Hung is the New Marcel

As I've noted before, there's a few reality shows that I follow. My two favorites are Project Runway and Top Chef. I like Project Runway because, with the subject, eccentric personalities are a given, and give great drama. I follow Top Chef because of my former chosen profession; I've worked with many of these self-congratulatory personalities. Not these in particular, but chefs can be categorized and classified comparatively (a little alliteration warning) pretty accurately with those competing this season:

I'M PERFECT, YOU'RE NOT. Read: Hung. All others, even those with multiple successful restaurants, like Chef Tom, cannot judge him, because whatever he does is perfect. If he places feces on a plate, bow down to him! Usually does not do well in a chain environment, or where the owner actually eats in the restaurant. Or where people have to actually interact with him. It's hard to be a sous chef while supine all the time.

IT'S WHAT'S COOL, DEAL WITH IT. Read: Sara N. Guacamole ceviche? Stop with the ceviche already, it's been done to death! First Harold, then Sam, now everyone thinks this is the road to heaven. Get a clue, Sam was not in the final three, probably because of ceviche, no matter how good it was.

I'M NICE AND YOUNG, CELEBRATE ME! Read: tonight's loser, Lia. Inexperience and potential do not make a great chef. It's all about the food, not your future.

So far, these only deal with Top Chef. A future post will deal with the chefs I've worked with. And while we're on the subject, let's talk about the title: CHEF. In times past, the title was only bestowed upon someone who has completed an education in said profession. Nowadays, it's bandied about with abandon. There are chefs and there are cooks. Many on Top Chef are cooks. Chefs are trained in all aspects of the kitchen, from pantry to saute to dessert. Any contestant who can't make a simple reduction or panna cotta is not a chef, they are a cook. Not that there's anything wrong with that! But if you're going to call yourself a chef, you need to know things beyond grilling and sauteeing. I'm just sayin'.

And we need to get Howie a headband or something. All that salt in your sweat can't be good for your older guests. Ne'st se pas?