Happy New Year Top Chef Fans

Happy New Year everyone. If you are preparing something special to eat tonight, share it with us in the comment area.

There is NO new top chef tonight. Season 5 will continue next Wednesday night.

But we will have the chat room open tonight if you wish to spend the evening with one another.

Eat well and be safe and see you in 2009

Win A Top Chef Calendar

This is taken from BRAVOFAN.com. and written by Lynn,

"To celebrate the fifth season of Bravo’s Top Chef, Bravo Fan and my fellow Starked blogger Lynn at Reality Exploits will be joining forces to give away three Top Chef 2009 Calendars. Entering is easy. Just leave a comment on this post or the post at Reality Exploits about the contest and you are entered. The three winners will be chosen at random from all the entries on both sites and notified by email. So please be sure to put a working email address in when you make your comments. Entries are limited to US addresses (sorry!!) and only one entry per day, per person is allowed. Entries will close at Midnight EST on January 7, 2009. Then watch your email the day or so to see if you are a winner!"




So, rush on over to BRAVOFAN.com and enter for your chance to win!

Top Chef Holiday Special

Tonight's Top Chef Holiday Special, we believe, is a repeat of last season's holiday special. For those of you who did not see it...we do not want to give away the outcome.

However, we will have the chat room open tonight for those of you who wish to watch the special together and who wish to share the evening together.

Top Chef season 5 will return on January 7th.

Happy Holidays fellow fans!

Want to know the holiday traditions of season 5 chefs? Click HERE to watch!

Monday Morning Mix

Onto the fun and entertaining recaps of Episode 6

Eric 3000 - Eric does it again with. Top Chef New York, episode six: Eleven Chefs a-Choking!

Amuse-Biatch have tasty tidbits. Click HERE


What'ere, Jane Eyre is serving- Eleven Chefs A Suckin'

My Monkey Could Do That - 12 days of Christmas summary

MinxEats - the laughs continue with episode 6 Top Chef New York Episode 6

Reality Check prepares 'Top Chef': Christmas in July

Cliffieland - keeps it going with Top Chef: New YorkEpisode: 12 Days Of Christmas (Or, It's A Festivus Miracle!)

David Dust - is having fun with Top Chef New York Episode 6 - How the Fridge Stole Christmas

Dealing In Subterfuges-is serving Top Chef: Furthermore, your Christmas gifts were for the birds

ModerDomestic Weblog presents - Top Chef They Almost Ruin Christmas

Bravo Fan- You’re Not Going To Win With Deviled Eggs ["Top Chef" Season 5, Episode 6 Recap]

Bored Moron-Top Chef 5 New York: Episode 6 by Mebs

Dealing in Subterfuges-In the mix.

Procrastiblog: Conspiracies afoot.

Cooking with The Single Guy - It’s a Top Chef Christmas Miracle

Chew On That is serving -Top Chef: Holiday Cheer

Great job again everyone. Thanks!!!

If you are also blogging Top Chef and would like to join the Monday Morning Mix, please email us ( Left side link that reads "Contact Us" ) and we will be happy to add you to the fun.

Enjoy!

If we forgot to add you to the Mix, please let me know!

cb

Tom Colicchio - Friday on Bloomberg TV

Friday on the BLOOMBERG TELEVISION® program "Night Talk," host Mike Schneider talks to Craft Restaurants Chef/owner and Top Chef Judge Tom Colicchio.

He talks about how the economic downturn impacts the restaurant business, "Maybe it's not fashionable to be sitting in a fancy restaurant right now. New York always manages to get by in downturns because the economy never really hurt New York, especially New York City, as hard. But right now, since it started in banking, it’s really affecting New York."

He talks about how he is addressing the slowdown, "The way to get through this is not to cut back on quality, not to cut back on service...Maybe we're not going to make money for the next year. Maybe we'll lose some money in the next year... I think you just have to hunker down, you weather the storm, you look to save money in other areas, you make sure you turn the lights off and other things like that."

"Night Talk" airs in the U.S., Europe and Asia on Bloomberg TV at 10PM on weeknights and is simulcast on Bloomberg Radio at 10PM. Bloomberg Radio is broadcast on 1130AM in the New York Metropolitan area and is available on XM and Sirius. The Friday night Show re-airs over the weekend Sat at 8:00-9:00pm, 10:00-11:00pm and Mon 12:00am - 1:00am.

"Night Talk" can also be seen on Bloomberg.com (http://www.bloomberg.com/tvradio/shows.html), is podcast at (http://www.bloomberg.com/tvradio/podcast/night_talk.html) and also on iTunes under Business News.

Also watch for the interview on Venture with BLT restaurant chef-owner Laurent Tourondel January 2nd at 8PM.

Thanks Heidi

Top Chef Season 5 Episode 6

And then there were 11
So who's turn is it tonight?
Any ideas? Any favorites yet?

Tell us in the comment area below.

Please join us this evening in the LIVE chat room during the show.
It is the place to be for fun and conversation regarding the show.
All are welcome!

Sunday Roast

Yeah, I'm late again.




Why was Gilbert Gottfried at the shower, in drag?





I can't be the only one hoping these two just shut up already and get a room.




If the Cowardly Lion and Rosie O'Donnell were to have a love child, this is what he would look like.




Seriously, fire your stylist. You are just an accessory away from looking like Kelly Wearstler.




Is this Gail's shower or a Summers Eve commercial?



OK, its y'alls turn.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly Epi.5

Good

- Told you I would say it again - PADMA'S hair at the shower - fabulous!

- I'm kinda OK with Carla not speaking up about the mushrooms Daniel threw onto her plate. I'm not sure I would have had the guts to NOT be a team player and let it slide either.

- I thought the "name that ingredient" quickfire was a great idea! Lots of fun to watch!

- My "Jersey Girl" Ariane wins again! Keith and I definitely want to check out her restaurant soon, as its only about a half-hour from where we live - we'll keep you posted!

Bad

- Hosea, "She has a boyfriend and I have a girlfriend..." Yeah PROBABLY NOT after Wednesday night's airing! LOL

- The sushi idea. When I'm at an event like that I want to be served - damnit!

- Fabio was ADORABLE when greeting the ladies, but - yeah, yeah already!

- Jamie was kinda bummed when she didn't win - could ya tell?

Ugly

- Daniel's elimination. Come on Daniel, I wanted good New York/Joey Paulino style crying and lashing out!!!!!!! I was so disappointed!!!!

- Previews for this week - "You don't win on a deviled egg." YIKES!

- Stefan's little Jamie crush, but you can tell he's the type of person who works harder to get the things he CAN'T have!

Gail Simmons Wedding Registry

We got this email from Jacalyn of WeddingChannel.com

Hi there!

What does someone like Gail Simmons from Food & Wine and Top Chef register for? Well, after watching her bridal shower on Top Chef last night, I checked to see if her wedding registry was available on WeddingChannel.com… and it is.

In case you’re wondering, she registered at Bloomingdale’s and Williams-Sonoma. Some of the items listed on her registry include:

- A gravy separators for $24

- Perfex pepper and salt mills for $90 each

- Le Creuset Oval Dutch Oven on sale for $300

- Riedel Ultra Decanter for $279

To look up more celebrity wedding registries, just check out WeddingChannel.com and type in the couple’s names.

Best,

Jacalyn

Thanks Jacalyn

Monday Morning Mix

Onto the fun and entertaining recaps of Episode 5

Eric 3000 - Eric does it again with: Top Chef New York episode five: Hot Night in the Hen House!

Amuse-Biatch have tasty tidbits. Click HERE

What'ere, Jane Eyre is serving- Italian. Wedding. Soup

My Monkey Could Do That - prepared Top Chef 12/10/08--"Gail's Bridal Shower" summary

MinxEats - the laughs continue with episode 4 Top Chef New York Episode 5

Reality Check prepares Whose Party Is It Anyway?

Cliffieland - keeps it going with Top Chef: New York Episode: Gail's Bridal Shower (Or, The "Always A Bridesmaid"

hey, i`m maxthegirl: Carla hears a hoo! The Top Chef recap.

Procrastiblog: Sploogefest '08

David Dust - is having fun with Top Chef New York - Episode Five: "Let's Get Pickled!"

Dealing In Subterfuges-is serving Top Chef " Oh Dany Boy"

ModerDomestic Weblog presents - Top Chef Desperately in Need of A Blue M & M

Bravo Fan- Has several items

Bored Moron-Top Chef 5 New York: Episode 5 by Mebs

Cooking with The Single Guy - Till Danny Do We Part

Another great week everyone. Thanks!!!

If you are also blogging Top Chef and would like to join the Monday Morning Mix, please email us ( Left side link that reads "Contact Us" ) and we will be happy to add you to the fun.

Enjoy!

Say it ain't so!

Lawsuit Accuses a Top Chef of Wage and Tip Violations

By STEVEN GREENHOUSE

Published: December 12, 2008

Tom Colicchio, the celebrity restaurateur and judge on Bravo’s popular “Top Chef” television show, was sued in federal court on Thursday by a former waitress who accused his company of misappropriating employee tips, withholding some overtime pay and sometimes failing to pay minimum wage. Mr. Colicchio’s restaurants — including Craft, Craftbar and Craftsteak — were also named in the lawsuit.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

NOOOOOOO!

Life & Style exclusive: Top Chef's Sam Talbot ties the knot!

Top Chef Season 2 finalist Sam Talbot, 30, and his Colombian girlfriend, T-shirt designer and model Paola Guerrero, who's also 30, got married at NYC's City Hall this week, a friend of the chef tells Life & Style.

The two met in Brazil last December and announced their engagement in July.

Congrats to the happy couple!

Photo Credit: WireImage

UPDATE: Ran across this picture of my beloved Sam and that bitch who thinks she stole him from me.

I guess she is cute and all. I don't care though because Sam still loves me. BTW, I totally stole this picture from The Evil Beet.

Thanks Lindsay

I'm gonna go eat a gallon of Cherry Garcia with a Jose Cuervo chaser.

Your Turn To Vote

	Which was more unbelievable? Stefan wanting a kiss from Jamie? Danny adding mushrooms to Carla's dish? Carla going through the store yelling "Whoo-lie!"? Danny thinking he had a chance of winning the QF, let alone the title of Top Chef? Ariane winning the EC for doing the least amount of work? Eugene thinking he saved the overcooked rice then actually serving it? pollcode.com free polls

Alas, Poor Daniel

Oh Danny boy, your knives, your knives are calling

From judge to judge, and many friends of the bride

Your chance is gone, and all cheftestants sighing

'Tis you, 'tis you must go collect your pride.

But you should know your mushrooms were just so-so

And Carla should have tasted them we know

'Tis I will miss your fancy shaven chin tho’

Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, you have to go.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly Epi.4

The Good -

- I am gonna say this today (even though it's technically NOT on this episode), I'll say it next week and maybe even again the week after but Padma's hair looks AMAZING on the previews of Gail's shower!

- It was nice to see Ariane win! My boyfriend thinks she's the Lee Anne of Season 5 (she's always gonna be "right there"). Who cares if she did a salad? She did something really well and something people CAN actually make at home!

- Who doesn't love a breakfast quickfire? :) I think I would have liked Carla's pancakes and fruit (is that the second week I liked Carla's dish best?? LOL)

- The sensitive way in which the chefs handled watching the 3 "winners" compete on the Today Show (OK at least from what we saw on TV!)

The Bad -

- I still can't a feel for whether I love or hate Rocco DiSpirito (I couldn't put him under the Ugly category because clearly he's not!) I think I hated him in Season 3 and laughed at Joey's bluntness towards him, but now he's kinda growing on me - oh I don't know! LOL

- Daniel - love ya buddy and the dish looked pretty good but the "smoking up the kitchen" idea? - not good!

- I suppose we gotta throw in the raw egg here now - don't we?

- The food spitting. If those shrimp were too hot for Tom? And it's always good to see Kathie Lee choking on morning TV - NOT!

The Ugly

- The budding romances. Are Hosea and Leah really dating now? If so, good for you Hosea - I landed someone from Scarsdale too! Now, what's the dirt on Stefan and Fabio? LOL But now next week we see Jamie saying Stefan has a crush on her?? Oh Lord - I guess Jen and Zoi really left the door open for all this to go on!

- Leah's "phone it in, I have immunity" attitude in the elimination. We all know where that got Daniel Vosovic on Project Runway 2 - almost eliminated!

- The "loser edit" that Alex got. First he's reading Richard's very emotional letter to only 2 people (although we don't know if others actually DID get to see it). Next he's worried about his wedding, then he's going home! How did he go from such a fierce competitor to phoning it in and packing his bags?

If I think of anything else I'll include in in the comments - thanks all :)

TrishDish, sorry this is so late. CB

Sunday Roast

OK, so the Roast is super late. You can't rush this kind of quality.





Padma says "Sometimes, its hard to be this beautiful."









Apparently, Spirit Guides are lousy at giving directions.







Me too!









They make a perfect couple, don't they?








Now if we could only find Stefan's attitude.








That smile just creeps me right the fuck out.













Your turn to get snarky. Write your caption in the comment section.

Gail Simmons interview

Shea from Reality Check Radio told us about this interview. Be sure to check it out.

Thanks Shea

Top Chef Episode 5. Who Is Going Home

And then there were 12.
So who's turn is it tonight?
Any ideas? Any favorites yet?

Tell us in the comment area below.

Please join us this evening in the LIVE chat room during the show.
It is the place to be for fun and conversation regarding the show.
All are welcome!

Top Chef Preview Time

Top Chef Episode 5 Preview "Wake Up Call"

See who is falling for who... Click HERE

Monday Morning Mix

Onto the fun and entertaining recaps of Episode 4

Eric 3000 - Eric keeps us laughing each season. Top Chef New York episode three: It's Morning Again in America!

Amuse-Biatch have tasty tidbits. Click HERE


What'ere, Jane Eyre is serving- TV Dinner

My Monkey Could Do That - prepared Today Show summary

Procrastiblog-Attack of the Next Food Network Stars. Sounds like a real show, doesn't it?

MinxEats - the laughs continue with episode 4 Top Chef New York Episode 4

Reality Check prepares 'Top Chef' -- or is it the 'Today' show?

Cliffieland - keeps it going with Top Chef: New YorkEpisode: Today Show (Or, Good Morning, America!)

David Dust - is having fun with Top Chef New York Episode 4 - Recap in 750 Words or Less

Dealing In Subterfuges-is serving Top Chef " On Brulee and "Today"

ModerDomestic Weblog presents - Top Chef Amusing Amuse-Bouche

Bravo Fan- Try Something New, Get Kicked Off “Top Chef”

Bored Moron-Top Chef 5 New York: Episode 4 by Mebs

Cooking with The Single Guy - No Longer the Crème de la Creme

Great job again everyone. Thanks!!!

If you are also blogging Top Chef and would like to join the Monday Morning Mix, please email us ( Left side link that reads "Contact Us" ) and we will be happy to add you to the fun.

Enjoy!

Technical Difficulties*

The Sunday Roast will be delayed but it should be available tomorrow.






*I'm going shopping

Your Turn To Vote

Last week we asked, " Which would your prefer to use for this challenge?" With 147 votes, we are a home made grilling kind of group with 95 votes.

The toaster oven came in with 47 votes and 5 of you selected the microwave.

This week we ask, " Which Amuse Bouche Breakfast. would you like to taste?"

Which Amuse Bouche Breakfast. would you like to taste?
	Radhika: Potato Cake with Egg and Bacon
	Jeff: Yogurt Sorbet with Loaded Potatoes
	Ariane: Stuffed French Toast
	Leah: Fried Quail Egg with Tomato and Cheese
	Danny: Cornflake Crusted Zucchini Blossom
	Gene: Pork Sausage and Bacon Sandwich
	Jamie: Baby BLT Breakfest Sandwich
	Melissa: Egg in a Nest
	Carla: Silver Dollar Pancakes with mixed fruit
	Fabio: Bruleed Banana with Brioche
	Alex: Sweetcorn Crepa
	Stefan: Huevos Rancheros
	Hosea: Fried Quail Egg with Sweet Potato Hash
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Top Chef - Episode 4. Did You Agree?

Chef Leah scores the Quick Fire challenge with a amuse bouche breakfast.

Chef Ariane wins the Elimination with watermelon, tomato, feta, and basil.

Remember she will be on the Today show December 4th. That is tomorrow!

And chef Alex got Burnt. We are sorry Chef Alex but wish you all the best with your new marriage and hope you drop by the little kitchen soon.


Check out what Chef Lee Anne, of Season 1, thought of tonight's show. Click HERE

Oooh, I want this for Christmas too!

Click here to read the story.

Top Chef New York Episode 4

4 down and 13 to go!

Who do you think is the next to

pack their knives and go? Tell us in the comment area below.

Please join us this evening in the LIVE chat room during the show. It is the place to be for fun and conversation regarding the show. All are welcome!

Get a room!

Their love will not be stopped!



Thanks HoInMo

Episode 3 - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Our Own Field Chef Recap From Chef TrishDishes

Good - The quickfire was AWESOME! I actually have the Top Chef cookbook and was excited about that but then to throw the soup curveball on top of it - great! And Daniel's soup looked really good - thought maybe he should have had it.

- Eugene's spot on pork and his makeshift grill! Way to think on the spot dude!


- Fabio's reaction to the quickfire curveball - "SOUP" with a deadpan face. Classic!

- Arianne's turkey. And I also think I really would have enjoyed Carla's dessert - good job all!


Bad - Jeff's spoonbread stuffing looked dry - even on TV! Props for working your butt off though buddy!


- Arianne doesn't know what a "cougar" is? Did she miss the reality show with tennis star Mark Philippoussis??? LOL


- The little scuffle between Daniel and Jamie over the peanut butter. I see this moving to the "Ugly" category if those 2 stay around any longer (although Jamie - how about something other than a salad or a soup girl?)

- Leah choses Hosea second on her team....hmmmm!


- "Maybe it's that time of the month?" Daniel?? Really!!!! (btw: Don't guys know that we get moody BEFORE that time of the month not during??? LOL)


Ugly - The weather - UGH! Typical for Upstate New York though!


- You could just tell that the smores weren't gonna work! Sorry Richard!


- Party underwear??? Well....forget it - let's not even go there Daniel!


- The winners go to the concert while the losers listen to it as they clean up (was it really that close? You could kind of hear the concert in the background.)


- I just went to Wikipedia and searched Grant Achatz. The picture that they show does not even look like the same person we saw on TV. According to the article he is now "cancer-free" and I hope he continues to fight and get healthier!

Monday Morning Mix

Onto the fun and entertaining recaps of Episode 3

Eric 3000 - Eric keeps us laughing each season. Top Chef New York episode three: Thanksgiving in July!

Amuse-Biatch have tasty tidbits. Click HERE


What'ere, Jane Eyre is serving- Foo Foo Platter


MinxEats - the laughs continue with episode 3 Top Chef New York Episode 3

Reality Check prepares Foo Fighters food fight

Cliffieland - keeps it going with Top Chef: New York Episode: The Thanksgiving Episode (Express Edition)

David Dust - is cooking on all four burners with Top Chef New York Episode 3 Does a bear spit in the woods?

Dealing In Subterfuges-is serving What a Turkey

ModerDomestic Weblog presents - Top Che The Thanksgiving of Six Product Placements

Bravo Fan-Top Chef Celebrates Thanksgiving in July; Season 5, Episode 3 [Recap]

Bored Moron-Episode 3 by Mebs

Please help us welcome

Cooking with The Single Guy - Top Chef: Season 5, Episode 3

We are thrilled to have many new blogs added to the Monday Morning Mix. If you are also blogging Top Chef and would like to join the Monday Morning Mix, please email us ( Left side link that reads contact us ) and we will be happy to add you to the fun.

Enjoy!