S13.E06: Summer Party Playoffs

[J-Man]

19 hours ago, LittleIggy said:

What the bleep is a "Christmas in July" party?

Coincidentally, I was just watching an Australian TV series where they were having just such a party ... but of course it kind of makes sense for them, since their July is our December, weather-wise.

Here's a lengthy discussion on Chowhound about potato salad in gumbo.

[Maya]

Going back to Christmas in July - was Corey supposed to serve Christmas food? I take it gumbo and potato salad are traditional Christmas foods in the south? 

[TomCorps]

1 hour ago, J-Man said:

Here's a lengthy discussion on Chowhound about potato salad in gumbo.

Thanks for this!  I couldn't imagine actually putting potato salad in gumbo, but if I had the opportunity, I think I'd give it a try.

[xaxat]

I really suspect that Lipton had one of their chefs on hand to show the contestants how to incorporate tea into their dishes. Their presentations about how they used it were way too smooth.

Bobby Flay had the audacity to criticize someone for having too many dipping sauces? He's the one that brought that plague to the network.

I don't think Matthew is a plant in the sense that he is working with the production crew. But he was definitely cast to be the polarizing antagonist this season. I think Comeback Kitchen was simply a matter of deciding if they wanted him or Danushka.

Edited July 11, 2017 by xaxat

[smiley13]

9 minutes ago, Maya said:

Going back to Christmas in July - was Corey supposed to serve Christmas food? I take it gumbo and potato salad are traditional Christmas foods in the south? 

Cory said it was for his family in Louisiana, but that does not speak for all Southern states.

[pinguina]

3 hours ago, catrice2 said:

 maybe I don't remember the old school cooking shows well or I tuned out the stories. I don't remember listening to a whole bunch of stories when I listen to The cooks on the PBS network.  

 

2 hours ago, meowmommy said:

LBH: "If you don't give us the storytelling, tell us about your family, you will be going home."

I haven't watched every show BF has ever been in, but I've watched enough and I've never, ever heard him tell a story or share family tidbits.  I know he's an Irish guy from NYC and that's it.  And somehow he's managed to be a celebrity chef and a star of shows people want to watch.  Kermit and Medusa aren't around any more so who's pushing for these family tales?  I'm still waiting for the finalist who is an orphan raised by wolves.

This is what I'm talking about with the stories.  I've seen cooking shows on other channels and I really don't recall the cooks sharing any stories about the food.  I hear them give recommendations of what else to serve. what can be substituted, what can be added, or what can be omitted.  I've heard them say, "I put blank in because I really like the taste/flavor of it."  Once in a while someone might say,"My blank would make this for us when I was blank." and that would be the extent of the "story".  
I am not a very good cook, I want to learn how to make a dish from someone who can cook and give clear directions. If they are entertaining (not with stories!) as well (a bit like Jason - who I think is funny despite his sayings and too many "honeys") so much the better.  I've actually made a few of the dishes from some of these shows and they have actually turned out pretty good!!

[anniebird]

4 hours ago, Lura said:

I think it's impossible not to like him. 

And you'd be wrong. Odds are a Southerner is going to win this, but I hope it's not Jason with his over-the-top Southern accent and his slap-yo-ass sassy comments. I find him really hard to take for more than 2 minutes.

[Alapaki]

Best part of the night for me was Giada not knowing the name of Tiffani Amber Theissen's show.

When Tiffani joked that she wanted to steal one of the ideas, Giada said "Next on Tiffani's . . . . . . show."

[grisgris]

What a pissy sourpuss episode on all fronts.

I thought that Matthew sticking his finger into his potato dish and then into his mouth was disgusting.  I saw Bobby roll his eyes. I can tell Giada doesn't like Matthew after the comments she made to Tiffani about him. They were catty and unnecessary as Tiffani had already formed an opinion of him. I thought Giada was pretty bitchy to Tiffani.  I noticed that when Tiffani was digging in to Amy's sandwich, she commented, "I could eat seven of these!" To which Giada sneered and replied, "Seven?"  She probably was dying on the inside to have a younger and prettier (and more renown) guest.

I also didn't get the leaning on certain contestants about story-telling. This leads me to ... what do we know about Jason? All I know is that he's from Kentucky and he'll begin a presentation in a generic manner such as, "We used to ... "  He didn't reveal much about himself during the Holiday Baking Championship either (but that wasn't pushed.) I believe he said he was a cook at a school cafeteria.  He's dropped hints about being a florist and doing catering but that's about it. When Bobby mentioned the overuse of folksy sayings, that would have been a prime time to insist that Jason tell more personal stories.

I don't really care who gets sent home next week but I am predicting either Amy or David. (I wish it would be Matthew.)

[JunebugTx]

5 hours ago, Totale said:

To be fair Pepin sits there and tells stories while his hands apparently on their own make these amazing knife cuts and assemble things like I will never be able to do thinking about it let alone on autopilot while babbling away.  He's charming, though.

 

I think we're being set up for Addie/Asshole Star Salvation final.

But Pepin has stories I actually want to listen to.  And I think his hands just know what to do at this point.  He's been cooking on TV for what seems like forever (not that that's bad).

 

I called my mom halfway through this episode, so I didn't really see the presentations.  But I did see Matthew and his whole "how long do I do this vs. this" thing.  He still annoys me.

[Aerobicidal]

I find Jason fascinating in the sense that I've always hoped someone would do a PhD dissertation on what would happen if scientists could create a hybrid Forrest Gump/Johnny Weir clone. 

"Lord Honey: A Socio-Culinary Excavation of Techno-Duality and the Multiple Connotations of the Word 'Flames'"

[LittleIggy]

I find it funny that Lipton uses the opening clapping part of Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats' SOB it's commercial.

[Refresh]

3 hours ago, xaxat said:

Bobby Flay had the audacity to criticize someone for having too many dipping sauces? He's the one that brought that plague to the network.

Hee! You are so right.

I thought the sauces were good options and that you might pick a favorite or share with friends. People have different tastes (my brother hates mayo or anything mayo based for instance) . I think Bobby did say that he wished there was more guidance on what sauce went with what. That's fair. 

If all the contestants had cookbooks I would buy Addies cookbook. (Maybe Jason if it was just baking. ) Her skewers were a great idea. Non traditional, but creative. She's a bit reserved but it doesn't bother me. I think her clothing style is confusing too, but again doesn't bother me, it just is. Because I'm watching for cool food tips, not Refresh's Next New Best Friend. 

I think they want Amy to tell personal stories particularly because she's a military wife. They want that audience. (Not that all military families would watch her just because of that obviously, but marketing "people" have that perception because it is a very specific shared experience. They're a desired market because, so I've heard, they're  more brand loyal, for instance.) 

According to the internets, Jadda is only 3 years older than Tiffani. I definitely sensed a slightly jealous/big sister/I-know-better-than-you thing from Jadda towards Tiffani. 

Maybe he has tried, but Cory would have been better off on Top Chef where he could be Chef first, handsome second. Actual restaurant chefs don't have the best record on this show. 

[txvoodoo]

9 hours ago, meowmommy said:

LBH: "If you don't give us the storytelling, tell us about your family, you will be going home."

I haven't watched every show BF has ever been in, but I've watched enough and I've never, ever heard him tell a story or share family tidbits.  I know he's an Irish guy from NYC and that's it.  And somehow he's managed to be a celebrity chef and a star of shows people want to watch.  Kermit and Medusa aren't around any more so who's pushing for these family tales?  I'm still waiting for the finalist who is an orphan raised by wolves.

I feel like they're looking for a new version of Pioneer Woman (her kids are flying the nest) or Nancy Fuller (they just canceled her show). They want food + kids + husband or something. 

Meh. GIMME FOOD. 

[cooksdelight]

Speaking of Jacques, this was spot-on about this show and others:

https://www.finedininglovers.com/blog/points-of-view/jacques-pepin/

[smiley13]

3 hours ago, txvoodoo said:

I feel like they're looking for a new version of Pioneer Woman (her kids are flying the nest) or Nancy Fuller (they just canceled her show). They want food + kids + husband or something. 

Meh. GIMME FOOD. 

They do not have that in Amy.   She should have gone this week.  Her second presentation was awful.

[Lamb18]

15 hours ago, catrice2 said:

I've never watched an entire show of Bobby or Giada but do they constantly tell stories throughout their entire presentation?

I've watched a lot of Beat Bobby Flay and I don't recall him telling any personal stories. Or any of the competing chefs for that matter. There really isn't that much time. Besides it's more interesting to me to hear how they use their ingredients than to tell some childhood story about how a chef was eating hot dogs when his dog was run over by a car and he's hated hot dogs ever since, but is overcoming this hatred for the competition.

I saw one episode of Giada cooking for her family and I think there was stories in that, but that type of cooking show was more conducive to stories.

I sometimes wonder if the contestants are told they have to flub up in certain ways for each episode. For example, Amy is told to freeze; Rusty is told to go over his time limit; Corey is told to leave out stories; Matthew is told to interrupt his teammates during their demos.

I guess I like Corey the best because I think he's the best chef. I'd like to learn more about Cajun seasonings, etc.  If Amy could ever do a demo smoothly, I think she'd have good shows, too. The judges always like her food. She's probably the second-best after Corey.

Edited July 11, 2017 by Lamb18

[LittleIggy]

When Bobby told Randy he should have spread that "dirt" all over the plate to mix with other things, I thought, "You poor snowflake! Can't you do that yourself, Bobby?"

[Hero]

Tiffani so pretty. I would love if she hosted this show and not Giada.  Finding someone to replace Bobby would also be great. 

[Skyfall]

On 7/10/2017 at 1:32 AM, pinguina said:

I just can't stand that they want a story!!!!   That is just so stupid ~ I've watched Tiffani's show and she doesn't have a story for every single dish.  Sometimes it's just "I love how --- tastes."  And that's it, on to the instructions.  

I can't stand Matthew's smug half smile.  He is just so irritating.  His first presentation was really bad.  He sounded annoyed and at the end it looked as if he wanted to toss the plate at someone.   He was a more toned down and personable at the second presentation - but I still didn't like him.

I thought that Rusty did a really good job on his second presentation, too.  He was calmer but with a dash of a hearty personality - if he stayed that way I think I could watch a show of his.  I really don't enjoy when he is loud and over the top like in his first presentation.

I was surprised by Amy - she even said that she would have to come up with a story to go with her sandwiches - what happened???   Perfect opportunity to make up a story and practice it. Why didn't she do that?

I'm sorry - but when they said that Cory had to be more vulnerable - WHAT???  What did they mean by that?   Why didn't they give an example when they themselves showed vulnerability on their cooking show?  But then in the same breath said that he was more relaxed and open?

I can't stand their continued harping for a story.  It really bothers me that this is an important ability for them.  Plus the ones who get a show, I don't hear them tell stories about anything.  Or if they do they are so inconsequential that I don't even notice.   I love to bake (usually follow recipes that I find interesting/tasty/sweet. not even close to being an expert amateur) but I bake stuff that I like to eat.  And guess what? I don't have a story for anything I bake!  

My thing with Matthew is his editing. They do the talking heads after so he knows he didn't nail it so why did the producers have him say that?

[Skyfall]

On 7/10/2017 at 11:33 AM, Blonde Gator said:

Jason's "Eye-talian" succotash dish last week was overcooked.  This week, he added (Giada's) riiiiicooootahhh cheese, which was one ingredient too many, per Flay.  Jason's big problem is he doesn't have an edit function, either on himself and his folksy schtick, nor on his cooking.  IIRC, last week he said "just throw it in the pan and let it go".  Maybe that's just a southern thing (think gray green beans), but over-cooked veggies are not attractive.

Now, I've noticed no one mentioned Giada's little blue & beige star dress.  At first I thought it was a cute summer frock, until I realized all of the area between the stars (in beige) were cut-outs.  And she had big cut-outs under her girls, too.  They should rename this show Next Food Network Porn Star.  After joining this site, I now compulsively watch Giada tasting (or not) the food.  Or watch her chase the food around her plate.  You all crack me up....this is the way to watch FN!

Not going to lie, I'll watch Next Food Network Porn Star! ?

Edited July 11, 2017 by Skyfall

[cooksdelight]

10 minutes ago, Skyfall said:

My thing with Matthew is his editing. They do the talking heads after so he knows he didn't nail it so why did the producers have him say that?

It was probably his idea, to create more drama and interest in his....whatever.....

[rab01]

2 minutes ago, cooksdelight said:

It was probably his idea, to create more drama and interest in his....whatever.....

speaking of that kind of editing, I'm almost positive that the woman who stayed (maybe now that she's the last woman standing, I will finally remember her name *sigh, so bland*) said that she had to come up with a story for her lamb sandwich after she had already biffed her presentation.  It makes a lot of sense as recrimination that the the producers asked her to rephrase as forward looking.   

One other note - the only thing they dinged Jason for this week on his food was the doneness of the fish, which might have been affected by having to fry stuff and then pack it for travel.  I'm not sure that fried anything is a good choice for food to pack in a cooler but if his technique keeps it crispy for an hour or so of  travel and wait time, more power to him. 

[xaxat]

14 hours ago, grisgris said:

I thought that Matthew sticking his finger into his potato dish and then into his mouth was disgusting.

Especially since it looked like he was eating dried paste.

[Testing]

9 hours ago, smiley13 said:

They do not have that in Amy.   She should have gone this week.  Her second presentation was awful.

Agreed. Also, her comment about not calling CPS in a previous episode was distasteful. Surprised she didn't not leave yet.

Addie was apparently pregnant while on the show. 

Edited July 11, 2017 by Testing

[meowmommy]

4 hours ago, cooksdelight said:

It was probably his idea, to create more drama and interest in his....whatever.....

Either that or they had generic footage of him saying, "Nailed the demo!" and ran with it.  Naw, producers never do shit like that...

[Totale]

1 hour ago, meowmommy said:

Either that or they had generic footage of him saying, "Nailed the demo!" and ran with it.  Naw, producers never do shit like that...

He'll read off whatever they put in front of him.  Which is, perversely, 90+% of the job description.  It's the not being hideous part he can't crack.

Edited July 11, 2017 by Totale

[cooksdelight]

I did Cory's pickle juice brined chicken in the smoker today. Showed him a photo and he said  it looked great. Photo didn't do justice to the taste, it was delicious. :)

[Pallida]

39 minutes ago, cooksdelight said:

I did Cory's pickle juice brined chicken in the smoker today. Showed him a photo and he said  it looked great. Photo didn't do justice to the taste, it was delicious. :)

I think you misplaced my invitation. Maybe everybody else's too?

[grisgris]

19 hours ago, Refresh said:

According to the internets, Jadda is only 3 years older than Tiffani. I definitely sensed a slightly jealous/big sister/I-know-better-than-you thing from Jadda towards Tiffani. 

 

Wow! I had to double-check. Giada's only 46?  I forgot that's she's not that old. For some reason, I had her pegged at least in her early 50s, 49 at the youngest. Girlfriend has not aged well at all.  Malnutrition will do that to you. I have to confess that I've never watched Tiffani's show because it doesn't interest me nor did I ever watch any of her teeny-bopper shows. She is very beautiful and seemed to know what she was talking about when she tasted the food. OK. So there's a win for that episode. I am now curious to read up on Tiffani and watch an episode or two of her show. Not a total loss.

Anyway. I totally agree that Bobby and Giada are long past their shelf life as hosts of this show. They look so disengaged and burned out. I think that for Giada it's just a fashion vehicle to show off her "assets." I am not sure who would be good replacements. Don't laugh, but I've watched that competition with the home cooks who are mentored through several weeks. (Not "Worst Cooks in America") and Alex (a given) and Curtis Stone are good mentors.  So was Andrew Zimmern (I am ignoring the year Robert Irvine won) but I suspect AZ is too busy with his travel channel shows. FN could also remove Geoffrey Zakarian off of "The Kitchen" (where he sticks out like a sore thumb) and pair him with a less intense female or another male.

DREAM ON!

[spiderpig]

2 hours ago, cooksdelight said:

I did Cory's pickle juice brined chicken in the smoker today. Showed him a photo and he said  it looked great. Photo didn't do justice to the taste, it was delicious. :)

You are making me lament every jar of pickle juice (sans pickles) that I emptied down the drain.

Who knew?

[spiderpig]

1 hour ago, grisgris said:

Anyway. I totally agree that Bobby and Giada are long past their shelf life as hosts of this show. They look so disengaged and burned out.

I don't have any issues with Bobby, but when I see him I think "January Jones".  Giada is more problematic.  I think "John Mayer".  Ewwww.

Naughty gossip aside, Bobby has a solid reputation for working flavors, and I find him funny in a deadpan way.  Maybe he's tired of having to put up with Giada and her spitbucket.  LBH is just there for us to pick on.  That, or the De Laurentiis family is footing some of the production costs.

[Surrealist]

We're halfway through now and I'm still not rooting for anyone in particular.

Addie- She's way too stilted and tightly wound. Even though I know she can cook, she would bore me to death on a cooking show. I would have been fine if she and Amy had been sent home.

Amy- She seems, I don't know, crass and obnoxious. That, and she can't handle being on camera. She freezes every time. Her food looks good, but she doesn't know how to sell it.

Cory- Obviously he's (probably) the most talented chef on the panel, but he too, cannot handle being on camera. He chokes. He also kind of comes across as a snob. He's critical of how everyone performs on camera, even though he freezes up all the time.

David- He's hit or miss on camera. And for the most part, he's not very memorable to me. I know he likes to serve jerk chicken. He seems nice enough though.

Jason- He seems like a nice enough guy, but his Southern quips have been annoying from the start. I didn't watch him on the baking show. Also, his dishes are inconsistent. Maybe he's more of a sweets guy than savory? Maybe this isn't the right competition for him.

Matthew- He's an obnoxious young person. Since I've seen him on several of these shows, he doesn't quite bother me because I expect him to be in constant smug mode. He's obviously a talented chef, but he needs to dial down his personality. He's at a 10 and I need him at about a 2.

Rusty- He seems nice. I actually liked what he served for the Garden Party. I would definitely eat what was on his plate. He didn't bug me in this episode. He kind of dialed down the loud guy act.

I don't remember the all people's names who were sent home. I'm fine with that though.

I agree that these people's ability to cook is more important than their camera presence, but I'm not in front of them to actually taste their food to give a proper critique. That's why they have to have a camera presence and solid public speaking skills. Also, I want these people to be true to who they are. I know Bobby and Giada were giving Addie crap for being bland, but I'd rather have her be who she is than fake being a fun-loving goofball. 

Edited July 12, 2017 by Surrealist

[MajorWoody]

I haven't been a fan of Rusty prior to this episode, but he did a great job. Not in just taking on the toughest assignment, but unlike numerous other contestants over the years he accepted the challenge and did not whine for forty minutes about it. That might have been the best performance of the entire season.

 

Glad to see Jason get called out for his BS southern mom schtick. It got old about 5 minutes into episode 1. I don't know if he was trying to be humorous about the claim Kentucky has the most shoreline, or he truly believed it, but it was weird. His cooking still is nothing special, though.

 

Matt was the Matt of old, an ass kisser to the judges, a jerk to his fellow contestants, and a smug, insufferable douchenozzle when called out for something. Still hoping he gets crowned with a frying pan before his eventual elimination. 

 

Amy/Addie, both dull and out of their element. They both should have been shown the door this week. 

 

David seemed very comfortable at his table with the crowd, but unless the FN is looking for smeone who only knows one style of food, I don't see what he can bring.

 

Cory is the only one who seems like an authoritative chef, but his camera presence and elite attitude need work.

 

Giada was actually shown placing a morsel of food in her mouth this episode. I actually played it back to make sure. Yes, it was a tiny bite, and it most likely ended up in the spittoon, but at least it entered her mouth.

 

Tiffany seemed to be a good addition, and made B And G look like amateur judges.

 

Once more, here is to hoping Matt gets crowned with a pan before long. He is unlikeable, unwatchable, and not someone who can be taken seriously as a food authority.

[leighdear]

I always forget David.  He seems like a perfectly nice man with good cooking skills, but I just keep forgetting he's there!

I liked Addie for her cool, calm demeanor.  The main reason I've always preferred Ina Garten to Rachel Ray.  You can be successful without screeching around the studio at Mach 10, with your hair on fire.   

I just ignore Matthew at this point.  There's no way I will ever (after this show) allow him to spend a second on my TV screen or laptop.  I won't watch, listen to or read anything by or about him.  He will be completely & absolutely non-existent in my universe, so I won't waste any more thoughts on him.  

[spiderpig]

1 hour ago, MajorWoody said:

I haven't been a fan of Rusty prior to this episode, but he did a great job. Not in just taking on the toughest assignment, but unlike numerous other contestants over the years he accepted the challenge and did not whine for forty minutes about it. That might have been the best performance of the entire season.

Matt was the Matt of old, an ass kisser to the judges, a jerk to his fellow contestants, and a smug, insufferable douchenozzle when called out for something. Still hoping he gets crowned with a frying pan before his eventual elimination.

Once more, here is to hoping Matt gets crowned with a pan before long. He is unlikeable, unwatchable, and not someone who can be taken seriously as a food authority.

I'll provide the cast-iron frying pan if you'll do the crowning, Major.

Agree that Rusty made himself a front-runner in this episode.

[Lamb18]

18 hours ago, xaxat said:

Especially since it looked like he was eating dried paste.

Yeah, those potatoes had congealed from sitting around for too long and looking rather nasty.

[qtpye]

On Monday, July 10, 2017 at 1:32 AM, pinguina said:

I just can't stand that they want a story!!!!   That is just so stupid ~ I've watched Tiffani's show and she doesn't have a story for every single dish.  Sometimes it's just "I love how --- tastes."  And that's it, on to the instructions.  

I can't stand Matthew's smug half smile.  He is just so irritating.  His first presentation was really bad.  He sounded annoyed and at the end it looked as if he wanted to toss the plate at someone.   He was a more toned down and personable at the second presentation - but I still didn't like him.

I thought that Rusty did a really good job on his second presentation, too.  He was calmer but with a dash of a hearty personality - if he stayed that way I think I could watch a show of his.  I really don't enjoy when he is loud and over the top like in his first presentation.

I was surprised by Amy - she even said that she would have to come up with a story to go with her sandwiches - what happened???   Perfect opportunity to make up a story and practice it. Why didn't she do that?

I'm sorry - but when they said that Cory had to be more vulnerable - WHAT???  What did they mean by that?   Why didn't they give an example when they themselves showed vulnerability on their cooking show?  But then in the same breath said that he was more relaxed and open?

I can't stand their continued harping for a story.  It really bothers me that this is an important ability for them.  Plus the ones who get a show, I don't hear them tell stories about anything.  Or if they do they are so inconsequential that I don't even notice.   I love to bake (usually follow recipes that I find interesting/tasty/sweet. not even close to being an expert amateur) but I bake stuff that I like to eat.  And guess what? I don't have a story for anything I bake!  

 

On Monday, July 10, 2017 at 4:18 AM, Snarklepuss said:

Matthew is IMO definitely a plant and he'll be around as long as TPTB think he's providing entertainment.

It was kind of surprising that Addie left before Amy but I have no doubt Amy will soon follow.  Addie seemed like a much older person.  I'm 59 and I felt like she could be older than me based on the way she acted.  She was overly frumpy and controlled.  She said something about how she was raised to be the way she is, whatever that means.  Was she raised in the basement of a Presbyterian church??   All she needed to complete the picture were the crustless pimento cheese sandwiches, LOL.

 

On Monday, July 10, 2017 at 0:46 PM, goldenpuppy said:

OMG! These pots are cracking me up today!  It makes the show bearable!   

Giada seems to have major food issues!  She is supposed to be dipping a potato in sauce, but instead she takes her little spoon and eats a tiny drop of the sauce!  

Jason- I didn't mind him on the baking championship, but I can not stand his stupid sayings,!     And hearing words like"eyetalian",  and "juuuulie",  and other strange words, will get annoying and old fast.  I am glad the finally called him out on his folksy little saying. It gets to be too too much.  I don't think I could stomach much of his annoying Forrest Gump voice, and sayings.

Rusty actually was tolerable, and showed some ability to be  creative and flexible.  I just wish we could get a way from having another Guy Fierri on the network, but he  annoyed me the least of anyone.

Matthew is just arrogant.  I am sure he is only there for entertainment, but he's so annoying!

Addie-So robotic and boring, but I didn't think she was the worst.

Amy - She is wearing thing. She always seems crabby and annoyed, and she did a horrible job on her presentation. I think they might just be keeping her because they find her life so interesting, which I do not get at all.

Cory - Very good cook, but so so full of himself.  I think he could be a good addition to the FN in spite of his arrogance. I think they need to stop going for the "personalities",and get someone poised who can cook.

 

On Monday, July 10, 2017 at 5:32 PM, Pallida said:

I'm really tired of the "we need to hear about your family" push. I don't think it's exclusively foisted about the women on the show, but it feels like it's more common towards them. Perhaps it's more the "home cooks" receive it over the "professional chefs?" Not everybody grew up in a loving household, and not everybody wants to shove their family members into the spotlight. (This isn't to rage against those who choose to tell family stories, but I find it problematic to demand family stories.) 

As much as I don't like Matthew, I actually appreciated him pushing back on the "how much time do I devote to the story versus the actual process of cooking?" You know what will incentivize me to try a recipe? Seeing how hard it is to prepare and seeing the steps along the way. I don't need to hear about how your grandmother wooed your grandfather over with this great dessert back in the 40s and you've modernized it with some fancy twist - but time's up so you have to look at the website. If a presenter can do both at the same time, that's great! 

Addie seems so repressed and it makes me want to corrupt her. But, I still would prefer her approach over others that feel like used car salesmen.

Maybe I'm not the norm though :) 

When my great grandmother was escaping the old country, she brought along her only friend, a chicken.  That chicken died fighting off thugs so she could sneak on to a ship.  To this day every time I boil an egg, my family does a twenty minute folk dance in honor of that brave chicken.

See nothing stupid or ridiculous about having a story about everything you cook.

Corey was my favorite in the beginning.  Does anyone else get the feeling that Cory's part of Louisiana looks down a little on Rusty's part of Louisiana?

"My part of Louisiana has fresh sophisticated flavors, with fit good looking people who keep their beards immaculately groomed...compare to Rusty's Louisiana, where everyone is fat with messy beards.

[Snarklepuss]

Addie reminded me a little of a less likeable Sara Moulton down to being associated with a culinary icon (in Sara's case Julia Child), but I doubt FN would want to go back there again.  I love Sara and Addie is no Sara.

Regarding Giada's cut-out dress - Cut-outs seem to be the "thing" this season.  Just be happy they were little cut outs and not the usual cleavage sized "boob window" she has worn in the past, LOL!  Amy's talking head blouse also has tiny cut-outs, but only on the top yoke.

Re: How they seem so much more comfortable and "themselves" in their talking heads than in their presentations - In addition to knowing they're being judged, don't forget that they're under insane time constraints in those presentations, with cameras, camera people and cards shoved in their faces putting the pressure on full-tilt.  It would unnerve anyone!  Plus it seemed to me like in at least one segment (the one where Rusty stopped talking too soon) they weren't even given time cards to know how much time they had left for their presentations!  Is that some kind of sabotage?  Holy moving target, Batman!
 

On 7/10/2017 at 6:53 PM, jackjill89 said:

I don't think the whole family thing has anything to do with hosting a FN show or being a celeb chef, it has to do with THIS show and them wanting the audience to get to know the contestants. It's a way of getting these contestants to go through the paces. I don't care about any of it. Show me someone who can actually cook and seems pleasant and authentic on air. That's all I want. That's all I need.

I agree, but it's all they've got given that the people that developed this show are no longer around and no one else cares enough to change anything even though the original concept has lost its meaning and focus.  I think their insistence on relating their food back to their experiences/families, etc. is like a "demo." of them in a nutshell, or audition where the person gives a sample of their routine, whether it be dancing or comedy or whatever.  It's like in the old movies where the person is trying out for a role on stage in front of the judges and the guy with the big cigar says, "OK, Kid, show me whatcha got".  It doesn't mean they want the contestants to tell a personal story on every show.  That would be ridiculous.  It's primarily for the judges' benefit to see the contestants in the context of everything about them, not just their food.

32 minutes ago, qtpye said:

When my great grandmother was escaping the old country, she brought along her only friend, a chicken.  That chicken died fighting off thugs so she could sneak on to a ship.  To this day every time I boil an egg, my family does a twenty minute folk dance in honor of that brave chicken.

ROTF! - Sounds like a story Lidia Bastianich might tell!

[Mabinogia]

2 hours ago, MajorWoody said:

I haven't been a fan of Rusty prior to this episode, but he did a great job. Not in just taking on the toughest assignment, but unlike numerous other contestants over the years he accepted the challenge and did not whine for forty minutes about it. That might have been the best performance of the entire season.

Rusty impressed me this episode. I love how he handled getting the garden party. He joked about him being the big guy doing the dainty party then got to work. Didn't harp on it, didn't cry about it, just made something great out of it. Go Rusty. If he took his loud down a few notches I think he's got a shot.

I, too, forget David is there to the extent that until someone mentioned the biceps, I couldn't pick David out of a lineup. But, if he had a show, I might stop and watch. While if Matthew gets a show, or gets judge gigs, I will actively avoid whatever show he is on the way I avoid Guy (that guys voice OMG!!!!) to the point that, as soon as I see him I change the channel to ANYTHING. I just hit the button in panic before that screeching attacks my eardrums. Addie I'd watch at night if I couldn't sleep. Better than Ambien that woman is. The rest are all some variation of annoying or forgettable.

39 minutes ago, qtpye said:

Corey was my favorite in the beginning.  Does anyone else get the feeling that Cory's part of Louisiana looks down a little on Rusty's part of Louisiana?

And thus, a new show was born, Louisiana Turf Wars, staring Gentleman Cory and Hillbilly Rusty. Watch as they duke it out over the best way to make gumbo, or Cory shows Rusty how to eat with proper utensils while Rusty teaches Cory how to wrestle an alligator (and other such offensive stereotypes are enacted).

[BusyOctober]

Decided to watch this season via OnDemand and even though I can FF thru the ads, I find myself FF'g thru the show too.  None of these people interest me enough to watch a 30 min show every week.

Jason is my favorite, but I still wouldn't tune in to hear his folksy witticisms every week.  

Rusty may be a great guy and a very good cook, but does FN really need another doughy &/or loud mouthed "personality"dude with a show?  Isn't Guy hogging that demographic (and most of the time slots) already? Jeff Mauro isn't enough "personality" for the general public?  And aren't there a couple of big mouth bass guys showing ridiculously oversized foods and jamming them in their gapping maws?  None of those shows capture my attention now (in fact, they are the very reason I don't watch much FN anymore).  Another jolly Paul Bunyan sized man hollerin' "How y'all doooin, Y'ALLL?!?!" at me won't get me to tune in. 

Matthew needs to go far far away from the cameras.  But he won't.  He will keep popping up on FN for several more months/shows, and then he'll be sent to the Cooking Channel to linger in FN "Star" losers lounge limbo.  

Cory will be a finalist, if not the winner.  He is talented and experienced, and he is good looking and southern, so FN can finally cut all ties with the Deen Bros. 

[Gregg247]

I absolutely hated Matthew last season and couldn't wait for him to be kicked off the show.  Then, he went through "Comeback Kitchen", then he did "Comeback Kitchen" again this season, and now here he is again.  For some reason, I now find him oddly endearing.  He's a really good chef, and routinely turns out great looking, and (according to the judges) great tasting dishes.  

He's a total jerk.  He knows it, we know it, he never tries to hide it.  He is what he is.  I remember a young Bobby Flay winning "Iron Chef" (the real "Iron Chef", not the Americanized version) and jumping up onto the cooking counter in celebration, creating quite a scandal.  If he can grow past that, I think Matthew can mature somewhat as well.

I'm rooting for him to win this thing.  (But would I want to meet him in person?  No way!) LOL

[susannot]

20 hours ago, cooksdelight said:

I did Cory's pickle juice brined chicken in the smoker today. Showed him a photo and he said  it looked great. Photo didn't do justice to the taste, it was delicious. :)

Want recipe!  Do you have to use a smoker? because I don't have one

[PamelaMaeSnap]

Maybe I missed it ... and clearly it doesn't matter since he's a front-runner ... but I don't think Rusty had any idea what a garden party is. And obviously no one clued him in ... I missed what someone said that he did mention not being dainty, but the fact is that a garden party doesn't mean using a bunch of items from your garden; it means a luncheon or afternoon tea IN the garden for snooty biddies LOL with little sammies and tea cakes and stuff. 

If he did indeed refer to not being dainty, then I guess he did understand that ... and I agree that what he made looked good and everything ... but he came nowhere NEAR what the assignment was and NONE of the judges ever mentioned that, even in passing (something like "well, I guess maybe a big ol' Louisiana guy doesn't know what a garden party and this doesn't mean what you think it means but we'll give you a pass on that").

I am sure had a less favored contestant made such a gaffe Giaaaaaaaada and Mr. Eyebrows would have harped on it big time.

For me, right now, the current remaining six (and whatever person comes back from Salvation Station or whatever it's called) is the biggest collective trainwreck I've ever seen on this show. Jason and David are the only two who, for me, have been making consistently delicious-looking/sounding food. Cory tends to get very deer in the headlights when the pressure is on but I think his good looks will make him a lock for Top 2. They clearly have deck stacked for a male winner. 

I also have to assume Matthew will go far because he is so universally and deservedly detested that they would not have chosen him of all the possible also-rans had they not planned for him to be Top 2 or 3. 

[cooksdelight]

15 minutes ago, susannot said:

Want recipe!  Do you have to use a smoker? because I don't have one

You don't need a smoker, in fact you can add breading and fry it if you like. I took the juice of one large jar of dill pickles, and threw a few extra pickle slices in there also. Put it all in a ziplock bag and let it sit for at least 4 hours, but it's better overnight. When I put it in the smoker, I added some of Kent Rollins' seasoning blend sprinkled on top. If you want to fry it, mix together one cup of flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, salt and pepper to taste, and toss the chicken pieces in that before frying.

[susannot]

42 minutes ago, cooksdelight said:

You don't need a smoker, in fact you can add breading and fry it if you like. I took the juice of one large jar of dill pickles, and threw a few extra pickle slices in there also. Put it all in a ziplock bag and let it sit for at least 4 hours, but it's better overnight. When I put it in the smoker, I added some of Kent Rollins' seasoning blend sprinkled on top. If you want to fry it, mix together one cup of flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, salt and pepper to taste, and toss the chicken pieces in that before frying.

Thx!  I usually brine my chicken with buttermilk but this would be lower in calories.

[Wings]

23 hours ago, spiderpig said:

I don't have any issues with Bobby, but when I see him I think "January Jones".  Giada is more problematic.  I think "John Mayer".  Ewwww.

Naughty gossip aside, Bobby has a solid reputation for working flavors, and I find him funny in a deadpan way.  Maybe he's tired of having to put up with Giada and her spitbucket.  LBH is just there for us to pick on.  That, or the De Laurentiis family is footing some of the production costs.

I agree on Bobby but I think of his new primary squeeze/fuck who was a guest judge on Beat Bobby Flay.  

12 hours ago, qtpye said:

 

 

 

When my great grandmother was escaping the old country, she brought along her only friend, a chicken.  That chicken died fighting off thugs so she could sneak on to a ship.  To this day every time I boil an egg, my family does a twenty minute folk dance in honor of that brave chicken.

See nothing stupid or ridiculous about having a story about everything you cook.

Corey was my favorite in the beginning.  Does anyone else get the feeling that Cory's part of Louisiana looks down a little on Rusty's part of Louisiana?

"My part of Louisiana has fresh sophisticated flavors, with fit good looking people who keep their beards immaculately groomed...compare to Rusty's Louisiana, where everyone is fat with messy beards.

I love that story about your grandmother!  

They don't give them enough time to tell a cute story but they are not making it clear on how to interject your life into your cooking.  For instance, Amy (military wife) need only include one sentence.  As a military wife we moved around a lot and I picked up tips from many cultures.  Done.  They know her background and she tied it too food.  You don't have to tell them where you were born and raised (mountains of the middle east aka Detroit) to get your background in there.  They are confused. 

[Refresh]

A few people have referenced Cory being elitist or snobbish but I don't get that from him. Just more uptight and perfectionistic.   I can't knock the perfectionist tendencies. One, because I have them too. But moreso because if you run your own restaurant you have to be that somewhat. Doesn't make him good at this show, but I don't think it's an "i'm better than you" thing he has. But TV is a weird medium.

 

8 hours ago, PamelaMaeSnap said:

If he did indeed refer to not being dainty, then I guess he did understand that ... and I agree that what he made looked good and everything

Ok Rusty's dish. I like veggies. It looked good but I thought the way he put the toast in the green pea hummus, standing up on their sides, was SUCH a dude plating - it looked like Stonehenge.

 

11 hours ago, Gregg247 said:

He's a total jerk.  He knows it, we know it, he never tries to hide it.  He is what he is.  I remember a young Bobby Flay winning "Iron Chef" (the real "Iron Chef", not the Americanized version) and jumping up onto the cooking counter in celebration, creating quite a scandal.  If he can grow past that, I think Matthew can mature somewhat as well.

Interesting comparison. I recall it was not just the counter that Flay-san stood on but his cutting board, which is considered a sacred tool that should be kept clean etc. That is what offended Morimoto. All hypothetical but If Matthew went to Japan for Iron Chef he would do something way worse and he'd probably start a war.  Ha. Obviously Matthew has potential for maturity. But he's not mature now, so i just want him to go away. 

Edited July 13, 2017 by Refresh
fixed embedded image

[LittleIggy]

15 hours ago, qtpye said:

 

Corey was my favorite in the beginning.  Does anyone else get the feeling that Cory's part of Louisiana looks down a little on Rusty's part of Louisiana?

"My part of Louisiana has fresh sophisticated flavors, with fit good looking people who keep their beards immaculately groomed...compare to Rusty's Louisiana, where everyone is fat with messy beards.

Naw, Corey is from North Louisiana, the boring part, so he is jealous of Randy who is from South Louisiana, the Cajun part of the state where New Orleans is located. People don't visit LA to go to Monroe.

[suebee12]

17 hours ago, MajorWoody said:

1. I don't know if he was trying to be humorous about the claim Kentucky has the most shoreline, or he truly believed it, but it was weird. His cooking still is nothing special, though.

Lennie Briscoe posted this:

Kentuckians apparently count every single inlet and cove....

http://www.kentuckytourism.com/explore/regions/southern_lakes.aspx

So I checked a little further because I could not believe that FL or MN wouldn't have the most shoreline and here is what I found. First there is a difference in "shoreline" and "coastline" although sometimes it is used interchangeably . Anyway, according to this item I found on Wiki, the winner is Michigan depending on what you count as shoreline!

Michigan has the longest freshwater coastline in the US and the second longest coast line in the US next to Alaska. World Book Encyclopedia (v.13, p.500 of the 2000 edition) states that Michigan's shoreline, at 3,288 miles is "more than any other state except Alaska which would include coastline. Is that confusing enough?