Well, that's an interesting point. So maybe French isn't his first language, even if he's very familiar with it.

Interesting fact about the Basque language--it has no connection to the Indo-European languages. It's a remnant of some long-ago language family that existed in Europe before the IE languages moved in.

I wonder if Mattin was hungover from his birthday celebration.

Also, Ron was cracking me up. I thought he was a little harsh with Robin, but the way it was edited she did seem a little hyped up. I know it's kind of mean but I was laughing when he just starting ignoring her chatter altogether.

Also, I think that Jen and Mike V. are into each other and will start Doing It soon.

Also, I think that Jen and Mike V. are into each other and will start Doing It soon.

Oh lord, I hope not. This is Top Chef, not The Real Kitchen f'cripesake!

I thought that they were very cute together and I'm glad that I'm not the only one who noticed.

Hopefully, it won't devolve into the crap we had to sit through last season.

(But I think that they are both too good and too competitive for that, right?)

But Frank, they already know each others' movements in the kitchen! They do not even need to speak to communicate! They are so connected!

Do you think that they edited to try to make it look like Mike I. had MORE creative control of the sauce? Or less?

Because I really thought that it sseemed, once again, like more like Bryan's creation.

Did anyone watch Project Runway last night?

I really thought Epperson was going to win--he was getting the winning edit, and that dress was terrific. Especially compared to the one that followed it down the runway, Johnny's purple bridesmaid gown. Althea's little suit was a real standout, though, and I loved the female judges response to it ("I'd walk out of here today with that if I could!").

And Qrystal (sp?) learned that playing it safe gets you booted. That little black dress was so blah, especially compared to the one at the end of the runway show (Ra'mon's dress?), which was a fabulous number.

But Frank, they already know each others' movements in the kitchen! They do not even need to speak to communicate! They are so connected!

@@@@@@@

Although, after how last season turned out, I guess I should just be grateful that Mike I. hasn't had a "shared moment" with any of the cheftestants.

I have no doubt that Mattin is French.

He is from the Basque country and the name Mattin is Basque, not French, but it is very unlikely that Basque is his native language. I think he just had an odd moment. And he has been living here for some time.

Having been complemented many times on my English while living in France, I don't find Robuchon's comment odd at all.