Just a quick reminder for fans that the new season starts tonight!
Thank you, @Marilyn! I didn’t realize there is a new season.
I’m DVR’ing it!
It was welcome last night. I had so many favorites that I wanted to win before, and now they are competing against each other.
Just looked on my dvr and it taped. Yea!
It was fun trying to remember everyone on their season. At first many of them looked unfamiliar, then as they showed old clips I would go, oh yeah. It was certainly different making everyone take a drive during a portion of the Quickfire.
My husband hasn’t watched before really, and wished there had been more of actual cooking (like Iron Chef). But he guessed who would be eliminated! No spoilers til you all watch the recording…
There are two San Diego chefs so it will fun to see how they do. I’ve met past contestants Richard Blaise and Claudette Zepeda when we’ve eaten at their restaurants. Brian Malarkey has a little empire here now so maybe someday…
I enjoyed seeing some old favorites! Why do they have that horrible mad rush for ingredients? People jumping over tables, etc. Stupid. I’d rather they offered them all a variety of the same ingredients (but not weird ones like Chopped) and see who makes the best dish.
@MaryBarbara58 That rushing is part of the Top Chef game I guess. IMO Chopped has different limited resources that people have to rush for (ex. one fryer, one ice cream maker etc.) H and I enjoy both Top Chef and Chopped.
Bumping this up and let’s make it more active if you’re watching! I need not COVID times in my CC Life!!!
Watched the first episode this week - takes me NO time to get sucked back in! Love the all stars. Some of these chefs were on a long time ago. Notable seasons to me were Jen and Brian V. I admit to really like Brian V.
I agree that the rushing is part of Top Chef - you snooze, you lose - and then have to be creative with what you get.
Can we agree that current episode spoilers are ok now? I myself just won’t check this thread until I’m caught up with current episodes.
But just in case someone wants to START watching and not be spoiled by the first episode don’t read further…!
Yeah, I was ok with who went. I actually think one of the women - can’t remember her name - should have gone before Joe but he kind of flopped in both challenges.
I like the calm Asian woman - I don’t remember her from before!
Love Padma. Gayle cracks me up with her clothing choices. Super high heels, super short dresses, super low cut at the chest…sometimes Padma does this too but she can pull it off a little more classy!
I’m happy with allowing spoilers; don’t read if you’re behind. Not much to say otherwise with this kind of show!
No quickfire in episode 2 - that’s unusual. And they threw everyone into a big event. I don’t think they normally do that so early in a season. I was fine with who went home. Although I normally root for home town chefs, I didn’t really know this guy then learned he’s really a New York chef and has only been in San Diego for a short time. Fine, he can go.
Someone on another board commented on how long it took the chefs to visit 30 restaurants - 23 minutes until they started cooking, I think. I wonder if those restaurants (1) had originally paid any fees and (2) geared up for takeout since they knew the show might attract new customers. I looked up one out of curiosity - the French bakery/cafe - and they did have a take out menu up in lieu of their regular one.
The chef who went did not have a good day but I just enjoyed him - I thought he was both handsome and had such a gentle kind personality - neither of which apply to being a good chef - but I enjoyed him! I was rooting for Stephanie to go. Just have never been a fan.
I loved watching the visits to the restaurants in LA. That could have been an episode in itself! I loved how they were not the fanciest restaurants but family owned restaurants producing excellent food. Also the chefs seemed to really be so very interested in the stories and food.
I did have to wonder how much of that day they spend driving in LA traffic to get to their places!!!
Was not a fan of Helen (?) the famous chef who was going around with Tom. But I’m not a fan of Tom either. Both I think can be a little harsh. Criticism is fine and needed but I think Tom often does it in a derogatory way.
Anyone else still watching? Restaurant Wars tonight! It was a fun episode. Brian Malarkey looked like he was having a blast as FOH on Gregory’s team, but for him it was probably just another day. It seemed like they had a lot more attention than recent seasons in putting the actual restaurant together. Stephanie Izard was a wonderful guest judge.
I already have my favorites. While I like Kevin a lot, it was clear he wasn’t listening to his teammates, about having too many courses. Otherwise, his team had my favorites. (Other than Gregory)
Malarkey was the surprise; running around and doing a good job. I don’t recall if he cooked at all.
I just started watching a few weeks ago. I was impressed by Gregory’s calmness and positivity in the kitchen. I think the Captain FOH lady should have gone home. She didn’t manage her time well. But I admire Kevin for taking the bullet for his team. I like him, but his concept needed to be edited quite a bit.
Malarkey did much of the prep work on the red snapper. I believe everyone has to do a dish so that probably counted as his. Gregory was so smart picking him for FOH; that position can really hurt a team and a contestant but he was in his element. I don’t think he’s truly in it to win but to provide fun and drama.
Yes, Karen could have gone home but Kevin is the main reason the restaurant didn’t work and he knew it. He kind of implied some of the dishes weren’t what he wanted to send out but did step up.
Stephanie the private chef was right to take over expediting, but where did she learn that? Melissa’s dishes sounded delicious. It’s a good season overall.
I started this thread and have neglected to keep up with it! 
I like so many of these contestants. Malarkey is a hoot and while he may not seem as polished or chef skilled I do think he is RESTAURANT skilled - he is a very rich man doing just that!
Melissa is a favorite and I was worried they would let her go this week for that salad.
It was freaking me out a bit to see so many people in one room at a time. Darn Covid.
Brian V is always going to be a fan fav for me. So glad he got a win. He seems like such a nice man with amazing skills but down to earth. It was interesting when he said he brother never went to camp - but he did - maybe points out from an early age their differences. And his laugh - omg he has the cutest laugh! (yes, I’m crushing a bit) .
Love this show and season. Just hate all the ad placements!
I wasn’t all that impressed with the summer camp episode - making brunch for 200 when you don’t know what the ingredients will be? That is too close to the gimmicky seasons - and too close to the current reality! At the least, the show should have stocked up with a bunch of interesting options. I think the “moms” (hated hearing that term repeatedly) were more chef fans than food fans.
Someday in the far flung future I hope to get to Malarkey’s restaurant Animae, just as I’ve been to Richard Blaise’s Juniper & Ivy, and Claudette Zepeda’s El Jardin (before they kicked her out because she wasn’t touristy enough for the location).
I definitely thought Melissa was going to be going home in the last episode. I also keep thinking Malarkey is going to be sent home, but nope, hasn’t happened yet. Voltagio has not done as well as I thought he would.
I watched the Last Chance Kitchen last week and Kevin is the reigning champ. I hope he continues to win and gets back in the competition.
I do agree with the ingredient selection. And since we only get the show once a year I can put up with the cheesiness!
I am slightly wondering if Brian V is going to pick it up going forward…the quiet horse coming up behind.
I’m happy to admire them and their cooking from afar.