Wah! Carla didn’t win! I’m sad.

Some of you already know that I am a total fan of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef“.  I became an avid follower of the show ever since Season 1, Episode one from years ago.  The concept is simple — it’s a cooking competition that pits a number of aspiring chefs against one another.  Very specific challenges are laid at their feet that always have some impossible twist — whether an absurd ingredient, a ridiculous time constraint or being provided a concept to meet.  It’s always fun to watch and see what these ‘cheftestants’ can create.  Cousin Wiki has far more information of the format of the show and, if you are that interested, you can find that information here.

At any rate, Season 5 started just before Christmas and one of the zanier contestants was one that deeply annoyed me and I was certain would leave the show fairly early.  This was Carla who always spoke about the “love” that would go into her food as if it was a magical ingredient.  Pretty much, I felt the same about her as I do about people who talk about yoga as a spiritual experience.  Just totally annoying.

But, something happened along the way — I realize that 1) she was an amazing cook and 2) I warmed up to her personality which I began to realize was honest and sincere.  There is no fakery about her and I truly enjoy watching her talk about her times on the show. It’s very fun to see her excited and enjoying what she does. Her bio on bravotv.com says it pretty well:

Carla is the chef and owner of Alchemy Caterers in Washington, D.C. Her food balances the heart and soul of the South and the refinement of her classic French training. She enjoys creating memorable comfort dishes with fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. Carla approaches each event as an opportunity to make a connection with the client and to change the way they experience food.

So, my excitement level rose when she made it to the top three contestants all vying for the title of Top Chef. In the semi-final round, I thought she had it locked in — her food looked amazing and she was very consistent with her ideas and execution. However, she was given the assistance of a previous contestant from a former season — Casey Thompson of Dallas, Texas. Casey happens to also be one of my very favorite contestants who also made it to the final three in her time.

Sadly, I think the nerves of competition got to my girl Carla — Casey made some recommendations of some cooking techniques that Carla was a bit unfamiliar with and thus, sealed her fate.  I don’t really blame Carla — I think anyone in that situation, with such amazing time and pressure constraints, would be easily led by suggestions.  I think Casey was truly trying to be helpful in her suggestions.

Unfortunately, when it came time to judging, the inexperience in the cooking techniques showed.  I believe, as I think does Carla and the judges, if she stuck to what she knows and what she does best, she would have handed the other contestants their asses on a plate.  Under a silver dome. (As you might sense, I think the other two contestants were total a-holes and I have little respect for them — it could be that the editors exaggerated the childishness of these men, but honestly, they are given the material by the contestants in the first place.  So, I don’t think they are that far off.)

My favorite Carla moment had to be when she was interviewed about the changing of the normal judge Gail Simmons with Toby Young.  For your pleasure (and mine), I give you Carla:

I’m still very sad she did not win, but I can tell you one thing for certain.  The very next time I organize any type of party in DC, I am giving Carla a call and I am eating her food.  I just have to.  I love her!