Homebrewer Ben Starr, finalist on Tv's Master Chef season 2

[HokieBrewer]

Am I the only one who doesn't see Jen as being all that attractive? I don't get it...

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

Am I the only one who doesn't see Jen as being all that attractive? I don't get it...

I didn't either at first, but then I noticed she has a great personality. That sounds lame, I know, but it's true.

 

[Scruffy1207]

Jen's hot. And she is a mom, in my book, she's one bad ass MILF.

 

[thataintchicken]

Jen's hot. And she is a mom, in my book, she's one bad ass MILF.

Sure, but she is named Jennifer and a blonde -- that's two strikes in my world.
I've had nothing but bad luck with blondes named Jen, Jenny, Jennifer etc.

Back on topic with some speculation.

My final 4 prediction.

Christian
Tracy
Ben
Jennifer

 

[benthegrate]

Ha!

Well, Jennifer is NOT a mom...she is single and looking. (Christine was the single mom.)

Regarding Derrick, he has spent some time "staging" (pronounced STAH-zhing) which basically means interning for free, in both Joe's restaurants and Graham's restaurant in Chicago. Of ANY of the contestants, he is working the hardest post-MasterChef to become an actual chef. On show nights in NY he does "restaurant takeovers" where he designs and prepares the menu himself, and he has sold out every single event. There is rumor that Max is opening up a restaurant in the Hudson Valley, and if so, Derrick will be a chef there.

Derrick and I didn't get to be very close until the end of MasterChef, but I've been to NY to visit him since the show ended, and we've become pretty close. He is one unique person. He took me on the cheapie-foodie tour of the city one afternoon...I think we ate small plates at probably 15 different places.

I keep in touch with virtually of the top 18 on a fairly regular basis. Some I'm closer to than others, but we are all connected and helping support each other in our various endeavors.

Question: "What happens to all the dishes the judges don't taste? Do you guys get to eat them? If so, do you taste and compare each other's dishes?"

There is one plate that we present to the judges, they each taste, then that plate and its contents go in the trash. Whatever food is left on our stations after judging is over gets devoured by the crew. (The crew says that MasterChef is a coveted show in LA, because of all the food the crew gets to eat!) We taste our dishes as we are cooking, but we're not allowed to sit and eat the remainder while judging takes place (Christian got in trouble for that in one episode) and as soon as judging is complete, we evacuate the studio for interviews. We generally don't get to taste each other's dishes, for a variety of reasons, and I'll leave it at that!

"Is there more dialog about the dishes we don't get to see?"

YES. We each spend anywhere from 5-15 minutes in front of the judges. Even sometimes when they edit Joe or one of the judges just giving a look and walking away, that never happens. Each judge gives us both positive and negative feedback about each dish. Only a fraction of the feedback gets on the air.

"when the judges are all walking around and you guys are preparing the Mystery Box challenge, do they give you hints and suggestions, and can you ask them technique questions?"

The judges sometimes give suggestions while we're cooking, but most often they ask US questions about our choices. They'll taste a sauce and ask, "Did you intend for it to taste this way?" which could be criticism or compliment, and it's up to you to decide. They basically want to see if you are committing to your choices, or if you are wishywashy and decide to backtrack in the middle.

You can ask technique questions and sometimes they'll answer. Generally they do this more often in the team challenges. In the very first challenge when I was baking the brick-oven pizzas, I brought in 10 pounds of baby spinach to saute with olive oil and spices, and I only had a small skillet over a small burner. Ramsay came over and said, "BenStahh it's going to take you an hour to saute all this spinach. You don't have to saute it. It's young and tender. Dress it with a vinaigrette and toss it right on top of the pizza. It will wilt in the oven and be perfect." DUH!

So, yes, the judges give us help, particular in moments of dire need. You learn a LOT from being on the show...I came back and on the first meal I cooked at home, everyone was like... WOAH, what happened to you out there?

 

[EdWort]

Ramsay came over and said, "BenStahh"

LOL, "BenStahh". Love it!

Great info on the inner workings of the show. It sounds like it was an opportunity of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Kittyfeet]

Thanks for sharing! It's really cool to learn some of the behind the scenes things that go on.

 

[mr_goodwrench]

That is really cool. Its really neat to get a little window into the show.

BTW, SWMBO is making your Pumpkin Gingerbread Pancakes for breakfast tomorrow. I had to buy cardamom and at $10 for the jar, I'm 'trusting you on this one...' I'll just need to find other uses for it.

 

[IrregularPulse]

Finally got all caught up on Hulu tonight. Glad to tour tomato soup didn't get you booted

I don't see Jen as hot. Tracy is much more attractive IMO

Can't wait to to see the next one. It's very cool to have the inside info! Thnks for sharing. Now I'm off to find that cake recipe. I think you posted it here before.

 

[BigHefty]

I don't see Jen as hot.

I've seen pictures where I think she's hot and some not. Either way, I wouldn't kick her out of bed for eating crackers. :rockin:

 

[slogger]

Am I the only one who doesn't see Jen as being all that attractive? I don't get it...

Me either! But Tracy has a certain je ne sais quoi!!!!!

 

[benthegrate]

I had to buy cardamom and at $10 for the jar, I'm 'trusting you on this one...' I'll just need to find other uses for it.

I hope those pancakes turned out good! Cardamom is an incredible spice with a wide variety of uses. It's good for both sweet and savory spice combinations. Sprinkle it into your coffee in the coffee maker for the most exotic, fragrant coffee you'll ever drink. Dust it on slices of orange. Add it to curries and sauces. Put it in EVERY dessert you make that also has cinnamon in it.

It IS an expensive spice, but if you have a middle eastern (Halal) or Indian market in your town, you can get it for VERY cheap there. That's what I do.

If you want to know cardamom's TRUE purpose on this earth...brew yourself a beer with cardamom and dried orange peel. LIFE CHANGING

 

[mr_goodwrench]

Actually, Ben, they were some of the best pancakes I have had! Definitely worth it. I will definitely look at what other uses I can put it to. Don't think I will have trouble using it. Quite sure there must be plenty of middle eastern and Indian markets around here. There are actually several 'World Farmer's Markets' around where I work that would probably carry it as well.

Looking forward to your cake that SWMBO is making for my birthday on Tuesday!

 

[Qhrumphf]

Quite sure there must be plenty of middle eastern and Indian markets around here. There are actually several 'World Farmer's Markets' around where I work that would probably carry it as well.

Halal markets, mercados, Asian markets, all fantastic places depending on what you're looking for, and most major cities will have at least one of em. Cinnamon sticks at a major supermarket around here are something like $10 for a half ounce. The halal market up the road sells them several ounces for $2-3. And that goes for just about every spice out there. We also get all our produce from a local Asian market. A lot fresher, a lot cheaper, and much better selection.

 

[Revvy]

Ben posted this on his facebook. Ben got a Kudo by Ramsey, while Christian got slammed by him again.

http://bostonherald.com/blogs/lifestyle/fork_lift/?p=5855

 

[Revvy]

For the first time I'm watching live and not the next day oh Hulu. That looked like a tough challenge. I felt bad for Ben. But since he was plating it seemed that the owner and executive chef liked the presentation of Red team over blue on most dishes.

 

[EdWort]

30 minutes in. Ben, Suzy & Christian waiting for news.......Darn commercial.

Update.

Yes!!!! Ben lives to see another day! Whoo Hoo!

 

[Revvy]

RED WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good job Ben!

Oh no, Jen might lose?!?

 

[thataintchicken]

ssssssshhhhh east and midwest spoiler people

 

[bernerbrau]

Anyone else think that consolation prize was a little un-subtly self-promoting? A year's worth of free MasterChef™ cooking classes, which anyone can take (hint hint) but for you it's free!

 

[Revvy]

Anyone else think that consolation prize was a little un-subtly self-promoting? A year's worth of free MasterChef™ cooking classes, which anyone can take (hint hint) but for you it's free!

Yeah...that segment just felt way to weird and "stilted" as he was clearing reading a telepromptor for that. I'm surprised he didn't suggest a website for "more information."

 

[MeatyPortion]

The hell is this crap?

As of August 15, 2011 customers of DISH Network will be the first to access new episodes of FOX shows online; all other online viewers will be able to watch 8 days after the episode airs. DISH Network is the first TV provider to launch with this feature but more are coming soon.

 

[Revvy]

The hell is this crap?

Yeah, that's the new shift in online streaming. For right now the shows are on Hulu. But now that the networks realize that people are watching online instead of on tv- the cable/dish provides are cutting theses sorts of deals. Because obviously if we watch tv on the internet, we're cutting the cable/satellite providers out of the loop.

And if the provider owns the network or channel, their going to do it to their own first.

It's sort of like if the USPS cut a deal with email providers that in order to get email you'd have to type in your zip code everytime, and they charged you.

Hulu has started a premium service with a monthly fee as well. Certain programs are only available to those who pay.

 

[MeatyPortion]

Yeah, that's the new shift in online streaming. For right now the shows are on Hulu. But now that the networks realize that people are watching online instead of on tv- the cable/dish provides are cutting theses sorts of deals. Because obviously if we watch tv on the internet, we're cutting the cable/satellite providers out of the loop.

And if the provider owns the network or channel, their going to do it to their own first.

It's sort of like if the USPS cut a deal with email providers that in order to get email you'd have to type in your zip code everytime, and they charged you.

Hulu has started a premium service with a monthly fee as well. Certain programs are only available to those who pay.

Looks like I'll be watching less TV then. I'm already on the verge of cancelling cable (as soon as I can convince the wife).

 

[Qhrumphf]

Hulu, Netflix and a digital antenna and we've got all we need.

 

[Revvy]

Hulu, Netflix and a digital antenna and we've got all we need.

Except now Netflix has that "two tiered" membership thing going on, and Hulu is pushing a lot of programming on the paid side, and the digital over the air signal in my area is pretty wonky sometimes, but that's pretty much what I use, at least the antenna and Hulu free.

 

[Qhrumphf]

Except now Netflix has that "two tiered" membership thing going on, and Hulu is pushing a lot of programming on the paid side, and the digital over the air signal in my area is pretty wonky sometimes, but that's pretty much what I use, at least the antenna and Hulu free.

Yeah, I was a little irked about the Netflix shift, but it's still cheaper than cable. I don't watch Hulu too often (SWMBO does much more than I do), and I guess widely available signal is another perk of life in the east coast megalopolis. I get full signal from two major cities, and more channels free over the air than I used to have to pay for with cable (prior to digital, that is). Only thing lacking is sports coverage.

I do, however, get Fox over the air from multiple sources so watching Master Chef isn't a problem

 

[thataintchicken]

Good job to those that survived that episode.
That Salmon pressure test was truly diabolical.

 

[Revvy]

Good job to those that survived that episode.
That Salmon pressure test was truly diabolical.

But wasn't watching Ramsey strip it down so fast really amazing? Made me want to learn to do it. He was effortless.

 

[thataintchicken]

But wasn't watching Ramsey strip it down so fast really amazing? Made me want to learn to do it. He was effortless.

It's fun seeing it done so well. I wish I was able to do that so effortlessly.
It's all about practice, practice and more practice.

Now the fish guy next door at the Chinese market, he has MAD skills. :rockin: