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Top Chef Watch: Like Peas In A Pod?
You have probably noticed that the last few episodes of Top Chef have been lacking something. That something would be a theme, or a constant in all the challenges. Weak tie ins had left me wondering whether or not this season was going to utilize the D.C. theme to its full potential. After watching the latest episode, I’d be just fine with a little under-utilization.
The producers decided to lay it on thicker than syrup on pancakes with more grinning, goobery politicians and analysts than you can shake a stick at; or fit on a large barbecue grill, depending on your personal tastes. It’s all about the food, of course, but Top Chef believes that when it comes to lobbying and deal making, the same is true. I don’t know about you, but the healthcare bill wasn’t passed because of some tasty lobster. Seriously, it would have taken at least a Turducken for me to get on board. But maybe some politicians’ standards are lower than mine; it’s possible.
However this was, thankfully, quickly overshadowed by the fervent drama going on in the kitchen. The rivalry between Ed and Alex blew up tonight in what could be called the greatest pea heist of the century. Before I get too far ahead of myself, let’s take a look at the Quickfire Challenge.
The youngest congressman (a smiley fellow from Illinois) gave the challenge to our cheftestants. Apparently, the ethics committee believes that buying meals for politicians is an easy way to buy off votes. To solve this problem, they decided that all food served to a politician must come on a tooth pick. I’m not sure what the exact specifications are, but I’d just get a bigger tooth pick, right? I mean, I’ve seen some giant tooth picks in sandwiches before, and if the lobbyists can afford to buy votes to begin with, you’d think this wouldn’t be an issue.
Regardless, some of the dishes did end up looking rather pleasant. Stephen’s scallop and beef dish impressed, but in the end, Angelo took the Quickfire win, immunity, and $20,000. Again. The chefs don’t like Angelo, despite the fact that his rather explosive personality has cooled in the last couple of weeks. But they say that success brings jealousy, and Angelo has certainly had a lot of success with Top Chef thus far.
The Elimination Challenge entrusted the world’s survival to the chefs when they were asked to create power lunches for the guests of The Palm restaurant. Cause nothing says sanctions against nuclear arms more than a great porterhouse, am I right? The self importance of this episode was nauseating, but that’s television I suppose.
Amid the pomp and circumstance came a rather shocking and possibly underdeveloped story. Ed and Alex have been at each other’s throats all season long, but when Ed’s pea puree went missing, and a pea puree happened to end up on Alex’s dish… Well, let’s just say there’s something fishy about that. My real problem is that, again, the producers seem less interested in creating a fair competition and more interested in making good television. As such, there was no investigation into Alex’s possibly malfeasance, nor was any factual light shed upon anything to do with the controversy. It didn’t even come up at Judge’s Table, which leaves me wondering just what kind of competition this is; a fair one? Or an entertaining one?
Jacob’s Pick: Ed
Even without his pea puree, Ed shined by poaching giant lobsters (seriously, those deadliest catch guys have nothing on these bad boys) with eggplant and asparagus fricassee. He ended up in the top three, along with his buddy Tiffany, and of course, Alex. I don’t believe this top three could have possibly been more contrived. The three contestants thrust deepest into the controversy all ended up in the top three, and I can’t believe that it was a coincidence.
Judge’s Pick: Alex
If picking Alex as the winner this week was done to inflame viewers, it succeeded. A note to the producers of Top Chef: If you’re going to crown Alex as the winner, don’t you think you should make sure the star of his dish is actually his? As I said, fairness doesn’t seem to matter to Top Chef, but good drama sure does.
Pack It: Andrea
Okay, so my prediction came a little bit late, but to be fair, both Kelly and Andrea ended up in the bottom three tonight. Kevin hit a stumbling block after his first win last week, and Kelly continued her dull plod through the competition. None of the food seemed overly bad, if not all that tasty. However, I will not complain about seeing one of my least favorite contestants sent packing, so bon voyage, Andrea. Have a lovely time serving food in your Crocs and army jeans elsewhere!
Top Chef is walking the line between entertaining and unfair. They better keep their eyes open wide, their ends out for the tie that binds, and keep a close eye on the hearts of their viewers if they want us to reamin faithful to their cooking dramedy.
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