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What did she expect? She bought the chips at Aldi's. That's like going to Amsterdam and being shocked to find hookers and pot.

Even though Stefan is a bit of an ass, he's a refreshing change from previous seasons in that he's a jerky chef who can actually bring the cooking. What drove me crazy about Lisa last season was that she had all the arrogance and superior attitude of a master chef, but with a fraction of the talent.

Toby...my God, what a douche. I was actually tolerating his presence until he pulled out that ridiculously contrived line about Elvis. He's just embarrassing himself.

Service matters people! I could sell ice to eskimoes (sorry for the cliche) but it is true. You wrap something not so pretty in pretty paper and it makes a difference.

Don't hate me.....I want Stephan to win! I think he is the only person on the show with talent and he knows it, which must make him a horrible person to be around and an awful competitor, but he's a good chef and I'd eat his food! Plus I love that kind of confidence in people, even if it's ostracizing. Jamie is so glum. Smile girl! Have a little joie de vivre! And cook something else besides soup and corn (and scallops). I agree that Hosea is the quiet competition and I predict that he will make it into the final three, along with Jamie and Stephan. I like Fabio as a person, but he keeps making small mistakes that will probably cost him. Carla is also funny and charming, but I don't think she's much of a cook. Leah is a total sourpuss princess brat and Jeff awkwardly over-extends himself every time. Even when he limits himself to one concept its like, oversized or something. That HUGE hunk of salmon he made for the "tasting" in the QF?! What?! And Toby Young, words don't describe. My ears gush forth blood when he opens his mouth. Sorry....

@mgnnn: Seriously. You'd think they'd all be prepared for this and other things. I mean, it's like this group never watched previous seasons. They've repeated so many mistakes that contestants in prior seasons have made. There's definitely enough material for any contestants now to learn how to play the game.

Am I the only one who thought Sunset Lounge sounds like a nudist resort?

Sorry if my first comment came across a little harsh Ed. I didn't do an East Coast time calculation!

The one thing no one has mentioned is how utterly unprepared all the contestants seemed to be for restaurant wars. I would think that anyone even considering going on Top Chef would prepare in advance a) a couple of great dessert recipes (nice one Carla) and b) a concept and name for a restaurant. The only ones that seemed to have had a little forethought were Fabio's and Stephan's. I would have loved to see a modern American take on an Old World European restaurant, that's pretty original. Fabio's was a little looser, and not well presented, but you could tell he was more prepared then anyone else. Seriously the rest were so lame.

@Ed - Yeah! What was up with the chilean sea bass? Maybe it was New York-an sea bass!? LOL totally outside the scope of the task rules.
@jmanor - Lea and Hosea are being extremely unprofessional! I hope that this will be brought-up to the judges attention at least. It was spicy!
@ shortstack - OMG ME 2

I can follow the general consensus I think but can someone please tell me why Carla hasn't been sent home yet? In my opinion, she should have been gone last week (even though the lamb was molested) AND this week (her "happy/positive/careless" attitude isn't authoritative enough) too !!(??)

I definitely am starting to think Stefan has the whole thing in the bag. I'm not a big Jamie fan... too many scallops maybe? but I do think she would have been a much better manager last night.

As for Hosea and Leah -- still disgusted.

@July:

Yes, I think there should have been no winning team! I think the judges would have been justified since the Sunset Lounge team won by such a slim margin, according to Tom. I commented to my husband that if the only thing I enjoyed from a four course dining experience was the dessert, I would never go back to that restaurant; however, if the only bad item was the dessert and the other courses were delicious, I'd probably go back and just pass on the dessert menu the next time. And I would likely never go back to a restaurant that served me fish that was raw in the middle!

The fact that Sahana had the better overall food, which seemed to be a consensus with the judges, yet was the losing team, is incredulous to me, in spite of what the comment cards said. Leah should have gone for serving the worst item of the night, and Carla should have gone for defending her dishes by saying she "sent the love" - all the love in the world won't save your business when your food tastes bad, and anyone at this level in the competition should know better or doesn't deserve to be there.

I just realized my mistake! I definitely don't think Leah is a favorite. Like Ed, I was having trouble mixing up Leah and Jamie. I take it back. Jamie is a favorite. Jamie or Stefan will win, I think.

I hit the roof with the chilean sea bass = seasonal, local food bit. But honestly, didn't everyone see this elimination coming? She didn't lead. I dont know how these people are getting this far while continuing to suck at being decisive and a leader. That's what defines a chef.
Also... I think it's going to be Jamie and Stefan at the end. And that would be hilarious. Stefan doesn't really annoy me all that much -- he's kind of arrogant, but to have unfailing belief in yourself, your designs, and your palate, you have to have a level of arrogance beyond what is required of normal people.