Masterchef (US) - General Discussion

[rubinia]

On 8/8/2019 at 11:32 PM, Dance4Life said:

I notice they are kinda soft on the contestants.  They make sure to  keep calling them home cooks and judge them against each other.  Not against a professional standard.

This is true for the individual challenges but not the "restaurant takeover" challenges, which I think are absolutely useless. They're not trying to be a head chef or run their own restaurant, so why are you making them cook on a line and screaming if they aren't the world's best team leaders?

Edited August 10, 2019 by rubinia

[El maestro]

6 hours ago, rubinia said:

This is true for the individual challenges but not the "restaurant takeover" challenges, which I think are absolutely useless. They're not trying to be a head chef or run their own restaurant, so why are you making them cook on a line and screaming if they aren't the world's best team leaders?

I agree. You are looking for the best home cook, not for the best chef in a restaurant. That’s would be Hell’s Kitchen.

the way the show is edited makes you believe that in the team challenges the person who yells more or runs more is the leader. A real leader doesn’t need to be screaming to everybody.

In team challenges some of the people who “do good” are just managing a station, not really being creative or resourceful. Hey I fried 30 pounds of fries, I am the best... oh great.

I still believe when they show Shuba totally lost during a team challenge, probably only happens a few times, and if we could be there, we would see many contestants having to be redirected several times. 

I haven’t worked in media in a while, but I doubt we watch even 10 per cent of everything that is recorded. In one of the European MC editions a former contestant said that in studio they spent the whole day preparing, recording and interviewing with several cameras and of course, only a small part of it was aired.

Edited August 11, 2019 by El maestro
iPad keyboard not being friendly

[El maestro]

Who is going to be eliminated next?

my prediction, Bri, then Micah and the next could be Nic.

Edited August 11, 2019 by El maestro

[galaxychaser]

Eliminated next: Subah, Bri, Nick, Shari, Noah, Jamie

Final 2: Dorian and Micah 

Honestly I’m not rooting for anyone.

Edited August 11, 2019 by galaxychaser

[displayname]

Yeah since Fred isn't there, I don't really have a favorite. I'd probably like either Dorian or Shari to win.

[MarylandGirl]

Yeah, I have no idea who I'm rooting for at this point. Maybe the fisherman guy, whatever his name is? Or possibly Shari or Dorian?

Edited August 11, 2019 by MarylandGirl

[mlp]

I'm rooting for Jamie myself.  He hasn't received a lot of attention so far but he hasn't been judged poorly either and I like him.  My interest in Shari diminished during the team episode.  I think Micah and the pretty ex-Army blonde (forgot her name - not a good sign) will make it to final four.  

I liked Fred but his personality bordered on obsequious.  He wasn't ready for the big time.  I like the cute college boy too but I don't see him making it to the end.

[eel21788]

1 hour ago, MarylandGirl said:

Or possibly Shari or Dorian?

They've both been sore losers in the past. That's a huge turn off for me.

[HeShallBMySquishy]

On 8/3/2019 at 9:27 PM, jewel21 said:

I really like Nick but I feel he's going to get eliminated pretty soon. Which is a pity, because he's really pretty to look at in addition to being what seems like a nice guy. But he's definitely been struggling lately and his macaroons were pretty bad. 

Shari's macarons looked delicious. I wish I lived in her house so I could eat them every day, heh. 

Agree with all of this. Nick has been my eye-candy all season, so am glad he's still there for that reason, LOL Plus, he's turned out to be pretty competent, last few episodes notwithstanding. He's pulled out information I didn't even know!

Her turn as Team Captain also notwithstanding, I think Shari could definitely still be a front-runner. And they absolutely looked delicious. If I lived with her, I'd be waddling out the door in no time.

[HeShallBMySquishy]

On 8/5/2019 at 12:08 AM, cooksdelight said:

Did not know this until today.... Noah once weighed 360 lbs, was addicted to sugar. Now, he’s down to 247. Amazing. Especially given his love of food. I don’t think he’s mentioned any of this on the show yet, has he?

No mention of this yet. As someone who struggled with weight in the past, I know it is not easy, and to lose over 100 pounds? Good for him! (Sorry, everyone! I'm just getting caught up, still on Page 14.)

He's actually starting to grow on me. I don't think he'll win, and he can still annoy, but not as much as he used to.

Edited August 11, 2019 by HeShallBMySquishy
Added Some Stuff

[eel21788]

On ‎8‎/‎11‎/‎2019 at 4:18 PM, HeShallBMySquishy said:

Her turn as Team Captain also notwithstanding, I think Shari could definitely still be a front-runner. 

Last episode she took over Renee's and Sarah's line about, "My real life has prepared me for this." Being a mother and watching your kids run around has nothing to do with preparing food for NASCAR racers. Crap like that is always a total turn off for me. It's why I couldn't wait for Renee to go, and I'm not rooting for Sarah. "I'm a military interrogator," doesn't take you very far as a chef, and I don't know why she is expecting otherwirse.

Edited August 15, 2019 by eel21788

[HeShallBMySquishy]

Oh yeah, same for me, but what can you do? I've learned to ignore it, since more and more cooks trot that out. For me, the really annoying thing is on this and other shows, when parents show up at the start of a season and say, "I procreated! I deserve to be here more!" And those parents seem to get even more obnoxious about it as the season progresses. Fuck off.

Nothing against parents, but I cannot stand that attitude.

[galaxychaser]

Here is one nice thing about season 10. I know something nice about amazing season 10.

No sob stories on weekly basis. No one says I’m here because it was my grandparents dying wish. Or my nephew has cancer. Or I got lupus and I’m still here even though I am so sick. Or my dad died last month. 

[NowVoyager]

51 minutes ago, galaxychaser said:

Here is one nice thing about season 10. I know something nice about amazing stunning  season 10.

No sob stories on weekly basis. No one says I’m here because it was my grandparents dying wish. Or my nephew has cancer. Or I got lupus and I’m still here even though I am so sick. Or my dad died last month. 

There. Fixed that for you.

Well, Dorian did talk about her mom's cancer when she made the pink champagne cake. (Not gonna lie. I teared up.) But, you're right; it's nice that aspect isn't over done. Plus, that cake looked soo good I wanted to lick my tv screen! & I'm not even much of a sweets person.

Edited August 12, 2019 by NowVoyager

[Such A Flirt]

Jamie won't win, he's too low-profile. And Shari is too low-confidence. Sarah and Nick - nope.

So Dorian vs. Micah seems right, with Noah being the wild card.

[SweetSin]

I'm just going to hold out hope that Fred returns. It's S10 after all since they like to beat us over the head with it and S10 has twists and turns don't ya know.

Josh from S3 returned after the remaining contestants chose his dish as the best over Flavor Elevator. 

[preeya]

6 hours ago, Such A Flirt said:

Jamie won't win, he's too low-profile. And Shari is too low-confidence. Sarah and Nick - nope.

So Dorian vs. Micah seems right, with Noah being the wild card.

Last season (#9 nothing special there) there were three finalists Ashley, Cesar, and Gerron. If they stay with that format, I'll go with Sarah, Dorian, and Micah as the finalists for epic SEASON TEN.

[rubinia]

I think with Subha being all "I'm meant to be here!" last week, he'll be eliminated this week.

[Maximoose]

On 8/10/2019 at 12:33 AM, DaphneCat said:

I'm calling BS.  Yes, Fred undercooked the steak but he used all the elements.  Bri barely used the truffle.  If the challenge is to use all the ingredients in a way they could be tasted, she should have gone home.  Granted Fred wasn't going to win but I really think the reason Gordon said he was going to call Christina Tosi was because they knew they were  keeping an inferior cook.

Wouldn't surprise me--it was assuredly an elimination call by whichever producer Ms crocodile tears has in her pocket

[Aerobicidal]

21 hours ago, SweetSin said:

I'm just going to hold out hope that Fred returns. It's S10 after all since they like to beat us over the head with it and S10 has twists and turns don't ya know.

Really? I've had so much trouble trying to remember which season it is. This reminder is stunning.

[Yeah No]

On 8/11/2019 at 3:34 PM, mlp said:

I liked Fred but his personality bordered on obsequious.  He wasn't ready for the big time.  I like the cute college boy too but I don't see him making it to the end.

I liked Fred too and was sorry to see him go (especially when it was against Bri) but agree with you that he wasn't ready for the big time.  I don't get all the "Now that Fred's gone I'm not watching" stuff either.  I didn't think there was enough great about him to get that upset about him.  He was nice but seemed somewhat limited in his skill set and immature.  Perhaps in a decade and after some experience with Tosi he'll mature somewhat.  I think he deserves the opportunity and wish him the best.

[Yeah No]

On 8/12/2019 at 2:49 AM, Such A Flirt said:

Jamie won't win, he's too low-profile. And Shari is too low-confidence. Sarah and Nick - nope.

So Dorian vs. Micah seems right, with Noah being the wild card.

I'm kind of with you on this.  Judging from how much and what kind of attention is given to contestants by this point in the competition, that's how it looks like it's shaping up.  Although I wouldn't count out Sarah or Nick just yet.  I think they are perhaps lesser wild cards along with Noah and right now could go either way.  And of course they'll keep "Subaru" (his word!) around as long as possible before sending him home with the highest of praise.  Speaking of Subha, I hate how Gordon bullies him.

[DEL901]

Remember, Micah was Gordon's horse in the race when they had that cook off for the last spot.  Of course, he'll go far.

I want to like Dorian and Shari, but they both irritate me but not as much as Noah.  

But there's no one left I hate.  Really, there were only a couple and they, surprisingly, left early in the season.

[potatoradio]

On 8/8/2019 at 11:10 PM, Aerobicidal said:

molecular Christmas trees

Thank you, @Aerobicidal. My band really needed a stunning, amazing, season ten worthy name!  We take the stage in tight mustard colored pants and our instruments include crab legs (played only by those with shellfish allergies) and the delightful wobble woosh of Aaron's gently tapped and set swinging jowls and a medley of Joe's sniffs. We rock the damn house.

Also....hydroplaning mushrooms....Lordy, Lordy, honey, smack me with a spun honey wand and show me the beekeeper. You rock my world. 

Oh, and Fred got F'd. What kind of consolation prize is it to have him, a creator of refined sugary and pretty things, knuckled under the knobby thumb of Christina Tosi? You know, the one who dumps Fruity Pebbles and candy rocks into a cake batter and then dusts JUST the top (elegant!) with go-go pixie dust? Not that Candace would be much more pleasant, but damn, at least she knows how to frost a damn cake. 

[mlp]

2 hours ago, DEL901 said:

I want to like Dorian and Shari, but they both irritate me but not as much as Noah.  

I don't mind Noah and I definitely like him better than Dorian.  She seemed very nice early on but she lost me when she was teamed up with Subha and became a shrieking, nasty witch.  I also don't like that she seems to feel entitled because she works hard at her job and has kids - like that makes her special.  Her food does look good but not exceptional.  It looks to me like the judges deliberately want to push her through to the final four unless she sets the kitchen on fire.

[cameron]

1 hour ago, mlp said:

I don't mind Noah and I definitely like him better than Dorian.  She seemed very nice early on but she lost me when she was teamed up with Subha and became a shrieking, nasty witch.  I also don't like that she seems to feel entitled because she works hard at her job and has kids - like that makes her special.  Her food does look good but not exceptional.  It looks to me like the judges deliberately want to push her through to the final four unless she sets the kitchen on fire.

Did you really expect her to keep her composure in that tag team challenge with Subha.  He was just walking around in a cloud.  I would have yelled at him also.

[El maestro]

6 hours ago, cameron said:

Did you really expect her to keep her composure in that tag team challenge with Subha.  He was just walking around in a cloud.  I would have yelled at him also.

When you are forced to work with a person in a state of hysteria, the last thing you want to do is to lose your mind. Shuba did good when he had to do his part.

Edited August 14, 2019 by El maestro

[El maestro]

I have watched some MC seasons in the past or other international editions where some candidates didn’t receive a lot of tv time at the beginning of the show. The, in the last weeks before the finals, they started to appear more on the screen.

Claudia was considered a low profile contestant (she was  “saved” from elimination challenges) and she won MC season 6.

By the way she has been working as a judge in MC Latino, and in my opinion she is better in that position than Aaron or Christina “I am a baker” Tosi.

Edited August 14, 2019 by El maestro

[preeya]

For tonight's utterly stunning, amazingly brilliant, and incredibly incredible, Season Ten episode, we have this:

S10.E18: Mind Blowing Food

Summary:  The Top 9 enter the kitchen, surprised to see laser lights and smoke machines. The judges introduce chef Grant Achatz, and he and Gordon show the contestants the art of unconventional plating. The home cooks must use their newfound skills to cook and plate a dish of their choice using an array of props found in the pantry.  One will win immunity and a special prize, while the others will face elimination.

[DoctorK]

2 hours ago, preeya said:

laser lights and smoke machines. The judges introduce chef Grant Achatz, and he and Gordon show the contestants the art of unconventional plating.

I am so glad to see the show going back to being cooking. (/sarc just in case anyone missed it)

[preeya]

1 hour ago, DoctorK said:

I am so glad to see the show going back to being cooking. (/sarc just in case anyone missed it)

Cooking seems to have taken a backseat, but WTF is unconventional plating?

[cooksdelight]

2 minutes ago, preeya said:

WTF is unconventional plating?

Plating on a rock, on a slab of concrete, on a moving object ..... I have no idea, but knowing Gordon....

[Totale]

1 minute ago, cooksdelight said:

Plating on a rock

"Snot on a rock" is strictly Top Chef territory.

[preeya]

Here's a preview of tonight's STUNNING episode

[Aerobicidal]

13 minutes ago, preeya said:

Cooking seems to have taken a backseat, but WTF is unconventional plating?

I believe it's Subha's Twitter handle.

[susannot]

Hmmm.  This should be interesting.  Achatz is a higher end chef than they usually get on the show.

[Maximoose]

No tears tonight, only puree swirls

[DEL901]

I thought Micah’s was too similar to the demonstration.   

So, Subha is a Chemical Engineer.  So much for the edit he has been getting about not being that bright.   

Nick deserved the win.  

[susannot]

I don't actually remember what Nick made.   I'm glad that smug little Barbie Bri didn't win immunity, because she was all "everyone says I am so great at plating!"  Having said that, I would order her dish in a restaurant because I love scallops and those looked delicious.  

Wait.  Was Nick the contestant who took his KitchenAid up and just plopped it on the judges' table.  Give me a f--cking break.

[susannot]

If so Bri should have won.

[zillabreeze]

Oh FFS,  i can't believe I keep watching this idiocy.

So, throw your shit in the mixer bowl, drag the KitchenAid up to the judge and you're some kind of genius???  Ummm...what did you do for the other 55 minutes?

Barbie puts little doodles of seafood in seafood shells and that's Top 3 worthy?  That "stylish" crap was a thing in the 70's.  Guess they'd swoon over the escargot shoved back in their shells.

I like Dorian, but all I could think was "I hope she washed all the bugs out of that light fixture"

Since I apparently ain't got no couth, I thought the three little meat thingies in the foggy plate was the coolest.

[cooksdelight]

6 minutes ago, zillabreeze said:

So, throw your shit in the mixer bowl, drag the KitchenAid up to the judge and you're some kind of genius???

Plus, think about this for a minute .... if this were to be a restaurant quality dish, can you imagine all the tables being full of KitchenAid mixers?? Stupid!

[Madding crowd]

I also thought the meat hoe cakes on the steamy swamp was really cool. And I asked my husband, how would a restaurant be able to serve desserts with a Kitchen aide attached?

And I like Dorian but what was cool about sticking a cake in a light fixture? Another one where I didn’t understand the plating. I live in Chicago and couldn’t afford a $500 apiece dinner at Alinia, but I wouldn’t be impressed with green apple balloons or smears with crumbs in any case.

[Gramto6]

This challenge sort of reminded me of the splatter cake challenge on the Kid's Baking Contest. The demo especially did...

[preeya]

11 hours ago, preeya said:

For tonight's utterly stunning, amazingly brilliant, and incredibly incredible, Season Ten episode, we have this:

IMHO: utterly not stunning; unamazingly not brilliant; and uncredibly uncredible.  Sorry, MasterChef this just ain't my cup of tea.

An unbaked lemon meringue pie served in a mixer: give me a break.

[Samwise979]

Honestly I didn't mind this episode, it was different and interesting. Notice how they all cooked well with no restrictions. Telling them they could cook anything they wanted really brought the best out of them. (Except maybe Shari). I think Nick won because it was so good that the guest judge went back for more. Maybe Dorian's cake was tasty but her plating wasn't that creative, I thought Jamie should have been top 3 instead. 

[Aerobicidal]

Since today's episode was about creativity and art, I will express my thoughts on it in a series of haikus. (I can't figure out how to format the lines and spacing, but hopefully this is still understandable.)

Grant stunning Achatz

How did Gordon blackmail him?

Too good for this show

Molecular foods

Ten stunning years outdated

Like these rave lasers

Food in a test tube

What a tempting idea

Said no one ever

Apples seven ways:

A video from Pornhub

I wouldn’t dare watch

Harvard risk risk risk

College challenge risk Harvard

Stunning risk Harvard

Micah’s sob story

Makes me want to root for him

Vigorously. Not!

Big-ass manly hands

Inspire all my fantasies

Even septic ones

Bri’s faux caviar

Will take her off the bottom

Euphemism? Hmmm . . .

A stunning paintbrush

The traditional garnish

For human remains

“This is season ten?”

Is that really true, Gordon?

I’m so stunned right now

Nick and his Pyrex

Bowl served with a tiny pail

Win this? Seems contrived

Without contrivance,

Though, and condescension, this

Show would not exist

Edited August 15, 2019 by Aerobicidal
added last sentence in first paragraph

[Such A Flirt]

I thought for sure Sarah was going home for her crime scene dish, or maybe Shari - but then I remembered that no one was getting eliminated. Urgh.

Calling BS on Nick winning with that whatever it was thrown into a bowl with a blender for decoration. Jamie should have been in the Top 3.

Noah cracks me up, but not for the right reasons. And I won't even say what Subha's test tubes reminded me of. 

P.S. Dino! Damn, I miss him so much.

[hhawks]

I'm getting more and more annoyed with race car driver extraordinaire Gordon week by week, for his disrespect of Subha and for his drooling over Bri.  I thought for sure she would win tonight. and I give her that her plating was fancy, but I didn't expect Nick to win.  His mish mosh must have lost much of its appeal to the tv camera.  I can't wait for tomorrow's elimination to see what food Gordon will throw at the wall.  Oh wait, he only throws food during team challenges.

[mlp]

So Dorian makes a simple cake and sticks it in some glass thing she found and it's brilliant.  Subha brings up an interesting display with test tubes and Gordon says, "Really?" with a note of derision after he's seen someone bring up a "pie" in a mixer and and a failed presentation in a paint tray.  Aaron knocked himself out being even more pretentious than usual.  This would have been a good episode if it weren't for the judges.  Jamie should have been top 3 if not the winner.

I'm really sick of the way Gordon treats Subha.  He's a nice, well-educated man with a management level job and Gordon acts like he just dropped in from Lower Slobbovia.  If I were Subha, I'd be mad by this time.