"Top Chef" in a 777?
 

Just found this thread. Love it. Thought I'd throw in my two bits.

I truly feel for the clients. I did like this show last season, but after seeing more and more of the "gimicky" sort of challenges, I've come to realize this is less about prep ability, and more about how not to throw in the towel under outrageous circumstances. Thus my desire for a TRUE Top Chef show, where they just cook, and cook and cook in professional kitchens, in professional situations, making true food to be eaten at a restaurant. If that's for Chili's, then fine. But....

Making "gourmet" meals on a plane is akin to working with a child's Easy Bake 100W light-bulb oven. There is no top chef talent here. I'd love to see Anthony Bourdain or Tom C. take part in these challenges.

Harold's (deservingly) disgust last year of cooking from a vending machine or with products from a gas station for a quick fire make me wonder where the producers of this show come up with these ideas? And disgust for Tom C. for letting it happen.

Anthony Bourdain claims (in his blog) that this is not unlike off-site catering, where staging on unfamiliar ground. But professional chefs do plan for these sorts of issues, and often spend as much time preparing as they do cooking. Obviously not so in quickfire. The old saying that the best gardener is working in January by the fireplace is also true of cooking.

I'll watch the ending, but in reality, I think this show is equivalent to cooking acrobatics, or "How not to throw a knife at a producer who asks you to make something with a twinkie and Hershey's chocolate syrup (a sponsor).

What's with Tom's backward beret hat? Katie Lee Joel had more fashion sense at least.

all of a sudden it's finale time - let's all make our picks.

I'm rooting for Casey, and think Hung will win.

Hung wins, Casey runner up

I am definitely rooting for Casey!

Dale will win, followed by Hung, then Casey.

In reality, I think it will be b/w Hung and Casey.

Wasn't too surprised to see Brian go home after what he made last night. I couldn't believe how rare Casey cooked her elk though (this, coming from a guy that LOVES his elk rare!) - when Eric Ripert describes it as "black and blue" you know the temperature is off.

I think it's going to be between Dale and Casey.

IF the finale this year is anything like the last 2, they will bring back other contestants to serve as sous chefs for the finalists. I can't see all that many people giving 100% to Hung's effort, hobbling him the way Tiffani was in season one.

Hung must go
 

Gawd, how we love to hate Hung. What an a---ole. I loved the way he lied and got away with it. And, his incredible suck-up speech at the end..

My fave is Casey, but either of the Dale would be fine too. He really came through last night..

Great show, and we've even picked a couple a small cooking tips in the process.

Really? I really like Hung and his arrogance. Then again, I also liked the foam guy last year who thought he was all that. I find it to be entertaining.

The big problem with this show is that we can't taste the damn food!

That would mean the info I got would be accurate so I'm thinking it would be correct. :o

I'm rooting for Casey big time... she's the former roommate of my chef friend.

Casey has a good shot; I'm sure the Top Chef producers would like a female winner this time.

I hope its Casey all the way.

i hope its casey too, i love her. shes an amazing chef but i think the fact that she a woman is gonna help her out a lot...

Can't stand Casey. As one prior poster said she is prissy.

I've liked Dale and Hung from the beginning, so I can live with either of those but there is so much Hung bashing I'm leaning towards him right now.

oooooh, live finale!

(can anyone tell i'm excited?)