Top Chef Season 4: Week 1

So here is my question: Were Zoi and Jennifer legitimately two of the most qualified chefs in the nation to apply for the show or is Chef Colicchio just hoping that there would be some girl-on-girl action that somehow involved aprons, high heels and truffle oil? Right now, I am doubtful that the first choice is the likelier one.

Furthermore, Andrew, you are not a tough guy just because every other word out of your mouth rhymes with "rubber trucker." You had best keep your attitude in check or you're going to get your ass handed to you, braised in a port and black cherry reduction, served on a bed of field greens.

And I am not sure what was worse, Ryan's shake-n-bake chicken piccata or Rocco DiSpirito's hilarious comment about him and his dish: "Let's just say that the gnocchi was not the only thing that was dense!" I mean come one! With more zingers like that one, this is "cooking up" to be a "tasty" season. (See how I did that there?)

To sum up, I believe that Nimma was the best choice for going home. Over-salting a meal is an inexcusable offense, and calling her failed flan a "cauliflower scramble" does not make it look any less like barf on a plate.

My current favorite to win: Stephanie. More than the fact that she was able to impress Anthony Bourdain with her Duck a L'Orange, but because she seems sincere, not to mention very talented in an entirely unpretentious way. Those are the kind of people I root for.

You can read more about the "Top Chef" Season 4...um..."Cheftestants" here.