"top chef masters" news and stories

Throughout the second season of Top Chef Masters, New York based chef (and KitchenDaily expert) Marcus Samuelsson displayed a steady hand and a masterful knowledge of world inspired cuisines -- so much so that he emerged victorious over "culinary ninja" Susur Lee and seafood king Rick Moonen.

Early on, Samuelsson's cool and confident demeanor helped edge out competitors such as Jody Adams, Carmen Gonzalez and Tony Mantuano. Then, during the first few episodes of the "champions' round" it almost felt like he'd be leaving at any moment. But once the competition field narrowed to four, Samuelsson hit his stride.

As was often noted throughout Top Chef Masters, Samuelsson was born in Ethiopia but raised in Sweden by an adoptive family. In the end, his heritage paid off. In the season finale, Samuelsson took the table guests and judges on a journey from Sweden to Africa, preparing smoked char, cured duck with a foie gras ganache and a hamachi meatball with a sea urchin froth and porcini couscous.

Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday (translation: April) that we welcomed nearly two dozen of the nation's best chefs into our living rooms for their weekly hazing on Top Chef Masters. Most were excised in the cruel, quick early rounds, but those who stayed -- and those who judged them -- left us with burning questions that we fear will never be answered.

For instance: Would sustainable seafood guru Rick Moonen prove, on the basis of appearance and first name if nothing else, to be this year's underdog champ, a la Rick Bayless in 2009? Would Susur Lee's unbridled, crazy genius make him a lock or handicap him? Would the professional egotist Marcus Samuelsson give up the arrogant schtick, or is it genuine? And just how many pairs of plaid trousers does he own?

And what of the judges? What happened to our favorite grand dame, Gael Greene, anyway? Did she take her hat collection and open up a millinery? Why does Jay Rayner have that permanently downturned smirk? Is it hereditary, or does he practice it in the mirror? And why, dear god, why, does James Oseland have a fishy crush on Rick?

Readers: you might notice a couple changes to the Top Chef Masters exit interview post this week -- the title and the photo. Our goal in presenting these exclusive interviews is to satisfy our readers who are huge Top Chef fans in a timely, lively fashion. Some of you who hadn't yet watched the show were upset that the title and leading photo spoiled the show's outcome in past weeks. We will continue to do these exit interviews, but will mask the "loser" by not featuring their profile photo or name in the title.

Read on for our exit interview with the latest Top Chef Master to get the boot.

To be totally honest, we had trouble tuning in to Top Chef Masters last night. Not that we aren't in awe of the "four dudes left," to quote our favorite comfort-food teddy bear, Jonathan Waxman.

It's just that they're, well, all dudes -- our favorite non-dude, Susan Feniger, was banished last week, back to the confines of her delightful L.A. eatery Street. What would the kitchen be like without her cackle!? Where would the competition be without her somewhat goofy and laser-sharp stare?

Add to that the fact that the inimitable Gael Greene was sitting out the judging this time, and the episode was certainly lacking in double-chromosome jubilation. "Burnt sienna, depression, avocado" wasn't just an improvised name of a dish; it could've been the theme of the evening.

Spoiler alert: Our goal in presenting these exclusive interviews is to satisfy our readers who are huge Top Chef fans in a timely, lively fashion. Some of you who hadn't yet watched the show were upset that the title and leading photo spoiled the show's outcome in past weeks. We will continue to do these exit interviews, but will mask the "loser" by not featuring their profile photo or name in the title.

Read on for our exit interview with the latest Top Chef Master to get the boot.