Top Chef

March 27, 2006

Reality TV is not something we watch in our house. Cooking shows, cartoons, those fun folks on the History channel- no Survivor or The Apprentice or any of that stuff. Until Bravo came out with Project Runway- Mom is addicted and got the rest of us hooked. So what could be better than Runway in the kitchen I ask you? Well they almost got it right.

I shall attempt to blog, write about, angst over, whatever you wish to call it, Top Chef- the show that could have been, but never shall be as good as Project Runway. (Yes that was the longest sentence ever.)

Stephen Aspronio-Wine Boy: Wine Boy is a snob. Seriously. He believes he is all that and the bag of Route 11 Chips. Possibly with a soda too. He is talented and unfortunately rubs it in and makes a mockery of everyone. In what I assume is supposed to be a sophisticated manner, including his equals. In other words, the Santino of the kitchen.

Memorable Moment: The look on his face when Miguel won the Sexy Food Challenge. Kind of reminded my of my dog Folly, the way he cocked his head.

Andrea Beaman- Squirrel Girl: I like her and her inspirational story. She is very nice, but can only make granola bars. Not that they aren't nice granola bars, its just that they are granola bars.

Memorable Moment: When she was looking up at RuPaul trying her food. It made me giggle.

Harold Dieterle- Mom's Favorite: He is very good and very boring. But the guy obviously knows what he's doing.

Memorable Moment: When Wine Boy robbed him of his win. Darn you Wine Boy!

Tiffani Faison-Does not play well with others: She is very talented and not overall snobbish about her talents. Not modest either, but then again none of them are. She just has social issues.

Memorable Moment: The oven ordeal with Chloe Clone. That was like watching kindergarteners fight. It was great. Now that's reality TV folks..

Brian Hill- Black Guy: You know what? I actually have nothing negative to say about this guy. He is talented and kind. And his food for the Sexy Food competition really looked good. Wow, a decent, normal human being, way to go!

Candice Kumai- Model Girl: She is okay and not that bad really. I read the bio on the Bravo site, and must say, I do not understand what she thinks she will achieve by making barefoot cooking sexy. But you know, whatever happens to float your boat and give you a purpose.

Memorable Moment: The tidbits of the argument between her and Wine Boy for episode three. That looks like a classic.

Kenneth Lee- Huh!? Guy: He back talks and is worse than Wine Boy. He also appears to think he is a samurai. Oddly enough he is the first one out. I think they were afraid he might hurt someone before they got him on the right medication.

Memorable Moment: The snippet of application footage. Scarey.

Dave Martin- Gay Guy: Nothing really notable, but if he doesn't screw up badly he might come from the outside and do well. He might be too nice to get too far here.

Miguel Morales- Jay McCarroll cooks! My favorite to win. He is Jay without the poncho, cigarette and funky glasses. Very talented, very funny, right up my alley.

Lisa Parks- The Mom: I haven't really seen much of her yet but she appears to have the ability to do well. Seems like a very nice lady, but she may well be out of her league here.

Cynthia Sestito- Emo Chick: I like her, she reminds me of my Aunt Sandy (who is also a chef), except Sandy is a lot more organized in the kitchen and doesn't cuss that much. She isn't spectacular but has some ability and should be able to use it. Cheer up Emo Girl!

Memorable Moment: Finding out her dad was dying, you have to give her a lot of credit for holding it together for crying out loud!

Lee Anne Wong- Chloe Clone: I cannot look at this woman and not think of Chloe Dao. She has that same nice person calm vibe. She has what it takes and should provide some great entertainment later on.

Memorable Moment: Oven ordeal, which I think she TOTALLY got ripped off on. But she acted like the grown up and kept on going.

I think some of these guys were cloned in the same vats as some of the Project Runway contestants. God I miss that show. But I have hopes this one can fill the void. And watching these people cook with all the other crazy stuff going on has the potential to be a lot of fun. And the food all looks pretty interesting too. Stay tuned, we all might learn something!

Name: Minerva, Goddess of geeks. Age: 14 Occupation: Writing food essays, going to school and driving Mom crazy. Hobbies: Collecting quotes, petting dogs, messing up my friend's hair and annoying my Mom. Life so far: Born. Made it through middle school alive. My Favs: Ice cream, my dog, .hack , 3rd period, the Daily Show, british humor. anime, the Discovery Channel and my iPod. My Minions: my dog, Duke, Phil the Wizard Monkey of Oz, Ed Elric and Patsy Stone.

Email questions or comments for these two young women to webmaster@drgourmet.com.