Thursday, April 3, 2008

Top Chef Chicago - Episode Four - "Movie Night"



Opening scenes...Chicago has sailboats???

The Cheftestants are doing the typical "mourning the loss" of the person who was just sent home - Satan/Erik. Mexican Memo is sad to see the "big guy, with a big heart" go. Memo is also missing his kids. Or maybe his kids are missing…abducted into the fires of Hell by that big guy with a big heart.

Jen feels bad, because EVERYONE misses their kids and/or significant others. But she has her Hot Mama Zoi so close she can actually TOUCH HER! So Jen and Zoi are trying to keep a physical distance, and aren't going all Ellen DeGeneres/Portia de Rossi in public. It's strictly sneaky bathroom sex for these ladies. Now THAT'S a strategy!

Spike "loves those girls" (don't tell his boyfriend Andrew), but thinks the lesbian couple has an advantage because they can work together…and share clogs. If he and Andrew wore the same size clog, he would probably feel differently. Nevertheless, Spike is ready for one of the ladies to go, and I'm ready for at least one of Spike's fedoras to go.

Time for the Quickfire Challenge. Padma introduces world-renown chef, Daniel Boulud. She states that if they don't already know who he is, they should go home. I guess I would be going home. He looks familiar…but I can never remember if it's Boulud, or Bouley, or Boulevard. And, he pronounces his first name all Frenchy-esque ("Danielle", as in "Steel" or "Brisebois"). It's not very manly - DANIEL is my straight, NASCAR-loving brother's name, "Danielle" is the name of a stripper from Quebec.

Anywhoo, "Chef Danni" stresses the importance of technique (aka "cutting stuff up nice and pretty"), and the challenge is to create a Vegetable Plate using three classic techniques that will impress Chef Boulud. Just like my Aunt Marge's veggie plate at Thanksgiving, except with FRESH vegetables that look nice.

Chef Boulud mentions that both Richard and Ryan have worked with him previously, but it will not affect the judging in any way. Ryan states that he was employed by Boulud for a "VERY short time", which totally means he got fired as soon as they figured out he was a dumbass. Ryan might be a chef, but you KNOW he always brings the soda to the picnic.

Immediately, Lesbian Lisa, NikkiSoprano, and Lesbian Zoi admit that they are more “do it yourself” kinda gals, and don’t follow “classic” techniques. As I’ve said time and time again, don’t these people realize these things will be tested during the course of the show? Don’t they prepare ahead of time? I would be brushing up on chiffanades and tournés (whatever THEY are) BIG TIME so I didn’t make a fool of myself. But I guess you can’t teach an old lesbian (or Mafia Wife) new tricks. Or OLD tricks. Whatever.

The knives start flying. Memo mentions (with absolutely ZERO accent) that he has good knife skills, and I’ve seen West Side Story, so I can imagine. Andrew’s hands are shaking, which worries me. Spike is using some kind of French Tickler (or something) to curl scallions. Lisa wanted to do something with a cucumber, but Dale did it first, and did it better, and I’m NOT going to comment further.

Richard has decided to show off, as usual, and demonstrate that technique is “more than just knife skills” – he’s going to put his typical fauxhawked spin on HIS veggie plate. That’ll show ‘em. Oh, and he TOTALLY sucks up to his former employer, Daniel, by mentioning that Chef Boulud taught him “restraint”, and “a radish, on its own, is a beautiful thing”. Yeah, but it still tastes like a nasty radish, you suckass.

Daniel likee: Zoi’s Poached Eggs (that’s a vegetable?), Richard’s Suckassery, and Dale’s execution and knife skills. I didn’t realize there was also a Filippino gang in West Side Story.

Boulud no likee: Nikki’s Endive Boat, Lisa’s combo platter, and Memo’s “Dots on a Plate”.

Dale is the winner (whatever he did with that cucumber put him over the top, so to speak) and has immunity for the Elimination Challenge.

Elimination Challenge:

Padma announces that the cheftestants will be catering a 6-course dinner party that Chicago film critic, Richard Roeper, will be throwing for his friend – actress Aisha Tyler. They all draw knives (except Dale) to see which course they will be doing.

Teams of two are determined, and Dale is able to work with any team he wants. He has decided to work with Richard and Andrew, doing course #1. Which makes them, officially, “Team Douchebag”.

The chefs are informed that their dish must be inspired by their favorite movie. Here are the teams, and their movie choices:

Course #1: Team Douchebag. Richard, Dale, and Andrew decide on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as their movie inspiration. Actually, Richard decides on Willy Wonka, and the other two nod their heads in approval.

Course #2: Team Slacker. Spike and Memo decide to they want to do Vietnamese (since that is Spike’s specialty), so they pick Good Morning Vietnam. Actually, Spike decides on the cuisine and movie, and Memo says “Si”.

Course #3: Team NoTechnique. Jen and Nikki have chosen Il Postino, and Italian movie which will allow NikkiSoprano to cook pasta, as usual. Jen just wants to hold Nikki’s hand (like in the movie). I hope Zoi doesn’t find out about this.

Course #4: Zoi and Antonia select Talk to Her, a Spanish film about two creative and passionate women. I hope JEN doesn’t find out about THIS.

Course #5: Team Dumbass. StudpidRyan and KiwiMark don’t have any movies in common. Mark wants to create their dish based on a movie called Bad Boy Bubby (WTF?), or Mad Max. What in the HELL would you serve for a Mad Max inspired dish? Maybe dried road kill, or dusty Tina Turner wigs? And Ryan isn’t quite sure if Mark is from New Zealand, or New England. Seriously.

Ryan’s favorite movies are…wait for itDumb and Dumber(!) and Old School. Then he has a “brainstorm” (and I use that term EXTREMELY loosely). He tries to think of the name of “that Christmas Movie”, and proceeds to recite the whole plot about how “it’s the movie with the family that eats Christmas dinner at a Chinese restaurant, and it’s a Christmas movie, and what is the name of that Christmas movie?!?” It’s A Christmas Story you idiot! Someone finally tells him the name, and that’s the movie they select. Mark is ALMOST positive A Christmas Story is a comedy and I am almost positive these two are ‘developmentally disabled’. Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? would be a better inspiration for these two dolts, but unfortunately that’s not a movie.


Finally, Course #6: Lisa and Stephanie. Stephanie has a TOTAL girl crush on Lisa – and describes her as “bold” and “strong”. Lisa picks the cow scene from the movie Top Secret as their inspiration. They decide NOT to do dessert – it’s all about the beef.

Time for shopping at Whole Foods. Dale harasses the fishmonger, Antonia laments about the price of lamb, ‘Dumb and Dumber’ settle on quail (instead of duck), Spike wants to use Tilapia in his summer roll (which is the cheapest, NASTIEST fish ever), and Andrew is predicting that the partygoers will “crap their pants” after tasting Team Douchebag’s dish. Now THAT’S a party!

The next day, they all head over to Gallery 37, the location of the shindig. Richard has decided he’s not holding back anymore, and has appointed himself the leader of Team Douchebag. Spike is wearing his yellow felt fedora, which makes him an HONORARY member of Team Douchebag. Stephanie mentions AGAIN how “strong” Lisa is, and I’m waiting for THEM to sneak off to the bathroom for a little afternoon delight.

Team Douchebag experiences a bone-chilling crisis. The electric smoker (that Richard has used in EVERY challenge) has finally gone kaput, and the Three Stooges are in full panic mode. They are lighting things on fire and burning the Glad wrap (careful fellas!). They finally decide to light a piece of wood on fire and wave it over a dish, like a Shaman or a High Priestess during a purification ceremony. Okay??......

Time for service. Team Douchebag brings out their Willy Wonka-inspired dish – along with a foamy drink. Richard does a rather charming (who knew?!?) speech about Willy Wonka and the guests floating and burping. Everyone REALLY likee.

Course #2 comes out – Good Morning Vietnam summer rolls. Everybody is hatin’ on the dish, even with Memo’s Charo-esque pronunciation of “cilantro”. Cootchie Cootchie!

Nikki and Jen are next with their Il Postino-inspired pasta dish. Their intention is to transport the guests to Italy, but I think they missed their connection at Heathrow.

Team Dumbass comes out with their Christmas Story Quail dish. Mark does the talking (he can actually form sentences, unlike Ryan) – and he uses his New Zealand (or is it New England?) accent, and words like “cheeky”, to charm the partygoers. It works - they actually likee. Aisha Tyler is practically licking the carrot puree off her plate.

Antonia and Zoi come out with their Talk to Her Spanish lamb chops – and give a short presentation about the vibrant colors of Spain. Tom Colicchio is disappointed that the dish doesn’t really have these rich colors. In fact, he’s a little obsessed about the lack of color in this dish. He could care less how it tastes, HE WANT”S FOOD WITH PRETTY COLORS! Calm yourself Mary.

Lastly, it’s Lisa and Stephanie with their Top Secret beef dish. The judges likee, and Aisha Tyler appreciates the dish’s originality. Ted Allen, however, wonders if the dish says “Val Kilmer in a cow suit”. Ted.Allen.Rocks.

The judges do their judging. After discussing all the dishes, Padma announces: “we have our tops, we have our bottom”, which sounds a lot like Room 1608 at the Sheraton Manhattan after the Black Party. Don't ask...don't tell...

The cheftestants are slamming beers in the Glad storage room, when Padma calls for the Willy Wonka team (Richard, Andrew, and Dale), and the Top Secret team (Lisa and Stephanie). They are told they are winners, and everyone hugs (ESPECIALLY Lisa and Stephanie). Team Douchebag/Willy Wonka is the winning team – and Richard is announced as the overall winner for his leadership. His fauxhawk seems just a little bit longer, and a little bit stiffer as a result.

Back in the not-so-Glad room, the losers are talking SHIT on Richard (who EVERYONE knows is going to win this season). Zoi is hammered, and is talking about Richard’s horrible flavor combinations (note to drunken Zoi: he won!). The winners come in and send the Talk to Her gals (Zoi and Antonia), and the Good Morning Vietnam guys (Spike and Memo) to their doom.

Zoi and Antonia are STILL being criticized by Tom for not having nicer colors. Zoi is drunkenly and belligerently trying to defend their dish. By the way, Tom Colicchio will be replacing Jonathan Adler as head judge on Bravo’s Top Design this season. Work it Girl!

Spike and Memo are really getting crapped on for their shitty Vietnamese summer rolls. Tom says you could have gotten the same thing for $8.00 at a local Vietnamese takeout place – and wonders where all their money was spent (answer: weed and cerveza). They aren’t sure who was worse – Spike for leading the team down this loser path, or Memo for happily following along.

Padma asks Spike who should go home, which he refuses to answer, saying “I don’t go that way”. That’s not what we hear from Andrew...

Memo was happy to simply learn about Vietnamese cuisine from Spike (and also how to roll a proper joint). Memo states that he tries to learn something new every day. My personal note to Memo: I want to know what love is – I want you to show me. To their credit, neither will throw each other under the bus – much to the chagrin of the judges, who LIVE for that shit.

After more discussion, Antonia and Drunk Zoi are safe. It’s down to Spike and Memo – who are told that their dish was hated by EVERYONE at the table. And also that everything they touch would turn to crap, and they’d never amount to anything, and they should be ashamed of themselves. Or something like that.

Memo is sent home, and goes back into the Glad storage room and gives a little speech. It kinda reminds me of what it would look like if Fred Flintstone was Mexican, and was giving an Oscar acceptance speech…in a storage room. “And most of all, I’d like to thank that fine-ass Mamacita, Wilma, for always being there for me…”.

Adios Papi!

Next week: Spike picks fights with lesbians and people get fish scales in their mouths. Till then bitches!!

40 comments:

theminx said...

Daniel Boulud - David Bouley - Sunset Boulevard. Hope that helps!

xoxox
K

Unknown said...

Yet another fantastic job! I was laughing here in the office, hoping no one would walk in to check on my sanity.

My Favorite line - answer: weed and cerveza

Thank you for sprinkling your David Dust on us once again!

Luv ya hair!

David Dust said...

Kathy - thank you for the tip. :)

Howard - Everything I do, I do it for you (me and Bryan Adams).

XOXOXO

DD

Juli said...

Ok, I have a lil' crush on YOU now, LMAO!!!!!! LOVE that recap, I'll be back for more next week! :)

Unknown said...

Hmmm, I am kinda liking the sound of that threesome, babe.

*~~*Inger*~~* said...

LMAO!!!!!! This is by far the best Top Chef recap I've ever read! Like Juli, I'll be back!

TAMmommy said...

Awesome recap! Almost better than the episode itself! Although you didn't mention Andrew and the Ump-a-lumpa thing.

Love the detail and information you put into it, as well as the great lines!

Will be back for the next update!
Thank!

http://www.atammcreation.blogspot.com

*~~*Inger*~~* said...

LMAO! This is by far the best Top Chef recap I've ever read!!!

Psychomom said...

Who's going to roll your RR's now or is that roll your J's?

¡Áy Caramba! ¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba! ¡Adios Amigo!

¡Yo quiero muncho cervesas!

¡Te amo su pelo!

David Dust said...

WE HAVE A WINNER, ladies and gentlemen!

Pychomom with "Te amo su pelo!" - I LOVE YOUR HAIR. Bravo my dear...that is my fave comment in a while.

My Dust Bunnies are FEROSH.

Cootchie-Cootchie!!!
XOXOXO

sfoofie said...

"Yeah, but it still tastes like a nasty radish, you suckass."

...BUSTED out laughing. Glad you freaked out on Time Warner and provided our weekly blog-tainment. Sorry I can't beat psychomom's comment.
Ahem, we all have crushes on you.

David Dust said...

Awwww...I LOVE that the gals have crushes on me...do any of you have Puerto Rican brothers??

Timmy said...

He was a bit hung up on the no color on his plate. LOL

Good review of Top Chef!

John said...

Much more comprehensive than my blog-as-it-happens post! But I guess I have little patience, me with ADD and all!

Danielle Brisebois. Now there's a name I literally have not heard in over a decade.

Kwana said...

Great Job. So much fun. I totally missed the tops and bottoms comment from Ted. Priceless!

Bravo!

Eileen said...

Hi David,
I am a friend of Kwana's. I am her TV fanatic friend. I think I will have to pop over to your blog for recaps on Top Chef from now on. I really enjoyed it.

David Dust said...

Welcome newcomers, and not-so-newcomers - and thank you for your kind words. But I'm still waiting for one of you to volunteer SOMEONE'S Puerto Rican brother...

XOXO

Jeremy said...

Nice recap! Yet another person making me irrelevant . . . but very nice! Thanks for commenting on me olde bloggie; I'll have to bookmark this sucker.

Should we create an alliance of Top Chef Bloggers? No? Okay . . . running back to California now . . .

Angel said...

I thought all of the dishes were stupid...and I wouldn't eat any of them!!! And I HAD to get out of the kitchen cuz I had NO IDEA WHO THAT GUY WAS!!!!! WTH??! And how does that Padma or however she spells it...how does she stay sooo skinny? Those few little bites have to be all she eats...hate her. I wanna hold her down and shove a Twinkie in her mouth. Skinny Bitch! (Wish I was one!) If I was skinny and could eat lots of food...I would show off all the time!

"Untensils down, hands up!"

Love you Tranny!
xoxox

Angel said...

OOOOH! I LOVE Bryan Adams!!!

Joy said...

I also wonder how Padma stays so skinny and also wonder about her being married to Salman Rushdie. Well, they're divorced now, but I digress.

Wonderful recap - you keep getting better and better! I SO agree with all that you say, too!

I've noticed those suggestive remarks on there and live for them.

Wish I knew a PR for you.

Anonymous said...

Dude - Visiting per HoodsWorld - Your Blog is hilarious!! - Will visit often and BTW I am a customer of Time Warner here in OH - :) -

David Dust said...

Ladies - I don't know HOW Padma stays so thin. Especially if she's smoking weed all the time ... doesn't she get the munchies?!?

And as for Salmon Rushdie, I read somewhere that Padma has some kind of weird "Daddy" fixation. Hmmm ... sounds kinda familiar ... ["Daddy of the Day"] ... Where have I heard that before ???

David Dust said...

Anon. - welcome. And if you EVER have trouble in Ohio with Time-Warner, you know what to do...

Unknown said...

DAVID, being of Irish/German blood, none of my brothers would be your next Papi, more like your next Mr Potato-head. And they all have that boring str8 breeder thing going on.

Kit Pollard said...

I'm just wondering who Padma's going to pick as her boytoy for this season. She had CJ last year, but she just doesn't seem to have that many options in season 4.

I'd think maybe Ryan...if he would only stop talking.

And Padma's boobs last night - kind of distracting?

Unknown said...

Kit, I was thinking Padma was going to change it up and go for one of the lesbians this season. I am just not sure which one.

David Dust said...

Padma better not even THINK about going after Zoi - Jen would KICK HER ASS! Either that or the three of them would all move into an apartment together back in San Francisco.

Padma DOES have a "Daddy" complex - so she just might go for Jen!

Unknown said...

I was thinking Jen would be the one, but not sure if the faux--hawk is as off-putting to Padma as it is to me...

Unknown said...

Great recap and I have read a few. I went to culinary school with Ryan and he is that dense! He is also an arrogant jerk and I am only watching to see him get eliminated. I do think Chef Tom is pretty hot though.

Ryan must be the luckiest contestant, because each guest chef has dissed him in some way. Rocco, Bayless, and Daniel have nothing nice to about him on their blogs.

Have Tom and Padma got a thing going?

David Dust said...

Mary -

Thanks so much for your comment! I LOVE LOVE LOVE "insider" gossip like this! You heard it right here Dust Bunnies: Ryan really IS a dumbass - destined to bring soda to picnics for years and years to come!

As far as Tom and Padma - it wouldn't shock me. If she'll marry Salman Rushdie she'd certainly bang Chef Tom (I know I would!).

Thanks again dear!

XOXO

DD

Anonymous said...

Thanks again for giving me something to read. I have to say that Dale and Richard are growing on me. Scary huh? And I kinda love Stephanie though I would so hate to have been in a class with her. You know that she always did her homework and knew the extra credit questions.

David Dust said...

Polgarra - I have to say that Richard, while not "growing on me" is definitely light years ahead of most of these douchebags - and therefore has my respect.

And yes, Stephanie was that kid who always sat in the front row of class, and asked a lot of intelligent questions...bitch...

Anonymous said...

My Dear Son,

Your Aunt Marge called today. She wants to know WTF is your problem.

Your loving Mama Bunny

XOXOXO

David Dust said...

Mom -

Uh oh...

Dan said...

David again you cracked my shit up. I am back among the living. The laughing wasnt so good for my hacking, but put a long overdue smile on my face.
dan

David Dust said...

Dan - I'm glad you are among the living again. Take care of yourself babe!

SailorAlphaCentauri said...

I wish I could've read this sooner, so I'm very late to this party. I was dying to see how you would react to the "tops and bottoms" comment and you did not disappoint!

I was kind of waiting for Lisa and Stephanie to just drop the act and make out, but it was still fun to watch the tension. And Ryan needs to be a little cuter to get away with being that dumb.

I have a running bet going on that says one of the lez-be-friends (probably Zoi) will be going home next week, so I hope to see that happen.

melissa said...

I am sooo glad I waited to check your recap post until I watched the episode! What a great round-up. I'm gonna link up to ya, it that's ok.

I haven't gone back to read previous recaps but I'll just throw in my 2 cents - for some reason I'm rooting for Andrew - I think because every other word he says gets bleeped. That and the frolicking with Spike - it's so homo-riffic!!

David Dust said...

Melissa - link away dear!

I must warn you, once you read my previous recaps you'll realize I'm NOT a big fan of Andrew.

Welcome to the land of the Dust Bunnies!

XOXO

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