NFNS - Ep 1
So the first episode is over. And they put the contestants through the following test:
Five teams of two. Each person on a team had to make a single dish, plus collaborate in a team dish. 30 minutes. So one team, three dishes, thirty minutes.
Now let me ask you. If this were done on Top Chef would you say normal or excessive amount of work in too short a period of time? Ok, and now take it down to these compartively lesser skilled contestants on NFNS.
Fair? Or insane?
In case you're wondering, I say insane.
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singleguychef
Jun 3, 2008 09:44 AM
So far Kevin's my favorite. He has experience as a restaurant chef and I think he's totally hilarious. But I think his theme of romance in the kitchen might not stick through the series, the judges' might tire of it I predict. So he needs to refine it or refocus it I think to be successful.
I thought the 30 minute challenge was a bit crazy to make three dishes. I felt it was a Top Chef quickfire challenge TIMES THREE!
It's weird too that Bobby Flay is supposed to be the new host of the show but he didn't really seem to have much to do, it was almost like he was still a guest judge.
›2 Replies-
re: singleguychef
Hey singleguychef .. very interesting ... you compared it to three quick fires ... I instead compared it to an Iron Chef competition and figures the Iron Chefs had it a lot easier!
http://www.tvchefsblog.com/tv-show-re...
"Totally nuts — especially when you compare that to what a seasoned Iron Chef goes through, namely: five dishes in 60 minutes with the help of two sous chefs all used to the kitchen. That’s right an Iron Chef has a much much easier time with having to complete 2.5 dishes within 30 minutes having a total of three people, not two, of whom both are skilled, experienced helpers who the head chef knows well. Oh and don’t forget the probably twenty years of culinary experience behind just the main chef, probably collectively with the two sous chefs it would be over forty years experienc …."
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re: HarryK
singleguychef
Jun 4, 2008 10:55 AM
That's an interesting comparison too. And BTW, I totally agree with you about the "lack of Flay." Yeah, he's like the main guy in the promotion photos but he did the same thing he did last year as a guest judge, which is just eat and comment and help make the final cuts. But when is he going to "host"?
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Is it just me or did the Neelys also seem nervous to give any real feedback to the contestants?
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re: spkspk
The Neelys seemed nervous, yes. But maybe because they're the new kids on the block. They probably felt they were in some major company there too!
Thing is, didn't all the regular "stars" there seem to scowl and look all evil? I know it was probably very stupid editing and probably really wasn't like that but to me every time a team came out and the camera swung to the table of judges they all looked freaking hostile, didn't they? Anyone else see/think that? Weird!!
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re: HarryK
The judges did all seem very unhappy to be there, especially Giada. She's always so upbeat, so it was noticeable that she was kind of grumpy. And I did find it funny that she singled out the tiny bubbly girl as being "too much". Competition perhaps?
Beyond that, Lisa the diva was just bizarre...I mean who would come into a kitchen dressed like that to cook? And her "philosophy" made no sense at all.
As for Cory who got the boot, she was terrible. She kept saying that her comedy had to be a part of her cooking, but that the judges didn't want it to be. They never said that at all. They said her comedy should be a part of her philosophy, but that it never came through. She seemed morose and depressed for the most part and froze both times she got in front of the camera!
Nipa's "confidence' is going to be the end of her. Even after Bobby Flay told her to reign it in, she walked upstairs and said she knew she wouldn't be going because she's the "spice girl".
And lastly, while I liked the personality of the "executive chef mom", she couldn't come up with something more interesting than glazed carrots? That was her signature dish? Oy!-
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re: sibeats
goodhealthgourmet
Jun 3, 2008 08:29 AM
agreed. as hung likely would have said last year on top chef, even a monkey could make glazed carrots.
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re: sibeats
kprange
Jun 3, 2008 08:44 AM
I know that preparing 9 plates in 30 minutes would force me to make simple dishes - especially for the first challenge. I know I would not have chosen glazed carrots as my kids hate carrots. I probably would have made a pesto - very simple and my son's favorite food.
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re: sibeats
Nipa is intolerably cocky. I would blame the editors for making her look like that but she is the one that repeatedly say it.
She needed to be smacked at the end when she said she "knew they wouldnt kick off the spice girl". Cant wait to see her get the boot- do you think she could really have a show people would watch?
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re: yankeefan
goodhealthgourmet
Jun 3, 2008 08:27 AM
i'm with bobby flay...her overconfidence is really unappealing. and i'm not quite sure where it comes from considering that they didn't even like her dish, and the "spice girl's" food apparently lacked spice.
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re: sibeats
goodhealthgourmet
Jun 3, 2008 08:28 AM
"The judges did all seem very unhappy to be there, especially Giada. She's always so upbeat..."
you must not have seen giada judge last season's military challenge. she was a total b**ch.
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re: sibeats
DiningDiva
Jun 3, 2008 09:03 AM
"The judges did all seem very unhappy to be there, especially Giada. She's always so upbeat, so it was noticeable that she was kind of grumpy."
The filming was in February, wasn't she about 8 1/2 months pregnant at that time?
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re: sibeats
singleguychef
Jun 3, 2008 09:40 AM
I feel Giada's off camera personality is a bit serious. She was a guest judge last season and she came off pretty stern and sometimes catty in her remarks about people.
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amykragan
Jun 2, 2008 09:52 AM
cory also botched the promo where they had to explain their cooking philosophy in a sentence or 2; no excuse since she is suppsoed to be quick on her feet and comfortable performing as a stand up comic
Lisa from Dallas should be the next to go; she's was pretty weird and doesn't seem to relate well to the judges or other cheftestants›8 Replies-
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re: Icantread
I was really bummed Cory went. I understood why she went, and I agree with the choice, but I've seen her standup before, and she is really funny. I don't know what happened. You know if you're going to be on NFNS, you prepare your "culinary point of view", signature dishes, etc., over and over again and come in prepared. Maybe since she's been on TV before she felt like she didn't have to and then it smacked her in the face? I don't know. But I'm bummed.
I'd like to see the diva girl and the spice girl go, and soon. Both too cocky for their own good.
And I like the mom. I get why people think glazed carrots were too easy, but baby carrots are a staple in my kids' diets, and I think that's why she did it; it really is "on message", so to speak.
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re: LindaWhit
I don't watch much on FN anymore, but to answer your question (sort of), I do think there is a place on the network for somebody cooking meals that would appeal to both adults and kids, and if glazed carrots with dill were part of that meal, that would make sense to me. Would I watch a half hour show where all they made were glazed carrots? no.
I also think the notion of taking something kids will usually eat (baby carrots) and giving them a slight twist (glaze & dill) introduces kids to new flavors through foods that are already familiar to them, which is a good way to go about it, I think. I think that is what she was trying to do, but I don't think she conveyed it well.
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re: dagwood
dave_c
Jun 3, 2008 10:08 AM
I'd like to see the Dallas Diva stay a little longer. Her, unintentional, entertainment value is priceless. I wonder if that makes me a bad person for enjoying her presence... same with the American Idol reject episodes.
The spice girl can go... she's so clueless that she's thinking things are rosey. That quote about bliss comes to mind.
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re: HarryK
Icantread
Jun 3, 2008 09:14 AM
It made no sense for what she was supposed to be saying. She's trying to throw everything at you incoherently when it's not her place. Community outreach may be a part of her show (not a bad idea). But is FN going to do a show on how to cook for community service?
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Way to short of a time I thought.
I liked that they only had 10 contestants and did a fairly good job of introducing them. After just one episode I seem to already have a good feel for them and even remember some of their names. It was pretty predictable however. I was very clear to me that the comic and the make-up girl (Lisa, I think) were on the chopping block.
I liked this guy Kevin. He seemed real comfortable in front of the camera and cooked fairly well. I also liked the 19 year old CIA graduate. He lost it in front of Bobby and started crying. I felt bad for him because you could see this really means a lot to him.
I also thought it was funny that Giada called one girl's act "over the top." I said what??? Your sitting next to the Neely's and your talking over the top! Get a grip! I like the contest element so I'll watch, but like someone else said, I probably won't watch the winners show - if they get one that is.
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re: JackieChiles
DiningDiva
Jun 2, 2008 11:29 AM
Kevin's a local for you. You can listen to his radio show on 103.7 FM in San Diego.
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re: stolenchange
I turned it off about halfway through, just after the teams had been chosen and they were planning their menus. But the foodnetwork.com site indicates Cory (the stand-up comic) was cut -- they have a video exit interview, which isn't working for me. Too bad -- despite flunking the on-camera one-liner, and without seeing any of her food, my impression was that she could do a good job. Likeable but not Disney-sweet.
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re: momjamin
she was surprisingly bad in the explanation part there too. and it seemed her food wasn't good. her weird thing about "trendy" food didn't come off well although i could see her point about using items at home that are currently popular on restaurant menus that people might feel less comfortable with. it was just strange that someone so used to the spotlight froze so completely - she seemed SO nervous.
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re: AMFM
meadandale
Jun 2, 2008 10:07 AM
The woman that got the boot reminded me of Lisa on top chef. Always frowning and scowling. At least with Top Chef you can hide her in the kitchen.
I'm sorry, but nervous or not, she in no way had a personality that I'd tune in to watch.
It's gonna be amusing to watch what happens to the "Diva from Dallas".
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re: meadandale
DiningDiva
Jun 2, 2008 11:32 AM
"It's gonna be amusing to watch what happens to the "Diva from Dallas"
Prada and Manolos what a concept ;-D. Maybe she's the one that's really there for the comic relief...
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re: dave_c
DiningDiva
Jun 2, 2008 12:50 PM
Sounded phony?!?!? The WHOLE package is about as phony as you can get. She's about as "real" as Lee Press on Nails.
Stilettos in a kitchen? Come on...Anyone want to take bets on how many episodes before she trips and falls. No serious chef or foodie would work in a commercial in 3" heels. It's not safe, it's not practical and it's also not healthy for your feet, legs, hips or back.
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re: LindaWhit
DiningDiva
Jun 2, 2008 02:18 PM
It may be a sound stage and not a *real* commercial kitchen, but jeez, what kind of insurance liability is it. God knows I'm all for style, but not at the expense of my own safety and others.
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re: LindaWhit
DiningDiva
Jun 2, 2008 05:00 PM
I don't know, did you really think she has personality? Caricature yes, but I'm not really sure how much of her was real and how much was a contrived act.
I got a chuckle out of Booby Flay's remark about wanting to hang with that one guy because he seemed like a genuine sort of guy. Do you really want to hang out with Lisa? If she survives more than another week or two maybe she'll be the Amorosa of the NFNS ;-)
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re: DiningDiva
LindaWhit
Jun 2, 2008 05:10 PM
I didn't watch a whole lot of the show - just in passing. Although I did see her "entrance" in the heels and thought "diva!" - that's what I meant by personality. More fluff, less substance - seems to be perfect for TFN. So it looks like she lived up to the 20-30 seconds I saw of her. And "Omarosa of NFNS" is very descriptive. Maybe I'll watch next weekend. :-)
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re: LindaWhit
DiningDiva
Jun 2, 2008 06:27 PM
Oh, I had the same reaction to her entrance, which I agree had great impact. In fact, I even said, "oh my god, it's a diva" to the person who was watching with me. It was a good entrance, unfortunately, she didn't live up to it. Now, had she been a real heavy weight with some really fine cooking chops this would have been quite a delicious cat fight. Instead we got a Junior Leaguer out of her league. Smug and self righteous gets boring very quickly.
Do watch next week, this year's crop of cheftestants is a lot more likable right off the bat than last year.
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re: DiningDiva
<Stilettos in a kitchen? Come on...Anyone want to take bets on how many episodes before she trips and falls. No serious chef or foodie would work in a commercial in 3" heels. It's not safe, it's not practical and it's also not healthy for your feet, legs, hips or back>.
and besides that, it is NOT ALLOWED!
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re: ChefJune
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re: ChefJune
goodhealthgourmet
Jun 3, 2008 08:18 AM
"bets on how many episodes before she trips and falls."
not sure when it happens, but it does. it's in the general network promo for the show, and i can't wait to witness it in the midst of a challenge.
i'm thinking it's karmic retribution for her line last week, "and i did it all in a dress and heels!"
ridiculous, especially coming from someone who claims to want to make things more "approachable" for her audience. the core food network demographic is hardly a bunch of divas posing in the kitchen in manolos & designer duds.
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re: DiningDiva
singleguychef
Jun 3, 2008 09:38 AM
In the previews for the season they show her falling on her bum while running in the kitchen. Not sure which episode that will be, but it's coming soon!
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re: LindaWhit
They've got a couple CIA grads and restaurant owners, a hospital "executive catering chef," a single-mom self-taught executive chef, people who have a variety of media experience (acting, college-cable cooking shows, radio food contributors). The stand-up comic has some formal food training, but I forget the nature of it.
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