Celebrity Chef Smackdown

Re:Celebrity Chef Smackdown (MetroplexJim)

Tue, 08 May 2012 07:50:03 GMT

From viewing the episode it does appear to be Jeffrey Steingarten who was sitting to Tony's right at the tea ceremony.

Say what you want about Tony's personality, he does put on shows that educate about gastronomy rather than just "stand & stir" or "watch & exclaim".

And, now that Hunter S. Thompson has reduced himself to ash, the world needs more literate, profane, ascerbic castigators that turn phrases such as "elderly and shambolic creature" and "steaming dribble of ordure". Priceless!

Re:Celebrity Chef Smackdown (fishtaco)

Mon, 07 May 2012 16:08:21 GMT

Tony has no room to talk. He is now nothing more then what he says he despises. He does not cook anymore. He rants and raves but that is it. Used to love this guy.

Re:Celebrity Chef Smackdown (jmckee)

Mon, 07 May 2012 13:08:48 GMT

Foodbme

Gotta be Jeffrey Steingarten.
Can't stand that guy!
Eats like a hog at the trough!
Uncouth Slob!

I LOVE Steingarten. Arguably the most knowledgeable food writer in the company. An entertaining and informative writer. Check out his two collections, starting with "The Man Who Ate Everything."

I like Bourdain too.

Re:Celebrity Chef Smackdown (Foodbme)

Mon, 07 May 2012 03:33:40 GMT

Gotta be Jeffrey Steingarten.
Can't stand that guy!
Eats like a hog at the trough!
Uncouth Slob!

Re:Celebrity Chef Smackdown (BuddyRoadhouse)

Sun, 06 May 2012 16:09:06 GMT

There's a consensus?

Unless there are a bunch of posts which I wasn't privy to, I saw at least three different names mentioned, all of which got more than one nod.

As I read the quote, my thoughts went to Steingarten, based on his numerous rude, pompous, and confrontational appearances on Iron Chef. But the various arguments against it being him have cast doubts.

The only person I'm sure he's not referring to is Michael Stern. Beyond that, it sounds like a bunch of over privileged, upper class twits (although I like and respect Bourdain) having a public slap fight.

Buddy

Celebrity Chef Smackdown (JRPfeff)

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:31:33 GMT

I love this trash talk from Tony Bourdain.

I wish I could say the same for one of the “lions” of the food writing community—someone who (until this trip) I had always liked and looked up to. Over the course of a few days, he revealed himself to be the most vicious, abusive, misogynistic, back-biting piece of **** I have ever met in my life. (and after 30 years in the restaurant business, that’s saying something). I’m hardly the nicest or most polite guy in the world. But even I was shocked. When not shouting profanities at the chefs, bursting into noisy and prolonged bouts of flatulence during the traditional tea ceremony, insulting and belligerently interfering with my crew by petulantly flashing his cell phone camera directly into their eyes while they were working (“I’m a journalist! I’m allowed!”), this guy was drinking himself stupid. It was only through their infinite mercy—and perhaps no small amount of pity for this elderly and shambolic creature, that my crew did not punch his face in. They were sorely tempted. Anyone who attended the event will surely recognize which particular steaming dribble of ordure I’m talking about.

There's a bunch of online speculation about who pi**ed Bourdain off. I agree with the consensus.

Hat-tip to Althouse.