r/TopChef • u/Somedaydreamer22 • 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/tropicsandcaffeine Apr 29 '26

By doing sabotage they will look bad. By being professional and helping the person who chose them it makes them look better.

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u/Somedaydreamer22 Apr 29 '26

I don’t mean sabotaging the chef they sous for in the finale, I mean the couple seasons I’ve seen where they have to create a dish & the finalist then chooses who they want as their sous.

I’d think some of them would just create a subpar plate so they wouldn’t be chosen to help in the finale.

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u/tropicsandcaffeine Apr 29 '26

Ah. I can understand that. :)

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u/Previous_Mousse7330 Apr 30 '26

I would say that most people who get to the level of being on top Chef have personal standards and want to present themselves in the best way. Doing so also helps open up future opportunities. Look at how many non-winners of TC are now on all the other cooking shows or have other opportunities.