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6/5: Atlanta’s Richard Blais in “Top Chef” finals, local couple needs votes to win “Today” show wedding
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Meredith Ford, our food critic, had heard before the show started airing, that Atlanta’s brilliant chef Richard Blais would make the finals of Bravo’s addictive reality show “Top Chef.”
She was right. Bravo tonight aired the penultimate episode where they went from four to three. Blais, the last guy standing, won the challenge, which was making three dishes centered around pork. Since they were in Puerto Rico, he blended Latin influences with a bit of Southern cooking. And he gets to take home a 2009 Toyota Corolla.
Based on his multiple victories, Blais is a favorite to win this next Wednesday, though Stephanie has been equally consistent and could easily win this. Lisa, the beeyotch of the show (91% of texters wanted her to go home), somehow beat out the much more likable and arguably more talented Antonio. Then Lisa had the nerve to get peeved when Stephanie and Richard failed to properly congratulate her. Very uncomfortable finale scene.
-Vote for metro Atlanta couple Darnell Suggs and LaDonna Bradford, who are vying to win a free wedding on “The Today Show.” They have beaten three couples and are in the final two. We’ll find out next Wednesday if they make it.
VOTE VIA TEXT: TEXT 2 to 46833 (No Charge)
or
VOTE ONLINE:
-Atlanta rapper Ms. Cherry is in the top 3 in VH1’s “Miss Rap Supreme” after nasty witch Chiba was surprisingly ousted on Monday’s episode. Finale is next Monday.
Comments
By KoPP
June 5, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
Yo Rodney, it’s Antonia not Antonio.
By Jenn
June 5, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
He won a 2009 Corolla. Lisa needs to be cut next week since Stephanie and Richard are so clearly the most talented.
By Chief Wiggum
June 5, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Hey Rodney, I heard the Regular Guys talking about this guy (there’s a RG plug for you). This is the dude that keeps opening restaurants that fail, right? The dude that invented something as nasty-sounding as the fois gras milkshake, right? He keeps opening WEIRD restaurants that nobody (outside of Meredith Ford and other food snobs) wants to eat at, they fail, he goes on, and it’s like none of the food snobs understand why he fails.
Experimental does not equal good.
By Monty Burns
June 5, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
Chief Wiggum, you’re an idiot.
By Josh M
June 5, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
God forbid a guy tries something different. Because we really need another generic steakhouse or sports bar.
By Lee W
June 5, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
Richard has been fantastic to watch on this season of Top Chef. I just hope the producers aren’t setting up Stephanie to win since the previous three have all been male. And it’s far, far better to try then fail than to have never tried at all. GO RICHARD!!
By Lamont Sanford
June 5, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Blais doesn’t open/own restaurants, he just works as chef at those places…aka employee. Usually lasts less than 6 mos. He’s a nice guy but he ain’t dumb enough to put his own money into his food ideas. Flip is the next gig he’s involved in. 5 months, tops.
By meridith ford
June 5, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Just to clarify, guys: Blais currently works with Tom Catherall at his new concept, Home, which was called Posh and was formerly Seeger’s. Blais will be involved with Flip, an upscale burger joint slated for opening on the West Side, on a consulting basis. He still consults for Element in Kennesaw, too. He and his wife are the proud new parents of a baby girl just this past week. His skills are far and above anyone else’s on the show… did you see him break down that monkfish when no one else would? He’s the only guy on there with any kitchen chops…
By Paul from Milton
June 5, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
I saw an interview with Spike on the Grub Street blog and he said that Blais was in a completely different class from the other chefs on the show and that he should easily win.
Congratulations on the new baby Richard and good luck on the Top Chef finals.
As for the Regular Guys - there is an “exotic” Macaroni Grill just waiting to serve you.
By Melissa
June 5, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Blais continues to blaze a trail… and he does it with class, which some of the other contestants do not do (read: Lisa)! Everyone won’t like his creations, but who cares. He’s representing ATL very well and putting out food that the judges love! Stephanie is giving him a good run, but I am confident Richard will prevail in the long run.
Lisa is obviously a miserable person. She should have been gone a long time ago, but she makes for “good TV.” Her body language alone speaks volumes. At judges table she takes a defensive posture with those crossed arms and that ugly scowl. And then she opens her mouth and just adds to the display. UGH!
By Jennifer
June 5, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
It’s wonderful to see such a nice and talented guy doing so well. Having recently enjoyed a fantastic and decadent meal at Home, I am fully on board the Blais bandwagon.
By DVR USER
June 5, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Thanks for giving away part of the show with the headline on the front page for those who had not seen it………………
By AL
June 5, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Richard is a class act and I’ve liked him and Stephanie from the beginning of the show this season. I’ve liked Antonia as well. I still can’t believe Lisa has made it through to the finals. She does not deserve to be there.
By Swangirl
June 5, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
I guess when Richard commented after the Common Threads challenge (where they cooked with kids) that he wanted to go home and “make little Blaises” with his wife, he meant it!
I think Richard and Stephanie are both fantastic. My husband and I wanted to cry when Lisa made the final three.
By Josh M
June 5, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
Quote of the year, from Richard:
“You won the f*ing Bronze medal, congratulations.”
By Lee
June 6, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this
Richard Rocks! He has been a class act this season. Although his final (“…bronze-medal…congrats”)comment to Lisa was priceless. Her nastiness will only make her down-to-two elimination all the more sweet. I’m hoping the producers aren’t setting up Stephanie for a win since the last three seasons have been overwhelming male-dominated.
By Lee
June 6, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
Richard Rocks! He has been a class act this season. Although his final (“…bronze-medal…congrats”)comment to Lisa was priceless. Her nastiness will only make her down-to-two elimination all the more sweet. I’m hoping the producers aren’t setting up Stephanie for a win since the last three seasons have been overwhelming male-dominated.
By Marty
June 6, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
I have been in the restaurant business for 30 years and can tell you most of the chefs I have come across are more like Lisa than Richard. Most are obnoxious, ill tempered egomaniacs, what a breath of fresh air Richard is.
TV networks should take a serious look at Richard’s talent. Not only does he have cooking ability but also has an amazing personality to match. He would be a natural, he needs his own show.
That said I am truly disappointed with the obvious pandering to the lowest denominator in which I think Top Chef has mostly avoided. The decision to put Lisa through to the finals was an abomination, done only to create friction. I would bet the farm that the judges were over ruled by the Bravo corporate suits on this one. The disclaimer at the end of the show makes it clear that the judges don’t always decide who is cut. I hate contrived outcomes, they have seriously devalued a good program.
By misty
June 11, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
I just want to say that I work with one of Richard’s cousin’s and have watched the show from the beginning! If I had not already known him before the show started, I would have said from day one that he is the best chef on the show! I hope and pray that he wins, he is the best, however, it seems that they may pick Stephanie because there has not been a female winner yet. That would be a BIG upset, considering Richard has out cooked everyone on the show and I hope the judges make the right decision without being gender bias! Richard you are amazing and hope that i can meet you some day, maybe when you visit your cousin here in Ohio. Congrats and I hope you are not robbed your title of Top Chef because you are not female!!!! And congrats on a beautiful baby GIRL!
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