Two of the country's most talented chefs, John Besh and Michael Symon, compete in kitchen stadium, Sunday Night on the Food Network. FN so secretive about it, even I wasn’t able to procure an advance screening. Damn (thanks Lisa!). And I’m going to be at Book Passage in San Francisco, then en route to Seattle flogging the new book (and so far meeting excellent people, thank you St. Louis and Atlanta, and especially Viking kitchen staffs). Can I catch the finale in an airport?
I heard from several Besh supporters here in Atlanta (and no Symon supporters), and Besh getting a lot of national press (deserved). Judging from comments here, Symon has popular appeal. Both are great chefs and business owners, and most importantly here, superlative cooks. Who will it be? And where does Symon get his pants? And who does Besh's hair? Can't WAIT to hear comments on Monday!
JoP in Omaha
This waiting for the finale is killing me....I'm so damned nervous! I had read about Symon in "Soul." But having seen both Besh and Symon in IC competions previously, before NIC started I fully expected that Besh would be my favorite. I was wrong. Symon has won me over fully and completely. My opinion is based on everything except the food, of course, so the judges and I may have different opinions. But Symon's personality and passion appeals to me a lot, and I'll be one unhappy viewer if he's not the NIC (no disrespect to Besh intended--who probably has equal passion, but whose reserved personality keeps it under wraps). Symon, you're the man-- and the NIC, I hope!
Frances
Besh is obviously talanted, and his sense of humor is not lost on me. He's got the food thing going for him too. But...I think Symon has all that AND that dynamic, larger-than-life personality that defines an iron chef. He's just a powerhouse of goodness.
Hunter
I know a girl that worked for Besh at August, had nothing but great things to say about him. I like Symon too--Ruhlman's right, his personality is infectious. I don't have a personal fav. going in (I was rooting for Gavin), but I think that ICA wins no matter who wins the battle. Both guys deserve it and have legitimate shots.
JoP in Omaha
Thanks for posting the photos, BTW. They're awesome.
thespian
I would kill to have a meal prepared by either of these gentlemen (and I've wanted to eat at Jardinière and Incanto for ages). But I really want Symon to win; Besh is cute as get out, but Symon has...well, the Iron Chef pizzazz. He has the sort of larger than life finesse that Batali brings, and that Flay can have when he doesn't trip on his own personality (Flay sometimes seems like, for all that he's a celebrity chef, he'd really like to be hunkering down and reading, so his attempts to be a 'personality' are forced). Cora is intense, which makes up for her lack of flamboyancy. Besh seems to be the better technical chef, but it's the flashes of genius that we see from Symon that are needed on ICA.
But then, I was for Cosentino from the start, so either of these winners is ok, just not what I wanted. I wanted the punk chef from California!
Joe Jackson
I worked for Besh. His signature dish's sauce was powdered fish fumet from a can. Is this Iron Chef material???
Lester Hunt
I'm not sure I can say why, but I'm leaning toward Symon. Besh does something that is more like the sort of cooking I have enjoyed doing over the years, but Symon is a more attractive and charming person. That laugh!
lux
Honestly, I'd be happy with either Besh or Symon winning. Each seems like a good guy and a hell of a chef.
It's just too bad that one of them has to lose. It would be really cool if they could both become an Iron Chef.
MKKJD
I've been a Symon fan since his Caxton Cafe days. He's a very sound and creative chef. And I always root for the hometown boy. I do wish he'd bring some of the influence of his Greek background into his menus. Greek cuisine is so underrated. BTW, loved seeing you and Cleveland on No Reservations. Is that pate recipe in the new cookbook or in the book on charcuterie?
Erin
Thanks for a great demo in Atlanta Michael--I had a great evening! NIC shows you as a kind of a food snob and a little bit snippy--but you are a truly nice guy and I loved watching you cook and hearing about your passion!As far as IC goes, I had predicted from the beginning who would be eliminated in what order. So far I've been right. I am a Besh supporter and truly hopes he wins--but, that being said, I would rather Michael Symon beat him than any other competitor. Who knew reality TV get me so nervous!?
FoodPuta
I heard that in the final, they found a hair in one of the dishes, and it took the entire episode of deliberation to figure out if it was Ruhlmans and Knowltons, and they ran out of time before they chose the winner.
I think I read that in the Washington post or something....
Tom H
Not everyone in ATL supports the southerner Besh! He seems to be very disingenuous in what he says and does... like his consommé embellishment. I'm sure many of us ATL based Symon fans were at work and couldn't make it through our infamous rush hour traffic to make it to your appearance on time. Like me. I was planning on taking the afternoon off to show up in my Browns throwback jacket so you could see there are Cleveland natives everywhere. But, a last minute engineering meeting ruined that idea.
Thank you for another very good series... and your books... and this blog.
- TH
Tom H
Not everyone in ATL supports the southerner Besh! He seems to be very disingenuous in what he says and does... like his consommé embellishment. I'm sure many of us ATL based Symon fans were at work and couldn't make it through our infamous rush hour traffic to make it to your appearance on time. Like me. I was planning on taking the afternoon off to show up in my Browns throwback jacket so you could see there are Cleveland natives everywhere. But, a last minute engineering meeting ruined that idea.
Thank you for another very good series... and your books... and this blog.
- TH
doodad
Can't wait to see the finale. I do hope, as another poster said, that the chefs eliminated get a grudge match.
Mer
For once, I don't have an opinion. No snarky comments. No backhanded compliments. I'd be very happy to see either of these guys win. Besh is polished, smooth, quiet confidence with sudden glimpses of humour.
Symon is an on the edge maniac who nevertheless has the right stuff.
True, Symon would put on a more interesting show, but both chefs would do us proud.
Tags
The best of all possible outcomes
After a razor thin victory they announce the winner
Then they announce that both Besh and Symon will become Iron Chefs.
Lester Hunt
This is definitely win-win for me.
Lisa
Doodad, glad you like the "grudge match" idea. I thought it was a pretty obvious one, but I hope someone from the FN is paying attention. It seems like many of us (myself included!) have been surprised at how much TNIC has captivated us. I'm completely on edge about the finale, have put all the eps on "protected" status on my DVR and will be very sorry when the show is over.
I'll also be sorry to see either Besh or Symon lose--they'd both make excellent Iron Chefs. (Dump Flay!) I think TNIC has won over a different breed of fan because the show has NOT given us much personal info about the chefs. As viewers, we have gotten to know them almost exclusively through their professional performance in the challenges, and the judges' response to their food. That has left us wanting to see more of them--and especially to see them in the real IC arena, Kitchen Stadium.
The greatest benefit for me? The show led me to this blog, and to your writing, Michael. I tore through the first 200+ pages of The Soul of a Chef in one night. Beautiful prose, although I shouldn't have stayed up til 3am! So excited to have discovered a great writer, and a terrific online community supporting my reenergized excitement about cooking.
JoP in Omaha
Off topic, but....I found Meyer lemons in the store today!!! I've looking for them ever since I noticed it's often the lemon of choice among iron chefs...next and otherwise. And, for this neophyte cook, another milestone is reached: instead of deciding on a dish and then getting the ingredients, I've found an ingredient and will plan a dish around it. Oh, the JOY! I can't stop smiling about my beautiful Meyer lemons.
I wouldn't be unhappy if both Symon and Besh could be named Iron Chefs. And, Lisa made a great point.....NIC has captivated us even more than IC because it's shown us a bit of the chefs' personalities, more so that IC does. And I, too, hope that FN is paying attention to blogs such as this that clearly show there's an audience out here yearning for programming that is missing. 'Til then, a DVD of NIC with lots and lots of extra footage would be welcome.
Hey, Ruhlman, when this is all over, tell Symon to do a poster of him cooking....Yikes, how silly is that??!! I want to hang such a thing in my kitchen (along with one of Keller would be nice) for continued inspiration!
Francesca
Well, I think that Besh will win. He just makes what he does look easy and isn't that what IC is all about? Keeping their cool and presenting these dishes that were made without hesitation. I just think Besh will win this one. My pic from the start was Morou. His restaurant is in Alexandria, Va. Not too far from me. I phoned the other day to see what reservations were like and he is completely booked. I will try his place one day...I am determined.
I was watching FN and saw the NIC commercial and just got the tail end of the advertisement and it said that there was going to be new episodes starting on the 18th. Is this for another NIC series or is new episodes for IC. Does anyone know?
Well, I am anxiousely awaiting the results.
Annie
I don't think Bobby Flay would rather be hunkered down, reading. I think he'd rather be watching the Jets, with a beautiful blonde on his lap. That's just the vibe I get.
ba
@annie: flay is married to that chick from law and order, so yeah, he in fact does have a beautiful blonde on his lap.
and while i think besh will probably win (as he seems to have more cache in the biz), i'm totally rooting for symon. way more personality, much more fun to watch for an hour during IC.
Chad Edward
When "Iron Chef America" first aired it was like watching Sandra Lee recreate recipes from "Molto Mario". It was over produced, the ingredients were safe and uninteresting, and the American Iron Chefs lacked the creativity and daring of the originals. Alton and Mario were the show's saving graces; and, I thought Wolfgang Puck was surprisingly good in the original cook-offs.
All of that is probably still true, though the show has found itself a bit. However, "The Next..." has saved the series for me. In fact, I wonder aloud if Besh or Symon is the next Iron Chef America or the FIRST Iron Chef America.
Whoever wins enters kitchen stadium with kitchen cred and, I'm assuming, a greater appreciation for the title than any of the appointed Iron Chefs.
Looking forward to seeing you in Cincinnati, Michael.
chris neill
Michael,
I hope it's Symon. It *has* to be Symon. I can't take any more defeat! Game 7 of the ALCS was just too brutal (although, in some twisted way I feel better knowing we fought the Redsox better than the Rockies did -- geez, 4-0??).
Alas, I will not be in my wonderful hometown of Cleveland for the finale; but I will be on the phone with la Cave du Vin the minute Symon wins tomorrow night for a tele-shot of Jameson's. And of course, I already have my dinner plans for Lolita in the works for Thanksgiving break.
BTW -- hope to catch you at Shaker Heights Public Library. Travel safe, and go Cleveland!
Tags
December's Food & Wine has "The big, easy Christmas" with John Besh on p210.
Christie
As I've stated before I'm a big fan of both Symon and Besh, but I'd prefer to see Symon win. Why?
Because while Besh is enjoyable to watch, Symon makes me really excited about food. Besh is pleasant while Symon makes his food explode on the screen for me. Symon somehow makes me really interested in whatever dish he's preparing. He takes more risks and usually succeeds in those endeavors.
But my hunch is that Besh will win. I really think The Food Network wanted Besh all along.
I hope I'm wrong.
Frances
They really seem to be trying to paint Symon as the bad guy in the promos. They show all these demure glamour shots of Besh and show Symon making threats and standing there in his "smack-down" pose. Hang on a second while I roll my eyes. Oh shit. I think they are stuck that way now.
Steve2 in LA
I'm thinking it's gonna be Symon.
Both he and Besh have remarkable cooking skills, personality and elan but Symon "pops". Now it's all gonna depend on the judges, how these guys cooked on "the night" and (I suppose ultimately) what the Food Network wants. Michael Symon has that unique combination of skill and persona that translates into his food and presentation.
I'll put money on it at this point.
bonnibella
I absolutely love Symon, and I adore his restaurant Lola. If he wins, we'll probably never see him in Cleveland again...but oh well. He is definitely Iron Chef material in my book.
Christie
Chef Symon is starting a blog. Leave him your comments here: http://www.symonsays.typepad.com/
Kay
I hope the Dinner Impossible guy wins by write-in. That way we can see him and Guy Fellati "rassle" on the floor in a very manly way more often than we already do.
Egaeus
Kay, oh please no. I don't want to see any more of Guy Fieri (heh, Fellati) than I already do. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives would be a decent show if it didn't have a guy pushing 40 acting half his age hosting it. Seriously, when a teenager says, "off the (restraining device)" it's a teenager being a teenager. When a middle-aged guy says it (in all seriousness), it's just sad.
But back to real contestants. I'm personally rooting for Michael Symon. I think that they both have intense passion and cook great food, but I like Michael's bio better. Local sourcing, organic farming and sustainability all need more attention. Not only is it better for the earth, it's also better for the taste buds. I jumped on the bandwagon after my first ever trip to California this summer. Eating California produce in Florida is an exercise in desperation. In California, it's sublime. Now, when I go to the local organic food store and see loads of organic vegetables from all over the world but none from the local area, I want to cry. Even local community supported agriculture is having a hard time not because of the lack of subscribers, but because of the lack of farmers.
Ava
I'm hoping for Andrew Knowlton to take it in a surprise victory. He's the best part of that show!
sailorgrrl07
Who are the judges for this episode? The dude to the right of Donatella doesn't have enough hair to be Knowlton. Are we bringing in Moe Rocca as a surprise judge?!
So I met my friend for dinner tonight at Sea Salt in Berkeley, one of Haig and Cindy Kirkorian's several fine establishments in the East Bay, and spent a couple glasses of wine catching up and venting over the Cosco Busan (I believe that is Korean for "my *other* left!") oil spill clusterf*ck. Afterward I figured I'd stop by the Barnes and Nobel in Emeryville to have another go at finding Ruhlman's new book.
I scoured the shelves over and over again (how the bloody hell does Robert Irvine have a book out?!) and once again came up empty. I went downstairs to the cash wrap to ask the girl with two Monroe piercings (why did none of her friends stop her?) if they had the book. She screwed up her face at the screen for a bit, then told me yes, there was one copy. Somewhere. In cooking probably. I jutted my jaw and clenched my fists. "Then, it *will* be mine!" I sputtered, and stomped back up the escalator.
After laboriously dissecting the shelves I finally spotted it. Here's the thing: the book isn't red like the photo. It's orange. Oh: with a SILVER spine. So you can't just scan the shelves and spot it. I vote the book jacket designer be sent to a Tufte information design seminar.
Anyway, just thought I'd post it for the folks who still plan to browse for it in a brick and mortar.
Cheers. Oh yeah: go Symon. I don't know what I'm gonna do after this show is done, it's worse than crack.
Susan
I love them both. Besh is hot though. I'd tune in even if all he did was bite into an apple!
Thegels
Both are fabulous and will make great Iron Chefs... can't they both win it???
Oh yeah -- I had the honor of seeing Anthony Bourdain a few days ago at a book signing in DC. He's the coolest.
Thegels
Ideally:
Symon and Besh will become Iron Chefs.
Flay and Cora would be removed.
Morimoto and Battali would stay.
Now THAT is a happy ending...
Suzette
Christie, I agree with you 100%. Go, Symon!
JoP in Omaha
Thanks to the poster who posted the URL to Symon's forthcoming blog. That is indeed GREAT news.
To the poster who said ".....don't know what I'm gonna do after this show is over, it's worse than crack." LOL and very much agreed. For all its faults, FN did a pretty good job with NIC. We all have ideas of how it could have been even better, but on the whole, they captivated many of us with NIC.
So. It's Superbowl Sunday, and the NIC marathon this afternoon is the pre-game show. I'll be there for every minute. FN is even running the time clock to air-time. OMG, I'm so damned nervous I'm about to jump out of my skin.
Laying awake last night, I inventoried all the signs that point to a Besh win and the signs that point to a Symon win. In the end, the "evidence" is ambiguous, but one little fact makes me dread that a Besh win is the offing (no offense intended Besh. But the truth is I'm firmly in the Symon camp on ths one).
I can't stand this tension I'm feeling. I'm gonna go cook. And, either way, I'll be sad tomorrow when this fun, fun show is over.
WhatisCanadianCuisine?
I'm a little bummed that the show is ending tonight too, but at the same time excited to see new IC battles with the new IC. I'm happy for both Besh and Symon, and I'd be thrilled with whoever wins.
I'm ALSO hoping there will be a NIC2 someday(or next year)....seeing how FN has pimped out this show quite a bit and milked it for all it's worth, I doubt that FN will let such a huge hit of a show be a one time deal....
artnlit
Well, it's official - I have completely lost my mind with all this 'Next Iron Chef' stuff. How do I know? I just had a dream that I was at some related event and flirting with Breck Boy Knowlton! Dear God! I'd like to blame it on the late consumption of beer and a bagel before bed, but I dunno. (Actually I have to say that Knowlton seems a bit ok to me now, at least on his blog -much less attitude.) Never the less, the superbowl Sunday analogy noted above fits well. I do hope the episode lives up to the hype (and despite the editing fetish of the Food Network, I'm sure it will.) Besh and Symon competing will be a joy to watch; I wish they both could win. My gut says that it will be Besh though.
JoP in Omaha
Why I like IC and its offspring: I learn stuff. Like in the Paris episode, when the chefs were shopping. I heard ingredients named that were unknown to me, but it went by so fast, I couldn't tell what they were saying. Last night (watching Paris for FOURTH time!) I finally caught the name of one. Cosentino was looking for "burrata." I looked it up....cheese made from mozzarella and cream. Ahh....for his cheesesteak. Cool.
sheila
It's true,NIC IS addictive. I'll be having withdrawal symptoms tomorrow, but look forward to ICA returning Nov. 18th. To the viewer who finally found Meyer lemons, I know EXACTLY how you feel.......last weekend in my local supermarket (Stop & Shop) here in N.Y. I found Key Limes! I was stunned and absolutely over the moon! You'd swear I found gold. I quickly snatched up 6 bags of them and have been making Key Lime Pies since. What else? Never having made one in my life, I was thrilled to find them delicious. Mmmmmmmmmmm.
Frances
Thanks for the link to Symon's blog Christie!
Here it is again: http://www.symonsays.typepad.com/
Happy Consumptive
Coming to this conversation late, but I can't be the only one that thought the very likable Symon got his backside handed to him by Morimoto. Morimoto hamming it up and laughing that Symon didn't deserve to make sushi rice in a kitchen with him was it? Besh and Batali seemed close, even though the ingredient was right in Besh's wheel house.
Symon's mutant ability --everyone has one after all-- seems to be making good reads on situations. Cooking rather than warming his salmon with airplane oven, serving a drink with his plate of grilled birds. That knack will serve him less well in a show where the format doesn't change.
Based on the recent coverage, I'd say Besh's mutant ability is entrepreneurial. That's not necessarily a bad thing. It's certainly something he has in common with Bobby Flay and Mario Batali.
gfweb
More Besh in the Media. WSJ has a little Besh piece (uhh or was it USA Today?) well one of them. Just read them on a plane.
Paul Ritzcovan
While I respect John Besh immensely after watching this show, I am a huge Symon fan as he has the talent and personality I would like to see in Kitchen Stadium. Somone who can take some fire away from Bobby Flay!
BOOM!
The Professor
I am going to miss my Sunday night "fix"...I am a Symon fan all the way,also looking forward to all the after-show comments. This is a very nice community here at Ruhlman Cyber City.May the best Chef win !!!!!
Shelley
Two questions: Who has one most of the challenges in NIC so far? (I lost count, but I thought it was Symon.) Also, are they judging "personality" tonight in the finale? I'm assuming they will score them on the usual merits of taste, originality and plating. Highest score wins.
CalloohCallay
CRAAAAP! I just saw a MASSIVE spoiler on the show's Wiki page!!! (Of course, I am going to watch anyway...heh.)
Good wishes for safe and fun traveling, Mr. Ruhlman.
Shelley
Let me rephrase question one. Who has WON the most challenges so far?
(I just hate it when I have a typo.)
Michael Burgess
Being from Cleveland (yet another Michael), I am definitely cheering for Chef Symon, and deep down, I know that you Mr. Ruhlman are as well, fellow Northeastern Ohioan.
Thegels
9 mins yall... can't wait!
dlayphoto
Not so fast, Callooh:
http://blogs.clevescene.com/cnotes/2007/11/spoiler_alert_and_the_next_iro.php
JB
I don't know if this means anything, but a local new orleans magazine that just came out has an ad for one of Besh's restaurants and it reads "Iron Chef Besh."
Lisa
Oh no! The dreaded bad omen Kia ad just ran, featuring John Besh. "I got a b-a-d feelin'..."
CalloohCallay
Dlayphoto: I am SO not reading that until after 10. 😉 But I just saw the Besh on a Kia commercial...Hmm...
Everything looks delicious!
CalloohCallay
Lisa...you beat me to the punch! >;)
Shelley
Distinct treatments of swordfish -- this ain't gonna be easy! Fingers crossed for Symon...
Shelley
"Five minutes to go." Already? Damn, I wanted them to show MORE cooking.
dlayphoto
The wiki was just changed and the elimination info was removed.
Thegels
9:30 and the cooking is over??? I WANT MORE!
Shelley
Okay, now that we know Ruhlman isn't judging... did he get to TASTE the food in this competition? Will we get his inside take or not?
Ian C.
I think I respect that swordfish more after looking into its eye as it was getting filleted.
(Non-Iron Chef note: Just saw the 'Dinner: Impossible' ad. What the hell did Priscilla Presley do to her face? She looks more like Cruella de Vil.)
dlayphoto
punch punch punch punch punch!!!!
Lisa
Speaking of commercials, seeing Rachel Ray with her deviled ham and processed crackers makes me want to hurl. After witnessing Symon and Besh churn out 13 masterpiece dishes in an hour--talk about going from the sublime to the ridiculous! Can't the FN spot the irony?
dlayphoto
that's because Rachel doesn't have the training that Besh and Symon do.
Joe Corey
How come no warning about worms with swordfish? That's all my grandmother ever warned me about when I was tempted to order it.
dlayphoto
HE BROUGHT IT HOME!!!!
Shelley
YAAAYYYY!!! But I *still* want to know if Ruhlman got to taste da food...
The Professor
WOOOOO !!!!! YES...
Lee
Awww, what bullshit! Should have been Besh!
Buckethead
Hey, GJ Symon! How close was the vote? If the difference was one vote, I call bullshit. Thanks.
Tags
Congratulations Cleveland, now go get that Super Bowl Ring!
Tory W. Sumrall
Damn. Besh got Screwed.
Iron Chef just lost a viewer.
Conor
No surprise there! But I was wondering if you had any insight, Michael, into how the judges voted vs. how the Iron Chefs voted.
Also, is this "confirmation" that Symon will be taking Batali's place?
Jim Glover
Oh crap Paula Dean and Cat Cora versus Tyler Florence and Robert Irvine on a holiday Iron Chef America.
catherine
I am so THRILLED that Symon won!!
Lisa
Can't wait for Michael's debrief on the big finale. Wish the FN had extended this ep to 90 minutes or 2 hours; we saw way too little cooking.
Symon's victory was hard earned and well deserved, although I find myself feeling sad for Besh. There's something quite charming about him, and even a little sweet, despite the cockiness.
@dlayphoto: As to Rachel Ray's lack of training--anyone eating, or shilling for, that level of processed food, has the palate of a 4-year-old. She has plenty of money to go to culinary school now--it's never too late! And some of this world's top chefs have no formal training at all, so that really shouldn't be her excuse.
Nick
Symon all the way, baby. He came back from the brink and rose to the challenge brilliantly. And like the judges said, Besh was solid, but never quite rose to the real hieght needed. I'll take a risktaker as Iron Chef over that any day. Great stuff.
JoP in Omaha
2 or so minutes until THE END.
What a day. Out of nervousness, I spent it in the kitchen, making a soup. I kept tweaking it, adding this, adding that, taste, taste, taste. Season.
I have never been this invested in a TV show. NIC started, my heart pounding....which it did throughout. Symon finished presenting, I thought I was gonna faint.
And now... YEESSSSS!!!!!!! HE DID IT!!!! OMG. AWESOME. TO THE MAX!!!
What a relief. I can breathe again. This is so great. So many fun and instructinve lessons ahead of us with Symon on ICA. I couldn't be happier.
Nice touch having 3 more judges in addition to the 3 we've had all along.
I'll probably have more to say tomorrow. Now, I gotta go get a drink and try to get my heartbeat back to normal. Awesome. I'll sleep like a baby tonight--where have I heard that before??!!
DannyM
So, no breakdown of the votes like in every other episode of Iron Chef, and again no mention that Ruhlman is not a partial judge. Symon's a great guy and a great chef, but when the other Iron Chefs only really enjoyed two/three of Symon's five dishes and Besh comes out with seven I smell a rat. Particularly when the judges didn't appear to like Symon's ravioli nearly as much as Besh's. Editing, I know, but no score breakdown and partial judging makes me wonder. I'll still watch iron Chef, but not Symon's episodes. I call BS.
dlayphoto
@Lisa: I'm with you. I've never liked Rachel Ray. FN needs to dump her and bring back Molto Mario.
Joy Y
This show had been hyped as a "winner take all" kitchen stadium showdown. However, the iron chefs seemed to definitely lean towards Besh, which seems to contradict a Symon win tonight. The deliberations brought up all the past challenges which must have counted after all. I'm disappointed that the advertising was misleadng.
Anonymous
Hey Ruhlman....would you do it again if you could? Was the whole experience worth it?
Amanda
Congrats Michael Symon!
Linecook
Remembering the feelings TPTB have about French cuisine, it's no surprise that Besh didn't win. If that didn't seal it for me, the editing of Symon as the "Aw shucks" guy vs Besh the "arrogant" guy did. I just can't imagine where the execs got the idea that it's viewers were idiots. Btw, Mark Ecco? Really?!? Add to that NICA finale getting only 1 hour, after we'd been begging for at least an hour and a half, while the subsequent Rayray vs Giada smackdown gets 1&1/2 hours...
That said, I can't be upset with a Symon victory. He's a very talented, and deserving chef. Enjoy it while it lasts. Listening to Cat Cora lecture him on how to cook should be ample preparation to have his food judged by Mo fucking Rocca, or job for Rayray or Paula.
Anonymous
Is it just me or did Ruhlman vote for Besh? I'm pretty sure I saw him write a capital E on his ballot.
Beanie
Two Iron Chefs that specialize in Greek cuisine? Huh. I guess that they wanted to maintain Batali's Mediterranean quality. I love Besh and wanted him to win, but Symon is more dynamic and appropriate for the show. Besh's classic French with a Cajun and American twist would have been a nice addition to the other chefs' styles, like Sakai of the original show. Now, it's just more "garlic and olive oil" to quote Besh. Should be fun at least.
CalloohCallay
Dlayphoto: The Wiki information is back already...sheesh.
Even though I was spoiled, I must admit I still squealed when the portrait was uncovered. Hehehe! Can't wait until the 18th.
JCS
Ohio State goes down, Browns lose a heart breaker; I have to say that when I wake up tomorrow morning it'll be with a smile on my face thanks to Mr. Simon... Thanks to MR for a great series and to MS for bringing a championship back to a deserving, devoted and hungry city.
Anthony
i call bullshit.....Besh's dishes where well prepared and plated...and they looked very tasty....I like both besh and symon, but i feel that besh deserved it more than symon did...
maybe FN's thinking is a lil different than my own...because besh has done so much for new orleans..being that i am a louisiana native...but mad congrats to symon for the win..but i'm like everyone else..i'm curious to know the scoring between the iron chefs and the judges....who was biggest favor between the 2 groups...BUT..since besh got screwed, i think Food Network needs to give John Besh his own TV show on FN...
dlayphoto
I'd like to see Symon vs Rayray...Symon would soundly defeat her...then laugh, as today's PD described it, like a bull goose being molested on a roller coaster.
Tom H
As big a fan of Cleveland as I am, and pleased that Chef Symon won NIC, I just want to congratulate our host here, Michael Ruhlman, for what I consider as an exceptional production and great performance as a judge for a cooking-based series. Thank you and your colleagues very much for helping to improve the quality of food-themed television, which to me had been going downhill.
I salute you for your work, especially your writing, and the attention you've brought to culinary excellence on the North coast.
Sorry I couldn't thank you in person during your visit to Atlanta Friday. No way to get to your book signing from my office by 6, given the traffic here.
Thank you.
BuzzDraft/Tom H.
LauraTheRed
Let's hear it for Team Symon! Woooo!
I'm glad to see someone from my home turf putting his stamp on the Iron Chef beast. I haven't managed to get to Lola's or Lolita's since he entered the battle, but I can bet any kind of money that it's a 3 hour wait for a table now 🙂
LFL
Gotta agree with JoP. I'd read that Symon won weeks ago so I assumed I wouldn't be surprised at the outcome. However, it seemed pretty ridiculous given the comments tonight on Symon's food from the other chefs. Sorry, but the manipulation was palpable and I think this cinches my evolving disinterest in the show.
dagwood
Maybe my thinking is a little off because I *so* wanted Symon to win, but I was pretty clear that the judges (i.e. the Iron Chefs) were harder on Besh than on Symon. I went into tonight thinking Besh would win, and only got my hopes up after the tastings.
Although, I could have done without Cora's constant "an iron chef does this" and "an iron chef does that." I love her and all, but seriously? she hardly ever competes and is lucky she's there at all. As a female culinarian I tend to root for her, but I think there are much more talented women out there that could take her place (although I hate even saying that because it plays into the "token female" thing)
Sara
Why is there only one Iron Chef in the Thanksgiving Iron Chef this year? I didn't even realize until now that Robert Irving isn't an IC (I don't know why, maybe because I was distracted by suprised joy at the end of the episode) --- so only Paula gets one? Is that their way of saying Paula's a slow cook who needs extra help? I mean, really... it's going to be hilarious and you all know it.
A hearty WHOOHOO! to Symon. I think I was pretty convinced Besh was going to take it, but I was very happily surprised to see Symon's face. Clearly they are both incredible chefs, and in some ways Besh is better than Symon is. I just can't help but think that it's Symon who I really want to see on TV every week -- he's funny, engaging, and he seems to have very little ego. It's refreshing, I like him a lot. And now I get to see him cook all the time! Hooray!
Thegels
Congrats Chef Symon! He's great. And Besh is great too, but only one could win. Chef Symon will make an awesome IC.
Why is Cat Cora an Iron Chef anyway? I have NEVER been impressed by her work.
Also -- would love to see some episodes of the original Iron Chef again...
artnlit
Congrats to Symon! Up until this episode, I was pretty convinced that Besh would win. However, upon hearing the judges (and I mean ALL of them) explain the multiple rationale of their ultimate decisions, as well as watching the actual creation and presentation of dishes, I could see and feel the shift to Symon. It was close, but he did show the most improvement, has a bit more enthusiasm and personality than Besh, and expressed his confidence without coming across as seemingly arrogant (which Besh did, inadvertently, by rushing the final dessert out.) And so my friends, we welcome Iron Chef Symon to the ranks! It's been a fun ride...
A few other points: I did miss the exchange between our regular three judges. Perhaps Donatella and Breck Boy could pop in here every once in a while to verbally spank each other with referee Ruhlman?? Also, the Rachel Ray ads that played during the show - oh, the humanity! Bleech! Did anyone stick around for the Iron Chef rerun special afterwards that her pared up with Batali? What is this, RR night?? I need to go watch some Bourdain and read some Ruhlman...cheers, all!
Shelley
All right, I'm reading comments here about how the chefs seemed to "lean" toward Besh, and I didn't get that impression AT ALL. Now I'm going to have to stay up 90 minutes more to watch this repisode.
Even though I hoped for Symon, I really thought it was a 50/50 match starting out at this final battle. When I saw the reactions at tasting, it seemed clear that Symon would win there. (Both chefs got dinged on some dishes, folks, Beshmore than Symon, I think.) What wasn't clear was how the earlier competitions would be taken into account.
That's what I hope Ruhlman has time to shed light on tomorrow, too, in between his hitchhiker's book tour. 🙂
p.s. Finished "Soul of a Chef" earlier today. Bravo.
dlayphoto
Anyone stupid enough to go to Lola/Lolita now without reservations is in for a long wait...
Lisa
I hope the FN looks seriously at Besh and some of the other TNIC contestants, such as Morou and Sanchez, for possible shows about REAL cooking. I'd LOVE to learn more about how to cook with African and Latin influences, rather than yet another godawful how-to-put-sprinkles-on-your-cupcakes show from the Sandra-Paula-Rachel crowd.
dagwood
@Shelley: I completely agree with you, and am equally befuddled by the comments here re: Besh was "clearly favored". I thought the complete opposite.
Obviously, both are worthy (perhaps moreso than some current standing IC's), but I'm so happy Symon got the win. So much more engaging, and endearing, and fun to watch.
Sunday nights just got a major boom: Desperate Housewives, beware!!!
Anne
I thought it looked like the Iron Chefs were leaning toward Symon with their initial tasting, then seemed a little more fond of Besh in their ending comments. I was glad to see Symon win - and you've got to admit, he's got serious panache. Should be interesting to see how he does in his first few battles as an Iron Chef.
I confess I was cheering for my hometown boy, but I think he has the skills to back up his Clevelandness.
And following the episode with a Giada/Rachel Ray Iron Chef episode? I thought I was hallucinating. I'm almost sad they are backed up by Iron Chefs, I'd rather watch them duke it out unaided. (It's like a train wreck, I can't seem to look away!)
The Professor
Speaking as a man, I have to compliment Donatella on her leg presentation and tell Knowlton to spend another $20.00 extra on the next "dress shirt" he buys. I wore a tie for 33 years and 6 days(now retired 7/2007) and his was a perfect example of a cheap shirt. Ruhlman,of course was dressed for success.
artnlit
PS. Hey Tags, glad you are happy about TNIC, but you're living in la-la land re: Cleveland winning the super bowl. We just beat your boys in a game where they should have won! LOL!
Oh and I loved Morimoto's drawings/notes!
So Michael, what did YOU think of the final dishes?
Brian
I think the IC's probably liked Symon's dishes better. They commented on 2 of Besh's dishes that they couldn't taste the swordfish and that the shrimp accesories were stronger taste wise than the swordfish. Based on the Flay and Kora comments the dessert didn't win him any points.
It is quality over quantity. I wish they would have declared them both IC's and told Cat to take a walk. She gets beat all of the time.
WhatisCanadianCuisine?
Just finished "Making of a Chef"...was terrific, especially reading about making consomme in class. 🙂
Assuming you got to try the dishes(from what I hear, people in the audience usually get to try something so there's no way you missed out on it)- can we get your opinion on the best dish and what did you think of Besh's dessert?
Beanie
Well, it shouldn't be a surprise considering that ALL the Iron Chefs were Food Network personalities before they became an Iron Chef. For those who have watched the Food Network for a while, you've seen Michael Symon on various shows and series. (Hello, Melting Pot!). That explains Cat Cora. She cannot be the best female chef out there. She's lost more than a few battles. But, she was on some Food Network shows in the past too. (Hello, Melting Pot again!) Oh, well. It's still a fictional arena! John Besh certainly has enough to go home to. He represented himself well and introduced himself to a wider audience. Good luck getting a table at one of his restaurants anytime soon.
Judy
Does anyone remember when Symon and Aaron had their own food tv show? The Melting Pot?
ant
cat cora sucks ass.....FN needs to dump her off...hated to see batalli go tho..i really like him and his classy shoes...
dagwood
@ Lisa: wouldn't that be nice? unfortunately probably wouldn't be much of a draw for the "average" FN viewer.
Morimoto was just wonderful this episode; I tend to like him more and more the more I see him. Lovely sense of humor on that man.
Chance Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss
What a scam, and what an entirely boring series, was this program aka NICA. Each week, one thought it would get better and better, pick up speed and race to the finish.
Instead, it plodded like a pack mule with a ton of bricks on its back - except these bricks were 3 people who had all the chemistry of Prince Charles first bride and marriage.
With all due to that other guy from Cleveland, M. Symon, I really thought that John Besh was the best qualified (in every department) to be the NICA. There's something strange about Ohio and outcomes: whether elections or other types of contests.
I thought the person who runs this blog, M. Ruhlman, was just in the process of getting comfy, in a situation that looked and felt as cozy as a bed of nails. I thought that M.R. did a very good job, even if he had an obvious fave in mind, but who wouldn't? We all had, one would guess.
By the way, M.R., I thought you were really good on Ming's show (it aired about two weeks ago, and may have been a repeat, it's hard to tell) and I hope you continue to get more gigs on television, and hopefully, shows that allow one to verbalize a lot more.
I also thought that the Top Chef panel was more interesting than the NICA panel, as well as that Padma Lakshmi rocked, and Alton was all crow and no cock.
Who would've thought?
Also, the rotating guest judges, and types of challenges on TC were, for the most part, much more interesting than those on NICA. Tom Colicchio was great, ditto Ted Allen. Whereas, Donatella (when is she gonna start financing quality Broadway dramas?) and that knucklehead, Andrew Knowlton, were about as exciting as a Great Thaw.
Anyway, just wanted to say "good work" to M.R. and that, Besh should have won.
It may be a victory for Cleveland, but the series -whether ICA or the baseball one - belongs to New York.
Looking forward to the book tour, and joint appearance with A.B. Lincoln Square shall never be the same again.
JoP in Omaha
Hey, it wasn't me that dissed the outcome or the judging. No way do I want that hung on me.
I'm thrilled with the outcome, and I think the judging was fair. The Iron Chef judges seemed to bring into play considerations that FN execs probably care about--not only the food, but personality--the Iron Chefs (NOT the regular judges) said (paraphrasing) "An Iron Chef needs to be dymanic, exciting, doing unexpected things....." because no doubt in FN judgment it's those things that bring viewers. Symon has more of those qualities than Besh, in my opinion, although both turn out equally good food. Sure, we can discuss how much other things should have mattered...some think not at all, I guess. But, in my opinion, it was Symon that made NIC THE show to watch the past few weeks. If personality gave Symon the edge over Besh, more power to him. A guy that can cook great food and is fun to watch is the best possible combination.
Shelley
@dagwood: Thank you for making me feel a wee bit more sane.
@artnlit: Agree about Morimoto's drawings. Do you think they will show up on eBay?
@anybody: Did you know that Alton Brown was tonight's guest host on TCM (Turner Classic Movies), picking his most "influential" films? It's a nice distraction from the idiotic Rachael/Giada rerun if you want to flip between channels. (Conjecture: There must be two classes of FoodNetwork viewers... the food-focused and the boob-focused.)
will
i think besh was robbed...
question for the clevelanders - is there now a race for cleveland's favorite son between michael symon and michael stanley? my vote goes for stanley... "this town is my town!!"
where was mario? he would have judged this correctly
Chance Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss
a couple of notes - M-moto's artwork (notes) was amazing. Like culinary haikus. and Cat's kinda cool, I think they need her. It's bad enough that every "minority" on TNICA got dissed early on (two women chefs) and later, thanks presumably to Andrew Knucklehead, El Guapo got the axe, when he was so close.
I thought El Guapo should have beaten out CC, but CC's a great competitor and talented if wreckless chef.
AK may have had his revenge on El Guapo, but it was a false sense of payback for AK, since it's El Guapo who is an actual working chef, and a very talented one at that.
artnlit
Topic: Besh making a dessert last minute. Good decision? Poor decision? Did it make a difference in how he was judged or perceived? DISCUSS.
dagwood
@ Shelley: totally had the AB TCM night in my TIVO, but was outranked by NICA (as well it should be); although I was able to write down what his fave's are and have added them to my "to watch" list. (I would take movie rec's from anyone with his sense of humor).
Although, I cowardly admit, it did *not* trump Desperate Housewives.
(NIC did, not AB's favorite movies.)
Lisa
@dagwood: I was loving Morimoto, too! He provided comic relief from all the tension. I loved his "punch, punch, punch" philosophy of hitting the judges with flavors, and his drawings were AMAZING.
And I actually thought it was great that Besh jumped at Morimoto's suggestion to make dessert--sort of a "the Iron Chef's wish is my command" response. I still somehow wish both Besh and Symon could be welcomed into the IC fold. It feels as though they both earned it!
baboy fan
WHOO!!! SYMON WON!
baboy fan
WHOO!!! SYMON WON!
dlayphoto
@artnlit: I think the last-minute dessert, and its lukewarm reception, is what did Besh in.
baboy fan
WHOO!!! SYMON WON!
baboy fan
WHOO!!! SYMON WON!
Sandy
I just gotta say -- its a great night for Cleveland, and a great night for Ruhlman and Symon.
I can really understand people being torn between Besh and Symon. I think FN would be making a big mistake to let Besh go also. The chemistry between Besh and Symon alone calls out for something with the two of them.
I was very disappointed that Mario was so noticeably absent tonight. Guess that answers THAT question....
Sandy
The Professor
@ Shelley: Yes I did know Alton was on TCM tonight, and I love his movie choices, very interesting. Did you mean Boob Tube or Boob Boob?
Joe Corey
let's hope that Symon gets better battles than Dairy, Farmer's Market and hamburger.
while I wouldn't mind eating Besh's food, I want to watch Symon prepare it.
Sandy
Topic: Besh making a dessert last minute. Good decision? Poor decision? Did it make a difference in how he was judged or perceived? DISCUSS.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think it helped him with some, hurt him with others. The willingness to throw it together was very Iron Chef and I really thought he was going to win when he started making it. In fact I really thought he was going to win til they revealed the photo of Symon.
Johnny Damon
Isn't there kind of a conflict of interest in the judging anyway given Ruhlmann's relationship with Symon. Not a big deal anyway though, as ICA has about 1/10th of the appeal of ICJ.
AChampion
My fiance and I shouted "H*LL YEAH!" as loud as humanly possible as the curtain dropped to reveal the photograph of Michael Symon. *L*
We noticed how Kat Cora tended to make the comments about Symon having "a definite Iron Chef dish!" or how "this dish ROCKS! Iron Chef!" multiple times, and was more honest with Symon than with Besh when critiquing them when making seasoning comments or expectations plain.
We thought Symon would be the popular vote after that - but likely wouldn't win. I was prepared to troll around the house in my bathrobe for a few hours in a snit.
Minda you, we liked Besh, but felt that while he was steady and kept performing on an even keel, Symon had been steadily rising beyond expectations each time a challenge arose - winning several - and Symon improved and grew exponentially with each passing level.
Boy are WE happy. 🙂
Chance Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss
Topic: Besh making a dessert last minute. Good decision? Poor decision? Did it make a difference in how he was judged or perceived? DISCUSS.
Posted by: artnlit
I agreed with all three IC judges' opinion on that.
Still, in the end, I think M-moto was right - taking chances is something an IC should do.
But, again, Bobby's and Cat's reasoning was right on too.
Especially if, it's the last thing served and the last thing the judges taste and remember.
I'm still gonna give Besh some props for doing so, anyway.
Although, his sauce was a bit much, better suited for a dessert made of game or shellfish, and not regular fish.
I wonder if Bonito flakes and Panko on the outside of the wrapper, would have added?
At least he didn't use the ice cream machine.
dagwood
Sandy: I'm still in denial and not ready to let go of Mario, or the orange crocs. Let's all close our eyes and pretend that's not happening, shall we?
And yes, while I definitely admire Besh's last minute dessert, I think it hurt him in the long run. Which is really so so sad, and he must be kicking himself for it.
Although, chef-ing is as much strategizing as it is passion, and that might not have been his best strategic move.
I'm guessing we haven't seen the last of him on TFN, though. He's such an obviously talented, charismatic guy. They'd be fools to let that go by.
dlayphoto
This just in:
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/11/clevelands_michael_symon_wins.html
Sandy
Sandy: I'm still in denial and not ready to let go of Mario, or the orange crocs. Let's all close our eyes and pretend that's not happening, shall we?
*squeezing eyes shut tight* Nothing's happening. I see nothing.
Shelley
@dagwood: I wish I had TIVO. And at least Alton Brown picked interesting films for TCM -- not the predictable ones that a numb-nut like Donald Trump touts (Citizen Kane? Gone With the Wind? How lame is that, you silly mogul?) But I am a die-hard fan of Alton Brown and know all about his background... so sue me for being interested. Side note: I wish HE would blog about ALL the Iron Chef episodes.
@dlayphoto: It wasn't the dessert alone that did Besh in. Watch it again and you'll get it. I always see more in these episodes the second and third time.
dagwood
Shelley: totally agree on the great pics of AB. I can't wait to watch them; I hadn't heard of most of them but was completely intrigued when reading the descriptions. Hopefully I'll be caught up on them by the end of the year. Also: how freaking cool would that be if AB resumed a blog??? He used to do one (sort of) but then shyed away when some crazies invaded. LET THIS BE A LESSON TO US ALL
🙂
Shelley
EVERYONE: Follow that link from dlayphoto! VERY enlightening..........
The Professor
The link dlayphoto put up, I think the old timers say "that makes the cheese more binding."
wtf
besh looses 2-4...thats shit..iron chefs didn't wanna get showed up by besh...thats why they chose symon....notice tho how, 2 of the 3 actual panel judges chose besh to win...the 2 who everyone thought really like symon..but in all actuality...besh came out on top with the actual panel of judges...
Darclyte
Feh, my comments got eaten up by the system some how. I'll try again after this test.
Dennis
I'm surprised that the inferior chef won.
Unfortunately, this reduces my faith in the program in general. Symon is not up to Besh's caliber, and Symon's demeanor and personality is ridiculous coupled with his lack of equitable skill.
Did he already host a program that already failed on Food Network?
It was a very bad move for the network. So, I won't be watching the American version of the program any longer. It's somewhat of a joke now.
Nice job judges on declaring inferior talent the superior choice.
Darclyte
Congrats to Symon. Although, I still think Donatella's breasticles would have beaten them both. Her legs tonight really sealed the deal. Wow! Anyway, from the comments, I thought Besh had it won. I also think he should have been given more props than barbs on his dessert. He heard a judge "request" it, and then made it in, what, a minute? Seems very Iron Chefish to me. That said, Symon will do fine, I just think Besh did seem overall better tonight, and although not a flashy, he does have great moments and is much more consistant. How odd was it to hear Cat complain about flavor. Bwah ha ha! Sorry. I think Chef Irvine (who SHOULD be an Iron Chef) and Tyler will absolutely destroy Giada and Paula in the Holiday Dessert special. I know Paula is the Queen of desserts, and desserts are a speciality of Giada's, but at the end of the day, I can't see the ladies pulling it off. As for TNIC, why wasn't this 90 minutes when the ICA special after it was? TNIC was their PREMIERE show, they had a countdown to the finalé ALL DAY!!! You can't tell me it didn't warrant 90 minutes? I mean, while it was great to see all the judging time, but it sucked to only have 30 minutes of cooking time. They should have had the full 60 minutes of cooking time (or as much as reasonable) and then 25 minutes of judging, and 5 minutes of naming the winner. And Michael, thanks so much for this blog, I truly hope your friendship with Symon didn't weigh into your vote even on a subconscious level. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt that you actually voted for the most deserving. I hope to see you judging the Holiday Dessert special, or at least many ICA battles to come. You clearly deserve to be there more than Mo Rocca. Heck, after only one judging, Bonecrusher deserves to be there more than Mo. Anyway, thanks again for this blog and for a very good job of judging.
Egaeus
To all of those lamenting Mario Batali's departure:
If we must get honest, besides Good Eats, I'm getting to the point where I don't watch much Food Network any more. ICA is something I catch occasionally when I'm in the mood, but I'm not a regular viewer. NICA was okay (yes, just okay) but I'm really getting turned off by FN as a whole. I want to know about food. How to cook it, where to get it, even how to grow it. I couldn't care less about how they make Twinkies. I think you should qualify for government assistance for the mentally disabled by even using the following words/phrases: yummo, sammies, tablescape, evoo, and off the hook.
The "food" is slowly being taken over by the "television." You don't have to know anything about food to be on the food network. Just ask Marc Summers. With almost every new show, it is catering more and more to the middle-income housewife who doesn't know the difference between bouillabaisse and billiard balls and whose idea of great Italian food is Fazoli's.
For the record, I made it to this blog because of NICA. I was wondering who the judges were. I wanted to know more about Michael Ruhlman from his brief bio. The outcome of NICA is secondary to my quest for better food and a better ability to cook it.
Chance Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss
Okay, so M.R. was the only one out of six total judges, to vote for Besh?
Now, I do agree with those here who believe that the ICs' wish to keep the quo (Besh is a threat on several levels) and that it's not about personality ruling the day. I like Bobby enough as a chef, but Bobby's onscreen personality can sometimes be about as engaging as Ina Garten's.
Anyway, if M.R. voted for Besh, when most (myself included) thought he'd voted for Symon, does that seem strange that, the one person who most believed would have voted for Symon, relieved himself of such a conflict on interest?
Just curious, and not condemning.
Looking forward to reading M.R.'s take as to why he had truly voted for Besh, and not Symon (even though Symon had it in the bag, 5 votes to 1).
Ava
I missed it...Please tell me Andrew Knowlton looked as hot as ever!
Shelley
Chance: Are you daft? MR voted for Symon.
The Professor
It does not matter who voted for who, it is over and Symon won.
BAC
I enjoyed the show and I think that looking back at the winning chef throughout the series, the right Chef won. Congrats Mike! However to those that are dis'ing someone as an inferior chef or this guy sucked, or won't watch ICA again....how many of you have actually tasted and eaten these guys food? Get a life you losers! It's a TV show. You should have enjoyed the drama, rather than treating it like some type of bullshit sporting event. No go grab a Big Mac& fries and discuss the presentation of the pickles or texture of the fries. That's about your speed.
Sorry to see someone lose, but congrats to Chef Symon, and it should be good food televison watching to come!
Chance Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss
No go grab a Big Mac& fries and discuss the presentation of the pickles or texture of the fries. That's about your speed.
Sorry to see someone lose, but congrats to Chef Symon, and it should be good food televison watching to come! Posted by: BAC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love it when some people act as if they grew up on Baboy and Balut.
George Kaplan
For the Besh fans:
http://www.sundancechannel.com/films/500255238
As far as the perception of impartiality goes, good luck finding qualified food writers and restaurateurs and other judges who *don't* have some connection with the most acclaimed chefs. This ain't a gov't contract they're competing for.
It seems like finding book reviewers to me - the world gets smaller and smaller.
Egaeus
BAC
Speak for yourself. I personally went out and bought a new smellovision with the tasteovision add-on just so I could criticize those obviously idiotic "judges" and "chefs" when they picked the wrong person.
Chance Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss
Chance: Are you daft? MR voted for Symon.
Posted by: Shelley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shelley, did I misread the article whose link was posted? I thought it read that MR voted for Besh? I have to stop watching ICA and look for culinary existential possibilities in Guy Fieri 😉
Beanie
Considering how much Cora poo-pooed Symon's food, I am shocked that she voted for him. Yeah, I think that Besh would be too much of a threat to them all.
Suzette
Bravo, Egaeus. You have very neatly and succinctly summed up what's wrong with the FN. I have been a viewer since they opened up shop, and I remember the glory days of REAL cooking shows with REAL chefs, and some actual representation of the glorious world of world cuisine--that is, shows like Melting Pot, etc. Now, all we get are bimbos with plastic boobs, and cornpone sterotypes like Paula Deen (I watched her show the other day, and she made salad with Rice A Roni! I am not making this up).
Fine Living now has a much better array of cooking shows--they have repeats of Molto Mario, Napa Style with Michael Chiarello, the always fabulous Ming Tsai, and sommelier/chef Andrea Immer.
That all said, I'm delighted Symon won; I was rooting for him. I laughed out loud when he grabbed that swordfish and cried, "Who's your daddy?" He's good tv and a great chef. Really, all the competitors were, but I'm glad Symon won. I'm sure John Besh will go on to more successes, as all the other chef competitors will. The fact is, they were already successful before the show started, and I'm sure that will continue.
If only the FN would get a clue as to what viewers want! They seem to have the PT Barnum attitude at this point.
Shelley
Yup, Chance, I do believe you misread the article. Let me extract some quotes...
"Cleveland chef and restaurant owner Michael Symon won the Food Network's six-week "Next Iron Chef" competition Sunday night, defeating finalist John Besh from New Orleans, four votes to two.
"Blah, blah, blah...
"The secret ingredient in the final cook-off was swordfish, not a Symon specialty, and the show's twist was that three current Iron Chefs -- Masaharu Morimoto, Cat Cora and Bobby Flay -- were brought in as judges. The new judges saved Symon's victory as all three voted for him while only one of the other three judges, Cleveland author Michael Ruhlman, voted for Symon. "
Okay, that's all from me for now. Watching the repisode to see what subtle nuances I might have missed the first go-round. And I hope after that I will find a 12-step program to relieve my addiction to Ruhlman's blog. 🙂
Shelley
Forgot to add... I'm surprised no one has mentioned the irony of the Secret Ingredient. Swordfish, swords crossed on a bed of ice, a la Iron Chef knives in the background logo?
The Professor
I feel like it is graduation day at college and we all splitting up and going our separate ways, let's not break up the old gang, let's meet again here in Ruhlman Cyber City. Did everyone sign my yearbook?
Chance Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss
Okay, that's all from me for now. Watching the repisode to see what subtle nuances I might have missed the first go-round. And I hope after that I will find a 12-step program to relieve my addiction to Ruhlman's blog. 🙂
Posted by: Shelley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Too funny, Shelley 🙂 Thanks for posting that snippet. I read too fast, and it must've been due to my sugar rush (gelato, madeleine's, and caffeine ;-))
Forgot to add... I'm surprised no one has mentioned the irony of the Secret Ingredient. Swordfish, swords crossed on a bed of ice, a la Iron Chef knives in the background logo?
Posted by: Shelley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You're GOOD. REALLY good 🙂
Chance Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss
Hey Shelley,
You have me thinking of the secret ingredient and its overt and more subtle symbolism.
Any chance that Symon's use of a particular type of tongue, could be interpreted as the swords' function as the silence of the lambs?
😉
Lisa
@Shelley: I did notice the samurai element--the crossed swords of the swordfish, although I thought I was getting a little TOO crazy meta about it! I've been WAY too addicted to this show and this blog lately. Gonna be up late tonight--on deadline with an assignment, and I'm going to have to stop blogging and get back to work. (Must...not...rewatch...can't...touch...DVR
...until...work...is...done!)
@The Professor: I agree! Let's hang out after graduation day here in RCyber City. I'm excited to have found this virtual metropolis, and don't want to leave now!
Shelley
@chance: Silence of the Lambs. Har har har!
Watching the repisode... Besh poured wine, not a special cocktail like Symon... and I heard negative comments on four of his seven courses. Lobster overpowered swordfish? Shrimp not necessary? Dessert unremarkable? (I forget one of the four, but it's drunk and I'm late.)
I only heard one negative review out of six Symon dishes.
Again, I'm going to stick around to hear Ruhlman's insights. Did Bobby, Cora and Morimoto vote just on the basis of that night's food? Did he, Donatella and Breck-boy vote on the overall competition?
And why does he want to know about Symon's pants? They look like HELL in that first photo. (Or maybe Besh has a better a** for the cameras?)
Skawt
Ruhlman:
I'd like to get your take on this. That article seems to be written by someone that has inside knowledge of what the secret ballot results were. Otherwise he's just making shit up.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/11/clevelands_michael_symon_wins.html
lux
It seemed pretty clear to me that Symon was going to win once we got about 1/2way through Besh's tasting. The comments simply weren't as positive.
Symon will be a great Iron Chef, and I'm looking forward to watching him in future IC episodes.
sailorgrrl07
Awesome! Yay Chef Symon!! I was really surprised, the tide really did seem to be going Besh's way. I just about fell off the couch.
I am feeling very ripped off that we didn't get a vote rundown. What gives? Mr. Ruhlman please spill!
(Hey: I have that same shirt Rachael Ray is wearing on this stupid show)
Re Cat Cora: er, has she actually *won* a Kitchen Stadium competition since, like, ever?
Re: double entendre/innuendo: Did you guys catch Chef Symon stating he "almost went down on a tomato"?
Donatella looked smashing and I actually kind of like her now. As if that matters.
I think the Rachael Ray/Giada goatdance may have been what put Mario off ICA, now that I think of it.
WTF has happened to Pricilla Presley?! I am going to have to sleep with the lights on now.
Cheers
The Professor
See everyone, same Bat Time, same Bat Channel...Ruhlman Cyber City.
James
Cheers throughout our house for Symon. Congrats Mike!
artnlit, I think you summed things up well. The comments of the judges and Iron Chefs were enlightening, and confirmed that it seemed Besh was too reserved, disingenuous, and just wasn't swinging for the fence like Symon, who brought the kitchen to life with a great personality and great food. He simply enjoys what he's doing more than Besh /appeared/ to, and that ultimately breeds success (and watch-ability).
I am hoping that FN doesn't give up on the "losers" as they have been promoting them like crazy for the past few weeks. Now that we all know them so well, I'm hoping to see some shows featuring them in weeks and months to come.
As a poster above noted, FN has become too personality focused, and lost focus on the food. Wouldn't you love to see a show with Cosentino, Besh, Morou, Sanchez, and the rest, instead of the current roster of FN "personalities?"
AT
wow! i can't believe Besh didn't win! i was rooting for him because his dishes looked awesome and he was always calm, collected and professional. you can never tell with reality tv because they try to throw you off track of what's really about to happen. i too feel that they should have take the whole show's worth of cooking into consideration instead the last meal.
chris neill
IMO Besh lost primarily due to the lame dessert for course 7. That dessert was phoned-in. What? A compote and fried phyllo type thing (I forget the name of the dough) with catfish creme?
That dessert just looked boring. If that was on a menu, with or without the fish, I would be disappointed if, after paying $10-15 for a dessert, the chef gave me that piece of shit. Rachael Ray could have made that dessert, complete down to every last detail, including the plating.
A desert featuring some sort of fish needs more thought. Besh went out on a limb and made a dessert that required some skill and imagination (making a ganache is not hard, but it is harder than dunking something in a fryer). It should feature the ingredient more prominently, something Besh's catfish balls (hah, I slay me) lacked, I felt (even though I did not eat it, of course). Do something extreme! Candy the fins or something. If you make some kind of mousse or paste, form it in the shape of a fish. Dress up whatever you have fried with fins, tails and eyes fashioned from fruit or touilles or whatever.
Besh got cocky, and he made something that was lame. Michael Symon's learning curve went sky-high since the first episode, even before watching I had already given him a handicap. I've eaten at Lola and Lolita. Some dishes are great, inspired.. some are.. well, disappointing. "All chefs have bad days.." True indeed. I think in Cleveland the Flying Fig is consistently better, but I will give Symon the benefit of the doubt. He has shown me that he not only performs under pressure but constantly adjusts and re-adjusts and improves under pressure. I know all cooks and chefs do this, but Symon's thought process is refreshingly transparent.
Of course, its going to be a bitch to get into Lola or Lolita now, but I'll try. Better start staying open until 2am, Chef Symon!
Congratulations, you earned it.
Christie
Woohoo!!! I'm so happy Symon won. Must say though I was surprised by the vote. If the Iron Chefs hadn't participated in the voting it appears we would've had a different outcome.
Anyway, it's over and I'm happy. (I feel bad for Besh though.)
tom
I'm sorry to see Besh lose. I've wanted to see more of him since his ICA appearance. I really liked his personality. That's what got me to even watch NIC. While Symon deserved to make the final two on NIC, I can't stand him (his laugh grates as much as RR's).
Unfortunately, as any psychology text will tell you, people tend to like those who start out weak and get stronger over those who are consistently strong. I think that is the situation with Symon and Besh. Symon was the underdog. People love the underdog.
But, Symon has been chosen, so, I'll just end up skipping his ICA appearances.
Hoping that they put Besh on elsewhere.
tom
French Laundry at Home
Out-fucking-standing. Congrats, Chef Symon. More than well deserved. Looks like I'll have to add Iron Chef to my TiVo season pass from now on.
JMW
Congrats to Symon -- though I still think Besh is a better overall choice. In some ways, just because I think Besh's career has crested whereas Symon is an up-and-comer. He should take this as validation and a sign that he should take on the NY market and study under the Bouluds and Riperts of the world. IMO the Celebrity Chef thing is a huge distraction -- Bourdian treats it as some kind of semi-retirement (and a disdainful one where Rocco is concerned).
chris neill
s/catfish creme/swordfish creme/
Also, I'm with Alton Brown, fish has no place in the ice cream maker.
george
A great series, thanks to FN and congrats to Symon! Of course they're both so very good, but I feel Symon earned this victory. He's won more episodes [Besh won only week 1 (co-winner) while Symon won weeks 2 (co-winner), 3, and 4.] and Symon's dishes earned more superlatives during the finale. Seems a clear victory to me. It's cool that the current ICs unanimously chose Symon. Very impressive.
Cathy D
I can't believe that Besh did not win. He has been so consistent throughout the entire competition. I agree with Cat's comment tonight about him pulling out the dessert at the last moment was a very ICA thing to do.
To me, Symon was flat and not inspired. I will not be watching any of his episodes.
Tags
Here's the web page for Alton's TCM picks
http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article/?date=&cid=183307
Kali
So, Donatella and Andrew voted for Besh, and Ruhlman voted for Symon.If not for the addition of ICAs at the end (who knew nothing about the earlier challenges), BESH would have won.
So, why did Alton say the voting should be cumulative? Half of the judges never tasted any of the earlier food--and Ruhlman, of course, was Symon's good buddy long before NIC.
Also, why did Knowlton say Symon was a 2:1 favorite from the very first challenge? That's a pretty huge lead out of the gate--especially considering that Besh won his ICA challenge (in an excellent battle with Mario) while Symon lost his (against Morimoto).
I like Symon's attitude (about the future competitions being a catalyst to continue developing his culinary talents and ideas), but, on the shallow side, I hope he'll shave the soul patch. JMO, but it's distractingly unattractive.
Oh, and I wonder if the challenger from ICA (who leaked Symon's win to the Canadian newspaper in, like, the first or second week of the show), has any penalty. (NIC contestant's apparently would owe $1 million if -they- leaked it.) Just wondering....
anonymous
From the editing alone, I thought it was quite apparent weeks ago that Michael Symon would be the winner of the NIC. As a fan of reality tv in general, I notice several telling factors. In the still photos and on the commercial for NIC, Symon is in the middle. John Besh is so hidden in the background on the commercial-you can hardly see him. However, Symon has the prominent position of front and center. Besh is the first chef shown in the opening credits. That alone told me he wouldn’t win. Although the most telling factor that verified, to me, that Symon was the winner, was that they had countless interviews on his perspective of how the battle was unfolding even when it didn’t pertain to him. The exposure was excessive. In the episodes where he didn’t do exceptional poor or well, he was still interviewed constantly-like the Food network wanted us to “get acquainted” with our newest Iron Chef. On the other hand, the only time we got to hear from Besh was when he razzing a fellow competitor or boasting about how good his cuisine was, for the most part. From an outsider’s perspective, and in accordance with Judge Donatella, I thought Besh’s food seemed more complex and at a higher level than his competitors, which in turn would be more difficult to beat during competitions. I feel his likeability with the viewers was damaged from the selective editing which made him appear like a loudmouth. Whereas, Symon endeared himself to the audience by looking like the underdog who rarely made any blatantly offensive comments. No way was the Food network going to show snippets of the winner in an unfavorable light. I only wish they would have interviewed John Besh one-third as much as Symon.
As far as the finale was concerned, it was predictable for the most part. I figured the Iron Chefs would judge, although I didn’t know which ones. I knew they would use swordfish (they showed it in the commercial) as the secret ingredient. Besh had received more critical comments, like I thought. The only surprise, and much to my disappointment, was that the Iron Chefs did not use the traditional voting system to choose the winner. That diminished the creditability of the show, in my opinion. It was no longer only about the food but also personality. I had no objection to the original judges being apart of the vote. However, they should have executed the traditional point system. They also should have showed more of the actual “battle” and the former contestants in the background.
Although I wouldn’t say the “knives were out” for Besh, it appeared the male judges liked Symon’s personality more. More of a man’s man, I guess, despite his annoying laugh and atrocious posture. It was all too obvious, in my opinion that Flay didn’t care for Besh and probably didn’t vote for him. In the end, the finale was quite uneventful and we will have to wait quite a while for a new competition. Hopefully, they will edit the next edition better so I won’t know who the winner is three weeks ahead of time.
Questions for Mr. Ruhlman: Although I do believe you were impartial, how meaningful was it to you that your hometown chef was the winner? Also, what happened to Batali? Why is he not participating in Iron Chef America?
Paul in WY
I'm interested to have confirmation of the voting. Having watched it twice now, I caught that A.K. thought Symon had a 2-1 advantage coming into this last test. I don't know if that was amongst all the judges or just him. The Iron Chefs definitely liked Symons food more than Besh's, IMO. But, as we know from reading this great blog, the editing is telling a particular story and other details are being left out.
I'd also like to add to the voices that would like to see more COOKING on FN. The channel is almost unwatchable during the day and most nights.
Doodad
Congrats to Chef Symon! And conciliatory handshake to Chef Besh for a great challenge. I knew these two would be in the final; it just seemed destined.
I kind of figured that some Iron Chefs and former contestants would make an appearence. It was kind of funny in that, before they were introduced, you could see Cosentino's hair in the shadows. LOL.
I thought the dishes were good. Swordfish is rather delicate and was glad to see the use of the cheek and throat. Flay appreciated it and said so. And what dish did he say he was going to steal? I am going to steal Besh's use of the pasta maker to "bread" the fish.
Two things I found odd. Cat Cora seemed to hate Symonm, at least from the editing. I thought she did everything but grown audibly at him. Her expression and body language were very telling. But, she seemed in love with Besh. Her face lit up. I remember thinking Uh-oh.
Also, the finale must have been shot with both endings. There seemed to be no audience and Besh not only had his hair different, but he seemed to know what was coming. He had a grim look.
Sure was great fun. Thanks for hosting the bandwidth Michael. Hope to talk on here on a regular basis with all of you, and enjoy the new show.
And for the Top Chef fans: I noticed that the show was hosted by not only the completely annoying cellphone company, but Manwich! Thankfully we did not have gratuitous product placement ala TC and force the secret ingredient to Sloppy Joe. Although, seeing the unveiling would have been an ROTFL moment.
Doodad
Make that growl. Coffee, stat!
John
The iron chefs were the only ones to TASTE the food prepared in the last challenge, right? That they voted 3-0 in favor of Symon, if that's in fact what happened, seems quite telling.
Doug
Just as a point of interest, there is a difference between colorless and clear. If a consume is a clear soup, all that means is that color can freely pass through. You can have something be colored and clear, something as innocuous as colored plastic wrap is still clear. So perhaps Mr. Ruhlman was a litte too hard on Chef Besh.
Great choice on Michael Simon, I've eaten at Lola, and his food is every bit as good as it looks like on TV.
JoP in Omaha
Now that we know how the judges voted, my record-keeping while I watched the replay last night doesn't mean a lot, but here it is. I kept track of Iron Chef comments positive or negative. By my count, Symon received 9 positive comments about his dishes, 5 neutral or a little critical. The worst critcism lobbied at him was "bland." Besh received 7 positive comments and 6 neutral or critical. And the negatives were a bit more serious: a dish that featured lobster more than swordfish (a pretty big no-no in IC battles) and a dessert that, while daring, didn't work. None of the IC judges liked that dessert.
Interesting point about that dessert---Besh won his ICA battle against Batali, and as I recall, his victory occurred because Batali screwed up on....a dessert! I can't remember the secret ingredient...it was something savory...Batali made a parfait sort of thing with it. I remember Batali saying (perhaps in the Look Behind ICA show) that his sous told him "Don't do it!" but he when ahead anyway. I remember the judge looking at it skeptically, then taking a huge bite, with a really awful face following.
So, Besh had first hand knowledge that a bad dessert could do him in. Sure, daring is admired on ICA, but only if the result is a good one. Daring that turns out a bad dish...well, in the end, that's all it is--a bad dish. Besh took a risk. If he pulled it off, he probably would have won.
To the poster who said Symon was the underdog. I respectfully disagree. Symon dominated Episdoe 3 (cooking outside on the fire) and Episdoe 4 (airline food); Paris--that appeared to be a toss-up between Symon and Besh, perhaps Besh had a SLIGHT edge. To say Symon was an underdog going into the finale is wrong, I think. I think the two were pretty equal going in.
Oh, yes, another observation. I think Symon's use of sous vide in the final might have helped him a little. It showed he's willing to try new techniques, and if they work out, incorporate them down the road.
To the viewer who though FN producers manipulated viewers' opinions by giving Symon more air-time, more commentary. I thought of that, too, and while watching the marathon yesterday, I kept count for 3 episodes of how many "speaking scenes" Symon and Besh got....Ep 1 went to Besh; Ep 2 went to Symon; Ep 3 was about equal. I didn't do 3 or 4, so I don't know about them.
Whatever. It's over. Symon will be fun to watch. I wouldn't be upset if FN figures out some other way to use Besh. The importance of COOKING won in NIC, that's the important thing to take away from this. Finally, a show about cooking resutled in what seemed to be a blockbuster hit for FN. I hope that will send a message to FN execs.
WhatisCanadianCuisine?
Just a side note for JoP - Batali messed up his parfait on battle shrimp. 🙂
BTW. Thanks for keeping track of the NIC stats and posting them for everyone.
realitybites
I hate to be negative but are those new Iron Chef jackets fugly or what?!
Congratulations Symon on the win! And great job Ruhlman helping put Cleveland on the culinary map.
Water Iris
First, a 90 min. show would have been nice, and would have dovetailed w/ the gimicky ICA following.
Why did FN go through all the trouble to bring the other NIC contestants and not ever do anything but show them? What a waste. A few comments would have been nice.
Darcie
Well, I was pleasantly surprised to see the results. After years of being on the wrong side of rooting for competitors (starting with the Minnesota Vikings in the 70s), I finally have the curse lifted. I was sure I had jinxed Symon by pulling for him but he still pulled it off! Woo hoo!
The only downside is that I am going to be going to Cleveland in the next month or so and wanted to eat at Lola or Lolita but it's going to be hard to get a reservation. I won't have more than a couple days' notice since we're waiting for some goods to clear customs and it's always a surprise when they finally call and say it's ready.
To all the people who felt everything was rigged or set up, come on folks, this is tee-vee. Save your consternation for more important things... Also, it seems to me that depending on whose side a person is on, he will notice the things that play to his prejudices and lend them more weight. I've been guilty of it in the past but strive to be open-minded and to let the small stuff slide.
Heidi
The notion that the IC's would not place their votes toward Besh because they percieve him as a threat is just hooey. The chefs don't battle each other, and Cat Cora's style is similar to Symon's - Mediterranean/Greek - more of a threat to her directly. She voted pro- Symon.
Amy
What a miserable end to the series. While it was great to see a real Iron Chef get some attention (I loved his drawings!), I don't think I can begin to count the ways this last episode disappointed me.
I'll have to go back to wishing the real Iron Chef were on again, and watch the American version knowing I could cook circles around Bobby and Cat and Symon. Maybe someday FN will again have chefs who present dishes and ideas that are challenging.
Claudia
Way to go, Symon! Congratulations, Cleveland! I love Besh and the trash-talkin' between those two buds, and Besh is certainly as worthy to be an IC as Symon - but Symon has just got that camera-ready edge, with that crazy laugh and loopy sense of humor. He actually reminds me a bit of Morimoto - not only does he have the same ability to think creatively WAY outside the box, but his boxes are pretty uniquely shaped to begin with. I think IC should be a lot more fun now.
OK, so props to Knowlton for finally cleaning up and dresses like a human being - almost. Ruhlman, I'm glad for your sake that you and Knowlton are not permanent judges on IC, or you would obviously have to spend a good chunk of time teaching Knowlton how to buy a freaking shirt that FITS! (Yes, Professor, you called that right.) Jesus. Silk T and a nice jacket, Knowlton. Raid Bourdain's closet. Raid Tim Gunn's. But for Chrissake, get some sartorial HELP.
Dean_axel
I think it's most telling that the Iron Chefs all voted for Symon. If it was billed as a "winner take all" battle, then the verdict was correct. (even though I might disagree with the process). If it was supposed to be a "season long compilation", I still think the winner was correct. Symon won more competitions than Besh, and he did better on the "final exam" (which is usually worth a big portion of your grade), than Besh did.
Lastly, I think the fact that the decision was unanimous by all the Iron Chefs gives a good "stamp of approval".
Based on some comments from the show, it appears that BOTH Besh and Symon preferred to be judged by the Iron Chef's. If that's true, then they were both judged how they wanted to be judged, by whom they wanted to be judged, and cooked what they wanted to cook, so there shouldn't be any ambiguity here.
Todd
It felt like the show finally got to where it should be -- battles in chef stadium.
I was impressed, considering how many last second things are going on in a general ICA battle, that both Besh and Symon were plating and finishing way ahead of time. Neither seemed in the weeds at all.
I'll have to re-watch it though. We decided to take a shot every time Cat Cora said 'this is Iron Chef (insert anything)'. We were snockered before Besh presented.
JoP in Omaha
To the viewer who asked why Knowlton said Symon had a 2-1 edge going into the finale: it was based on episode victories. Ep 1 (desserts) went to Besh for his catfish truffles, etc.; Ep 3 (cookout) went to Symon for his beverage, polenta and family-style squab? quail?; and Ep 4 (airline) went to Symon for his "perfectly cooked" salmon. That's 2-1 episode victories for Symon over Besh.
(For the record, Cosentino got Ep 2 for razor clams and shaving cream; no victor picked in Ep 5 Paris).
Anthony A
Congratulation to Symon!
I like the fact he uses offal and isn't afraid of bold flavors in his cooking. I think he will be an entertaining Iron Chef.
But on a sadder note: "Say it isn't so"?
It appears that "Mario the Great" has been put out to pasture by FN and I for the life of me I cannot figure out why. Even if they wanted to take Molto Mario out of rotation, and continue with their heinous mission to dumb down the craft of cooking with it's insipid programming, there is no reason to cut loose it's best, and in my opinion, most charismatic Iron Chef.
Batali's passion for Italian cuisine and iconoclast image served as the impetus for my now fanatical interest in cooking. He is one of the chief reasons I am now paying my dues in the restaurant business and trying to make a career change.
His good humor, gargantuan girth, and even those hideous orange Crocs will be missed by many.
So long Mario!
BONNIE
Symon may be a great chef, but I can't stand to look at the guy! He reminds me of Uncle Fester.
Benny Gunn
Let's go Ruhlman! We know you're out west but it's time to drag yourself away from the breakfast buffet and give us the scoop.
Lester Hunt
Michael, So sorry you didn't get to taste that food. The Chairman can be so mean! But congrats to the other Michael. It was close, obviously, but maybe the fact that he was the more interesting to watch won out. (This is TV after all.)
Chance (Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss)
@Shelley: I thought you might like that play on symbols Sometimes, offal is so awful (or should that be the other way arond ;-))
Nice citing of certain ingredients and libations...
Personally, I think wine is more elegant and was appropriate in general, but also as a companion and not a distraction to cuisine.
Lobster overpowering (the swordfish)? Yeah, I do not agree with this either, even if s-fish is rather tasteless without herbs & spices. Lobster, on its own, just boiled, can be rather tasteless or ordinary too, so I did not understand the ICs opinions of this particular one of Besh's dishes.
Was that the dish with the stock of shrimps heads & s-fish bones? If so, maybe that is why?
I still think that dessert was a bold move by Besh. If the "customer" in this last episode was really the ICAs, then, IMO, you cook to please your customers, even if you may disagree with their desires and demands. The key to not acquiescing (while providing the illusion that you have - since the customer is always right) is, to make the dish your own, and not their way - that exudes confidence and trust in one's knowledge and skills.
Also, Shelley, I loved this part of yours:
(I forget one of the four, but it's drunk and I'm late.)
🙂
And, I think someone was wondering why Batali the Great is gone? IIRC, FN mothballed (or refused to renew) Molto Mario.
I loved Molto Mario, and I loved the ingredients he used. Highly instructive, and elevated while not being snobbish or exclusive. But, most of all, it made one want to either to try and cook some of these dishes, or to go out and try them. Batali is inspiring.
LauraTheRed
dlayphoto: Hahaha, I thought I'd see you pop up in here. This is your friendly neighborhood drunkenlawyer 🙂
Yes, I totally agree with your Symon and R.R. battle (only this time, she won't have the greatness of Batali to back her up, like she did when Giada De Laurentiis was f-ing ROBBED by having to work with that culinary hack and Food Network puppet Bobby Flay).
JoP in Omaha
I just saw this on FN.com:
"The Next Iron Chef winner Michael Symon is challenged to a Turkey Day battle Sunday at 9 pm / 8c."
Cool!
allie
"I'll have to go back to wishing the real Iron Chef were on again, and watch the American version knowing I could cook circles around Bobby and Cat and Symon."
I'm sorry, but this made me actually laugh out loud.
sure you could...
Chance (Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss)
@ JoP: "The Next Iron Chef winner Michael Symon is challenged to a Turkey Day battle Sunday at 9 pm / 8c."
Cool!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interesting that it's Turkey.
allie
chance- I think their comments about the lobster/swordfish dish had more to do with there being too much lobster and not enough swordfish, not that lobster itself has an overpowering flavor.
Lisa
Tech issue/question: Does anyone else have trouble with the comments field when it gets this long? I'm having a problem seeing all the comments--sometimes none of them display, other times the last few dozen come up blank. (The same thing happened to me with the last TNIC entry with a long comments field.)
Note to Michael: others might be having this problem too; maybe start a fresh blog entry for discussing TNIC finale. Clearly we all can't wait to hear what you have to say, and will want to comment on that!
Thanks!
Lisa
Tags
"I'll have to go back to wishing the real Iron Chef were on again, and watch the American version knowing I could cook circles around Bobby and Cat and Symon."
Okay, start with Poland, then move on to the Benelux countries, no, wait, sorry, Austria first.
Once you nail down Belgium just move right through the Ardennes and on to Paree.
And, for crying out loud, leave Russia alone!
still LQTM
Kalyne
JoP: I'm pretty sure that Knowlton's "2:1 favorite going in" comment was about Symon at the start of the competition, not the
finale.
Bobby Flay always seems very likable and constructive in judging situations. Who knew?
Got to admire Cat Cora staying on message so well (message being, for whatever she was tasting, "The dish has some potential, but you're not IC caliber--like me--yet".)
I think Besh got some (hypothetical) points for taking a chance with dessert at the last minute, but lost some because it almost seemed disrespectful to think you could produce a battle-worthy dessert in 5 minutes. Nothing special about mascarpone (+ choose ingredient) fried in brik and dipped in fruit. Nice try, but I think he should have stayed focused on "quality".
Morimoto was quite humorous--and that drawing of the final dishes with Japanese notation would be a fun souvenir. Wish he'd auction it on eBay....
Glad they lost/won in KS, under real ICA situations, judged by real chefs.
Tags
And Iron Chef Symon, now's a good time for that pep talk with the Browns defense. It worked for Indy last year.
Treat Coach Dungy to a lush multi-course dinner, get him loaded at Velvet Tango, and casually ask him what he said to the Indy D last year that moved them to improve from 31st to Super Bowl caliber.
Markfromcleveland
From Lolita's last night.
http://blog.cleveland.com/pdmultimedia/2007/11/homegrown_iron_chef.html
Artful
I predict Chef Michael Symon will win. You read it here first!
LauraTheRed
" 'I'll have to go back to wishing the real Iron Chef were on again, and watch the American version knowing I could cook circles around Bobby and Cat and Symon.
I'm sorry, but this made me actually laugh out loud.
sure you could...' "
I think my black lab could cook circles around Bobby Flay and Cat Cora. Than again, so could a half-eaten ham sandwich.
I think Bobby Flay secretly likes to wrap his dick in lettace and hide it in people's salads.
Shelley
They're flying to Turkey to battle on Sunday??? Whatever for?
;]
Batali's not totally out yet, y'all. They say he's in at least two more battles next season. Look it up on da web... and catch him at 1pm Eastern on the other, better Scripps channel, Fine Living.
Kansas City rube
The right man won.
Congrats to Michael Symon. I thought he was much more creative throughout the show, which I think is the quintessential characteristic of an Iron Chef.
The format of the judging to determine the winner surprised me. I thought the final battle would be winner-take-all, with only the three judges determining who won the battle. Did I miss something or did they not even show the scores from the three Iron Chefs?
Ava
Claudia
When has Andrew ever worn a shirt that doesn't fit? He always seemed to me to be the most polished one on the entire series. The guy looks like a male model.
Crystal
Just to clear up a couple of uninformed posts. All of the judges tasted the dishes. We just didn't get to see Michael, Andrew and Donatella tasting the dishes. Also, Besh lost to Symon 4-2 not 5-1. Andrew Knowlton shares this information in his blog. Here's a link...
http://www.epicurious.com/bonappetit/blogs/editor
Crystal
KC Rube - No, you didn't miss anything. They didn't show scores. The battle was not scored like normal ICA battles are. The judges simply wrote down the name of the person they wanted to win.
Chance (Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss)
@ Ava:
Claudia
When has Andrew ever worn a shirt that doesn't fit? He always seemed to me to be the most polished one on the entire series. The guy looks like a male model.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ava - as much as I do not care for Knowlton's critique, his narcissism (and personal attacks not so well veiled by his "professional" knowledge), I have to say that he's quite the fashion maven. He looks very Chelsea (as in NYC, not London) and Heaven forbid, I wouldn't want for any one in that business to dress like, say, Tyler Florence, in all of his awful frathouse and Northern Exposure attire. Knowlton has style, no doubt. Rather Dandy-like.
Frances
Thanks so much for the link to the video Markfromcleveland! It made me tear up a bit at the end. Great stuff.
Chance (Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss)
@ Allie:
chance- I think their comments about the lobster/swordfish dish had more to do with there being too much lobster and not enough swordfish, not that lobster itself has an overpowering flavor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks a lot, allie. I am feeling dense (not as dense as that lobster, though ;-)) and so, I guess it had to do with the amount, as M-moto pointed out, of lobster.
Hindsight is 20/20, but instead of the concept and riff of and on the roll, maybe, instead, Lobster medallions or coins would have been more to the ICs liking? Who knows. But, I do hope Besh gets to do something, somewhere on television (without abandoning his mothership of restaurant and cooking). He's vital, even if not the next crowd-schmoozer that Emeril is, and his personality: I do like his "over-confidence," since it's backed by knowledge, skill and ability.
Also, Besh's dry humor and on the outside looking in gaze is a nice contrast to the more "personable" and crowd pleasing chefs. It's not like Cat lights up the stage, as much as she may be okay etc.
And, last but not least, Besh is suave, dresses like the type of man he is, and is much more worldly than most of his fellow chefs.
Yowsa, I digressed (but stayed on topic about chefs!)
gfweb
Anybody else cringe at Cora's talking about what is and isn't iron chef cooking?
BKbella
I found Andrew's "2-1" comment very interesting. I too feel like it pertained to the fact that Symon was the Golden Child entering the competition. Despite having a judge in his pocket during the competition, Symon did deserve the win. I think having the competition judged with IC parameters (Originality, taste, plating) would have been much more fair and appropriate (this is, afterall, Iron Chef).
Listening to Morimoto speak makes me weep for the state of Iron Chef. FN killed it. Too much production and very little emotion. Best wishes to all the contestants. I hope they encounter much more fairness on their road to success.
ava
Chance
I definitely agree with you said about style. I hate the frat boy look.
I also understand there were times Andrew came across as harsh, but why do you think he's a narcissist? He simply gave his opinion like the other judges. I'm just curious why everyone seems to think he's such a jerk. I seem to be his only fan.
Kalyne
Correction to my post to JoP: You're right. Knowlton said Symon was favored "going into" the final, which does make more sense.
He also said he thought the original three judges--who'd tasted ALL of the food from the beginning--should have made the final decision. (But they didn't, since A/D were 2:1 Besh).
He also said that he thought Besh CLEARLY won the final, no question.
I wonder if NIC changed the final judging rules midstream, or if the final vote was always supposed to be decided like that? (And, if so, would AB have broken a tie?)
Ed
>>>I'm just curious why everyone seems to think he's such a jerk.
Could it be that almost every opinion he expressed involved an insult to another judge or competitor? I'm sure that he was editied to some degree to come off this way, but read his blog...he is dumbfounded that he was outvoted and thinks it was unfair that other Iron Chefs had a say...how arrogant. He may have tried all 50 dishes, but how many have the IC's cooked and been sucessful with? To disregard their greater perspective is pretty over the top, he seems to believe that his opinion is the only correct one. I did agree with him most of the time, but he definately rubs the wrong way. As a judge he is worse than the close minded Karine Bakoum who was a perenial judge during the first few seasons, and that is saying something.
Shelley
Nice to know from Knowlton's blog that the original judges did taste the food. Yes, I would have liked to hear their comments in the broadcast. But obviously Knowlton would have been just as whiny as ever.
Ava, I don't get what you see in that boy. Is there an echo in that big empty fan club room? 🙂
As for Cat Cora, she's not THAT bad an Iron Chef, y'all! My young daughter is her biggest fan. We always root for her, even though she's not as strong as the others.
Sara
Shelley Wrote: "(I forget one of the four, but it's drunk and I'm late.)"
That is:
1. Hilarious
2. My worst nightmare (if taken out of context).
Shelley
Roger that, Sara! "It's drunk and I'm late," is an all-around good excuse for making a mistake (not the reproductive kind, I hope).
I also like to say that 69.7% of all statistics are made up. (Attribute that to Steven Wright, I believe.)
Frances
Apparently Dorothy Hamilton thought enough of Cat Cora to interview her on Chef's Story.
http://www.chefsstory.com/thechefs_catcora.html
ava
Shelley,
I'll admit that the empty fan club comment made me laugh...As for what I see in him, I think he's hot. He seems knowledgeable, intelligent, mysterious, and not afraid to speak his opinion. It's just refreshing to see a guy like him on TV as opposed to all the Ryan Seacrest type airheads.
Tana
I was thrilled Michael Symon won, and only cheered louder once yesterday: when Peyton "Whiny Baby" Not-a-Manning threw his SIXTH interception to a San Diego Charger.
I thought either Symon or Besh to be very qualified, from everything I'd seen, and cannot begin to fathom the hateful bashing people here engage in (behind the cloak of anonymity, feh).
Besh is going to continue to be an inspiration: he's got spine and talent and a great deal of charisma.
Symon's shows are going to be must-watches for me, because of his sense of humor.
And I'm with the folks who wish Symon and Besh would replace Cat Cora and Bobby Flay.
And now to quote Drew Carey: "CLEVELAND ROCKS!"
Todd
"Apparently Dorothy Hamilton thought enough of Cat Cora to interview her on Chef's Story."
I almost asked what Cat Cora was doing ice skating.
BKbella
What cracks me up most about last night's finale was that Besh, a Veteran, lost on Veteran's Day. How unpatriotic is that?!?!
Shelley
Me too, Todd! Paula Deen had Dorothy Hamill on one of her idiotic party shows not long ago, and I was thinking w-w-wha... ??? Now she's interviewing chefs???
so-so
Happy for Symon who has exactly what FoodNetwork thinks we TV viewers want. The need of the many outweigh the need of the one or so the FDN surmises.
Besh clearly outshines many Iron Chef's already seated on their thrones. He does not have the "gregariousness" the FDN think, that we need to view and would turn the TV on for. He is quiet and dignified, so much so, like Mari Moto.
Nonetheless, he has posh and knows his food well, from A to Z, old-soulful recipes to the "advant garde" ones. Notice, I say "old soul" because he has an old soul, you can see it in his eyes. I am almost sure that Michael Symon, respects and senses this. You can see the these two gentlemen respect each others love of food and their friendship does shine through. You can clearly see that they have a friendship that will bond them for many years to come. John carries within him many decades of "the love for food" in his old recipes within his repertoire. He has one foot in the past and one in the future, when it comes to his recipes and this is what Julia Child was all about. She never forgot the "history of food" and was not ashamed to cook or bake them for us, and she was smart enough to pass the old recipes to the "new age" viewers. O.K. maybe the "many" will never cook some of these recipes in their kitchen but I for one am so thankful that there still are chefs that out there that know of these recipes and are proud of them. But the palate of the "many" is becoming different and one must keep up with society. Emeril is another chef that keeps the respect for the old recipes as well. Enough said, I said my peace. I have to admit all is true what we all say here in this blog. Some is a little too raw, but it rings true. Many years of health and prosperity to Chef Symon and Chef Besh.
Much happiness to Chef Symon.
allie
I understand that people can dislike certain chefs... personally, I love bobby flay, but I can understand how he might rub someone the wrong way.
however, unless you're, say, mario batali posting in disguise, suggesting that you, any of your friends, or any of your pets could "cook circles around him" is simply laughable.
its sort of like a disgruntled football fan sitting on the couch with his hand down his pants, talking about how he could do a better job than an NFL QB. come on, let's stay grounded in reality here.
Shelley
Agreeing with Allie here from my armchair! On all points.
Chance (Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss)
>>
Agreed, to a point. I think Besh has a better sense of aesthetics, decorum and social graces, while still being a culinary progressive.
>>
Hmmmmm.
Ninth Ward Earl
I'd like to share the thought that helped keep my family's sanity during the Hurricane Katrina aftermath in New Orleans.
From our roof, waving sheets to attract a Coast Guard helicopter, to the Superdome, where they let us off, to the bus lines, days later, our spirits were always lifted by a variation of the following exchange.
"You know, it could be worse."
"How could this be worse?"
"We could be in Cleveland"
Bless you, Besh!
Chance (Is I Am Or I Know Your Boss)
"Cleveland Rocks" should go to Ian Hunter.
Who doesn't reside in Cleveland, but in New England.
sailorgrrl07
Hey, FN needs to revise the NIC graphic, the dude as seen from behind has a full head of hair...lol
http://blogs.foodnetwork.com/food/nic/
so-so
I wish that I never found out from the Canadian Newspaper that Chef Michael Symon won, I kept watching the episodes with a different viewpoint, even up to the last minute, I said "who will it be?" One part of me wanted the final outcome to be "unheard" news. It kind of took all the fun out of the ending. Wasn't that great, I saw this familiar figure (can't mistake that head of hair) sitting between Chef Besh and Chef Symon and guess who it was? Chef Cosentino. I wonder if that was a coincidence him sitting right there. Bless all the Chefs who participated, it was fun, and I'm sure each and everyone of them came away with some knowledge about themselves they did not have before. What an exercise in development. It was like a school for grownups, I bet the Judges have learned a thing or two about themselves as well. Imagine if we could all have a movie made of our lives and be able to look back and see our mistakes and our triumphs.
barbie-cinti
Mostly I am a blog spot voyeur, but since everyone here
is a huge Bourdain fan (and this is completely off the
subject) you have to read the interview he gave a DC
reporter while promoting his book a few days ago. You
can find it at Washingtonian.com
At one point the reporter describes our beloved as
"having the hips of a 13 year old girl"
Claudia
Ava -
Knowlton's dress shirt definitely did NOT fit - he looked like a 13 year-old going off to his bar mitzah in his 17 year-old brother's borrowed shirt.
And, yes, Is I Am, Knowlton has looked very Chelsea (NY) - but 4 years out of date. The whipstitching on this jacket made it look like he snatched the raw shell of it away from his haberdasher before he got to finish it. It's not enough to look "Chelsea good" - it also has to translate to camera. Which is why no one on camera in the right mind will wear, say, houndstooth or pinstripe . . . those patterns "bleed" on camera. Only a size 2 would wear white - even she would start looking like the Michelin Man. Donatella looked great, mostly - except for needing some more support in the black Paris dress. Ruhlman took an appropriate, conservative approach and outdressed everyone, but even if he hadn't, at least I'm pretty sure his shirts would have fit.
I still think Donatella should clasp young Knowlton to her ample bosom and whisk him away to her stylist. She has lots of hair, like he does - she justs knows better what to with it. They can bicker and shop, and shop and bicker and eat their happy little way through SoHo (NY) or Chelsea (NY) or wherever . . . I hope they'll be very happy together (!)
David
Well, I'm just going to look forward too a Besh vs. Iron Chef Symon rematch grudge battle. Be a neat episode. With the right commentary form the Chairman, it'd be very old school Iron Chef. The addition of that sort of thing to NICA was one item I liked seeing more of
Claudia
I think a Symon/Besh "grudge" match, in the time-honored tradition of Morimoto v. the dread Ohta Faction, would be a fine story line. Or, even better, Symon and Besh teamed up against Flay and Morimoto for a special battle. Who can forgot the time Flay and Morimoto were partnered with each other, with sea urchin as the secret ingredient?
Morimoto: "Bobby, how many sea urchin you want?"
Flay (completely at a loss, just stares back helplessly.)
Morimoto: "Never mind, Bobby, I know!" (Chuckle, chuckle, and waggles his fist full of urchin at the camera before scurrying off.)
C'mon, we KNOW we all want this (!)
TKO
Even thoug Besh looked cute as a muppet with fine hair & all his ingeniuous dishes...I some how found myself drawn to chef Symon because when I heard that laugh over and over and his personality and seeing these explosive dishes he made, well, I was hooked on this guy. For the first time ever now Im using beets in my Thanksgiving menu...thanks to both of these guys.
Peace,
KimJoy