A Brief Hiatus...

Hey, all!

It pains me to do this, but I'm up to my neck in work this week, and I just can't devote the necessary time to the rankings. So I'm going to use my once-per-season get out of the rankings free card this week, and come back next week.

Thanks for your understanding, and I'll have the postmortem tomorrow as usual.

Back shortly!

(P.S. Kevin was totally going to be #1, and Ash stays in the basement.)

Comments

[Scott]

(P.S. Kevin was totally going to be #1, and Ash stays in the basement.)

I'm happy :)

[Anthro]

I'm often amazed and always appreciative of the work that goes into this blog--and of the lively and informative community discussion that follows. So thanks Dom, and I look forward to the postmortem.

[Steve]

In place of Dom's rankings, I guess we'll be sharing our own:

1. Bryan - still the most technically expert and creative chef overall

2. Kevin - has the wins, technical expertise and flavors down - just not as creative as Bryan

3. Michael V. - Creative, technically brilliant, great flavors...just not quite there with the wins

4. Jennifer - great technical skill - not so sure about her creativity and certainly she has placed but not won much

5. Michael I. - just not up to snuff to be in the top, but easily better than all the ones left

6. Eli - seems the most proficient of the rest, but not quite making a great impression

7. Robin - Has received less criticism than the other two left

8. Laurine - manages to stay clear of the bottom lately

9. Ash - doesn't have the fire to win and is on a downward spiral

[Naomi]

Everybody else is being so nice about this, I guess it would be in bad form for me to whine ;-)

[Anne]

Okay. Just this once.

[Bill G]

1. Kevin- The wins are there and so is the skill. Maybe less inventive than Bryan, but seems more consistent.

2. Bryan- Of the V-brothers shows the most capibility to win.

3. Jen Norris- Last week was impressive to me. Maybe it was just the pairing, but she seemed on. Could carry over.

4. Michael V- Tons of skill and creativity...waiting for it to turn into wins.

5. Michael I- Puts out some really good dishes and some just good ones. Doesn't seem to put out many bad ones, though.

6. Robin- I'm not on Team Robin in the house, but she's got a win and can play the good simple food card well. None of the others have shown me that.

7. Eli- All talk. Haven't seen anything out of him that really impreses me (maybe the pork balls was the closest?)

8. Laurine- Sliding by a bit, but enough to not create a sense of overstaying her welcome...yet.

9. Ash- He was right last week, he's just not up to par.

[Anne]

1. Kevin
2. Bryan
3. Jen
4. Michael
5. Michael
6. Eli
7. Robin
8. Laurine
9. Ash

Ashley's dismissal also robbed us of any interest at all in the MOTP rankings!

[Skillet Doux]

"Okay. Just this once."

I believe I've exercised it once every season... and just once! :-)

(I'm really buried... wouldn't if I didn't absolutely have to.)

[Esther]

Good luck with all your work, Dom -- hope you get unburied soon. :-)

My rankings (with a near-tie for second place):

1. Kevin - incredibly smart at playing the Top Chef game, and great with the kind of cooking that makes Colicchio happy.

2.1. Jennifer - seems to think on her feet well and stay on top of situations, and is technically fabulous.

2.2. Bryan - genius ideas when they work, but not necessarily as reliable.

2.3. Michael V. - wonderful technical work and flavors, but this week pointed out some of his potential flaws.

5. Michael I. - he's getting enough top mentions that I can't avoid putting him here, but his work always comes out a little short, and his arrogance seems likely to bite him.

8. Laurine - in her comfort zone, she can execute well -- consistent but not brilliant.

6. Eli - brilliant but inconsistent. :-) I find it telling that Blais, who's worked with him, held back from effuse praise in his blog.

7. Robin - has never impressed me, even aside from what the other chefs think.

9. Ash - he's already left the show in his head.

[anon man]

I would be tempted to sat "let it ride", but the Michael V/Jennifer issue for #3 gives me pause. He didn't have a good week, but his brush washer and the not his fault electricity problems may have been contributing factors. I don't see a reason to drop Eli below Robin.

I think I'll eat an orange.

[Lon]

I would put Bryan and Kevin neck and neck. Bryan seems more of a scientist with his cooking, analytical and technically proficient. You know his work always will be pleasing because he's confident it will be. Kevin is more art & heart, looks & taste, more spur of the moment, if you please. The viewer isn't really sure he can produce, yet he always does. Two classic approaches to cooking.

Michael V and Jen can still play strongly. It will all depend on the challenges and the pairings.

Sort of a spoiler. Restaurant Wars appears to be scheduled for October 21.

[Po]

Kevin (all around ass kicker)

Jennifer (all around ass kicker, just not as many wins)

Volt-Tie-gio Brothers

Michael I (hanging in there no surprise)

Laurine (handles the random trickery/competition aspect pretty well)

Eli (subject to throw somebody under the bus)

Robin (subject to being thrown under the bus)

Ash

good night!

[jackie c.]

It's gotta be

Kevin
Bryan
Jen
Michael V.
Mike I.
Eli
Laurine
Robin
Ash

I will brook no argument. Now I'ma eat this orange.

[Lou_NJ]

Totally subjective:

Kevin - Bacon jam - that was the best and he understands his food
Jen - Has shown range, technique and leadership skill
Bryan V - creative and good helping others
Michael V - creative, is just that enough in this crowd

hard to care about the rest since Ashley is out of the running.

Laurine - a survivor but no chops for the lead
Robin - annoying, maybe - but she seems secure with herself in a less annoying way than Mike I.
Ash - I like him but I don't think he has the self-confidence to move up
Mike I - he thinks more of himself than I ever could - his attitude makes things taste sour to me.
Eli - a weasel is the bottom of this food chain to me.

[lamelama22]

01. Bryan
02. Kevin
03. Jen
04. Mike V.
05. Mike I.
06. Eli
07. Laurine
T08. Ash
T08. Robin

I think Ash has more talent than Robin, but he is on a consistent streak of awfulness as of late, so they get the tie!

After just watching the extended little preview video on bravo.com where it's just the actual scene with the Robin/Eli fight from next week and not the cut up edited preview from the trailer... I was right! It's not them disrespecting her, it's her just instigating and annoying the crap out of them. They centered on Eli in the edit, but Mike V. gets a little pissy at her too when she starts telling them how to cook/plate their dinner and just acts like a total bitch. LOL. I can't wait to see how bad the edit is on her this week.

However, seeing how pissy Eli gets... I'm thinking maybe he's thrown off enough that he ends up going home. Yep, that's my (lack of) genius prediction! But here's hoping that Robin's sent home so that all of the drama, testiness, and shrieking voices are eliminated from the show along with her!

[Shelly]

Hmm, you all have done all the work for me. I like Bill G's list. Kevin's been my number one for a while, so I'm glad to see him there.

Dom, I hope things ease up for you soon, and I hope you get a chance to at least enjoy the show this week as a little break from the madness. :)

[Duffy]

Kevin, Jen, Bryan, Mike V, Mike I, Laurine, Eli, Robin and Ash.

Jen has not gotten enough credit for the exec chef job on the air force base, IMO, and then this week she sucks it up to pull off a clear win -- running a fever, in high heels and backwards. May not pass Kevin, but is in clear 2nd on my list.

Lauerine is the sleeper in the MOTP -- does very well in the goofy challenges.

I think Robin deserves the bottom, but Ash keeps tripping over himself.

[gilmore]

I think Kevin is #1 with 2-4 too close to call.

I prefer to look at it as a sports league with four divisions. Kevin, Bryan, Mike V and Jen are all leading their division. The others are in second. Some a little close (Mike I) and most way back. Kind of like the 5-0 and 0-5 NFL teams this year, or the Yankees and Washington Capitals in baseball.

Lets get to the playoffs. Hopefully, the top 4 teams get in - and we did not have two of the four best teams in the same division.

[paula]

I'm with Duffy. And yes, let's get to the playoffs already. I'm dying to see what the top 4 do when given free rein.

[Michael Morowitz]

Awwww, c'mon Dom. The producers just gave you a week off!! Slacker!

[Dave_P]

1. Kevin - Puts out smart food & never stumbles. Brilliant *and* consistant will get you far. Barring a massive kitchen accident, he's a lock for the final four (now that I've jinxed him, watch him flame out tonight).

2 (tie). Jen, Bryan & Mike V. Sorry, I just don't see any separation here. In fact, the only separation I see with these 3 and Kevin is that Kevin has never been at the bottom. For anything! That one of these 3 will stumble is really the only remaining tension for me for the rest of the "regular" season.

5. Mike I - Yeah, most of you might hate him, but he can cook, and w/o Ashley, he's by far the cream of the MotP crop. And this is still a cooking competition, the last time I checked.

6. Eli - Hey did anyone catch the ICA repeat of Blais taking on (and losing to) Batali and Eli was the sous? Anyway, cool ep, and other than Mike I, Eli's the only remaining one with a pulse, though a fading one.

7 (tie). Robin, Laurine. Ash. Seriously, not much differentiation for me. Yeah, Robin won a QF, bfd. Ash got some praise early too, but he's done. What's Laurine done again?

--
Dave

[anon man]

The one thing I should note with Kevin is that HE cleary thinks (or thought at the time of this taping) that he's number 1 (or nearly so) based on his claiming of the 15K rather than the immunity. Confidence is worth something here.

[Bart]

It's all good, Dom. I'm always amazed and darn appreciative of all the effort that you put in this blog. It really, really shows.

My rankings:
1. Ash
2. Eli
3. Robin
4. Laurine
5. Michael I.
6. Michael V.
7. Jennifer
8. Bryan
9. Kevin

(Just kidding, wanted to see if anyone actually reads other people's rankings. To see my real rankings, just read the list in reverse order)

[Maria]

The one thing I should note with Kevin is that HE cleary thinks (or thought at the time of this taping) that he's number 1 (or nearly so) based on his claiming of the 15K rather than the immunity. Confidence is worth something here.

I think he is confident, but in truth if you thought you're the worst chef around you should *definitely* take the money - The prize of $100,000 goes to the best chef only. If you thought you're good, you would also choose the $15K. So I think this was a silly choice... there is no way anyone in their right mind would choose immunity at this point.

[paula]

Great point, Maria. It makes me wonder, too, if the others (not K/J/B/M) are actually looking at those guys and thinking at this point: "Well, there's no way in hell I'm actually winning this thing..."

[rab01]

It's amazing how the break between top 4 and bottom 4 is so large but the difference within those groupings is so small. For any of the top 4 to miss the Finals will be a huge disappointment. Conversely, I wouldn't be shocked at any of the bottom 4 being the next to go. (And, yes, given that the Judges don't see all of Mike I's asshattery, I would be surprised if he goes next.)

For the Top 4, rather than a strict numerical ranking, I'd say:
Kevin -- most likely to make the Finals. Jinx-potential aside, he has shown no tendency whatsoever to make bad food and his calm seemingly unstressed approach is a huge plus.
Jen -- most likely to make the second-best dish for every course of the final meal. She's so technically perfect and her flavor choices are always praised but can't you see a meal where each of the other finalists has higher highs and lower lows?
Bryan -- most likely to make the final round judges say "how'd he do that?"
Mike V -- If they both make the final meal, that's where we'll see the sibling rivalry rather than support. I can see Mike, as the younger brother, specifically planning several weeks beforehand how to make a meal that will beat his brother.

Can't wait for the Finals. Unless, Mike I and Eli sneak into the Finals because Eli successfully blames a Volt brother for his own prep mistake and the other one assaults him (thereby getting kicked off the show). If that happens, the show is dead to me.

[TxGriff]

I agree with Maria- I have no idea why you wouldn't choose the money, whether you thought you were the best person there or if you didn't think you stood a chance at winning.

I know this was discussed at some length before, but think about it this way- even if you aren't too confident and don't think you're the best person there, then immunity is only going to help you for one episode. If you aren't sure about surviving one episode, then you're surely not going to make it to the end to win the final prize. Therefore, if you don't think you can win the whole thing, take the $15,000 while you can. The chefs who are confident in their abilities (such as Kevin) know that immunity in one episode is not going to help them- they think they have the skills to make it all the way. To Kevin or others, $15,000 is just an added bonus in what he sees as a bigger race towards the final prize. To argue that he should take the immunity because he *might* do poorly in the episode is a speculation based on random chance.

I honestly don't see why, whether you think you're the best or worst there, you would even think twice about taking the money.

[jh]

As a hypothetical situation, what if one of the top 4 chefs got extremely sick as Jen did this episode? Would it have been worth it for them to take the immunity, and have that security that they would last another day and hopefully recover enough for the next challenge, or take the $15K?

[TxGriff]

True jh, except I don't think someone like Jen (or anyone in the top tier) WOULD take the immunity, regardless of the situation. They are confident enough in their skills to live and die by their dish. Plus, if they were sick enough to think they needed immunity for the day, they probably would not recover by the next day. Keep in mind that the entire season (minus the finals) is taped in 20 or so days. They are doing back to back competitions.

[TxGriff]

Furthermore, if the basis for choosing immunity is because of illness, it obviously couldn't be too dibilitating because they would won the quickfire to make the decision in the first place. So, I still say there is really no basis for not choosing the money :)

[jh]

I personally don't think they would take the money, but I do think that there would be a little voice on their shoulder saying, "You can rest just for the tiniest bit; take the immunity," and another voice on the other saying, "You're competitive. You can do it. Suck it up. Do you know how many burger flips it take to make $15K?"

[jse91]

Kevin
Bryan
Mike V.
Jennifer

Mike I.

Dead Tie - Laurine, Robin, Eli, Ash

[Dave_P]

You're sick. You have a personal day due. Your boss tells you it's totally cool to take a day off, but there's this rather taxing prjoect due, and if you come in and finish it, there's a 15K bonus for you. Oh, but if you mess it up, you're fired. Do you go into work? I sure as hell would.

If you want to incorporate the final prize into that analogy, pretend you're a contract worker who'll likely not be renewed (1 spot, lots of competition), but if you are, you'll get a 125K bonus. Whether your extra effort while sick will help in this regard is up to debate, but I'd say yes. :)

--
Dave

[TxGriff]

I really need to proofread. But yes, what Dave_P said. These people are competitive- sick or not, they're going to do whatever they can to win. I think that also includes winning 15k on the side.

[Bart]

There are only two instances in which I'd take immunity over the money:

1. The first episode. It's the VERY. FIRST. EPISODE. Nobody wants to be the first to go, and you're still trying to find your footing. Trial by fire is scary, so use the immunity to get a feel for the competition without worrying too much about screwing up.

Look at it this way: imagine you've never gone bowling before. You're thrown into a bowling competition (this comparison works because nobody's competed on Top Chef before. Sure, they're professional chefs, but Top Chef is NOT like cooking in your restaurant). Each person gets one bowl - the person with the lowest number of pins knocked down leaves. For your very first bowl, you have the opportunity of getting some money or the bumpers put up. I'd put the bumpers up - that way I can whale on the ball and see what the limits are (as opposed to taking a more cautious roll that'd likely end up in the gutter).

That's one instance in which it'd be OK to use immunity - to get a feel for the game.

2. The other instance where it's a good idea to use immunity is if it guarantees you a spot into the finals.

Every other instance? Take the cash.

[poor yorick]

Thanks for your inspiring work, Dom.

As a consolation prize, I was looking forward to posting my own rankings -- but Esther beat me to my exact list! (She did a great job, too, shading the distinction between 2a, 2b, 2c.)

[anon man]

On the money thing, I agree with both Bart and TX. People were down on Robin for taking the immunity the first time the choice was there. While Robin has turned out not to be the strongest competitor, I also think that it might have been a bit of a tought choice for the first challenge, no matter who you are, just because of the novelty of the Monty Hall approach. Richard's blog post on the whirlwind of the first day/challenge is enough to make even the most confident chef pause.

On further consideration on the rankings, I don't the "down on Eli" vibe here. Eli hasn't been great, but I have a hard time putting him below Laurine and Robin based on his food. Mike I is clearly #5. Its so clear to me that the rankings would really be Top 4 (argue away), GAP, Mike I., BIG GAP, Eli, NO GAP, everyone else.

[Maria]

I completely agree, Bart. The first episode makes some sense, but only because you don't know the other chefs. And when you're down to a handful, any misstep may take you out.

My shot at the ranking:

1a. Kevin
1b. Bryan
3. Michael V.
4. Jennifer: she seems to make excellent food, and I love her, but there is something missing. Some spark. It almost doesn't feel like it's *her* food, just excellent food. The other top 3 have a clear signature.
5.
6. Mike I.
7.
8.
9.
10a. Laurine
10b. Eli
10c. Robin
10d. Ash

[Maria]

Heh, anon man, I swear I wrote my post before reading yours :)

[Danny]

1. Kevin - At first I thought that he was limited to Southern style cooking but he has clearly shown an ability to branch out and his flavors seem to really wow the judges. To me it's Kevin at #1 and then a gap.
2. Jennifer - fearless.
3. Mike V
4. Bryan
5. Laurine
6. Mike I - Death by overconfidence.
7. Robin
8. Eli - nothing exciting.
9. Ash - the air is leaking fast out of the balloon.

[TxGriff]

I agree that I would think about taking immunity in the first episode, just to get a feel for the competition. Other than that, I don't think I would use immunity, even to get into the finals. That might be a personal preference.

My personal rankings:

1. Kevin
2. Tie between brothers V and Jen. They all have different strenghts and weaknesses, which have been heavily discussed.

BIG JUMP

3. Mike I.
4. Eli (barely)
5. Tie between Robin, Laurine and Ash.

People seem to be really down on Robin, but lets keep in mind that she did win a quickfire (eventhough it was controversial) and got some praise for her mole during the Bachelor/Bachelorette challenge. Gail specifically give the mole some praise in her blog, and she even gave Robin's dish in the first challenge (where forgot the sauce) a specific mention for being one of the better dishes. Point is, Robin/Laurine/Ash have all received praise and criticism. They seem pretty even to me. The only reason I think Eli has a *slightly* better chance is because he hasn't been in the bottom as much and his top dishes have seem more exciting, IMO.

[babyarm]

Anybody cooking anything fun tonight? We are having another UberTC fan over for viewing and serving grilled pork tender with a apple/savoy slaw some garlic potatoes and some layered chocolate thing the mrs. is putting together. And of course some pinot.

[Dreamboat]

babyarm, what time should I be there? :-D

[TxGriff]

AH, so much for proofreading.
*where she forgot to sauce the plate
*his top dishes have seemed more exciting, IMO

Why do I have this bad feeling that Mike I. is somehow going end up in the finals? This of course would mean an error in one of the top four....

[mena]

1. Kevin - Solid solid solid. He has also hit it out of the park with unfamiliar styles (deconstruction & asian).

2. Bryan - Also very solid. The only kink in his armor that I can see is whatever is causing him problems in the Quickfires.

3. Jennifer - Incredible technician. If she can start getting some creativity points like the other Top 4 she could bump Bryan or Kevin.

4. Michael V - He's very very good when the conditions are controlled. But, if there are any more crazy challenges ahead, of the Top 4, I think he would be the one most likely to trip himself up.

5. Mike I - Is clumsy with unfamiliar styles and hasn't impressed the judges when cooking in the style in which he is most proficient. But of the chefs below him, I think he has the experience and is crafty enough to outlast them.

6. Laurine - A bit up & down. If she can get some more Up Days I think she could give Mike I some trouble.

7. Robin - Also a bit up & down. She seems to get more creativity points than Laurine, but I think she is also more likely to have a Down Day than Laurine.

8. Eli - The only dishes I remember him for was one impressive tuna tartare and that he uses scallops... a lot.

9. Ash - On borrowed time.

[zsparks]

Bart and mena! You have both put Mike I. behind Mike V. really??

Po: Interesting take on Laurine - the teflon caterer.

[anon man]

@Maria, so no Eli love out of you either, eh?

[Duffy]

I struggle -- several folks say Jen lacks "oomph" or creativity -- but here, with Kevin and Brian in the middle of their obvious comfort zones, Jen sneaks the ball from under their noses and knocks it out of the park with a three-step *BROTH*! Take a look at the ingredients: six very different spices in a simple combination of tomatoes and stock. Sweated, simmered, steeped and strained. Boom.

It may look pretty simple now, but isn't this the point? How many could have invented it on the spot, on the clock and under live ammo, and especially under the weather from the whatever?

I think the depth of Jen's technical knowledge is unplumbed. While the other three may be a shade more creative from time to time, I think she owns the number two spot. And as long as she does not trip herself up, if whoever is number one takes his eye off the ball for even an instant, I would not be surprised to see her with the prize in her pocket and out the door.

[paula]

There needs to be a "likes this" button.

[mena]

zsparks, Oh, don't misunderstand. It's not so much that I think Mike I is right behind Michael V, but that I think Mike I is ahead of Laurine, Robin, Eli and Ash. In my mind there is a large gap in skill between spots #4 and #5.