I had to laugh at Gabri’s “dirty kitchen sponge”, as I just finished watching the latest Great British Bakeoff Junior Division. One of their technical challenges was to create a cake that looked just like the yellow and green sponge (but out of cake, not lamb!).
Buddha had a similar challenge in his season, the Doppelganger challenge, so I figured he had this one in the bag.
Some of the themes, like this one, threw the non-native English speakers off. The judges meant for the challenge to be, make something to look like one thing but taste like another. Tom interpreted it to mean, make something that looks and tastes like something but made with something else, which was not an unfair way to interpret the challenge. Think of all the great vegetarian dishes that are made to look and taste like meat/poultry/fish.
3 Likes
I thought it was a strange challenge so close to the end - but maybe that was the point?
WooHoo! I am thrilled that Sara has made it to the finale. While Buddha has delivered some great results, I love the emotion that Sara and Gabri bring to the competition. I see that the fan favorite is down to Sara and Amar. I like him, but hoping she will win between the two. Really looking forward to next week!
3 Likes
I enjoyed tonight’s episode and look forward to the finale.
2 Likes
Interesting the whipsawing of the last 2 challenges. The one from last week was all about technique and manipulation, advantage Buddha. This week it was all about celebrating flavor, advantage Sara. I had wondered how she would fare making a soup for a bunch of Michelin star chefs, but it must have been delicious!
1 Like
Haven’t watched yet and scrolled with squinted eyes past the above comments but SAD! Padma is leaving!!!
Just listened to Sara’s live Instagram story and she didn’t know about Padma until the news just broke. However, she & Kelsey laughingly said they would be the new Padma and Gail down the road a few weeks back and she quickly answered the question today of who should replace Padma by nominating herself 
She talked about the pop-up she had at her restaurant a few days ago with Ali and how great it was. I have seen a ton of pictures from friends who went on Instagram and Facebook and I admit to being jealous. She is trying to get Sylvia over and I would be very tempted to drive “home” to Paducah for that event as much as I love potatoes.
Sara comes from a wonderful family and I have loved seeing how she has grown since opening Freight House, doing the KY season of TC and now doing sell on this season. One of the things I have enjoyed about her is that she is supportive of her fellow competitors such as when she warned Gabri about the high heat on the induction cooktop and his food burning when they cooked on the boat.
2 Likes
So agree! I just finished the episode and always like how she is a competitor but also a supporter of the others— never taking the option of letting someone fail (like Gabri’s potential burning of his dish).
I am sad to see Ali go, but his dish was less inspiring, and I guess someone has to win!
I know this dish was about mushrooms, but if I had to choose between 2nd and 3rd place, Gabri’s dish looked so much more interesting than Buddha’s.
I wonder who Padma’s replacement will be!
1 Like
Well I was hugely disappointed to see Ali go over Gabi. I love Gabi’s personality and he has had some good dishes but he has also faltered often. His dish this week was missing two ingredients - maybe it was a blessing. While it may not come down to this, overall Ali has done so much more - and Gabi I think has had some good luck. Nothing against him!
3 Likes
I really thought this past week was going to crown the winner. I’m surprised we still have one more week!
I think he could have easily won the challenge this past week as well. Good that Gabri edged him out apparently, in the judges - or producers 
- eyes.
1 Like
Finale just starting and I am glued to the tv. However it turns out, I am so proud of Sara!
I respect Buddha, but after reading this article from New York magazine, I hope it’s not him.
Can’t get past paywall. What’s the point of the article?
I was able to view it without a paywall.
You could clear your cookies. Or copy and paste it in a private browser.
It maybe you’ve read your limit of vulture articles. I know I’ve done that before. Love their recaps lol
The main point the author seemed to make-Buddha gamed the system and was rewarded by the judges for it.
I liked Buddha and felt he deserved to win.
1 Like
Expected winner. I really think the judges wanted to give it to someone else, but that was impossible with a very bad mistake. I don’t entirely agree with the article in that Buddha seems to win even if the goal was to cook something meaningful. He is just that good.
On the one hand, having him in twice and winning so much made things a bit less exciting. But could it really have been All Stars if he wasn’t invited? There were other past winners that could have come on and been contenders, but he deserved a shot.
I agree that the loss of Padma will change the show. Perhaps a chance to retool a bit. It is still the only cooking show I watch.
1 Like
It is hard to believe I’ve been watching Parma for 20 years. She has not aged at all.
Buddha’s food , especially the butterfly and the rose, were exquisite
Any guesses on her replacement? Marcus Samuelsson?
1 Like
The emotion from Padma seemed to signal she knew it was her last show even if she hadn’t shared that with anyone at the time.
I understand that the undercooked liver was a deal breaker for Sara. After reading the Vulture article and watching Buddha’s somewhat stand-offish attitude, I am left with understanding his victory, but I can’t feel good about it. I loved how they praised the other 3 courses Sara presented.
Even if I didn’t know Sara & her mom, I would have loved her for how she helped out her fellow chefs - once again, watching out for Gabri’s burning beans during the finale. I was disappointed that Amar edged her out for the $10,000 prize for fan favorite, though I like Amar. I cried a little when she talked about her mom and they showed pictures of the two of them.
Loved seeing the big watch party in Paducah last night in my social media. It was at our performing arts center which is across the street, more or less, from Sara’s restaurant, Freight House. I am so proud of how she has highlighted Paducah and the ability of a young woman to balance being an entrepreneur and a mom. She’s lucky to have a strong family support system, but it’s an incredible accomplishment.
3 Likes