Daily Loaf

As we saw in last week’s episode of Top Chef Las Vegas, the stakes and drama are getting higher and it’s getting harder to predict who will be going home next (with the majority of the weak links now gone). We’ve seen some of the heavy-hitters, like Ceveech (Jen), slipping up and some of the underdogs, like Robin, excel. I’m just excited that we’re finally getting to the meat of this competition, after cutting away the fat like Phranc (Preeti), Mary Kay Letourneau (Eve), and cleaner of Picasso’s paintbrushes, Ash.

Tonight’s episode looks entertaining because the cheftestants are getting all kinds of curve balls thrown at them. Their Quickfire Challenge is to cook a TV dinner (complete with plastic tray) inspired by a classic television show, i.e.: M*A*S*H, Gilligan’s Island, etc.

After viewing the preview video below, it looks as if some of the chefs are out of their element, like Eli who claims to have never eaten a TV dinner. And why would he when he lives at home with his mother who probably waits on him hand and foot? Our one-time favorite, whom some of us had in their top three, Ceveech, looks like she’s drowning in self-doubt again this week as well. Will this affect her power ranking or even her spot in the finale? (I know I’m changing my bet on the finale trifecta.)
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Goodbye Holly, Bridget and Kendra…hello Crystal, Karissa, and Kristina. The Girls Next Door revamp premiered last night and showcased the new and unimproved lifestyle of Mr. Hugh Hefner and his new girlfriends. Crystal (the new Holly) is 23 — which is a just a small, 60-year age difference with Hef, but of course everyone acts like it’s completely normal that an 83-year-old man sleeps with three barely-legal blondes. Crystal, although seemingly very sweet, really takes a back seat in this new show. The real stars are rowdy and wild twins from Clearwater, Karissa and Kristina.

These 20-year-old twins are a little insane. They consider themselves one person, and apparently, so does everyone else. They eat the same things, dress in the same clothes, and sleep in the same Read the rest of this entry »

You see it on Top Chef all the time. The hobbled, baby wildebeest limping around the kitchen. A chef barely hanging on in the competition. Scared and bleeding. On their last legs. With a few hyena snapping at their ankles. A lions pride, calmly in the brush, watching.Figuratively, Robin is that wildebeest.Literally, though, she’s a true survivor.Eli’s unfortunate comments cast judgment on Robin’s inspiration and victory this week. It was the type of comment that probably had more than one person, including myself, saying “Oh no, he didn’t”.
He did.I can’t defend his choice of words. Even though I can vouch for his character (he happens to be an extremely loyal and family-focused person).But I can help you imagine his mindset.When you’re a young chef, overly ambitious and obsessed with your craft, cancer doesn’t mean much.  When you work in a great restaurant and push hard every day, nothing else means as much.  A tight brunoise or turned vegetable are all that matters.  Life is barely a blip on the radar.
It reminds me of this quote from White Heat by Marco Pierre White.“When boys don’t last the pace that makes me feel good because I can and I will”. – chef de partie at Harvey’s.
That is a ruthless yet accurate comment. Read the rest of this entry »

Good Charlotte haters — and I know you’re out there — read no further.

I lost my Vegas virginity this summer on a trip with two of my girlfriends.  I learned there is only one problem with staying at the Luxor in June: It’s located just off the strip, so to get to where all the action is, you can walk or take a $20 cab ride. We never opted to walk off the prior night’s margaritas.

I was taking in the sights as our cab made its way downtown. In what I now believe to be divine intervention, we hit a red light in front of the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. The hotel’s electronic ticker boasted current promotions and events — hotel bargains, dining deals, Saturday night’s birthday bash for some celebrity I’d never heard of. And then I read something that excited me more than I’d like to admit: “Joel Madden DJing TONIGHT at Club Privé.”

I broke our silence with a noise that can only be compared to someone gasping for their first breath of air after being brought back from the dead. Startled, my friend Kellie asked, “What is it?”

“Oh my GOD, you guys! Joel Madden is going to be at Privé tonight!” I shrieked like a 15-year-old teeny bopper at, well, a Good Charlotte concert. “We have GOT to go there!”

Read the rest of this entry »

This week, we’re back in the Champagne Room (aka: the podcast bunker) to rag on episode 6 of the new season on Top Chef.

I have to admit that the “Angels and Devils” theme for the Quickfire Challenge was a bit cheesy (and so were some of the dishes, and I’m not talking dairy here). The cheftestants had to create a duo dish using one main component two ways. Some of the chefs were a bit peeved at Robin’s win with her apple salad and apple crisp. Was Eli right to mock her for playing the cancer story card? No. But I do have to say that Penn and Teller were awesome. Anyway, we welcomed back the lovely Michelle Bernstein from Miami (a past judge on Top Chef) as guest judge this week.

For their Elimination Challenge, the chefs had to deconstruct a classic dish but keep the same flavors of the original dish. The judges table was very- how shall I put this – bitchy this week. The claws were out with Padma and Michelle and it was no-holds-barred with the critiques to the chefs on the bottom of the barrel this week. It was also great to see Michelle put Toby Young in his place concerning the pronunciation of “paella” (and the city of “Barthelona”).

We also got to see Ben Folds (Ashley) on top again this week (surprisingly), as well as Redbeard (Kevin) and Angry Brother (Mike V.). From all of the flack and hate comments we received over last week’s post/episode, I won’t reveal the winner or loser. (But, seriously, why listen if you haven’t seen the episode yet?)

Highlights: Eli hates on Robin for pulling the ‘cancer card’, Ron “The Chowder King”’s not-s0-deconstructed paella, how to pronounce “paella”, Jeff’s new bell, Katie’s thing for married chefs, and our response about the spoilers from last week’s episode.

Hear the hilarious podcast after the jump:
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Toby Young is back, and he’s still “very, very British.”

In last night’s magic themed episode of Top Chef Las Vegas, Toby Young, the show’s resident foul mouthed, analogy-making Brit, returned to judge the remaining cheftestants deconstructed versions of classic dishes, from a showy caesar salad to eggs “foreign to me,” alongside deconstructionist showmen Penn and Teller. Fittingly, both classic British dishes – shepherd’s pie and fish and chips – flopped last night, failing to meet Toby, or even Teller’s, expectations. Ash’s shepherd’s pie was clunky on the plate and poorly cooked (his tomato looked like a bad tomato Provencal I actually did get at a buffet in Vegas) and Laurine’s fish and two chips, aside from being overcooked, failed to recreate the fatty flavor of fries.

Ultimately, though, it was Ron’s pathetic paella, his countless mediocre fish dish of the season, that was deemed the worst of the night and sent the Haitian chef packing his knives. While I doubt Ron thought he was the best chef of the bunch, his disillusioned commentary (“I could win for this,” “I’ve made award-winning clam chowder”) made him seem out of touch with the competition and his abilities throughout much of the season. Thankfully, his heartfelt goodbye saved some face and helped to show that at least a part of his cocky/confused persona was created in editing. Keep living the dream, Ron – one day you can cook for Tyra Banks. Read the rest of this entry »

This week’s Top Chef certainly clarified that the cast’s brothers, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, are more than just a slick casting call exploited by the show to infuse more drama. Of course, if they were gay, well, that would have been network gold, I’m sure! Happily though, they are short on controversy and big on talent.

Our industry has some significant brother combinations. There are the Adria brothers, and the famed Troisgros family, even though the latter is more like a Jackson family phenomenon. And even as you’re reading this I’m sure you’re noting many more from your own local scene. Here in the Southeast, the Rathbun brothers come to mind.

I started to think about who they collectively remind me of, and lo and behold, it was made clear on Sunday. The Voltaggio boys are seemingly on a course to become the Mannings of the Top Chef universe. Read the rest of this entry »

In last night’s episode of Top Chef Las Vegas, Atlanta chef Kevin Gillespie became cheftestant royalty as he sat down for dinner alongside a panel of crazy famous French chefs, including the chef of the century “unicorn” Joel Robuchon. Kevin’s take on snails paired with southern inspired bacon jam (“I think you could put bacon jam on anything and you’re golden”) won him the affection of guest judge Daniel Boulud and, in a very cool twist, the opportunity to clean up, don a suit (production actually bought him a new one), and eat rather than cook during the elimination challenge.

Bacon didn’t work as well for Frenchman Mattin, whose embarrassing bacon infused veloute landed him at the loser’s table. While it was too obvious Mattin would fail the challenge (just how much country-pride pressure can you put on one neckerchiefed man?), it was surprising that he didn’t take more heat, or responsibility, for his role in the dish. After lying at judge’s table about his level of input on Ashley’s ideas (he volunteered his disapproval of the asparagus, but didn’t cop up that he vetoed putting it in the sauce, a suggestion Tom had liked), Mattin showed that even in a challenge geared towards his strengths (“I think they make a challenge just for me”), he wasn’t much of a chef. At least Robuchon complimented his French.

The rest of the evening’s French sounded too Americaine Read the rest of this entry »

In the third episode of Top Chef: Las Vegas, both winning teams use one common ingredient. A very common ingredient, but one that I consider quite special. It’s probably sitting on your shelf right now. A container full of swagger and an essential, go-to-bottle for your next company quickfire.

Mustard.
In any form.
I consider it to be in the list of top five things to always have on hand in your pantry.

And as condiments go, it’s the R rated version to ketchup’s PG rating. The beer to soda pop. For that matter, alternative music to pop music…sex to making out. And the reasons why are pretty simple from a pure flavor standpoint.

Mustard’s main role is to add acidity, closely followed by spice. Acid in a dish is a flavor that you hardly notice when it’s right but desperately miss when it isn’t. Where ketchup basks in its simple, one note of sweetness and success, mustard toils in the background. Never getting the press or attention, but confidently showing up in your fridge, day after day. I guess mustard is the offensive line. Or better yet, maybe the infantry is more appropriate for this military-themed challenge.

Last week, Michael Voltaggio, and Kevin Gillespie Read the rest of this entry »

In Episode 2 of Top Chef: Las Vegas, there were a few obvious, spirited political issues included in the plot. One was whether or not a girls versus boys challenge is sexist. And, of course, the legalization of gay marriage.

You’ll all be glad that I’m not going to discuss those issues in this column. OK, well, for the record, I think people should be able to wed whomever they want.

But, what I felt was the biggest controversy of the episode was the comment made that the boys’ food was “contrived” and that mass appeal is as important as the judges’ opinion.

These are both issues I take pretty seriously. The former is an issue we battle every day in my kitchens.

I’ll be honest, I’m fed up with the whole Read the rest of this entry »

This week, we were fortunate enough to get Jeff Houck back in the studio to join the old gang so we could rag on the new season on Top Chef.

This season we have 17 fresh faces, many of them with titles and accolades under their belts – not to mention all of the tattoos and piercings all over their bodies. During episode one, we meet the new cheftestants, get to see the new Vegas style twist to the show (winning $15k and/or immunity for every Quickfire Challenge), and learn that a seitan-filled chile relleno just doesn’t cut it to stay on this show.

During episode two, the remaining 16 got to have a battle of the sexes challenge and cater for a bachelor/ette party. While the girls talked a big game, it turns out that they just couldn’t stand up to what the guys dished out and another female got sent home.

Personally, I’m somewhat disappointed with the females this season, besides “Ceveech” (Jennifer C. – but she annoys me anyway). I wanted to see some more Jamies (last season) or Elias (season 2). Luckily, we have some really talented male chefs (3 from Atlanta) who are all executive chefs and sous chefs – with awards out the wazoo – who are rockin’ it out every week.

Highlights: Todd English’s sex appeal, the Gay List (we’re up to 3 now), Rule #1 in Top Chef, the Cain and Abel of this season, and the chefs get all wet.

Check out season 4’s Richard Blais’ post on his thoughts about the episode and cast (he’s totally blogging for us now).

Hear the hilarious podcast after the jump:
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As I cover Top Chef Season 6 in Las Vegas for Bravo, I take a few seconds of action each week and throw it under the microscope. I often find one or two moments each episode that either reveal a industry insider’s secret or, as a former competitor, something I have a behind the scenes take on.

In episode 1 of Las Vegas, both of these moments came together in the same sequence. It was the kiss that Jennifer Carroll gave Tom Colicchio. And the facial expression that Tom made immediately following.

I’ve read on a few blogs that some people feel the kiss was inappropriate.

I don’t think so. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m thinking about starting up my own cutting edge, fantasy league.  It will be a year-round event that will incorporate all major sports into one giant competition.

How am I constructing this league, you ask?  How will I determine whether a home run holds more value than a touchdown or a triple-double?  The answer is simple, my friends.

Athletes will no longer be judged by their statistics on the field but rather by their performance off of it.

I’m calling my new league the Misdemeanor/Felony Fantasy League or the M.F.L.  It’s bound to attract thousands of participants nationwide so get in while you can.  I’m still working on an effective scoring system, but here’s what I’ve come up with so far.  Suggestions, as always, are welcome: Read the rest of this entry »

For news and reviews of this summer’s blockbusters, be sure and check CL’s Movies & TV site.

Ah, the bachelor party. The “last night of freedom” is a well-established rite of passage for dudes trading singledom for the restrictive bonds of marriage, and has long been fodder for the movies. In the 1980s, Tom Hanks was the groom-to-be in Bachelor Party. In the ’90s, Jon Favreau, Christian Slater and Cameron Diaz turned in a decidedly darker take with Very Bad Things. This summer, Hollywood grants us The Hangover, and it turns out to be a clever take on a cliché subject.

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Jenna Jameson finally gave birth to a set of twins with former UFC champ Tito Ortiz, making it now awkward to refer to her renowned fake breasts as “The Twins.”

The world-famous adult film actress went public with the news of her pregnancy in August, eight months after she announced her retirement from performing at the 2008 AVN Awards in Las Vegas.

“I can’t even express the extreme serenity that came over me once I saw my children inside me,” she wrote in September on her My Space blog. “It has been my dream to have children for an extremely long time, and I truly feel like finally, the time is right and God has blessed me. I have never felt more like a woman, or more alive.

“Tito is happier than I have ever seen him, it is so fulfilling to see him so proud. He looked me in the eye today after our doctor’s appointment and said, ‘I’m the luckiest man on earth…thank you for having my babies.’ I cried.”

Jameson, 34, still operates Playboy-owned Club Jenna with her Read the rest of this entry »

Yeah, the season premiere is still over a month away, but it’s never too early to get geeked for the return of Lost. ABC agrees and released this teaser trailer on the Web. I’m already puzzled.

• Chrysler shuts down production. Shall we start gambling on for how long?
• Things aren’t exactly peachy-keen for Ford and GM either.
• You know the weather is screwed when it starts snowing in Vegas.
• Blago just keeps hanging on …
• Wither the dollar.
• Aretha Franklin adds some R-E-S-P-E-C-T to Obama’s Inauguration.
• Step right up and refinance your home at historically low rates. Everybody’s doin’ it.
• Garcia looks ready to play on Sunday. If the Bucs win their last two games, they’re in the playoffs.

In 1995, Sega CD planned to release Penn & Teller’s Smoke and Mirrors, a video game featuring a slew of mini-games invovling P&T’s distinctive brand of humor and magic. Sadly, the developer went under before release and the game never made it to market.

Thankfully, the source code was released years later, allowing folks to use all the mini-games to fool and amaze their friends. All except for Desert Bus, that is.

Now the most well-known of the mini-games, Desert Bus is simple: all you have to do is drive a bus from Tucson to Las Vegas, with little scenery and few controls. In real time. At the max speed of 45 mph, it takes about 8 hours to make the trip. That’ll earn you one point. Read the rest of this entry »