TOP CHEF 4-Star All-Stars

TELEVISION What makes Top Chef such an exciting competition program is that there are so many things that have to come together instantly. Once you’re given your challenge, you have to blend creativity, technique, art and beauty, know-how to tastefully combine an array of flavors and do it with speed and accuracy.
I’m glad TC is back and relished the Season One Vs Season Two face-off since both teams have a lot of talent, and it didn’t disappoint. First of all, the most obvious thing to notice was Ilan’s sculpted and Elia’s white hair. Marcel still looks like Eddie Munster. This brings back memories of when they were going to scalp Marcel, and Cliff ended up getting kicked off. Speaking of Marcel, it’s still so easy to dis the little rapper wannabe. Even the Season 1 chefs were telling him to shut up when they were in the hotel room. I cracked-up when he whipped up the saffron foam for his eggs in the Quick Fire Challenge, and then winning to become the team captain. He savored beating Ilan, calling it a real smack down, but all I really wanted to do was smack him down.
Though the TC1 team ended up winning both challenges, the personalities of the TC2 chefs are much more congenial. I’d certainly like to hang out with Sam, Elia and Ilan who are much more easy-going than uptight Tiffany, snooty Stephen and bitchy Dave. Harold is sort of laid back yet a little moody. It was nice that Dave held it together and didn’t cry. And way to go Lee Anne Wong who got a job on set as a Culinary Producer. I wonder what exactly that position entails.
Tom, Padma and Gail were in good spirits with Ted Allen making a nice addition to the judging table. Having the Season 3 competitors add their two cents didn’t really do much except to give them an idea of what to strive for and to introduce them to the viewers.
Seeing the two teams side by side during the dinner challenge made it easier to compare strengths. Though many liked Dave’s smoked scallops, Elia had a great idea and won with the combo seared and uncooked scallops with the citrus marmalade. That seemed to fit the hot environment, rather than Marcel’s melting geleé and tableside-presented lobster foam. Stephen, the TC1 captain, took the honors with what sounded like a delicious cauliflower créme angles with the lobster. The judges were disappointed with both winning Top Chefs’ duck dishes, saying that Harold’s lacked flavor and Ilan just having too many things going wrong. Ilan blew it earlier too when his eggs were too salty. (He should be a little more careful as I think he’s just generally clumsy, and didn’t intentionally try to sabotage Marcel when he dropped his diced mango.) Tiffani and Sam seemed to be the most evenly matched but the judges loved her raw Kobe crudo more than Sam’s seared Kobe beef with mushrooms and coriander.
Kudos to Season 1 team for winning $20,000 for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer organization. Sam must have read some unflattering things about himself online when his parting recommendation to the Season 3 contestants was that they shouldn’t read the blogs because they may find out things they may not want to know about themselves. How could you be nasty toward Sam? I say it only helps to create a better recipe for living. Bring it on, Season 3!

The photos are from the Bravo site, where you can also check out a more-detailed summary of the episode. http://www.bravotv.com/blog/thedish/2007/06/food_fight.php