I am hootie hooting for Carla Hall to take the top prize on Top Chef! When she says she cooks with love, I totally believe her. Throughout this season on 'Top Chef' she has competed with all heart and no drama. Anytime a fellow competitor felt they were on the chopping block Hall seemed as if she was always holding their hand. When they were given the command to, "Pack up your knives," she was always the first to give the departing chef a hug goodbye. She did all of this while remaining in a tough competition.
I'm a fan of 'Top Chef' as well as 'Project Runway' because these shows are reality competitions at their best. I enjoy people at the top of their game doing something that they love. I think it is great that often the 'game' aspect of these shows is thrown to the wayside so that individuals with integrity bring to the table all that they have every single time. It is a thrill to witness the most gifted of a profession prove that they are more than just chefs or designers, but people you would want by your side when times are tough. Many show through their actions that it isn't just about getting their recipe right, but that they can cook against others without playing up the disadvantages of a competitor. In other words, if they win they want to win against someone who is also at the top of their game and not because they played a game.
Carla Hall may have not won as many of the quick fire or elimination challenges as her two male competitors, but she has remained on the show and appears to be gaining momentum. She won the elimination challenge last week and so I hope she pulls through tonight. Of course, as luck would have it, I'm not going to be able to watch the episode so I'm counting on some of you to fill me in.
Here's another thing I find admirable about Hall, she looks like the grown up version of a girl I went to elementary school with. And like my friend from school who was targeted for her unconventional looks, Hall has had her share of mean spirited bloggers making fun of her unique beauty, but a few weeks ago she talked about how she got into cooking after a career as a model. So there, haters! If you could see beyond your recent rhinoplasty, you would recognize when someone is indeed beautiful inside and out.
Hall has started a lot of people doing, "Hootie, Hoo," in grocery stores as a way to locate missing friends or family in different aisles, which is such a fun thing to yell in public - kind of like 'Marco Polo' on dry land.
In conclusion, here's a Hootie Hoo to you Carla Hall! I hope you win 'Top Chef' but even if you don't you are still a winner to me! In fact, you are so loving I think you and Paula Deen should get together and chat about food how you put love in food.
If any of you are interested in a great blog transcript with Carla Hall go here http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2009/02/24/DI2009022402758.html . After reading this you cannot tell me she isn't the classist and loving chef you have seen in quite some time. Carla Hall has personality plus.
Westerfield © 2009
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Comments: 43
I think she might take it, as long as she doesn't panic. Stefan seems to have alienated nearly everyone, and Josea is unpredictable. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
(By the way, I LOVED last week when she ran up to the judges' table to get the keys! What a funny lady she is!)
Wanna borrow my DVR, Lisa? I'll bring it up to you...
I am gonna get a ration of nothing good for this, but I actually kind of like... *gulp*... Stefan. (Dear Jesus, Please don't let Kris. M. see that. Thank you, The Panst™.)
I do like Carla -- a lot -- but I really, really like Stefan for some reason. And I anti-? Hosea because he helped Leah throw Ariane under the bus way back when... oh! And on the most recent Iron Chef America?! Ariane was one of the challenger's sous chefs. It was pretty cool seeing her again.
In short (??), if Carla wins, I won't be angry, but I'd prefer Stefan.
Lynn, I hope so.
CC, I can’t believe you don’t like her. Oh well, I guess she can’t expect everyone to love her.
Nancy, isn’t that refreshing? Someone who admits that they screwed up. I’m going to get all political here, but it is sooooo nice to hear someone admit culpability after eight years of passing the buck. I think her behavior should be a role model for all professionals.
I like Fabio too! Seriously, he might get his own show? That is wonderful!
John, my friend and my Dad are recording ‘Lost’ for me, so I’m not lost on ‘Lost’.
Me too. I'll be happy if either Stefan or Carla wins.
I absolutely want to stuff Stefan face-first into a frying pan. I don't care about Hosea and I bet no one else does either -- I miss Fabio!
Stefan, doesn't have to be humble he was throughout the top chef and the measure to beat. Stefan was the top chef before he did Top Chef and will continue to be after Top Chef...he knows this, the judges know this and Hosea knows this.
Have you ever cooked alligator? One of the judges asked Stefan.
No...and nobody ever should. Stefan should have said.
Where's the dessert in a three course meal, Hosea???
My rant here
wtfiswrongwithtopchefarant>
so glad Hosea won. both me and my chef boyfriend picked him to win ages ago. overall he was consistent and even keeled. and i would give anything to have that plate of Venison right now.
Thank you for posting to this group whose only purpose is to thank you for posting to this group.
Just sayin'.
Ashley, really? I mean she perhaps wasn’t the most experienced of chefs but I didn’t think she demonstrated and attitude.
Sophie, that was a good episode although we all know they filmed it during football’s pre-season.
Amanda, go Carla! Sadly, she didn’t win.
Teresa, he almost pulled it off.
Jackie, as always, you were right.
Janna, Stefan was okay. I don’t think he was as obnoxious as some of the previous contestants. He just was confident in the way he did things. The only think I didn’t like was when he phoned in their first competition in New Orleans.
Sarah, so many people rooting for her.
Faith, maybe they someone on the Food Network will give her a show.
Felix, for some reason you strike me as a Carla supporter.
Kris, Hosea of course wins. I missed the reunion show, is Hosea and whats-her-name still together. Fabio seemed like such a nice Italian boy.
Felix, I actually like alligator meat. Is that wrong of me? I think you are right about Hosea. Carla messed it all up during the endgame and Stefan, was well, Stefan. Who won the fan favorite? I thought Hosea was likeable.
I do not purr, I’ll read your rant later tonight. I agree, Carla went down in flames. I really hated to see the woman from the other season sort of not get along with Carla.
CC, wow, you really put a new spin on Hosea for me. Shoot, I so wish I didn’t miss the reunion show.
Dame Ruth, thank you for dropping by.
Sandy, then thank you for dropping by.
Dame Ruth, I must have changed it some time ago. I am really silly, as you know.
Vic, it is a good show. Try and catch a few episodes sometime.
Mugg, she was sweeter than sugar and seemed like she was the sort of person you would want for a friend. Plus she cooked with love and you can never go wrong with that sort of cooking.