And you know that he's going to go to games wearing his Top Chef jersey. I'm glad he won. The jersey wouldn't have really meant anything to anyone else.

Yeah, that's why I was so happy that he won - he was such a fanboy.

Dale definitely went fanboy for a minute.

It really made me forgive a lot of his mercurial hissy-fit behavior. Him being a Chicago homeboy may also explain why he's been a LOT less condescending than a lot of the others.

I believe that Dale and Stephanie are the only remaining Chicagoans.

Top Chef: Yeah, and you'll note that two out of the three top ones of this challenge were the Chicagoans. The SO picked Dale's to win from the start, because he so totally got what the challenge was, and delivered. I was happy for him. And I liked his apology a lot. I thought it took a lot to do that and I appreciated that. I don't think his negativity comment was intended to further incite. I just think he didn't realize it'd be taken as confrontational.

The SO went fanboy too, we were so excited to see them. I was all, yeah, if I ever cook for the Fridge, I would retire happy.

Totally lunging through the screen at assHAT, too. He needs to go. And I'm glad Mr. Piccata went. Seriously, poached pears for a tailgate?

And Nikki could have gone too, without me being unhappy. It doesn't take that damn long to make sausage. It wasn't like you were trying to for the quickfire or something. Plus, saying, oh my food was so good that people came back for seconds and thirds doesn't help you when you know damn well the judges haven't been through yet. I have no idea why she ran out of food.

Top Chef: Oh, right, and I had this in my paste buffer but forgot to post:

I'm rooting for Stephanie to go all the way. She's like the less grumpy female Harold.

Totally! I like her a lot and she clearly really is the real deal.

I did enjoy tonight's Survivor, even though I don't love anyone. As it happens, hating the victims suffices!

I loved tribal council tonight. The expressions were priceless. But, yeah, I got up and did the dishes during the reward.

I thought they were editing to add drama and we all knew how it was going to end--but it wasn't and, wham--blindside! That Cirie is a wily one.

Finally got caught up on Top Chef last night--so glad to see Ryan go! I had great fears for the hobbit, but the unctiousness Ryan exuded was too much for the judges, apparently. I also geeked out about the Bears players being there; if I had the chance to cook for Sayers, Dent, and Perry, I would have completely freaked out (especially Sayers and Dent--those guys were amazing players!!).

I hadn't really noticed the whole "talking down to/about the midwesterners" thing until it was mentioned here but once I started looking for it, it's pretty obvious. Not all Chicago fans are "fat men drinking beer" and if they are, that's doesn't mean they don't enjoy good food.

Oh, that got my teeth grinding!! It's been on the boil (pun intended) all season long, especially from the coastal residents, and that rather snide comment brought it out. At least Stephanie is there to speak up for the quality of Chicago food and to point out how respected the local chefs they're using for judges are. (Blackbird and Avec are top-flight restaurants here in town; I hope that they convinced Chef Cantu from Alinea, probably the best restaurant in the country, to judge at some point. Richard will plotz if that happens, since Cantu is all about the molecular gastronomy.)