Last night the producers of Top Chef let out all the stops, serving up a little dash of politics à la the gay marriage debate. The Elimination Challenge split the crew into male and female teams and gave the contenders a unique task: cater to a bachelor/bachelorette party for the happy couple-to-be. I kept expecting a troupe of strippers to emerge at some point and make the bride and groom eat the food off their chests or something, but no dice. Things got even saucier during the women’s poolside discussion when lesbian chef Ashley Merriman remarked:
“I find it beyond comprehension, making us go do like -- effectively, a wedding challenge, when at least three of us on the challenge aren't allowed in that institution.”
The other two queer contenders, fellow lesbian Preeti Mistry and gay guy Ash Fulk, appeared far less ruffled. Along with stating that “this is the world we live in today,” Preeti admitted, “Quite honestly I feel kind of lame that I’m not more fired up about it, because I’ve been with my partner for thirteen years.”
Quite honestly, I’m wondering the same thing. Clearly if Preeti has been in a gay relationship for this long, she has become aware of the glaring difference in rights awarded to straight married people verses domestic partnerships. I wonder what her girlfriend would have to say about this if given a chance to weigh in?
I have to toss my bouquet to the producers of Top Chef for having the guts to tackle such a sensitive topic with grace. At no point did Ashley seem whiny or preachy; she was simply honest about her hurt feelings. Later she says, “In this challenge being gay is really hard. But I'm gonna take a step back and just do my best, because I'm excited for the couple that we're cooking for, that they found each other, and that they're able to legally get married.”
Unfortunately, Ashley took a little too much on her plate, deciding after finishing her watermelon carpaccio that she had time to attempt a basil leaf panna cotta, though she is “not a pastry chef.” While the judges rejoiced over her carpaccio, the nasty panna cotta relegated her to one of the dreaded spots on the bottom four. Preeti joined her after the judges condemned her dish for over-seasoning and poor presentation. As if being denied the right to marry isn’t bad enough.
