HAILTOTHECHEF

Express' Karmah Elmusa breaks down a meatless "Top Chef" meal.

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THIS WEEK'S EPISODE opens with Robin spewing some nonsense about how thrilled the outcome of last week's Restaurant Wars made her.

Oh yeah, Robin?

I bet you are.

I bet it's nice when a pair of Voltaggio brothers hoists you on their shoulders and marches you to victory.

Spoiler alert:

Continue Reading "Hail to the Chef: Veg Out" »

Express' Karmah Elmusa breaks down the biggest battle of the "Top Chef" season.

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THIS WEEK'S "Top Chef" delivered the season's most highly-anticipated challenge: Restaurant Wars! There's nothing like a bunch of nervous, arrogant chefs opening an eatery in three hours to perfume the air with anxious excitement. Then, throw in one of the coolest quickfires in "Top Chef" history and a kindly, sweet facade from Toby Young and you've got yourself a quality episode

Continue Reading "Hail to the Chef: In Food and War" »

Express' Karmah Elmusa walks you through a sea of "Pigs and Pinots."

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THIS WEEK, "TOP CHEF: LAS VEGAS" was full of drama, delicious looking wines and pork belly. Those just happen to be three of the items listed in an alternate version of "My Favorite Things" that I often sing to myself, so needless to say, I was a happy blogger.

Oh, it also provided a solid introduction to restaurant legend Charlie Palmer, who was somewhat different than I'd expect him to be. Read on to find out more.

Continue Reading "Hail to the Chef: Swine and Wine" »

Express' Karmah Elmusa details a "Top Chef" dinner party.

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IN THE INTRODUCTION to this week's episode, we discover that Ash did not go to culinary school (surprise!), that Michael V. has two daughters (actual surprise) and that Jennifer is going to cook for the judges in spite of having some sort of illness that makes her vomit within the first five minutes of the show! Yum!

Aside from that, this week marks the most awkward team challenge to date and the first compliment I've ever heard Toby Young give. Read on!

Continue Reading "Hail to the Chef: Poor Pairings" »

Express' Karmah Elmusa breaks down the chefs' broken down dishes.

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ON THIS week's "Top Chef: Las Vegas," the challenges were indeed challenging for many of our overly confident cheftestants. Cool cucumbers like Jennifer and D.C. Mike were shaking in their boots, while bottom feeders like Ron and Laurine looked downright lost. Top that off with a magical duo of guests and the return of big old meanie Toby Young, and you've got one delicious hour of television. Read on for a detailed deconstruction of the episode.

Continue Reading "Hail to the Chef: Deconstruction Sights" »

Express' Karmah Elmusa goes camping with the "Top Chef" contestants.

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This week on "Top Chef: Las Vegas," Bravo forces this distinctly un-outdoorsy bunch of cooks away from the bright lights of the strip and forces them into the bright light of a campfire.

Some of them take to this better than others — Michael V. is sure he's going to be fine no matter what the challenge. He announces earl on in the episode that he, his brother Bryan and D.C. Mike are the best chefs in the competition.

First of all — what, no love for Kevin or Jennifer?

And secondly ... take it easy, Voltaggio brothers.

We know you're good, but let's not form a boys club and get big-headed before the season's even half over. OK, OK ... enough grousing out of me — on to the show.

Continue Reading "Hail to the Chef: The Gourmet Outdoors" »

Express' Karmah Elmusa breaks down an evening of tres classical cooking.

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BONJOUR, FAITHFUL READERS and bon vivants.

This week, "Top Chef: Las Vegas" took a metaphorical trip to Paris with an entirely French-themed show. All the important elements were present: snails, a gaggle of graying French chefs and butter-based sauces.

There was also a serious amount of pressure on our cheftestants to deliver, as Michael V. says, "the meal of our lives."

Not to worry, kids ... you're only cooking for the "chef of the century."

Read on to see how they fared.

Continue Reading "Hail to the Chef: In the French Style" »

Express' Karmah Elmusa recounts a lunch served to service men and women.

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This week, "Top Chef: Las Vegas" took the focus off of the decadent, turned our heads away from the superficial, and brought us back to Earth. Because what is the other thing the desert has to offer aside from bright lights? Why, the Nellis Air Force base and hungry members of the military. Enjoy as the cheftestants report for culinary duty and are forced to suffer indignities like canned food.

Continue Reading "Hail to the Chef: Thunderbirds Are Go!" »

Express' Karmah Elmusa recounts the tamest bachelor/ette party in Vegas history on "Top Chef."

Top Chef contestants courtesy Bravo
THIS WEEK on "Top Chef" ... I was bored.

Sure, all the elements for a potential good time were present (Colicchio, tequila, Colicchio drinking tequila), but somehow the drama never escalated. I never felt that searing "Top Chef" heat.

Maybe it's because of the glaringly obvious split between those who are going places (Kevin, Jennifer, the Voltaggio brothers), and people who will be kicked off in the coming weeks (Jesse, Ron, Laurine). Maybe it's because no one yelled at anyone else.

I'm hoping for a spicier episode next week, but till then, please enjoy the fruits of my labor as I attempt to liven up this yawn-inducing affair.

Continue Reading "Hail to the Chef: Battle of the Sexes" »

Express' Karmah Elmusa breaks down what happens in Vegas on "Top Chef."
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WELCOME TO VEGAS, fellow foodies, and to the sixth season of our beloved "Top Chef." This time around, it's bright lights, Sin City and a talented, scrappy bunch of chefs that will no doubt keep us thoroughly entertained through the coming weeks.

Sure, there's some fat to be skimmed, as always, but once the core crew is established we might be in for some of the series' finest cooking yet. At the very least, we're set for a twisted ride — Padma promises early on that every Vegas cliche in the book will be worn out before season's end. Read on — the nitty gritty on episode one awaits!

Continue Reading "Hail to the Chef: The 17 Delicious Sins" »