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Next Iron Chef: Just The Good Stuff (Episode 6)
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Man, I hated this episode! I don’t even feel like writing this recap! But for the sake of the people who missed the show, let’s just get down to it!
This week was all about risk. The chefs bid on plates of auctioned foods using increments of time instead of cash, like some sort of crazy culinary “Name That Tune.” As each ingredient was unveiled, the chefs had to say: “I can cook those sardines… or that disgusting looking plate of tuna jerky that even my dog wouldn’t touch… in 60 minutes!”
The goal was to win your ingredient by bidding on it using the lowest amount of time to cook it in. For example, Burrell won sardines in 50 minutes, Chiarello won lobster in 25 minutes, Zakarian won Wagyu beef in 30 minutes, and Falkner won tuna jerky in 25 minutes.
Poor Alex. She was forced to take the last mystery plate, and wound up having only 20 minutes to cook a huge leg of lamb. How did she feel about that?
I legitimately felt bad for Alex here. She really needed the stand mixer so she could start grinding her meat down, but pastry chef and Joogasm-inducer Elizabeth Falkner was hogging it to “whip eggs” for her souffle. I’ve gotta hand it to Falkner, though. A pastry chef cooking a souffle IS really risky! She’s a regular risk taker! Next week, tune in to watch her drink a sip of milk one day past its expiration date.
Since Burrell won the last challenge, her advantage this week was getting to taste all the dishes and automatically send one of her competitors to the elimination challenge. As soon as I heard that, my “REALITY TV RADAR” went off and I had a hunch that no matter how great Burrell’s sardine dishes were… no matter how flawlessly they were executed… she would be in the bottom two simply for the television drama of having to compete in a challenge against the person she put there next to her.
And wouldn’t you know it? That’s exactly what happened. Burrell wrote Zakarian’s name down, because she said she felt he took the least amount of risk by simply searing a piece of beef. And a few minutes later, after Judy Joo had adequately fawned over how “hot” Falkner was, the judges sent Burrell to the elimination challenge to compete against the man she put there.
Zakarian and Burrell competed head to head in Battle Panko/Ponzu. And to make it even more difficult, they had to make a dessert.
Zakarian made souffle and Burrell made panko-coated zucchini with ice cream over a caramel ponzu sauce. The judges said both of the dishes were excellent, and the only criticism they had about either dish was that Zakarian sprinkled powdered sugar over his souffle.
In the end, though, the judges said one dish was more “sophisticated” – and that dish was created by Zakarian. Anne Burrell was then eliminated from the show. I know, lame, right?
I wanted to see Anne win this whole thing, but it wasn’t in the cards this time. But hey, you can still show your support for Anne by visiting Food Network’s annoying pop-up ridden website and voting for her in the Iron Chef Fan Vote!
I’m now throwing 100% of my support behind Alex Guarnaschelli, and want to see her mop the floor with these other 3. She has the least ego, she’s the most sincere, and she wants it the most. And I hope she goes all the way.
And that brings this week’s recap to an end. Stay tuned next week, when the final 4 chefs head to Long Island, two people are eliminated, and risky Elizabeth Falkner leans back too far in her office chair. THE HORROR.
Other posts on Food Network Humor:
---Next Iron Chef: Just The Good Stuff (Episode 1)---Next Iron Chef: Just The Good Stuff (Episode 5)
---Next Iron Chef: Just The Good Stuff (Episode 7)
---Next Iron Chef: Just The Good Stuff (Episode 3)
---Next Iron Chef: Just The Good Stuff (Episode 4)
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160 Responses
weee
ef’s food isnt that great…eaten there 2x just to verify first wasnt an outlier
Well at least I can stop paying attention to this show now. Of the four left I could not possibly care less about any of them. Chiarello and Zakarian are both pompous douchebags, Guarnschelli always looks like she’s about to rip someone’s head off or is really constipated, and Falkner is boring and makes everything into an ice cream. I guess the judges weren’t concerned with picking likable people to be on a TV show…?
I’m rooting for Alex at this point. Gotta wonder why didn’t Burrell not put Faulkner in the bottom 2? Yeah result might have been the same but at least finally would have called her on relying on pastry tricks
Probably because she thought Falkner sucked. She forgot to factor in the Judy Joo bonus.
And apparently Judy Joo has brainwashed the rest of the judges too.
Honestly don’t get why she’s still there unless they’re trying to set up an Alex/Elizabeth final two maybe.
It WAS a shocking episode. I’d like to see any of the women chefs win the ‘competition’, but I figured that Anne was the predetermined winner. I was shocked when she was eliminated. I actually did think she had taken more risk and made a more creative dessert than Jeffrey.
I actually like Elizabeth, although no one else who posts here does. LOL. I think she’s really proven herself so far. I hate to admit it but Jeffrey is actually kind of growing on me, too, in all his pretentiousness.
My next prediction for winner is Alex, though I wonder how she will be able to hold up under pressure. She’s so easily flustered.
Micheal Chiarello has got to go.
I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say I like Falkner, but I think I get her. In my line of work, I’m used to being around people who are very focused and good at what they do but aren’t necessarily the most cuddly people on the planet. And clearly, she’s been killing it with the food (Joogasms aside, there are two other judges). Zakarian is growing on me for similar reasons. Chiarello hasn’t for some reason, though. He’s at the Tyler Florence level of annoying for me.
Actually, I might have just figured it out. Falkner and Zakarian know they aren’t cuddly and don’t really try to be, which I think has a certain integrity about it. Chiarello seems to think he makes for riveting televisions, but he just comes across like a used car salesman to me.
I have also come to like Guarnaschelli more, but like many other commenters, I have my concerns whether she’ll hold up under pressure.
My preference (now that Anne’s gone) is Alex, however I think Falkner will win. Then maybe Joo and Falkner can just get a room already and be done with it.
To borrow from Sally Field:
I like her. I really really like her!
Such a sad episode… but at least AG is still there to keep things hilarious. I’m rooting for her now with AB gone.
I’m surprised Micheal Chiarello is still in the competition!! I hope Alex wins!!!
Really? This is retarded. First Samuelsson and now Burrell, why are all these legitimately talented chefs with authentic backgrounds and solid cooking skills getting eliminated? Zakarian has been in the bottom two at least twice, and Burrell has been either good or awesome up until this one time. I think that should’ve been taken into consideration (although admittedly I do kinda like Zakarian as a contender).
And they really need to stick like a big fat duck or something non-dessert-y towards Falkner’s way so that the Joogasm can learn how burnt meat isn’t a turn-on.
All the chefs are great, but only one out of these ten can win.
They are all kick-ass chefs, any of these last guys would be an excellent Iron Chef, but this is like Highlander – There Can Only Be One.
Judy Joo likes Burnt Marshmallow. I’m sure she can get over burnt duck ice cream.
I was legit surprised to see Anne be eliminated. I for sure though (and was hoping) that she would be the next Iron Chef!
I’m OK with Zakarian. I don’t like him, but I don’t dislike him, either. Would I rather him go home than Anne? Honestly, yeah. But for this episode’s sake, I’m glad he didn’t. The judges like his dish, so it wouldn’t have seemed very fair if he went home.
So now it’s basically down to Alex and ‘Beth. Of the two, I’m rooting for Falkner. I like Alex, don’t get me wrong, but I just can’t image her as an Iron Chef.
Tbh, I don’t care who wins. As long as it’s not Chiarello. He just bugs me for some reason.
Aw yeah! J-Zak FTW!
The only reason I watch this show is for your hilarious recaps Jillian! You are the funniest bitch on the internet. Keep it up.
THEY CUT ANNE BURRELL?!
Any hope – and there was very little – I had for the Food Network is now lost.
Well.. go on, Alex, take it home. The rest of you, sit the fuck down.
Ditto
ditto, too. i’ve lost all respect for you FN.
yes but every one of you will continue to watch this shit. lol.
Holee Kee-rap, what a shocker!
Bye, Anne. Maybe they’re still pissed about Mario leaving the way he did, so they had it in for you all along.
I think the next Iron Chef will be someone who cooked a souffle on tonight’s episode. Alas, poor Alex…without you (and Ms. Freitag), “Chopped” would suck–so you’re stuck.
if they get faulkner on iron chef,
I am SO DONE with food network…
tonight was almost the last straw, but I am hoping for alex to win.
Agreed all the way! I will quite you Iron Chef for real! I can not watch the horsey toothed bee-yatch!
Go Alex!!
AGREED! I only ever watch for Symon or Morimoto now anyway though. But I’d watch it more if it had amazing Alex on there
Nothing about Chiarello using a Slap-Chop?
Hee! I caught that too. I would have assumed that it was something that a “home cook” would use.
I was literally yelling at my tv during this episode (and I’m not all that jazzed about NIC) but I was floored to see Anne go in the face of asses and losers like Chiarello, the chia pet, and Elizabeth Faulkner the pasty (pastry?) bird-brain who couldn’t impress me if she had taught that tuna-jerky to juggle. Way to go FN, you always manage to surprise me with your poor choices. Keep it up.
The show just seems so scripted and set-up. Its really hard to digest, even when not taking it seriously. I wonder if their putting Zakarian on such a high horse, cause prior to filming he told the producers he was about to file bankruptcy but wants to save face on televsion for the future court proceedings?
You know who should have stayed on the show: Spike Mendelsohn. Chuck Hughes. That’s all I’m saying.
I would definitely like to see some of Spike’s commentsont he challenges and such. It was too bad he was obviously not going to win (or get far). But I think he could have given some good comments.
I don’t really understand all of the hate for Faulkner. I don’t like her, but I don’t dislike her, the same with Zakarian. Chiarello just rubs me the wrong way. I’ve been rooting for Burrell or Guarnaschelli; go Alex! They need more estrogen in kitchen stadium, since Cat Cora seems to have vanished.
I’m pretty sure the next iron chef will be someone who isn’t already a presence on Food Network … I’m leaning towards Faulkner just because it would be surprising, you know “a true underdog story”.
Cora and her wife have three (four?) kids now. Family dominates her time now.
What dont you understand about the prevailing attude to Faulkner? Lately she has been overly arrogant and dismissive of her competition. Anne said it best, she made ice cream a few times and a souffle, not a big deal.
Zakarian on the other hand consistantly produces tasty food, noted by the judges time and again.
I just don’t like her. but I guess she is a great Cat Cora replacement. If you are shallow and go Lesbian Chick = Lesbian Chick.
I was really annoyed when she was super proud of her Bagel and Cream Cheese Ice Cream… really? Was that that imprssive? Bagel and Cream Cheese is a pretty obvious combination, turning it into an Ice Cream isn’t that amazing.
Putting it on record now that they do some kind of SHAWKING!!1 HEAD-CRUSHING SWITCHEROO-Y DEAL and bring Burrell back in the last several episodes to replace somebody or something — a la the bullshit they pulled with the cake decorators’ contest where the ol’ bald white guy had to be helpfully assisted by the network to win — and she wins. Anne Burrell must win. She must. Must. Must. I love Alex, but Anne must win.
I have a suspicion that the chef who wins the fan vote will be brought back for a shot at redemption. It might explain why they’ve kept all the participants on there, and why some of them keep asking for votes.
Good call. I agree.
Alton Brown tweeted several weeks ago that they already shot an episode of ICA with the new Iron Chef; battle elk, I think. Which would mean that what will be done has already been done regardless of fan vote; I think the chefs tweet about it because they want the network to know they have fans and should be kept around. It’s why I vote; I want to see Anne and Alex on air even if they are not the next IC. (But my opinion: as a team they’d be unstoppable!)
The winner is determined weeks before airing. Garces’s and Forgione’s first battles both aired shortly after they was announced.
*were.
Apparently my completely forgetting Garces and adding him in made me forget to fully edit before hitting submit
Alex is the only person left now that Anne is gone that I could see myself watching on Iron Chef. I really just can’t stand anyone else that is left. Though I might watch if Elizabeth Falkner won hoping to see her lose every battle on Iron Chef.
Agree. Alex G on this show is so much more appealing than her fake bitch Chopped self
And I agree with Jillian that this episode overall deserved so much hate. The stupid auction contrivance…what the HELL did that have to do with umm, the ability to cook and stuff??
The IC’s know what they will cook in advance. The fakery of this show sheds no light on who will have the ability to cook the best as an IC.
But I pretty much knew Anne was toast after hearing about her “advantage”. Reality show karma.
Now that Anne is gone, I am, reluctantly team Zakarian. I hated him in chopped, just a pompous prick i thought. That was until I saw his old ass whip it out in chopped all-stars, making some awesome food whilst keeping his station clean.
Chiarello – too bitchy
Falkner – now too arrogant
Alex – maybe too sweet (love her though)
Of course his station is clean. He’s gotta be one of the most OCD people ever. Have you seen his nails? Holy crap. Talk about perfect.
About time Anne was eliminated.
I agree. Ding dong the witch is dead.
aaarrrggghhh! i didn’t watch and read this recap hoping for elizabeth faulkner to finally be gone. not anne! now i have to watch. on a side note, i used to HATE alex g, but this show made me love her.
Now that Anne is gone, the only reason I’ll be watching is to root for Alex. She can come off as abrasive, but she seems genuine, and she’s entertaining to watch. Faulkner doesn’t do anything for me, Chiarello won’t win (come on, there’s no way), and Zakarian comes off as a complete tool. His presence annoys me to no end, and correct me if I’m wrong, but hasn’t he been in the bottom more times than anyone else left? He needs to get gone.
It will be a Chiarello vs Falkner finale. They have shown so many clips of Falkner saying Chiarello this Chiarello that.
Also, are they going to make the chefs fish for their food at Montague (or however it is spelled)… exactly like Top Chef had their chefs do.
They have copied some challenges, but that would be pretty hard to ignore.
Alex should have just bid 5 minutes on Tuna Jerkey. Would Falkner get 0 minutes with leg of lamb? Really bad system.
i legit thought you were joking when you said anne was out. then i realised you wouldn’t joke about such a thing. jesus, what a bunch of idiots.
well, go alex!
I gotta root for Alex now. anne was actually starting to grow on me, as i’m not her biggest fan, and i thought she had the most potential. she deserved it!! I am appalled. FN better let either Faulker or Alex win, or i will personally complain to them about sexism.
We all know these things are practically rigged, and has liitle to do with a chef’s talent. if FN wanted Burrell to win this thing, they could have just snapped their fingers. what I’m trying to say is, this isn’t a legit competition, where there is no predertermined winner or gimmicks madeup. if FN wants ICA to have a female chef,, they can easily give us one. maybe they don’t or do but we’ll have to see…
You want FN to “let” Alex or Faulkner win – because you’re concerned about sexism?!
I honestly thought you were joking when you said Anne was eliminated. When I realized you weren’t, it just crushed me. I don’t watch NIC because I tend to avoid FN like the plague. I do, however, read your recaps and I was split between Alex and Anne since I love them both. Now my full support goes to Alex. I hope she destroys her competition.
Ok I am done watching this show. Anne should have won this hands down. That was a set up show for drama. How come no one came do a TRUE reality show . I dont want any of these people to win the next iron chef, It willbe faukner,. They need a girl chef again. A true set up show.
Considering the quality of FN nowadays, I bet Chiarello wins. If you want cringe-worthy proof of the network, watch The Deen Family Christmas special
Good lord, is that actually a show?!!!
OMG, I couldn’t even watch that! Cringe worthy indeed.
You have to wonder if Joo’s fawning all over Falkner is written in the script. If it is not I do not know how Food Network continues to let her be a judge. She goes on a rant about how “hot” Falkner has been. Really? I thought she was in the bottom 2 last week? lol
As my domestic partner and I sat next to eachother and watched this show, we were both screaming at the TV to Please, please, please, send that witch with the idiotic hair, abysmal skirts, and horrible attitude home. C’mon people! What is there to like about Anne Burrell? She is a classless wench. Just look at her pouty immature facial expressions when she was sent home. Shes a crappy winner, and even worse loser. When she was on top, she was always rubbing it in everyones faces. So for those of you that say that you are DONE with FN, I couldn’t disagree more. They are now redeemed in my eyes because I was sure that they were already to place the crown on the hideous bleached blonde head of Anne’s. Yes Zakarian is pompous. But you know what? The guy has class, and MAD SKILLZ! Please do not put Anne on the same culinary level as the Z man! This guy has classical tecnique down pat. And as for Mr. bald headed annoying judge guy whose name I can’t remember or pronounce if I did…….a souffle is a classical dish you douche. And historically it is served dusted with confectioners sugar. His comment of it being so 1970′s dinner party was stupid. Its a classical dish, and that is the way it is classically prepared. If he was served French onion soup would he complain that all that melted cheese on top was sooooooo passe? Yeah, hes a nimrod. At this point I am good with either the Z man or Alex taking it home. One has class, the other has personality. But in any case, I am just THRILLED that the woman who I think embodies a lot of what is wrong in todays society is GONE GONE GONE! In your face Anne! Now take you Involtino and go cry in the corner.
I’m rooting for Alex. Falkner is too cocky, Chiarello is just simply unwatchable and Zakarian’s ass needs to be shoved up one of his many fireplaces.
I was surprised as well, but Anne hasn’t seem herself in the past few episodes, I guess she was out cooked personalities aside, I’m rooting for Alex but I don’t know if she can handle the pressure, seems a bit too crazy of a job for her but I loved how she finally got to the kitchen with that 20 min to cook and yelled for people to get out of her way, that was great.
I was surprised as well, but Anne hasn’t seem herself in the past few episodes, I guess she was out cooked personality aside, I’m rooting for Alex but I don’t know if she can handle the pressure, seems a bit too crazy of a job for her but I loved how she finally got to the kitchen with that 20 min to cook and yelled for people to get out of her way, that was great.
If anyone else crossed their arms, rolled their eyes, and made the bratty faces that Anne Burrell made last night, you would have posted screen shots and made fun of him/her. Her behavior was horrendous. She insulted and made faces at every dish, even though the judges thought the food was great. I despise Anne Burrell and am thrilled that I will no longer have to see her on The Next Iron Chef. She looks like a clown monster, acts like a cocky, goofy teenager, treats people like crap on Worst Cooks in America, and sexually harasses her kitchen staff. Thank goodness she won’t be an iron chef!
I have to agree. There’s a lot of love here for AB, but as this season has gone along, she’s become more annoying. Cocky and condescending, while usually playing it safe with her food.
Right now it looks like Alex or Geoffrey. Falkner’s cooking seems one-dimensional. I just don’t see Chiarello winning it. However, he hasn’t been bad, and if Alex’s nerves get the best of her, Chiarello could sqeak in.
+100
Thank you!!!! I DO NOT get the Anne Burrell fascination. Marcus, Geoffrey, Alex and Michael are all better cooks in my opinion. She acts like such a child and gets away with it. Yes, many of the other chefs have super-sized egos, but I would much rather watch them than AB acting like a 4 year old.
The whole b!thchy girls vibe has gotten unbearable this season, so one less in the hen’s nest is OK by me.
Very well said. I’m an AB fan too but she seriously annoyed me with last night’s episode. Incredibly childish behavior. I could not get past all the eye rolls and horrible body language. For the first time, I WANTED her to go home.
As much as I hate to admit it I’m finding myself rooting for Zakarian more and more. he still comes across as a pompous ass but he consistently shows he has the skills to back it up. Could he be more humble, or any amount of humble, sure. But his food always looks great and the judges certainly seem to think the flavor stacks up.
I would not mind Alex winning but she just rubs me the wrong way sometimes.
ITA with everything you said. The man can cook, has the technical skills and good presentation. Hey we don’t have to like the guy. He can be the pompous Iron Chef lol.
I’m stunned, really. I thought Anne would be a shoe-in for an Iron Chef. She just seems perfect for those challenges.
Michael Chiarello is annoying and I wouldn’t watch him on Iron Chef. He’s been boring and irritating in every FN presentation I’ve seen him in. Just wouldn’t be interested to watch him in any show at this point.
Why are people so intrigued by Anne Burrell? I do not understand the draw. I wanted Marcus to win the whole thing, but now that he is gone, I would like either Alex or Michael to win.
Don’t you get it! Anne is ~edgy~! Look at her hair! And her crazy clothes!
tbh she reminds me of the annoying theater geeks who can’t get over how original they all think they are.
I predict a Faulkner/Zakarian finale.
The secret ingredient will be flour.
Faulkner will win by a hair.
Probably pubic.
Purrfect prediction, dahling!
LOL! My sentiments exactly!
I personally am glad Anne is gone. There were two different episodes…one the ballpark, forget the other one, where they were unhappy with her dishes, yet she wasn’t in the bottom two. IMHO, Anne has a poor, bratty attitude. She isn’t better than the others. This isn’t high school….she may be popular with some, but that doesn’t make her more skillful. She dissed Elizabeth for making ice cream, and then turns around and makes ice cream herself.
I like the four remaining. I don’t think Alex has the finesse of Zakarian, and she is inconsistent. Zakarian and Chiarello are probably the neck and neck players here, but I think Faulkner may be the ringer because she is female…and they want that in IC.
Anne dissed Elizabeth for making ice cream, because she made it FOUR FUCKING TIMES TIMES in a FIVE WEEK COMPETITION. And she specializes in pastries and desserts! The show isn’t called the next ice cream chef.
You clearly missed the entire point of the comment. Anne made tons of other foods, and her ice cream here was brilliant and gave a difficult dish a more dessert-y twist.
Jillian, I am sorry, I still stand by my comment. Anne has an attitude, but as Tina says below, this isn’t about attitude, it is about skill. Zakarian has consistenly wowed the judges with his food, Anne hasn’t been consistent. Simon M clearly was in favor of Anne, the others were very neutral in what we saw through editing. I honestly think Zakarian is a superior chef. Do I personally like him over others? No. But you need the whole chef package. People keep knocking GZ for his elitist attitude. Anne is very over the top, abrasive and annoying for others. Neither one is my favorite, but Zakarian IS over all a superior chef.
Well said, Andee.
You are totally correct. I cheered when Anne Burrell dissed Faulkner for making a souffle and ice cream four times. I do believe Faulkner is going to win, for whatever reason as this show is totally scripted from the get-go. We will get to see judges eating elk ice cream and olive souffles.
I do agree with you on parts. Personally, I like Anne.. but you’re right; she does have an attitude. It does sometimes get to the point where ‘enough is enough’. And speaking of attitudes, I’m starting to like Alex less and less with each week. Hrm.
OK, I’ve changed my mind. I’m rooting for Zakarian to win (though he won’t. You know it just has to be a girl). Despite what others say, I think he’s a great chef.
Eh, it doesn’t matter, though. I hardly ever watch Iron Chef. I only tune in halfheartedly if it’s an ingredient I like (Squid? Nty). Oh, and if Bobby Fay isn’t competing!
Alex is okay but holy fuck is she over-dramatic sometimes. Calm yo tits girl, it’s food. Please don’t kill yourself.
I didn’t actually catch this entire episode and kind of didn’t care but I am kind of shocked that Anne is gone and that pretentious cock Zakarian is still there. Hasn’t he been in the bottom almost every episode? He’s such a little shit.
No, he was only in the bottom two in episode 4 (the improv “comedy” episode), and in this one because Anne sent him because she was threatened by him (and rightly so, as it turned out!).
I noticed during the show that Anne’s twitter was unusually silent. She normally tweets throughout the ep. This time GZ was tweeting every couple of seconds. A few comments from Alex, but Anne–nada. Makes me think she was truly upset by the loss. And where were YOU, Jillian?
I thought the same thing!! As I saw the episode play out and Anne was silent on Twitter I just knew that Anne was going home :(
I noticed that too. She was the same way during the Chopped All Stars ep when she got eliminated.-Didn’t say much on Twitter.
So now she’s been screwed twice by FN. They had NOTHING bad to say about her dessert, yet she went home.
Rooting for Alex now.
Always interesting to read the comments here. I find it fascinating how people come here to complain about how some of the “personalities” aren’t providing quality instruction and are bashed for being more of a persona than anything else. But if you have talented chefs with a possible full time slot on food network all the sudden everyone is ready to make it a personality contest. Zakarian is a great chef … most of them have egos. If you wanted a top quality Iron Chef without an enormous ego that ship sailed with the John Besh loss in the first season. Chiarello was in the second spot for Top Chef Masters, he knows what he is doing and he is good at it. Look at it this way, if he or Zakarian wins people who are really interested in learning about food will win and so will the ones who only watch to make fun of what they see, what fun would you have with a John Besh type winner, there is nothing about him to dislike. It’s not a personality competition, they are choosing an Iron Chef, supposedly this show is supposed to be a bit more serious than the fluff piece shows the network seems to run a lot of.
It’s a TV show. Why wouldn’t personality be an important part?
Of all the cooking shows on TV, Iron Chef is the one that has least to do with personaility (I mean for the camera, not regarding the food created.) It has most to do with skill. This is not a competition for an individual show, so personality should have VERY little to do with it. While some may think Zakarian a royal jackass or Chiarello boring, they will probably make the most interesting and technically superior dishes on Ircon Chef. I think Alex would also thrive in kitchen stadium, though I do not think she will win. Still missing Marcus!
This was depressing. Anne’s face throughout the entire last 20 minutes of the show was HILARIOUS! She had the “just put me in the bottom already I know you’re going to do it because you are all asses” face. She knew that she made a mistake with her advantage, but she still did something pretty interesting with the showdown ingredients. Using zucchini in the dessert could have gone either way, but unfortunately they are head over heels for souffle. Anne <3
And Falkner failed (I think) on a episode of ICA years back in battle honey, or something like that. I wonder how well she'd do if she did win. I want AG to win, but I don't know if I'm convinced they'll pick her yet.
I was surprised as well, but Anne hasn’t seem herself in the past few episodes, I guess she was out cooked personalitiy aside, I’m rooting for Alex but I don’t know if she can handle the pressure, seems a bit too crazy of a job for her but I loved how she finally got to the kitchen with that 20 min to cook and yelled for people to get out of her way, that was great.
I noticed that the majority of “mini interviews” and comments were focused on Faulkner. NIC didn’t air many comments by the other contestants. Thought that was odd.
Ok, here it is I guess I am going against the grain but…I must say it ! I do not like Alex Guarnaschelli, at all. She is smarmy, condescending and has no personality. I am not debating her cooking chops, possibly she is the best chef here (or maybe not) but who cares. My point is this, I watch Iron Chef to be entertained, not to learn cooking skills or tips. The Iron Chefs have to have a great personality and keep it fun ( that is if they want to keep me watching).
I can invision it now, Alex loses a battle (when she is the newest ICA), she will not take the loss gracefully. Alex will make a face and debate with the judges decision and try to explain why her dishes were the best and deserved to win, meanwhile putting down the judges to their face along with the competing chef.
I can not believe they sent home Anne, she has more positive personality than any of the others. Who’s left ? A lot of boring people. But why not Food Network, why not. Just add another boring uncharismatic chef like Forgionne.
When she was judging their food I think she was just being rude. She had critiques for all of them, but her food was the worst in the end. The judges didn’t think that Michael’s rice was undercooked or that Alex’s sausage was dry.
Anne keeps tweeting that Faulkner is dissing her competitors. She has said many times that Faulkner is just a pastry chef, even though she’s won challenges with savory dishes. Anne, Geoffrey, and Michael all look down on her for being a pastry chef and can’t stand it when she makes a better dish than they do, so they say ‘of course she won a dessert challenge, she’s a pastry chef.’ She didn’t win because she’s a pastry chef, she won because she produced a better dish. I think her dish this week was quite risky for anyone not just a pastry chef.
And Jillian, why is a big deal that Faulkner made ice cream a few times? Its familiar to her. Anne and Chiarello specialize in Italian food. She has made a zucchini cannoli and ravioli, while Michael has made pasta and risotto.
did michael make ravioli in four out of five of the episodes? no? nuff said.
Now that Anne is gone i’m guessing it’s gonna be Zakarian vs Guarnaschelli…each week they have the person kicked off NIC on the Chew … before NIC started they had Alex and Geoffrey on together, that’s my prediction.
Winners: accidental devil horns (I saw ‘em and was praying for a screen cap), Alton’s “she’s going to the ice cream machine” face-palm (ties with him blurting out the word DREAD at the tuna souffle), Zakarian’s super tidy self still rocking the juvenile bandaids. Losers: Anne Burrell (my personal favorite) saying Falkner needs to make “real food”, Alex’s woe is me-ness, Judy Joo licking her fingers and swooning.
Don’t feel bad for Anne, although she was the only reason to keep watching this show. She’s on like, every other FN reality show.
Well, I don’t mind that Anne was eliminated, as I’ve said before I think she’s very talented but I find her difficult to watch with all her groaning & talking to the food. I originally wanted to see Chuck Hughes, Irvine or Alex winning, because all of them could have brought something new to NIC. So now I’m voting for Alex. Really all I care is that Chiarello NOT win. I can’t believe he is still on this show, he’s so boring & predictable. I’m not a fan of Falkner, but I’d rather see her win than Chiarello. So go Alex!
I really did not want Anne to win before this show, and my boyfriend and I were routing for literally anybody else. But after watching her, Holy shit she’s awesome. I thought she would be a horrible winner and loser (as usual) but she really wasn’t. Especially standing next to Zakerian who is perhaps the most pompous person to ever exist. I was always routing for Alex, but for the past few I’ve been routing for both her and Anne to snub that dessert whore Faulkner out of the competition. I really hated to see Zakarian, who doesn’t really do the challenges, beat Anne and put her out of the competition. I am begging Alex to win this thing. And if you’ve noticed she has had two really fucking bad days in the kitchen but she’s never been in the bottom two. Go Alex!!!!!
I feel the last competition was a farce. Iron Chef puts two chefs against each other with the same ingrediant and the same amount of time to allow the chefs to show their skills and creativity. Using different ingrediants and cutting the time sets up impossible hurdles for the chefs to overcome. The biggest farce is falkner being told about her risk taking in making something that was not impossible within her time restraints. Jeffery as well had no problem searing a piece of beef in the time he had. As far as having one mixer in the comeptition that was stupid as hell why not expand that to one stove with one working burner. What a joke. If you are going to hold a fair contest to determine who is the best play fair otherwise pick your choice announce it and quit the bullshit! It seems FN is just having these competitions for drama and not for cooking. FN the new soaps!
i’m hoping alex wins as well. i can see zacky winning as well.
Can’t believe I’m saying it but Geoffrey has impressed me the most and he deserves to win.
He has an extensive range of techniques and culinary knowledge and the only reason he keeps coming at the bottom is because the judges don’t like him!
They were unfair to him earlier on and he’s been throwing it in their faces since then.Good for him.
His true competition now is Alex if she stays calm.Chiarello is not hungry enough for the win and Faulkner is totally out of her league.
Goodbye to Anne, the only person in the opening titles who looked like she wasn’t pinching a loaf.
I told my daughter (who watches the show with me) that Anne was going to go. We’re both sad about that.
We, too, are throwing our 100% support behind Alex. I have a feeling the final two will be Alex and Zakarian.
I swear if Zakaria wins I will have a meltdown. He’s the most pompous self-centered egotistical excuse of a man I’ve ever seen.
We’re talking about Fareed Zakaria here, right?
bahahhaha
This reminds me of the finale of Chopped All Stars, when Anne was eliminated. Alex is the only one I’m rooting for now.
My new favorite FN star is the camera-person that got the shot with AG and EF and the ‘devil horns’. Outstanding!!
i think i have it figured out.
i dislike Falkner i admit it i do and it has nothing to do with her cooking, it is her complete lack of personality on camera. being iron chef is not only being a great chef, but being a tv personality as well…and she just isnt gonna cut it on that half of the job
people keep mentioning her making 3 ice creams….making souffles and baking. she is a pastry chef….that is what she does…and there is no rule against it, “where was the risk in a souffle??” the souffle was not the risk…putting tuna jerky IN the souffle was the risk. pitching a fit that she only does what she knows is like having an issue with bobby flay making his red and green oils…or morimoto making sushi part of kitchen stadium is adapting what you know to include the item you are given
like i said, i dont like Falkuner, but i can find no fault in her cooking….just her overall drab and listless personality on camera
if falkner becomes an iron chef she won’t be able to make five desserts every time she’s challenged. if she can’t step outside her comfort zone and stop making pastries and ice creams to prove her iron chef-worthiness, her record’s going to be even worse than forgione’s. they’re not gonna be able to get judy joo to judge all her competitions.
Cannot stand Alex. She has always come off as an extremely arrogant person. I love this site and agree with just about every snarky observation, but I am extremely confused with this site’s penchant for all things Alex. Do you guys know something I don’t?
Supposedly only people that watch Chopped dislike Alex. I don’t know if its true, but I watch chopped and I hate her. She has no problem peeing in everyone elses wheaties but suddenly when she’s in the hotseat she gets all anxious and shit.
Its like, she can dish it but not take it. I can’t stand people like that.
It’s like night and day, honestly. On Chopped, Alex is TOTAL BITCHFACE. If looks could kill the show would be a bloodbath. And yet if you see her on literally anything else, she seems pretty fun and sincere. I think she takes the whole judge thing far too seriously. Unfortunately if most people’s perceptions of her are solely from how she acts on Chopped she wouldn’t make a very popular Iron Chef.
I watch ‘Chopped’ and I didn’t hate on Alex until this season of NIC. Her bizarre personality disorders, on display in every episode, are a huge turnoff. She needs to down a tall, refreshing glass of Prozac before she goes on air.
Agreed, I don’t know why everyone loves her. She behaves in a bizarre manner, and exhibits traits of someone with personality disorder. I feel uncomfortable watching her, and although honestly I like having her as Chopped judge, I dislike her too much for her to win, and many people (esp Chopped fans) feel the same way. Furthermore I hope they pick a winner, ya know, based on merit and talent, as opposed to just picking a woman because we’re overdue for one. I honestly thought they’d rig it for Anne to win, especially since she’s been on a lot more FN promos lately. Now I’m not sure what to think. Forgive me for saying this, I never thought I would… but I think Geoffrey is doing best overall.
Me and my parents think Alex is doing some major butt kissing somewhere behind the scenes on someone high in the food network chain of command. I honestly would like anyone to win except fo her just because she is so drab and un-watchable I couldn’t bear to watch an iron chef competition. Falkner is right on the edge for me if I like her or not I still can’t decide.
I watch Chopped and I love Alex! I see her as someone (unlike me) who has a great poker face and can keep her emotions in check. I saw her on ICA a few years ago and she was very pleasant and personable. I think she’d make a terrific Iron Chef.
I watch Chopped and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with her behavior on that show, she’s supposed to judge not make bff’s with the contestants. Besides, I’d be cranky too sometimes if I had to eat Lamb Heart in a honey cough drop demi-glace.
G-ross.
Alex is tough and brave. I watch her show all the time as well as Chopped. Love her cooking skills and her passion. Was sorry to see Anne go. And although Elizabeth is a chef she is a pastry chef…not an Iron Chef. Judy & Falkner both need to exit the program. Send in Aaron Sanchez as A Joo replacement.
EWWW Zakarian told Anne “Love you, baby” when they hugged.
I almost threw up. And I wish Anne had punched him in the face.
Jillian – let me say I love your recaps and I watch FN a lot less than I used to because their programming is crap
I’ve been reading the comments on here for a while and I guess I just am not seeing the same version of Chopped as everyone else – don’t understand the hate for Alex on that show. Yes she’s critical but she’s a judge – that’s what they do and usually if she says something negative it’s not nasty and most often follwed by something she likes that the contestant did. This is in sharp contrast to Scott (I’m the only one who knows how to cook pasta and how dare you serve me raw onion cause I don’t like it) Conant and Geoffrey I have 4 fireplaces and I don’t really like pepper or spice so how dare you put a smidge in more than I would have Zakarian – both of them are more obnoxious and pompous than Alex ever will be
I agree. Alex is one of my favorite judges on Chopped (I like Geoffery as well, because I have accepted the fact that on TV and in one’s personal life, many chef’s are pompous jerks!) I do not understand why everyone thinks Alex is so mean on Chopped – yes, sometimes her looks can be a little dramatic, but her critique is fair and, like you said, always backed up with a positive.
I think the main problem is that, in its first year, Chopped kept being edited to make Alex look like an uber-bitch. In truth, there’s a LOT of judging we don’t see, and they tend to highlight only the most provocative comments. I think even Alex herself has bemoaned this at some point. Since that season, the editors have actually lightened her overall impression quite a bit, and more of playful personality has come through (although she’s definitely a smart-ass, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing). However, that first season set a horrible first impression on people, and I don’t think viewers can see past that.
It also doesn’t help when the editors of Next Iron Chef decide to include every single time Alex yells at a cameraman to get out of her way…maybe some post-production revenge on the show’s part?
I think it boils down to us living in a world where if a man is a tough critic, he’s just being fair and insightful but if a woman acts the very same way, she’s labeled a bitch.
Which is sad.
You forgot the case in which a man is also a bitch — think Aaron Sanchez…
Judy Joo is the most obnoxious creature on the face of the earth. Anything to feed her lesbian crush on the gender confused Elizabeth Falkner!
Huge eye-roll on her “you’re on fire!” remark. PLEASE!
Does anyone remember the Food Network Challenge where Faulkner was making that stupid, gross cave blob cake and got all butt-hurt because the judges weren’t paying enough attention to it? It was a few years ago. Took me a while to place where I’d seen her before. So annoying! Team Alex.
Yes! She said something about how they didn’t ‘get it’ because it was above their heads. She was creating high art there, I guess. You had to walk up and look inside it I think, which seems…stupid…and a little unsanitary…for a cake.
You might have also seen her on Top Chef Masters for about seven minutes before being eliminated.
Ugh, fucking saw it coming too when the first sentence was Jill hating the episode.
If Falkner wins this, I will be fucking livid. And can they ban Judy Joo from the final judging? I bet Falkner is going to create yet another ice cream that is fucking gross and she’s going to claim having another foodgasm and bitch about how Falkner deserves to win
I don’t want Falkner to win because she has no personality. After all, the winner is going to be on a television show meant to entertain, right? I’m not simply entertained by people cooking, that’s dull. I want someone that can make me feel something toward them (even hate). She’s just so bland. Honestly, as far as cooking goes, they’ve all impressed me. They can all handle the Iron Chef competition. I feel like the judges pick and choose who they want to move forward – I can’t taste the food myself and their judging seems fishy to me. So basically, I don’t like Falkner. None of the remaining competitors would be an ideal winner for me. But I wouldn’t mind Alex, because she does have great one-liners, and I do find her funny. Yea, she gives a mean stare on Chopped, but hey, it’s entertaining. I actually don’t understand the hate either.
Anybody recall last year’s Iron Chef winner? The guy with the LEAST amount of personality in the whole competition…so don’t discount Faulker on that account.
With Faulkner, FN gets three-fer: Woman, gay and west coast (ie, not NY).
Who needs personality with all that?
I’ve been rooting for Zakarian since the beginning. He just keeps to himself and does his thing. Nothing wrong with a normal clean cut guy. Alex G. is a bitch that is just painful to watch on anything. My second choice would be Michael C. He might be a dick, but it would be entertaining.
OK, I was originally in the Anne camp to win it all. My second choice was Alex. I keep hoping that next week will see Falkner and Zakarian go, because I just do not like either of them. Falkner has zero personality, and carries zero interest. She’s not flamboyant, and she’s just plain boring. Zakarian is so highly pompous that I cannot but hope to see him sent packing. I wish they had sent him packing during Ballpark Week. Or against Beau.
That being said, I expect we’ll be seeing “Iron Chef” Falkner. This show is as predetermined as Sandwich Boy winning TNFNS. Once again Kermit, and Susie, you disappoint.
Yay to Jillian for catching the devil horns! I don’t know how “accidental” they were, but I knew you wouldn’t let us down!
Now that Burrell’s gone, I’d like to see Alex win. At first I thought she was a crybaby drama queen, but now I realize she’s really talented. I wouldn’t want either Chiarello or Zakarian to win; their egos are too big ;O) To be honest, among the guys, I was rooting for McMillan. The last 2 weeks have thrown me a curve because I thought Samuelsson and Burrell would last longer.
AB gone? Dang, time to get on the… wait a minute… I wanted Irvine to win, he got whacked, then got on the Samuelson boat, that sunk in the harbor, went over to the AB camp, it got overrun…
Since I have the kiss of death going, the magic 8 ball bears a name for me- Sybil. Sybil?!? OOHHH, Alex! No sand there, but enough personalities on Chopped and on NIC to have her own 3 hour variety show!!!
Go get ‘em Alex, ha!
What a horrible episode. I really wanted Anne to go all the way. Alex better win it now because I don’t want any of the 3 remaining men to win(yes I said “men”)
Jane Lynch really needs to play Falkner in a send-up of the Food Network.
I was wondering how many of the cameramen and/or editors Ann pissed off. It was downright *uncomfortable* to watch her arm crossing, foot stomping, and eye rolling. There was really no need for them to edit so much of that into the episode.
Based on the shots you saw, though, I don’t think they had much of a choice…they had to include the verdict, and she was totally pissed off the entire time (she saw it coming). I think it’s refreshing, actually, to see genuine emotion and not TV emotion on the show. Did she seem like a petulant child and a sore loser? Possibly….but then again, that’s a real reaction, and not this “I just lost the Academy award…let me give the winner polite applause and a smile” bullshit.
Well now there are two shows I wont be watching in the near future. Anne leaving has taken all the luster out of the show and whoever wins this show is unwatchable.. So no more Iron Chef. I like Alex but I’m not sure I would enjoy watching her battle it out with anyone.
amen sista
Agreed.
I want to like Faulkner but hate her more evey week. When she smiles my kids scream and cover their eyes.
I liked how after Simon complains about the powdered sugar they cut to commercial where Flay is dusting a desert.
Simon is a pompous ass. That commercial with the powderrd sugar was ironic.
Shocked that Anne was eliminated. I wonder if they are eliminating those who have successful shows already? I know Alex has one but it’s meh, and Zakarian is a judge on Chopped, so…. just wondering. I wanted Chuck to win!
I dunno, but I think Burell got the short end of the stick regardless. Either way, Faulker and Joo would make a very cute couple. xP
Somebody should punch Food Network in the c-banger. AB is the only watchable cook on the entire network these days.
Go Team AnyoneButChiarello!
Go Team AnyoneButChiarello.
I stopped watching FN over a year ago – even if a particular show was worth the 30 + minutes; the insufferable commerical promo’s with Goo Fairy and Stuff Goldman were too much to endure. I was forced into watching the Iron Chef Battle this week (whatever its called) while I was visiting a drunken relative. Between Elizabeth Faulkner and that God awful Michael Chiarello – it was the equivalent of 3 Lunesta’s and a Benadryl. Falukner has the personality of cement. I would rather shoot my eye out and pour vinegar in the gapinmg hole than to have to endure that again. Hey Faulkner…1983 called – they want their Scritti Politti hair back and their souffle’s.
I think this is absolutely unbelievable that Mike Symon threw Anne under the bus and let Geoffrey stay for seared beef! Give me a break! You have Falkner whining about this and that throughout the whole damn show!
Alex needs to win this. I wouldn’t be able to stomach the other three as Iron Chefs…
I hope Zakarian wins. I dont find him pompass so much as quiet and most of his food has been masterful. I do beleive it has already been determined that Faulkner will win as they only have one woman (who had to win nothing to be an iron chef as Flay (yuck) and many others didnt.) Im still ticked this forgione guy won over Ming Tsai. i figured the food network didnt want to pay the airfair from boston to NY and picked this nobody guy who keeps losing..