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Warning: The post below contains spoilers, so if you TiVo'd last night's "Iron Chef America" and don't want to know who won, I suggest you stop reading now.
Last night, the oddest battle in the history of Kitchen Stadium took place, a battle of the Food Network All-Stars that pit Mario Batali and Rachael Ray against Bobby Flay and Giada de Laurentiis. The theme ingredient was cranberries. It seemed to take Rachael and Mario several minutes to find their groove, with Rachael seeming to get flustered and Mario looking a little impatient, although the pair seemed to have the dishes they would do divided up already. It looked like things started out very smoothly for Bobby and Giada, on the other hand, who both appeared focused. As time wore on, however, Rachael adapted more and more to the kitchen and the pressure of the time began to affect Giada's performance. Bobby did his usual good work, but unfortunately, the judges weren't as impressed with Giada's plates as they were with Rachael's -- although it probably didn't hurt that Mario bribed them all with cranberry Bellini's halfway through the competition!
From the fact that both women seemed a bit stressed out at the end of the cooking period, it seems as though neither would be eager to return to the stadium. If the Food Network is thinking of doing another All-Star battle, however, how about Ina Garten vs. Paula Deen?
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11-13-2006 @10:27AM Punisher2K said... "If the Food Network is thinking of doing another All-Star battle, however, how about Ina Garten vs Paula Deen?"
Battle Butter?
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11-13-2006 @11:33AM JD said... I saw the competition last night but the mystery ingredient didn't really excite me. Oh yeah!! The cook won vs. the chef? I only said that because RR made a comment as if she didn't belong there because she is just a cook and not a chef. It all comes down to whose dish is Queen Cuisine!! I love to see Paula and Ina doing the next battle, I just hope the mystery ingredient is not butter.
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11-13-2006 @12:04PM watcher said... It was explained from start of show that the 2 chefs were "mentoring" Rachael and Giada. Lots of hugs and kisses, everyone (to my eyes) was being a good sport and useful. (I'm glad the judging panel did not include any "meanies"!), I think it was meant to be a not-so-serious battle--cranberries, not lamb or lobster. Giada seemed genuinely sad to have lost, Rachael seemed genuinely suprised to have won. I enjoyed it, Rachael Ray has gained some respect I'll bet, and I'm amazed how much you can do with cranberries! The zuppa dessert by Mario B. and R.R. was lovely. Are there no sources for Iron Chef recipes?
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11-13-2006 @12:32PM BobMac said... Although Rachel's team clearly won, Mario was real reason for it.
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11-13-2006 @12:27PM wynk said... I'd definitely be interested in an Ina/Paula throwdown. They are both women who have years of experience "running" their kitchens...it'd be a good match.
Nice touch with the bellinis. :D
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11-13-2006 @4:56PM Devi said... It hurt to watch the judging. Giada looked ready to cry so many times. Good thing Mo Rocca was a judge since he's never too harsh and he caught that Giada needed some cheering up. But then when the winners were announced she looked pissed. Just watching her and Rachel were the best parts of the show. It was a fun battle and I'd like to see one like that every season (or less).
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11-13-2006 @12:58PM Mike said... Jim, sport, if you're determined to contribute nothing but English usage criticisms to the thread, you might verify your own usage skills. To wit: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/anymore
'Anymore' in the context in which you used it is one word.
On-topic: That cake looks *amazing*.
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11-13-2006 @1:29PM David said... I got to see all of the hour battle, but for some reason I didn't get to see the ending. THe channel went black for hours and missed the judgeing and the winner, but I'm happy to hear that Rachel won... I'm pretty sure they will air it again.
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11-13-2006 @2:59PM NAN said... I REALLY AM SHOCKED. NOT SO MUCH MARIO, I THINK HE'S GREAT. HOWEVER, BOBBY WAS REALLY GETTING IMPATIENT W/GIADA'S ANTICS. SHE IS A GREAT COOK. SO WHY DID SHE JUMP UP AND DOWN AT A POT NOT BOILING WATER FAST ENOUGH OR SMILING AND "POSING" FOR THE CAMERA SO MUCH THAT SHE BURNED SOME OF HER STUFF? PRESSURE? SHE LOOKED TRULY UPSET AT THE END. DID SHE AND RR HUG? I CAN'T REMEMBER. I STILL THINK THE BATALI/RAY WIN WAS A SYMPATHY VOTE.. NOT FOR BATALI - FOR RAY... BATALI DID GREAT (ON HIS OWN)...
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11-13-2006 @8:28PM Sindy said... I enjoyed the episode a lot. Though the cooking was playful it seemed both Rachel and Giada took what the judges had to say seriously It was nice to see that they were willing to accept their short comings. I hate that none of the recipes are available on the Food Network site. I would like to try several of them especially that Zuppa. It looked awesome and the reaction of the judges really made me want to try it.
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11-14-2006 @6:21AM Lyndsey said... I like them both but as I am becoming a better cook my tastes have turned more toward Giada's and away from Rachel's I think Rachel is a good cook but for the first half of the show she only worked on one thing, the custard and even then she had to ask Mario if it was done. She acted more like his assistant then he did as hers. I think a show more like Throw Down between the two would be better. Let them do it on their own.
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11-14-2006 @6:23AM Darlene said... I'm glad that Mario and Rachael won. When she says she's a cook not a chef makes her more down to earth.
A battle between Paula and Ina? What a great idea!! One to make sure to watch!
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11-14-2006 @6:25AM ROY TUDOR said... Rachel was her usual down to earth lovable self!! and deserved to win, she puts 110% into all she does!! rachel rocks. giada just wants a mirror around to primp in, she cant cook...
Rachel Ray Rocks and it was fun to see her get a chance to shine on one of the big main shows on FN!!
RRFAN#1 bring back the boards!!! please!!we luv Rachel!!
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11-14-2006 @6:28AM Lana Weber said... I saw the show and had expected Giada to bury RR, and I like them both but I was surprised at how as time went on Giada seemed to come unglued and RR just got better. Giada looked totally pissed off at the end and who could blame her. I don't imagine that gal is used to losing but I could see that the food RR and mario cooked was just tastier. I was really proud of RR and disappinted in Giada, but I will still watch and learn from them both. Maybe Giada as just having a bad day. Some people are great and fall apart under pressure. I think it was a great show. I's buy a ticket to the Ina/Paula cookoff, My money would be on Paula all the way. She rocks. Paula's cookbooks are fantastic. Whenever I make any of her recipies I get tons of compliments. She has kicked my cooking up a notch-- to borrow a phrase from Emerill. Congrats on your win RR and better luck next time Giada!
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11-14-2006 @6:32AM Nancy Scott said... I respect the talent that both woman have in their cooking, but what makes them annoying at times is neither one has grown up. They are always reverting back to their childhood, and that could be endearing at times,but it is very immature (hence the jumping up and down at a non boiling pot)
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11-14-2006 @6:39AM babs said... face it RR is the up and coming star in cooking easy meals which we need in the busy world.. no one has time for the other chef's recipes nor can you find the ingredients half the time.
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11-14-2006 @6:41AM l.pokluda said... wow!! I wish I could have seen that. Everyone wants to be as classy as Giada, however: everyone wants to be as personable as RR. Same with Ina and Paula. Please let me know when you air that segment. It will rock!!
liz
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11-14-2006 @6:41AM Carol Ann said... So glad RR won. I would love to see a Paula/Contessa battle. I love to watch Paula's show but with my health problems I don't DARE eat anything she cooks. But it sure looks good, yummmm
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11-14-2006 @6:49AM Julie said... At the top of this article it says not to read on if you had tivoed the show and hadnt seen it yet, but on the main page of AOL it clearly stated Rachael was the winner. How dumb is that?
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11-14-2006 @6:48AM jmd said... When is the replay?? I've got to see this one!
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