The Real Housewives judge 'Top Chef Masters'

“A little education can save a life,” Ludo Lefebvre said of his charity of choice, C.H.A.S.E. for Life, on Wednesday night's 'Masters'. But you'd swear he was talking about the guest quick-fire judges, the Real Housewives of Orange County.

These ladies, who had the nerve to boisterously spit out food at Hubert Keller's Fleur de Lys in their last season (video here), may have seemed like better choices for the cocktail pairing quick-fire. Sadly, their judging was no better than that earlier embarrassment. Tamra Barney couldn't tell if there was ginger in her ginger figgle cocktail, Alexis Bellino was making stink faces throughout the tasting and Lynne Curtin complains that she doesn't eat "red meat" while eating Ludo's pork dish. But the best part was when Tamra got all wishy-washy on the judging, first swooning that Wylie Durfrense's Russian Mule paired with Arctic char was "to die for," then, after Gael Green said the pairing was off, changing her mind. Wylie and the rest of the chefs had a field day assailing their opinions and really got riled up over Tamra's capricious commentary.

There were, however, unwavering and unanimous votes on Jonathan Waxman's pork tenderloin with poblano-stuffed shrimp and avocado butter paired with a lemongrass mojito. With his successful execution of lamb shepherd's pie in the pub grub elimination challenge, he and Rick Moonen will be heading on to the next round.

So when is it time to draw the line on shamelessly cross-promoting shows? I might trust the Housewives to critique Juicy Couture, but assigning a star rating to a juicy steak? I'll leave that to the pros. Plus, there are countless honest-to-goodness celebrity foodies who could take the reigns. How about giving a real foodie such as Aziz Ansari a chance? 

-- Krista Simmons

Follow me on Twitter @kristasimmons

Photo: Bravo

Comments

[oakley]

Just now caught up on my DVR'ed episode. What. The. Heck?!? Oh I don't really eat pork. But that was perfectly cooked. Ew I hate ginger...that was in my drink? Yuck, I didn't like that...oh wait Gail said it was good so yeah that was excellent.

A LOT of shameless promotions this season that don't make any real sense whatsoever, Bravo. Shame, shame, shame.

[CJ]

Starry Kitchen - you are a little misinformed. The three RH women judging this are not affluent by any means. Tamra is in the process of divorcing her husband. She is living in her adult son's two-bedroom rental having just gone through the short sale of her home. Lynne Curtin has been evicted from rental properties multiple times in the past year alone. Her husband does not work and they owe a former business partner over $1million. Alexis and her husband mysteriously moved to a smaller home midway through the last season of RH.

These women are as affluent as a rock on the side of a road, with about the same level of education.

[Sunny Carlyle]

Having the HOUSEWIVES as judges was offensive to the great chefs and their food. Shame on BRAVO

[Starry Kitchen]

We felt SO bad for ALL the chefs when they started opening their mouths. Goes to show ya, affluence doesn't necessarily mean knowing SH*T about fine food... or any food for that matter (we'd be scared if they came into our place, but I think they'd probably just walk out before they could judge us anyway ^_^)

[Aaron]

how could anyone really chose boring fish and chips over Wylie Drufrense's Arctic char. and come on you can find better guests than those ladies that lunch.

[Jason]

bravo should be ashamed. between those bimbos and kelly choi, they've done an awful job casting. fake, fake, fake. all it takes is one look to realize they don't eat.