Padma Lakshmi


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Ripoff Watch: So That’s Where Ted Allen Went

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Sometimes I feel bad that such a large majority of our food TV coverage involves snarkily making fun of said food TV, but seriously — what’s wrong with the food network? For a group of people completely obsessed with all thing edible, we can barely find a decent show to watch there. We are down with Top Chef, No Reservations, the Hippy Gourmet, and of course Jacquy P, but I don’t have a single favorite show on the Food Network, which seems to be an endless stream of Rachael Ray and Giada spinoffs that are no different than the shows that came before them.

Which is why I appreciate that the Food Network is at least trying to draw our attention by ripping off Top Chef, the most engrossing food show on television.  But their latest Top Chef imitation is such an obvious clone that it almost looks like a joke. In Chopped, four chefs face off to create an elaborate three-course meal, racing against the clock, facing the wrath of judges such as Rocco DiSpirito, a bald guy who’s not Tom Colcichio, and a Gail Simmons clone, and one-by-one hearing host and former Top Chef-er Ted Allen drop the dramatic news: “you’ve been chopped.” Good try, Food Network, but unless you have Padma Lakshmi gagging on a sweet mouthful, I’m sticking with Bravo.

Check out the hilarious preview for Top Chef 6 Chopped over at the excellent blog Eat Me Daily. And for the real deal, tune into ES tonight at 10pm for the original Top Chef live blogging. Check after the jump for a preview of tonight’s episode.

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in Rants & Raves / TV 11 comments
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ES Editors’ Choice Awards: Best Food Moments of 2008

OK you’ve had your say readers. Hezbollah Tofu is the Eater of the Year. But you know what? This is a food-tatorship, not a food-ocracy, and you didn’t really think we were going to let you lowly readers get the last say, did you? In all seriousness, thanks for voting, but we want to continue the award season silliness and call out a few more of our favorite eating moments of 2008. What were your favorite moments? Holler back.

Most Improved Eater: The Political Media

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There’s been a lot of criticism of the MSM this year — they were in the tank for Obama! They forgot to report about the war! They can’t afford to print papers! — but here at ES we noticed a marked improvement. Throughout the campaign, we could barely turn on our TV or crack open a magazine without learning important breaking news about what one candidate or another was eating. Hillary stops for ice cream! Huckabee fries squirrels! McCain gained five pounds! It was beautiful. I mean, look at this recent page from the Huffington Post. Not one, not two, but three top-of-page stories about what Barack Obama is eating this week — and he’s on vacation. Keep up the good work in 2009, media.

Best Food TV Moment

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There is staged reality TV lameness, and then there are inevitable unexpected moments of genius. Top Chef 5 is not even halfway through, but we suspect we’ve already seen this season’s high-point: Ice Queen Padma Lakshmi, usually so adept at keeping her judgely emotions under wraps, simply lost it upon taking one bite of Jersey housewife Ariane’s super-sweet cherry surprise and literally gagged on it. Padma felt so bad about actually spitting out Ariane’s food that she let the old lady win every challenge since then. We don’t even care who wins Top Chef this year. We’ll just remember this one shining moment.

Best Use of Bacon

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As you know, the best use of bacon of course means the most outlandish use of bacon. A dish that doesn’t crumble bacon or garnish with bacon, but creates something so bacon-y extravagant that your heart hurts just looking at it. FoodProof wins this one by a landslide with their remarkable woven bacon and cheese roll. Death on a plate in just seven easy steps.

More awards after the jump…

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in Bacon / Celebs / Cheese / Drinks / Politics / TV 6 comments
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Top Chef Exit Interview: Episode 4

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Our chat with the latest chef axed off the chopping block…after the jump.

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Live Blogging Top Chef: Episode 4

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Top Chef Exit Interview: Episode 3

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Our interview with the latest chef’testant asked to pack their knives and leave…safely after the jump for all you tivo-heads…

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in Desserts / TV 2 comments
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Who Will Be the Eater of the Year?

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Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time to start thinking about our next favorite end-of-year ritual: The Second Annual Endless Simmer Eater of the Year Awards!!!

Last year, Tony Bourdain was crowned the inaugural Eater of the Year, beating out such luminaries as hot dog eating champ Joey Chestnut, amuse bouche eating champ Padma Lakshmi, Chocolate Jesus, Al Gore, and the Locavore Four.

But which eater made the most impact in 2008? Is Bourdain primed for a repeat? Was this the year Michael Pollan ruled them all? Or should it be Sarah Palin and her moose meat? Duffy Lyon and her cow sculptures? Will 2007 runner-up Joey Chestnut rise to the top? Or will long underexposed chef Rachael Ray finally get her due?

The only thing we know for sure is that it’s all up up to you. Once again, Endless Simmer readers will get to choose who deserves this highly coveted title. But first, we need to figure out the nominees. Have ideas? Hit us up in the comments. Finalists will be announced next week.

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in Celebs / Contests / Trends / TV 4 comments
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