So, the new Top Chef Vegas style MAC first.

A whole lotta chefs, pretty stacked with talent, but as far as I can tell, just one massive asshat right off the bat. Yes, Michael I, I’m looking at you. (”She’s a girl, she can’t be as good as me!” Shut up, Mikey. And, btw, I believe her team whipped your ass, she won the quickfire and landed in the top three at the end… Just sayin….)

That said, it will take a few epis before I figure out who I’m liking and who needs to leave my tv screen soonest. Mike can pack his knives up now, however. Unfortunately, it appears he’s a pretty damn good chef. Figures.

Chefs I liked right away…Ron from Haiti. Like his story and his attitude. Love his red Crocs. Jen, mostly because she’s keeping even with Mike I. Love Kevin, the red headed gnome who won the first elim challenge. he’s a very good chef and he knows it, but I like how he presents himself. He’s just humble enough, and funny enough that I think I’m going to like him. I liked Hector, too, but I’m afraid he might not be around long. Also, the Frenchman Matin. He’s kinda sweet and fun and adorable. The gay chef, like him. And the brothers are okay with me. So far. We’ll see.

Not jumping through hoops for most of the rest, though some could easily move up the ranks. Thought the bottom four were pretty much right on, except I kinda liked Overly Accessorized Face chef Jessie and was sad to see her dip down in the ranks after doing so well in the Quickfire. I would have sent the sad not really complex blonde home instead. She was kinda human beige to me and so was her food. They sent home fiery chica chef instead, also deservedly, but I think she had better ideas, so… But, ah well! I loved Wolfgang Puck as the guest chef. He was pretty funny - throwing that beignet across the room. Ha! And he was cracking Collichio up, which? Also funny.

Also, show of hands, but who thought Preeti was a guy with a really high voice at first? Me! And what is UP with all the dang tats? And most of them on the women? I mean, I felt like I was watching Biker Chefs In Cell Block C. Not that it detracts from their madd skillz, but is it like some kind of status thing now, like the NBA?

All in all, it looks like a really high caliber season and I think they did a pretty good job of establishing a lot of the chefs right out of the gate. I remember more names and more personalities than I have before. Maybe because it was mostly pretty professionally handled.

Okay…so on to Top Chef Masters Finale. Go Hubert!

Wow, they each had to present four dishes showcasing their life stories, from their first food memory, to where they are today. And all of them were ridiculously fantastic looking. I’ve never been so hungry watching television in my life. I honestly felt like all three could have easily won, and, in the end, only 1.5 stars separated first from third. My beloved Hubert was in third, then Mike KEYarillo in second by a half point, then, by a full point, Rick Bayless winning the whole shebang, and I have to say, it looked very deservedly so. I really enjoyed him and Hubert the entire time (the audience vote was only percent off between him and Hubert, so clearly I was not alone.) I hadn’t realized that James Oseland had always given MC only 3.5 stars, when they handed out 4 and higher fairly regularly…and tonight was no different. So it was really on James that MC lost…but wtg James! Great series. I enjoyed every episode. I hope they do it again. I’m sure there are more masters out there!

So, quite an enjoyable foodie night! And tonight we get a Design Off with previous talents from Project Runway going at it against each other, then the launch of this season (FINALLY!) Looking forward to it. And to not wanting to raid my kitchen every five seconds while watching.

Don’t forget to enter this week’s contest. See Monday’s blog for the details. Winner announced right here tomorrow!

And now? DISH! (And there were so many to talk about…) Who did you want to see win? Whose restaurant are you dying to go to first? Which dish made you the most curious to try it? For me, I wanted either Rick or Hubert to win, and ditto on going to their restaraunts first and totally wanted to taste Rick’s mole sauce that they were all dying over…and second runner up was Hubert’s opening stew dish. Mmmmm!

Tags: Writing //