329641 Thu Sep 28 13:32:14 -0700 2006 2 33 Food Media and News 0 1907967 Does anyone else sense a disturbing lack of chemistry between Michael Lomonaco & Barbara Alvarez? It seems their awkwardness just doesn't get any better. Don't they rehearse? Thu Sep 28 13:32:14 -0700 2006 19281 2top 1 1909476 Well, maybe that explains why she wasn't picked up after her child was born. BTW I haven't seen her on an episode produced after 2002. OTOH he's a little loud for me. Like most cooking shows I can learn more from his technique than from his recipes. He's a typical east coast chef who does great with Italian and other local ethnicities but many of his Mexican or Asian dishes are real train wrecks. Thu Sep 28 21:37:51 -0700 2006 1907967 23712 DiveFan 1 2680217 Hi, I totally agree with you, since I watch the show every morning. I thought, why in the world do they need Barbara Alvarez when Michael Lomonaco was doing fine by himself? I think it's just an added distraction. Thu Jun 21 06:23:51 -0700 2007 1907967 106888 lgfrades