Sheila: Perfume on a Pig

Episode Two of Top Chef has come and gone and so I hope it's safe to blog about it. I have seen the wild reruns twice now, and I still cannot get over how aggressive the contestants are this season. That, and the new workout room! So, let's get started with the recap, speculation on Wylie Coyote's (Wylie Dufresne from WD50 in NY) judging, and further speculation on how Padma stays so svelte when there are plentiful shots of her chowing down. She even makes stuffing her face look beautiful.
The Plot: Episode Two focused on getting acquainted with Chicago landmarks. The chefs started with Quickfire at the Green City Market and had to use exactly five ingredients, not including salt, pepper, oil and butter. Spike was in "LaLa" land, communing with the locals and he totally blew his dish. Mark left an ingredient behind but pulled it off. And crazy, crazy Andrew (sous chef at Le Cirque, remarkably) used SIX elements. He was "disqualified" but did anyone else wonder why he did not get the boot at that point? The elimination took place at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Teams of three were formed and named for a specific zoo animal (lion, bears, penguins etc.) and they were responsible for catering three appetizers based on what their animal eats. A little complicated for my tastes. Valerie (dead on Rachel Dratch look-a-like) got eliminated for her tragic blinis.
The Point: Some chefs can't count. Who knew vultures eat Moroccan lamb? When you announce "game on," the game is usually off for you. Don't try to make blinis ahead of time. STAND BEHIND YOUR DISH. Tom is obviously getting facials on a regular basis; he looks great.
The Perks: The surprising low key judging by Wylie Coyote. Unbelievable takeaway lines like Andrew's manic response to how he was doing in the kitchen:"We're Sexy!" Stephanie uncharacteristically cursing about her homemade chips: "My chips are (bleeping) soggy as (bleep)." Gail's classic response to Nikki's stuffed mushrooms:"It looked like something a bear would produce, not eat!" And finally, Dale's mean spirited cut regarding said mushrooms:"At that point I was trying to put perfume on a pig."
The Pity: No Rocco. Molecular Gastronomy references. Cursing by women. Finally, if there was a show called Top Beauty, there would be no competition--Padma would win hands down.
What did y'all think? Any reactions to this week?