Top Chef. Is it time again to discuss? (Semi-spoilers)

I won't put any spoilers in here for those who aren't up to date. Just a few comments. Other fans, please chime in.

-Jenn is my favorite. I really like her focus and how she gets down to business without buying into the whole drama thing.
-The brothers Bryan and Michael are both pretty amazing Chefs from what I can tell, and are really serious about their food. It's kind of fun to watch the sibling rivalry between them. When one of them does well, you can see the internal struggle of of the other being both happy for his brother and completely defeated.

-Kevin, for only being 26, has the goods also. There's no way he could have won so many challenges otherwise. He seems to be the judges' favorite.

-Mike from New Jersey obviously knows his way around the kitchen, but his personality really grates on me. His opinion of himself is way too high. I think that will be his downfall in the end. He's shocked anytime his food is negatively critiqued--can never imagine that his dish wasn't incredible.

The rest of them can go home as far as I'm concerned. They are no competition for the players above.

The only other comment I have for now is, ENOUGH WITH THE CEVICHE' ALREADY!!!

Eli is not bad either, I was watching an older Iron Chef episode last week - battle chickpeas Batali vs Richard Blais (even before he was on Top Chef) and Eli was Richard's sous chef. I think he'll be there at the end.

The most impressive thing about the brothers is their focus. You can sense they're real pros and are here to win. They are not about to get distracted by all the usual TC shenanigans and petty rivalries.

[Jenise]

Carrie, I'm in total agreement. Those four distinguished themselves right out of the box and have consistenly produced the most inspired and apparently well-executed and best tasting food episode after episode. I missed the first couple seasons of TC but of those I've seen so far, I don't recall four chefs of their obvious competence emerging on top so early. In fact, I don't even remember there being four chefs of their quality--each season it's been one or two that stood out from the beginning, but not like this. No way would that guy who won last year, Hosea?, have done better than fifth place in this group, and probably not even that.

Eli is not bad either, I was watching an older Iron Chef episode last week - battle chickpeas Batali vs Richard Blais (even before he was on Top Chef) and Eli was Richard's sous chef. I think he'll be there at the end.

Eli has potential but I don't think he is up to the same level as the others. I will give him props for his comedic relief. He says some things that really crack me up.

Do you guys think Robin is as bad a chef and as annoying as everyone says?

[Jenise]

Eli is rather funny, and obviously competent. He's just not in the class of the top four. And I can't stand Mike Isabella--he's not always wrong, but he's kind of wrong to say what he thinks all the time. He just has no class.

No way would that guy who won last year, Hosea?, have done better than fifth place in this group, and probably not even that.

Hmmm, I don't know about that Jenise. Hosea had a great strategy and it paid off; he basically beefed up on New Orleans cuisine during the prelude to the finale and he used that knowledge very much to his advantage, I've got to say he deserves to win just for the thought process, the focus and the hard work, even if Stefan and Fabio were the more talented chefs( they seemed to think that their talent will carry them through.)
I still have to see thought process, hard work and preparation from this season's contestants. So far I agree that they look like a more talented bunch but again, we'll only find out at the end.

[Jenise]

No way would that guy who won last year, Hosea?, have done better than fifth place in this group, and probably not even that.

Hmmm, I don't know about that Jenise. Hosea had a great strategy and it paid off; he basically beefed up on New Orleans cuisine during the prelude to the finale and he used that knowledge very much to his advantage, I've got to say he deserves to win just for the thought process, the focus and the hard work, even if Stefan and Fabio were the more talented chefs( they seemed to think that their talent will carry them through.)
I still have to see thought process, hard work and preparation from this season's contestants. So far I agree that they look like a more talented bunch but again, we'll only find out at the end.

You make a good point, Jacques. But to get into that finale he mostly succeeded by staying off the bottom, not striving for the top. I might be being unfair to him, but IIRC I thought the majority of his success in the finale had to do with having Richard Blaise for a sous chef.

I think the 2 brothers and Kevin will be the top 3. Jenn seems to be getting tired.

Richard

[Jenise]

You could be right, Richard. She seemed to be coming down with something on that last show, though for the sake of drama I wouldn't put it past them to make a medical emergency out of an allergy sniffle.

Say, just read that Bravo is giving Fabio from last year his own show. Don't know what it will be, but he had such a great personality it's no wonder. Hey, he could be the next Galloping Gourmet.

Hi Jenise,

Well..the one brother (non-tattoo) and Kevin for sure…I think it’s a toss-up between tattoo brother and Jenn. Can’t think of either of the brothers names offhand. Both Jenn and tattoo bro seem very competent, but evey once in awhile seem to be unable to deliver the goods on their concept. Best bunch though in a long time.

Richard

I pretty much agree with all the above...I am biased toward Jenn for her toughness combined with even temper. Mike Isabella? Meh. His arrogance will be his undoing. The bros? Both good, although I think the tattoo bro (Mike?) is the better of the two...I like their focus. I think Kevin is very impressive. He has so knocked it out of the park.

As for others? They just are not measuring up.

b

We'll see. Consensus is that the brothers, Jennifer, and Kevin will be there at the end but Eli is my dark horse.

[Jenise]

We'll see. Consensus is that the brothers, Jennifer, and Kevin will be there at the end but Eli is my dark horse.

You know who my dark horse, uh, was? The tall girl who just went home. I suddenly can't remember her name, want to say Ashley but that's a guy. Or was there an Ashley and an Ash? Anyway, she did some great stuff, but also made a lot of bad decisions--couldn't seem to keep her cool. I was thinking that was about to turn around, but she went home instead.

Where are you up to in your screenings? We've just seen eipsode three here in NZ - episode four screens tomorrow night.
I'm surprised same series is screening here as we are sometimes a little behind.
Jennifer seems the most confident of all the female contestants.
A few of the guys, mostly the ones you have mentioned, stand out too.

We'll see. Consensus is that the brothers, Jennifer, and Kevin will be there at the end but Eli is my dark horse.

You know who my dark horse, uh, was? The tall girl who just went home. I suddenly can't remember her name, want to say Ashley but that's a guy. Or was there an Ashley and an Ash? Anyway, she did some great stuff, but also made a lot of bad decisions--couldn't seem to keep her cool. I was thinking that was about to turn around, but she went home instead.

Yes, Ashley was the girl and Ash is the guy. I think Ash is going home next. He pretty much admitted to not being in the same league as the others. I also thought Ashley was making a big comeback.

I pretty much agree with all the above...I am biased toward Jenn for her toughness combined with even temper. Mike Isabella? Meh. His arrogance will be his undoing. The bros? Both good, although I think the tattoo bro (Mike?) is the better of the two...I like their focus. I think Kevin is very impressive. He has so knocked it out of the park.

As for others? They just are not measuring up.

b

Barb, I agree (verbatim) with your take on things. The tatooed brother is Michael. I agree, he is the more passionate and creative of the two. Bryan is really good, but he's a bit more "mechanical."

Where are you up to in your screenings? We've just seen eipsode three here in NZ - episode four screens tomorrow night.
I'm surprised same series is screening here as we are sometimes a little behind.
Jennifer seems the most confident of all the female contestants.
A few of the guys, mostly the ones you have mentioned, stand out too.

Sue, we are in Season 6, and episode number eight airs tonight.

Do you guys think Robin is as bad a chef and as annoying as everyone says?

After yesterday's episode, yes! I doubt she'll be tehre long, though. She and Laurine are definitely the weakest remaining links.

[Jenise]

Just watched the latest episode--was really surprised that Laurine wasn't the one to go home. Her rillettes was so wrong on so many levels.

Carrie / Jenise - can one of you please change the main topic subject (No spoilers yet) as there are a few spoliers creeping in now.
I'm going to have to stop watching this thread.
Thx,
Sue

I still believe the top 4 will be as most of you think - Jenn, Kevin and the brothers.

[Jenise]

Sue, I was actually careful in the way I put what I did about the latest episode out of deference to you. That is, I purposefully didn't reveal the winner and was careful not to reveal the user. But it really IS hard to talk about the show without any detail at all--please show some compassion.

Thanks Jenise - and the compassion is there .
Two went home in the latest episode I watched on Thursday night. Can't remember their names only what they looked like or spoke like.
PS I've unsubscribed the topic now - so talk away.

Just watched the latest episode--was really surprised that Laurine wasn't the one to go home. Her rillettes was so wrong on so many levels.

Just watched last Wednesday's last night. We've been traveling...
While I agree somewhat about Laurine, I really think it was time for them to send home who they did. He is obviously WAY out of his league. Everything he makes is uninspired and very basic. At least Laurine tried for something a little different and complex. I think they are keeping Robin for the onscreen tension.

We'll see. Consensus is that the brothers, Jennifer, and Kevin will be there at the end but Eli is my dark horse.

Jacques, I finally got a glimpse of what you see in Eli in last week's episode. You are right about him being a dark horse.