I was surprised and disappointed with the result of the final competition, but admittedly, I wasn't there to taste the food.

However, since I trust the opinions of the three chefs who participated in the voting, I also have to trust the right decision was made.

I look forward to more chefs battling. It is always fun to watch!

Congratulations Chef Symon. Myself and thousands of others in my neighborhood look forward to seeing you battle. No, I am not anywhere near Ohio. My neighborhood had just over 90% ''go Mike'' or ''go Symon'' signs/banners in windows and over 1500 people rented the middle school gym behind my parents house, each were to bring their 'most excellent munchie' to share and huge screen tvs were rented to watch. I had to remain home as did my mother though we were on the phone when the winner was announced and I heard the cheering through her phone.

Let's all not be rude, nasty or otherwise. This was a tv show, a competition and the title was won on the merits of it's food not what a chef thinks of himself or we think of him personally.

What a disappointment the finale was last night! It was like they had their minds made up because I felt John Besh should have won. His dishes looked much better and I like his personality over Simone. It seems Food Network had their own agenda to pick Simone. I hated the male judges too - who picked them? Unqualified whiny and annoying. I hope I never see them again because I will change the channel.

John Besh is so adorable - Food Network blew this one big time. I'd watch him anywhere anytime.

Jane & Melanie - If you haven't already done so do not read Andrew Knowlton's blog. It will only make you feel more disappointed.

Michael Symon will bring a breathe of fresh air to Iron Chef. Congrats to him! Bacon lovers rejoice!

I am really disappointed that John Besh did not win. His food looked great and he has a wonderful personality. He has a lot to be proud of anyway. Many of us out here wish you would have won!

Total disappointment. Besh is world class in the complexity of his creations, his calmness under pressure, as well as his poise and professionalism. No, John isn't bald with a cool beard patch under his lip, so he won't appeal to the West Coast Chopper crowd. But if you want an Iron Chef who can mix it up with other culinary masters from around the globe and will win consistently, Besh is your guy. Food Network, if you were going for 'a look' and you don't care about consistent performance and uncompromising quality, you made the right choice. That said, Mr. Symon is a heck of a chef. We just didn't see where he was superior to Mr. Besh...unless a specific look was what you were after. It is television, after all.

Spot on comments about the male judges, but specifically about Mr. Knowlton from Bon Appetit. His lack of imagination and petty comments ("Do you even know what you're talking about...") to other judges when the discussion didn't go his way was an embarrassment to him, Bon Appetit, and the show.

Regading the overall show, we loved it...my wife and are are just disappointed in the result. We would be interested in seeing a poll on foodnetwork.com to see if the audience agrees with the final result...just for fun. :)

-Mike

I HATE THIS

I am with Mike, Foodnetwork, lets see a poll!

I've been racking my brain for a while now trying to figure out why Symon looks so familiar and I've finally figured it out - he looks a lot like Duff from Ace of Cakes.

The outcome of the finale did not surprise me much. When Michael Symon started out in the bottom two, he stepped up to the game, winning three competitions. I also give John Besh his due as he remained consistant in his quality of culinary offerings. Either chef could have won, and I would not have been disappointed in the results.

What I enjoyed most however was watching eight culinary experts work with a professionalism that is no doubt part of the reason they are so successful. I saw no throwing of anyone under the bus, so to speak, no whining by any of the competitors about what another competitor did to them or fights or name calling or anything else the producers of another cooking competition show seem to enjoy sticking into their episodes. For that, I applaud Food Network.

Oh, and Adam, I just read all your blog entries and thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every one of them. Good thing I had already read where the Chairman is an actor. And to think all this time I believed he was "real."

To all above (except Heather & Elizabeth), you have to give credit where credit is due. Symon's food was pretty impressive. ALL THREE of the Iron Chefs there picked Symon over Besh. I doubt FN ordered them to pick Symon. I'm sure it was difficult decision, but I trust the people who actually TASTED the food. Props to Besh for a well fought battle. Congrats to Iron Chef Symon!

For people who thought Besh should win, I'd like you to think about something.

One of the mini-series judges made, I think, a very telling comment. He said that while Besh scored consistently high, Symon's high score on individual dishes was higher than Besh's.

High, straight-line consistency is a desirable quality in a restaurant chef. Which is what Besh has in spades.

However, it is not a quality that's necessarily desirable in an Iron Chef.

What would you call someone who's lost 22 battles in Kitchen Stadium? You'd call him Iron Chef Chen Kenichi.

What would you call a chef who prepared the worst tasting dish in Kitchen Stadium, during the original IC run? You'd call him Masaharu Morimoto.

There are lots of defining qualities in an Iron Chef. The ability to prepare, cook and plate multiple dishes in one hour is a prime one. But equally important is a willingness to innovate and take risks with cuisine. And the ICs say that with Michael Symon, more than they did with Besh.

Besh is certainly a better ambassador for New Orleans cuisine than, say, Emeril. But give him an ingredient like, say, millet, and I don't think he'd be able to break out of his Cajun disciplines. Symon, on the other hand, is more likely to come up with an approach other than Mediterranean. We saw that in his use of the sous-vide circulator: he's willing to incorporate new things and new thinking.

The other thing to remember is that Iron Chefs lose. No Iron Chef (apart from Wolfgang Puck, who only fought one battle and therefore doesn't really count) has a perfect record. It's what they take away from the losses that makes them better chefs, and therefore better Iron Chefs. Michael Symon, it seems, has more of that ability than John Besh.

I have dined in both restaurants and have enjoyed several wonderful meals from Mr. Besh and one very memorable meal form Mr. Symon--and for me it was a no brainer--there was no one that I would rather see on Iron Chef than Michael Symon--his sweetness and magnetic personality shone throug the entire series, as it did throughout the restaurant where I ate that night--its hard not to be drawn to the guy. Even Mr. Flay did an interview where he said that he could not think of a nicer and more likable person in the business--I live in the South and I have always appreciated Mr. Besh's talents--but I could see that being around Mr. Symon was fun and invigorating-the "total" restaurant experience. Congratulations to both gentlemen!

Great Show! It really could have gone either way but the judges got it right. Symon's food was just a cut above. BTW - just saw an E-Bay charity auction for a private cooking class with Chef Symon. How sweet would that be?!?!?

I liked both Besh and Symon, but I feel that Besh should have won. He went out of his way to make that dessert at the last minute. It might not have been the best, but the effort was what I liked. He scored consistently high throughout the show, and I did not appreciate that "good ole boy" comment from Mr. Brown. I think that might be the real reason Besh didn't win....Symon is more hip I guess, and he has that mean look of an Iron Chef. Besh is more of a nice guy next door. It's ok John...we all know that you really should have won. :-)

I think to be fair....Food Network should have surprised us all with a tie...both could have become Iron Chefs. :-)

Bobby Flay would make for a great backyard beer drinking bbq buddy, however a technically competant chef he is not.

Unfortunately, he swings power on FN, therefore no one had the stones to go against him.

Bobby Fway didn't like Besh because Bobby wants to be the prettiest....the FN chic magnet!

Besh's dish's were profoundly more complex as were his cooking skills ...(remember the knive competition???)

Nice show nonetheless, next time leave the personal agenda's out.

John Besh demonstrated consistent grace under pressure and his dishes were always innovative without being pretentious. His presence on Iron Chef America would have lent a genuine air of elegance and professionalism to the show. Once again, The Food Network has shown it's preference for flash over substance. What a disappointment--"biker chic" seems to reign supreme on The Food Network. It's time for me to go back to cookbooks and magazines.

Crystal, you could not pay me to read anything that Andrew person has to say - ugh. I'll stick with the judges on Top Chef who actually are fair, pleasant and qualified.

I'm an original, loyal Food Network viewer and they've lost me with this one.

I must admit, I too was a bit surprised that Michael Symon took the title - but it was a happy surprise... I think he will be great to watch in the new season. Congrats Chef Symon!

I am glad Symon won, during the food judging portion the Iron Chefs seemed to be more impressed with Symon than with Besh, however on Iron Chef America that can sometimes mean that Besh would have been the winner.

Not sure if anyone else has thought about this, but why is Cat Cora an Iron Chef?

She does not have nearly the number of credentials of any other Iron Chef, Bobby Flay, Morimoto, Mario Batali and even Symon and Besh all own their own restaurants and seem to "walk the walk". Cat Cora's main claim to fame seems to be her "Celebrity Chef" status.

I am glad Symon won, during the food judging portion the Iron Chefs seemed to be more impressed with Symon than with Besh, however on Iron Chef America that can sometimes mean that Besh would have been the winner.

Not sure if anyone else has thought about this, but why is Cat Cora an Iron Chef?

She does not have nearly the number of credentials of any other Iron Chef, Bobby Flay, Morimoto, Mario Batali and even Symon and Besh all own their own restaurants and seem to "walk the walk". Cat Cora's main claim to fame seems to be her "Celebrity Chef" status.

I have been a big fan of Iron Chef, since its inception, however, last night, I may never watch, again. John Besh was by far the best canidate, for the Iron Chef. I think Mike Symon won because of his outlandish looks and personality, but this is ridiculous. I watched John Besh defeat Mario Batali and I think he is without doubt, the most talented Iron Chef, , certainly not Cat Cora or Bobby Flay.

I have been a big fan of Iron Chef, since its inception, however, last night, I may never watch, again. John Besh was by far the best canidate, for the Iron Chef. I think Mike Symon won because of his outlandish looks and personality, but this is ridiculous. I watched John Besh defeat Mario Batali and I think he is without doubt, the most talented Iron Chef, , certainly not Cat Cora or Bobby Flay.

I have been a big fan of Iron Chef, since its inception, however, last night, I may never watch, again. John Besh was by far the best canidate, for the Iron Chef. I think Mike Symon won because of his outlandish looks and personality, but this is ridiculous. I watched John Besh defeat Mario Batali and I think he is without doubt, the most talented Iron Chef, , certainly not Cat Cora or Bobby Flay.

It was Batali against Besh, not Flay.

I read Batali was fired which would explain his absense last night. Cat Cora is all plating over taste and I agree, what are her qualifications?

Besh was far superior than Symone but obviously the fix was in...the judges were clearly biased.

It was Batali against Besh, not Flay.

I read Batali was fired which would explain his absense last night. Cat Cora is all plating over taste and I agree, what are her qualifications?

Besh was far superior than Symone but obviously the fix was in...the judges were clearly biased.

It was Batali against Besh, not Flay.

I read Batali was fired which would explain his absense last night. Cat Cora is all plating over taste and I agree, what are her qualifications?

Besh was far superior than Symone but obviously the fix was in...the judges were clearly biased.

lets not forget that symon and besh have participated on iron chef as contestants. morimoto has a losing record of 6 wins and 7 losses yet soundly defeated symon. batali has a winning record of 18 wins and 5 losses yet was soundly defeated by besh. to be an iron chef you have to beat an iron chef.

I loved, loved John Besh and would watch any show he was on! Food Network is going in a direction that I cannot relate to or maybe I'm too old at 42! I found Symon to be slobbish and annoying and an average next to the charm and grace of Besh - a true star in my mind. I agree that the judges were terrible, especially the obnoxious one with the long hair who thinks too much of himself.

Im very surprised and dissapointed. i will not watch iron chef again. Symon was good but i saw Besh won from the begining.

I read in this week's People about Cat Cora and her wife and two children. I think Food Network just wants to cover all fan bases...but what about all of us who thought John Besh was a great chef, not hard on the eyes and a family man!

mel is probably correct. food network now has the addams family demographic covered. go uncle fester!

What a joke!! John Besh was clearly superior in every way over this buffoon. The judges had reached a decision long before the last episode. Ruhlman displayed a bias that was based on his past writings and it was very obvious. Although I have been a loyal viewer of Iron Chef America, I will watch no longer and Mr.Brown you should be ashamed to be associated with such a fiasco as this. Chef Besh, you are the best and
you really got the shaft.

Adam, your readers here seem to favor Besh. If you look at Ruhlman's readers, more think it's clear that Symon deserved the win -- and are *happy* about it.

What does that say? Ruhlman's got the chef crowd and you've got ...the others?

Seems there's a lot of whining here, too. But I guess that's to be expected in a blog.

Well, I read over a month ago that a writer for a small city paper had let it slip who won. It really spoiled it for me (I wish I hadn't read it), so I understand the word "spoiler", which is, of course, why I did not relate it here.
I wanted Chef Besh to win, because his is so even-tempered, but Chef Simon is cool, too.
And I loved the change-up of having the Iron Chefs judge. That made this a much more interesting show.

Shelley:

ruhlmans blog consists mostly of people from cleveland like ruhlman and myself. not a surprise that we favor symon.

FROM THE GET GO I KNEW SYMON WOULD WIN. IF YOU STUDY THE GROUP PICTURES OF THE CONTESTANTS YOU WOULD NOTICE THAT SYMON IS IN THE MIDDLE AND AT THE FRONT OF THE PICTURE WITH BESH OFF TO ONE SIDE NEXT TO SIMON. THEY PUT A LADY IN THE FRONT TO MAKE THE PICTURE LOOK BALANCE.

BOTH BESH AND SIMON ARE PROBABLY TERRIFIC CHEFS. CHOOSING EITHER WINNER IS A DIFFICULT DECISION. I HAVE A FEELING THAT BOBBY FLAY AND CAT CORA FEEL INTIMATED WITH BESH. BESH HAS MORE EXPERIENCE IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS, MORE RESTAURANTS, AND PROBABLY A BETTER REPERTOIRE- THOUGH LESS FAME. THIS WOULD PROBABLY UNDERMINED THEIR POSITIONS AS "VETERAN" IRON CHEFS.

NEVERTHELESS, ON CAMERA- I WAS IMPRESSED BY FLAY DEMEANOR. WHILE HIS 2 EPISODES WHERE HE STAND ON TOP OF THE CUTTING BOARD WAS A BIT ARROGANT, HE ACTED RATHER HUMBLE BY DOWNPLAYING HIS POSITION AS IRON CHEF. SOMETIMES ITS HARD TO BITE YOUR TONGUE. BOBBY FLAY DESERVES RESPECT FOR THAT AND FOR HIS COOKING SKILLS. CAT CORA, HOWEVER, MADE IT BE KNOWN THAT BEING IRON CHEF IS ATTAINING GOD LIKE FIGURE. EVERY SENTENCE THAT CAME OUT OF HER MOUTH IN THE FINALE HAS A REFERENCE TO IRON CHEF. WHILE I DON'T PUT PEOPLE DOWN, WHAT IS CAT CORA'S RESUME? MORIMOTO AS ALWAYS IS A TRUE CLASS ACT. DON'T LET THE FACT THAT HE HAS TO LEARN ENGLISH AT SUCH A LATER AGE IN LIFE SWAY OPINIONS ABOUT HIM. HE SHOWS DIGNITY AND SKILLS AND THAT IS TRULY WHAT IT MEANS TO BE IRON CHEF.

I disagree, clevelander! He draws in people who read his cheffy books, like me. But I couldn't win that argument unless we did a demographic poll on Ruhlman's blog. :)

Was it me or Symon cut his swordfish in the same size for almost all the dishes, little 2x2 squares, presented in his usually sloppy way. Let's see how many battles he can actually win... with his messy presentation and lack of experience & true techniqes. I think the nerves got the best of Besh last night: the dessert didn't do him in entirely, perhaps it was too many dishes. He is obviously the far more superior chef in every aspect out of the entire group; he exudes confidence which an Iron Chef needs, yet he's exciting to watch, he's witty, and he's got finesse, skills, and techniques. And with time & practice, he'll rise above and win as many battles as he can, I really don't see Symon winning much if at all unless he's up against someone like the two dueds from Two Dueds Catering. Besides Besh beat Batali... Symon, not even close.

I think all three current Iron Chefs ought to be let go: Flay is monotonous in what he can come up wih, same cilatro or chili sauce all over the plate; Cora is all about using some odd shape bowl or paper bag to serve her food, and Morimoto doesn't win much any more, no one wants to challenge him. Batali is the true master, so where was he last night?

I second that we should do a formal poll on who should really be the next Iron Chef and boycott the show period.

Besh is a most excellent chef. Regardless of Besh beeing cheated out of a win he deserved, The viewers were cheated.

The judges did mention they wanted someone to "entertain" during the show. I really don't see how Symon will draw viewers in. I remember him from some Food Network in the early 2000s. That is all tho, the show really wasn't memorable. Symon isn't a bad guy. He just wasn't what I was looking for in The Next Iron Chef. Besh was. Besh will do well in the future. His past proves it.

I did not see Chef Batali there. Has Batali jumped ship? That really would be a horrid shame. Batali can kick arse in the kitchen with one hand tied behind his back, while drunk!

Just want to make a correction for the poster who said the spoiler was posted in a small town newspaper. It was actually a major Canadian newspaper, one of the largest, the Toronto Star. People reported this leak on this blog and to Food Network, and many of us email the reporter to take the article off the internet or change it to spare the spoiler for us trying to enjoy the show. She refused and was extremely arrogant about it.

Im shocked that FN did nothing about it

Parade Magazine blew it in yesterday's edition!!!

My wife and I were all ready for the Next Iron Chef finale --talked about it all week.
Then I read the Parade article that referred to Symon as "The Next Iron Chef" and went to dinner instead!

Way to go FN -- you have a blabber-mouth on staff!

BTW, BBQ Bobby [Flay] couldn't hold Besh's fork!

Thanks. I had forgotten which paper it was, but as soon as I read your comment, I remembered. And I agree with you; she should have been fired. There is really no point in producing a reality show competition if leaks like this are allowed to happen.

I too was so disappointed that John Besh did not win. Apparently FN wanted someone to step into Batali's Orange Crocs...someone who has no class or substance. I don't think I will be able to watch the Next Iron Chef again.

I have been watching the food network for years now. I think I have watched my last "elimination" series. I don't think that I can stomach any more. I could not believe that Mike Symon is the new iron chef! The trouble with the food network is the judges are inconsistent and flip flop and once they pick their favorite God help any other contestant. As for that food network star series...I can't believe that Amy or Rory even made it to the finals! I have tried watching Amy's show and it needs all the help it can get. Food network seem to gloss over some of the real talent that air and somehow have the process of elimination where the least talented win. I'm done watching those elimnation type series and will stick to the individual cooking shows as I learn a lot more from them.

I'm disappointed that Besh is not the new iron chef. He is well mannered, poised, even tempered and a man of many talents. How many people out there can make and decoratively serve a cat fish truffle? As for that chef who cusses and fusses, how did he make it to the semi-final round? I would like to have seen Chef Morou in the finals...another very talented man.

I'm disappointed that Besh is not the new iron chef. He is well mannered, poised, even tempered and a man of many talents. How many people out there can make and decoratively serve a cat fish truffle? As for that chef who cusses and fusses, how did he make it to the semi-final round? I would like to have seen Chef Morou in the finals...another very talented man.

I wish Besh should have won because I think he has a hot ass.

I've never felt so cheated! Besh won last night fair and square - his dishes were beautiful. Symon couldn't even season his food and each plate looked sloppy (my 2-year-old could have done that first mess). I felt like it was fixed in advance after that obnoxious feminine judge with the long hair said Symon was the favorite like 2 to 1... huh? Those judges were so awful compared to the superior program on Bravo, Top Chef. I was disappointed in Alton Brown for being a part of it. Flay sounded jealous last night whining about the dessert. Besh was so charismatic and handsome and a far superior chef - AN IRON CHEF! Food Network has lost credibility in my eyes; it's just another TV network. Bravo - call John Besh!

I only recently had cable tv put in after a couple of decades of tv-free living. Thus, NIC was my first elimination-type reality show, and I was very much entertained. While I didn't like everything, I did like much more.

Since I'm not qualified to eat the stuff the IC's cook, let alone cook it, I was rooting for the folks that I thought would be the most fun to watch. Besh and Symon were my favorites, and I kind of thought Besh would be more fun. But in the finale, Besh said almost nothing -- Symon did much more interacting with AB. Does joking with AB make Symon a better chef, or even a better Iron Chef? Of course not. But I'm glad he won.

I must say, if the Food Network was honestly trying to give the contestants a fair fight for the Iron Chef title, they failed miserably in such an attempt. The following are just a few of the concerns that I would like to express in regards to The Next Iron Chef television series.

(1) I thought the Food Network was just as concerned about the character of its celebrities as much as the quality of their food. Evidently, I was wrong, because right from the very beginning of The Next Iron Chef, I was not impressed with Michael Symon in the least. Personally, I thought he was kinda arrogant, obnoxious� and most certainly unattractive.

Pride is one thing� arrogance is another.

Now I understand that the show is primarily about food. HOWEVER, when one goes to turn on Iron Chef America, what do they want to see? A cocky, repulsive, egotistical Michael Symon (with a skinhead and a greasy patch of fur beneath his lip), or a charming, respectable, good-natured John Besh (with a clean cut appearance, and no �unappetizing� tattoos)?

Just remember FN - demeanor and mannerisms mean an awful lot when the cameras begin to roll.

(2) It�s unfortunate that the viewers are unable to taste the food, because we�re the ones that should be evaluating the contestants. After all, who are the people that are going to be watching Iron Chef America?

Nevertheless, I won�t question the taste buds of the judges. But from the viewer�s perspective, it seemed as though John was the more consistent contender. Never once did the judges �hammer� his food. Occasionally, they would pick on this, or critique on that, but they never found anything exceptionally wrong with his dishes. And the judges never came right out and said �this was BAD.� They would simply give a suggestion or two as to how the dish might be improved. For example, if John used 50mg of salt on a dish, a judge may suggest the usage of 51mg instead (because we all know that the judges are completely incapable of using a saltshaker).

On the other hand, Michael�s food was either really good or really bad � rarely in between.

(3) From the very beginning of the series, and especially in the last episode, John�s plating was picturesque. Subsequent to the evaluation process, Chef Morimoto drew a sketch of each dish � Michael�s dishes were on the left of the presentation and John�s were on the right. Thanks to the camera crew, the viewers were given an excellent shot of the display. Almost immediately, I received the impression that Morimoto was very much impressed with John�s plating too. John�s side of the display was much more elaborate and definitely required more time and artistic ability. If anyone saw the contrast between the two ravioli dishes (as even Morimoto himself pointed out), they would understand this entirely.

(4) One topic stressed by the judges of The Next Food Network Star was a common theme. But for some reason, the judges of The Next Iron Chef found this fundamental attribute insignificant. I figured for sure this would be a focal point in the challenge seeing as originality is a category for the evaluation process in Iron Chef America.

John Besh, being a native form Louisiana, was able to incorporate a strong southern/French cuisine. Michael Symon, being a native of Cleveland, was �supposedly� able to incorporate a strong� uhhh� Mediterranean cuisine.

Cleveland, Ohio� Mediterranean Region� I�m not quite understanding the association there� especially seeing as bacon (the use of which Symon seems to be so particularly proud of) is not typically characteristic of a Mediterranean diet. Also, many of the countries in the Mediterranean region are governed by either a Jewish or Islamic theocracy. Such religions do not condone the consumption of pork meat.

So my point? John�s Louisiana ethnicity + southern/French cuisine = congruency. Michael�s Cleveland ethnicity + Mediterranean bacon = confusion.

(5) Now, correct me if I�m wrong, but it would seem to me that certain of the judges, particularly Bobby Flay, were inclined to choose Michael as the Next Iron Chef well before the last challenge.

Now why would I make such a ridiculous accusation?

Maybe it�s because Michael Symon has had the opportunity of working with numerous Food Network celebrities including Bobby Flay on Food Nation and Sara Moulton on Ready, Set, Cook. Such an advantage is the breeding ground for favoritism.

I believe this ultimately led to the unfortunate demise of Chef John Besh�

�and I don�t think I�ll be watching Iron Chef America any time in the near future.

�Nappy�

besh should have won. i will also stop watching the iron chef.

Chef Besh is far above Iron Chef anyway, and I am sure that his success will only exceed what he might have accomplished had he been chosen.

Chef Besh is far above the likes of Iron Chef anyway, and I am sure that his success will only exceed what he might have accomplished had he been chosen.

Oh, and just out of curiosity, if Symon is 5 feet 11 inches tall, just how tall is Besh? He must be about 6'4" or more, eh? Whew!

the episode previous to the finals, i recall the judges very impressed with besh's sophisticated and very much involved cooking style. he made a great float .i swear he had this competition locked. It is apparent that flay was against besh. He thought the desert was a bad idea? how can he say that, everyone including my 9 year old could tell you there was no being conservative in this last challenge. I hate to say it but ultimatley Food Network was deciding the new chef regardless of what happened in the competition. This is about ratings that continue to run their network. Besh has a great personality, but they were looking for an overzealous(symon)chef to try to capture an audience. I think it will backfire. People looking to wath the food network arent obiously looking for a jerry springer show. How many shows will they fluff the judges to vote for symon so they dont look like morons in picking the wrong chef? by the way, what a great job putting morimoto in the mix (i do like morimoto) but im sure getting morimoto to go FN's way(symon) was like bribing a 4 yr old with a cookie.

previous post i forgot to delete the float part. I was about to say that the float was the only good part of symon's meal in paris. COme by my house and ill make a mean chocolate milk.

it would have been nice for the food network to somehow keep the chef of the dishes secret from the judges. instead FN now has to withstand the scrutiny of possibly cheating. Well i guess maybe not cheating, it is there show they can do what they want, and THEY DID. poor besh. Most sophisticated and talented chef out of the group.

Bobby Flay is so yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John Besh would take you to school and you knew it so you "cooked" the rooks to stand by you.......

FN now has a credibility problem. And oh what a shame, the innocence of cooking deflowered by ego.

John Besh you were hosed, sorry.

Symon, please go shower, and wash those hands.eeek!

John Besh is a true winner. He was in my home town on Thursday evening for a fundraiser for the Junior League of Mobile. Overseeing his team of chef's, John prepared a wonderful menu that was a delight to all. He is charming, talented, and quite easy-on-the-eye. He sparkles with personality. I truly believe John was descriminated against because he is from the South, and we all know that Southerners dominate The Food Network programming. I believe The Food Network needs to expand their demographics and increase their viewership. Chef Symon brings that new demographic to them. Although talented, he does not have John Besh's depth of talent or chemistry with the camera. And let's face it, he's not as attractive or whitty as John Besh. John Besh is destined for greater things!

John Besh is a true winner. He was in my home town on Thursday evening for a fundraiser for the Junior League of Mobile. Overseeing his team of chef's, John prepared a wonderful menu that was a delight to all. He is charming, talented, and quite easy-on-the-eye. He sparkles with personality. I truly believe John was descriminated against because he is from the South, and we all know that Southerners dominate The Food Network programming. I believe The Food Network needs to expand their demographics and increase their viewership. Chef Symon brings that new demographic to them. Although talented, he does not have John Besh's depth of talent or chemistry with the camera. And let's face it, he's not as attractive or whitty as John Besh. John Besh is destined for greater things!

wow, all the women think Besh should have won and Food Network is being accused of sexism? Honestly, Symon's cooking is more daring, innovative, and exotic, what you expect from an Iron Chef. Besh cooks a