Well, once again this network failed me. They got rid of another minority on the show. Morou last week and Sanchez this week.

How could a "so-called" food network NOT have food representing more than half of the population Latin and African and African Americans. This network is so blatantly and obviously RACIST I don't understand how NO ONE has caught on to this. I will try and be patient and hope that one day they will have a rude awakening and realize that we need and should be represented. Sorry, as much as I LOVE Paula Deen she does not represent African American Southern cooking. We're not all wearing baggy pants and speaking Ebonics some us are educated. Wake up Food network!

Well, once again this network failed me. They got rid of another minority on the show. Morou last week and Sanchez this week.

How could a "so-called" food network NOT have food representing more than half of the population Latin and African and African Americans. This network is so blatantly and obviously RACIST I don't understand how NO ONE has caught on to this. I will try and be patient and hope that one day they will have a rude awakening and realize that we need and should be represented. Sorry, as much as I LOVE Paula Deen she does not represent African American Southern cooking. We're not all wearing baggy pants and speaking Ebonics some us are educated. Wake up Food network!

Well, once again this network failed me. They got rid of another minority on the show. Morou last week and Sanchez this week.

How could a "so-called" food network NOT have food representing more than half of the population Latin and African and African Americans. This network is so blatantly and obviously RACIST I don't understand how NO ONE has caught on to this. I will try and be patient and hope that one day they will have a rude awakening and realize that we need and should be represented. Sorry, as much as I LOVE Paula Deen she does not represent African American Southern cooking. We're not all wearing baggy pants and speaking Ebonics some us are educated. Wake up Food network!

I knew pretty much from the beginning that the race would come down to Chefs Besh and Symon. I'm rooting for Besh. He keeps his cool, has more class in his little finger than Knowlton and Ruhlman have combined, doesn't sneer at the judges when they tell him his "gosh darn" southern schtick is getting old, yet he is still cocky enough to win. Symon, on the other hand, bugs me with his "I'm so clever and sure I'm going to win" smirk whenever he appears before the mostly nit-picky judges.

Which reminds me: do they EVER consider what the chefs have to work with in these challenges, even though they were reminded last week? Do they even know there are some weird compnents? It seems many things in these challenges are completely unfair! ie. HOW could a chef's meal be "accidently" submerged in an ice bath prior to being served to the snide judges? Yikes! If I were Kaysen, I'd be gosh darn ticked off. I guess I'll be forced to read Ruhlman's blog.

As for the judges: maybe Ruhlman and Knowlton should be pitted against each other in some off-the-wall challenge, so that they too may be overly picked apart? What a couple of whining, snooty, food snobs. At least Arpaia keeps it all together with some semblence of class and "reality." These two guys are just looking for anything whatsoever - no matter how ridiculous - to make themselves seem important. (Come on: UNclear consomme? Give me a break. Besh could consomme that guy under the table, and then some.)

Regarding the challenge identical to "Shmop Shmef," who cares? Yeah, it must have been an annoying discovery, but as you said, these guys are the best. It's certainly a different challenge due to the contestants. I can't wait until next week.

Tongue may be firmly planted in cheek, however, these chefs really are putting themselves, and their reputations, on the line ... and I too would be happy to dine in any of their restaurants - even if a dish that was cooked outside with limited supplies, and is something they'd never even consider serving normally, tasted like a wet Kleenex.

If John Besh isn't the next Iron Chef, however, I'm not watching anymore! : )

HURRAH!!!...THEY FINALLY GOT A Judge{german} who knows what airplane food should taste and look like...especially "raving" about how Symon"s salmon was perfectly cooked. Unfortunately....Cosentino will be the next to go...it is so obvious ..NIC'S next challenge is in Paris...as Besh smiled ecstaticly..knowing he excels cooking FRENCH DISHES. Why not ROME...at least have the others be given a fair opportunity to excel...then lastly go to PARIS....where Besh will probably be crowned NEXT IRON CHEF...or will he??? He might have "A BAD HAIR DAY!!!

One more thing: Maybe the next "Next Iron Chef" challenge should have NON EXPERT judges! How about us regular Joes who actually enjoy eating in the restaurants of these great chefs? There are some of us who know good food when we eat it, yet we may not have the "education" to declare a consomme unclear. I think this idea is phenomenal! How about a show called "The Next Iron Chef Judge"?

Oh, and to Jeannie: get over the racist card. Please. It's a freaking game! Everyone is getting picked on: White, Black, Hispanic, Women. You name it ...

Good summary AG - I was struck by the Top Chef similarity as well (really for the whole show's premise, but certainly when it comes to snacks on planes) - Ruhlman has the best hair, by far and my money is on Besh for the win. Any truth to the rumor that the winner of this show will be replacing Batali?

What's with the sarcastic male judges? In fact, Andrew's attitude is so nasty and he is such a snob that I'm thinking about cancelling my Bon Appetit subscription. What a jerk!

Cosentino has the best hair. Why do you even have to ask?!

Great point about the raw fish. Having had food poisoning 3 times (NEVER from raw fish), I scrupulously check dates on packages and want to know sources for even the most innocuous-seeming foods. I'm also a native of Hawaii, and raw fish is to me what spinach is to Popeye--my power food. But since I no longer live within sight of where the fish I'm about to eat once swam, I'm fanatic about raw fish sourcing.

There's only one scenario where I eat raw fish on a plane: my dad's sushi chef, Tony, packs me a bento box for my flight home! I once nearly passed out on a "short" domestic flight after we were trapped on the ground for hours without nourishment of any kind. Dad and Tony want me well fortified, and I don't want paramedics called. But sashimi served by a stewardess? Nein, danke, even in Lufthansa First Class.

One question. Why if they made such a big deal about food tasting different up in the air in a pressurized cabin did they taste it on the ground?

Oh and that plane in the hanger was not the new airbus. The new "bus" is much bigger.

AG and Lisa, I am glad to see at least the two of you agreeing with my opinion about raw fish in the air. And cooking the salmon on the plane--would stewards and stewardesses have the time to do that, even if it was only for First Class? Do they allow an open flame in the plane? Isn't reality suppose to intrude somewhere around here??

I feel like Cosentino with a cameraman in my face!

For more ranting, please see http://www.annienewman.typepad.com

I liked the episode last night, and I get where you're coming from Jeannie, but I might not have put it that way..but yea, I wish there WAS a little more variety, since I WAS rooting for Sanchez :). What I didn't like though, was the way they edited the judges' comments. The way they put it together, it seemed there were more strikes against Consentino's food than Sanchez's, yet he was the one eliminated. He did seem the next to go, and I know they can't fit everything in, but it just makes the judging look/sound funny, and it seems to happen in every episode.

Are you kidding me? You think Aaron Sanchez is the sweetest-seeming? From the get-go I've thought him to be a huge cry baby!

Sunday October 28, was a greattttttttttttttttt day. Why? you ask. AARON SANCHEZ IS GONE!!!!! AND IT WAS FANTASTIC!!
He was trouble from the beginning, and I do hope that THE CHAIRMAN and ALTON BROWN look at the tapes from 1 to 3.

Hey Liz, I think you run around with the wrong people.

Sunday October 28, was a greattttttttttttttttt day. Why? you ask. AARON SANCHEZ IS GONE!!!!! AND IT WAS FANTASTIC!!
He was trouble from the beginning, and I do hope that THE CHAIRMAN and ALTON BROWN look at the tapes from 1 to 3.

Hey Liz, I think you run around with the wrong people.

Oh the Suspense. I am so excited to see the chef's in Paris. To me it is the Mecca of Cuisine. I am TOTALLY routing for Besh. he has the class, keeps his cool, wonderful attitude and I believe the TOOLS needed for being an Iron Chef. If you have doughts watch him on the Food network when he battled Batali. It was inpressive. ever since I saw that Battle I Thought Besh would make a great Iron Chef. The Bottom line you want to watch someone fun and exciting. I think Besh is it. Also if anyone is interested if you look up Besh on the battles and schedule for November, his battle startes being re-ran on Nov 17th. Wonder if that is a clue! And Adam. Love you Blog! Thank you for participating in this. It is great to have you opinion.

I was sorry to see Sanchez go. I thought He would last right up to the last minute! His food looked great to me. Although I would like to see Besh win, I have enjoyed watching Sanchez and Morou. The entire show has been fun to watch.

Oh how simple some people can be. I don't know why we focus more on what people are saying on the post instead of just focusing and keeping our comments about the show. Oh well, I guess I'm doing the same, but this post seems to get personal pretty quick. I for my part, was also rooting for Sanchez and Symon,and although I don't really like Besh's persona, he DOES seem to have a very good cooking style and seems to be the most consistent, with Symon very close by.

Why is it that someone always plays the "race" card when anything happens that they don't like?
I personally liked Sanchez but thought he had somewhat of an attitude. He has also been a challenger on ICA. But I LOVE, LOVE John Besh!!!!! I have been hoping he will win it since the beginning.
I too thought that Consentino would be the one to go last night but I feel certain that the final two will be Chef Besh and Chef Simon.

Would someone please have Mr. John Besh wipe the sweat from his brow!! At least twice now I have watched as perspiration runs down his face and drips off his nose..presumable into the food???? The camera catches that big old drop hanging off his nose...Yuch!!!

I totally agree with Jeannie and other’s people comments, I think the food channel always get rid of the minorities, not everyone wants to see the same food all over again, we also want some variety, I knew since I started watching the show that even if Sanchez was a great chef they would eliminate him, I would see it in the face of Alton Brown and the criticism of Andrew Knowlton that they would do the impossible to get rid of him. I'm really tired of these things in Food Network, I used to love this channel but now it just disappoints me more and more every time.

*** And yes he was trouble because you know he could kick the ***** of some of your favorite!!!***JANN****

I totally agree with Jeannie and other�s people comments, I think the food channel always get rid of the minorities, not everyone wants to see the same food all over again, we also want some variety, I knew since I started watching the show that even if Sanchez was a great chef they would eliminate him, I would see it in the face of Alton Brown and the criticism of Andrew Knowlton that they would do the impossible to get rid of him. I'm really tired of these things in Food Network, I used to love this channel but now it just disappoints me more and more every time.

*** And yes he was trouble because you know he can kick the ***** of some of your favorite!!!***JANN****

Next Iron Chef is rigged. The first night Donatella Arpaia referred several times to the Next Iron Chef being a "he" - then the first to go are the 2 women. Duh! What a disappointment - not going to waste my time with this one anymore.

The Food Network is not racist. The winner of the most current Next Food Network Star series would likely have been a hispanic male if he had not misrepresented himself. Instead we had 2 female chefs in the finales. The exact opposite of this show.

megan, that is a very good observation

Just wanted to remind everyone reading these comments that The Next Iron Chef is about FOOD. Not race or sex. It's all about the FOOD. May the best CHEF win!

Indeed, Andrew "Breck" Knowlton (read: Bourdain) was toned down considerably this week.

As much I as I like and respect Chef Aarón Sanchez he was not ready.

Just to give a bit of perspective here, I took a chef class with Zarela Martínez and actually cooked her recipes in the kitchen with her present and she thought I had REALLY done her Green Mole from Oaxaca proud. Whenever I met her she always bragged about her son even while he was in culinary school and especially after he opened his first restaurant.

I felt sad at his departure. However, I also feel he should have gone before Chef Morou.

I like Michael Symon. I went to college in Oberlin, Ohio near Cleveland. Anyone who could have such a restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio deserves my utmost respect. When I was there, I could have killed for a place such as "Lola".

His insane, diabolical laugh is infectious. I believe Anthony Bourdain referred to him as "Screaming Mimi".

For that reason alone, I should like to see him on the dais along with the other grave mien,"Mask of Tragedy", Iron Chefs.

Still, it's not over and I shall enjoy every episode and regale the winner.

Red Beans and Ricely Yours,

Wilmita

Well I have to say right now, I've been pulling for Besh since day one and have no doubt it will be between Symon and Besh.

I think Symon's downfall is his lack of tolerance for Camera's in his face, as that's one thing that will be assured to happen in Kitchen Stadium.

My personal favorite is Besh, but Symon is just as good.

You're right its about the food.....and may the best Chef Win, but when it comes down to it, you have to say that the ones that have been shining through the whole competition have been Besh and Symon.

Constentino has had some brilliant dishes, but I don't see him lasting under the fire of Kitchen Stadium, he has one or 2 dishes that are good and then the others fall short....

He needs to rise to the level.

But no matter, surviving ot the top 4, and now the final 3 there are a lot of doors being opened to these chefs right now.

Mooch

The airline chef emphasized seasoning since food in the air tastes different than food on the ground..........so why taste on the ground. But i don't understand any of the challenges as iron chef is always held at kitchen stadium with all kitchen goodies/supplies and food...oh lets not forget the sous chefs...this series has really disappointed me.. why didn't you get jeff s as a judge!!!!!! such a missed opportunity

OK, well at this point of the game I am not impressed with the judges. It seems to be that they are just not consistent in their judging. It seems as if they think that they are experts when, in fact, they are not. I read the bios and none have "graduated" from a Culinary School. That left me a bit surprised. When I see someone who is judging....they need to be graduating from the school. I am sorry that just is such a huge thing to let slide by. It seems that these judges were merely picked out because of a popularity contest rather than credentials which include schooling. Just my opinion. If it were me that were in this contest it would absolutely annoy me to no end if I were being judged by someone who has had "some schooling". PLEASE!!! I expect more from the Foodnetwork. I am very disappointed in the judges. FN made sure they got the best chefs to compete for this competition and in turn they chose incompetent judges. I am very disappointed.

As for Sanchez going home, well, it was his turn. Next will be Cosentino. I am starting to think that Michael will win. I like how he has this great attitude and integrity. I kind of question it but it seems to be coming through when I see him in his challenge. I was impressed how he put the venison back after he got what he needed from it. That was very professional of him to do.

I kind of think he has won me over. I didn't like him in the beginning because I thought he was full of it but seeing that he has been consisitent with his generosity throughout the competition, I have changed my mind.

Have a great week everyone.

Stop telling people to stop playing the "race card." Racism is not a card. It's a guiding principle that's alive and well in America, and it rears its ugly head up on FN, too. Get over being uncomfortable talking about it!

For those of you who feel that people are whining and complaining when they mention racism, let's flip the script: If Chef Morou (or Chef Sanchez) had ultimately won the competition, how many of you would be griping that he somehow had an advantage because he's a minority?

God forbid, if Morou or Sanchez had been as threatening and aggressive as Cosentino with the cameramen -- and did I see Cosentino actually put his hand on the camera and push it away????? -- how many of you would be posting about how violent they are. Yet, I don't hear such a hue and a cry about Cosentino. Just asking, America....

And for those of you who feel that this show and the FN are really just about the food and culinary talent, I just have to ask how naive can anyone be. It's television, people. You didn't realize that this last episode was about Lufthansa and not anything that got cooked on the plane.

Feel free to FLAME ME now.

The last comment I read is not worth flaming. Just to be clear, it was Cosentino who was yelling at the camera-person. Mike yelled once to get to the stove in the last seconds.

I have had both Besh's and Mike's food and have to say that nearly every dish Besh serves at August is very pale in color and hue and I found this to be too subtle in color and taste with white plating it left me a bit cold. Mike's food is much more lively and spirited with just as much skill and finesse as Besh's. So, people who eat at their restaurants do watch the show!

www.hajar.bz.tc

I find Next Iron Chef and No Reservations to be the two best shows on television. Comparing this to something like Top Chef is a joke (let alone "A Shot at Love").

The Amateur Gourmet made a good point about these chefs in that they are successful professionals that have a lot more on the line than any contestant on any other show (their reputation and livelihood). Thats why the salted frog legs is such a big issue.

The tests they have to go through are a little ridiculous but thats what separates the wheat from the chaff. Somehow amazing dishes are consistently produced no matter the circumstances.

I am confident that this show is much more fair than any "reality show" out there. The simple fact that the most respected chef was eliminated first gave confidence.

Sure, we all think Cosentino will be next to go, but he is happy to make it this far in such strong competition.

Lastly, to everyone who thinks this show is racist, you are just paranoid. If anything I believe the elimination of Des Jardins, Davie, Sanchez, and Ouattara show that the eliminations are not race (or sex) driven. It shows they are not paying attention to race by trying to keep a woman or a "non-white" person on the show, which is something nearly every other network strives for. To make the claim that the judges, and the whole network for that matter, is racist is completely unfounded. Did you taste their food? No. So how can you ever make that claim? Making that claim is blatantly calling the judges racist. I take it on good faith that these judges are basing their decisions solely on food quality (keeping in mind how it will work on the actual Iron Chef). I thought Ouattara was great but the more I think about it, the more I realize that plating food in separate portions is extremely limiting. Imagine him serving FIVE dishes like that every time he was selected for battle.
What I hate the most is editing. I want to hear the discussions, or at least have them available to view on the internet. But overall, it is as good as anything TV has to offer.

Oh, and who cares how the judges, or anyone for that matter, wears their hair? Is there anything less irrelevant to talk about? This is about food people. I only regret that the Food Network never contacted Willy Wonka for one of his magical television sets. That way we could all sample each dish, which after all, is really what we all want. Does anyone else feel like the show should be longer? More challenges to even out the "bad days"?

What about the judges FACIAL expressions- Ruhlman looks disgusted...and he was goona ex- the consomme from the beginning- regardless of what Besh NAMED it

Okay, Its obvious that these so called judges don't have a clue about good food. Sanchez leaving was a big mistake. Besh should of been the first one out the door. I can't say that I'll stop watching the show if he wins because I love Bobby Flay. Keeping my fingers crossed, No to BESH!!!

The best hair is between you and the Chairman. Batali leaving? Surely you mean Cora. Besh and Cora's regional influences are so similar, and she is a fly-in-the-condiment of ICA's "old boys club."
If this Ep was like that other show, then will Tim Gunn be represented in Paris and will someone's dish be sabotaged by an unfriendly onlooker?
I think I and my fellow respondents should place your name in the running for pres...oh wait, this show is supposed to be about food! but if you blinked during this Ep, you missed it (the food that is).

GO MICHAEL SYMON! Not only is his food good--and ultimately this is about the food--he has the personality and flair to spice up ICA. Besh is too much of a cool cucumber for me. That said, he and Besh are pretty evenly matched; both CIA grads, both named Food & Wine Best New Chefs (Symon in '98, Besh in '99). I do think that Symon has the edge in integrity and camaraderie, from what we've seen on the shows. The next two episodes should be interesting.

Jeannie, you're an idiot. Racist? Come on...do you really think that Sanchez's food rated at any point in this show?

Symon could be purple and a hermaphrodite and he'd be winning this thing. It's about the FOOD.

Not that I'm defending Food Network per se, because it often isn't about the food, but with these judges, I think it certainly is.

Am I the only one finding Alton Brown completely obnoxious in these episodes? I've taken to taping and fastfowarding through any scene he is in. I used to watch his Good Eats but after his pompous activity on this show, I'm avoiding any show that includes him. Maybe I'll watch Iron Chef without the sound.

Well, let's look at the facts: first the two women, then the black guy (along with the ice-bath guy), then the latin guy. Hmm...

Dear Peter,

"To make the claim that the judges, and the whole network for that matter, is racist is completely unfounded. Did you taste their food? No. So how can you ever make that claim? Making that claim is blatantly calling the judges racist. I take it on good faith that these judges are basing their decisions solely on food quality (keeping in mind how it will work on the actual Iron Chef). I thought Ouattara was great but the more I think about it, the more I realize that plating food in separate portions is extremely limiting. Imagine him serving FIVE dishes like that every time he was selected for battle."

Tasting the food is not the point. The point is whether white people have REPEATEDLY gotten away with what the person of color did ONCE and was dismissed.

Most of the protesters, (not ME), have ALREADY pointed this out. "If 'Frick-frack' did this several times and was not dismissed, why should Morou, or even Tré on the erstwhile "Top Chef" on Bravo® be axed?

Most of us are grounded in reality and know one cannot taste food through a television. There has to be more than taste when watching a television program and forming preferences.

Not a good analogy at all. Traditional social, political and corporate practices factor heavily and affect our entire society; even the media.

Of course, anyone who would use as an example that one could not taste food through a television set as a criterion to dispute racism in our society, would most likely would not understand how others might see racism.

Hopefully I am mistaken. Cheers!

Red Beans and Ricely Yours,

Wilmita

Dear Food Guy,

"Jeannie, you're an idiot. Racist? Come on...do you really think that Sanchez's food rated at any point in this show?

Symon could be purple and a hermaphrodite and he'd be winning this thing. It's about the FOOD.

Not that I'm defending Food Network per se, because it often isn't about the food, but with these judges, I think it certainly is."

No, I do not think Aarón Sanchez' food really arrived, but I did not taste it.

Chef Morou's dishes most certainly rated!

He nearly beat the Iron Chef in his Kitchen Stadium Challenge.

As far as I am concerned the race thing is about chefs of African descent; American or no. It just seems to always come down to them quickly regardless of skill.

Chef Sanchez should have gone before Morou AND Chef Gavin in my opinion.

I have never had to judge food or the 'expertise' of the panel. I shall reserve judgment before I pounce on them.

No hard feelings. Cheers!

Red Beans and Ricely Yours,

Wilmita

I think you missed the boat on the entire bunch of what ever they call themselves. I can not really see any one of them as Iron Chefs. You looked in the wrong places for this New Iron Chef.

Dear Sir;
This is my 3rd letter which I have tried to post here. I have read some of the heated remarks and can't understand for the life of me why you have not post any of my letters. It can't be the grammar or the content because I have tried to be positive.
No matter,I will try again to see if you will print my post.Here goes..........

I have supported Sanchez. The man is a superb cook. I have had the pleasure of eating in his resturant. I agree with many here concerning the Judges. Why couldn't Food Network have chosen teachers from the CIA to judge the contest. Thus the Chefs would have been judged by their own peers.An injustice has been done to all the Chefs.Has Alton Brown forgotten that Bobby Flay constantly brings his Southwest experience to the ICA kitchen. Cora her Greek Knowledge and the Japanese Chef his own expertise in Japanese cooking. Alton would have done better to employ the frequent guest Judges on ICA. They would have done a better job then these current judges who are proving to the rest of us that they have no real knowlege of the show or its cooking and presentation.
As for a program featuring Hispanic or Black Chefs,There are non on the Food Network. The lady who does 'Simply Delicioso' is not a Chef and though she is funny,her cooking is limited.There are many great Hispanic/South American/Spanish Chefs who are not only cooking the food of the sun but giving a Latin flavor to American food. There are great black cooks out there as well.
If the Puerto Rican contestant in the last contest had not open his mouth and said there were no Latin cooks,the Food Network would never had gone out and hire the 'Simply Delicioso' lady. 'WAKE UP FOOD NETWORK!!
A long time ago,there was a show,"Food of the Sun", which featured Chefs cooking food from the Caribbean and Central America. Food Network needs to bring that back. For those who think that there is no racism--Look at what is on the Network. Blacks and Hispanics love to cook just as much as the next person. So why no shows highlight the best within those groups. Bring on Daisy Fuentes,Aaron Sanchez and all others.

Sir if you do not print this post, then at least inform me as to what I am doing wrong.

Thanks

It was my understanding that Mario Bateli was taking time off from Food Network because he is planning to do a program on the cooking of Spain which will take him 2 years to complete. His traveling companion and student on this tour will be the actress Gynneth Pathrow (Spell her name wrong).Pathrow is a good friend and begged him to let her participate. I am looking forward to this future program.

Food Guy, you are not the only one who finds Alton completely annoying in these episodes, in fact, I thought I was alone! I have to agree, while I love him on Good Eats, he has really become something of a snit on Iron Chef, The Next Food Network Star and now this show.

I hope that some of the network people actually tune into these comments, because Alton is obviously a talented guy, but perhaps someone just needs to give him a gentle reminder - a poke in the ribs - to remain a little humble. This current disposition is a real turn-off!

It is so ridiculous that some stupid jerk has to pull the race card every time! I AM SICK AND TIRED OF IT! It is so obvious that Besch and Simon are the best Chefs. Specially Besch, besides being a GREAT CHEF, he is humble and respectful of his coleagues. I really hope he wins.

...And I forgot to mention that he is Oh! sooo CUTE!!!

I hate that it's called the "race card" but I get your point. Besh is cute. I did want to see an ethnic chef make it into the final rounds, but I do accept the judging as fair. Morou, though his food seemed to be good, didn't listen to the judges on plating, and Sanchez disappointed throughout.

I wish Alton Brown would say my nephew's name correctly -- Its "CO SEN TINO"

No one likes their name butchered!

Thanks.
Judy Cosentino, Florida

has anyone been able to watch the full videos of the next iron chefs all the way through, here on this site?

I agree with everyone who thinks it ought to be Symon vs. Besh.

I'd love to try the cooking of any of these contestants, but I find Besh to be the most fun-to-watch chef on TV in years. I liken him to a creole version of Martin Yan or Graham Kerr (before he found Jesus). I'd seen him in a couple of other competitions and found him to be a hoot and a half. I don't think I could see too much of John Besh. Symon, OTOH, is already overexposed.

Unfortunately for me and other fans of Besh, it looks like Symon won. Unless the Food Network decided to surprise us and make both him and Besh Iron Chefs, this article pretty much gives it away that Symon wins in the end.

Sigh. :-(

I have gotten no indication that Symon or Besh will win.

I think Besh would make a better iron chef as he is a little more cool under pressure.

I don't doubt that both Symon and Besh and Consentino are all accomplished Chefs....

Davie would have made it further if her salad had just not gone so wrong.

Don't forget Traci had beaten Batali in Iron Stadium just a few weeks before in Shrimp challenge.

I am looking forward to the next episode

As far as the race card, Sanchez was at least twice trying to complete dishes after time was called, that alone was a reason for him not to be Next Iron Chef.

Mooch

I adore Alton and think he is usually a very smart man. but to pick mr temper tantum boy as the winner is insane. I watched the entire show to see him get eliminated and then bam he is back...... yes chefs can be pushy, bossy , and hard to work with. but you dont see Bobby Flay acting like that!!!!!!!

Well a mad dash to the finish line . I am constantly making a mad dash in my mind to figure sometimes what the judges are saying, meaning, being picky about and why and making sense of what is going on , on this show.

The judges listen, the lady makes all sort of funny grimaces (she looks like she is constantly in the middle of shaving food in her mouth that has not been swallowed but not getting down and pickiness is the rule.

The two judges said Besh's consomme was too murkey and that is all one really said while other defended him but he harped on that miniscule thing.

Constantino keeps giving "bombs" to the judges in the form of shallots, chives and cauliflower stuff which instead they called crudites (spelling? )

Santchez they did not like the scallops the sirloin was good but the red snapper was not.

While Constantino's mistakes were many seasoning related Sanchez lost because of the meals .

I have thought all along Besh is the odds on favorite.
But them again they can use another ethnic chef like Symon and he is great and has done great the last two rounds. They liked the fact he seasoned things very well. So he is now giving Besh a run for the gold . It will be between Besh and Symon.

Did I hear Chef Besh say the zabione chilled over night? I thought this was a 90 min task? Someone please watch the show and let me know.

what a pathetic show. obvious rip off of top chef. and fro these talented chefs to be a part of thisstupid show. and the judges! such food snobs. especially that nasty bon appetit editor.

Dear Lillyana,

Those of us who perceive that there is something wrong with the Food Network and its' lack of programs show casing Hispanic/Spanish or Black chefs are not 'stupid jerks'. I said that I supported Sanchez and he lost. I did not lose a gasket or my cool over it nor did I resort to calling people Jerks or stupid. I recognize that this is just a show. I happen to love the Food Network and if I feel that something is lacking from its' programing, then,I will be vocal. Why are there no programs featuring Black Chefs or Hispanic/Spanish Chefs. Do you believe that non exist? I hope, as someone said here, that the Food Network takes the time to read the letters posted here. I still stand by what I said. Food Network needs to wake up.