Can’t answer your question, as I don’t watch those shows.
But for me, I don’t watch Top Chef for the food, I watch it for the drama.
Shuai throwing someone’s mise en place away? Good stuff.
Tristin’s dad dying during the middle of the competition? Touching, and totally watchable.
Seeing Massimo baste his tenderloin in butter? Not so much.
Hah, everyone watches for different things. I actually like when it’s about the cooking and they keep the interpersonal drama and weird challenges on the down low. Tristan’s stepdad dying was very sad and I’m sure they knew they needed to address that so I had no problem with that personal touch. I’m glad that the top chef people have kept it from becoming Bravo’s real chefs of whatever and kept the chef’s focused on cooking and not scheming and feuding.
I miss the old episodes. Lots of drama and personalities!
I watch it for the food. While there is no way for me to recreate what they do, I get a lot of inspiration from their cooking. If someone tries a crazy combination and the judges say it’s good, that’s a little seed for a new flavor combo I might try one day. I’ve also opened up to some ingredients on the show that I might not have tried otherwise or that I may have strongly disliked in a previous version. I just love their creativity, and if they have a backstory about the food I’m all for it. I do agree though that not everything needs a story - fried chicken is delicious regardless if you used to make it with your grandma or if you bought it from the newest fried chicken joint.
I like pizazz and personality in contestants, but not douchey, and/or disrespectful behavior. Nor do I need them to act like obnoxious teenagers. Seeing an episode of Katsuji in that awful show with Martha Stewart and Jose Andres (poor guy needs a better showcase) makes me want to just karate chop him in the back. Even if that is hamming it up for the drama, he’s so irritating. Massimo loved to talk but was no where near as annoying as other contestants in the past.
Yeah I saw an ad or clip from that new Martha Stewart show and I was very embarrassed for Jose Andres. He deserves better.
I watched one episode, that was enough. I agree about poor Jose.
I have to relate that last Thursday night, after watching TC, I had a dream about the finale, full of spoilers (dream spoilers, not actual spoilers, which I avoid). In the dream, there was a last-minute surprise change of contestants, as the last one eliminated (Massimo) showed up to take the place of one of the finalists. Tristen, you see, had decided he just couldn’t go on and had to go and be with his mom after his stepfather died, and we saw her meet him at the airport. In the actual show, of course, it was the opposite, and his mother told him to stay on because it’s what his stepfather would have wanted.
AV Club recap A teary Top Chef finds our final four in Milan"Stop crying, Kristen!"
It’s a new month, so hopefully this is a freebie!
A little late in the game, but watching the Milan episode now. I realized that I really don’t like Bailey.
Today I learned about “Top Chef Vault”.
Thanks for the links. Vulture still told me I had used up my free viewing and I haven’t even been on it since May. Oh well. Interesting episode although the Olympic tie in seemed a bit awkward.
Shoehorned in (location and theme) because they 2026 Olympics air on NBC and Bravo is an NBC property.
Yeah, Bailey has that “nails on the chalkboard” vibe to her.
Kristen tears up quicker than a cheap hooker drops her dress.
She does tear up a lot. Maybe it’s because she has been in that situation herself?
Yes, I find it very endearing and probably heartfelt because of her own experiences on top chef.
As do I. And the way she had to go out was particularly painful as it was clearly Josie that should have gone.
She did have a great redemption arc-winning last chance kitchen and then coming back and winning the whole season.
It was great!!!
I don’t think that will ever be repeated on Top Chef.
Winning it all basically from behind the scenes (via LCK) without having to deal with all the day-to-day shenanigans and “food challenges” like “cook an ostrich standing only on one leg”
