Project Runway 12/16/21--"The Last Straw" summary

 

Previously on “Project Runway”: everyone acted like “comfy chic” was a thing aside from just going out in public in leggings or in your pajama pants like we all did last year because who cares. The designers have to do something with this aesthetic, which means basically everyone made wide-legged pants and loose clothing. Sure. Also last year's winner Geoffrey and Cyndi Lauper showed up for some reason. Kristina made a huge shapeless thing that you can wear like a flannel around your waist, or like a caftan but with multiple prints, and anyway for some reason the judges liked it and she won. Coral made harem pants and a dress, out of sequins, which was not comfy but also was not enough to send her home. Instead Octavio and his silver brocade hoodie dress and stockings were sent home. But then also Zayden's ill-fitting jumpsuit was enough for elimination. I knew a double elimination was coming, because of Shantall being saved last week, but I didn't expect it right away. (click for more)

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Project Runway 12/9/21--"Couch Couture" summary

 

Previously on “Project Runway”: everyone paired up to make avant garde looks using faux fur. Yeah. Chasity won, for making an art piece with Prajje. Aaron and Bones had a dumb argument where Aaron lost it, and was a jerk, but then when he apologized Bones just lectured him on how black men are not allowed to react to anything. Octavio and Anna ended up in the bottom, partially blamed on how the van driver hit some scaffolding and broke the window right next to Anna so she was not on. But in the end the judges eliminated Shantall, even though Kristina made the dress they didn't like. But Kristina had immunity. So Christian used his Save to keep Shantall in the competition. (click for more)

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Project Runway 12/2/21--"Are You Fur Real?" summary

 

Previously on “Project Runway”: designers had to make a fashion look to accompany an accessory. It was nice to see some accessory designers because it reminded me of Project Accessory. Prajje was given gloves covered in huge faux flowers, and he made a classic gorgeous dress, but he did not win for some reason. Kristina won, which, I guess. Also Coral was randomly in the top but she didn't win, despite getting more screen time in the last episode than all season. Katie made a dress that was very her, the way the judges have been yelling at her to do, so of course they hated it and sent her home finally. (click for more)

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Project Runway 11/18/21--"Fashion Is Back, Baby!" summary

 

Previously on “Project Runway”: the remaining designers were paired up to make on-air outfits for Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski, to wear during the Olympics. I'm sure they'll edit them heavily. Anna decided she would be in charge and got Bones to do what she wanted, resulting in a win. Octavio tried to do the same to Katie, but the judges have decided to mess with Katie by telling her that her designs are amazing and she should always do what she wants. So of course she was not eliminated because we need an episode where they turn on her. Sabrina was unwell and had a garish design so she was sent home. (click for more)

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Project Runway 11/11/21--"Go For the Gold...Sequin" summary

 

Previously on “Project Runway”: everyone had to make floral gowns. Or just outfits, I guess. It was not that exciting, and also the results seemed questionable. Katie couldn't make anything youthful, and Sabrina made a “modern take” on a burka, but put a weird skirt over everything. But they both had compelling stories, unlike Darren, who just made some ugly dress and was sent home. Shantall presented a beautiful suit, but her print didn't really read floral. But it was her son's birthday and she cried about it and then she won, so you see what I am saying about questionable results. It reminds me of when the show was on Lifetime and that's not a compliment. (click for more)

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Project Runway 11/4/21--"Flower Power" summary

 

Previously on “Project Runway”: the designers were asked to make a “hauntingly chic” gown and mask for a masquerade ball. Katie used what appeared to be cotton and string, but because she was sure she was going home, she was safe and also the judges told her she did a great job. Chasity made a nude illusion gown with black appliques and fans, which was very dramatic and beautiful and was the clear winner. Kenneth also had sheer but then a bunch of satin in a weird cape thing that looked sloppy and unnecessary, so he was sent home. (click for more)

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Project Runway 10/28/21--"If You Got It, Haunt It" summary

 

Previously on “Project Runway”: the designers were supposed to make streetwear More than one designer wanted to make something personal and meaningful, which would involve a particular model. Specifically, Prajje wanted a Black model because he was making a Haitian-inspired design. It didn't look promising, but with Christian's meddling he got what he wanted. Kenneth waited several more hours before deciding he'd also like a model that looked like him. When he asked Meg to trade, she got pissed and passive-aggressive. Prajje called her out, which resulted in Meg yelling at Kenneth for not defending her, and eventually Meg quit the show. Kenneth changed his design, but it didn't matter because no one was sent home since Meg quit. Prajje won. (click for more)

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Project Runway 10/21/21--"#STREETWEAR" summary

 

Previously on “Project Runway”: we began the season with a team challenge and forcing everyone to use color. There wasn't a ton of interpersonal drama, just Bones telling Christian he didn't need any outside opinions. And then Bones made Darren's dress for him, but Darren gave him credit for that. In the end Bones won, and Caycee was sent home for putting the plus-sized model in too much fabric, as tends to happen. (click for more)

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Project Runway 10/14/21--"A Colorful Return" summary

 

Previously on “Project Runway”: it's been quite a while since the last season. Also you may have heard Karlie isn't going to be a full-time host, but I think she has scheduling conflicts. Not that she got fired or something. Other than that I have no idea what's going on this season so let's start. (click for more)

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Top Chef 7/1/21--"The Next Top Chef Is..." summary

 

Previously on “Top Chef”: the final three went clamming and then cooked clams. This went mostly OK, except Shota cut his hand. Spoiler, this doesn't come up again really. Gabe finally won a Quickfire, not that it's terribly important. The final Elimination challenge is to make two dishes with Dungeness Crab, one cold and one hot. Each of the final three left things off of plates, or didn't finish a dish. But in the end Shota is declared the winner and then both Gabe and Dawn are passed through to the final. (click for more)

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Top Chef 6/24/21--"Shellfishly Delicious" summary

 Previously on "Top Chef": the Quickfire asked the contestants to cook only with ingredients found on the Oregon Trail. No bison, though. Jamie won, which kept Gabe from winning a Quickfire. Then everyone headed to Tillamook to learn about cheese, and also to somehow make a dish using cheddar five different ways. Lots of melting cheese until it separates and then using the oil. Shota won, because when you ask Shota to do something crazy, that's when he's the best. Jamie was sent home, because even though Dawn once again left something off one of the plates, overall her dish had better components. (click for more)

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Top Chef 6/17/21--"The Cheesier the Better" summary

 Previously on "Top Chef": There was a blind taste test Quickfire, that somehow involved pairs and no communication. Byron almost made it back to the main competition, but he failed to win enough challenges to do so, and no one returned from Last Chance Kitchen. Brooke joined the contestants to make pairs for the Quickfire, and she and Dawn won, mostly because of Dawn's palate. The Elimination challenge was to cook with the contents of a care package your family sent to you. This seemed to hinge on whether or not your family is genre-savvy enough to send you actual cooking ingredients instead of junk food and booze. Gabe won, and I know he is a good chef, but his wife sent him bay leaves is what I'm saying. Maria lost, and briefly Jamie tried to quit in her place, but everyone talked her out of it. (click for more)

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Top Chef 6/10/21--"Blind Ambitions" summary

 

Previously on “Top Chef”: the judges showed up and decided to use buzzwords from Chipotle to force the contestants to make dishes. It was mostly not exciting. Dawn was declared the winner, for following the “criteria” the closest. Then the Elimination Challenge was to cook with tofu. Each contestant got assigned a firmness (medium, firm, extra firm) and they cooked head-to-head. Losers had a three-way battle using fried tofu and then a final two with soft tofu. Dawn cut herself and bled onto some of her plates, so she automatically lost that round. The final battle was Byron vs. Dawn and Byron lost. There was actually no winner this episode. (click for more)

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Top Chef 6/3/21--"Tournament of Tofu" summary

 

Previously on “Top Chef”: the contestants were asked to make food with hipster ingredients using vintage equipment. Yeah, sure. Dawn won an advantage in the Elimination Challenge, which was useless in the end because it didn't matter. The challenge was to write a recipe for home cooks. It should serve six and take 90 minutes. Some people did not do that well, but honestly it usually takes months or years to write a cookbook and many chefs will hire editors to make sure the recipes are written well and makes sense. Some of the All-Stars followed the recipes so the judges could try them side-by-side with the contestants, supposedly to make sure the recipe was easy to follow. Gabe had an amazing sauce and the recipe resulted in an identical dish, so he was the winner. While Byron had a four page recipe, and Jamie's dish was a poor concept, Chris once again screwed up pasta. As in, not only was the recipe dish bad but the dish he himself made was not great. So Chris finally went home. (click for more)

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Top Chef 5/27/21--"Portland-ia" summary

 

Previously on “Top Chef”: it was time for Restaurant Wars! Since we couldn't have diners (or servers) we instead had a chef's table and the contestants served all the food. Honestly I think it was the best way to do this challenge. Kokoson decided on a Latin-Japanese fusion, based on kaiseki which has a very rigid sequence of courses. It was possibly the best Restaurant Wars team/restaurant in the history of the show. Maria won for amazing front-of-house service. Penny had the theme of “seafood”, which did not go well because the courses didn't make sense. And they were not all cooked well. Sara cooked one dish that was not great, and one that it seemed like only Tom liked, so she was sent home. I know people are mad because Dawn didn't tell anyone what her dishes would look like and she for sure was not a team player, but Sara's dishes were still not great. (click for more)

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Top Chef 5/20/21--"Restaurant Wars" summary

 

Previously on “Top Chef”: Jamie returned to the competition from Last Chance Kitchen, and then for the Quickfire everyone had to take a “second chance” at some dish they had previously failed at. Plus use some kind of reject ingredients like slightly off vegetables or fish heads or whatever. Shota won with fish heads. The Elimination Challenge was to make meals for hospital workers, and there was some feel-good discussion and video, but in the end it was about making semi-nutritious comfort food that could be transported and reheated. Jamie made some kimchi stew and rice and pork, and won. So there was much bragging about being back. Both Avishar and Chris were on the bottom for not seasoning their food, and the editing made it seem like Chris has always had this problem and his food was worst, but then Avishar was eliminated. (click for more)

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Top Chef 5/13/21--"Feeding the Frontline" summary

 

Previously on “Top Chef”: everyone had to make mushroom dishes on tree stumps. Not sure why they were on stumps or why whoever cut them failed at making them tall enough, but whatever. Gabriel won, but he did not win immunity. The Elimination Challenge was to make “surf and turf” dishes in pairs, using local game meats and fish. With a double elimination. The contestants met with some local Native Americans to learn about the local foods, and then served several of them along with the judges. Sara and Shota both made a good dish, and were creative about using smelt and not just frying it, so they won. Nelson's knee injury he got in the orchard was still bothering him, and he also overcooked their fish, so he and Gabriel were eliminated. (click for more)

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Top Chef 5/6/21--"Stumptown U.S.A." summary

 

Previously on “Top Chef”: apparently Portland is the City of Roses, so for Mother's Day (which is this week, not last week, not the only counting mistake today) everyone had to make dishes with roses or rose flavored things. Chris won by making Haitian food, and was given immunity and the ability to pick his team in the Elimination Challenge. Which was to make food for a bunch of fans at the drive-in. Two teams, six courses, each course was supposed to be themed around a genre of movie. Some people did this well, but let's say, “action” was not really action-y? Once again, Top Chef failed to count properly and had this challenge when they had 11 people left. So one team had to have everyone contribute to the last course, when they could have done this the week before and had one course per person. Anyway, Gabriel bossed his team around because he's very annoying. It came down to a tie, and the win was given to the best dish overall, which was Byron's Korean fried chicken. Jamie made limp chicken wings (on the “advice” of Gabriel) and was sent home. (click for more)

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Top Chef 4/29/21--"Meet You at the Drive-in" summary

 

Previously on “Top Chef”: somehow contestants were required to make elevated comfort food but also use canned soup. It's a dumb gimmick but it did get me points in trivia this week for knowing about chicken tikka masala. Chris made panzanella with grilled cheese croutons and tomato vinaigrette and won (this was actually creative). For the Elimination challenge, the chefs went to an orchard where they picked fruit fresh off the trees to use in savory dishes. This was also the only produce they were allowed. Gabe won with fall spices and a ton of fruit and fruit flavors. Kiki served all the judges raw chicken and was sent home. (click for more)

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Top Chef 4/22/21--"Thrown For a Loop" summary

 

Previously on “Top Chef”: The Quickfire was product placement, but it did ask people to make a dessert and no one complained that they don't know any desserts. So that was something. Avishar won, because I think the “weirdo” edit he got the first episode may have been misleading. Then everyone had to be “inspired” by African cuisine, which was very fun to see. Dawn finally managed to finish her dish and she won. Brittany doesn't eat spicy food, but her dish didn't even have salt, so she was sent home. (click for more)

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Top Chef 4/15/21--"Pan African Portland" summary

 

Previously on “Top Chef”: The Quickfire involved being a short-order cook, which was not successful for some people. Jamie won immunity for shrimp and grits. Then the contestants were asked to make a dish highlighting either coffee or beer. When they arrived onsite, they were paired up so each pair had to make a dish that highlighted both coffee and beer. Somehow Shota and Avishar won, even though it appeared they'd be a trainwreck. Brittany and Sasha didn't mesh their dishes properly, so Sasha was sent home. (click for more)

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Top Chef 4/8/21--"Trouble Brewing" summary

 

Previously on “Top Chef”: We started a brand new season, with a series of All Star judges (always good to see former contestants). Contestants were asked to cook with birds. I guess. Sara won, with a very confident dish. Roscoe dried out his duck and was the first to be sent to Last Chance Kitchen. (click for more)

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Top Chef 4/1/21--"First Impressions" summary

 

Previously on “Top Chef”: I think...it was two years ago? Guys, it's been so long! (click for more)

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