Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars - General Discussion

[mertensia]

You could see Gordon was not happy when he more or less accused Caroline of sabotaging Chris and she was all "oh, did I?" It sure didn't look like she picked up on it.

I have to say the dessert show was cool.

Amused when the Green Fairy admits she usually strips and Chris was speechless.

[gaPeach]

17 hours ago, mertensia said:

You could see Gordon was not happy when he more or less accused Caroline of sabotaging Chris and she was all "oh, did I?" It sure didn't look like she picked up on it

We could see it but Caroline only saw Gordon acknowledging it and she took it as shout out she was being TOO helpful to the other contestants.

Eyelash Ashly had to go.  I still not sure what she does and what she actually did on the show.  She always seems to get by each challenge by blending in and laying low.  Except when she disagreed with Caroline in front of the judges of the challenge.  That was ballsy but only time she really chimed up.

I thought they all did a good job but find it hard to believe they came up with their own ideas of how to incorporate the food with the performance.  Surely, they had help from the show runners as they have been thinking about it for a while.

The only person left worth investing in is Lan.  Caroline would be a nightmare to work with and Gordon would end up filing a restraining order against her.  And  Chris..........er.........I got nothing.

[seacliffsal]

I agree with gaPeach that all Ashley seemed to do was lay low so that she had a better chance to stay under the radar and not get 'fired.'  Another thing she did though was always voice discontent with whatever theme, dish, activity the group was going to do but without offering ideas or options.  I think she did so in order to be able to voice that she had disagreed with a losing concept.  I'm glad she's out and don't understand why she thought she was such a strong contestant.  

I can't believe that Caroline is still there.  But, agree with others that there is no way Gordon would choose to work with her or invest in her.  I think Chris could be a contender if not for his choice of hair style.  Not quite a Mohawk?  Not quite bald?  What is it?  So, I think the win is Lan's unless she just totally falls apart during the finale.

[jcbrown]

So Wayne Newton can't even close his eyes anymore, can he? I get that people like to have "work" done and think it makes them look younger and better. He was incorrect in thinking that.

[AZChristian]

2 hours ago, jcbrown said:

So Wayne Newton can't even close his eyes anymore, can he? I get that people like to have "work" done and think it makes them look younger and better. He was incorrect in thinking that.

It looked like he could barely turn his head from side to side. 

[seacliffsal]

2 hours ago, AZChristian said:

It looked like he could barely turn his head from side to side. 

I looked it up and Wayne Newton is 81, and he still does shows in Vegas.  He is kind of an icon so it was fun to have him on the episode.

[AZChristian]

23 minutes ago, seacliffsal said:

I looked it up and Wayne Newton is 81, and he still does shows in Vegas.  He is kind of an icon so it was fun to have him on the episode.

I agree with that. Same with Barry Manilow. The talent is still there, but the appearance can be distracting.

[lgandkihei]

As with so many "reality" shows, this whole thing is so fake! The people picked for this show are supposed to be the best and the brightest and the ones with the cleverest ideas for the next new idea?  Oh, puh-lease!

Gordon is a millionaire many times over, so he obviously has some strong business acumen.  Even assuming the basic premise is real, and he actually is going to invest in one of these businesses, you know that he'd have little to no involvement in any part of it except cashing any royalty checks.  That's fine, because I don't expect him to actually buddy up or pal around with any of these folks.

However, the man's not an idiot, and I don't think he wants his image and "brand" to be associated with anyone who's a pure laughing stock, either, and unfortunately, Lashley is/was. 

I know that we all have selective vision when it comes to our own appearance, and many of us probably wear things that make others cringe, while we ourselves think we look great.  I get it.  But, it's sort of like telling someone when they have broccoli stuck in their teeth- - sometimes you just need to be honest for their own good!

For instance, Chris's hair looks pretty stupid, but it's nothing bizarre.  He's very short, so I suppose he's looking for some way to stand out and feel cool.  Fine.

But, there is no way in hell that everyone around Ashley isn't gagging at those ridiculous lashes and talking behind her back.  If you notice, Lan wears fake lashes too, and fairly fancy ones at that, but she still looks completely normal and well put together.

As for Wayne Newton, the tragic effects of his plastic surgery overload have been famous for years so I was expecting that, but is it me, or did he also seem to appear somewhat "off" and maybe a little vague?  Since his eyes don't appear to close, that must be painful....

 

Edited August 12, 2023 by lgandkihei

[jabRI]

If Gordon is really looking to seriously invest in their business, doubtful but OK, why doesn't he have a true business challenge, like have them present their 5 year plan to some of his execs.  May not sound like compelling TV to some, but I was a big fan of 'The Profit'.  Would be more feasible than how well they can present a circus act, sheesh.

[Madding crowd]

Ashley had horrible lashes but Caroline has horrible hair. During the challenge her hair just looked bad. And Gordon complained that Ashley didn’t have the performers actually touch the dish but neither did Caroline. She handed out the skewers and the sword swallower did her thing but it had nothing to do with the steak itself. I do think the women ( minus Lan) tried to sabotage Chris’s dish. 

[Yeah No]

I clicked the "like" button on almost every post this week.  I've been hanging on a thread watching this and think this episode was the most ridiculous so far.  What any of these acts have to do with what Gordon might need from these people is beyond me.  I just think it was someone's so-called "creative" idea to include something entertaining on an episode.  Because these contestants are most decidedly NOT entertaining by themselves and most are quite annoying actually.  I was feeling a double dose of second hand embarrassment for them performing in front of all those legendary Vegas pros.  And the at-times incredulous looks on their faces made it even worse.  Ugh, the humiliation, LOL.  

That said, as insufferable as Caroline is I was more relieved to see Ashley go because I just could not take ONE MORE MINUTE of her ridiculous eyelashes.  They were like the elephant in the room all season so far.  I give Gordon credit for not showing any reaction to them at all, that had to be difficult, LOL.

And Chris, while he seems like a decent person is another one that needs some style advice.  His clothing choices make him look even more "gamma" male than he already does and that hair is embarrassing.  It almost looks like someone's baby picture.  No hair at all would be better than that.  For someone supposedly so ambitious he does himself no favors in the appearance department.

Thank GOODNESS next week is the finale.  I don't think I'd be able to last much longer than that.  Lan is for sure going to win and that seems appropriate given her competition.  A showdown with Caroline?  Yawn, whatever.  Wake me up when the new season of "Kitchen Nightmares" begins.

 

Edited August 14, 2023 by Yeah No

[tinkerbell]

6 hours ago, Yeah No said:

And Chris, while he seems like a decent person is another one that needs some style advice.  His clothing choices make him look even more "gamma" male than he already does and that hair is embarrassing.  It almost looks like someone's baby picture.  No hair at all would be better than that.  For someone supposedly so ambitious he does himself no favors in the appearan

Yes! You nailed it. Chris's hair looks like every blond baby's photo. Not quite bald, the little piece that's there styled to show that there IS some hair there. 

[lavenderblue]

Yeah, if this show were legitimately focused on finding a great culinary entrepreneur, it would be inspired more by something like Next Food Network Star, which had plenty of problems, but did attempt to stay on mission -- contestants had to consistently present their culinary POV, often had challenges related to the duties of a Food Network personality, etc. In this case, if the show were really concerned with finding a good businessperson for Gordon to invest in, we'd all know their businesses by heart at this point. They'd have done shopping network pitches focused on their own product. They'd be making TikToks involving their product. And so on. Instead it's just been.... *gestures at the mess.*

[seacliffsal]

I so agree, Lavenderblue.  I really have no idea about their products/businesses.  Yes, Caroline is Pizza Girl, but what is the sauce made of, how much does she sell, who carries the product?  Same with Lan and Chris.  Lan is Vietnamese coffee, and....what about it?  And, really, what is a 3D beverage or beverage cup?  I would struggle to identify anything about any product.  The young guy had a snow cone business, but wasn't his focus tiktok?  I just have no idea.  For most of them, I think that the $250,000 prize would actually buy their entire company/product line.

[fishcakes]

13 hours ago, Yeah No said:

It almost looks like someone's baby picture.  No hair at all would be better than that.  For someone supposedly so ambitious he does himself no favors in the appearance department.

It took me a few weeks to figure out who Chris reminded me of and then one day it clicked and now I can't unsee it.

 

[Yeah No]

Look, I just found Chris's baby photo!

[mertensia]

On 8/13/2023 at 5:23 PM, Madding crowd said:

Ashley had horrible lashes but Caroline has horrible hair. During the challenge her hair just looked bad. And Gordon complained that Ashley didn’t have the performers actually touch the dish but neither did Caroline. She handed out the skewers and the sword swallower did her thing but it had nothing to do with the steak itself. I do think the women ( minus Lan) tried to sabotage Chris’s dish. 

Caroline looks unhealthy thin. Like, drug addict thin. I think some of it is her body type but between that and her horrible uncombed pinkish hair she looks like she spends her profits on coke.

[AZChristian]

I'm just hoping some of you East Coast folks post the winner before the program airs here.  If it's Unwashed Pink Hair, you can help me save an hour of my life for something less annoying.  And at 76, I don't have any hours left to waste.

[Colorado David]

oh that was such wonderful cringiness. timing all off, yelling instead of presenting, not able to fill the off timing with banter, and caroline running roughshod over everyone (seriously was she nominated as team leader, as she darn well acted the part.)  ashley should have fleshed out the juggling act more.

while i love the sway girls act, i wonder with the long hair if that didn't hit the desserts - which is mighty gross.

[Tango64]

I can see the Pasta Girl’s frozen pizza being good. But the label shows her eating pasta.  Okay, maybe both, but confusing. 
Fat Miilk will turn off people who avoid fat. 
Cup guy had a good point that he’s not just selling one product, but a whole line of products. Good for him. 

[Madding crowd]

Chris had the product with the most potential and he played up to Gordon with the Nobel prize thing. He has a beautiful and tall wife! If Caroline went on Shark Tank with her pizza sauce they would have told her there are a million sauces out there and she won’t get in store shelves. I would like to try Lan’s coffee and think she was the most professional of the three, but I agree the name and packaging need work.

[KeithJ]

I guess it makes sense that Chris win but honestly, I didn’t even remember what his product was until they showed it.

[threebluestars]

I liked seeing all their own products. I wish the show had been more of that.

I thought Chris's definitely had the most potential - it was new, I haven't seen anything like that, but there are tons of pasta sauces, pizzas, coffee and coffee drinks out there, so it makes sense that his innovation won it.

[mertensia]

Congratulations to Chris! I thought Lan had it. He's right, though: it's more than just a product.

Did Caroline have tennis balls stuffed in the shoulders of that suit?

 

[tinkerbell]

I'm glad the consultants had the same issues I did. Fat milk coffee sounds like it's higher in fat than regular coffee. Brings to mind the fad from a few years ago, "bulletproof coffee" which was coffee with a pat of butter.

Pizza girl pasta sauce is confusing. Is it pizza sauce or pasta sauce? Generally,  pasta sauce is cooked, simmered for a long time. Pizza sauce tastes more like raw tomatoes, it can be uncooked or cooked for a short time. Yes, you CAN  use them interchangeably. But usually they are 2 different products.  And I'm not sure the supermarket needs yet another brand of sauce (or frozen pizza)

[AZChristian]

I hardly recognized Chris in this episode!  He was charming, articulate and passionate about his product.

A well-deserved win, IMO.

[seacliffsal]

As soon as we finally were able to see and hear about the products, I thought Chris was a real contender.  I think they should have highlighted the products more throughout the season as I never had a real sense of what most of them were.  Caroline certainly had a leg up on the building of 'her' product as it sounds like her family is quite well known in the area for their pizza.  

I'm glad that Gordon brought back former contestants who got along with their partners.  Got rid of all of the drama for the finale.

I really like Chris' product and it will be interesting to see how they develop and promote it.  With Gordon behind him, this should go big.

[AZChristian]

58 minutes ago, seacliffsal said:

Caroline certainly had a leg up on the building of 'her' product as it sounds like her family is quite well known in the area for their pizza.  

D'Amores Famous Pizza

[TVbitch]

No doubt Gordon picked Chris as the winner well before the show even began. It was the same for the UK version of the show, where the winner in no way was the strongest competitor across the challenges.

There are unlimited possibilities to license Chris' technology to other companies. Not sure "single use" anything will really help save the planet, but I guess it is a step in the right direction. 

[lgandkihei]

Once they showed and explained the actual product that Chris invented, I figured he would (and should) be the winner. That was actually a unique innovative idea, and Nobel prize talk aside, it actually could have real global potential.

I agree with everyone else. Fat Milk sounds like, well, something fatty and high-calorie. While we all have different dietary habits and practices, I suspect it's the minority of folks who deliberately look to pack on the extra fat and calories, and the market is already saturated with both whole bean/ground coffee and pre-made coffee beverages. Likewise, there's no shortage of pasta sauce or frozen pizza, and it would be extremely difficult to compete in that market.

What really struck me with the finale was how obvious it was that they got rid of all the fake drama and actually showed three people who were very well-versed in their own products and able to highlight them in a professional manner.

That just made the contrast with all the preceding shows glaringly apparent. Even though I suspected that they were dialing up the drama and the stereotypical characterizations all along, to have them suddenly go poof wasn't exactly subtle, was it?

The fact that we also were previously never really given much of a look at the various products was not accidental, either. Without having a real feel for what the contestants were pitching, it was much easier to put them into their assigned categories (evil bitch...clueless schlub...TV star wannabe...)

I hate myself for even saying this, but even Caroline was dialed back enough that I wasn't screaming out nasty epithets the whole time. However, her "if I don't win, I don't have my chemistry or pharmacist career to fall back on" didn't exactly have me running to send her a support check, either. No, toots, I believe you do have your family's California pizza empire in the background, so spare me the violins.

All in all, the right person won. Gordon is no slouch, and you know he sees the dollar signs with Chris.

[jcbrown]

I see now why they did not show us the products all season, as this was a no-brainer. Will Gordon choose the competent pleasant person whose product brand unfortunately contains the word "fat" and consists of coffee beans sold in milk cartons, though it contains no milk? Or will he choose the fashion-challenged PITA who will be in a very competetive category selling pasta sauce called pizza or pizza using pasta sauce or something? Or will he choose the chemist who has actually developed something new that has expansion potential? Thanks for wasting my time, show.

[fishcakes]

What was even the point of last night's task? Gordon told them they needed to expand their brands, told them exactly what to do (frozen pizza, better marketing strategy, ready-made bottled coffee), brought in his own experts to actually do all the work, and the contestants did what? Gave each of their designers a few vague instructions (Caroline's was apparently, "I want a lot of pictures of me on the walls") and hang out with three other losing contestants who also contributed nothing to the final task. Though Caroline did have the groundbreaking, "let's make a pepperoni pizza" idea.

Last night made me more impressed with Chris as a person, but I don't think much of his product. It's basically a dehydrated drink, which has already existed for decades. The only thing he's added is the gimmick of 3D printing onto a disposable cup, which despite what he says is not eco-friendly. Just because it's plant-based doesn't mean it's not wasteful. There are all the resources needed to source the materials and produce the cup, and disposal is also going to be a problem. It can't be recycled and depending on where it's used, it might not be compostable either. So the cup is probably going into a landfill.

As for him saying he could use his technology for spaghetti sauce and coffee -- I mean, instant coffee exists as well as those spaghetti sauce packets in the spice aisle. His other two products last night were bone broth and mouthwash, to which I would respond: bouillon cube and a mint.

[tinkerbell]

4 hours ago, fishcakes said:

Last night made me more impressed with Chris as a person, but I don't think much of his product. It's basically a dehydrated drink, which has already existed for decades. The only thing he's added is the gimmick of 3D printing onto a disposable cup, which despite what he says is not eco-friendly. Just because it's plant-based doesn't mean it's not wasteful. There are all the resources needed to source the materials and produce the cup, and disposal is also going to be a problem. It can't be recycled and depending on where it's used, it might not be compostable either. So the cup is probably going into a landfill

I agree. We already have "instant" drinks, like koolaid,  crystal light. There's instant soup, coffee, tea, etc.  And yes, if people buy instant versions rather than cans and bottles, energy is saved. But is there something innovative about the dehydration process that he thinks is Nobel prize worthy? He talked about 3D printing, but that's just the cup. It seems the innovative part is selling the cup, rather than a can or bottle?

[mertensia]

He said the cup is recyclable. Which is new.

Aa a side note, why is it called Fat Milk? 

Also, 30 plus women calling something they created that references themselves Girl irritates the snot out of me. 

[I Want My MBTV]

1 hour ago, mertensia said:

Aa a side note, why is it called Fat Milk? 

Excellent question (also why is it in milk cartons?!).  Even when the 'secret shopper' folks asked Lan she gave them a word salad that didn't explain anything.  She said something about people thinking Vietnamese coffee was condensed milk and condensed milk is fattening..... so I guess it's supposed to be some cute play on that?  IDK - between that and the milk cartons I thought it was an already made drink so was very confused when Gordon told her to make one of those!

I'd be more impressed with Chris' 'invention' if he was somehow printing water!  That's what i want someone to solve; getting water easily to places in disaster areas or places that just don't have access to clean drinking water.  That would be Noble price worthy. His thing about saving on shipping his cups vs all those bottles is a misnomer because as everyone has said you can get packets of nearly everything that he showed and add water to it and use your own reusable glass or cup.  At the end of the day is his just another single use product.

[GHScorpiosRule]

Caroline has vulnerability?!!! PUH-LEAZE. So glad she lost. Her sauce looked gross.

Bit I was totally distracted by Gordon’s hair! With that weird hair flip that looks like a pair of duck lips!

Good for Chris!

[mlp]

I'm glad this is over and I'm glad Chris won.  He handled himself well away from the other guys.  I do think Gordon could have made a decision based upon just the final show instead of putting us all through the nonsense challenges.  Caroline's pizza sauce (which was demonstrated on the murals by girls eating spaghetti) isn't anything innovative.  There are already too many brands on store shelves.  Her frozen pizza didn't look good at all.  I liked Lan but calling a product FAT was a really bad idea and also confusing.  Bottled coffee isn't a new concept either.  Chris's ideas have possibilities.  It'll be interesting to see if anything comes of them.

[Jessi85]

13 hours ago, fishcakes said:

What was even the point of last night's task? Gordon told them they needed to expand their brands, told them exactly what to do (frozen pizza, better marketing strategy, ready-made bottled coffee), brought in his own experts to actually do all the work, and the contestants did what?

I'm interpreting it as the consolation prize to the runner-ups.  They don't get $250k, but they do get a useful expansion idea from Gordon Ramsay and a bunch of experts to figure out how to do it.

[Daff]

23 hours ago, AZChristian said:

I hardly recognized Chris in this episode!  He was charming, articulate and passionate about his product.

A well-deserved win, IMO.

They all spoke and performed better this episode because they didn’t have to contend with each other. Left to their own devices, they’re all capable of running their own show. 
I do wonder, though, what effects the electronic/digital printing process has on the safety of  consumables. That’ll take long term research.

[jabRI]

20 hours ago, fishcakes said:

Last night made me more impressed with Chris as a person, but I don't think much of his product. It's basically a dehydrated drink, which has already existed for decades.

I thought the same, like add concentrated Stur to a glass of water, or those endless packet powders.  And now you have the one-time plastic cup to dispose of instead of a glass you can wash and re-use.

 

If Gordon was only going to invest in the best initial product idea this whole 10 weeks of humiliation was almost cruel.  He could have made it a shark tank like show, had 3-4 different people every week to pitch, and maybe invest smaller amounts like $10k.  

[gaPeach]

11 hours ago, mlp said:

Im glad this is over and I'm glad Chris won.  He handled himself well away from the other guys.  I do think Gordon could have made a decision based upon just the final show instead of putting us all through the nonsense challenges. 

After watching last night's episode (which was very satisfying after this wreak of a season) I firmly believe Gordan already knew who he was going to invest in and just wanted this shit show for whatever reason.  It was almost like he was slumming with this show.

Caroline is so incredibly FAKE. The first time she explained how she got started doing pizza sauce.  She had a wonderful loving story about family and tradition etc. I even started to think she wasn't as bad as she was during the filming of the season. BUT when she did her little speech to those that came to her Pop Up it was all about her and how she was a single mom and wanted a better life blah blah.  She did that twice. Never mentioned her dad or grandfather or family, nothing!  If I was her family, I would be a little ticked off she presented this as all her and not mention her family, who started the sauce in the first place.  She was all fake but the other two came off very genuine.

I am glad this shit show is finally over.  And yes, I will watch it next season...if he has a next season. 

[Daff]

3 hours ago, jabRI said:

the one-time plastic cup

I agree with your post, but the cup isn’t plastic, it’s made of biodegradable plant material (degradation before consumer use?). Also how does it hold up to hot water? He mentioned coffee , he must be too young to remember how BAD instant really was!

[Tango64]

Mmmmm, Sanka!

[jabRI]

Thanks, I forgot about the plant-based cup.  

[Daff]

It was easy to miss.

[Lurk]

On 8/14/2023 at 5:02 PM, Yeah No said:

Look, I just found Chris's baby photo!

idk why Mom's always do that curl thing on top of kids' heads. My Mom did that to my little sister in her baby pictures and with her big buggy eyes, she looked like a sleestack off of Land of the Lost.

[Lurk]

On 8/18/2023 at 8:14 AM, jabRI said:

I thought the same, like add concentrated Stur to a glass of water, or those endless packet powders.  And now you have the one-time plastic cup to dispose of instead of a glass you can wash and re-use.

 

If Gordon was only going to invest in the best initial product idea this whole 10 weeks of humiliation was almost cruel.  He could have made it a shark tank like show, had 3-4 different people every week to pitch, and maybe invest smaller amounts like $10k.  

I agree with so much that everyone has already posted. This really stood out to me about Shark Tank. Why couldn't he go on Shark Tank and invest in things? Oh, he wouldn't be the star of the show. So he makes his own show. Then he has the contestants do a bunch of stupid challenges and things to make them look like idiots like he does on his other competition shows.

He could make it a series of shows for a season where 2 episodes to weed through 5-6 different entrepreneurs and give one of them a deal. Then do that 4-5 times for a "season" of episodes. Less stupid challenges that have nothing to do with their businesses. Give less $$ because the biggest pull to the businesses is being attached to his name in some way. Just like going on Shark Tank gives folks a boost even if they don't get an investment.

 

I thought the way pink hair pizza did the sauce on top of all the ingredients instead of on the crust and then ingredients on top was so bizarre. Who does that? Put all the stuff on a pizza and then glob on blobs of sauce?

Too many coffee products already out there and I couldn't figure anything new about hers. I've seen other coffee companies doing sustainable, 3rd world boosting, etc. Nothing really new with her product.

The idea of the 3-d printing stuff, why put it in a cup of any kind? Something that would be cool is to print them on some sort of edible paper or print them in a manner so that it was a sheet that you would add to your own cup of water or bowl? Something like that would be good for use in meal rations for the military, zombie apocalypse preppers, backpackers and campers, or disaster relief situations. Get a packet of sheets of things and then you'd just need a container and water. I do remember a product like that for cleaning supplies that was on Shark Tank. They used printed sheets of window cleaner or laundry detergent?

[jabRI]

21 minutes ago, Lurk said:

I thought the way pink hair pizza did the sauce on top of all the ingredients instead of on the crust and then ingredients on top was so bizarre. Who does that? Put all the stuff on a pizza and then glob on blobs of sauce?

I grew up on Detroit pizza so Rhode Island pizza.. I can't even call it pizza:

"What is a Rhode Island pizza strip? A pizza strip is a rectangular strip of pizza, served on a crust that would be best described as focaccia, topped with a tomato sauce and often a dusting of grated Romano cheese. It's served at room temperature. That's it."

 

Horrible. You buy it room temp at the super markets.  Inedilble in my opinion.

[Lurk]

2 minutes ago, jabRI said:

I grew up on Detroit pizza so Rhode Island pizza.. I can't even call it pizza:

"What is a Rhode Island pizza strip? A pizza strip is a rectangular strip of pizza, served on a crust that would be best described as focaccia, topped with a tomato sauce and often a dusting of grated Romano cheese. It's served at room temperature. That's it."

 

Horrible. You buy it room temp at the super markets.  Inedilble in my opinion.

The construction of the pizza strip doesn't sound so bad. Room temp sounds horrendous. Using something like a focaccia and dipping it in sauce sounds similar to that concept. But she had pizza dough, she put on all the toppings like you would on a pizza and then just plopped random blobs of sauce here and there on top of everything. I know there are some that say you do sauce, then cheese and then other toppings and others say do sauce, toppings and then cheese.

[mlp]

1 hour ago, Lurk said:

I thought the way pink hair pizza did the sauce on top of all the ingredients instead of on the crust and then ingredients on top was so bizarre. Who does that?

In fairness, the consultant guy told Caroline to do it that way.  I guess he thought it was innovative.  I was delighted that she lost either way.