Top Chef-Just Desserts

[Phaedrus]

So what does everyone think about the latest TC franchise from the ads being shown on Bravo?

TC Masters turned into something really very enjoyable. But I have to say that i am not a big fan of the dessert shows, especially the incessant dessert Challenges on FN. It just doesn't float my boat. It also seem that they are aiming to be more excessive and decadent than the regular TC as well as the FN dessert shows. To out outre FN, as it were.

[John E.]

If anyone watches the first episode again, keep your eye out for the contestant with the bad hair. Maybe I should narrow that down some as there were several hairstyles that were not so becoming. I'm referring the woman with the comb-over so the hair covered her forehead. There was something on her forehead. Was she hiding her Klingon features?

[septocaine_queen]

I suspect she had a growth removed and had a band aid to protect. In the confessional, the band aid was gone but you could see a faint scar area there

[John E.]

I sort of watched the first episode. I don't think I can stick with this however. I didn't really see anybody likable. At the end they showed scenes from the next episode and there seems to be a lot more bickering on this version of TC than there is on regular TC if you can believe that.

I went to the Bravo site to scan the bios. I swear one of the pastry chefs is in there twice, once as Tim and once as Morgan. I'm going to have to watch close enough to see if we actually see them in the same frame or if it's a split screen ala Parent Trap.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i have it on in the background right now as i'm multitasking on the computer, and within the first 10 minutes i lost interest. it strikes me as a formula for a lot of drama and very little focus on food. no thanks.

[LindaWhit]

I just peeked in here hoping there weren't any reveals, and I see there aren't - except for the "drama quotient" - which I think was expected from press releases. Based on what you said, ghg, I doubt I'll be watching. I noticed that the thread about the first ep only has about 5 comments....perhaps because not everyone's viewed it, seeing as it was on at 11pm.

[goodhealthgourmet]

"perhaps because not everyone's viewed it, seeing as it was on at 11pm."
~~~~~~~~~
more likely because they're not interested in watching at all ;)

[LindaWhit]

And there's that. ;-)

[septocaine_queen]

first, who else has teeny tiny font when writing a reply?

It seems like there is a lot of drama and tears already. It wasn't like a FN cake challenge because the contestant have a better skill set. I love Mr. Chocolate, Jacques Torres. He is like Eric Ripert but instead of master of seafood, he is all about chocolate and cute too.

[phee]

I have teeny tiny font, too!

[goodhealthgourmet]

i had the font issue on my computer at work this afternoon, but it's fine here at home.

[Kajikit]

I haven't seen the ads... but I'm looking forward to it. Some us enjoy watching people make really over-the-top desserts on television, as is borne out by the fact that the Food Network hasn't had a savoury challenge in a long time. The savoury ones were always boring!

[mojoeater]

We don't really eat desserts and never make them, so will probably not watch.

[xo_kizzy_xo]

I'm intrigued. But then again, I have more baking/pastry than savory background. One of my wishes has always been for a baking/pastry show that isn't a FN challenge, and I suppose the reason behind why there hasn't been is because not only is it entirely a different beast, but it's not as immediate as savory cooking. What I'm wondering is how long are they going to have for the elimination challenges. ..

[chowser]

If it's more about taste and technique, I'm in. If it's more about the dessert's appearance, as with the incessant Food Network challenges (a cake for baby beauty pageants, run by out of control mombies, really?), I'll pass.

[debbiel]

You mean you don't want to see them build "cakes" that look like TC judges and contestants, to be rolled out at some TC anniversary celebration? How could you not want that? <please note sarcasm...I hate those food network challenges>

[chowser]

I watch with baited breath... ;-) At some point, it becomes a mechanical engineering challenge and not a food challenge. Rice krispies treats bridges? I should add, before I'm slammed for complaining about them and still watching them, I see the commercials, and channel surf, just as I've never seen Kate with or without Jon plus her 8.

[LindaWhit]

You're going to watch with fish breath? Well, at least it's food related. ;-)

[chowser]

Love my worms! Thanks for the "catch"--I really need to proof read better.

[LindaWhit]

Unfortunately, it's become an accepted usage, I've read. So I suspect I'll continue to see it. Sometimes a changing language isn't a good change, but whaddyagonnadu?

[TuteTibiImperes]

Food Network must be getting some ratings with all of their dessert challenges, so I guess there is a market for this kind of show, it just isn't me.

TC and TC Masters are both great, but limiting a show by just making it about desserts turns me off before I even give it a shot.

[babette feasts]

What is it about pastry that makes you not want to watch? Do you not like to eat it? Do you not enjoy making it yourself? Just curious.

[TuteTibiImperes]

Pretty much both to be honest. I've never had much of a sweet tooth, and while I've tried my hand at baking a bit, I've been more interested in trying to create the perfect loaf of pumpernickel or great naan on the grill than in doing cakes or desserts.

[chris2269]

I believe Herbert Keller is one of the regular judges along with gail. Thats a plus for me I like him.

[ChefJune]

Who is "Herbert Keller?" Do you mean Hubert?

[SDGourmand]

I'm not sure how this ones going to be. I'll definitely give it a fair shot. I'm looking forward to top chef all stars.

[sibeats]

I love the Top Chef and TC Masters shows...unfortunately I am not into baking, desserts, etc., so I'm thinking this one won't be for me. Of course, I'll probably watch the first episode just to make sure...

[huiray]

eater.com has just posted about it (linking to the 1st preview of it) and described it as a "Vortex of Sugar-Fueled Crankiness and Sabotage".
http://eater.com/archives/2010/09/08/...

So much for any lingering notions if any that bravo has finished its descent into blatant dramatainment.

[LindaWhit]

Great. Deliberate theft/sabotage, name calling....just what I wanted to see.

NOT.

[babette feasts]

Pastry chefs are a different sort of cook - frequently used to working alone, paranoid, perfectionist...we're an odd bunch. Extra drama would not surprise me. I am really curious what the challenges will be and how they manage to do them without recipes.

[ChefJune]

<I am really curious what the challenges will be and how they manage to do them without recipes.>

I am curious about that, as well. Or if they WILL use recipes.

[chris2269]

I'm a food show whore so I'll be in even if it shames me.

[bcsuka]

Ditto. And combine that with my sweet tooth, I'm in for the full run. Really looking forward to see who will be competing.

[hobbess]

Also, I'm also interested in who they'll bring in as judges cause I think the quality of the judging says a lot about the quality of the show itself? When TC snagged Tom Colichio, you knew that it was ultimately going to be a serious food show despite the gas food challenges.

Will it just be this month's flavor of the month, or are we going to see masters who've fallen out of the limelight as well.

It would be a terrible shame if somebody like Claudia Flemming doesn't get invited to be a guest judge at some point.

[Ruth Lafler]

According to another article I read, Johnny Iuzinni of NYC's Jean-Georges restaurant is going to be the head judge on Top Chef Just Desserts.

Of course, pastry chefs rarely have their own restaurants and become big-name restaurateurs, so I don't expect to see as many familiar names on the judging panel.

[LindaWhit]

I haven't seen any of the ads; perhaps because I usually only watch Bravo for TC7. I *really* dislike the cake and sugar shows on TFN. I'll probably watch at least one "Just Desserts" to see what it's like.