Top Chef:

Zoi's comments were ridiculous. I mean you can say that you think that that taste combination may not work but it didn't sound like she'd actually tasted it!

And I thought freakin' Ryan was going to bring the Hobbit down with his ignorance. I was shocked that they ended up making a dish that actually worked.

That beef dish sounded divinely yum.

Well, Markwise had a few favorite films that I have NEVER heard of. . .

I have to say that I love that they wound up making a dish based on "A Christmas Story" and that one of the other top dishes was inspired by "Top Secret."

Zoi was out of line. I got the feeling that she didn't taste the dish so couldn't possibly know.

I have to add that I thought that this challenge was right up your alley, Jessica. I immediately thought of your annual Oscar Night party with the movie-themed food.

Well, Markwise had a few favorite films that I have NEVER heard of. . .

"Crazy Bad" isn't that obscure, and "To Kill A Mockingbird" is a classic, although I'd be hard-pressed to guess what you'd come up with.

I'm surprised no one did a food-inspired film like "Ratatouille." Manuel came close to picking a food-based film with "Like Water For Chocolate," but didn't take command.

He should have taken command - but Spike clearly wanted to to Vietnamese food.

I hadn't heard of Crazy Bad - or, was it "Bad Bubby"?

You could have done a poultry based southern inspired dish for To Kill a Mockingbird. Quail or grouse would have worked.

Well, Markwise had a few favorite films that I have NEVER heard of. . .

It was mainly just killing me that neither of them mentioned any of the LoTR movies!

I'm surprised no one did a food-inspired film like "Ratatouille." Manuel came close to picking a food-based film with "Like Water For Chocolate," but didn't take command.

I'm glad they didn't. That would have been way too obvious, I think. But Spike's wanting to do Vietnamese food so proposing a film with "Vietnam" in the title and doing a dish that had nothing to do with the film (and was boring to boot) was idiotic.

"To Kill A Mockingbird" is a classic, although I'd be hard-pressed to guess what you'd come up with.

classic southern cooking with a twist.

I'm surprised no one did a food-inspired film like "Ratatouille." Manuel came close to picking a food-based film with "Like Water For Chocolate," but didn't take command.

Or Big Night, but not enough time for Timpani (?), I guess. A good risotto would have worked.

It was mainly just killing me that neither of them mentioned any of the LoTR movies!

I'm glad they didn't - I fear it would have been cringe-inducing given everything else Ryan was saying.

Well, I have to say that Spike can't be long for the show

I suspect the next time he takes charge and fails, he'll get the axe instead of the beta chef(s).

classic southern cooking with a twist

yum!

I'm envisioning something with smoked ham and spicy greens, maybe some cannelli beans or those super huge beans.