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Chew on This: What’s Your Take on Top Chef’s Mike Isabella?

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By Kate Nerenberg   Published Tuesday, September 22, 2009

This season’s Top Chef features a number of contestants with local ties, among them Zaytinya chef Mike Isabella. On the show, he’s made his fair share of controversial comments. About a month ago he got married, and last Sunday the Washington Post told the story of his relationship, showing a softer side to the 34-year-old chef. We’ve heard rumblings of Top Chef viewers who are so turned off by Isabella’s attitude that they’ve vowed never to visit Zaytinya again. What do you think? Are a chef’s comments on a reality show enough to turn you away from his or her restaurant? Or has the Bravo show’s editing turned Isabella into something he’s not? Let us know in the comments!
 

Comments

I think people need to RELAX. He says things like it is sometimes...or whats on his mind. He seems like a guy with a great personality and someone you can easily talk too. Also, it is a reality show. Relax people...gosh.

Posted by: Jessica, Nov 16, 2009 08:44:52 PM

The guy was humorous, made some snarky comments, and played the comic relief (whether via editing or for real). IMO, he came off as a nice guy with whom you’d want to grab a drink. I found him very likable, and I certainly didn’t take a few statements as seriously as some of you are doing. Boycott his restaurant? Really? (If he’d said something truly offensive, would you burn it down?) It’s a tv show, folks; get a grip and get over yourselves.

Posted by: hurricanewarningdc, Nov 15, 2009 05:28:50 AM

Mike Isabella is a putz who failed to perform.

Posted by: CKL, Nov 12, 2009 06:38:44 AM

Mike Isabella is a putz who couldn’t perform.

Posted by: ckl, Nov 12, 2009 06:38:07 AM

Mike Isabella is a putz who did not perform well.

Posted by: ckl, Nov 12, 2009 06:37:00 AM

Mike Isabella is a putz who did not perform well.

Posted by: ckl, Nov 12, 2009 06:36:38 AM

I think that Mike Isabella is not only a misogynist but completely solipsistic ---- and his level of self-involvement cannot be good for his evolution, his craft, his restaurant, or his ability to work with/collaborate with/or serve anyone else.

The guy’s an idiot. Pure and simple.

Posted by: Kathleen, Nov 11, 2009 04:07:40 PM

I agree if that he had made one unfortunate misogynist remark, I would be inclined to overlook it, but Mike made several remarks that were derogatory. I know he didn’t like Robin, and I don’t like her either, but the way he insulted her invariably involved mocking her age and her gender. That was in addition to what he said about not wanting to lose a shucking contest to a girl. In this day, you have to be an idiot to say something like that and not think you’ll hear about it. It may well be that he’s a fine guy who is great for women, but publicity is a double-edged sword.

Posted by: ODC, Nov 01, 2009 10:05:02 AM

I actually worked for Mike a few years ago while I was in college in Philadelphia. Although he does seem like a jerk in the show, he really isn’t. He has a goofy personality that is teasing and sometimes seems deeming, but he’s actually a pretty cool person in real life! Don’t forget although it’s a reality show things are always edited. Also if you have never worked in a kitchen before, you would be surprised at how chefs really are. Most chefs act like a**holes, but that’s the kitchen for you. You have to be a certain person to work in a kitchen, and believe me it can’t be a sweet loveable person lol.

Posted by: Jade, Oct 23, 2009 11:14:05 AM

I think boycotting is great. People need to suffer repercussions for bad behavior. Especially people like this jerk who seems to take great pleasure in being a jackass and apparently has no idea just how bad he is making himself look.

Posted by: Robin, Oct 07, 2009 08:43:08 PM

I’ve never been much impressed by Zaytinya, and am definitely not impressed by Mike I.’s cooking skills as shown on Top Chef. Add to that Mike I.’s comments and the fact that he or his restaurant have resorted to some sort of PR charm offensive in an attempt to change his image, and I’d say I’m pretty turned off.

In all seriousness, the contrast in talent and abilities between the Voltaggio brothers (who have been carrying this guy) and Mike Isabella is huge. I’m rooting for Bryan or his brother Michael to win.

Posted by: Gigi, Sep 29, 2009 10:09:00 AM

I love,love, love Chef Isabella! He’s one of the better chefs on the show, has a wide knowledge of the industry, and seems genuinely liked by his peers. I’m proud to have him representing DC. Zayatina is a great restaurant and I will frequent it many times in the future, as I have in the past.

Posted by: Danielle D., Sep 24, 2009 01:02:39 PM

TC Fan - sorry i didn’t see your post before mine. I agree 100%!!

Posted by: Evan, Sep 24, 2009 12:00:10 PM

Reality shows, whether its food or dancing, find ways to get contestants to say what they want for the camera. Its sound-bite city. Unless he made a racial epitaph or something offensive beyond being arrogant, I would not be turned off to eat at their restaurant. Especially, in this case, a place that is so good.

Get off your high horses people, you might fall and hurt yourself.

Posted by: Evan, Sep 24, 2009 11:58:07 AM

After tonight’s episode I don’t know if would be fair to consider Mike the villain. Eli essentially implied Robin played the cancer card to win a challenge. That’s pretty low. Besides, from the b-roll on the show it seems that the other contestants seem to like Mike just fine, which leads me to believe he’s being victimized a bit by the producers.

Posted by: Jack, Sep 23, 2009 08:18:50 PM

I agree with Mary. I never liked Zaytinya that much to begin. The one time I visited I didn’t like the vibe and mediterranean food like this just isn’t my favorite. After hearing the chef’s obnoxious comments on TV I’m OK with never going back there again.

Posted by: Meeg, Sep 23, 2009 11:41:28 AM

His attitude and persona (at least how it’s portrayed on the show) is obnoxious but that will not stop me from going to Zaytinya. It remains one of my favorite restaurants in DC.

Posted by: Kate, Sep 23, 2009 11:39:32 AM

Oops, I didn’t finish a sentence. I meant to say,

"Maybe it is because of chefs like Carla, and Kevin this season, that are serious about their food, but don’t take themselves too seriously AND don’t see feel the need to tear others to promote themselves, that many of us don’t have much patience for the seemingly self-absorbed."

Oh, one more thing. I just can’t buy that these cheftestants on are so skillfully "lights, camera, action!" that they become different people when the red light glows on the camera. Most of us know people who say things solely to get a rise out of others. Mike doesn’t strike me as that kind of person. He appears to speak his mind quite freely, and arrogance spills out. Some people find that interesting or attractive, others don’t.

Posted by: TC Fan, Sep 23, 2009 11:33:22 AM

Editing does have some...repeat...some of what comes across, but I remember reading something Carla said about Stefan last year. Apparently Stefan was bemoaning how he was being portrayed, and Carla admitted that editing has some part, but remarked, "If you say it, they can play it." Maybe it is because of chefs like Carla, and Kevin this season, that are serious about their food, but don’t take themselves too seriously AND don’t see feel the need to tear others to promote themselves.

At the end of the day, there’s something to be said about how seriously we get wrapped up in, or care about the characters on these shows. However, when one of the characters is a local chef at a popular restaurant, it feels much more real.

Posted by: TC Fan, Sep 23, 2009 11:27:12 AM

Stop whining!

Reality shows thrive on creating one-dimensional charactures of their contestants and manufacturing drama. Believing that Mike is a bad guy based on what Bravo tells you is like believing that there is a magical time-traveling island in the Pacific because you saw it on LOST. (To be clear Mike might be evil and such an island might really exist..)

I guess if there were some evidence that Mike were pure evil and using the profits from Zaytinya to finance the murder of puppies I would want to avoid his restaurant, but from what we’ve seen, he is at worst obnoxious. I don’t think it would be particularly valuable or easy to stop consuming food, listening to music, watching movies, etc. that were produced by people who I might not want to be best friends with.

Finally, if you think Mike Isabella is shaping what people think of DC, then you’ve been watching too much bravo and not enough fox news.

Posted by: pete, Sep 23, 2009 09:31:46 AM

What good will boycotting Zaytinya do? It’s not like Jose Andres is going to say "Oh, business is down, so I guess that means Mike should shut his mouth." It’s illogical.

That being said, Zaytinya is one of my favorite places to eat and yes, Mike comes off as a complete doucebag. I’ll eat at Zaytinya but wouldn’t want to meet him. He’s no Carla.

Posted by: Bourbon and Sympathy, Sep 23, 2009 09:14:23 AM

I am a woman and I think all of you people need to take Frankie’s advice and RELAX. It’s a reality show. The poor guy probably said the ONE thing he said about the girl shucking clams faster than him, tongue-in-cheek, and the producers decided to air it. He actually seems like a really nice, chatty guy. All chefs put their game faces on and s--- talk in this reality-based competition. How do you know that some of the other chefs aren’t making similar remarks that just haven’t been aired? I’d be willing to bet a $100 Zaytinya gift certificate they are. Zaytinya is an absolutely fabulous restaurant, one of the best in the area. I will return again and again. Cut Mike some slack DC!!

Posted by: LAT, Sep 23, 2009 08:54:36 AM

I never liked Zatinya, and now, having seen this guy on TV, I know why. The whole vibe of the place is too full of itself - food that is average for above average prices. I’d take Lebanese Taverna over Zatinya any day of the week.

Posted by: Mary, Sep 23, 2009 08:08:05 AM

I also agree. It’s annoying that the douche bag of this season is from DC. It’s a bad representation of the people of this area, especially when he makes closed minded and sexist comments. To tell you the truth, I am not opposed to trying Zaytinya. I just really hope he can redeem himself and show his talent as a chef, instead of perfecting his skill as the token tool of season 6.

Posted by: BravoFan, Sep 23, 2009 07:24:58 AM

I’m with TC Fan. I won’t avoid Zaytinya, but I was really disappointed that this season’s ass-hat chef was from DC. And he may think otherwise, but he’s not all that as a chef -- some of what he’s done has been either bad or worse, boring. I’m hoping for a final four with the brothers V, Jen, and Kevin.

Posted by: bowseat93, Sep 23, 2009 07:07:28 AM

I’m with TC Fan. I won’t avoid Zaytinya, but I was really disappointed that this season’s ass-hat chef was from DC. And he may think otherwise, but he’s not all that as a chef -- some of what he’s done has been either bad or worse, boring. I’m hoping for a final four with the brothers V, Jen, and Kevin.

Posted by: Bowseat93, Sep 23, 2009 07:06:54 AM

I met Mike a week before the show aired - he was kind enough to stop my our table and chat. We told our waiter we were huge fans of the show and he said he’d go get Chef. He was really chatty and said he thought that’s why he gets so much face time. I love the food at Zaytinya and will 100% go back. And as a woman, I’m not really that ticked off by his remarks, I just kind of say "Whatever." I’m not asking him to be my friend, just a good chef.

Posted by: TopChef Fan, Sep 23, 2009 07:06:29 AM

[We took this from our Twitter feed.] @bestbitesblog he’s so obnoxious! way too full of himself. i might still go to zaytinya, but won’t cry if i don’t see him there... #topchef

Posted by: @katie_stanton, Sep 23, 2009 06:57:54 AM

Count me in as someone who will look at other options before Zaytinya now. I get that reality producers can take things out of context, but some of his comments had enough context to make it perfectly clear what he thinks of women chefs. DC now has so many great other options that avoiding Isabella’s place will be a breeze.

Posted by: OG, Sep 23, 2009 06:53:50 AM

I think that he’s a complete jackass. To top it all off he’s not even that good on the show. Seems to me he’s a lot of talk and not a lot of action.

Posted by: Andrew P, Sep 23, 2009 06:51:01 AM

Honestly, I’m a little fatigued with the whole cocky chef "thing." Chef Mike’s comments on the show, particularly about women, make him hard to like. I wouldn’t go so far to say that I wouldn’t eat at Zaytinya again. I mean, he’s not going to join me at the table for dinner. But, Mike is one of those guys guy. Hopefully with a little maturity, he will mellow...and learn to clean up after himself. (read the article)

Posted by: TC Fan, Sep 23, 2009 06:50:27 AM

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