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S22.E12: Foraged In Fire

ProudMary

By ProudMary
in Top Chef

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Bastet

Bastet

38 minutes ago, Quilt Fairy said:

I'm with Bailey on the ants: "You know what else tastes like lemon zest? Lemon zest!"

"And they don't crawl in your mouth."

So much beautiful scenery in this episode!

I felt like the editing of Bailey's struggle to get her dish the way she wanted was done to make it seem like a closer call than it was on whether she or Massimo were not making the trip to Italy; once the dishes were on the table, I had no doubt he was going home.

I liked seeing how much everyone likes Lana.  In last week's episode of The Dish With Kish, Kristen and Mei talked about the friendships that form among the cheftestant, and Kristen said this season it was clear Lana an Bailey were very close.

I like that the offering to the land was mentioned, but we didn't see and hear it; that was kept private, and we just got a wide overhead shot.

  • Like 18
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catrice2

catrice2

I am so disappointed that Massimo will not be going to Italy. I was looking forward to seeing him there. 

I missed most of the episode but it appears that everyone stayed on theme and it was really close.  For a minute, I thought they were going to take all of them.   If  I recall, he should be making the trip anyway as don't they use the eliminated chefs in some capacity? Or do they still do that?  Both he and Lana might be going. 

The cabbage looked sooooo good. I wish they would post all the recipes right after the show airs. 

 

  • Like 11
buttersister

buttersister

So I was watching a BMW commercial and shots of mountains in Calvary filled my screen, gorgeous.

And then there was a cooking competition using ingredients I didn’t know or care to know (ants). 

Like the judges, I was blown away by the chefs’ skill and creativity. Very happy with the winner. And while I thought undercooked beans would do away with Baily, the judges’ rationale made perfect sense.

  • Like 12
Thumper

Thumper

I was actually starting to like and appreciate Massimo this episode, especially as he described what he was doing.  Sounded complex.  (I guess everyone’s dishes were complex.).  But he lost me again when he presented his dish and went all “entertainer” on them.

The foraging and knowledge of the two experts was fascinating to me.  The chefs were so creative!  Have to admit though, that I thought “oh great.  First, they have to forage (and look excited about it), then cook outside, ON AN OPEN WOOD FIRE?!”  😩🤯😵‍💫

They did well.

  • Like 7
BlackberryJam

BlackberryJam

(edited)

Another truly enjoyable episode. While I sometimes found that Massimo sucked all the air out of the room, he could be entertaining. His food (and Bailey’s) just didn’t excite me. I’m sure it would be delicious and fun to eat but not the adventure I want from my Top Chef dishes.

I mean, a plate of amazing cabbage? I’ve never had that and I WANT it.

Absolutely looking forward to the final.

I love this show doesn’t have to tear down one contestant to build another up. 

ETA: In real time, Tristen’s dad died a week ago? Ten days maybe? The emotional fortitude he had to keep it together…I couldn’t have done it.

Edited by BlackberryJam
  • Like 15
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Jodithgrace

Jodithgrace

As soon as Massimo declared, “This is a winning dish,” I knew he was going home. The only mistake he made was not telling the judges to dip that cracker into the sauce. Apparently the toppings were very bitter and they needed the sauce to subdue it a bit. But the bitter intense cracker outweighed Bailey’s not quite done cow peas. 
I’ll miss Massimo. It’s funny that both Bailey and Cesar were both eliminated and made it from LCK to the finale. 

  • Like 8
Ancaster

Ancaster

(edited)
10 hours ago, rhofmovalley said:

Can I add that I love Cesar's overalls? I think I might have a little bit of a crush even though I'm like 35 years too old for him. 

Get in line, dear.  😄

When I saw he was wearing overalls and then we got the full length shot, all I could think was, this may be the first time I've seen an adult male who can pull this look off.  (Sorry if I appear a little obsessed; I think I am.)

10 hours ago, Pandora said:

Car advertising? I was thinking the Canadian Tourism Ministry.

And that's why they pay the big bucks to host the show - hopefully they'll recoup it in tourist dollars.

9 hours ago, nokat said:

I feel the same. He was a talker, and entertaining, but talked up his food maybe too much.

I still didn't want him to go through, but at least they had the talking head with him showing a little humility and admitting that maybe initially he thought too much of his own food.

Edited by Ancaster
"Earing" needs a w to make sense
  • Like 10
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caitmcg

caitmcg

When they were eating, who would win seemed like a bit of a tossup between Tristen and Shuai, but it became pretty clear at JT once Tom tipped it to Shuai and Kristin said she'd never had anything like his dish in her life (in a positive way). When he said that when he cooks things that honor his memories he does well, he was right.

38 minutes ago, Ancaster said:

Seems like the judges liked Massimo more than some of us here.

Of course, we're seeing things they haven't until after the competition.

  • Like 9
cameron

cameron

10 hours ago, Quilt Fairy said:

You guys! After the comments last episode I can't help but focus on how Tom holds his utensils and leans over his plate when he eats. 

I have rewatched the last two episodes in slo motion and noticed that Tom is ambidextrous.  Sometimes the fork in the left hand and some times in the right hand for the actual eating of food.

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AZChristian

AZChristian

1 hour ago, cameron said:

I have rewatched the last two episodes in slo motion and noticed that Tom is ambidextrous.  Sometimes the fork in the left hand and some times in the right hand for the actual eating of food.

I do that (and I am ambidextrous for many activities).  I hold the fork in my left hand (tines down) for cutting food, and then just lift the fork to my mouth to eat what I've just cut.  For things that don't need to be cut, though, I use my dominant right hand to hold a fork or spoon.

  • Like 8
Daisychain

Daisychain

12 hours ago, BlackberryJam said:

I mean, a plate of amazing cabbage? I’ve never had that and I WANT it.

I want it too!  It looked roasted, toasted, and caramelized.  My relationship with cabbage is currently cole slaw :-(

I really loved this episode.  I've previously said I find Massimo a lot, but I would have been delighted if it were one of those times the judges said, you're all going to the finals.  I wanted to eat everything, except full disclosure, the ants.

Shuai has been killing it.  He made a comment about loving things you didn't like to eat when you were young.  That made me LOL.  When I was young I hated peas so much that I informed my parents I couldn't eat anything that began with a P.  And I forgot that included pizza and pancakes of course.  

I wanted to understand better what the medicinal broths that his family made.  I've had a stomach injury and am going 100% on miso broth, very helpful.

 

  • Like 8
Fukui San

Fukui San

13 hours ago, nokat said:

I'm pretty sure that when Tom was walking through the chef stations, he was not thrilled with the ants.

It brings me back to the first season of Last Chance Kitchen, before they figured out that the challenges should be themed so that it echoed the eliminated chefs' dish that got them eliminated. Instead the challenges were all really random. One of the challenges was canned tarantula. Tom looked so thrilled to be presenting that as the theme.

As they were deliberating I was fully expecting that they were going to do the "Surprise! You're all going to the finals!" cop out. Quite glad that they didn't and made a choice.

12 hours ago, catrice2 said:

The cabbage looked sooooo good. I wish they would post all the recipes right after the show airs. 

Step 1: Harvest 1/4 cup ants

  • Like 6
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AnnieBananie

AnnieBananie

19 hours ago, Bastet said:

I like that the offering to the land was mentioned, but we didn't see and hear it; that was kept private, and we just got a wide overhead shot.

I noticed that too, and appreciated how respectful the producers were of it (but I would have loved to have known what they considered an offering). 

Enjoyed the cooking between the car commercials and ad for visiting Canada. 

  • Like 8
mlp

mlp

Massimo is admittedly a bit much but I didn't dislike him.  I suspect that he is a much better chef than Bailey will ever be so I was disappointed by the judges' decision.

Shuai has been my favorite all along so I'll be delighted if he pulls off the win.  He's had some ups and down but so has Tristen.  I like his personality, his attitude and his modesty.  Tristen is obviously a great cook and would be a worthy winner but he seems to have a chip on his shoulder and a big ego that became evident the past couple of episodes.  Also I question a man who polishes his nails when he knows he has to cook the next day.  I'm pretty sure that's a no-no in serious kitchens.  

I don't think Cesar can beat out both Shuai and Tristen and win.  However, I like him a lot and wish him well.  I'm glad he got to go to Milan no matter what happens.

 

  • Like 8
bravofan27

bravofan27

I felt really bad for Massimo. It seems he put all the foraging ingredients on the cracker thing, and focused on a non-foraged based sauce, which the judges loved, but thought it was too basic (mustard). 

They are all going to miss Massimo. Tristen is going to have to step up his game for entertaining us, as Shuai and Cesar are super quiet and shy. Bailey has personality, but it's in a theater drama major type of way-- like a female Pee Wee Herman. I think she gets on people's nerves, and I'm not sure if she has a chance to win, given she is so focused on looking "quirky cool" like a counterpart to Massimo. We will see.

Massimo pulling out the dramatics, again, when talking to the judges was fun, and I think the judges are going to miss his energy. Tom gave the poor man a hug, and I think his vote was for Bailey, but he was swayed by the foragers. 

At the very beginning of the episode, when Bailey was waxing pitifully about missing her friend, Massimo mentioned he was a girl dad and loves spa days. When Tristen said he likes manicures, I swear Massimo looked at him with renewed interest. Maybe they will be buddies after all. LOL. 

 

  • Like 4
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Ancaster

Ancaster

(edited)
2 hours ago, bravofan27 said:

 

 

They are all going to miss Massimo. Tristen is going to have to step up his game for entertaining us, as Shuai and Cesar are super quiet and shy. Bailey has personality, but it's in a theater drama major type of way-- like a female Pee Wee Herman. I think she gets on people's nerves, and I'm not sure if she has a chance to win, given she is so focused on looking "quirky cool" like a counterpart to Massimo. We will see.

Massimo pulling out the dramatics, again, when talking to the judges was fun, and I think the judges are going to miss his energy. Tom gave the poor man a hug, and I think his vote was for Bailey, but he was swayed by the foragers. 

 

 

Bailey has personality but it's in a "theater drama major kind of way" so not okay, whereas Massimo "pulling out the dramatics" is "fun".

If I may, I'll take the opposing view - Bailey is fun and self deprecating while Massimo is obnoxious with a massive ego.

Obviously great minds do not always think alike!

Edited by Ancaster
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jcbrown

jcbrown

50 minutes ago, bravofan27 said:

I felt really bad for Massimo. It seems he put all the foraging ingredients on the cracker thing, and focused on a non-foraged based sauce, which the judges loved, but thought it was too basic (mustard).

I thought Massimo foraged some mustard, too.

I'm going to miss him, which I did not expect until he was eliminated. 

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bravofan27

bravofan27

(edited)
41 minutes ago, Ancaster said:

So Bailey has personality but it's in a "theater drama major kind of way" so not okay, whereas Massimo "pulling out the dramatics" is "fun".

If I may, I'll take the opposing view - Bailey is fun and self deprecating while Massimo is obnoxious with a massive ego.

Obviously great minds do not always think alike!

I'm not a huge fan of theater majors. I don't think Massimo is obnoxious with a huge ego either. I would argue Tristen has a larger ego. Massimo is just being himself. My sense is Bailey is performing a character. Just my take on it. 

Edited by bravofan27
  • Like 10
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bravofan27

bravofan27

(edited)
27 minutes ago, jcbrown said:

I thought Massimo foraged some mustard, too.

I'm going to miss him, which I did not expect until he was eliminated. 

If Massimo foraged mustard they need a redo! Where are the lawyer chefs? LOL. 

Regarding overalls, Cesar came prepared. He had those same overalls in his mushroom foraging flashback pics. Not to get too technical, but overalls are great. They are like an apron-- you wear them over your normal clothes and they catch all the grease and dirt, grime and what not and allow freedom of movement. Painters, famers, mechanics (and now foragers) wear them all the time. 

Edited by bravofan27
  • Like 5
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CrazyInAlabama

CrazyInAlabama

2 hours ago, mlp said:

Also I question a man who polishes his nails when he knows he has to cook the next day.  I'm pretty sure that's a no-no in serious kitchens.  

 

 

I was surprised that nail polish could hold up and be OK in kitchens, but Kwame from a past season  actually advertised for a line of nailpolish that lets oxygen through, and protects the nails, it looked very secure.  I never thought about it, but I guess the constant exposure to water would be a problem for nail health.   Kwame wore it when he was a guest judge, and it got a lot of attention.  

https://www.esquire.com/style/grooming/a39284980/kwame-onwuachi-chef-orly-nail-polish/

  • Like 6
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LBC Me

LBC Me

I recognized Chef Nicole Gomes, one of the preliminary judges.  She's from British Columbia, and she must have been a judge in a prior episode of Season 22 or I wouldn't have recognized her.

I like Massimo because I like good looking guys with out-sized personalities, but it's gotten me in trouble in the past.  The ones I picked didn't make for good husbands!  😉

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dgpolo

dgpolo

3 minutes ago, LBC Me said:

I recognized Chef Nicole Gomes, one of the preliminary judges.  She's from British Columbia, and she must have been a judge in a prior episode of Season 22 or I wouldn't have recognized her.

She was familiar to me too so I looked her up, she was a contestant on Season 20, the World All Stars one in London

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Quilt Fairy

Quilt Fairy

(edited)

I am not ashamed to admit that I screamed "Yes!" and pumped my fist when Massimo was eliminated because I got a little tired of hearing "I want to go to ITALY and cook ITALIAN FOOD!" over and over and over.  Also, I figured Bailey was a goner the way the editors were setting up her story.  I've come to like her since her return from LCK although I doubt she has any chance of winning. 

Edited by Quilt Fairy
  • Like 11
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albarino

albarino

10 hours ago, carrps said:

The judges didn't have to live (and work) with Massimo, so they got him in much smaller doses. A little bit of Massimo is still almost too much.

Your comment is compelling. I only know of Massimo from watching the show and I like him.  You seem to know much more about him.  Care to spill?

As others have commented, Bailey has ZERO chance of winning.  ZERO.  Massimo had a chance; he won the last elimination challenge and several others.  Bailey's chickpeas were undercooked--they didn't seem to be a minor aspect of her dish.  Massimo's strong flavors on a cracker on the side of a dish seem to be much lesser of a sin, to me.  This makes me give this season a bit of a side eye as a result.

My prediction:  Bailey is next to go followed by Cesar.  Tristan wins in the head to head competition with Shui.  No real surprises ahead.

  • Like 9
kirklandia

kirklandia

8 minutes ago, HyeChaps said:

Sort of like a Paul Hollywood handshake.

I recently learned that I could watch the reboot of the Great American Baking Show - free on the Roku website.

I've been enjoying Paul, he seems much more relaxed and at ease. And in the last episode I watched, he gave one contestant a Hollywood Hug!
 

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