Had it with the Food Channel...

[Karen]

Yes, Paul and I looked at each other and said "I hope Vic doesn't go home," and Paul accurately predicted who they did send home. For some reason they just never seemed to like her.

[cassiesmom]

I wasn't surprised about last night's elimination. I wonder what Jeff's potatoes fried in suet tasted like -- somehow that doesn't appeal to me.

[cassiesmom]

Oh my goodness, Jeff almost blew it last night on mayonnaise. Bet he'll never use bottled mayo again!

And Penny - holy cow - was she trying to sabotage Mary Beth? Alton Brown called her out on camera.

Edited to add: I would watch all three of their shows... Sandwich King, of course; Mama's Boy- that sounds to me like it would be classic Italian comfort food, and there's just something about Vic that I like; and I know I would learn a lot from watching Susie, plus I like Mexican food. So let's just end it now. Give them all a show. Plus I keep thinking that the year Melissa won, her competitor Jeffrey seemed to have a lock on it; and I'd hate to see the same thing happen to Jeff.

[Karen]

Oh my goodness, Jeff almost blew it last night on mayonnaise. Bet he'll never use bottled mayo again!

And Penny - holy cow - was she trying to sabotage Mary Beth? Alton Brown called her out on camera.

And she wasn't even subtle about it. I mean, how immature is that?

I would not be surprised if the Food Network gave Mary Beth a show of some sort anyway, like they have done with other people with strong camera presence who didn't win!

[cassiesmom]

I'm good with the outcome. I wish they would give each of the top three a show, because I would watch every one of them!

[Karen]

Exactly - I am guessing they will give at least Mary Beth a show of some sort, and maybe find a way to give Susie one, too. I still DVR Arti's show, Melissa D'Arabian's show, and "Big Daddy's" show, and there seems to be plenty of room, as they each only have a couple of months of shows a year, it seems.

[RICHARD]

I just saw the winner of the TNFNS on a morning show.

One thing that has always bugged me about the program is the way that they make the contestants pump up the personality levels.

The Sandwich King/Dude/Kid make a Greek sandwich and fried plantains.

He rushed thru the recipes and sounded so frantic that I got lost a few minutes in.

During the segment he kept repeating some saying to the host about them tasting his food. "Get into it, get into it...." It sounded like he was begging them to eat his food!

The one thing that always gets me about the FN is the conflicting recipes/terms that they use. He misused a term in the recipe that made me laugh.

A 'tostone' is term used when frying plantains. It has to do with the how they are cut before frying. They are cut into circular pieces, fried, flattened and refried.

The term comes from the shape of the plantains, they look like coins. The plantains were cut into log shapes!


He probably didn't do the prep work on the food he cooked, but he didn't correct the error.

I'll probably give him a gander to see if he is more relaxed during his show.

[Karen]

I imagine it was pretty rushed and stressful doing that right away! We'll DVR his show and see how he does!

[Karen]

So has anyone been watching Top Chef Just Desserts? It kinda seems like the Pastry chefs are nicer people in general than savory chefs!


And has anyone else seen the new show "Sweet Genius"? Talk about weird ingredients ... how is incorporating Peking Duck into a dessert going to prove you are a "genius?" I watch it, and it's kind of fun how the contestants are given an "inspiration" for each round - a carousel, a Faberge egg - and the judge does allows them to explain their interpretation of how their dessert reflects the inspiration, in needn't be too literal, which is fun ...

[RICHARD]

So has anyone been watching Top Chef Just Desserts? It kinda seems like the Pastry chefs are nicer people in general than savory chefs!


Who doesn't like a nice dessert?:D

I think that everyone likes cake, pie or something sweet, check out the faces around a table during that course..

THere does seem to be a different vibe to the show.

[Karen]

So is anyone watching Top Chef: Texas?

What do you think? I was glad they eliminated the person they did this week, as other people (Lindsay particularly) messed up the steaks, even though Ty-lör (what do you wanna bet his parents originally spelled his name Tyler) was willing to take the blame.

There just seem to be a LOT of chefs this season, I don't have a real favorite yet. And is anyone watching "Last Chance Kitchen" online? It's where the just-eliminated chef goes up against whichever other eliminated chef won the previous week, and eventually whoever is left remaining will be allowed to return to the show. An interesting twist, I think!

[RICHARD]

So is anyone watching Top Chef: Texas?

What do you think? I was glad they eliminated the person they did this week, as other people (Lindsay particularly) messed up the steaks, even though Ty-lör (what do you wanna bet his parents originally spelled his name Tyler) was willing to take the blame.

There just seem to be a LOT of chefs this season, I don't have a real favorite yet. And is anyone watching "Last Chance Kitchen" online? It's where the just-eliminated chef goes up against whichever other eliminated chef won the previous week, and eventually whoever is left remaining will be allowed to return to the show. An interesting twist, I think!

I am watching.

I think the show could use new judges.

--------------------

I think the premise of "Chefs as Rock Stars" is getting some of the worst people on the show.

Of course, they need the drama to get people watching.

------------------------

I loved all the commotion about using corn versus flour tortillas for enchiladas.

I read the rule book for Mexican cooking, It's allowed under Rule 12 Subsection 12.5.:D

[RICHARD]

I saw a blurb on the news that talked about Paula Deen being sued by a former employee, not a good year for her, so far.

----------------

I finally caught an episode of Worst Chefs.....

I have to catch up on that show.

For some reason, I don't watch TVFN anymore. It seems that the network has really become very predictable and tedious.

The 'personalities' are just that, personalities and the programming is the same thing over and over again.

I guess you can only do so many 'chikin' recipes, but they are beating a dead horse. I would like to see some programs dedicated to technique, using utensils, products - as much as I do not like Martha Stewart, I do enjoy her Country Kitchen programs - they give you a lot of different stuff in a half hour, as opposed to shoving so much content into one FN show and then telling you to go to the website for the recipes.....

:rolleyes:

[Karen]

We're watching "Worst Cooks," and it is interesting, and nice to see them actually teaching real human beings things. I do feel bad of some of the contestants, who obviously did not have any kitchen time as children for whatever reason.

We were happy with the winner of "Top Chef: Texas," he seemed like a nice person and a talented chef.

[Karen]

So, is anyone watching "Chopped" in the new season, where it is all famous (Food Network/Bravo) chefs?

It amazes me sometimes what ingredients they come up with, and there are some things I have tried because they were on the show. Speck - which is smoked prosciutto - like cold bacon - is one example. But on this most recent show, one of the ingredients was "beef tendons" and I thought "Yuck! Why eat them?" and would not be tempted to try them even if I were not allergic to beef!

[cassiesmom]

New season, new format for "Next Food Network Star"... they are already assigned to teams. i think the candidate who got eliminated was p***ed because she didn't get to prepare the course she wanted, it came out in her presentation and she tried to cover it up by saying she was so passionate about her POV that it came across as anger. I was most impressed by the guy from Hawaii.

[Karen]

I figured she'd be the one to go. She never spoke up first when any of the options were offered, then was annoyed she got stuck with the last one. She just did not seem ready emotionally or food-wise to be a FN Star. Pretty, sure! But in the "stew room" before the decision, they showed her saying "I think I'm a good cook ..." which was an immediate red flag. If you are not confident you are a GREAT cook, or chef, none of the rest matters on this show! And her food looked like something I have seen a million times before, no "twice" whatsoever!

[cassiesmom]

I disagree with tonight's elimination. I thought someone from another team should have been cut. I'm not liking this team idea too well. Let the season go on, though...

[cassiesmom]

Once again I think they made the wrong decision. The runner up has been given those same instructions over and over and over again -- but no change. Oh well, we'll see what happens next week.

[cassiesmom]

I was okay with last week's elimination. This week I think the judges were absolutely wrong.

[Karen]

Has anyone else been watching "Around the World in 80 Plates"? It seems really interesting, and a good idea!

[Karen]

Hey, anyone still watching "next Food Network Star?" Who are you rooting for, if so?

[cassiesmom]

Hey, anyone still watching "next Food Network Star?" Who are you rooting for, if so?

Yep, I am! I'm rooting for Yvan.

[cassiesmom]

I'm happy with the choices made by the network as far as who gets a pilot. Just one disappointment for me. I like the outcome of Alton's team best!

[Karen]

I haven't seen this week's episode yet, but I like most of the folks who are still in the running as of last week!

[Karen]

Okay, I had forgotten that at the end of last week Nikki had not yet been eliminated. I never did like her, she just seemed somehow artificial to me.

I watch a lot of shows on which people can vote, but this is the first time we voted for anyone! (I say "we" because one is allowed 10 votes per day, so Paul voted once).

[cassiesmom]

Is Martie the only remaining finalist who doesn't live in New York City? Talk about a home field advantage... Justin's pilot gave me an impression of him as a "mini-me" of Alton Brown. I wouldn't be too likely to make Caesar salad with aspic and grilled romaine. I liked Yvan's pilot the best because it was about food and his family. Michele's chowder didn't look anything like what she was eating at the restaurant, and since I don't entertain a lot, I'm not likely to watch Martie's show. However, I'm thoroughly biased after two seasons of Chicago's own Sandwich King, Jeff Mauro. He's got such an extroverted personality and such a focused POV that I think he's a tough act to follow, so to speak.

Is "Big Daddy's House" still on? I'm just trying to figure out where the previous winners are now.

[Karen]

Is Martie the only remaining finalist who doesn't live in New York City? Talk about a home field advantage... Justin's pilot gave me an impression of him as a "mini-me" of Alton Brown. I wouldn't be too likely to make Caesar salad with aspic and grilled romaine. I liked Yvan's pilot the best because it was about food and his family. Michele's chowder didn't look anything like what she was eating at the restaurant, and since I don't entertain a lot, I'm not likely to watch Martie's show. However, I'm thoroughly biased after two seasons of Chicago's own Sandwich King, Jeff Mauro. He's got such an extroverted personality and such a focused POV that I think he's a tough act to follow, so to speak.

Is "Big Daddy's House" still on? I'm just trying to figure out where the previous winners are now.

Michelle is not from NYC, further North! I DVR Big Daddy's House whenever it is on, I have not seen it in a while, but I can never tell when one of their "Seasons" is gonna start. We record Melissa D'Arabian's show, and I'll watch it if there's anything she's making that I could maybe eat! Michelle said she was making clams, not chowder.

[cassiesmom]

And the winner is ... not the finalist I wanted to win; but the one I expected would be the winner. That's okay. I'm sure this person will do a great job. I am not going to say who won in case anyone hasn't seen it (Don't look on the FN Web site; they've already shared who it is). I'll do this: The next Food Network Star is (winner's name here)!

[Karen]

I would have been happy with any of the final three, and wonder if they will give the others shots at shows as well, like they sometimes do!

[cassiesmom]

I started to really pay attention to him the week of the fashion challenge when he did the deconstructed beef stroganoff with the beet juice. I thought Giada's entire team was interesting and fun. I loved what was said on the finale about the nerds, cheerleaders and jocks.

When the president was announcing the results she mentioned four and a half million - I wonder if that was votes or people voting. I only voted on Monday and Tuesday, but I used all ten votes each of those two days. Four and a half million votes would seem more like it to me. Interesting that his show won't start airing immediately- haven't past winners been on the air with their new shows within a week or two of the finale? I wonder what the final vote counts were, if it was a landslide or if it was really close. I'd watch any of their shows but the one I would be least likely to watch is Martie just because I don't entertain a lot. They've got two complete networks plus their Web site, so surely they can find some way to use the runners-up.

[cassiesmom]

The new season of "Food Network Star" started tonight. I was impressed by Pie Guy and "meat on the side" girl. Least impressed by model turned private chef. We'll see what happens...

[Karen]

We watched it, too - several interesting folks, and several I think will not last ...

[cassiesmom]

I think the right person was eliminated tonight. I think one particular statement that this person said during the challenge, was a contribution to the outcome.

I liked that the guy with the hat had something complimentary to say about each of the competitors.

[cassiesmom]

Spaghetti Western guy's teammates saved him tonight.

I am very confused by this whole Paula Deen thing. It sounds to me like she was sued for a hostile work environment by a former employee and things got worse from there. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

[Karen]

Paula Deen was not renewed because of admittedly using "the n-word" in public, which came to light in her testimony regarding the lawsuit being brought against her connected to her restaurants.

I thought the right person went home tonight, considering not only the failure of the dish tonight, but all other cooking challenges. Seems like all style no substance, sadly. I didn't dislike that person, but odd choices were made, and resulted in that contestant's downfall.

[cassiesmom]

I am very confused by this whole Paula Deen thing. It sounds to me like she was sued for a hostile work environment by a former employee and things got worse from there. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

I saw a good column by Dawn Turner Trice about this. She makes the point that things were different when paula Deen was growing up in the south. However, as a celebrity and a business owner, she had a responsibility to not let that carry over into her restaurant; but it did and was witnessed by other people. I'm not explaining it well, but it was a good column.

[cassiesmom]

I have to admit I didn't get the "Star Salvation" thing. One of the eliminated competitors was brought back but I missed how that came about. I thought both teams missed the key question about the "secret ingredient".

[Karen]

I have to admit I didn't get the "Star Salvation" thing. One of the eliminated competitors was brought back but I missed how that came about. I thought both teams missed the key question about the "secret ingredient".

"Star Salvation" was shown online online - and was mostly a cooking competition, from the ones we saw. We have cable, so it was available in the "on demand" section.

And yeah, I was surprised neither team picked up on that, some of them seem so intent on presenting themselves they forgot they were there to present the guest!

I did think the right person left, that person seems more suited to something else - maybe being a QVC presenter or something.

[cassiesmom]

I don't agree with this week's outcome. I liked the eliminated person's point of view. We'll see what happens next week, though.

[RICHARD]

I watched a few seconds of NFNS and can't watch it anymore, especially with Alton Brown.

He's such a downer and mean spirited moron.

The rest of the judges really don't have a clear, concise idea of what they want for the 'new show' and contradict themselves so many times over the course of a season.

----------------

Re: Paula Deen?

People are quick to forgive her using the N-word all those years ago, but they seem to lose track about her allowing her employees to use it, while on the clock.

It came out that the cooks/chefs/kitchen employees were using it freely in the back. She also wanted her black women employees to dress up like Aunt Jemima while making biscuits and as a promo to get people into the place.

There is one woman, a cook, who worked for 20 years with Deen. She was the originator of a few of the eatery's signature dishes and was told that when deen hit the big-time, she'd be taken care of. Apparently her work was never acknowledge and she was never pair more than 10 dollars an hour.

There also was a problem with white workers being paid more than the black employees.

It's a mess and one that will take some time and a different tack to overcome her problems.

[Karen]

I was not surprised at who went home this week on the Next Food Network Star, but at little amused by her parting comment! A cute name is not enough to achieve stardom!

[cassiesmom]

I didn't really like any of the pilots. The one I liked least was the person I expected to like the most, and the concept that I thought I could learn the most from. Can I have Yvan or Michele back from last year?

[Karen]

For once I do not have a preference - they managed to take the proposed shows and twist them into formulaic stuff ... I think Maris's could be fun, think they chose a bad example for Russell's one - he didn't change anything out their dish, just went to an ice cream place and made ice cream - hardly revolutionary ... and thought Rodney's pie may have tasted good, but looked kinda gross ... this IS television, folks. His seems exactly like the Sandwich King concept that won a couple years ago ...

[cassiesmom]

And the winner is ... the person I expected to win; meh. Doubt I'd watch this person's show anyhow. The whole season was kind of "meh" for me.

[Karen]

Last night's show was just odd. Maris's makeup when they first came out was jus hideous - like they let some amateur with a color kit at her! Rodney's suit and hat were obviously expensive and well-tailored, and it was funny to see Russell's mohawk got a major trim! I though Danoushka was just as rude and obnoxious as ever, I have no idea how she ever made it in the show as a potential contestant as she doesn't seem to particularly like human beings, and doesn't like food all that much! I was surprised Rodney wasn't cut first, and am not surprised at the winner. I may watch the show a couple times, just to see what it turns out like! I just disagree with the premise of it .... but maybe it will turn out to be something different, anyway!

[RICHARD]

Two more 'beefs' about TVFN?

The kiddie contest that Rachel and Guy are hosting.
I like the fact that they are getting kids to cook, not thrilled about kicking them off a show because they 'cannot' cook.

The other is the 'Cutthroat Kitchen'.

Sounds like a show where bad manners are the norm?

--------

Chopped tonight had baskets of 'rotten food', coffee grounds and the heels of bread?

Time to jump the shark........fileted and served with a butter sauce.