I liked Toby too - he was fun.

Okay, sometimes the French guy was clearly speaking in French.

I think we're still in the first half of the show so Eugene's lack of technique was worse than Carla's lack of confidence. But w/o technique I don't think he was going to last v. long anyway.

Hated the quickfire. Not only the product placement, but especially the fact that the sponsor of a "healthier" version of sweet was a product that is so bad for you. And that studies have shown makes you crave more sweet things.

I liked the concept of the second challenge, but thought the second group had an unfair advantage in hearing the judges opinions of things before they cook for them.

I think, in the end, Carla's put more tasty things on their plate than Eugene.

I noticed no French coming from le frog.

Yes, what megan said.

If they weren't also forbidden to use honey, maple syrup, and deep fat frying, for fuck's sake, then what was the point? And given all those options, why did so many chefs make theirs with fruit & yogurt anyway?

I liked the concept of the second challenge, but thought the second group had an unfair advantage in hearing the judges opinions of things before they cook for them.

Interesting - I had the opposite reaction. Having that sort of information is usually more of a distraction than an advantage.

I noticed no French coming from le frog.

What language were he and Stefan speaking at the Quickfire? I thought it was French, but I must have misheard.

I am disappointed, but not surprised. I LOVED Eugene (the man made a fucking hibachi out of charcoal and catering trays!!!!) but I knew in my heart that his lack of sophistication would get him. I'd hoped he'd get farther, though. Carla kind of annoys me, but I think that she's a good person. I was glad to see scary girl go, I still can't look at her for too long.

Having that sort of information is usually more of a distraction than an advantage.

Yeah, especially when you've already planned your menu and gotten all the ingredients. It's not like they could have done too much different at that stage. Except be more careful with seasoning maybe.

I have the same thoughts about Eugene v. Carla as Vortex. I liked him a lot but he hasn't really shined since the hibachi thing. Carla is too woo woo for me but I hope she does become more confident after this save and asserts herself more.

Carla kind of annoys me, but I think that she's a good person.

Yeah, I agree. I'm sure she's a wonderful human being, but I think if I had to spend more than 5 minutes alone with her I'd want to stab myself. She has crazy eyes!

I don't like the new judge. He seems like an asshole just to be an asshole. Bourdain is harsh like woah (Mikey's "Flinstonian execution" will always be my favorite), but he doesn't do it for effect, he does it because that's really what he thinks/feels. New Judge's comment about the WMDs was really unnecessary.

He seems like an asshole just to be an asshole.

I thought the same thing but then he was nice about the dishes he liked at least and stood up for things the other judges weren't crazy about. Maybe he was overcompensating for being new?

I think he had the WMD line prepped up and ready to go on the first subpar dish. IMO, calling the fish taco "cat food" was more personal and stinging because it obviously wasn't a rehearsed line.

And what was she thinking of, making fish tacos for her Wow! dish, anyway? That was pure stupidity.

Maybe he was overcompensating for being new?

Maybe. Still a jerk about it, though. We'll see what happens next week. Why couldn't they have had Bourdain fill in!