Yigit - I'd like to have him for dessert

[jgoo]

Considering the nature of the show, there aren't too many alternatives to relying on the judges to make the decision. There are flaws to the process but as long as it provides good entertainment, the end result is what it is. The one thing I was not sure about was the final selection...is it just based on that competition's results or does it take into account the entirety of what they have accomplished during the season? I seem to recall in one season's final episode on Top Chef that Tom Colicchio saying that they should only be judging based on the specific results of that show's competition and not the totality of what the competitors have done in the past. That may sound good in theory but not sure how they could really not let the history of each influence them in some way, and frankly I think that is probably fair to consider everything. If that is the case, Mondo should probably have won.

[jackcali]

Well I think one of the reasons Mondo didn't win is that Mondo's presentation was not polished. He should have toned it down. Yes Mondo is a great designer and he should have won but some elements were over the top. Gretchen's style, however, is well polished. In the end only four people get to decide and yes sometimes it's not fair but that's the reality show. Let's not put too much weight on it.

 

Oh, don't worry, Greatness, I'm not crying myself to sleep about it. I just felt that the judges' discussion about the final collections presented by the contestants was ridiculous. Project Runway is a fashion competition, and Gretchen's ordinary clothes were in no way "fashion", they were just clothes. Mondo, over the top as he was, is a designer and an artist. They loved his stuff (over the top or not) all season and then decided that the winning line should be the one that would sell best in Walmart.

 

The same was true with Top Chef. The judges repeatedly admired Morgan's execution and his creativity, and they did again in the finale. As I watched the last show, I thought they were least enthusiastic about Yigit's desserts. I think the choice was political. Again, I'm not losing any sleep over it, but it makes the show feel too biased to be a fair competition.

[Bart]

Jack I do not necessarily disagree with based upon the entire body of work, but Top Chef dessert just like the original, Top Chef the winner is not based upon the entire body of work. They only judge the finale. Morgan's soufle fell. In fact Morgan actually had fantasic help getting Heather who acted very professional in giving Morgan all the help. Morgan did not gage the oven temp properly, the problem with baking when using both racks oven temps are not uniform for top and bottom. It was a little thing but that was difference. If that soufle did not fall he probably wins. In the end it was only fair since Morgan's elbow broke the beautiful candy vase Yigit made and that gave Morgan the win in the quick fire two weeks earlier. The issue of how the judging the winner of the show has always been a bit of a problem just look at Top Chef finale earlier this year and Kevin winning when he was lucky to even make the top 4 to Singapore and Tiffany went home on a small mistake even though she certainly was doing much better than Kevin and then he goes on to win.

 

I found the show interesting for me the problem was the head chef Johnny was not interesting and the Elvis look became a joke. That said I never thought anything could out do the Housewives for drama and this show almost did that. I actually read a blog where someone had the balls to write in and say how could they pick so many gay pastry chefs. Really like you sexual preference is on the application. The only person who looked and personfied the gay eccentric was Zac otherwise until episode 5 when Yigit talked about his partner did you definitively. I dont get what lifestyle has to do with being a chef.

[jackcali]

Bart, it sounds like you know your way around a kitchen.

 

I know that one of Morgan's souffles fell, but the judges' conversation still seemed to lean in favor of Morgan's work. (I do remember a few seasons ago a chef, I think his name was Richard, was head and shoulders above the rest of the pack, but in the final he screwed up something major and, as a result didn't win. I understood and agreed with that, but Morgan's slip didn't seem nearly that bad.

 

And I totally agree with you that Johnny was ridiculous and not a strong enough presence to carry the show. And I also agree that I couldn't care less about the sexuality of the cooks. I'd actually like these shows much more if they spent less time on filler about the contestants' personal lives and devoted more time to seeing them work. It seems that in some episodes of these shows the personal dramas completely crowd out the competition. I guess that's what most people watch for, but at least as far as Top Chef is concerned, I want to see the cooking because I might try some of the dishes at home.

[+ Axiom2001]

Yigit turned out the better of all desserts that were served during this very special occasion to some foodie and dessert giants! He's now become one of my friends at Facebook!

 

Gosh, I would love to sample his desserts and he, too! This recently-turned 30 year old man is sumptuous-looking, and my waiting mouth and tongue would definitely receive their "just desserts" from sampling him! -