SORTING BY Recap


RECAP: YAH's 1 Year Anniversary Party

RECAP

January 24, 2010


 

Throwing a party always makes me nervous. What if people don't come? What if the 200 whoopie pies I carried around the city all day go uneaten? What if the projector doesn't work? What if the DJ doesn't show? (Planned DJ Cale Parks actually didn't, but luckily we had Derek Davies to fill in.)  My fears quickly subsided when the doors opened at 10 pm, and within minuted the room was jam-packed with friends, musicians, artists, and foodies. By 10:20 pm, the pizza from Jim Lahey's Co. was devoured. The desserts lasted a little longer. We introduced hundreds of people to the genius of One Girl Cookies' Whoopie Pies — "The most amazing thing I have ever eaten," said one — and everyone loved the mini-cupcakes from Cupcake Stop. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD, MUSIC, ART on January 24, 2010 2:16pm by Jena Steinbach | 4 comments



Top Chef Finale Doesn't feel All That Final

RECAP

December 10, 2009


 

After weeks of watching Kevin, Michael and Bryan compete neck-and-neck (combined, the three of them won a total of 14 out of 15 elimination challenges), we were shocked at last night's results. After sleeping on the judges' decision, we woke up feeling angry, too. 

 

In the past, the final three had to make the best meals of their lives, using whatever ingredients they wanted.  This time, the final challenge was similar to previous ones in that the contestants had to work with numerous variables: a mystery box of ingredients, an additional dish, and the last course had to be a dessert. Why was this finale different? Having the chefs cook a final meal, by their own rules, feels like a culmination of a great season, whereas this challenge simply felt like more of the same. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on December 10, 2009 11:50am by Jena Steinbach | 1 comment



Top Chef: Padma Needs a Stylist and Everyone Loves Kevin's Beard!

RECAP

December 3, 2009


 

The challenges on last night's episode were pretty straightforward. For the quick-fire the chefs made a meal on the Napa Valley train; for the elimination, the chefs had to serve 150 people two courses: one vegetarian, the other meat. All of the chefs did well, culminating in a very tense judges table. Jennifer was crying when she didn't make the cut, and so were we. But at least they all love each other! Thoughts, quotes, and observations from last night's episode:

 

-Every time Top Chef takes a break before the final episodes the contestants undergo some physical changes. Noted new looks: Padma has bangs. Kevin's hair is long (effectively covering more of his bald spot). Jen stopped straightening her locks, or else got a questionable perm. 

 

-Everyone congratulates Padma on her pregnancy, but Jen makes a clam dish for the quickfire. Seafood for the pregnant lady?  Isn't that supposed to trigger a gag-reflex or something? CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on December 3, 2009 12:46pm by Jena Steinbach | 1 comment



TOP CHEF: Eli pays the price of being on a TV show

RECAP

November 19, 2009


 

Last night's challenge was too confusing to even think about recapping. (Something about wrapping proteins in proteins in proteins for the quick-fire and then preparing an elaborate platter on a big mirror.) If interested, I suggest you stick to Grub, Maurer's got that shit covered. However, there were a few remarkable moments in last night's episode.

 

First, and most important:  Kevin is 26?!?!?!? Hello!? Did anyone else realize this only last night? I thought the man was at least mid-thirties and not just because he has what my mother would call an "old soul." The guy's bald! BALD. CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on November 19, 2009 12:38pm by Jena Steinbach | 2 comments



Top Chef: What happened to Jennifer?

RECAP

November 12, 2009


 

Even though Eli arguably should have been kicked off for his dish —which looked more unappetizing than a plastic cup filled with Robitussin— Robin was sent home.  And who's going to argue with that? 

 

I couldn't celebrate Robin's demise, however, because I was too upset with Jennifer's poor performance, yet again. When asked if she was surprised to be at judges table she responded, "I really truly didn't have a clear vision of what I wanted to do and I think that translated into my food." Colicchio filled Nigella in on Jen's performance: "She started off really really well and then the last three challenges she's just been terrible."  And then, incredulously, Jennifer tells the other chefs, "I'm ready to go." WTF! Eric Ripert needs to send her a gift basket or an encouraging Haiku ASAP.  CONT'D

 


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Posted in FOOD on November 12, 2009 12:08pm by Jena Steinbach | 1 comment