‘Top Chef’ – Second helpings: A kiss is just a kiss
August 24th, 2009 by Richard Blais in Food mediaAs 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.
Bare in mind that I don’t know Jennifer at all. We have never met and don’t have a close degree of separation that I’m aware of. Well, until now I guess. But we have both worked in Michelin-starred French kitchens. Where a kiss on the cheek from a female chef to a superior male chef is not only excusable, but more often than not, protocol.
Considering that, and the fact that she was probably jumping out of her clogs that she just won fifteen grand, I’d say it was nothing more than instinct and adrenaline.
She has fully ingratiated herself into a European kitchen mindset and her actions speak to that commitment. The hammer that nails down the case is her pronunciation of ceviche. She’s pronouncing it as it would be in French. I know it was nails on a chalkboard to many, including my wife, but, c’est la vie, non?
Immediately after the kiss, Tom makes an expression that my wife and I have come to refer to as Tom’s “Go Phillies” face. Ironically appropriate, since Jennifer is based in Philadelphia, I believe.
I was participating in an event last year promoting Top Chef: New York and my wife and I ran into Tom. One fan, rather randomly, said hello to Tom and then said, “Go Phillies”. Now, granted it was the pennant race, but Tom’s reaction was epic. It was the same expression he made after Jen kissed him. You’ve seen it. The one he makes when encountering a chef on the chopping block trying to defend something illogically. The one he probably made as he was forking through that chile relleno.
It’s a mixture of “Does not compute” and “seriously?”…
Half grimace, part eye roll and a touch of guffaw.
Look for it throughout the season!
August 24th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
LOL! I didn’t really think much about the kiss. Tom’s reaction was funny though. But I too thought it was just Jennifer running on adrenaline and instinct. She was really happy and excited, I don’t think it was any more than that. And yes a kiss is just a kiss. And what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?!?
August 24th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Ah, but didn’t Jen pronounce “ceviche” as “suh VEECH?” If she were pronouncing it as if it were French, she would say, “seh VEESH.”
She just says it oddly.
August 25th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Like Kim, I didn’t think much of the kiss – I figured Jen was simply excited about 15K (I would be!). Tom’s reaction was pretty funny though. Overall, I thought Jen C. was a strong competitor in both the quickfire and elimination challenge and want to see more of her.
August 27th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I didn’t think anything of the kiss either, but if she keeps putting out such good dishes we may see more. She’s definitely one of the strongest competitors, you can see that she works with amazing chefs outside of Top Chef.
August 27th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Photo-shop/retouch much?
August 27th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Richard,
Care to introduce us to your Atlanta homeboys? They look like they have mad skills.
August 29th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Troy
If you are talking about my headshot then I’m honored!
No photoshop here just healthy living.
Thanks for the motivation!!
August 29th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Sure, ok……please let me know that healthy living trick you did to get rid of wrinkles & undereye bags that are in other pictures.
August 31st, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Troy, don’t be sarcastic-I believe Richard wrote about the change of lifestyle (inspired by his wife) that has beneficially affected his health recently- search his articles for august/ July. But I didn’t even notice Tom’s look-I just ended my boycott on reality tv, so this is actually my 1st season watching the show… Enjoying it so far, esp w/ the heavy Atlanta representation. But I did think Jen’s pronunciation of “ceviche” was weird. As a wannabe/ newbie foodie, thanks for the explantion why.