Mention It All - A Tale Of Two Cakes (Top Chef)

Episode Date: May 21, 2022

Dylan kicks off this week’s bonus episode with an in-depth review of Sutton’s peach cobbler pancake cake. After that, he recaps Top Chef’s final week in Texas, where the contestants have to cook with the fish they catch in Galveston. Some chefs shine on their way to the final four, while one chef’s tragic fish cake is his final demise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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See Home Depot.com slash price match for details. Betches Media presents. Ha ha, laugh, funny. Mention It All. A Bravo by Betcha's podcast. We don't say that, but now we said it. With Dylan Hafer. We'll go check me, both.

Hey, everyone. Welcome back to the Mention at All podcast. I'm Dylan Hafer. Coming to you, just like every Friday, by myself. Talking about Top Chef. Yes, yes, yes. We are getting down to the wire. Down to the wire.

Only five chefs left. And we're going to get into everything from this week's episode. But first, I have very important business to attend to because I owe you all a review on the Sutton Strack, Peach Cobbler, pancake, actually crep cake from Lady M. Because I tried it. Oh, I tried it. And let me tell you, this cake is delicious. This cake. Oh, ho. Okay, first of all, I have never tried the Lady M. Crapcake before in any flavor variety. You know, I was aware of it.

I thought it looked good. I thought it sounded appealing. But I've just never, I've never dabbled. So when they did kindly reach out to me and ask if I would like to receive a cake, and I said, yes, I would like to receive a cake. And they pulled through. Am this cake. It is, okay, first of all, it's a work of art.

You can go on Instagram. I posted something. You know, it's beautiful. The peach pieces on top are arranged in a little floral type of design. Very appealing. The little crumble around the sides, perfection. And the crepey pancakeiness that Sutton was referring to, oh my God, the attention to detail on this thing. And then you cut into it and it is so light and airy, and creamy, kind of like almost like a cream. I was going to say gooey, but that's really not the right word. That's not, no, that's not gooey. The creamy consistency of all those layers of crep mixed with the filling, I don't know, the frosting, whatever it is. Like, if you've listened to these Friday episodes, you know I don't know how to talk about food in like a fancy way.

And let me tell you, this is fancy as fuck. And then you bite into it, and it's, It's just like, it like melts in your mouth. Melt's in your mouth. You know, the thing about cake sometimes, this, I'm getting into my Tom Colicchio bag right now. The thing about cake sometimes is it can be really dry. You know, like, I don't want to eat a cake that's like bread that's a little bit sweet. I love bread, even sweet bread.

But if it's cake, I want it to be moist. I want it to be delectable. And this cake, all of those things, because the crepe makes it. just so light and so airy and so wonderful. And I'm not even the biggest peach person. Go listen to the Beverly Hills episode from yesterday. I said I wasn't the biggest peach fan, so I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this cake. Delicious. 10 out of 10. Thank you so much, Lady M. Sutton. Great work. Fabulous. Obsessed. But anyway, let's talk about Top Chef. We're still in Galveston, still at that cursed verbo where we're doing judges' table inside.

And they're headed back to Houston for a final challenge. But before they do, they are to meet Tom at the docks in Galveston the next morning. And they give them some motion sickness pills. And ding, ding, ding, we're going to be on a boat. They meet Tom and Don at the docks. There is no quick fire this episode. Instead, they are going fishing. They're going out on these boats.

And these are like legit-ass fishing boats. They're like in the ocean, I think. Gulf of Mexico, actually. I know they're in the Gulf of Mexico. I'm good at geography. They get taken out on the boat by deckhand Donnie and Captain Cody, who sound like personalities you could say in like a gay porn. Deckhand, Donnie, and Captain Cody.

Eh, I'll workshop that. But they're going fishing, and they, with whatever fish they catch, they're going to have to cook two dishes for the judge's table. and they're going to have to showcase two different preparations of fish, seafood, whatever you want to say. So the pressure is on in the fishing department because for whatever they don't catch, they only get $200 total to spend at, they go to like a fish market and a whole foods. So like, that's not a lot of money because they're cooking for seven people. And of course, it has to be gourmet.

So they go out, they're like struggling at first. it seems like nobody's going to catch anything and then this challenge is going to be like a big old flop. But then like whatever Bravo producer is on the like the boat that we don't see must like dump some fish in the water because all of a sudden everybody starts catching these like big ass fish and all is not lost. Sarah however catches kind of the least.

I felt for her. I used to go fishing like with my grandpa when I was a kid but I didn't really like fish at that point. So like catching fish was not that excited. to me, whereas everybody else was like, oh, you caught a big fish like dinner. And I'm like, I would rather just eat like mac and cheese. But anyway, a lot of people catch a lot of fish. I was impressed. I'd be impressed with anything. But, you know, they do their shopping. Sarah is still a little like self-conscious about being back in the group because she missed so much

when she was over in Last Chance's Kitchen. But she is making, they have to make two dishes and they don't have a lot of time. She's making a pseudo-crudo and also pastrami out of fish. out of everybody in this challenge, she definitely had the most kind of out there concepts of her dishes. We saw a lot of people that are like, oh, I'm doing like a blackened fish. Oh, I'm doing like a, you know, like a roasted, whatever snapper. And it's like, okay, you're like cooking. You're cooking fish. Like that's normal. Like it could be really amazing. It could be really delicious. But it's not like groundbreaking. Like Evelyn and Nick both do a taco. Buddha's doing... Actually, so let's just say Buddha and Sarah are the two people who are kind of like galaxy braining this challenge. Like they're the ones who have real ideas here. And for Buddha, he says, I'm going a bit all in on this challenge and it's like, yeah, of course you are.

He wants to do fish inside chips. He wants to do, you know, another like stuffed thing. I literally in my notes, I wrote steamed redfish stuffed with some stuff. I'm sorry, I can't describe it in any more detail. It looked impressive and the judges fucking ate, ate that shit up, literally and figuratively. But anyway, it's a struggle. They don't have much time. They don't have much time this time.

But what is remarkable is that Buddha messes up his potatoes. Sarah messes up her stock. But they both recover beautifully. At the judge's table, they can literally hear Sarah like screaming in the kitchen. And they're like, um, is everything okay back there? like what's what's up like girlie are you good and then she comes out presents two beautiful dishes and they're like obsessed with her and same with buda he his like potato idea doesn't really work so he just does like a crispy potato on the top i don't even think they notice this is you know that

this is a good cover up when you don't have to explain that it was a cover up because there are so many times on this show where somebody's like they're like uh did you mean to do this and they're like, yeah, so the thing is, I didn't. The thing, the thing is, that was an emergency plan B, and I know it's probably bad, but with Buddha and with Sarah, they just recover so perfectly, and that, you know, that's the mark of a top chef. If it wasn't clear, those two, moving on to the final. Sarah wins the challenge. It's really exciting for her. Obviously, coming back after being in Last Chance Kitchen for so long is a great achievement. And, you know, Last week I was kind of doubting her.

I was kind of doubting her. Congrats to the two of them. So good, so good, so good. Everything you want for summer is at Nordstrom rack stores now. And up to 60% off. Stock up and save on the brands you love like Vince, Sam Edelman, frame, and free people. Join the Nordy Club to unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first, and more. Plus, buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free.

Great brands, great prices. while you wreck. Moving down the list, Evelyn for the last challenge in Houston, of course, wants to showcase her heritage, her culture, the food that she knows best, loves to cook. So she's making Calde de Pascado,

like a fish soup, kind of, and an al-Pesto taco. And she does fine. The big issue people have with Evelyn this week is that she has just played it safe. Padma tells her, I know you can make a talk. in your sleep. And the thing is, they're right. I am, I have been team Evelyn for much of this

season. I'm a big Evelyn fan. And I think this week she did play it a little safe. But thankfully, it was enough. She moves on to the final four. Which leaves us, sadly, with Nick and Damar. The thing about Nick and Damar is I feel like both of them have had some really bright spots in the competition. Nick specifically is, you know, he's known as the baker because he has all the dough. He's once, like, all these little challenges. But neither of them, to me, has ever quite like leveled up to where they feel like kind of a top contender. I know they're in the final five. So it sounds stupid to say they're not a top contender. But like, I feel like Evelyn has had those moments. Buddha has had those moments. Even like Jay had those moments before she went home. Maybe

Ashley a little bit. Yeah, I feel like Nick and Damar have been like really solid, but never quite like locking in. And this time, you know, they just kind of, they dropped the ball a little bit. I knew right away, basically, that Nick was going to go home. Because the thing with Damar, they said his fish in the crudo was bland. His other blackened fish, they liked for the most part. You know, it was overall, it felt like there were complaints, but not like major issues. But the thing with Nick was that he made a taco and a fish cake. The fish was crunchy, but overcooked. The tortilla, I got to be honest. It looked like shit. The shape, I don't know. Did he run out of time? It looked like very haphazard. And then this fish cake. I mean, the fish cake is.

Oh, he forgot to put like some type of binding ingredient in the batter or the mixture for the fish cake. And so it's just like loose ingredients. It never solidifies into like a cake. And while the judges enjoy some of the flavors, it's like if you're calling something a cake, it has to be like one object. you think I wanted to sit down and eat Sutton's pancake cake if it was going to be just like a loose smattering of like frosting and peaches. That sounds delicious. But I wouldn't be on here raving about how it was a 10 out of 10 cake. I would have been like, it tasted good, but what the fuck was that?

Yeah. So Nick, Nick goes home. And I got emotional. Well, first of all, I got emotional when they told Evelyn she made the finale because apparently I cry every time Evelyn is on screen. But I also got emotional because when they were waiting for the judge's decision, Nick and DeMar's bond is so nice. Like, DeMar called Nick his big brother. And they were talking about how much it had meant to make it through this competition

with somebody else that looked like them. And I really, I mean, I always think Top Chef does a great job of highlighting these kind of diverse perspectives and stories and all of that. But it's like, it really, it's great. It really warms my heart. And for Nick to go home so close to the end, I know he's really, I know he's sad. I know he's sad to go. But he, you know, he has that Mississippi pride.

He's going home with a whole bunch of money, which good for him. And I'm just, I'm happy for him. And I'm happy with this top four. I still think that Buddha and Evelyn are the chefs to beat. But you never know. And Padma tells us, not just pack your knives, pack your bags, because we're heading to one of the only UNESCO cities of gastronomy in the U.S., Tucson, Arizona. Now, did anyone else know or is anyone aware, tell me in a five-star review?

Is Tucson known as like a gastronomy capital of anything? I'm not being shady. I just am not aware of that reputation if that reputation exists. I was expecting when she was like hyping it up. I'm like, oh, like, I don't know what like UNESCO city of gastronomy means, but I assume it's going to be like New York or San Francisco or like, you know, am I just like big city biased? Tucson is a city.

I mean, like, I'm excited. Don't get me wrong. I'm not like being shady about Tucson. I just like didn't know. And so I'm curious if like, if I'm the like stupid one, tell me in a five-star review if I'm the stupid one. How's that sound? That's it for me anyway. Thank you so much for listening. Have a great weekend. Don't forget to rate, review, and follow the show. Follow us on Instagram at Bravo by Betches. And until next time, be cool. Don't be all like uncool.

Mentioned at all is produced by Dylan Hafer, Sean Kilby, Jorge Morales Pico, and Rebecca Sousmacat. Editing by Jorge Morales Pico. Social media by Dylan Hafer, guest booking by Dylan Hafer and Ali Friedlander. Be sure to follow at Bravo by Betches on Instagram and Twitter. Pay off your home. Travel for life. a Ferrari. In celebration of the world premiere of the Monopoly big board buck slot machine by aristocrat gaming, Yamava Resort and Casino at San Manuel is giving one person a $1.6 million dream package. The biggest prize in Yamava's history. Club Serrano members can earn daily instant prizes and secure a spot in the finale May 29. Don't pass go and own it all. Only at Yamava, celebrating its 40th anniversary. You win? Details at yamava.com must be 21-20. Please gamble

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