Gordon Ramsay's last meal was chosen as the number one because it was a combination of his iconic dishes, the high level of culinary expertise required, and the impactful interview that followed. The meal included a full English breakfast, butter chicken, chicken wings, a double-double from In-N-Out, beef wellington, a gin and tonic, sticky toffee pudding, and a deep-fried Mars bar. The hosts were able to create a beautiful product and have a meaningful conversation with Ramsay, who was very complimentary of the food and shared valuable insights into his approach to mentoring and helping people in the culinary industry.
Tom Hanks' last meal was ranked highly because it featured a mix of LA classics and Greek cuisine, reflecting his cultural background and personal tastes. The meal included dishes like a traditional Greek salad, an In-N-Out Double-Double, and a white chocolate coconut bundt cake, which he affectionately referred to as the 'Tom Cruise cake.' The hosts also appreciated the meaningful conversation they had with Hanks, including his interest in history and his thoughtful engagement with the team, even after the cameras stopped rolling.
Jason Kelsey's last meal was considered a standout because it was a personal and hearty meal that reflected his love for food without pretense. The meal included favorites like chocolate chip pancakes, King Kong French toast, and A5 Wagyu poutine with roasted bone marrow gravy. The hosts also had a deep and engaging conversation with Kelsey about his career in football, the fears of CTE, and his decision to retire early. This episode was particularly special because it was one of the early guest appearances, and Kelsey's willingness to FaceTime with the chef to discuss his meal showed his commitment and enthusiasm for the show.
Shay Mitchell's last meal was memorable because it was bright and happy, reflecting her personality and love for diverse flavors. The meal included chips and guac with multiple salsas, a fruit cart, a margarita, a smash burger, and various desserts. Mitchell's enthusiasm for the food and her team's enjoyment of the meal created a fun and engaging atmosphere. Additionally, her openness about her tequila brand and her emotional story about one of her childhood friends made the experience particularly touching and enjoyable for the hosts.
Harry Cruz's last meal had so many dishes because he wanted to represent a wide range of his favorite foods, and the hosts cooked every single item he requested. The meal included spicy tuna and crispy rice, miso black cod, rack of barbecue ribs, bison ribeye, a flight of three smoothies, zucchini flan, and other dishes. Harry's high energy, storytelling skills, and openness about his life experiences made the meal particularly special, even though it was a lot of food.
Corbin Bleu's last meal was included as a wild card because it was one of the early episodes where the guest took a significant leap of faith. Corbin requested a FaceTime meeting with the chef to discuss his meal, which included a curry sampler from around the globe, A5 Wagyu poutine with roasted bone marrow gravy, and various other dishes. The hosts were impressed by his engagement and the unique, collaborative approach he took to creating his last meal, making it a standout and memorable episode.
The hosts sometimes got drunk during the last meals to enhance the atmosphere and facilitate deeper, more candid conversations with the guests. For example, during Kelly Rowland's episode, they ended up drinking multiple margaritas, leading to a very fun and emotional experience. However, they later realized the need to limit their alcohol intake to maintain professionalism and clarity during the interviews.
The hosts cooked a surprising last meal for Serge Tankian to add an extra layer of excitement and personal connection. They made a terracotta banana pie, which was a creative and unexpected addition. Tankian's meal included traditional Armenian dishes like kibbeh, chikovteh, manti, and tabbouleh, along with desserts like kanafeh. The surprise element and the personal touch of accommodating his cultural preferences made the episode stand out.
Josh and Nicole had a tiff while preparing Tom Hanks' Greek salad because Josh was very particular about the preparation of the red onions, insisting they be iced to perfection. Nicole initially didn't understand the importance of this step, but after Josh's insistence, she realized the high standards set for Tom Hanks' visit. This tiff underscores the hosts' commitment to making the meal as perfect as possible for such a high-profile guest.
The hosts decided to rank last meals by their awesomeness rather than the guest's charm to focus on the culinary and emotional aspects of the meals. They wanted to highlight the quality of the food, the effort put into recreating personal and cultural dishes, and the meaningful conversations that arose during the interviews. While charm overlaps with the awesomeness of the meal, the primary criteria were the meal's uniqueness, the guest's engagement with the food, and the overall experience.
Today, we're talking about the best and worst Last Meals!
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