This post is quick, down, fast, and dirty: How fabulous was last night's episode? The Food Network gave this semi-final its all - the magical backdrop of Paris and the elegant residence of our ambassador to France, a visit to Parisian butcher shops and boulangeries, a concentration on cooking and presentation, the guest's comments mingled in with the judges critiques, Ruhlman's hair tamed, and a bitch slap fest between Donatella Arpaia and Andrew Knolton (or as I like to call him, Knowitall). The challenge? To create American cuisine using the freshest French ingredients for a party of discerning French chefs, restauranteurs, and food critics, not to mention the judges.The two contestants who should have won actually won, and next week they will compete for the title of Next Iron Chef in kitchen stadium. During the entire episode we saw no backstabbing, no infighting, and no hissy-fitting. Just great cooking.
I don't care if this is a knock-off Top Chef show. This episode was brilliant. My only criticism is that this show is moving way too fast.
Missed this episode? Click on the link above and you can watch it in its entirety.
