Kenny wrote:

I agree Dave. There seems to be an inherent desire to sell each other down the river when things don't go their way. Also, there seems to be an essence of class missing this season. I guess we will have to wait and see if the kids grow up before the season ends.

posted at November 8, 2006 11:30 PM

Jason B. wrote:

Dave, once again I think you are right on with your comments. I personally think Betty should have been sent packing for breaking the rules. If Otto went home for an honest mistake and to help keep the integrity of the competition, shouldn't Betty have been sent home also? She is one of the better competitors, but cheating is cheating, especially with what already happened in the Lychee episode. I think Michael is the obvious choice to go home next, but I think they should have sent Betty just to be fair about the spirit of the competition. Oh well, wait untill next week to see who goes.

posted at November 9, 2006 01:31 AM

johnw wrote:

Dave,
Nice blog and congratulations on your new executive chef position at NYC's Lola in Soho.

posted at November 9, 2006 02:16 AM

yourmom wrote:

ok, Agree with much of what you said, bugt honestly... don;t the producers have a say in who stays? If Betty was a horrible "character" she would have been sent packing... although I adore her and honestly hope she wins ( the immoral harlot in me), but fair is fair. And Marcel is an ass, anyway you look at it.

posted at November 9, 2006 03:22 AM

charlene wrote:

i agree completely,waste of a show as far as i was concerned. the rules were broken, some one should go. otto was man enough to speak up, why not someone else.

posted at November 9, 2006 10:34 AM

Bob wrote:

Dave, Hey I rooted for you last season and I think that if they just polled the TV viewers it would have been either you or LeeAnn against Harold at the end.......
Anyway, if Betty couldn't have changed her recipe and the recipe wasn't working what could she have done to make sure that her team and the required number of items, and that she wasn't serving "a bad product" as all the judges ( even the guest judges) have admonished the contestants not to do?

posted at November 9, 2006 01:23 PM

victoria wrote:

You can't compare Betty with Otto, since technically Otto wasn't voted off by the judges- if he hadn't resigned Marisa was going to get axed. Otto also KNEW that those lychees weren't paid for- no misunderstanding there, unless there's a clause somewhere in the rules that says you can use the good old five finger discount! Betty is one of the strongest performers and she wasn't going to jeopardize herself over two lousy tablespoons of sugar, especially since everybody seems to be watching everyone else very closely. Misunderstandings do occur (I hate to remind you of the season one finale and only making two dishes), and she admitted her mistake openly, so I don't think she needed to go. I just hope these people remember that while it's a competition, it's SUPPOSED to be about the FOOD!

posted at November 9, 2006 02:58 PM

Barbara wrote:

Dave, I became a Top Chef after Season 1. Season 2 has been a big disappointment. It doesn't seem that the chefs this season have the same talent and experience of last years. Most of their dishes, I feel like I could have made at home. Is this a deliberate tactic. Was TGIFridays a major sponsor last year? I've never had a good meal there and I've tried 3-4 in different locations around the U.S.

I understand that you were a Chef in Long Beach, CA. What was the name of the restaurant? We used to live there.

posted at November 9, 2006 03:30 PM

margaret trenchard wrote:

dave, i think you are a great person and a great chef! that being said(truthfully) i wish you would watch this show and see that is was BETTY WHO WANTED PIZZA not frank or marcel..frank executed it. love ya

posted at November 9, 2006 04:01 PM

dave martin wrote:

ps...everybody...i'm not saying betty had to go nor am i saying she was the only one maybe working around the rules(ps ...i like betty she might even be my fave), that was not determined...and maybe she was the one that wanted pizza too...man,got everybody getting down on me...it's just my view and what i saw from my side....so please don't hold it against me...and ps...i owned up to the fact I made a mistake and I went home for it...:)thanks,dave

posted at November 9, 2006 06:05 PM

Zoe wrote:

Hi Dave;

You're a great chef and a good guy. Here's a thought. In fine-dining and super-luxury hotels, the biggest snobs seem to be the inexperienced lower-end folks. I.E. Emily. A friggin line-cook dissing the Corporate Executive Chef at Friday's.

Friday's serves greasy crap, IMHP, but I promise you that man knows more about everything INCLUDING fine cuisine than snooty Emily.

You and Harold and Cliff and Sam all uttered a few choice comments about casual food, but then you sucked it up and went to work.

Emily, by contrast had a full-tilt melt-down.

posted at November 9, 2006 07:02 PM

Bob wrote:

Dave,
A lot of us viewers ( having only seen the show and not some of the other background stuff that CHef Tom spoke of after the big DAVE event where you missed the dish) thought that since you won with the other dish you shouldn't have had to leave the show, and it was your dessert that seemed to be the best thing that your favorite redhead could do, which seems a telling thing to me.

posted at November 10, 2006 07:15 AM

Donna wrote:

Thanks for your blog. And you're right...this season is a disappointment. Last season there were so many people to root for, and right now this season I'm fresh out. Too much interpersonal drama, not enough FOOD.

Not going to bother watching the reruns of this...someone should have gone, period. If "I was confused" is an excuse, you, my friend, should not have been eliminated in Vegas. But you stepped up, and recognized that it's results that matter.

You were a grown-up. Precious few on them in this cast, that's for sure...

posted at November 10, 2006 08:23 AM

janine wrote:

What do you mean few? There's Frank, Cliff (dreamy!), and Sam. Cooks well worth watching. When We get rid of the riff raff, this is going to be one heck of a competition. I think the acrimonious tone of the show is rubbing off on the viewers. It doesn't even matter until the group is trimmed to 8.

posted at November 10, 2006 11:40 AM

chili wrote:

Dave my friend,, I have yet to get the opportunity to tell you what a great job you did with the Top Chef gig,, all great entertainment my friend,, great job,,, and now you are becoming a top sell for that ,, I am very happy , I really have never seen anyone so compasionate about their food game,, you are a true soul , and for that you should be congratulated,, , thank you for the entertainment my friend,, I hope you go all the way,,,stay true to your feelings,,,,you are unique in the chef world,,

posted at November 10, 2006 01:31 PM

Scot T. wrote:

Dave - Marcel wanted to serve prosciutto-wrapped asparagus...not pizza (Betty's idea). Betty's addition of 2 tbs of sugar added 96 calories...portion size notwithstanding, she changed the approved recipe. She should have been eliminated, or at the very least, her team should not have been declared the winner. Love the blog...liked your performance last season and your emotive approach to your work.

posted at November 10, 2006 04:22 PM

Gia wrote:

Dave,
In your post you mentioned that Frank and Marcel came up with the idea of pizza. On tv it shows that Betty saying that she thought they should do pizza. Many have posted that it was Betty's idea. However at the end of the show at the judge's table, when asked who thought of the idea of pizza, Frank raised his hand, Betty said nothing. If it were her idea, I believe she would have stepped forward. So, I'm assuming that their was some editing of Frank and Marcel talking about pizza? And when Marcel thinks of the idea with asparagus, Betty brings up pizza. I think they edited the rest and just used that clip because of the conflict between Betty and Marcel on the show from earlier. I think they were just using that to show the idea of them having a bit of a disagreement, but coming to a compromise due to the fact that Betty brings up the question of would you eat asparagus as a kid. They didn't argue and acted like adults in chosing what to make. I was most upset that no one went home on that episode, you are right about that, rules are rules. However, I would have hoped that they wouldn't have stripped Frank of the prize he won. Did Frank and Marcel have any idea that she added sugar? Marcel was defensive, but he kind of has to be cause everyone seems to be giving the kid a really hard time cause of he's cocky and arrogant, that's now his nature around these people. Frank didn't have any comments on the show at least, so I don't know. P.S. Do you happen to know how long it takes Marcel to do his hair that way, the kid looks like he should be at a X-men convention. LOL, funny thing is, I can't see him with any other hair style. It does fit him.

posted at November 10, 2006 09:26 PM

Edward wrote:

Hi Dave,

I think people are getting down on you because you are clearly wrong about who came up with the idea of pizza. And if you are watching the whole show and not just the last 10 mins you would know that. But not admitting you are wrong is the biggest mistake.

posted at November 11, 2006 09:52 AM

tj wrote:

Dave, you of all people should have more sympathy/empathy towards the Chefs forgetting/not following the rules! How about talking about the pressure to perform while under the cameras rather than just take the easy way out and pass blame on them for not following the letter of the law?

posted at November 11, 2006 10:10 AM

Cheryl E. wrote:

Dave, Such a big fan of yours! I watched and cheered for you last season... Regarding your comments about following rules, and Top Chef's decision during season 2 about following rules and not sending anyone home during the 500 calorie elimination challenge, why change the way they do elimination challenges now? Do they not contradict themselves? Dave, correct me if I am wrong, did you not misunderstand the rules during part of the finale or you did not hear that there were 3 dishes not 2 dishes? Yet the performers in Vegas enjoyed your dishes more then Tiff's, and you were clearly the winner in the quick-fire challenge poker players and you selection of finger foods. You then should not have been sent home. I am still arguing this one when I see the show, yet during season 2, now they misunderstand the rules, or did not hear them correctly, and the chefs get a 2nd chance? Where was yours? (I still say the finale should have been between you and Harold) Good Luck and congrats...can't wait until the cookbooks! :o)

posted at November 11, 2006 11:58 AM

Shea wrote:

I can certainly understand why the cast don’t say anything when they suspect others of cheating as I have found myself in that position many times. It’s the quickest way to become an outcast.

However, I do think the rule should be that if you don’t bring it up while it’s happening, then don’t bring it up come judgment time or you go home as an accomplice. Having said this, if its true that Marisa tried to say something during the lychee incident before they left the store, then she doesn’t deserve the backlash that even I left on the boards.

Because the producers and judges can’t seem to prevent this crew from causing ambiguity in this challenge, Betty should clearly have gone home. Her circumstance resembles that of Otto’s where s admitted to altering her recipe, and you have evidence where she did so during a taping. Claiming not to have understood the rules of the challenge and breaking them no matter if it was intentional or not, has no place or relevance in this competition, particularly after reading that the contestants sign off on them. Betty is a trained actress and I am sure that this was one of her best performances. Don’t get me wrong, I really like her and prior to this would love to have seen her in the finals. If the pizza was her idea (and yes, I saw where she mentioned it while they were at the store but wonder if someone else did prior and it was edited), I really commend her for letting Frank walk away with the win.

posted at November 11, 2006 07:03 PM

Heidi Kappa wrote:

Dave,

Loved you last season and I'm happy to see your comments and opinions on this season. It may have been editing that made it look like Betty suggested the pizza. However, at the judges table, when asked who's idea the pizza was, as Frank was raising his hand, it looks like Betty was starting to raise hers, saw Fank raisng his and backed off.

I'm not as happy with this season as I was last season. All the rule breaking and not bringing it up until the judges table is ridiculous. I'm hoping in the next few weeks things will change and the rules will be followed and the right people (Michael and Marissa) will be sent home.

posted at November 11, 2006 11:50 PM

Jay wrote:

Dave,
I am happy that things are going well for you professionally - I remember last season when you lost your job. Having you, Harold, and LeAnne back is a highlight.

It amazes me that everyone seems so ready to throw Betty off for an honest mistake, made with honest intentions, when thye defend Otto, who clearly stole the lychees. Also, if you check the tape, you'll see Betty suggested the pizza, but when the judges asked who's idea it was, Betty immediately gave the credit to Frank. Does that sound like someone who's nature is to cheat and throw people under the bus?

It looks like the Producers are going more for entertainment value rather than culinary talent this year. Most of these cooks - they haven't demonstrated that they are chefs yet - have attitudes that the competition is to be won by any means possible - except by cooking.

Bravo needs to seect the next group of contestants based on talent and ethical standards or just go ahead and cancel the show.

posted at November 12, 2006 10:36 AM

elia wrote:

This Betty thing really goes to the heart of reality competition for me. And for sure here at your house, Dave, since your situation in Vegas set precedent on 'misinterpreting the challenge' and, unfortunately, missing that 3rd dish .. even with Tiffany's efforts coming up entirely too short .. no one threw you a bone.

What was it Tom said?, 'Even if you had finished a n y dish you'd still be in the competition.'

So clearly, clearly, when an entire room full of people understand that the recipe must remain unchanged once the calorie counters have left the building .. you know what I'm saying .. Betty dropped the ball and cried her way into sympathy. And it's really too bad.

Bottom line :: lack of continuity really fails everyone.

posted at November 12, 2006 01:07 PM

Kenny wrote:

Said it the way its supposed to be. I agree 100%. Congratulations on your new job.

posted at November 12, 2006 11:23 PM

PeachPie wrote:

Short note (I think this topic is covered). Love getting to read your blog. Keep it comming.

And, everyone out there... remember that it takes a guts to post comments from those of you in disagreement with Dave. Keeping it respectful gives you crediitabilty.

posted at November 13, 2006 10:25 AM

Sheila Perrone wrote:

Dave, I loved you and the whole cast from last season. I watched the show with great anticipation each week and actually geared myself up days before the new episodes aired. WHAT is going on with this season? I can't stand it. I don't like any of these people. I have tried to watch and warm myself to this crew. I don't know what it is, I can't put my finger on it but this season is dreadful in every way. The production heads had better go back to the formula they used last season or they won't have another top chef show next season. I am praying that this show will be as intersting in the future as last season.

posted at November 13, 2006 11:15 AM

bobbye draughon wrote:

Dave,No one is playing you!! Sam is Harold, Marcel is Stephen, I don't know who Betty is, maybe she is a new character. Marissa is not a star as a matter of fact she is quite unlikeable.Maybe she is part that one that competed in the finals on the last one. We don't need an Emily so she is gone. Otto was good until Marissa got him! LeaAnn's role is unfilled as well as yours. I just watch to see how much Tom will let Betty get by with. She is very noticebly his favorite. Frank is almost you without the talent.

posted at November 13, 2006 11:44 AM

Lisa R. wrote:

Dave,

Your dishes were my fav all the way through last season. And I think rules notwithstanding, you should have gone head-to-head with Harold. That would have been a match that I would have flown to Vegas to see (and taste).

As far as this season is concerned... it is a poor substitute. The cooking seems secondary to the drama, which is just plain sad.

Let's talk a little about Camp Glucose. For some reason, the people on Tom C.'s BLOG seem to think it is just a camp for overweight kids... and so, I guess, did some of the chefs. The big difference between what you did, by breaking your rule by not cooking a 3rd dish, Otto did by not paying for the lychee (did I spell that right?) and Betty did by changing Splenda to Sugar is she could very well have put someone's life at risk. A missing dish or unpaid lychee didn't do that. Bottom line.

I hope I never ask her to cook a diebetic meal for my kids.

Good luck in your new NY endeavor. Hope we get down there from Boston to sample the fare soon.

Lisa R.
Boston, MA

posted at November 14, 2006 12:10 AM

Dawn wrote:

I just wanted to drop you a line and see how you are liking Champaign-Urbana!! I hope I get the chance to meet you tomorrow night after the competition. Don't worry, you aren't being stalked. The chef who picked you up at the airport (Carrie) is my best friend and every year we have many conversations about this competition. But this year we are particularly excited that you are here!!
YAY!!!

posted at November 14, 2006 12:21 AM

Barb P wrote:

Hello Dave Just wanted to join the crowd and thank you for being part of Season 1. I also would have liked you or LeAnne to challenge Harold in the finals. Having Tiffany part of the final challenge was terrible; giving her your dessert recipe and performance was highly admirable. You are a saint and a good person. I would dine at any restaurant that has you as their chef! I was so upset you forgot to make the third dish; you were the winner in that challenge if you had. Keep giving us your comments. Barb

posted at November 14, 2006 04:21 PM

Diane wrote:

I'm confused and see it's not just me. Dave mentions "great idea on the pizza" to Frank and Marcel. I recall Marcel wanted to serve asparagus. Yikes. It sure looked like Betty suggested pizza and you can see at judges table, it looks like she's about to raise her hand when someone asks whose idea it was. She didn't seem upset that Frank took credit, so I assumed it was just the way the segment was edited, that we didn't see Frank initially suggest it. I wish, particularly since it won it for Frank, that we had seen it be his idea, that's all. Love the show, love Dave, Leeann looks great!

posted at November 15, 2006 11:33 AM