dleighg

I had a similar thought about Brooke's statement "Of course this chicken was cooked before putting it in the parchment" and then getting the "Oh no, it was completely cooked in the parchment." I mean, NOBODY would cook it first and put it in the parchment, and I think Brooke knows that.

The thing on the bottom was some kind of goop made from cucumber guts. Which sounds disgusting to begin with. Adding tofu certainly wouldn't improve it.

at the beginning of the introduction ("turned a catering business into an empire") I was sure it was Ina Garten, who I love. I like MS well enough, but the fawning over her was a bit much. I think of her more as a lifestyle guru than a world-renowned food expert. I like Mei Lin, but that outfit was ridiculously unflattering. So they just happened to have pretty little delicate scissors to cut open the parchment papers? And how long did it take to find a stapler? For some reason I paid attention to this version of the stew room. It has a little microwave and under-counter fridge-- with absolutely nothing in it! Shouldn't they have stocked at least with some water bottles? Maybe they couldn't get a "official water of ToC" sponsor. I was rooting for Sarah (but appreciate that we would have had to listen to even more whining from Antonia if she lost). Sarah's loss was certainly telegraphed so no surprise.

no, they look like they are about 30 years old. But they still seem kind of clueless about what things cost.

yeah he's pretty extra, and seemingly self-centered. Honestly if it tasted good at all (and it sounds like it did), he deserved to win based on going out on a big limb

me too. Then I remembered it was the Danny vs the Danny. Yeah, the editors definitely left the comment from Danny in about "this is just like something with did at Nomad" on purpose. That's the narrative they are giving Vinny (perhaps exaggerated, but that's what they are showing) I don't think that's what they meant. They meant they didn't have to use their "bagged lunch" (ala Susur). I actually thought they did a good job for Chipotle (not that I've ever eaten there). It was clear to me: no freezers and no can openers, so they can't use them either. As I've said, I've never eaten there, but I got a good impression. I was pleasantly surprised that they actually let a team win before the end. I'm always suspicious in these things that they like the suspense. I was really wondering if Henri was the loser, would Shuai volunteer to take his place (since his dish was also a loser, but not as badly). Throwing out someone's stuff is really a sin. Honestly glad it didn't come to that.

America's Test Kitchen Next Generation (season 2) is on Prime; Joe Sasto was a guest judge about mid-way through the season. Of course he twirled his mustache. Honestly he was one of the more forgettable guest judges.

he certainly confirmed that he's an idiot, if you didn't already know

well she couldn't really mention it, because it was required by the contest.

I also appreciate the "nice personas" we mostly see. Especially these days, if you know what I mean. I'm terrible with names and faces, but that's nothing new for me. That woman who almost got off'd last week-- I was like "who's that" when she appeared early in the show. Had no recollection of her! But I enjoy watching the cooking, even if I don't really remember who they are :)

I wonder if they've sprinkled too many white-guys-who-run-multiple-restaurants in, because they are well-known. White guys are pre-privileged to get to that category, but they might be too long out of the fast thinking on the feet stage to do well under these conditions. I have not counted up to determine how many of the white guys fall into this category, but it's certainly a few.

exactly- especially when the bakers mentioned the warming spices, which ARE used in carrot cake, but are definitely fall flavors.

I totally agree. Someone, or a couple people, once told her she looked like Mindy, and now she's made it her "signature." Priya, there is more to aspire to in life than being a poor-lookalike to a somewhat famous person.

so a chef from Kentucky got a pretty high profile gig in Canada. She must be doing well.

Yeah that one annoys me as well. It's just cruel and mean. Is this what people find amusing these days?

So Vinny with his beloved hollandaise-- He said that he worked the "heart station" at Nomad???? (Even the closed captions said that, but CC are often wrong). What on earth does that mean?

Maybe I'm the only one who missed it, but I don't remember any discussion of a broken Uke at all, or seeing the instrument.

isn't that "bad TV"? I mean I was totally flumoxed.

There's one of those "old people" commercials running often for me. You know, live your best life, travel (before you die). I think it's for some kind of financial planning thing. Playing in the background is some slow instrumental music. I kept thinking "that music is familiar, what is it?" I soon realized it was a musak version of "Freebird" by Leonard Skynyrd. Which was the theme song of my senior banquet (sorta different from prom-- not so corsage-and-tuxedos) in 1979 LOL. Obviously used to create nostalgia for us Boomers.

so had she hidden it somewhere?

can someone remind me about the uke? How did Will know to bring it?

I mean, I've got a digital clock next to my bed, and it looks pretty much like the old ones! (Other than not using flip numbers LOL)

True, but more spiced and sour than purely sweet, right?

The mango was in the first round (where she tried to do a mango upside-down cake). As soon as she said that was what she was trying I shuddered. I've never heard of cooked mango. And when you've never heard of something, there is probably a good reason. Nancy said it tasted like grapefruit.

I didn't really get the whole theme of different clocks. I mean a digital clock is definitely "a thing," and so is a cuckoo clock and grandfather clock or a vintage clock. And some things are "styles" like space-age, or steam punk. But what the heck is a "tree of life" clock? Or a "compass" clock? And maybe I'm just a curmudgeon, but did we really need the personal stories about a special time? Felt like space filler to me. And lordy, Kareem kept talking about immunity like it can save him long term. Guy, if you are always in the bottom, it's only a matter of time.