Dave Martin's Blog

Episode 13: Game Over

January 31, 2007

After several weeks of drama with a splash of cooking, we come to the grand finale for Season 2 of Top Chef.

Unfortunately, I’m not really vested in either of the two finalists. I think out of all the candidates up on the block this season, the only one that I could see with the full set of skills necessary would have been Sam.

We begin by bringing back some of this season’s favorites to back up the two finalists and Betty, Michael, Sam and Elia end up back in the kitchen to help their respective leaders. The challenge … to cook the best meal in your life … is pretty straightforward, as was the final challenge in Season 1. And that’s as it should be. It’s time to see the chefs cook in a more controlled environment without any crazy constraints.

The show moves along without much incident, aside from Marcel leaving his fish behind in the walk-in, a big mistake that gets resolved but then he tells the guests that the fish was missing. (Why? You gotta roll with it, they don’t know what they were supposed to be eating, and no one had menus.)

This ended up being another flaw for him in the judges’ table discussion where he did not take responsibility for the mistake. He was the exec chef in this situation and it was ultimately up to him to take accountability for any ingredients left behind and not blame it on his team.

Comments

Leo wrote:

I was hoping Elia won but she didn't sadly. Good luck with your restaurants.

posted at February 20, 2007 04:52 PM

Sean wrote:

In Canada we're just seeing season 1. I caught the last two episodes the first time they aired, and when they started again I made a point of recording them. I just saw the reunion episode last night.

Just wanted to congratulate you on your successes on the show. I'm an IT guy, so I've been rooting for you even though I already know the outcome.

I am curious about one thing though -- was the reunion show taped after the finale? It was certainly made to look like it was the 3rd to last eposide, but it doesn't make sense to me. You also had an offhand comment in that reunion that made me think you already knew the outcome.

Good luck in your career. I admire your switch from the IT grind.

Sean

posted at March 10, 2007 11:42 AM

Marcia Saran wrote:

Dave: i loved your blogs and liked your cooking style. I hate to cook butlove to watch Top Chef. I also felt Sam was the best. But so were you. Are your restaurants opened yet? Please let us know. Thanks

posted at May 1, 2007 01:00 PM

Amy Porterfield wrote:

Dave,
You are so creative. I've thought about the Chef Tom's comments about your snack foods for ever since Season One. What about doing snack foods instead? You could be another Famous Amos! Hope you'll think about it. I only wish I had enough money to bankroll you... and I wouldn't tell you what to do in the kitchen. You're the man!
And I agree that Sam was robbed. A chef has to do more than cook. They have to be able to run a kitchen. He proved he can do that on more than one occasion. I was very disgusted with the judges decision. Elan seems VERY limited in his repetoire.
THREE CHEERS FOR DAVE!!!
Amy

posted at June 6, 2007 10:54 PM

Beverly Badini wrote:

I felt the judges made a mistake in choosing IBlan as the winner of Top Chef over Marcel. We all have weaknesses but using vulgar language when speaking or should I say "yelling" at a competitor is so unprofessional. Sam lost it for me when he took off on Marcel in a shopping place by embarrassing him. He said some very terrible things. I hope the judges will take professional demeanor into the overall quality needed to be a Top Chef in the new competition. Lastly, I would like to say to Marcel, "Keep going with your skills as you truly had many of us who thought you should have won over Ilan. Beverly

posted at June 13, 2007 12:00 AM

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