What I think was the best about Duff's skyline is that is wasn't too crowded. He picked a few key elements and focused there. The others were too busy. Too many different things going on. Also, they seemed too dark. Duff's use of color really made it stand out. Go Duff!

I had to say I would have cared a lot less about a dowel than a plastic tube that momo used to stack his second layer on top of (trying to reach the height requirement).....I really don't understand that.....oh well.

This is a tough one for me. All the nasty comments about Donald. If you people only knew. Yes, he made a comment and I could kinda see his point although that's one of the things that made it totally Duff. It's like Duff to do things like that. I could see both sides of it. But it was just a comment. I think people's reaction to it are a bit overboard. I do think that some of the editing with the show, appears to me at least, that they've worked on increasing the "drama" on the foodnetwork challenges. It's hard for me to read the comments here because I've seen so much that people will never see. There is so much you don't see on tv. Without people like Donald, Duff wouldn't have a competition to win. Donald doesn't just waltz in and put on his white chef's jacket and go judge. The part that none of you will ever see is people like Donald and Keegan unloading semi trucks and building tables and competitions kitchens. Donald does amazing carpentry work and it's my understanding that he made many of the huge wooden containers that the tables and equipment are shipped in. Hardly anyone will see Keegan on a heister unloading trucks in a Phoenix parking lot in July in 115 degree heat. You won't see Donald helping to wire the competition kitchens so that they have electricity. You have no clue how much work goes into making a show or who does it. Donald is one of the people that helps make these shows happen. He deserves a lot of thanks for all the sweat and heart and soul that go into it that not many people will ever see. And if Donald did have his own show, I'm sure it would rock really, really hard. He is an amazingly talented person. His was one of the best classes at the world pastry forum this summer. He rocks. Totally. And so does Keegan. And all the hard working folks that put these shows together. And not to leave it out, there was a big cheer in our house when Duff finally won.

DuckDuck

Did someone say something bad about Keegan???
I believe that most do understand what goes into a production like this. I know personally because My husband works in TV media.
Do you know them Personally by chance??

I'm in agreement with Moydear... No one said ANYTHING negative about Keegan... That guy works his butt off (as do everyone in the production/film crew) at those events! For that matter, I'd love to see him get to relax and just put him IN one of the competitions

No, it was the talk about Donald (aka judge "David" ) that set me off and everyone adores Keegan, I know, but doesn't realize that he's more than just a pretty face on tv. Part of that connection is that I don't think I can think about Donald without Keegan's voice in my head saying"Big Daddy Don" and telling me stories about bbq's in Donald's backyard. (They're the stuff legends are made of from what I hear.) Yes, I've sweated along with the crew at the world pastry forum and world pastry team championship, and yes, I've thoroughly enjoyed the delightful company of both these amazing gentlemen. The entire crew are some of the greatest people I've ever met. A lot of passion there.

Yup will see Keegan next week at OSSAS. Yes he is a very talented fellow!

Ok.. I am lost. What does Donald/David working hard have to do with his negativity toward Duff? I totally get that not everyone has to LOVE Duff Goldman but he was the only one they came down really hard on and it was more than once. Perhaps ther were creating drama like so many "reality" shows are famous for but it was obvious to me, my neighbors who watched it and even my kids were saying "Why is that man being so mean to the other guy?"

Also, it sounds like you know all the good backstage info so maybe you can tell us all why it was that Momo was allowed to use that plexiglass thing but a dowel was not allowed? That is a very valid question and I, for one, would really like to know the reasoning behind this.

As for all the other stuff about the guys working hard, etc. thank you for bringing that to light. I never would have thought about all the hard work it takes to set that up and it's all over in 7 hours.....

Ah Keegan....don't even get me started on that hottie!

I don't understand Momo's tube being allowed either. I wasn't at this particuliar event but I'm guessing it wasn't considered "structural support" even though I would have questioned that one myself.

[Ah Keegan....don't even get me started on that hottie! [/quote]\\

Oh yes he is so nice!
I have my autographed Food network T shirt from him! sigh!

I have a picture with him and I was trying get my " non fat pose"!! Anyway he was so funny -He said "Your Itty Bitty!" Double sigh!

When I was there I guess from my understanding is that it was not an internal structure-Did he skirt the rules yes of course he did. Did she really use the cereal the way it was intended inside the sugar building blah blah! Duff was clean with his work and it showed! He met the requirements and won!

The competitions that were taped here were so lax and not as heated as they seemed!

SWOOON!

?? Why are the judges and TV personalities of the shows also the Techies? Shouldn't there be gaffers, electricians and carpenters (OH MY) and such? People who get paid to build and wire the set? I don't work in TV, but have worked enough live theatre to know that the director or stage manager doesn't hang lights or do props. They must not have a very big budget for the challenges. That's too bad, since they seem to generate a lot of interest.

Please don't be angry at people who don't know all about the behind the scenes or haven't had the opportunity to attend a taping or work in TV with these people. Or haven't been able to take a course with them.

People put forth a certain persona, and we can only get vibes from what we see presented to us. I think the saying goes, "You only have once chance to make a first impression." It's all in the presentation, right? We could also say, "don't judge a book by it's cover."

Let's think in terms of cakes....looks kinda bad, so what would we think about it? Bad. Not, "oohh, looks bad but I bet inside it is wonderful!" We are PRETTY judgemental about the 'outside' of a cake.

Maybe, we could be compassionate when someone says or acts in a way we don't appreciate, and think, "oh they're just tired." That wouldn't be too common though.

Thank you for enlightening us as to the REAL business.

I'm with you Adven68! Although it wasn't that great I couldn't help but watch it!! I too couldn't believe DUFF when he said he hadn't worked with rice krispies before!! It seems like alot of his creations have rice krispies involved in some way or another! I do think he and the Las Vegas guys were the best and that the one judge was looking for faults with everything Duff did, which I thought was uncalled for. Don't get me wrong I always watch the Ace of Cakes and enjoy his different ventures! AuntSushi, don't feel bad really didn't miss much!!

~luraleigh~

Luraleigh, earlier in the postings it was revealed by someone who was there, that this was recorded BEFORE Duff started using the cereal parts. I think this may have been what gave him the idea to do so...

7yyrt,

You beat me to it! I was just going to post again! I just went back and read the rest of the posts and realized that was already addressed! I guess I should read the entire post before I speak!!! I do think Duff and Geof did the best job and deserved to win.

~luraleigh~

luraleigh...sometimes the threads are so long it's hard to read every entry...

Duckduck....thanks for the insight.......I'm sure all the controversy was orchestrated in the editing room....

Ok, I watched the re-run of the challenge last night since I missed it the first time. Actually, I missed the first half, so I didn't see any of the "contoversy" that others are talking about.
While I thought it was interesting and was glad Duff won, I kept thinking "Why in the world are they doing a challenge with cereal?" I have to agree with adven68, though-----I couldn't look away .

Oops. I guess they do let winners back. I've never seen anyone come back after winning. Sorry!

Kelly

Lukerubyjoy, there are two crews that work on these shows and I stopped short of putting in a long list of name that you wouldn't recognize and said "all the hard working folks". But nobody plays star when the cameras are off. Everyone pitches in and gets the job done.

I don't recall any rule of not winning more than once. Hasn't there been someone that has won more than once? I'm thinking Colette but maybe I'm wrong. Too many challenges to remember all the winners.

I am happy to report that Duff will still be doing challenges. He will be at the Oklahoma Cake Show participating in the Groom's Cake Challenge. I am not sure who else will be competing but I am hoping that the Challenge will be aired soon.

That is Awaesome! Then I get to see him next week!

Lucky you! Maybe you can get a picture of his entry and post it.

There is a Carymax crew as well. At least at the events I have been involved in, it has been the Carymax crew that takes care of the kitchens and usually sets up the competition and brings in the talent. I believe it is High Noon that takes care of the lights and cameras and television production end of things.

I think where I really took issue with this thread is when it went from people taking about a comment made on television by a judge and turned into "he's being an a--" and nyah, nyah and the like. It was not fun to read. Especially when it is about someone I know to be a truly great person. My post probably came across a little scattered and I probably shouldn't post when I'm mad. But at the same time, I couldn't leave it alone.

They do not have fully eqiupped kitchens at these functions. Down to the bare minimums. My friend competed in one of the $10,000 challenges. She had to bring everything she needed. There was little left in "kitchen" when she was done.
You are speaking of pastry cups correct. Those kitchens have ovens and all baking needs for that caliber of competition.

Highnoon supplies a to Producers, Photoghraphers, Essential support staff and so on. They have there own research team to find competitors also.

I think there is some overlap on challenge ideas and getting talent that continually changes. There's foodnetwork involved in that as well. But the kitchen are the Carymax domain. The do provide the big stuff like tables, ovens, a fridge, mixer, racks, but not smaller the smaller stuff like measuring cups. I would hate to have to be doing inventory on all the little stuff at the end of a challenge. It's hard enough making sure that all the mixers go back into a box with a bowl, the paddle, dough hook and whip. I've done that job. Measuring cups? No thanks!

Oh I would not like that job! When I spoke to the research person at Highnoon she told me that they do the looking. I am sure the Nework has say but she said she did all the leg work.

There is a great deal that goes into these productions!

It is going to be crazy next week at Ossas!

I understand what you are saying about being upset. They earned there right to be there. I am a huge fan of Keegan-Not because he so frickin adorable but very talented.

I an curiuos about the carymax crew. They probably were there but there was so little on site.

Do you compete?

As much as I would love to be there, 20 hours of drive time seems a bit much. I may have to rethink the whole thing now that maverick has informed us that Mr. Duff is going to be there. Surely, they would be having an assistant with them....possibly Geof again? I appreciate his sedate-like comments on the show.

Why does everything happen in BFE?