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From Serious Eats

'Top Chef' Season 5, Episode 7: Toby Young Rocks

I have to agree that Carla's wail for Gail was serious funny! Eugene must have Morimoto's book from 2 summers ago wherein there is a recipe for daikon fettucine. Original? Methinks not. Lastly, I wonder if Toby's snarks would be even half as funny if an American was spewing them. Ta.

From Serious Eats

'Next Food Network Star' Runner-Up Adam Gertler Gets His Own Show

Sorry I'm late ... sorry to Serious Eats, I should say, not sorry to Food Network. I slid by Food Network last night and saw that Adam had a show. I thought it was new! I had no idea he'd won it last summer! Tells you how much I watch FN anymore. First though, good for Adam. Anyone lamenting the fact that Lisa didn't win should look at the current offerings and realize that Lisa cannot save FN with her haute cuisine. If FN wants to fill their schedule with the umpteenth version of "Follow That Food with Gordon Elliott" so be it. The focus is no longer on recipes, at least in primetime where we get to watch people Work For Food, Follow That Food and ask the seemingly endless query How Did That Get On My Plate? +YAWN+

From Serious Eats

Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 24: How Often Should I Weigh Myself?

I recently hit a milestone weight loss of 25 lbs. I have convinced myself that the first 10 was from increasing my water intake to at least 2 litres per day. I weigh myself daily so that, like you, I can monitor my progress, but my official registry of my weight [in a simple word document I created myself] is on Monday mornings. I find that the official weigh-in day is important to my success. I also know that weight loss can vary widely from day to day, but that a weekly weigh-in gives you enough of a look at how you're doing overall. I hope my experiences help, and congratulations and keep up the good work!

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From Serious Eats

'Top Chef' Season 5, Episode 7: Toby Young Rocks

I have to agree that Carla's wail for Gail was serious funny! Eugene must have Morimoto's book from 2 summers ago wherein there is a recipe for daikon fettucine. Original? Methinks not. Lastly, I wonder if Toby's snarks would be even half as funny if an American was spewing them. Ta.

From Serious Eats

'Next Food Network Star' Runner-Up Adam Gertler Gets His Own Show

Sorry I'm late ... sorry to Serious Eats, I should say, not sorry to Food Network. I slid by Food Network last night and saw that Adam had a show. I thought it was new! I had no idea he'd won it last summer! Tells you how much I watch FN anymore. First though, good for Adam. Anyone lamenting the fact that Lisa didn't win should look at the current offerings and realize that Lisa cannot save FN with her haute cuisine. If FN wants to fill their schedule with the umpteenth version of "Follow That Food with Gordon Elliott" so be it. The focus is no longer on recipes, at least in primetime where we get to watch people Work For Food, Follow That Food and ask the seemingly endless query How Did That Get On My Plate? +YAWN+

From Serious Eats

Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 24: How Often Should I Weigh Myself?

I recently hit a milestone weight loss of 25 lbs. I have convinced myself that the first 10 was from increasing my water intake to at least 2 litres per day. I weigh myself daily so that, like you, I can monitor my progress, but my official registry of my weight [in a simple word document I created myself] is on Monday mornings. I find that the official weigh-in day is important to my success. I also know that weight loss can vary widely from day to day, but that a weekly weigh-in gives you enough of a look at how you're doing overall. I hope my experiences help, and congratulations and keep up the good work!

From Serious Eats

'Next Food Network Star' Runner-Up Adam Gertler Gets His Own Show

I loved Adam. I have watched his new show several times. His humor is fun and he is great on camera but I would definitely like to see him do a cooking show. He is like Guy in that his real appeal is as a personality. I think he will be another star like Guy and will be one to watch- I am sure that Will Work for Food is just the beginning.

I have to agree about Aaron. He just isn't that interesting on his show- I have seen it several times and am just not that impressed or interested in watching it again. He still feels stiff and forced on camera to me and doesn't really have anything compelling to teach as far as food goes. He is another FNS dud like all the others execpt Guy. I think they have had a hard time picking the right winner every season but the second. JAG should have won Season 3 but he took himself out. I would still love to see him get a show on FN. I would like to see Lisa get a real cooking show too. She actually knows food and would bring a different element that is currently in short supply on FN. Aidia, Sonny, Aaron-- all duds

From Serious Eats

'Next Food Network Star' Runner-Up Adam Gertler Gets His Own Show

Seriously, this format has been done ten times over, and this version is neither informative nor entertaining. It's boring. Period.

From Serious Eats

'Next Food Network Star' Runner-Up Adam Gertler Gets His Own Show

Drama major? No wonder he is so comfortable in front of the camera. So far, the show doesn't suck.

From Serious Eats

'Next Food Network Star' Runner-Up Adam Gertler Gets His Own Show

Good for Adam.....his personality on tv seems to be pretty true to his real persona. I went to the same college - don't know him well, but hung out with him enough times to get a sense since a friend of mine dated him. He was a drama major at Syracuse, thats why he's so good in front of the camera. He's always been more of a performer than a cook. Haven't seen the show yet - but if i pass by while flipping channels i'd definitely stop. I agree with previous opinions of aaron and lisa - i could totally see lisa do a martha stewart - esque show...and I can't see aaron being very interesting, though i have not seen his show. I'm also a big alton brown fan - so i guess it makes sense i'd be a fan of someone approachable and fun like Adam. Goodluck with the show adam!

From Serious Eats

'Top Chef' Season 5, Episode 7: Toby Young Rocks

Despite the schtick, I actually agreed with what Toby had to say. Melissa has been bland since day one. Carla did add a protien because she was insecure with her base dish, she admitted that herself. And Eugene is experimental beyond his abilities. So I liked Toby because he was able to go in and instantly and accurately read these chefs from one dish. That, to me, shows skills that quite honestly Gail seems to be lacking.

As for some of the other characters mentioned, I find Padma stiff & disturbing, and Carla just works my last nerve. She is too cheesy and that hootie hoo is just ridiculous. Go ahead, go to your NY grocery store and try that.

From Serious Eats

'Top Chef' Season 5, Episode 7: Toby Young Rocks

I have to agree with Buckethead: "Toby's schtick was funny for a moment three weeks ago, when I saw it in the previews after the 'Christmas' episode. But the reality of his criticism seems to be that he picks his snarky comments in advance and just looks for the opportunity to recite them."

Toby's attitude and comments seemed forced; if it was a snarky judge they wanted to bring into the mix, please bring on Bourdain! At least he's the real deal, and funny!

And the comment about fennel having "an anise flavor"?!?! Give me a break, is this Toby guy a real food critic with food knowledge, or does he just play one on TV?

From Serious Eats

'Top Chef' Season 5, Episode 7: Toby Young Rocks

Toby seemed to get some coaching to adjust from what he thought the producers wanted to some actual food criticism. I think we'll see less WMD type lines in the future. (I hope, we have enough of the stereotypical snarky British judge on other shows.)

The judging during the quick fire was pointless - the French chef only used the word "interesting" or said nothing. From Toby's comments on his blog on the TC site, it seemed the producers paired them because of Toby's harsh criticism of Novelli on a UK cooking show and the subsequent banning of Toby from all of Novelli's restaurants.

As for the eliminated, the judges got it right. Raw fish tacos on a cooking show? Melissa seemed like a fodder chef that had stayed longer than expected as did Euguene, who is too inexperienced.

This season's chefs couldn't hold a spatula to the best chefs of seasons past. Richard or Stephanie from last season would blow every one of these chefs out of the water.

From Serious Eats

'Top Chef' Season 5, Episode 7: Toby Young Rocks

Erin - You are clearly out of your mind saying Toby added something to the show. I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinion - but I am firmly putting my little stiletto down and telling you NO, NO, NO. His lame lines were clearly prefabbed - and I was underwhelmed by his knowledge.

Please watch the show again without the aid of whatever hallucinagens of copious amounts of alcohol led you to give him a thumbs up.

From Serious Eats

'Top Chef' Season 5, Episode 7: Toby Young Rocks

@pupster - Ahhh ha! Someone else noticed Fabio's pronunciation of Tom's last name! I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Everyone I wanted to get kicked off has now been kicked off, except maybe Ariane; I'm sorry, I'm still annoyed she won with watermelon-feta-cheese salad. :P

And Jamie got a win! Hurray! So even if she does go I'll be okay with that. I think it would have been very disappointing if she'd been eliminated before that happened.

Now I need to check the Bravo site for Stefan's red cabbage recipe. It looked reeeeally goooood.

From Serious Eats

'Top Chef' Season 5, Episode 7: Toby Young Rocks

I felt bad for Melissa but I was really waiting for the episode when she'd be kicked off. She seems like a nice girl but not nearly as effective a contender as she needed to be, even to have lasted this long. I was concerned that Eugene would be allowed to stay yet again over Carla. I don't have an affinity for either one of them but I feel as though Carla's food has been more consistent while Eugene's brash personality and arrogance makes for better TV.

Speaking of arrogance, I agree with the majority of the commenters about Toby Young. He seemed more interested in throwing out forced metaphors/similies that he probably thought were clever, than critiquing the food. I am also annoyed by the editing because Young's self-indulgent remarks overshadowed the more food-appropriate comments from the other judges.

Piss off, Toby!

From Serious Eats

'Top Chef' Season 5, Episode 7: Toby Young Rocks

You all should check out the griping that he's doing on his own Wikipedia article...

From Serious Eats

'Top Chef' Season 5, Episode 7: Toby Young Rocks

Having just emerged from a time machine from the year 2002, I found Toby Young's quips fresh and hilarious! Especially the WMD joke -- so topical! And comparing food to CAT FOOD? I can't believe no one has come up with that one before! Toby is a true original.

From Serious Eats

'Top Chef' Season 5, Episode 7: Toby Young Rocks

So glad I'm not the only one who noticed that Eugene was stealing the daikon recipe from Morimoto's cookbook. He totally deserved to go home; you can't hack someone else's recipe and then turn around and declare that you're being sent home being "too creative". Loser.

From Serious Eats

Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 24: How Often Should I Weigh Myself?

I weigh myself once a week, so that I don't get too obsessed with the numbers. First thing in the morning, after going to the bathroom, no clothes. I also take my measurements every couple of weeks, because even when I'm not losing pounds it helps to know if I'm getting any smaller.

I also just got back from a week-long vacation that involved drinking every day and eating most meals out. The scale was not happy. It is time for a detox - no drinking or eating out for a couple weeks at least.

From Serious Eats

Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 24: How Often Should I Weigh Myself?

I'm in the "weigh myself every day" camp. I see the scale move upwards and I can adjust quickly instead of waiting a whole week and seeing it's gone to sh*t and I haven't been able to stop it. It's also kind of like, I shame myself into "OMG, how did I gain 3 lbs. in one damn day???" It is misleading sometimes because though I try to weigh myself at the same time every day, that is just not always possible and ... sorry if this is gross... but if you haven't 'eliminated' yet, you may weigh more, and for those of us on a high protein diet... well. Yeah.

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About tomsaaristo

Website: http://www.xanga.com/tom

Location: Chicago

About: Chicago Renaissance man-about town; creator of recipes, giver of parties, dedicated restaurant patron

Favorite foods: sushi, steak, duck, grilled vegetables, roasted chicken, barbecue, vodka cocktails, bittersweet chocolate, breadsmith bread, cheese, butter, foie gras, shellfish, seafood, pork

Last bite on earth: Grilled lobster tail with garlic potato at Chicago's Taste of Chicago, July 2008