, I think Fraser feels a little threatened by her. It’s easy for Fraser to feel superior to the meek and poorly trained Cat. it was odd how Fraser worked to sell how well Cat was improving to the Captain when Kerry was at the table and saw just how bad she was at service. It a total dick move on his part to go to Captain Kerry and complain so vociferously about Barbie. Her “!bad attitude” is so mild in comparison to what we have seen before. And he is only making himself look bad by complaining this early about a difficult employee. It’s another sign he feels threatened by Barbie. I’m glad Captain Kerry shut it down. Barbie is a tough cookie and a good worker. So now we have two instances of Fraser sculpting his narrative to fit with his own perceptions, and needs as opposed to really representing the facts of the situation. Not a good look. And I haven’t been a fan of Cat’s since she interrupted Barbie mid task and implied that she wasn’t really doing enough work, and said Fraser had wanted her to check up on her. She then misrepresented the situation to Fraser and acted like Barbie was being rude for no reason. It was a red flag for me that Cat can be sly and smanipulative when she wants to. Given her tough upbringing, it wouldn’t surprise me if she is used to being manipulative as a survival tool. So I am skeptical of her broken bird routine. I’ll take someone direct and upfront, if a little abrasive, over mealy- mouthed whining and crying anytime.

Agree totally. Brock Turner, anyone? And what galls me about that is the judge didn’t want to ruin his bright future with a too harsh sentence. 🙄😡 What shocks me about this situation is that Luke was so blinded by his sense of masculine entitlement that he thought nothing of violating a woman’s space and boundaries with people all around….and people with CAMERAS. And when the producers tried yo stop him he was indignant with rage. And while all of this is only my opinion, my opinion is that Luke is a dangerous predator. He seemed far too comfortable while in action and was too bewildered as to what the problem was the next day.

I am late to the game on this show. How did I miss it was airing its second season? I dunno busy summer, I guess. I just had to chime in with my two cents. Bravo may create a toxic, hyper-sexualized, alcohol-fueled environment where participants are egged on to engage in scripted, trashy, lascivious sexcapades, but that is not the same thing as condoning SA. I mean, many nightclubs create a similar environment most nights of the week, but that does not remove personal responsibility or accountability. After watching Luke's aggressive Cromagnon approach to flirting and kissing, I have no doubt he went into Margot's room with the intention of having sex with her, whether she consented or not. Her lack of enthusiastic consent never stopped him before from kissing or pawing at her. He got up in her bunk naked and was holding her from behind. From my perspective, he was angry at the producers for interrupting his plans to take what he wanted. He showed no embarrassment at being naked. He was pissed that the producers got in the way, and was not going to back down until he got what he wanted. I am not one to react to things with emotion, but watching that scene and writing about it now gives me chills. We were watching a real-life SA in progress, and we saw a predator react angrily and aggressively when his plans were interrupted and eventually thwarted. I am not a prude by any means and generally don't have a problem with CONSENTING adults behaving badly together if that is their jam. But a naked man jumping into bed with a passed-out woman represents the lowest of low human behavior. There can be no excuse or justification based on toxic environment, alcohol consumption, mixed signals, or the producers wanting it, to justify violating the personal boundaries of an unconscious human being. And if that is how Luke acts in close, confined quarters with witnesses and cameras all around, just how dangerous is he when he is alone with a woman? I shudder to think. Luke is a sickening and vile individual, and I hope that episode haunts him socially and professionally for the rest of his life. And Laura can fuck right off, too for defending and seeking to protect a predator. I don't care what culture she grew up in or how hard her childhood was; she is as vile a predator as Luke, and I hope this haunts her, too. Ok, rant over. Thanks, everyone.

I just had to chime in - a little late to the game - that adult Kate is absolutely running this show for me. What a sanctimonious pain in the neck! Was Tully wrong to drive legally drunk? Yes! Has Tully apologized profusely and been raked over the coals by both the public and the entire Malarky/Ryan clan - YES! She was not the cause of the accident so for Kate to act offended and upset that she drove Mara over a year later is just disgusting, especially when you consider how Tully rushed back in to Kate's life to help her through her cancer battle. It really irritates me that Kate has never held Mara even slightly accountable for lying to Tully and putting her in a bad spot because she wanted to disobey her parents and go out. She does bear some responsibility for getting herself into trouble. And if Kate is so concerned that her parenting directives be followed, she and Johnny could have postponed their hanky-panky for when Mara's grounding was up. It really irritates me that Kate expects Tully to be a more involved parental stand-in than she is willing to be. It's not like Johnny and Kate had to take some emergency trip out of town and had no other choice. The whole drama around this issue just seems to me to like it is a way for Kate to unleash her pent-up resentment on Tully for being cooler, richer, prettier, more successful, more charismatic, and on and on. I also HATED Johnny and Kate saying the same sentence that Tully should marry them because she is their best friend - and then complaining that she will make it all about her. What jerks. From what I have seen of Tully, she has been a really good friend to Kate. She puts Kate first a lot and puts up with all her temper tantrums and neediness. She flew Kate to Germany on a PRIVATE plane to see Johnny in the hospital. And I mean what a fucking crime to throw someone a wedding shower when they said they didn't want one. I totally wish I had friends who wronged me like that. Ok, rant over. Thanks for listening, y'all. 😘

If a woman or a man...if anyone knowingly gets involved with a married person, he or she is equally to blame for wrecking the married person's home. The single person may not be guilty of cheating on their own partner, but they are guilty of aiding and abetting the cheating spouse in their unethical behavior. The single person, male or female, is as much of a shit heel as the cheating spouse because he or she knows the potential consequences of the behavior. Noreen needs to own her shit. She could have refused Bill's advances. He probably would have moved on to find another accomplice, but at least she would not have had a part in it. She would not be a single mom struggling to support her baby and navigate baby daddy issues. Again, this is not about punishing women. This is about holding both parties involved in adultery equally responsible for their actions. If you sleep with a married person who, in the eyes of the law, "belongs" to someone else, it is the same immoral act as taking a car that doesn't belong to you for a joy ride. It's still wrong even if you say you don't have your own car at home. Another analogy - if you help someone commit murder, it doesn't matter f you did the killing. Your sentence will still be pretty stiff for aiding and abetting the crime. And again, it doesn't matter if you are married or not.

I probably wouldn’t if he hadn’t won back to back…if there had been some time between wins. I mean I love cheese fondue but not every night for a week. It’s a lot more tasty and enjoyable when I have a chance to miss it and enjoy other flavors and textures in between. 😉 Besides that, this is a competitive reality show. It’s just not as much fun when there is no competition, and you know who the winner is three episodes before the end. I would totally watch a cooking show hosted by Buddha, but a competition with no tension or suspense is boring. But I get it, mileage varies. 😘