He totally should have gone with a sorbet and the almond brittle all made by himself.

Definitely. Although given how much luck contestants seem to have with the TC freezers, I might have avoided frozen desert altogether.

yeah- there was so much that could have been done with the fresh fruits. Buying rice milk ice cream was such a huge misfire in terms of strategy as well as execution. Art was a little out of his depth, I think.

Re: scenes from next week: I hope that Chiarello did something that justified Dale's hissy fit. Because I like Dale and I do not like Chiarello.

My money is on Bayliss to take this competition.

Top Chef: Chocolate was obviously okay -- what about something like a flourless chocolate torte? Although I guess that's not something you attempt without a recipe or some experience, either.

I was really surprised by how well they all did, on balance, *and* by the number of vegans who did not know quinoa pasta existed. I mean, if you're a vegan, aren't you going to explore every option? Although I guess most of them aren't gluten-intolerant.

SYTYCD: Since I've never seen a final four performance show, that was really incredible. I liked the way Nigel slanted his comments, too -- even if this is supposed to be "America's favorite dancer," he was obviously trying to point out who the *best* dancers are.

As much as I like Evan, I agree that he's just not cut out for certain types of dancing. Even if he pulls them off technically, that sweetness is just too prominent. (Although I did think he did better with Nasty than I expected.) I'll be happy no matter who wins at this point, as long as it isn't Evan.

Amy,

I think Nigel went overboard in his criticism of Evan, so I'm not sure I'm a fan of the way he slanted his comments. It would have been nice if Evan had received sharper criticism sooner, but oh well.

America's Best Dance Crew starts up on August 9th.

Set your watches!

Re: scenes from next week: I hope that Chiarello did something that justified Dale's hissy fit. Because I like Dale and I do not like Chiarello.

My coworker just said she likes Chiarello best. I think she may be dead to me now.

See, I don't mind Chiarello. I think his sense of humor is pretty dry, and it might come off more dickish than he means to, but I don't really get the sense he's a jerk.

I also like this version token British judge much better than Toby whateverhisnamewas, too.

Oh yeah, I don't think he's a jerk -- but I do think he comes off (am willing to believe it's not his real personality) skeevy. Apparently coworker thinks he's a hot older man. I am now concerned for her 24 year old self set loose in the big city.

Apparently coworker thinks he's a hot older man. I am now concerned for her 24 year old self set loose in the big city.

Oh. Yeah, I would be, too.

a vegan who doesn't eat gluten or soy?

Wow. Is she a raw foodist?

I actually know a few of those online. They tend to eat lots of rice, beans, veggies, fruit, and quinoa. It's not too difficult, really, once you get into the right mindset. Restaurants are pretty difficult, though.