Top Chef Recap

Finale Part II

By David Mumpower

February 7, 2014

Winner gets a night with Padma! Wait, that's not right?

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The editing during Nina’s final courses adds to my concern. The judges led by Morimoto agree that one of her dishes, the squash puree, is “too much of everything." Hugh adds his disappointment about how Nina has failed to produce the best dessert possible for the Top Chef finale. Why does nobody ask if Nina was provided the basic kitchen equipment necessary to cook a Top Chef dessert? I do not like the vibe I am getting about the final result. An upset appears to be brewing unless this is an editing swerve.

Judges Table starts with heartfelt congratulations toward both contestants. As has been the case for several challenges in a row, all of the food is praiseworthy. The goodwill is short-lived as Tom quickly presses Nick about the service at his restaurant. He diplomatically answers, “We were having a tough service, but I thought this food was pretty consistent.” We know from judging comments that it was not, but that is the smart reply in this situation.

The judges know the service was problematic and now Nick knows that they know. Rather than dwell on it, he should remind them as much as possible that they were just praising the overall quality of the food. It also plants a subtle but potentially fertile seed that Nick overcame more during the finale than his counterpart.




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The next discussion involves Nick’s stubborn refusal to adjust the seasoning to the taste of the judges, an ongoing theme of season 11. I say again that if Nick claims the title of Top Chef, he will have done so by bending the judges to his will on the subject of salt. He prefers less of it in his cooking, and he is inflexible on the point. He is openly daring them not to accept him for who he is.

One of the most hilarious debates in the history of Top Chef occurs. The subject is Nick’s second course. Padma and Emeril are expecting a public lynching over the quality of his scallop. Padma forcefully notes that she received absolutely no scallop flavor from her dish. Tom and Gail, apparent victims of hypnosis, smile gleefully as Tom states that it was his favorite meal of the season. At this announcement, Padma recoils in horror, rolling her eyes as if she were a child being forced to eat brussels sprouts. Padma will not even argue the point further. It’s like one group is saying day while the other is saying night.

Nick’s issues with the first team of judges continue with the next dish. Emeril states that his dish was undercooked. This particular course was one he struggled to finish due to the issue. He was treating the food like chewing gum as well. Tom curtly overrules Emeril, stating his duck was “cooked the way it should have been cooked." And Emeril also wished that there had been better balance to the Panna Cotta dish. The obvious conclusion we can draw is that Tom and Gail were provided much better meals than Emeril, Hugh and Padma. I am starting to like Nina’s chances better.


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