Wow! Don't know too many chefs who would put up with that kind of insubordination aside from Denny's and the likes.

I love how the Internet works. A large population of individuals get to judge what transpired based on small clips of information. It's even better how they begin psychoanalyzing people.

"What is the matter with you?" "Let me tell you what you just did what your career!" "What are you after in life?"

Whatever happened happened. Maybe it was a misunderstanding and the situation blew out of proportion. Maybe it wasn't. Who knows? I don't and neither do these clowns.

Hi Dale.

I don't think you can call what transpired between you and Michael Chiarello a high point in your career. Whether you felt he was being a jerk or not, it just made you look like a child who can't control his temper.

After it all blew over, you had an opportunity on this blog to look at your behavior, reflect on how inappropriate it was, and offer an apology. Instead, you made excuses for your behavior, which for me, made it even worse.

The thing is, I LIKE you Dale. I really enjoyed watching you when you were competing on Top Chef. You are a very talented, hard working and passionate chef. But, you also have issues controlling your temper.

I don't know why you do the things you do. Maybe you got hassled a lot, growing up a short Filipino kid, and you developed a tough, combative persona to deal with it. Whatever it is, you need to own up to it and deal with it. You’re not a kid anymore. You’re expected to have gained wisdom from you experiences and evolved.

Behavior like that gets you a lot of attention, but no respect. What are you after in your life?

U are so qute Dale -) Kiss kiss habibi :D..

I have been enjoying watching Top Chef Masters UNTIL this episode with young chefs showing up. All the sudden the show became very hostile and professionalism was thrown out the window. It really showed the difference in levels of culinary experience. On the regular Top Chef show, some of the chefs are amateurish, showing lack of respect for their colleagues and leader. Very unstable... I wish Dale would just get back to cooking and shut up!

Do your thing Dale, he backed right on down.

Dale, Until this you were one of my top 5 favorite non-winners and I have now seen all the shows. For your own sake you owe Michael a huge public apology...like maybe applying for a job...
It was pretty entertaining watching Michael wait for you to peter out like a kid's smoke bomb ending its display...

Hey kid! Yeah, you, whatever your name is. Cool it. Chef Chiarello rocks and always will.

I love you Dale!

I think Dale was disrespectful and childish in the least. As a manager for many years and a women to boot, I would have thrown Dale out of my place of business in a heartbeat and made sure that anyone who wanted to hire him was aware of his anger management problem.

Dale once again you show everyone including potential chefs who might hire you that you have some serious anger problems, he called you young man instead of hey you. There being 12 of you running around the kitchen, so sorry he didn't remeber the illoustrous Dales name, you can only hope to be in 20 or 30 years where he is now.

DUDE SUCK IT UP! a lot of kitchens are a lot tougher and a lot of chefs are a lot more mean. i mean, yeah hubert keller was generous and nice but HELLOOOOO do people not remember the very first episode of top chef when kellar was so demanding of all the chefs. and rightfully so he should be demanding...it's so intense in these kitchens, these masters have the right to be tough. and plus, the questions he asked in his interviews were NOT hard...come on. he needs to stay connected with his chef and if u don't even know his name, it's obvious u don'tk now his style...
and lastly, he asked the chefs to specially cut the carrots because hey...there have been tons of idiots on this show who don't even know how to cut an onion properly.

Dale was outright disrespectful! Especially for a Filipino (is he?). I was quite appalled of the over reaction. He has an anger problem and need some counseling. It's evident from the previous Top Chef episodes. He definitely ruined his reputation. He and Spike should partner on a different business venture.

Dale,
Filipinos are known for their hospitality and graciousness, and your reaction was 'nakakahiya' (shameful). Whatever the situation, your temper tantrum is a reflection on YOU. I just pray you learn to react maturely to adverse conditions before you totally burn all your career bridges.
"Tandaan, and pikon laging talo."

Dale, you were completely out of control and out of line. I agree with others, that your over the top temper will gain you a negative reputation in the restaurant community. A chef who has been cooking for decades, almost your entire life, deserves your respect. Period. Just as I'm sure, if you're still around in ten years, you'd expect young chefs to give you respect.

The same can be said to Richard Blais. His comments throughout the episode and his purposeful mispronunciation of Chef Chiarello's name were disrespectful and out of line. As someone in the restaurant industry you should know the names of great chefs who have come before you. You should study them, learn from them, and create your own style. Michael Chiarello is one of those chefs who deserves a great deal of respect. Not only does Chef Chiarello have several extremely successful restaurants, he was one of the original chefs to have a cooking show on TV and he started his own company, Napa Style, and he has been hugely successful at all of them. Richand and Dale can only dream of being half as successful as Michael Chiarello.

Kudos! Chef Chiarello for keeping hold of your temper.... under such pressure. As for Dale! why? in heavens sake did anyone invite him back... he was an ass, and not good TV while a contestant, and yet again, the same thing.... ATTENTION he is not good ratings material.. Chiarello IS. Now Howie would have been another choice at least we would have had a chance at a good pork dish.

My money is on Mike for this one......

What I found interesting is that after reading both chefs comments on the incident, Chef Michael refers to Dale as "Chef Dale." Dale refers to him as "Michael." A glaring difference in respect and tone. Dale's view that chefs are inappropriate by nature and that that somehow justifies his behavior is pointedly ridiculous. As a former chef myself, I can comment on that. True chefs are passionate, but not barbaric and belligerent.

Dale, until see see yourself "handling it" in a different way, you're going to continue to have problems. Even people who haven't already earned your respect deserve your respect. Burning too many bridges like this will earn you your reputation. No one doubts your cooking ability but your take no prisoners approach to interpersonal relations could use some work.

Dale's outburst was so embarrassing and shameful, I did not want to point him out to my sons and say Hey guys there's a Filipino guy on Top Chef, because he is such a sorry example. Real power comes from being respected, and this guy will obviously not be respected in his industry and will not go far, he does not deserve it anyway.

Hey Dale, you adopted other worldly traits that got you where you are, sure, but you also imbibed a lot of bad traits and a bad attitude. Anita Lo is a great example for Asian kids to look up to, so is Hubert Keller for young aspiring French chefs, and Michael Chiarello, well, he was quite admirable in the way he handled a runt like you. Italians are known for their temper, but he didn't use that as an excuse to behave badly. You should truly be ashamed for being a bad bad example.

Dale was the fly in the soup of an otherwise wonderful evening.

This may have already been discussed [haven't had time to read through all posts] but I wondered if the entire encounter was staged. Top Chef Masters has been refreshingly free of "drama" and perhaps the producers/directors thought it was time to spice it up. Hope not, but wouldn't be surprised.

That said, I'd like to see this show return next season with Hubert and some other classy chefs as judges/guest judges. This season's hostess and weekly judges are the reason I have not watched this show regularly.

Chiarello calling Dale a "young man" was a form of respect from an older generation towards the younger. Just the same, a young man calling one older than him "Sir". Maybe he was "testing" his sous-chefs to see their skills, etc.. maybe to HIRE them! Italians live, love and communicate boldly. It's really not ego.

I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Chiarello at his restaurant Botega. He greeted many of the diners personally and the food was excellent. On a personal note, when a personal tragedy affected our small Napa Valley town of St Helena, Michael and his wife personally brought meals for 50 people to the house of some friends of mine who had lost loved ones in a plane crash.

I am sorry but Michael's attitude caused the ruckus in the first place. I found it ironic that noone know's his name. He does not deserve it. In comparison, Hubert and Rick were leaders, professionals, mentors, and gentlemen. Michael showed himself to be an egotistical bully running very scared. Dale was always a hot head but many would have reacted the same way being treated as a lowly servant.

dale, aren't you a sous chef somewhere?

if you've made it to sous, then you've obviously worked your ass off moving up the ranks, proven yourself and/or kissed a lot of ass. I know that you know better (and I'm glad you took the time to acknowledge that your response was "inappropriate"). we've all worked for chefs that are complete idiots, scum-of-the-earth, etc. suck it up man. welcome to the business. the answer is always (ALWAYS) "yes, chef." that, or "i quit" ("half-baked" style)

and as a sous chef, how do you react when one of your line cooks talks back to you? throw pans at him? get in his face? if you're not careful, you'll end up as one of those idiot hothead chefs in a few years. the kind we all hate to work for. that, or you'll get a brain aneurysm and drop dead on the line.

What's Michael gonna do about it? He's gonna make sure, young man, that you will be blacklisted in the real top chef world! You think you're so cool...

Top Chef made Talde known to many people that he probably could never have achieved without it. Michael definitely was condescending ("what's my name"). But instead of Talde responding with maturity under fire, he showed insecurity under pressure. He probably cut his own future "Top Chef" appearances throat...not a bright move--back to obscurity!

Dale, I thought referring to you as "young man" was offensive. But losing your temper doesn't help. Rise above the situation, keep your cool and you will gain more respect.

Dale, you were so out of line. The only reason that Chef Michael called you young man was because he did not remember your name. Whats so bad about that?You overreacted and he deserves an apology.He has paid his dues and deserved respect. He has a good name and a great reputation...if you aspire to be a top chef some day you had better learn self control and know how to work with others. Please think about it and I hope you realize that you made a mistake.

As a 60yo executive, professional and self professed foodie who has travelled the world and eaten in most of the restaurants represented by the Chefs on this and other shows, I was appalled at Dale Talde's outburst in the episode with Michael Chiarello. While some may be put off by Michael’s management style, it was after all his show, his reputation that was on the line. It was his competition, not Dale’s, which is exactly how Brian Malrkey of season III put it.
After watching all of the earlier TC series and seeing these young men and women, all with varying amounts of talent, culinary education and skills, attempting to make their bones in a tough business, I found that I was often turned off by the profanity, the ego centered outbursts, the occasional lack of professionalism and the childish temper tantrums such as Dale Talde’s during season IV. On the contrary, I was pleasantly pleased with the contrasting professionalism exuded by the TC Masters.
It has been a joy to watch the “Older” TC Masters as, week to week, as they compete with such professional aplomb, always respectful to their fellow Chefs and always in a gracious accommodating manner. The joy and passion they have for their profession and food is evident in the way they interact with each other to the extent that we often witness them even helping each other. The ultimate winner is the guest in the dining room.
Talde certainly doesn’t do anything to ameliorate this viewers disgust with him by attempting to justify his inability to control his anger by projecting his own misperceptions and short comings on the profession as a whole, which is patently absurd. I can imagine Tom Colicchio’s facial expression as Talde lumps together and characterizes Rick Bayless, Hubert Keller, Michael Chiarello, Rick Moonen, Thomas Keller, Eric Ripert, and Tom Colicchio as “degenerate, compulsive, irrational, egotistical and passionate breed who know how to cook”. Tom Colicchio in an earlier episode said: “it’s a question of how you want to be remembered”. Well, this childish, boring behavior is what I will remember about Dale Talde. I can imagine this hot headed, wannabe, chef storming out of his kitchen to confront and then threaten a patron who has had the audacity to send a dish back.
Frankly I wouldn't cross the street to eat in his restaurant and I certainly hope that Bravo TV leaves this boring, childish "young man" home in the future. He doesn’t deserve the right to be in the presence of the greats and at this point I can’t imagine a Chef or a restaurant owner in America who would hire him.

Dale, I was so disappointed in your behavior toward Chef Michael. You acted like a kid and gave dishonor to the profession. Top Chef Masters gave its audience a glimpse of the integrity and honor of the profession. It was so enjoyable to watch the chefs and the respect they showed each other. And then you came along. You, obviously do not aspire to be a Top Chef Master, especially if a comment like "young man" can set you off. You may be a great chef, but with your attitude you would probably be better suited for Hell's Kitchen.

I would describe Michael Chiarello as having an authoritarian ("I'm the boss") managing style, just judging from what we saw on the show. His approach was strikingly different from the willingness of Hubert Keller and Rick Bayless to listen to their teams and incorporate their ideas. I would consider the way Chiarello interacted with Dale Talde -- at least what was shown -- as mildly condescending.

Talde's reaction was wildly out of proportion. I would describe it as extremely immature at best. Judging from what was shown, I think his behavior suggests a serious anger-management problem. He acted in a threatening way by repeatedly moving into another person's space and loudly demanding "what are you going to do about it?" I can only interpret this behavior as challenging Chiarello to a fight, and I think the producers of the show should have immediately asked him to leave the set. It was shameful of the show to play up the confrontation by having a fan poll about who would win a fight between the two.

I would not want to work for a boss like Chiarello. One can stand up for oneself, however, without behaving in a threatening fashion. Spike Mendelsohn did just that. Chiarello asked Mendelsohn to perform a silly test, and Mendelsohn firmly refused without saying anything offensive or acting in a threatening manner. Well done. Talde could have refused to move the food he had put in the refrigerator and told Chiarello that if he had a problem that he (Chiarello) should take it up with the chef Talde was working with.

Dale, you are seriously in need of anger management training. This is not the first time you have lost it. And what's so terrible about "young man"? Lots of people can't think of someones name in a pinch (mothers notoriously call their children by each other's names) and there are a lot less respectful things to be called than "young man". What would you prefer, "hey, you", "boy", "kid"? Relax!

Dale, you were very disrespectful for Michael Chiarello. He is a Master Chef. He has been a Chef for years. I have known Michael for awhile now. He has worked very hard for where he is today. He's owned Restaurants, cookbooks, etc. If I were you, I'd talk to Michael very soon and apoligize to him. You are just starting out. I watched you on top chef. You had an attitude problem as you did the other night. Michael has been around for along time and he knows what he is doing. He handled everything the right way the other night. That's how it works sometimes. And anyone who puts Michael Chiarello down need to grow up. He is the best and I hope he wins next Wednesday night.

Dale, I am so glad you put Michael in his place. He really didn't think you would talk back to him. With him, it was like seeing a top celebrity be a diva with the "what's my last name". You don't deserve respect unless you give it back no matter how famous, or talented you are.

I'm glad to see the approach of Rick and Hubert and how they mentored, used to other top chefs past contestants to their advantage, while paying them respect.

I also don't believe Michael deserved the 4 stars from the critics at the end, since the critics comments on his dishes were not positive. You pretty much know who they want in the final three...I thought it would have been interesting to see Anita versus Michael in the final round.

Chiarello was being "tongue-in-cheek" with the "my name is 'chef'" bit... and I cant believe how no one got that. His interview "style" is exactly the way I have been interviewed by chefs. They want to see if you 1. can take orders 2. work well under pressure. In 2 minutes he determined that Spike and Ilan would be petulant, insubordinate jerks and therefore unemployable in his kitchen. Thats better than Colicchio & CO. who weren't as successful in determining this in a couple of weeks. His asking of them to pronounce his name was a way to determine if they actually knew who he was and if they understood his style. Wylie Dufresne could have used the same approach. If you don't know how to pronounce his name... then you probably don't know who he is and therefore have no idea what his culinary style is.

Your reaction to him was unprofessional. You are very talented, but your short fuse makes you scary.

Dale - I understand how you felt but you should have let it go. Someone once call me "little girl" when I was a grown woman in my forties! Yes, I was angry because this person didn't bother to call me by my name and it was demeaning. You will have to work with all kinds of people, people that you don't like, it's better to just walk away or you'll get high blood pressure or a stroke and it's not worth it. As for Michael, I was disappointed in his manner and he was one of my favorites. We really did not need to see all this drama - it was very upsetting for viewers and Top Chef is my favorite show.

Bad behavior is bad behavior... that's why you didn't win top chef, you've got a lot to learn boy!

dale who?

My husband and I were very shocked by Dale's behavior.
Thus far on the show all the Top Master Chefs have treated each other with great respect. Dale's behavior was immature and very agressive. If he had behaved this way in a public place the police would have been called. He should have been asked to leave the show immediately. There is no place for that kind of behavior on this show. It is not the " Housewives".
Dale needs to seek professional help for anger management.
Would he have preferred "Hey you" to "Young man"?
Anita should have stepped in to manage her team. Both she and the Judges allowed Dale's behavior to change the demeanor of the show in a bad way.

Great, Dale, so world knows you're a shouter. Your food always looks good, so I might want to eat in your restaurant, but I wouldn't want to cook in your kitchen, or have you cook in mine.

Renee, you make good points about the difference between TC and TC Masters and some of the reasons for a more relaxed attitude amongst the Masters. I am sure you are right.

But, the other side of the equation is that what these top-level Chefs are putting on the line are their reputstions. In some ways, the TC contestants have nothing to lose whereas 23 of the Masters ultimately have very little to gain. For professionals operating at their levels, public perceptions of them and their food are everything. If anything, it would be reasonable to assume this would create more competitive tensions. Yet it hasn't seemed to and I think this is what impresses so many of us about them, It took real cohones for them to agree to put themselves on the line and great character to do it with such grace, humor and a sense of fun.

As for the judging, I think there is an argument that their food would be better, so they would receieve less criticism than other TC contestants. James, in another blog, has already confessed to nitpicking as it is - such is the high standards of their food. This is what we would expect.

He should have called you Little Boy, not Young Man, that would be a better description.

Why do you quote master? He is a great chef, and yes, a master chef, even if he doesn't win Top Chef Masters. He has much more experience, skill, and technique. I would have great respect for Michael if I got to meet him. I would NOT pick a fight with someone that is known throughout the culinary world. That was just unnecessary. But it did make for great TV!

Yeah, I wondered why Gael gave Michael and Rick the same score. Going by what we were shown, Gael and the other judges felt Michael's food had serious problems, while nothing really negative was said about Rick's food. It was also strange that the diners and the judges had such contrasting views on Hubert's food. (3.5 stars as compared to 5 stars).

I can fully understand Chef Chiarello having the Top Chefs chopping the carrot. How many times in the Top Chef (regular not Masters)series have we seen plates being criticized for poor knife skills. The dishes Chef Chiarello was presenting had his name on them.

I've really enjoyed watching the Masters series because these chefs show so much respect for each other, much more mature than the egos of the Top Chef series. Dale, completely completely out of line, immature and disrespectful.

dale is punk ,show some respect to your chefs. it shows how unproffesional he is . if i were to hire him i would think twice.michel is one hell of a chef ,dale on the other hand is just ordinary chef.

Top chef is a great time to show our kids the value of good prep, great food and be prepared for change. When we watched the Dale and Michael confrontation, I had to stop and explain that Dale's behavior was disrespectful and should don't be considered the norm in the kitchen.

If you have an opportunity to present yourself on to a national audience, why would you make a fool of yourself or others. Where is the value? A simple "thank you for your comments, but please call me Dale" would have shocked Michael and create a respectful situation, then what was presented on the show. I noticed the show was edited as not further the issue and show what leadership qualities there are in the cooking industry, I do appreciate it.

As former restaurant owner and 20 year veteran of TV and Radio, I'll say that some people forget the power and influence they have on others with their words and actions.

Our Family loves the show keep it entertaining.

Dale. As a fellow Filipino, I rooted for you and was proud of the fact that you were on Top Chef. HOWEVER, the way you handled the situation with chef Michael Chiarelli on the show made yourself look extremely unprofessional and frankly like a thug. Chef Chiarelli has earned every success brought to him. He called you "young man" and gave you direction because you were a SOUS. Big deal. Infact, when you were in his face, he maintained his composure. You need to learn from people more experienced than you rather than battle with them on national TV. You made yourself look bad. And, oh, your excuse about a chef's temperment is insulting to other chefs. I really hope you learn from this experience.