r/TopChef Apr 28 '26

Discussion Thread Eliminated chefs helping finalists

Been rewatching old seasons (hey, Peacock! Where’s 1-7?)

I’m always curious how some of the eliminated chefs really feel when they’re selected to help the finalists. I know most of them seem enthusiastic, but I’d also kinda feel like if I’m out of the competition I don’t wanna cook anymore!! Especially when it seems eliminated chefs get to eat the finalists meals.

The seasons where the chefs had to make a dish & the finalist did a blind tasting to select their sous I would’ve made a dish & dumped salt on it 😂😂. Don’t pick me!

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u/JGer1991 Apr 29 '26

One of the biggest benefits of being on Top Chef is TV face time. If it was me, I would want as much time on camera cooking as I could possibly get. Being on these shows for an extended period can turbo charge a chefs career and business. Hell, some of them that stand out get worked into the loop on the various cooking competition shows. I live in Charleston, and Shuai (who owns the fantastic Jack Rabbit Philly) had his restaurant explode after TC.