The one-two "Top Chef" punch last night was fantastic. Very happy for Bayless, whose food just looked and sounded amazing. And I'm looking forward to the new TC -- the new cheftestants look farely competent and interesting so far, although I do hope Misogyny Mike goes fast. (They're starting to call him Top Misogynist over on TWOP. That is a man who will NOT have much of a fan club when this is over.)

Top Misogynist! ha!

Jesus Christ, that menu.

Gail Simmons on Misogynist Mike:

I want to reiterate that as judges we do not see any of the interviews, kitchen antics, or behind-the-scenes footage of the chefs in action while we are shooting the show. Our producers are quite strict about this to deter us from developing any opinions about or relationships with the cheftestants other than through the food we are served, and rightfully so. With that in mind, I was shocked and disappointed when I recently viewed this first episode and heard Mike Isabella’s sexist commentary. Hot-tempered and foulmouthed indeed. He may have cooked us a delicious dish, but his attitude left a bad taste in my mouth. For better or worse, my feelings about each chef’s personality will stay out of the kitchen and away from the Judges' Table. But would I have judged him differently had I seen this side of him in advance? I guess we will never know …

TC:M - First this, since it was the finale. Yay for Bayless! I'm totally good with that. And I'm disappointed that Hubert came in third. I was really surprised that he didn't knock out Chiarello. But you guys are right, it was the diners' half-point that did him in. I bet I would have loved that garlic clove, but I eat so much garlic it's ridiculous anyway. I think it would have been just fabulous. Everything he made looked great.

But I loved the challenges overall, and I loved hearing their stories. I would love to have Chiarello's gnocchi recipe. Gnocchi is a childhood taste memory to me, too. (Yes, I know, I'm Japanese, but I grew up in the wonderland of ethnic food that is northeastern Ohio. Seriously. The food available up there is just stunning. I had no idea until I left.) And anyway, I love gnocchi, and I have a recipe but I rarely make it.

But Rick's food looked absolutely stunning and he made Gail shiver, so he totally deserved to win, and good for him.

Now, what were the top 3's charities? I looked up about Rick's Frontera Farmers thing, which looks to provide capital development grants for small farms. But I could have sworn he'd said something about health care for farm workers. Was that someone else? Did I make that up out of whole cloth?

TC:LV - Yeah, Top Misogynist can go home right now. I'm so sick of misogyny in the kitchen. Hope he gets smacked down, and hard, for it. Worried that Gail's comment means he doesn't.

I always hate this part of Top Chef, where I'm convinced I'm not going to like anyone. I miss Fabio. And Harold. It was nice to see Harold again on TC:M.

But it does look like the skill level should be higher, what with all the James Beards and etc. But I think coming out of TC:M it's going to be hard not to judge them against the superior talents of the masters. Seriously, people, taste your food.

But it should be fun.

Now, what were the top 3's charities? I looked up about Rick's Frontera Farmers thing, which looks to provide capital development grants for small farms. But I could have sworn he'd said something about health care for farm workers. Was that someone else? Did I make that up out of whole cloth?

I think that's one of the things it helps provide, but I'm not sure.

But I could have sworn he'd said something about health care for farm workers. Was that someone else?

That was Chiarello's charity.

I think Hubert's was Make-a-Wish? I haven't seen the finale, but I was watching older episodes yesterday.

Yep, Michael KEY-orello's charity was Clinic Ole [link] which has the mission:

Community Health Clinic Ole is the medical and dental home for Napa County’s underserved, providing high-quality, affordable, compassionate and culturally sensitive primary health care.

Clinic Ole's mission and values are driven by our commitment to improving health outcomes and building a healthier community. We are a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and the only not for profit health center in Napa County. We provide affordable medical and dental care and health education to the county’s low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents.

I remember this specifically because when he mentioned it at the beginning, I thought that even if he won (which I did not want) at least the money would go to a good charity.