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| My hometown boy Gabiell Cruz cooking away on Top Chef Canada 2. SOURCE:Food Network Canada |
So you missed episode one of the highest rated series on Food Network Canada, ever!?
Not to worry, here's a recap.
Bollywood and Deepa Mehta movie star Lisa Ray is the new host. Not only is she gorgeous (noted by how many chefs ogled her), she seems to know what she's talking about too.
Not that I'm complaining, but the chefs appear to be Toronto-centric.
Mingling on Bymark's patio were Toronto talent like Marben’s Carl Heinrich, Sarah Tsai, chef at the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club huh?, David Chrystian, at Victor restaurant at Le Germain Hotel (formerly of The Drake Hotel), Elizabeth Rivasplata, sous chef at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Ryan Gallagher of Lynn Crawford's Ruby Watchco.
Crush Wine Bar’s Trista Sheen (who, we can't forget after repeated mentions, is Nick Liu of Niagara Street Cafe's wife), won the first challenge -representing yourself through a home town dish- for her fancy take on meat and potatoes. Seriously though Toronto, don't we have anything more original than meat and potatoes?
Hamilton also represented with Dundas' Quatrefoil sous-chef Gabriell Cruz (who, granted, did cut himself about 30 seconds into the first challenge). Go Cruz!
Sadly, Caledonia, Ont's William Thompson was the first chef booted for his apparently tasteless take on a home town dish which had something to do with a convoluted explanation of a bridge in Caledonia.
PLUS one of my favourite ever chefs, Michael Smith, was guest judge. AND they are staying in my brother's apartment building. Excited for next week, when guest judge is, inexplicably, TV handyman Mike Holmes.
I didn't quite understand why Sheen mentioned her husband at all? He's not on the show, so why put the focus on him straight out of the gate? Didn't she learn anything from Camille Grammar's favourite phrase on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills? "I'm here to step out of Kelsey's shadow" (which she said at least once and episode) and become the most annoying "character" of the season!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I watch RHOBH. So what?
Are you going to be blogging about the show each week, Sunny?
Hahah I don't watch real housewives, but I agree that it's total name-dropping while giving the air that you're above name dropping. I imagine we'll keep hearing it throughout the season too. The funny thing is, while he is a well-known chef among a very niche group of Toronto foodies, it's not like he's Susur Lee or Mario Batali or something. And yes, I do believe I will blog about the show, especially if you'll keep up this witty commentary!
ReplyDeleteNever mind Toronto-centric (and I am complaining :))-- What about male-centric? They could only dig up three women chefs to compete? Hmff. At least the three that are there appear to be contenders. Still, backgrounds and food styles are varied enough that it should be interesting. Lisa Ray as host is great; would be better if she spoke in a normal tone and didn't seem to shout everything. And I hope they avoid the ridiculous...skiing and shooting to get ingredients, for example.
ReplyDelete(Hi Sunny! This is your long-lost second cousin in Oliver... when are you coming to see Keith and I again??)
Hi Pat! How are you? Thanks for reading! I agree about the lack of diversity among the top chefs, the ironic thing is that I read that this year they made a conscious effort to steer away from a repeat of last season's uber white male cast. Haha, why is Lisa Ray talking like that she's trying SO HARD to be an intense food show judge. Skiing and shooting ingredients? That sounds like something they'd do for season four or so, when it's really time to jump the shark! Is there any chef you particularly like or are rooting for?
ReplyDeleteWho am I rooting for? Actual cooking skills seem up in the air. But OK, I'm shallow, I root for:
ReplyDeletethe women, the west coasters, and the one or two cutie boys, not necessarily in that order. :) Since they are all so new, that is my current criteria.
Looking forward to your TCC blog!
A fun forum to get our two cents in...thanks Sunny. I thought it was interesting that the chef everyone feared, because of his experience, landed in the bottom of the pack. He seemed to take offense to the critique that his food was bland...and anyone who watches these cooking competitions knows, improper seasoning often sends even the best chefs back to the kitchen to pack their knives! If the women continue to prove they're in it to win it, it will be a fun season.
ReplyDeleteJean...and some unexpected chefs ended up near the top!
ReplyDelete