What a great season of Top Chef, definitely one of the best in my opinion.  The final four consisted of Jen, Kevin, Micheal, and Bryan.  Jen was eliminate in the final elimination challenge which wasn’t really a surprise.  To have beat the other three would have required somebody to have an off day and her to be her best.  However, I think that any of these four could have won any of the other seasons of TC.

The finale got off to a rough start for my pick, Beardie (aka Kevin), as he drew two of the most pathetic chefs as his sous chefs, Preeti and Ash.  Bryan picked up Jen and Micheal picked up Eli which are major pluses for them.   However, as the saying goes, its a poor craftsman who blames his tools.  You’ve got to work with what you got, even if it is two pitiful sous chefs.

Kevin ended up flopping on his pork belly which should have been his strongest.  That pretty much knocked him out of the running and he ended up in third.  The brothers both cooked their asses off with only minor mistakes and it could have easily been either one.  However, the top prize went to the younger brother, Micheal, who was brought to tears, which is quite shocking.  Actually, he says he was just acting to show America that he has a sensitive side too.

So lets see who guessed it right.  Nobody.  Beardie was the overall favorite but not a single person picked Micheal to win, however, four of us did put him into our top 3.  Only one of us picked the top 3 correctly and that was Sarah, so nice job!  Bob, Jen, Kate, and Steve managed to only pick 1 of the top 3 while everybody else had two.

• Brandon: Kevin Gillespie, Michael Voltaggio and Jen Carroll
• Sarah:  Kevin Gillespie, Michael Voltaggio, Bryan Voltaggio
• Kim: Kevin Gillespie, Michael Voltaggio and Jen Carroll
• Bob: Kevin Gillespie, Michael Isabella and Jen Carroll
• Kate: Kevin Gillespie, Ash Fulk, Mattin Noblia
• Jen: Kevin Gillespie, Eli Kirschstein and Jen Carroll
• Steve: Jen Carroll, Bryan Voltaggio, Ron Duprat
• Katie: Jen Carroll, Bryan Voltaggio, Michael Voltaggio

Yellow=Gold, Grey=Silver, Olive=Bronze

TC:LV 5 remain

• Brandon: Kevin Gillespie, Michael Voltaggio and Jen Carroll
• Sarah:  Kevin Gillespie, Michael Voltaggio, Bryan Voltaggio
• Kim: Kevin Gillespie, Michael Voltaggio and Jen Carroll
• Bob: Kevin Gillespie, Michael Isabella and Jen Carroll
• Kate: Kevin Gillespie, Ash Fulk, Mattin Noblia
• Jen: Kevin Gillespie, Eli Kirschstein and Jen Carroll
• Steve: Jen Carroll, Bryan Voltaggio, Ron Duprat
• Katie: Jen Carroll, Bryan Voltaggio, Michael Voltaggio

• Brandon: Kevin Gillespie, Michael Voltaggio and Jen Carroll
• Kim: Kevin Gillespie, Michael Voltaggio and Jen Carroll
• Bob: Kevin Gillespie, Michael Isabella and Jen Carroll
• Kate: Kevin Gillespie, Ash Fulk, Mattin Noblia
• Jen: Kevin Gillespie, Eli Kirschstein and Jen Carroll
• Steve: Jen Carroll, Bryan Voltaggio, Ron Duprat
• Katie: Jen Carroll, Bryan Voltaggio, Michael Voltaggio

Top Chef Season 6 Remaining Cheftestants

Since the last post, we’ve added two more people to our Pick ‘Em List, Steve and Katie; both of which didn’t go with the clear favorite (Beardie).  We’ve also had a few people lose a choice or two.  The competition is finally almost clear of all the unTop Chef chefs and it will start to get a little interesting here on out.  How long can Robin really keep Carla-ing?

• Brandon:  Kevin Gillespie, Michael Voltaggio and Jen Carroll
• Kim:  Kevin Gillespie, Michael Voltaggio and Jen Carroll
• Bob:  Kevin Gillespie, Michael Isabella and Jen Carroll
• Kate:  Kevin Gillespie, Ash Fulk, Mattin Noblia
• Jen:  Kevin Gillespie, Eli Kirschstein and Jen Carroll
• Steve:  Jen Carroll, Bryan Voltaggio, Ron Duprat
• Katie:  Jen Carroll, Bryan Voltaggio, Michael Voltaggio

My money is still on Beardie

What else is going on besides TC: LV?  Lets see, bowling has started.  I am only torturing myself this year with one league instead of 2, which appears to be working as I’m about ten pins over my average for last season.  Of course, its only been six weeks or so and I’m already ready to be done with it, only 26 more weeks.

V0lleyball is over for the year, thank god.  We decided to hang it up for the year and not play the fall league after going an abysmal 1 and 29 during the summer session.  That’s awful.

The Cardinals decided not to show up for the playoffs.  The Blues are back and playing decently, if we could only stave off the injuries, we’d have a shot at a good season.

We’re coming up on that time of the year again when the best rock show of all time returns to the Pageant.  If anybody would like to join us for El Monstero, we’ll be going on the 19th this year.  General admission again, which means we’ll be lining up by noon, maybe earlier this year.

Farmaid was fun and marked the 3rd time in as many years that I was able to see Dave twice during the summer.  This time it was just Dave and Tim and they had an amazing set.

This past weekend, Sarah and I drove to Columbia for the Mizzou homecoming.  No we didn’t go to the game, just to tailgate.  We started around 10am and wrapped it shortly after 7pm.  There was plenty of food, booze, and beer pong and we a pretty good time.  I got to meet a lot of Sarah’s Phi Mu sisters and by the end of the day, I was pretty chicked out.  Made it home in time to catch the end of Bob’s Testicle Festival and recharged my man batteries, as Sarah likes to say.

Ok well thats a start.  I’ll see about updating this more.  I lead a busy life these days.  At least I’m not the most outdated blogger of the group and my posts dont just consist of my twitter updates.

About three weeks ago, I moved again for the fifth time in 5 years, abondoning the apartment for cheaper living in a friends house. About 3 days after that happened, this happened.

Civic no more

I totaled the civic in a semi-head-on collision. I’m ok. Sarah is ok now. The car died though. So after about 3 weeks of trying to decide between a Jeep Commander, a Ford Explorer, or just riding my bike everywhere, I ended up deciding on the Commander.

Its sleek, comfortable, but most importantly, its big. More pictures here.

Other than almost dying and the new car, not much else is new. One of the bowling leagues is over. Snakes on a Lane are league champions for the first time ever. We’ve come a long way since that fateful here for the beer summer league and look forward to defending our title in the fall. Well, Bob, Jen, and Andrew look forward to it. I’m sick of bowling. Only two more weeks to go in the Thursday night men’s league. Then for 3 months, I won’t even think about bowling.

Also, the Eager Beavers returned to action on the volleyball courts.  We’re off to a slow start but its still a good time.

Baseball season has started and I’ve already been able to go to 2 games. Its nice dating a girl with season tickets. I guess i’ll keep her around

Staying warm on a cold night for baseball

I guess that is pretty much it for now. I’ll try not to be such a bum anymore about posting but lets be honest, I’ve said that before.

Post Le Bernardin

Since we last talked after Gene’s elimination, we have seen the dismissal of some of the better chefs.  Ariane couldn’t handle the lamb.  Radhika couldn’t run the show during restaurant wars.  Jeff and his watered-down version of a ceviche (this was a bad call).  Lastly, Jamie and her braised celery.

And somehow, Carla and her freaky eyes is still around and gaining momentum.  Can she really make the final 4?  I just don’t see it.

So its down to Stefan and Hosea with everybody’s picks (just Stefan for Jen and Kate).  I think this competition will come down to these two, despite TC’s desire to have the two European’s battling for the title.  After all, that is why Jeff went home.

Others’ Picks:

• Bob:  Stefan, Hosea, and Eugene
• Jen:  Stefan, Richard and Jamie
• Kim:  Stefan, Hosea, and Leah Eugene
• Katie:  Stefan, Hosea and Jeff
• Kate:  Eugene, Stefan and Alex

Can someone please explain to me how Carla is still in this?  She should get the boot just for having crazy eyes.  Seriously, they freak me out.  She has to go eventually though, she clearly isn’t a top chef.  The elimination of Eugene eliminates almost everybody’s wild card, leaving Katie as the only person with 3 people remaining.

Others’ Picks:

• Bob:  Stefan, Hosea, and Eugene
• Jen:  Stefan, Richard and Jamie
• Kim:  Stefan, Hosea, and Leah Eugene
• Katie:  Stefan, Hosea and Jeff
• Kate:  Eugene, Stefan and Alex

Well crap Danny.  I guess you were my long shot but still, you really sucked last week.  And who would have thunk it that Ariane would have come back as strongly as she did after a dismal start.  And why does Stefan think he can turn Jamie?  And why the hell is Carla still on this show?  I have give her 2 more weeks, tops!

Others’ Picks:

• Bob:  Stefan, Hosea, and Eugene
• Jen:  Stefan, Richard and Jamie
• Kim:  Stefan, Hosea, and Leah Eugene
• Katie:  Stefan, Hosea and Jeff
• Kate:  Eugene, Stefan and Alex

Others’ Picks:

• Bob:  Stefan, Hosea, and Eugene
• Jen:  Stefan, Richard and Jamie
• Kim:  Stefan, Hosea, and Leah Eugene
• Katie:  Stefan, Hosea and Jeff
• Kate:  Eugene, Stefan and Alex

After the first week.....

Well after week 1, I’m not too sure about how awesome this season will be.  Comparing to last season after the first week, I know it would be awesome and that some really talented chefs would dominate (Stephanie, Richard, and Andrew).  Based on my first weeks impressions, I think two of the strongest chefs will be Stefan and Danny.  Before the elimination challenge, I would have pegged Patrick as the weakest chef and it showed through his dish and he was booted.  I may add a 3rd choice to picks as I did last year depending on how week 2 goes.

Other first impressions:

• Carla is uber-annoying
• i feel bad for Fabio just because his name is Fabio.  How d-bagish and it wasn’t even his choice.
• None of the females seem to be as strong as Top Chef Stephanie Izzard, I predict a male will win this season.