Last year I really liked Aidan and I felt for him when he lost out again. But he's not exactly covering himself with glory this time round. He seems quite spiteful and maybe it was just the edit, but he seemed to relish Mary-Ellen's criticisms from Phil about her dish's failings. Maybe it's just me though.
I'm not sure about the word "spiteful" but I agree with most of this. I also warmed to Aiden last year (after a couple of dodgy appearances where I wasn't sure about him) and I thought he was very unlucky not to get through (in that he cooked extremely well in a very tough heat and could count himself unfortunate to come up against Simon Rogan at the top of his game). Part of me would like him to finally make it to the final at least but I don't think he's coming across that brilliantly this year either.
I think this year's programme has been patchy for me. Wasn't sure about the first week, really enjoyed last week and am back to being a bit take it or leave it this week. Neither the dishes nor the chefs are really grabbing me although Mary Ellen and Chris seem perfectly nice. Maybe I'm just becoming grumpy and hard to please .
The questioning of what the clay brings to the potatoes is over done. Its obviously for visual impact and it goes really well with the theme.
M-E thinks that giving her dish a slightly amusing name is enough, but it's not is it.
I've noticed twice now in the past few weeks that the veteran judge has been making a point about the temperature of the dish.
Things like, it must be tasty but the temperature must be right. It's got to have the right flavours but I don't want a cold dish etc.
And guess what? Shock! Horror! The temperature of the food from one of the chefs was too cold.
It's so obvious that all the temperature comments were said after the fact and then edited in.
If Mary Ellen comes back next year she might be advised to practice her stuff more, her attention to detail needs work.
Interestingly, PH and the other chefs think her flavours are really good.
I didnt like the look of any of those dishes much. Chris's sounded nicest. M-E's looked most like a meal.
Aidens was beef, noodles and dry potato. The biggest part of it was the display. I cant see why they all thought it was so good.
I didntlike the look of any of those dishes much. Chris's sounded nicest. M-E's looked most like a meal.
Aidens was beef, noodles and dry potato. The biggest part of it was the display. I cant see why they all thought it was so good.
Agreed. TBH I haven't really fancied any of the dishes this week so far, compared to last week when I would have happily eaten all the food prepared.
I've noticed twice now in the past few weeks that the veteran judge has been making a point about the temperature of the dish.
Things like, it must be tasty but the temperature must be right. It's got to have the right flavours but I don't want a cold dish etc.
And guess what? Shock! Horror! The temperature of the food from one of the chefs was too cold.
It's so obvious that all the temperature comments were said after the fact and then edited in.
:rolleyes:
You may be right but I just cant see a motive for them doing that. Making sure food is an adequate temperature isnt exactly the NWO.
I try not to criticise a judge's marking when I haven't had the opportunity to taste the food but Mary Ellen has been extremely lucky this week in my opinion to have been marked so high given that she's been late for one course, served undercooked suet on another and not served her main course hot enough. Can't help thinking a judge like Waring would have been marking her right down by now.
Aiden seems by far the best chef based on this week alone. Mary Ellen seems disorganised and like me unable to get all the ingredients hot at the same time. She commented on the level of scrutiny she feels under so maybe she cooks better in her own restaurant or maybe she has good staff who can deliver her creative ideas better than she can herself. Chris's dishes seem pleasant but not exceptional.
Unless Mary Ellen can get everything to come together for the judges chamber (assuming no surprises for the dessert course) then Aiden is finally going to fulfil his dream and reach the final. He wants it so much I hope he does this time.
I try not to criticise a judge's marking when I haven't had the opportunity to taste the food but Mary Ellen has been extremely lucky this week in my opinion to have been marked so high given that she's been late for one course, served undercooked suet on another and not served her main course hot enough. Can't help thinking a judge like Waring would have been marking her right down by now.
Aiden seems by far the best chef based on this week alone. Mary Ellen seems disorganised and like me unable to get all the ingredients hot at the same time. She commented on the level of scrutiny she feels under so maybe she cooks better in her own restaurant or maybe she has good staff who can deliver her creative ideas better than she can herself. Chris's dishes seem pleasant but not exceptional.
Unless Mary Ellen can get everything to come together for the judges chamber (assuming no surprises for the dessert course) then Aiden is finally going to fulfil his dream and reach the final. He wants it so much I hope he does this time.
Completely agree, much as I like what I've seen of Mary-Ellen she's had significant problems with all three of her dishes so far, so her being in second place, with good scores every time, is a bit puzzling, although of course it may all taste amazing, but uncooked parts and a cold course that's meant to be hot
Mary Ellen looked defeated last night when Phil was doing the tasting. Her score was a big surprise so I think she will go on to do a great pud tonight and through to the final.
Hard to imagine her pipping Aiden to the banquet though but I would love to see her go through I really like her she seems to have a lovely disposition and obviously produces tasty food.
I think the noodles on Aiden's dish just didn't go.
They may have tasted wonderful, but when you've gone to so much trouble to theme the rest of your dish as stoneage the includsion of a pot noodle and a revolving fork just spoilt the whole effect.
And the wife and I are slso stunned by Mary Ellen's scores, 15 minutes late, soggy pastry, cold main and she's still in second place? If I were Chris I'd be bloody annoyed.
You may be right but I just cant see a motive for them doing that. Making sure food is an adequate temperature isnt exactly the NWO.
No motive, just an example of the editing of the programme. When I watch the show it always reminds me of that Charlie Brooker Screenwipe clip about reality TV editing:-
Comments
I'm not sure about the word "spiteful" but I agree with most of this. I also warmed to Aiden last year (after a couple of dodgy appearances where I wasn't sure about him) and I thought he was very unlucky not to get through (in that he cooked extremely well in a very tough heat and could count himself unfortunate to come up against Simon Rogan at the top of his game). Part of me would like him to finally make it to the final at least but I don't think he's coming across that brilliantly this year either.
I think this year's programme has been patchy for me. Wasn't sure about the first week, really enjoyed last week and am back to being a bit take it or leave it this week. Neither the dishes nor the chefs are really grabbing me although Mary Ellen and Chris seem perfectly nice. Maybe I'm just becoming grumpy and hard to please .
They've had a different meat in the winning main course every series so far.
IIRC Marcus Wareing gave him a 10 for his fish course last year, and then the Judges weren't overly keen on it.
His place at Lymn is overpriced, its fine but not VFM IMO. It lacks atmosphere, i think its a reflection of his personality.
Marcus Wareing is another judge who I think lacks objectivity. If Pru says its great I will believe it.
M-E thinks that giving her dish a slightly amusing name is enough, but it's not is it.
Things like, it must be tasty but the temperature must be right. It's got to have the right flavours but I don't want a cold dish etc.
And guess what? Shock! Horror! The temperature of the food from one of the chefs was too cold.
It's so obvious that all the temperature comments were said after the fact and then edited in.
:rolleyes:
Interestingly, PH and the other chefs think her flavours are really good.
Aidens was beef, noodles and dry potato. The biggest part of it was the display. I cant see why they all thought it was so good.
Agreed. TBH I haven't really fancied any of the dishes this week so far, compared to last week when I would have happily eaten all the food prepared.
You may be right but I just cant see a motive for them doing that. Making sure food is an adequate temperature isnt exactly the NWO.
Aiden seems by far the best chef based on this week alone. Mary Ellen seems disorganised and like me unable to get all the ingredients hot at the same time. She commented on the level of scrutiny she feels under so maybe she cooks better in her own restaurant or maybe she has good staff who can deliver her creative ideas better than she can herself. Chris's dishes seem pleasant but not exceptional.
Unless Mary Ellen can get everything to come together for the judges chamber (assuming no surprises for the dessert course) then Aiden is finally going to fulfil his dream and reach the final. He wants it so much I hope he does this time.
Completely agree, much as I like what I've seen of Mary-Ellen she's had significant problems with all three of her dishes so far, so her being in second place, with good scores every time, is a bit puzzling, although of course it may all taste amazing, but uncooked parts and a cold course that's meant to be hot
I think I've worked why Aiden may come across as a bit sinister at times http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/2/29268/930839-baby_gerald_the_baby_with_the_one_eyebrow_20080825024633180_640w_large.jpg
Hard to imagine her pipping Aiden to the banquet though but I would love to see her go through I really like her she seems to have a lovely disposition and obviously produces tasty food.
They may have tasted wonderful, but when you've gone to so much trouble to theme the rest of your dish as stoneage the includsion of a pot noodle and a revolving fork just spoilt the whole effect.
And the wife and I are slso stunned by Mary Ellen's scores, 15 minutes late, soggy pastry, cold main and she's still in second place? If I were Chris I'd be bloody annoyed.
No motive, just an example of the editing of the programme. When I watch the show it always reminds me of that Charlie Brooker Screenwipe clip about reality TV editing:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBwepkVurCI
:eek:
She looked frozen