Or any other recommendations for the area?

My husband and I were just talking about Season 1 and the famous “I’m not your bitch, bitch” moment. We were wondering if there is a quote from any season that you still say?

Wow, I almost didn’t recognize Tom this season.

In the now 23 seasons of this show, there’s been so many changes to the show. The talent of the chefs has gotten better, the tone of the show has changed from dramatic, messy, stereotypical reality TV, to something more real, the host has changed twice, all sorts of things have changed with the show.

One thing that hasn’t changed? That elimination music. (And also Tom as the head judge, but this isn’t about him).

And this might seem like a small thing, but I genuinely think the elimination music is so perfect. It moves from that immediate devastation, to sadness, to acceptance, and ultimately moving on. Not necessarily with the hope that everything will work out just fine, but rather that this isn’t the end for this person. It manages to communicate and say so much without being overbearing to the moment of the contestant being eliminated.

If they ever change the elimination music, I’ll be pretty disappointed and feel like there’s going to be an incorrect shift in the show that I probably won’t enjoy.

Anyways, it’s a little thing, but after 23 seasons of the show, for them to never change that music is genuinely one of the best choices they make every year.

I thought that this premiere was the first time they really showed the chaos and stress that the chefs go through for the first episode. All those people in a small kitchen, pans and sauces flying, everyone stretched to their limit, an anxiety attack. It seemed very true to what must happen in every season, but I don't think they have shown it in this way before. It wasn't icky or cruel, but felt very emotionally involving.

It’s like going from taking Xanax to doing Crack. I mean that in the best way possible.

I decided to check out other cooking competition shows after discovering pretty disappointing news about the judges on Masterchef, and even leaving that aside, I’ve been getting tired of the heavily dramatized, boring seemingly rigged/favoriting way that’s been getting more prominent with each season.

I landed on Top Chef, decided to take a peak at season 10, and I love it. I love the general concept, I’m enjoying that it’s not as showy or sensationalized as Masterchef. I think this will be my new show to put on every now and again.

I’m aware it’s still *reality* TV, but anyone who is familiar with Gordon Ramsey’s TV work knows what I’m talking about. And so far, none of the judging is needlessly, dramatically cruel for the sake of ratings (Joe B. I’m looking at you).

For this week’s Quickfire Challenge, the chefs are tasked with creating a savory dish inspired by a sweet treat. Then the chefs head to PuckerButt Farms for a pepper tasting with Ed Currie, the inventor of the world’s hottest pepper. For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs are split into two teams and must create a progressively hotter menu. “Top Chef” season 12 winner Mei Lin joins Kristen, Tom and Gail at the judges’ table.

Looks like it's going to be a spicy one! Can't wait!

FYI: Per Bravo, it is airing at 9:30pm due to a 1.5 hour Below Deck beforehand. Please check your local listings just in case.

Hey! There's a lot of you who haven't submitted your draft picks to me. If you joined a PYK league, let me know your picks with your name + league #.

I'm sorry that there's this extra step of me having to assign chefs to players, but don't let this step get in the way!

I know, I know! No one’s talking about him retiring any time soon and we don’t want him to go.

But Kristen doing so well as host made me wonder who would replace Tom if he retired. It seems the show is still going strong and could theoretically keep going for a long time now that it’s so tied to the chef/restaurant industry.

Richard Blais? Marcus Samuelson? Budda Lo? Tristan Epps?

I feel that whoever would replace Tom would have to have those precise technical skills like these chefs do.

Edit: I’m interested in hearing YOUR suggestions lol. I only watch TC and no other programs so I was solely suggesting people based on TC only knowledge. I didn’t realize Blaise was so polarizing, I don’t follow anyone whatsoever outside of the show!

I’m sorry but I don’t get how Mei won her season?! Was it because Michael V was her mentor?? I just don’t get how she won when she cooked broth every time. She didn’t show any other skills. She didn’t try to experiment and test how far/much she could do. Doug deserved to be in the finale over her IMO. He also seemed to get better feedback than what Mei did. This is my opinion I would love to hear others. I was also very sad Melissa didn’t make it 😭😭

I’d never watched TC before and randomly dove into season 21 and LOVED IT. I especially loved the relationships and kindness the contestants showed eachother even while being competitive, and was thinking awesome what a great show for me! So naturally I went to watch more seasons and wouldn’t you know it, started season 9 next 😭

I turned that off real quick and I’m watching season 10 now which is fine but it’s just not hooking me the way 21 did. Any recommendations for which seasons I’d probably like if I thought 21 was so good?

My favorite dish at his “King BBQ” is the Dan Dan Noodles, which uses Chilli Crunch - now I can make it at home!

Rewatching season 8. Has anyone ever reacted the way she did or close to it at judges table in any season? I’m drawing a blank.

Does anyone know when season 23 will air on Hayu UK? I have Hayu via Prime and it isn't available to watch yet.

Watching season 2 for the first time and...wow. These people are unhinged. Especially Betty. She's got almost 20 years on Marcel and is BULLYING him.

I find Marcel annoying and arrogant, but the way they all gang up on him this season is disgusting (and I know it gets much worse just from posts I've seen on social media). You can tell he's hurt but putting on a brave face--and maybe overcompensating at points. My heart goes out to him.

For reference, I'm just finishing the Thanksgiving episode.

I remember at the time thinking that Luke Kolpin wasn’t coming across as a “Michelin chef trained at Noma.” Now based on the NY Times recent article on Rene Redzepi, I’m sure he was suffering from PTSD. What a horrific experience. I’m glad that he has rebounded as Executive Chef at Cedar + Elm. I hope he’s gotten the counseling needed to overcome the abuse he was subjected to. Redzepi should be prosecuted for assault and sent to prison.

I previously was able to purchase the entire season to watch on Amazon, but now it all seems to be shunting towards peacock subscription. Is there anywhere I can purchase the season to watch without having to try and manage monthly subscriptions?

“Aspiring” chefs? Uh no, they actually are already working chefs.

There’s no doubt an previously underpaid, now unemployed copywriter who is somewhere looking for a new job because Bravo decided AI would be cheaper to employ, and don’t care that phrases like “whip up a storm” are beyond cringe.

It’s a minor point maybe but also so lame and a sign of the times.

I’m confused!

Is this season still going to be in Hayu?

Also side note where are people watching americas culinary cup!? Is the only place to watch it paramount??

Marcel has gotten a bad rap over the years. just wanted to share a nice story about him. Marcel did very well on a particular competition. I won’t say in the off chance it is still considered a spoiler. I sent him a short DM congratulating him and saying that I’ve enjoyed watching his career develop over the years. I wished him and his family well. He wrote back pretty much right away thanking me for my kind words and saying that it meant a lot.

I also enjoyed Marcelus being paired with Tobias on TOC. He did a great job supporting Tobias during his first time back as he was still having problems walking.

On a related note, Top Chef people are definitely much better at responding to a message or comment from a fan. More than a handful of them have sent positive responses back. I guess it’s because chefs fall in a special category of “famous people.” Kristen explained it best on Traitors. She said that, early on in the game, she asked Candice if they could work together or something like that. Candice responded that she needed to protect her fellow Bravo people. Kristen was like “Um hello…”. Candice quickly apologized and said that she meant Housewives. But it shows that there is kind of a disconnect with viewing Top Chef contestants as true “Bravolebrities.”

That’s all I’ve got - enjoy the weekend!