'Chopped All-Stars' recap: Poor Robert

Best "Chopped" episode ever. Am I right?

It was no surprise that Anne Burrell and Robert Irvine would face off against each other in the final round of "Chopped All-Stars." But it still made for outstanding TV. This week, the all-star spinoff of the series hosted by Ted Allen featured a showdown of the TV show chef/hosts. There was Claire Robinson of "Five Ingredients Fix"; Burrell of "Worst Cooks in America" (and other shows); Irvine, co-star of "Worst Cooks" and host of "Dinner: Impossible"; and Duff Goldman, a.k.a. "Ace of Cakes."

"Chopped" chef/competitors are given a basket of mystery ingredients and an insanely short amount of time to turn them into an appetizer, entree or dessert. The chefs who normally appear on "Chopped" are all experienced in the kitchen -- but have little to no experience on a TV set or in a cooking competition. That results in some spectactular flame-outs.

This week, we saw how experience in front of the camera can pay off in the "Chopped" kitchen. Irvine's "Dinner: Impossible" is basically an extended version of "Chopped" and Burrell has been a frequent victor in "Iron Chef: America" as Mario Batali's secret weapon.

The judges were blown away by Burrell and Irvine's ability to create multiple elements in the          kitchen -- and not just the ingredients they were given. Burrell managed to make a flatbread, for crying out loud. And yet they still had enough time for a visually stunning presentation. (Fans of "Chopped" know that sometimes the competitors have barely enough time to slap their food on a plate.)

Maybe it's just me, but it seemed downright unfair to pit Burrell and Irvine against Goldman and Robinson. In retrospect, you have to wonder why Goldman and Robinson would even take that bait. Like they need that smack in the chops. (Yes, I know they are all competing for $50,000 for charity, but still.)

In the end, Burrell won. Again. She has been beating Irvine at his own game repeatedly and won't let him forget it. Both served up stellar dishes that had judge Marc Murphy wondering aloud how they could choose a winner.

It all came down to dessert, fennel and the spirit of the competition.

Irvine sidestepped the pesky fennel by turning it into a secondary element as he plowed forward with his pretty little chocolate pots de creme. But Burrell embraced the concept of fennel for dessert, a bravado that the "Chopped" judges love. She turned out a trio of sweets (including a stab at ice cream) that highlighted fennel's licorice taste.

Irvine was none too happy. "I lost to Anne. Again," he said. "What do you want me to tell you? That I'm not upset? Yeah, I am."

For Burrell's part, when Irvine turned to congratulate her again, she retorted "Go away!" She wanted the stage to herself.

Forget "All-Stars." It looks like Burrell will be the last star standing. Did you watch? What did you think?

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--Rene Lynch
Twitter / renelynch

Comments

[Rhett]

I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one who feels that way about Ann -- she's clearly a talented chef, and deserves props for that, but there's something about her I don't like. I can't watch any of the shows she's on - and Worst Cooks is just mean spirited.

[pfyre]

Ugh! I haven't like Anne from nearly the moment I first caught her and 'Secrets of a Restaurant Chef' show on the Food Network. Even by herself - her overwhelming arrogance and full of herself attitude completely turns me off. As much as Robert Irvine is a bit arrogant himself - he cannot approach the obnoxious levels Burrell reeks of.

She might make great food but the arrogance makes it nearly impossible to swallow.

[katie]

This Chopped episode was the Olympics of cooking, and these contestants, especially Anne and Robert, proved without a doubt that they really are on a stellar plane of skill, artistry, creativity and stamina. So, I agree--best episode ever!

Since so often the men prevail on Chopped, I loved that Anne prevailed--Girl Power! And I thought all her ribbing and bravado good-natured jests amongst peers and friends. But seeing Robert at the end so genuinely crestfallen made me sad. So maybe the "Go away" remark from Anne was a bit too harsh, even if she was just kidding.

Poor Duff was rather out of his league--I was surprised that he too seemed to take his elimination pretty hard and so seriously. I guess even though the competition is in fun and for charity, it is hard to take rejection, especially when you've cooked your heart out. One thing all these great chefs seem to have in common is ego, and that takes a pounding when you're the first one chopped.

[trish]

Sorry, my bf and I are big food network fans and this made us not like Ann even after years of being pro Ann. She was cocky and arrogant. She didn't shut up the whole episode. Yes she won. She does great food. Was I turned off by the attitude, yes and I'm sure that's true for many others as well, and as a celebrity she.should care what people think. I am a singer and when you start thinking you are the best and can't improve is when your career will start to go downhill. Just saying....

[james santoro]

Loved rooting Robert hope he comes back again
it was the best ever
they w ere all great more stars competing against one another is so dam good TV

[wr]

Class? Please give me a break. That was a culinary competence, not a royal turnip throw down. Chef Ann did not say anything that was not true. Have you people ever watched Ace of cakes??? Among all those people who decorate cakes (because that's what I have ever seen them do) I have never seen Duff do anything around, let alone something impressive... And what about those Challenge competences? The guy has a tremendous sense of humour but there is a line between being goofy and having high standards of professionalism. Have you ever seen chef Ann or Robert act the way he does? No, they take things very seriously.

Its very unfortunate Robert did not win the competence, but the man deserves respect, no matter what. It doesn't matter how qualified you are as a chef, sometimes things don't go the way you want them to. And as of making predictions of who will win chopped at the end, it all depends on what kind of contestants arrive at the chopping block. Throw a couple of Iron chefs in the mix and see what happens. Congratulations to chef Ann, hot oil in eye and all she won......

[Linda]

DEFINITELY the best Chopped ever! Absolutely love Chef Anne and Chef Robert and their chemistry -- they obviously get along fabulously and have great fun together. It was sad to see Duff and Claire so out-cooked, but anybody who has watched their shows saw that coming.

[jmb]

I disagree about Anne's attitude. She is just having fun, as was Robert.
Anne made a mistake with the venison, but Robert didn't really incorporate the dessert ingredients as well. It seemed like a toss-up.
I know that I would have preferred flatbread and venison chops to haggis and potato salad and stuffed venison. But I also would have preferred the chocolate.
They both seem like they love to antagonize the other. And it was fun.
Let it be fun, people!

[dilly]

i love chef anne. i think shes witty and that she has a right to be cocky, shes a brilliant chef. dont get me wrong i like chef robert too but if she pulls one over on him im not surprised. shes talented. i hope she gets to compete against giada. id love to see her murder that horse.

[ZioCiccio]

The one ingredient Anne will never be able to incorporate into a savory dish is her bitter attitude toward her fellow chefs. Her preparations on "Chopped All-Stars diserved the plaudits of the judges, but her remarks toward Duff Goldman and Robert Irvine were without class. Her trash talk and condescending demeanor are better suited for a frat party mud wrestling brawl...and she'd win that too.

[adele]

I can't believe Robert didn't win. My husband and I watch "Chopped" all the time. This is the first time we believe the judges got it wrong. Anne made a fundamental mistake that should have knocked her out instead of Robert because they were very close. I can't believe they let that mistake go. Her attitude is terrible. If she didn't try to be such a show-off and just showed a little class, She could learn so much from Robert and he from her and become even better chefs than they are now. Robert's plates were more beautiful than Anne's and that's not always easy for a big guy like Robert. I get so upset just thinking about it. That should have been Robert's win.

[sipkins]

I agree that it was a stunning performance by Anne and Robert. Anyone who can make Haggis somehow appetizing (in twenty minutes, no less) deserves great respect. Anne, however, has such an annoying personality that I was pulling for Robert to prevail. Truly a pair of wonderful and imaginative chefs!

[Lizzie]

Awesome episode. Loved it.

[Shane]

Poor sportsmanship, lack of grace... just as applicable here as in sports. Duff schooled her by treating her with the respect she deserves. Something she could not manage herself for the other competitors.