The deadly sin that didn't make the list....
So I no longer keep up a Top Chef blog. If I did, however, this week's would probably be the lengthiest and most emotional of them all. Why? Because last night's episode showcased some of the worst and most immature behavior by the contestants I have yet to see. And surprise surprise! Marcel was NOT among the culprits. Disrespect was the main course of the evening despite it not being one of the Seven Deadly Sins and there was certainly a lot of it to go around. Since I still feel too worked up to write coherently about what happened, I'll leave you with some very wise words from a woman I respect greatly. Gail Simmons...
I understand Marcel can come across as affected and arrogant; granted, I have never had to work alongside him in a confined space. But there are few things less appropriate or acceptable in my books than picking on someone's private life and insulting their work in order to make yours look better, let alone ganging up on someone when they ask for your help. I was truly disappointed by many of our contestants this week and almost embarrassed for them too.
When you're dealing with a television show, it's difficult to take anything at face value. It is also difficult to deny immature, unprofessional, and disrespectful behavior when it slaps you in the face. While I may not know Marcel personally, and he very well might be an irritating and arrogant individual (most chefs are), what Sam, Ilan, and Betty did was inexcusable. For whatever reason, I found a kindred spirit in Marcel only because he suddenly became the victim of circumstances not entirely created by him alone. No one should be treated the way Marcel was treated and as sad as it was, the incident forced me to let go of my alignment with Sam and Ilan.
So where does that leave me? With the one chef who has exhibted both culinary brilliance and integrity: Elia. She's certainly not without her own personality quirks but when you're dealing with people who are just plain cruel, quirky is about as good as it gets. And hey...she can definitely cook some of those boys under the table!
So besides leaving me with a lot of anger and nausea, this episode taught me a very important lesson. You don't have to like everyone in this world, but the way you treat those people you don't like says everything about the amount of class and humility you possess.
I understand Marcel can come across as affected and arrogant; granted, I have never had to work alongside him in a confined space. But there are few things less appropriate or acceptable in my books than picking on someone's private life and insulting their work in order to make yours look better, let alone ganging up on someone when they ask for your help. I was truly disappointed by many of our contestants this week and almost embarrassed for them too.
When you're dealing with a television show, it's difficult to take anything at face value. It is also difficult to deny immature, unprofessional, and disrespectful behavior when it slaps you in the face. While I may not know Marcel personally, and he very well might be an irritating and arrogant individual (most chefs are), what Sam, Ilan, and Betty did was inexcusable. For whatever reason, I found a kindred spirit in Marcel only because he suddenly became the victim of circumstances not entirely created by him alone. No one should be treated the way Marcel was treated and as sad as it was, the incident forced me to let go of my alignment with Sam and Ilan.
So where does that leave me? With the one chef who has exhibted both culinary brilliance and integrity: Elia. She's certainly not without her own personality quirks but when you're dealing with people who are just plain cruel, quirky is about as good as it gets. And hey...she can definitely cook some of those boys under the table!
So besides leaving me with a lot of anger and nausea, this episode taught me a very important lesson. You don't have to like everyone in this world, but the way you treat those people you don't like says everything about the amount of class and humility you possess.