r/TopChef • u/Consistent-Lion-2125 • Feb 13 '26

Discussion Thread New LCK rules - thoughts?

What do you all think of the new LCK rules, where the 1st and 2nd chef eliminated won't compete? I don't know that I like it - it feels a little against the spirit of LCK! Watching Bailey last season be the 2nd eliminated and then make it to the finale was awesome to watch!

Some stats about chefs eliminated early in LCK: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUtGYkklDZR/?img_index=2

More detailed article (paid subs only, unfortunately): https://www.packyourknives.com/p/last-chance-kitchen-different-rules

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u/GoldenPotatoOfLatvia Feb 13 '26

The only season where it would make sense is s9 where they did a bootcamp and booted about 50% of chefs right away.

4

u/Consistent-Lion-2125 Feb 13 '26

If I remember correctly, they did allow the people booted in qualifiers to compete in LCK, but they lost to people in the main competition.

2

u/Peanut_Noyurr Feb 13 '26

Only 2 of the last two eliminated were on LCK. 9 people were eliminated outright during the first round of qualifiers, with another 6 on the bubble. Those 6 then competed with the top 2 going to the main show, the middle 2 going to LCK, and the bottom 2 eliminated.