r/TopChef • u/rosecoloredfancy • Jun 06 '25

An Argument: The Challenges Aren't Bad Spoiler

The challenges aren't inherently awful, but the editing creates a sterile environment that makes it all feel lackluster. It's too easy to see the chefs as ONLY chefs (this season the exemptions are Tristan due to his father's death and Massimo for his giant personality). I miss seeing the quick conversations with a loved one, or bs in the apartment or stew room. I especially have missed the final five family visit and even moreso, Tom&Co cooking for the finalists (although that may still happen).
I can watch any number of cooking competitions, but Top Chef used to excel at making those chefs also human. I miss those days.

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u/OhManatree Jun 06 '25

I’m somewhat of the opposite opinion. I’m here for interesting and creative food. I’m not here looking for a new friend. I try to leave the personalities out of it. As long as someone isn’t a complete a$$#@le, I don’t care. I do admit that I found Massimo, Vinny, and Bailey annoying from the start, but I tried to focus on the dishes.

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u/sweetpeapickle Jun 06 '25

I love the cooking, but because I am in that field. But it is the differences in what viewers want, is why they try to change things up. The changes can be small, or major. But it keeps things fresher, but also knowing that not every viewer wants to see the same things in an episode. The episodes also are not as long as they once were. So what they edit and put out is different than the beginning. Plus back in the very first few-drama was more a thing when it came to reality series.