Top Chef: Toby Young

Toby Young made quite a splash wen he first introduced himself to us as the new judge on Top Chef (Gail had to go off and get married). I got the feeling he was trying way too hard for the first challenge. He was trying way too hard to be funny and modern so instead of saying jeez, this stuff is pretty bad, he'd say stuff like "Call the NATO inspector because I have found the weapons of mass destruction and they are here in this bowl."

And when something was a shockingly pleasant treat he didn't say "this is definitely something the chef should be proud of because it took me by surprise in it's greatness." He said "Much like Tom Cruise's cameo in Tropic Thunder this was a..." I had stopped listening by then.

The critiques of the food was particularly harsh though. He didn't seem satisfied unless he tore something to shreds and disagreed with Tom (?!?) about dishes.

Look, I know that Toby's from England where things are very different culinary-wise, but Tom's no dummy. He a guitarist that happens to cook and when you can both cook and play guitar you're obviously a smart guy.

Anyhoo. I'm pleased to see his attitude simmering down, much like sequels to great movies tap the vein of the original to make more money without making anything worth... You see how that can be annoying? I'm glad to see he's stopped that and mellowed out a bit. He can still judge, but he seems to have gotten the idea that I can watch a judge with no need of a three ring circus mixed with a Family Guy episode to keep my attention.

And with Richard gone (you're still the best from this season, Richard!) I'm cheering for Fabio, who seems to be an amazing chef and has the rare talent of saying things that, when someone else would say it, I'd say in response "What a douche!" but not with him. He can say it and you say "Hm. I see your point."

That might be a good quality to have!