Top Chef Debacle

Who watched Top Chef last night? I've normally been pretty defensive of this show, even when many other culinary professionals derided it. In the past four seasons, there were at least a few people worthy of the money, putting out dishes that seemed like they could be developed into something I would pay for.

However, this season seems to be a complete mess. At least half of those cooks couldn't cook their way out of a paper bag. We're down to eleven cooks, and I think only three should be on this show: Jamie, Jeff and Stefan. The others have consistently produced uninspired food from the eighties. How does someone win a quickfire challenge with seared filet mignon on cauliflower puree? Are they catering someone's wedding circa 1985? Weak.

Then there's the matter that this "Christmas" episode was filmed this summer, and thus the chefs were asked to cook completely out of season. And let's not forget that this benefit dinner was probably fake anyway.

Of all the chefs and cooks I've worked with, I can only think of a couple who would have trouble beating Melissa, Radikha, Hosea or Ariane in a cook-off. This is just sad.

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However, I stumbled upon this today:

http://www.larakastner.com/alinea/

Please look through this entire photo essay. I looked at it at least six times today. This is what true top chefs do. People have made a lot of noise about the $1500 price tag on these dinners, but if I could get a reservation, I would have been there, regardless of my employment status. This is a little piece of culinary history. And Grant Achatz needs a stylist.