S13.E04: It's A Dry Heat

[Julia]

Wow, what an amazing story.  I would have never even thought of that as a potential advantage of using the solar over/stovetop.

 

One of the charities we support has an option to donate a well to a community in the developing world because it apparently enormously increases the possibility that the children will be allowed to get an education if they don't spend the whole day fetching and boiling water. It's sort of humbling, the things we don't have to think about...

[candall]

One of the charities we support has an option to donate a well to a community in the developing world because it apparently enormously increases the possibility that the children will be allowed to get an education if they don't spend the whole day fetching and boiling water. It's sort of humbling, the things we don't have to think about...

 

Good charity, to be grassroots-level aware that education has to start with a well and not a crate of textbooks.  Name?

[biakbiak]

It's long been mentioned though I believe only shown once (on Top Chef Just Desserts to explain Seth's "the red hots are for my mommy" breakdown) that they actually take a break and the producers explain the parameters of each quickfire and challenge in much greater detail and give them a written set of rules, so I imagine that a tutorial for the oven/stove occured during that session. Though on its website the oven says it can be used to boil things so either you need a different insert or put in the liquid when the oven is at a lower temp.

[Richness]

I share everyone's dislike of Grayson, so I'm happy to have that drama queen gone. However, I also have an extreme dislike for Giselle. She continues to be bitchy and whiny in her talking heads. Plus, she destroyed that solar oven. I really want her gone next. Angelina doesn't bother me as much, but she continues to circle the drain.

 

Manbun continues to annoy the crap out of me as well. His pretentiousness is off the charts. Snot on a rock indeed.

 

While it didn't annoy me, gay guy's insecurities are not enjoyable to watch. I thought for sure he was going home due to that confessional. While I relate to and empathize with him, I still don't know what the point was for showing that. I'm watching this show for the food, not the personal dramas.

[ProudMary]

It's long been mentioned though I believe only shown once (on Top Chef Just Desserts to explain Seth's "the red hots are for my mommy" breakdown) that they actually take a break and the producers explain the parameters of each quickfire and challenge in much greater detail and give them a written set of rules, so I imagine that a tutorial for the oven/stove occured during that session. Though on its website the oven says it can be used to boil things so either you need a different insert or put in the liquid when the oven is at a lower temp.

I'm glad you brought this up.  Although I've watched Top Chef from the very beginning, I never watched Just Desserts so I hadn't seen that.  I'd always assumed that there was a much more in depth explanation of the rules for each challenge but it's good to have it confirmed.  I would think that they were given a tutorial on how to use the solar cookers, other than just "turn it toward the sun."  :/ 

[Lillybee]

I guess that I have turned into a Top Chef fanatic that I am rewatching Season 9, Greyson's season. She seemed likable there but then there were some very mean women on that season and as far as I can tell Greyson wasn't one of them. But I am only into episode 8 so things may change

 

I have to say that I really miss the stew room stuff and the extended Judge's Table that we aren't getting this season.

[cooksdelight]

They are giving us footage of the chefs in their living quarters instead. Which we used to get along with stew room talk, judges' table talk. I wish we could have it all, and less silliness on the playing field.

[Julia]

Good charity, to be grassroots-level aware that education has to start with a well and not a crate of textbooks.  Name?

 

I realize this is at most tangentially on topic because of the ovens, so I'm going to spoiler tag it.

 

I've been using Heifer International, but sadly their Charity Navigator rating isn't good this year, and they didn't make Charity Watch's list. charity: water seems to be doing a lot with less money. And as long as I'm pitching non-denominational help for the developing world, MSF and the American Refugee Committee both have a lot to do right now and by all accounts they're doing it really well.

Though on its website the oven says it can be used to boil things so either you need a different insert or put in the liquid when the oven is at a lower temp.

Pyrex has a warning about hot baking dishes shattering if you add cold liquid, and they're generally pretty sturdy.

Edited December 21, 2015 by Julia

[RCharter]

 

I realize this is at most tangentially on topic because of the ovens, so I'm going to spoiler tag it.

 

I've been using Heifer International, but sadly their Charity Navigator rating isn't good this year, and they didn't make Charity Watch's list. charity: water seems to be doing a lot with less money. And as long as I'm pitching non-denominational help for the developing world, MSF and the American Refugee Committee both have a lot to do right now and by all accounts they're doing it really well.

Pyrex has a warning about hot baking dishes shattering if you add cold liquid, and they're generally pretty sturdy.

Julia -- I'm sorry to hear about the stuff in spoiler, I am planning to get my dad a gift from there.  Not a cow per se, but maybe a goat, because I really like the idea.  Hopefully they pull it together in 2016

[hks]

I'm not ruling out that Jeremy got the win because he's a dude. But I got the impression that on a dish they all loved for the flavors, he got the win because they also loved the ice bowl presentation. On the hottest of days, I bet that was deliciously cold.

 

Gaah Grayson was awful to watch. I don't know if I hated her before, but I can't imagine that I enjoyed her all that much if her mannerisms were the same as they are now.  Her attitude is what kills me now, but combined with her incredibly annoying way of speaking - I am so happy she's gone.  Right now, I don't care who's next. Probably Angelina deserves to go. Phillip annoys me, but not murderously so. I'll have to wait until next time to see who is at the top of my hate list now that Grayson is gone. 

[SingleMaltBlonde]

I guess that I have turned into a Top Chef fanatic that I am rewatching Season 9, Greyson's season. She seemed likable there but then there were some very mean women on that season and as far as I can tell Greyson wasn't one of them. .

 

I don't like when people come back for another go...they can tend to chew scenery a little much.  Somehow convincing themselves that will keep them around longer.I don't remember Greyson being memorable.  I did note that she isn't working in a restaurant but is in a catering company.  

 

The redhead from season one came back to All-Stars having done the opposite and went from "difficult" to very zen.

[Lillybee]

I wish that the chefs had their names on their chef jackets. It could be placed over the Top Chef logo, so that we could know the chefs earlier.

[rose711]

I agree that Grayson's biggest sin was not taking the advice given and then cooking the corn badly.

[stillshimpy]

Well, I'm all caught up and relieved that Grayson's somewhat baffling second tour of the Top Chef landscape is over and done.  Season 9 was pure punishment for nearly everyone involved, what with the unrelenting heat and the parade of meat that comprised all challenges.  She was one of the few contestants to escape that mess with a positive public image, but something was just way off with her entire stint on this season.  She seemed actively resentful and there was something going on with Tom that, lacking any explanation, just made her seem childish. It's a pity because whereas I am glad to see her go, the part of her personality that actually won me over last time, finally peeked out from underneath her mantle of constant irritation.   As puzzling as her "I lost some kind of dire bet and now have to do this as payment for my debt" behavior was, I did ultimately appreciate that she didn't attempt to heave Angelina in to the center of the wolf pack to save her own skin. 

 

Poor Angelina is the truly confounding casting choice.  She's 24 and she's still a developing person both in terms of maturation and professional skills.  She's actually reasonably poised for someone that young, but it just seems like such an unfair thing to ask of someone and the casting directors were not doing her any favors by throwing her into a pack of experienced chefs with better credentials than she has.   I was particularly peeved when Tom attempted to bait her into hurling Grayson in front of an oncoming train.  She handled that well but Tom ought to be ashamed of himself for trying to get a young woman to do something at a young age, that would define her in front of her peers in terms of professionalism. 

 

Dude sucks sometimes.  

 

As for Phillip's regrettable plating choices, maybe wait to use a rock as a plate until you can get it properly scrubbed and cooled before you perch an oyster atop it in the middle of the desert.  Good gods, Man.   But other than that, I kind of like the guy.  Sure, ten years from now he'll likely look back in horror at his hairstyle choices, but that always happens whenever anyone adheres to the super trendy fashions.    Everyone and their brother trying to look like an extra from a Shogun reboot is bound to claim some victims in the loss of dignity Olympics. 

 

However, he's well-meaning, he's trying his best to be an ethical person in the world and I just can't argue with that as a mindset.  He's a little ridiculous, but so what?  I'd rather have a nice goof hanging around than a frat boy with misogynistic tendencies.  Tough world to live in when thinking well of and speaking kindly about your wife is the stuff of eye-rolls.   Glad they found each other, because I'm willing to bet she's also a mass of hipster cliches, in that exact same, well-intentioned way.  May they have many happy years together and produce a bunch of earnest little kids, clad in hemp woven rib-knit caps.   

 

Somewhere around the time he was plating behind something that sort of resembled a prayer shawl he won me over because if nothing else, the kid is not boring. 

Edited December 23, 2015 by stillshimpy

[Julia]

Julia -- I'm sorry to hear about the stuff in spoiler, I am planning to get my dad a gift from there.  Not a cow per se, but maybe a goat, because I really like the idea.  Hopefully they pull it together in 2016

 

FYI, they got one of their stars back in the rankings they released yesterday.

However, he's well-meaning, he's trying his best to be an ethical person in the world and I just can't argue with that as a mindset.  He's a little ridiculous, but so what?  I'd rather have a nice goof hanging around than a frat boy with misogynistic tendencies.  Tough world to live in when thinking well of and speaking kindly about your wife is the stuff of eye-rolls.   Glad they found each other, because I'm willing to bet she's also a mass of hipster cliches, in that exact same, well-intentioned way.  May they have many happy years together and produce a bunch of earnest little kids, clad in hemp woven rib-knit caps.

I don't basically disagree with you, but I think the problem some people had with the model/actress thing is that if she actually is his pastry chef, he (with or with out guidance from the producers) chose to describe her as essentially decorative rather than as a professional equal and a strong component of his professional success. I have no idea what their relationship is, but I think that was a questionable choice.

[stillshimpy]

Since I've watched the four episodes kind of back-to-back I can say with some assurance he's referred to her in a variety of ways, some of which have emphasized her exterior and most of which have not.  He really seems to think she just hung the moon, and apparently that she can do anything.  

 

I expect next week we'll be hearing about her mad Sitar or Loom skills.  Probably it will be some bold combo of weaving, while playing, while teaching village children to make eco-friendly sandals that yield clean drinking water or something.  I personally think it's sort of cute that he is so enamored of her and is clearly attempting to advertise her -- apparently boundless -- wealth of talents.  

 

I'm pretty sure my husband loves me a lot, but I also admit I'd ask him to stick an entire drawer full of socks in it rather than drone on about my variety o'fabulous gifts.  
Phillip would likely then just then tell the tale of the fabulous socks she knits.  For refugees.   

Edited December 23, 2015 by stillshimpy

[Bastet]

He talked about the actor/model thing in the context of her learning all about vegan eating (the unsaid portion being "in an attempt to meet the ridiculous physical requirements for getting a gig in either industry"), prompting him to start cooking vegan food.  It came up because he was being interviewed about his team's vegan cooking challenge.  He talked about the pastry chef thing when being interviewed about the dessert he presented in another challenge, attributing the recipe to her.

 

There's a fair bit about him that annoys me, but the myriad references to his wife do not because of the context in which they've occurred.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Bastet

[RCharter]

 

FYI, they got one of their stars back in the rankings they released yesterday.

 

 

I'm glad to hear that....only wish they had a flock of seagulls for sale....only for the irony.  A seagull would be a terrible animal to have.  

 

Since I've watched the four episodes kind of back-to-back I can say with some assurance he's referred to her in a variety of ways, some of which have emphasized her exterior and most of which have not.  He really seems to think she just hung the moon, and apparently that she can do anything.  

 

I expect next week we'll be hearing about her mad Sitar or Loom skills.  Probably it will be some bold combo of weaving, while playing, while teaching village children to make eco-friendly sandals that yield clean drinking water or something.  I personally think it's sort of cute that he is so enamored of her and is clearly attempting to advertise her -- apparently boundless -- wealth of talents.  

 

I'm pretty sure my husband loves me a lot, but I also admit I'd ask him to stick an entire drawer full of socks in it rather than drone on about my variety o'fabulous gifts.  

Phillip would likely then just then tell the tale of the fabulous socks she knits.  For refugees.   

Are you kidding, she will have been asked by some master of Sitar/Loom (whose name ManBun will be sure to drop on us) to create a special work of art, just for them.  Thats how good she is.  I'm sure the master of socks has personally asked her to knit him a pair.  And then he wrote a sonnet about how amazing those socks were, because they were the best socks...the coziest.  Maybe it was a haiku....

[RemoteControlFreak]

 

I don't basically disagree with you, but I think the problem some people had with the model/actress thing is that if she actually is his pastry chef, he (with or with out guidance from the producers) chose to describe her as essentially decorative rather than as a professional equal and a strong component of his professional success. I have no idea what their relationship is, but I think that was a questionable choice.

 

Model and actress can both be respectable professional careers, so I don't think tagging his wife with these is reducing her to decorative status.

 

The problems is that if she is such a great pastry chef, why is she also a model/actress?  And if she's such a great model or actress, why is she also a pastry chef?  It seems like she's not really excelling in any of these fields to the degree that Philip likes to boast.

[stillshimpy]

The problems is that if she is such a great pastry chef, why is she also a model/actress?  And if she's such a great model or actress, why is she also a pastry chef?

 

It's actually quite rare for people to be able to make their living in the arts so they have an actual profession.  There are a couple of "Hey, it's that Guy!" type of actors who actually have full-time jobs and side businesses, but are highly recognizable and really talented.  

 

Here's just one example:  Mark Shephard.  Pretty recognizable guy, but he was a computer programmer for years and years (and may still be, although I think he finally got to the point where he could support himself through his arts gigs).  

 

So basically the answer on something like "Why?" is "Well, you know.  Rent.  Food.  Keeping Wolves from the Door."  Acting is definitely something people do because they love it and it's really difficult to make a sustaining living at it.  It's as much about luck as it is talent.  Some incredibly talented people die in obscurity.  

 

If I had to bet, part of the reason he's calling attention to her over and over is in the hopes of giving her a career boost.  

[tenativelyyours]

I think manbun in typical douchebag hipster fashion thinsk to elevate her.  It doesn't occur to him that pastry chef is simply enough.  Even on a show like Top Chef.  No she is also a model and actress.  And probably has her resume in at one of Lisa Vanderpump's disgusting venues (j/k).  This tool is always trying to elevate himself in terms of image.  It is why he feels the need to plaster his face at the front of his establishment.  And go for a trifecta of cooking fame striving.  I just want bun-boy to take his dirty rock dining ware ideas and his simpering self satisfaction and find some other venue for attention. Maybe that awful marriage counseling show where the desperate for attention seekers who refuse to go back under the rock they crawled out from under.

 

I watched the judging of Grayson's season in Texas and I see the same entitlement and the same refusal to take full responsibility for any of her failings.  This time around it was much more pronounced and determined, but I found it definitely there as she constantly pushed against someone daring to find her food less than worthy.  Disbelief.  Her share of passive-aggression.  More than one "really?" as if it could never occur to her that what she did was too large of a portion, not cooked right. Not seasoned right.  No idea what brought her back but I really hope this is the last time I am subjected to her.  Though if the show doesn't try to deliver an episode soon that is less silly bells and whistles and just seeing the chefs cook something that they are given full rein to showcase their talents, this might take the step that the Boston season started and when I want chef porn will watch old episodes of Masterchef UK: The Professionals. 

[Maverick]

Model and actress can both be respectable professional careers, so I don't think tagging his wife with these is reducing her to decorative status.

 

The problems is that if she is such a great pastry chef, why is she also a model/actress?  And if she's such a great model or actress, why is she also a pastry chef?  It seems like she's not really excelling in any of these fields to the degree that Philip likes to boast.

 

 They flashed a picture of his wife, either during an episode of TC or GGG.  She looked like a contest from The Next Great Baker (pastry comp show on TLC) named Ashely.  As I recall, she was a model who went into pastry.

[stillshimpy]

If you're thinking of a contestant named Ashley Holt, she's based in New York at a place called Sugar Monster.  You're right though, almost a dead-ringer.  

 

It just doesn't bother me when people try to self-promote on reality shows.  They aren't a venue that will attract the shy and retiring and there's an element of self-promotion inherent in the process.  I've had a lot of fun watching Top Chef over the years, so for the most part, play through with the plugs, contestants of the world.  

 

Every now and then someone will irk me, but it's usually only people who return over and over and don't wear well in the repeat performances.  I will say though that I guess Richard Blais has finally worn down my defenses enough that when he appears, I have next to no other reaction than to check his hair for sanity progress,  

[KnoxForPres]

I thought this was an average episode and am also ready for individual competitions.

I think Wes did a nice job of self reflection and acted on it. Not an easy thing to do.

I think with ManBun, for me, it's his constant need to remind us he's just a little cooler. Shut up and cook.

For example Emeril (who I've always loved)- how bad ass when the guy who worked for him said what amazing things he did for his employees during Katrina.

Let others organically learn how amazing you and your wife are. At this point I'm gagging because he's force feeding me his too cool for school bullshit. 10-4, I get it.

Grayson was a strange bird this season. A giant why comes to mind think of bringing her back.

As someone else said above, I miss them showing names etc in the opener. I'm not even detail oriented enough to convey at this point, I'd be like "guy with blonde, no wait- is it black hair?" To describe. My brain found those intros very helpful.

[RCharter]

I think with ManBun, for me, it's his constant need to remind us he's just a little cooler. Shut up and cook.

For example Emeril (who I've always loved)- how bad ass when the guy who worked for him said what amazing things he did for his employees during Katrina.

Let others organically learn how amazing you and your wife are. At this point I'm gagging because he's force feeding me his too cool for school bullshit. 10-4, I get it.

Yes, this is definately part of it.  I agree with you about how cool it was to learn of Emeril's good deeds from someone other than Emeril.  And even Jose Andreas seemed to introduce his products with less self-congratulation than I feel emanating from ManBun.

[stillshimpy]

Emeril isn't just an awesome chef, he's a truly good human being.  There was a time when hardly anyone seemed to know that because he was always working through his on-screen personality -- which was actually not that closely associated with who the guy is, but he had to crank it up to cultivate a following, so actually Emeril wasn't exactly immune to the need to self-promote -- then after he was freed from the Food Network and TV-persona overlords, everyone got a glimpse into what a kind, mild man he is.  Prior to that, the only real hint that he was made of awesome was that the man would show up to do pretty much anything for charity.   The first time I got a sense of "This guy is secretly awesome" was when he was on a celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and adorably, because it was all for charity, they were very blatantly helping each other from the cheap seats to help other celebrities win.   

 

Someone had to clear a culinary question where the answer was Veal and I'll never be able to do  Emeril's indication that Veal was the answer any kind of justice.  Just saying, Emeril had to hide his awesome under a persona crafted for TV for kind of a long time.  

 

My only problem with someone like Phillip is that if you're going to sit there and tell me you're the bestest best that ever bested ....you better actually be the best.  Right now Phillip is prone to crowing about his awesome and then he just does dunderheaded things like serve an oyster on a rock, when the rock hadn't been chilled....and that's leaving aside the "Oh god in heaven, Bun-Boy, it's the exact same color as the oyster...making it seem like the rock is oozing this thing atop it!" 

 

If someone says, "I am fabulous and gifted" it's a lot easier to take when they are, in fact, fabulously gifted.   Right now, Phillip is coming off as a wee bit delusional about his skill-set, so frankly, the only thing kind of charming about him is that he's dripping nerdiness and he seems to dote on his wife.  

 

But I do agree, he needs to start bringing it or stuffing it on the "Woooo hoooo.  I'm so good at this!" because demonstrably: he's not thus far. 

Edited December 27, 2015 by stillshimpy

[RCharter]

^^agree 100%.  Oyster on top of a disgusting, dirty rock does not make you some culinary genius.  It shows that at best, you're relying on dumb gimmicks to try to sell food.  If all you have are gimmicks, I question the talent level.  I will say that a lot of really talented people don't really feel the need to remind you of how truly amazing they are.  Or their wife....the model, actress, astronaut, ballerina, physicist, medical doctor, trainer of dogs and pastry chef.  I would never deny the V. brothers whatever ego they have because they were super talented.  

[Katmai]

 

FYI, they got one of their stars back in the rankings they released yesterday.

Years ago I donated several different types of animals in honor of or memory of loved ones through that charity. They bombarded me several times a month with their literature asking me to donate again. I finally got more annoyed with their pitches, and using funds begging for more funds and wasting trees and postage, that I called and told them to take me off of their mailing list. I do plan to check into the others. Thanks, Julia!

 

OT...so glad Grayson got knifed, now to hope ManBun is next. And I also agree with a post upthread about Giselle being whiny & bitchy. She doesn't have a good attitude nor personality, as shown. 

[RemoteControlFreak]

It's actually quite rare for people to be able to make their living in the arts so they have an actual profession.  There are a couple of "Hey, it's that Guy!" type of actors who actually have full-time jobs and side businesses, but are highly recognizable and really talented.  

Yes, true.  But the way Philip describes her, and himself, it's as if she's a star in all of her stated fields: model, actress, pastry chef, not that she's struggling to get a foothold in whichever is her favorite field and doing what she can. This would be more honest and realistic.  Honesty and realism might not be part of Philip's repertoire.

[biakbiak]

Didn't he simply say in passing once that she was a model/actress? The closest to bragging I can remember is him saying that her dessert was well received at Coachella which isn't necessarily made up with foodies and there are limited options.

[stillshimpy]

He's actually said she's quite talented on a couple of fronts, biakbiak. In particular he was praising her dessert that didn't actually seem to be all that well received, so I think that's part of it. That was a definite case of "She's awesome!" and the reception of it -- although in fairness, he might not have executed it to its full advantage -- was less "sound the trumpets, we have achieved the Nirvana of desserts!" and more "Uh...well, it's got a textural and taste conflict, but it's okay."

On the model and actress thing, he commented that she was both and tied it to her interest in raw/vegan foods without any observations on how good she was. Honestly, I think it's just that he talks about her a lot and he's also prone to tooting his own horn, combined with putting himself forth as an authority on Los Angeles.

In fairness though, Grayson also seemed to have a case of the "My boyfriend..." mentions going on, so it may be that they are being encouraged to talk about their partners a lot. Who knows?

I think if Phillip was super charming it just wouldn't even register as sort of over-the-top, but I think it's just the contrast to "This sold out and was the best" to the judges sort of blandly saying...it didn't suck. That's kind of been his entire story arc. He would have completely killed the mise en place if it weren't for a killer orange (according to him) ...or, he had a lot to go regardless...according to all observation and he practically had a facial seizure over getting citrus in his eye (which in fairness, stings) . Then he's a Vegan expert! And whereas his dish was well received, it was also deemed too fussy.

He didn't seem to absorb the criticism about his plating choice being downright unappetizing and he didn't seem to understand his dessert was acceptable, vs. good. He just seems to have an over-inflated sense of confidence that is impervious to the actual reception of his food thus far. So that when he says his wife is a really talented pastry chef, it is sort of easy to think his perception is a bit off.

Edited December 28, 2015 by stillshimpy

[biakbiak]

praising her dessert that didn't actually seem to be all that well received, so I think that's part of it.

I was referring to the fact that he said the dessert was well-received at Coachella not that the judges liked it though that was also due a lot to the texture which they all commented on which seemed to be an execution mistake.

[WearyTraveler]

Serving food on a rock is nothing new.  At least it is a common practice in South American meat restaurants. Particularly in Argentina. 

 

The practice is to cook your meat on the grill and then bring it to your table along with a hot (very, very hot) flat stone.  So, you slice your meat and then you place it on the stone if you want to get a sear on the outside of that slice or cook it just a little bit more.  It works well when you get a cut of meat that has a different thickness throughout (more bulky in the center of the cut) because the thicker part might end up being too raw to your liking.

 

I think the practice originated with Argentinian cowboys who had to spend days out there herding cattle and would actually cook their food on hot rocks, but I'm not sure.  Google can probably provide better details.

 

That said, every South American restaurant I've been to that serves food on a stone (in Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Puerto Rico) serves hot food on a stone, and the stones have been treated for the purpose of serving food.  I don't think any old rock works for this and the ones I've seen have been shaped and polished for the purpose of serving food on them, so, if they came from some desert, it's been a while since they were out there and not a single grain of sand remains on their surface.

 

I kind of understand Phillipe's desire to work with the environment he's given, but, that wasn't a smart choice.

[meep.meep]

Good charity, to be grassroots-level aware that education has to start with a well and not a crate of textbooks.  Name?

When Marcus Samuellson won Top Chef Masters, his charity was UNICEF's The Tap Project which was trying to provide clean drinking water to the third world. You could check that out.

[stillshimpy]

I was referring to the fact that he said the dessert was well-received at Coachella not that the judges liked it though that was also due a lot to the texture which they all commented on which seemed to be an execution mistake.

I was referring to why it seems like he's constantly praising her without a lot to back that up, because he didn't seem to know that his dish had execution problems and was sort of middling. In other words, he seemed to think he'd made her dish, not "I tried to make her dish, but a couple of things went wrong". I actually don't mind Phillip, but there have been a couple of times already where his perception of something -- he thought they were in the top of their Vegan challenge, as an example, but not the only example -- did not line up with the reality that everyone else was experiencing.

So maybe her dish was the belle of the Coachella ball or maybe it wasn't, but it's difficult to know because Phillip seems to process everything through a "I'm great and so is my wife" filter that strains out, in some instances, facts.

[Wings]

I think Philip is good, very good.  Sure he is arrogant but I expect to see him pull ahead of the others and make it very far.  He was good on GGG and Cutthroat Kitchen so much so that I was shocked to see the high level of dishes he pulled off on both of those junk shows.  

 

Maybe he will tone down his need to self promote.  A little is to be expected and probably encouraged. 

Edited December 29, 2015 by wings707

[mlp]

I agree wings707.  He also won on Chopped and he was a JUDGE on Beat Bobby Flay (and must have been invited to do that) so he's earned respect from some real chefs.  I think he's trying too hard to promote himself and is a bit immature when it comes to self-regard and criticism but, overall, I like him.  I think he's basically a decent guy.  

[Wings]

I agree wings707.  He also won on Chopped and he was a JUDGE on Beat Bobby Flay (and must have been invited to do that) so he's earned respect from some real chefs.  I think he's trying too hard to promote himself and is a bit immature when it comes to self-regard and criticism but, overall, I like him.  I think he's basically a decent guy.  

 

 

I like him, too.  I saw him on Chopped (forgot about that!) but missed him on Bobby F.  That is on my DVR so I will see him eventually.  

[RCharter]

Yes, true.  But the way Philip describes her, and himself, it's as if she's a star in all of her stated fields: model, actress, pastry chef, not that she's struggling to get a foothold in whichever is her favorite field and doing what she can. This would be more honest and realistic.  Honesty and realism might not be part of Philip's repertoire.

Exactly.  Pastry chef who is a struggling model/actress I get and find respectable.  That she is the bestest model/actress/ballerina/pastry chef/newscaster/balloon animal maker/kite flyer/astronaut to hit the scene is a bit much.  Its interesting that other contestants will normally talk about how their significant other is wonderful just because they are so special to them, or how they met, but ManBun seems to primarily talk about why others should like her.

[stillshimpy]

I think he's trying too hard to promote himself and is a bit immature when it comes to self-regard and criticism but, overall, I like him.  I think he's basically a decent guy.

 

Agreed and I'd rather have a fundamentally decent human being who is trying a little too hard, than a hateful jackass around any day of the week.  Plus, whereas I'm clearly having a good time poking fun at him, I think self-promotion is one of the only real lures of a show like this.  Only one person will win, it will expose a person to the censure of the world and to a lot of judgements about whether or not a person is liked.  There has to be something in it for people to invite that kind of scrutiny and sometimes unkindness into their life. 

 

Plus, in an industry that has struggled to treat female chefs as equals, as much as I'm giggling at this guy thinking his wife is splendid at all things, I'd much rather hear about how someone loves the bejeebers out of his wife, than some of the not-very-veiled misogyny that can be bandied about really thoughtlessly.  Better a guy who is good at heart and maybe pouring it on a bit thick, than someone who can't stand women, you know? 

[RCharter]

^^all I remember is him telling us how she is a model/actress/pastry chef.  There wasn't much I can remember about him saying that he feel strongly for her or that he thinks she is a wonderful person.  To me, it almost comes across as she is an extension of him.   Clearly, he is amazing and awesome which he shows by namedropping, and boasting, and she is not necessarily someone he loves, but rather is an extension of his awesomeness.

[stillshimpy]

On the one hand, I can sort of see what you mean, RCharter, because although I can tell you what she does in a couple of industries, her name is completely unknown to me.  If Phillip has referred to his wife as anything other than "My Wife"  I have not caught the "My wife, ______, is a really talented ...." .  However, that makes sense given the format.  He can't just refer to her by her first name, because people won't know who he means in a cast of varied characters without the "My wife" description.  So I get where the observation might originate and it's a fair point.  It's hard to say that he clearly respects her individuality when he's yet to actually say her name. 

 

That said, the only way I think Phillip thinks of his wife as an extension of himself, is in scoring someone he really considers just fabulous.  Everything he says is just brimming with admiration for her skills.  In fact, I honestly think he's touted her skills more than he has his own.   I really don't get the sense that he's negating her as anything other than an extension of himself.  That's down to my perception of his tone when talking about her though, and I can completely understand why that's going to be individual.  

 

There's always going to be a small problem inherent in talking about a partner, who is not present, in terms of their skill set and perceived awesomeness: because she isn't going to appear on the show the "show, don't tell" thing becomes a difficult hurdle to clear.  It's all going to be Tell with no way to Show.  

 

Anyway, despite cracking wise about it, I actually find it an endearing thing for all the reasons I've already named.   I don't actually watch any of the other shows Phillip has been on, so this is my sole experience with him.  Right now he's not quite living up to anything extraordinary, but there are reasons I find him likable:  he's not mean. That goes an incredibly long way with me in life and when watching someone.  He remains cheerful in the face of difficulties (like I said, I started to like him when he was plating under the table) and unlike someone like Angelina and Grayson, both of whom just hovered at the bottom for each episode and whose time on the show came with an obvious expiration date, Phillip seems to be holding his own.   

Edited December 30, 2015 by stillshimpy

[Maysie]

 

Anyway, despite cracking wise about it, I actually find it an endearing thing for all the reasons I've already named.   I don't actually watch any of the other shows Phillip has been on, so this is my sole experience with him.  Right now he's not quite living up to anything extraordinary, but there are reasons I find him likable:  he's not mean. That goes an incredibly long way with me in life and when watching someone.  He remains cheerful in the face of difficulties (like I said, I started to like him when he was plating under the table) and unlike someone like Angelina and Grayson, both of whom just hovered at the bottom for each episode and whose time on the show came with an obvious expiration date, Phillip seems to be holding his own.

 

I'm not a man bun fan but he's not on my get-off-my-tv list yet. Really, it's kind of soon to have that list because we're pretty early in the competition, though it looks like Angelina and one of the other female chefs I can't remember are eeking toward the list. Yeah, it's tiresome listening to him talk about his wife and if we have two or three more months of this I may come to hate him (like I grew to dislike Nick in TC New Orleans because he was weeping over missing his kids; FFS, go home if it's that tough; the other chefs seemed to deal with the separation). I do think man bun is a bit cocky, and based on how he's fared in other competitions, I guess there's a reason for it.

 

It makes me wonder if 1) he became a little full of himself due to his previous success or whether his general awesomeness led him to compete in other reality venues (which came first: the competitions or the great confidence, and have they fed each other?), and 2) if he's naturally competitive and genuinely likes going up against other chefs or if a lot of this is just good marketing to promote his restaurants. I'm not judging him on any of that; I'm just wondering what his motivation is. I guess we have to see at least one very confident chef during the course of the competition and I think man bun is him. Honestly, I've been a bit underwhelmed by him -- for some reason, I expected more out of him. I mean, he doesn't suck but I figured he'd always be in the top tier and so far I'm not getting that vibe.

 

I tend to go for people who have a bit of humility or at least a sense of humor about themselves. I'm not seeing much of that from man bun, but it's early and I'm willing to wait it out a few more weeks.

[ratgirlagogo]

I kind of wonder if maybe they haven't been married that long.  Two of my favorite coworkers got married a couple of years ago (let's call them "John and Mary") and despite the fact that I knew Mary years before I knew John, he always refers to Mary as "my wife" when talking to me, and  I think it's just because he's so happy she's his wife.  Maybe this is the case for Manbun as well (for the record, I like manbuns and long hair on men generally - I don't think either are necessarily marks of hipster douchebagism).  

 

It's the non-stop namedropping I find more irritating about Manbun.  Anybody mentions any food thing, by golly he knows a guy/gal who is the Big Cheese in that particular Food Thing.

Edited December 31, 2015 by ratgirlagogo

[RCharter]

I kind of wonder if maybe they haven't been married that long.  Two of my favorite coworkers got married a couple of years ago (let's call them "John and Mary") and despite the fact that I knew Mary years before I knew John, he always refers to Mary as "my wife" when talking to me, and  I think it's just because he's so happy she's his wife.  Maybe this is the case for Manbun as well (for the record, I like manbuns and long hair on men generally - I don't think either are necessarily marks of hipster douchebagism).  

 

It's the non-stop namedropping I find more irritating about Manbun.  Anybody mentions any food thing, by golly he knows a guy/gal who is the Big Cheese in that particular Food Thing.

But to me, it is this attitude he displays towards his wife.  She is just another name to drop to the world.  Another way to give him status.  She may be amazing, she may not be, but I get the impression that he is more committed to convincing you she is awesome because that makes HIM even more awesome.  With other contestants I've always felt like its more 'this is my wife and I love the bejebus out of her and I miss her so much!" and maybe some follow up about what she does for a living, or if they work together.  With ManBun it feels a lot more like "my wife is a model and actress and amazing pastry chef, doesn't it reflect so well on me that I married a model/actress/pastry chef?"

Edited December 31, 2015 by RCharter

[In Pog Form]

I think it would be much more interesting if she were a pastry model - "Just look at this amazing evening dress made with Filo pastry. And now a bikini made of strudel."

It's a much more compelling way to combine occupations than the typical trying to get acting jobs while working in a kitchen.

[RCharter]

I think it would be much more interesting if she were a pastry model - "Just look at this amazing evening dress made with Filo pastry. And now a bikini made of strudel."

It's a much more compelling way to combine occupations than the typical trying to get acting jobs while working in a kitchen.

A strudel for every season.  I like it!

[Texasmom1970]

Please Top Chef gods do not let Grayson come back from last chance kitcken. If she does she will continue to bitch about "Corngate!"

I wouldn't want his hair in my food but cannot stand a man that wears a bun, not a good look.

I agree with those who have said Padma has been looking nice so far this sesson. She has worn s couple of outfits I would take.

An oyster off a rock in the desert heat, now who would have thought that might not be a good idea. Maybe if he at least put a piece of lettuce between the snot and the rock!

[Wings]

I kind of wonder if maybe they haven't been married that long.  Two of my favorite coworkers got married a couple of years ago (let's call them "John and Mary") and despite the fact that I knew Mary years before I knew John, he always refers to Mary as "my wife" when talking to me, and  I think it's just because he's so happy she's his wife.  Maybe this is the case for Manbun as well (for the record, I like manbuns and long hair on men generally - I don't think either are necessarily marks of hipster douchebagism).  

 

It's the non-stop namedropping I find more irritating about Manbun.  Anybody mentions any food thing, by golly he knows a guy/gal who is the Big Cheese in that particular Food Thing.

 

 

I have friends that say my wife/my husband, too.  I think it is sweet.  My father introduced my mother as his first wife!  It was his only wife. 

[ratgirlagogo]

 

My father introduced my mother as his first wife!  It was his only wife.

Wow, you have an awesome dad.