I am a big fan of two reality TV shows – Top Chef and Project Runway. At the end of every season, I watch the re-runs and wait for the new season to start. This year I found myself hoping Top Chef didn’t end up in any legal disputes like Project Runway had with Bravo.
I love to watch all of the chefs at the beginning of the season as they come together to compete for the coveted title of Top Chef. As a result of the show’s popularity it’s two hosts, Tom Colicchio and Padma Lakshmi have reached a new level of celebrity. For the past year I’ve seen Padma in hair care commercials but the reality of their celebrity didn’t really hit me until I saw Tom in a Diet Coke commercial. What can I say, I like the commercial.
Top Chef Masters
An added bonus this year was Top Chef Masters that featured Rick Bayless (winner), Hubert Keller, Michael Chiarello, Anita Lo, Suzanne Tracht, Art Smith, Tim Love, Christopher Lee, Cindy Pawlcyn, Rick Moonan, Michael Cimarusti, Elizabeth Falkner, Wylie Dufresne, Mark Peel, Roy Yamaguchi, Graham Elliot, Wilo Benet, Michael Schlow, Lachlan Mackinnon Patterson, Nils Noren, John Besh, Ludo Lefebvre, Jonathan Waxman and Douglas Rodriguez.
While it was fascinating to watch the masters compete, the best thing about the show was watching them struggle as much as the non-celebrity top chef contestants. My favorite moment from the show was when Art Smith won the elimination round with his fried chicken meal. Out of all the complicated dishes prepared, Art won with fried chicken. Who knew!
Top Chef: Las Vegas
This season Top Chef has moved to Las Vegas and added a few twists. The winner of the first Quick Fire won $15,000. That’s a first. There are also two brothers competing against each other in the competition. The brothers seem a little distant and I’m beginning to wonder if they really like each other.
There’s a lot of talent that’s going to make for an exciting season with a lot of the typical drama. At this point three cheftestants have been eliminated. My favorite at this point – Jennifer Carroll. She’s got skills and she’s no nonsense when running the kitchen.
My “are you kidding me” moment: When Preeti, a lesbian chef, copped an attitude when they had to cater a bachelor/bachelorette party because gays can’t get married. Are you kidding me? It’s not about you stupid, it’s a competition for $125,000 and several other top level perks. Concentrate on the task and leave your political views at home. Anyway her days were numbered, she bit the dust last week.
I’m ready for this week’s episode.
