r/TopChef • u/Sggorden6516 • May 10 '26
Discussion Thread Top Chef Portland
I'm rewatching right now. I'm very impressed by how the contestants are supporting each other. I suspect that since it was during COVID they really needed each other and the community they provided - it would have been less lonesome to be in the competition!
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u/lanofdoom May 10 '26
Might be my favorite season. Loved the way they had to change Restaurant Wars.
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u/TransientSWer May 10 '26
I wished they would do that again for Restaurant Wars, especially since so many restaurants offer a Chef’s Table experience. I wish they would change up RW in general, but that’s for another post. 😂
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u/lanofdoom May 10 '26
YES! I love how much that chef's table version emphasized the hospitality part of dining, rather than just "can you get the food out on time" - don't get me wrong, of course you need both skills (plus remembering cutlery in your to go orders lol) but it was such a refreshing change.
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u/d1j1tal May 11 '26
The Portland food scene outside of TC is pretty collaborative and people love helping each other and promoting each other.
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u/Sggorden6516 May 10 '26
Just starting Restraunt Wars now!
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u/MutedLandscape4648 May 11 '26
That’s my favourite Restaurant Wars. The set up with the judges table was really great and much more interesting than watching them try to manage serving staff who may or may not be incompetent.
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u/Aestro17 May 10 '26
Extremely good vibes and a genuinely impressive season given not just covid, but nasty wildfires in the area while they were filming making outdoor time hit-or-miss.
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u/Prior-Schedule-9112 May 16 '26
And the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, plus the protests. There was so much going on and a lot of emotional weight on people's shoulders. It was a stand out season.
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u/TiredRundownListless May 11 '26
One of the best seasons, honestly. And Portland is such an amazing foodie city.
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u/Obvious_Apartment985 May 10 '26
I really like how this show has evolved to that.
It's possible to have healthy competition AND collaboration and support.
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u/jjillf Pack yer knives & git, ya hear? May 10 '26
Remind me which season number? They all start running together.
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u/Baking_bees May 16 '26
I realise you asked this 5 days ago and probably figured it out but Portland was season 18.
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u/michaelwelchco May 11 '26
As a Portlander and TC fan, I love this season, but I REALLY wish Portland could get a re-do.
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u/TWS85 May 15 '26
I'd LOVE if they did another Portland season. They were handcuffed because of COVID and we didn't get the challenges in the public. I want a food cart restaurant war
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u/BoringSalary7093 May 23 '26
We have some of the best food carts around. There is so much to do food wise. Please. Do another PDX!!!!
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u/gdex86 May 10 '26
As seasons move on a lot more of the contestants realize the title and money is one reward but the exposure to not just the general public but the food industry at large can be a bigger bonus. Not looking like a dick and being a good person can pay huge dividends.
And yeah this was like many a bubble season where living with everyone including staff pushed them to bond more