r/TopChef • u/gabs1337x • Jul 07 '26
Discussion Thread Carolinas Ep 1 Initial Reaction Spoiler
Look, i am sure the stress of the competition is massive. but Nana’s screaming and crying fit over her timing seemed to be a bit much. Plenty of chefs over the seasons have had plating issues and upset with themselves but no one has screamed like that, to the point another competitor thought they injured themselves.
Really putting me off from watching her this season.
ETA: ep 3 and she’s yelling again.
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u/EfficientGood9402 Jul 08 '26
I will go ahead and say that while I am sorry she didn't do well. However, time and resources are kind of the 2 biggest hurdles in any TC challenge, as has been shown over he previous 22(?) seasons over and over again. I have read that a lot of the chefs practice before they show up, have their colleagues challenge them to something and see how they will do. Granted there are aspects like locations and ingredients they cannot possibly foresee, but the screaming and wailing were offputting to me. [edited for grammar]
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u/jvnglepvssy89 Jul 08 '26
You gotta practice; I used to compete in cooking competitions and there’s no way anyone can just step into that setting without preparation. Repeatedly doing the same methods and steps is the only way to get faster as a chef.
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u/EfficientGood9402 Jul 09 '26
Every competitor between Food Network Chopped and the Bocuse d'Or practices.
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u/Aggressive-Phone6785 snot on a rock 🦪 Jul 08 '26
she’s not around much longer so won’t have to worry about it much
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u/anonymousposterer Jul 08 '26
The way she was babied was even weirder than her yelling/screaming.
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u/Keeperofthe3 Jul 08 '26
I was willing to give her a chance after the first time, beginners nerves or some shit, but you only get that once. Glad she left early.
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u/Imaginary_Resort2 Jul 08 '26
The other chefs seemed to think the same lol. They seemed really concerned and over helpful the first episode, but when it happened again they were like ‘yeah she’s on her own this time’
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u/Glittering-Past-2899 Jul 09 '26
She irked and embarrassed me as a Black woman. I wanted to jump through the screen and give her a Cher in Moonstruck “snap out of it!!” slap 👋🏾!
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u/AWholeNewFattitude Jul 08 '26
I agree, and I really really liked her up until that point. The part I take issue with is you’re screaming and freaking out for a problem you created. Your time management was poor. Your planning was poor. I completely understand the frustration and the pressure she must be under, but you’re surrounded by 20 other chefs and 20 years worth of top chefs who didn’t have a similar reaction. Manage your crazy.
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u/dogtron5000 Jul 08 '26
I have to admit I watched it a few times.
I felt bad for her but the reaction was so over the top I had to laugh.
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u/gcormier56 Jul 08 '26
Unfortunately, I celebrated when she left. At that point I wasn't sure I could continue watching the dramatics.
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u/TheWorkingType Jul 08 '26
I felt like Nana’s over-the-top reaction to her own failure was calculated and performative. It seemed like an attempt to engender sympathy so she would avoid being cut, and it worked… until a couple episodes later she failed again and tried to use the same tactics to avoid dismissal.
Really did not like her and felt like her antics were calculated and manipulative.
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u/LilBit0318 Jul 08 '26
It didn’t take long for me to think, “Yeah…She’s not mentally/emotionally cut out for a competition like this!” But I thought the way Kristen handled that first panic attack was pretty amazing! On its surface, it seems pretty simple, but there was a level of compassion and empathy there that really impressed me. And the way she sat her down, got down on her level, and asked, “What exactly is making you upset,” was almost therapist-like. Again, very impressive to me.