From gleefully perpetuating Midwestern stereotypes to importing “star” chefs like Rocco DiSpirito while passing over local gems, we’ve had a few gripes with the Chicago angle of “Top Chef” this season. So turning the last episode before the Puerto Rico finale into “Top Chef: Wheeling” felt a bit like a final slap in the face.
[Note to Wheeling fans: Nothing against Wheeling. But, you know, it's Top Chef: Chicago.]
The Allen Brothers Quickfire Challenge, on the other hand, was a stroke of genius. If you’re going to play to Chicago’s reputation as a steak town, why not start at the very beginning? Our only complaint: Would it have killed them to give maybe just a 10 second explantion of where Allen Brothers is located and why the Union Stockyards are so signifiant to Chicago history? Maybe the network figured the average “Top Chef” viewer doesn’t care, but we’d like to give them more credit than that.
All that aisde, we were glad to see Rick Tramonto make an appearance on this week’s episode—even if it was way the heck outside of city limits at Tramonto’s Steak & Seafood. (Doesn't he have some sort of little joint in the city too?) And, hey, it was a great advertisement for what’s said to be a great restaurant, right? Well … right up until Spike called him out on having those frozen scallops in his walk-in. Touche, Spike.
Also good to see Harold, Hung and Ilan as guest judges. Harold was his usual laconic self. Hung came off as much kinder and more socially adept than he did as a contestant. And Ilan, well, we never quite got Ilan, and we didn’t this week either. With $100,000 at his disposal, wouldn’t you think he’d have enough cash to buy a proper jacket? Maybe he figured it was OK to show up at Tramonto’s table looking woefully underdressed in his graphic T since the restaurant was in, you know, Wheeling.
Next week, it’s Lisa’s time to go. For real this time. Seriously.
After that, it’s anybody game. But after yet another big win for Stephanie this week, we think she’s got a pretty good shot at taking it all.
And now, we drink.
Credit for this week’s rule goes entirely to Lisa, who pointed out two of Tom’s judging tics: His tendency to say “interesting” in an attempt to mask his real thoughts, and his “skeptical” look, where he “kind of just blinks and pulls his head back.” This week’s rule: Drink every time Tom does either one of these things, or asks, “Have you done that before?”
To recap:
Rule No. 1: Drink every time Lisa curses.
Rule No. 2: Drink every time a Glad product appears on screen. Chug for the first five seconds of any Glad commercial.
Rule No. 3: Drink every time Dale lashes out, directly or indirectly.
Rule No. 4: Chug for five seconds any time someone says “threw me under the bus” or similar.
Rule No. 5: Drink for every tight shot/zoom of a GE Monogram logo.
Rule No. 6: Drink every time Spike appears on screen wearing a hat.
Rule No. 7: Drink every time Tom says “interesting,” asks “Have you done that before?” or “kind of just blinks and pulls his head back.”
Next week: Puerto Rico, baby! Also: Lisa gets a haircut!