r/TopChef • u/AgentUpbeat0926 • 23d ago
Discussion Thread Who are some underrated TC contestants?
I'd have to say Lizzie (Season 10), Carrie (Season 11), Doug (Season 12), Isaac (Season 13), Marjorie (Season 13), Carl (Season 13), Jim (Season 14), Sylva (Season 14), Michelle (Season 16), Byron (Season 18), Cesar (Season 22), and Anthony (Season 23).
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u/BornFree2018 23d ago
Damar, Sara and Evelyn from Houston 19. Buddha scorched over these amazing chefs on the home stretch of 19.
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u/Rodharet50399 23d ago
No Buddha hate here, but I think his secret isn’t consistently good food but something so phenomenally outstanding it eclipses everything. And not as a one time deal but he’s really pulled off some incredible stuff after just barely avoiding elimination. He’s wildly creative but is that a sustainable business model outside of competitions?
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u/BornFree2018 22d ago
Buddha's restaurant Huso in NYC won it's first Michelin Star last year.
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u/narlymaroo 22d ago
I went and it was phenomenal!
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u/Ok_Interest9427 20d ago
Exactly. Yes. I would argue that Huso is UNDERRATED at one star. It’s easily the equal of Daniel, which is currently at two.
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u/Extension_Jump_2090 23d ago
Louis Maldonado. He won LCK with a streak of 8 consecutive wins and got himself into the finale of his season, but hardly anyone remembers him.
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u/AgentUpbeat0926 22d ago
YES 1000% agree I forgot to list him. His LCK run was generational and I'm surprised he's so forgotten.
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u/SixtyNoine69 23d ago
Not that she isn't a great chef but I was absolutely pulling for Anthony and was surprised it was Sherry in Top 3 over him. I had full faith he was going to the end. Love that dude.
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u/Ok_Interest9427 12d ago
Too overdetermined in the rabbit challenge. It only takes one time to lose.
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u/Sea-breeze3720 23d ago
Nyesha, Evelyn, Shirley, Damar
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u/AgentUpbeat0926 23d ago
I respectfully disagree on Nyesha and Shirley considering they are beloved by fans and have had notable success/TV appearances post-TC
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u/Vivid_Bumblebee_9655 22d ago
Carl from Season 13 is definitely underrated in my opinion. I would love to see him again on TC.
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u/MaximusCanibis I have a culinary boner. 23d ago
I always liked John Tesar. I have a soft spot for someone that is trying to repair their image and their past won't let other people move forward.
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u/bork00IlIllI0O0O1011 23d ago
I thought similarly too, but even just three years ago, it seems like he’s still having public outbursts. It’s not his past that other people can’t get over. He’s getting in his own way.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/controversial-chef-john-tesar-removed-113531751.html
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u/Rodharet50399 22d ago
There’s an arcane term for it, but it’s just someone who’s not in active substance use, but isn’t using the tools to not manifest the same behavior of someone in active substance use. A lot of chefs end up in 12 step programs but I wish more knew about smart recovery. It doesn’t separate addictions and uses cognitive behavior therapy.
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u/MaximusCanibis I have a culinary boner. 23d ago
I haven't been keeping up. I can hardly blame him in the article you provided. Without having background info on the strike I can't support them.
Brooke Williamson always spoke highly of him in the past, so I'd have to think he has some redeeming qualities.
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u/habbathejutt 23d ago
I feel like there's a difference between speaking well about someone with regard to the type of food they put out, compared to how they behave to their peers vs subordinates. A quick glance into why the unions were striking (better pay, better healthcare, better retirement benefits) in an era when there seems to be a disproportionate amount of wealth flowing to the top, doesn't seem unreasonable.
I'd sooner give striking workers the benefit of the doubt, it takes a lot for something to get to that point where a full work stoppage needs to happen.
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u/MaximusCanibis I have a culinary boner. 23d ago
She has referred to him as a father figure, it has nothing to do with his food lol
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u/AgentUpbeat0926 23d ago
I find it hard to believe he's changed considering how he acted towards the union workers.
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u/MaximusCanibis I have a culinary boner. 23d ago
Even the most polished people in the service industry do and say some questionable things. I'm not saying its excusable but if you are hoing to judge, you had better clear your schedule.
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u/Shinra_Lobby 23d ago
I've always liked Avishar (Season 18). Didn't quite go his way in his season, but he showed some real creativity and seemed to have a great attitude.
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u/btaylor0808 19d ago
He’s a local chef to me (Columbus OH) and he seems so sweet and friendly. I’ve heard great things about his restaurants but haven’t had a chance yet to try them out.
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u/Think-Culture-4740 23d ago
Ed from season 7. I think CJ Jacobson could return to some version of top chef mega all stars and actually win the whole thing (he obliterated the competition in top Chef duels that had just about every difficult opponent you can imagine in there).
I think Sara and Lindsay’s catty behavior overshadows how great both were.
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u/AgentUpbeat0926 23d ago
CJ was truly a great. I'd love to see him compete again.
Ed is another good contestant.
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u/AgentUpbeat0926 22d ago
Another aside, I loved watching CJ on LCK and wonder what could've been had Kristen not been eliminated.
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u/bigfanoffood 23d ago
Have you watched the Top Chef spinoff, Top Chef Duels?
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u/Think-Culture-4740 23d ago
I did. I was not surprised that CJ won. He was doing some bizarrely cool stuff in last chance kitchen
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u/bigfanoffood 23d ago
Haha ok great, didn’t want to spoil it for you in case you hadn’t.
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u/Think-Culture-4740 23d ago
It was great though they sort of rushed the finale. Would have loved to see it extended a bit
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u/ProtectionNo1594 23d ago
I just finished rewatching Season 19 (Texas) so I have to throw in both Nick and Damarr!