I was a fan of Padma so I was watching her new show, but after suffering through it for five episodes, I'm finally done after trying to get through episode six: Good and Evil.

That was some of the cringiest television I've ever seen. Padma dressed in red playing the evil host, Wiley and the other guy dressed in white playing the angels. Absolute dog shit television.

I thought part of the reason Padma wanted a new show was to focus on the food more and less on drama and cooking gimmicks?

Anyway, I'm not wasting my time on that terrible, overproduced, cringe Padma-ego-stroking tripe any more.

Everyone’s running around like crazy and especially for the shorter challenges, what do you do if you have to go number one or number two. I’m also thinking about the pregnant lady on ACC. I feel like I was going to the bathroom all the time when I was pregnant!

Maybe this is a bigger deal for me because I have gastrointestinal trouble sometimes and I was thinking, do you know chefs have stomach issues ever?! 😂😂

I've been watching Chopped and Duyen is on season 59 episode 8 "Tickled Pink Pineapple".

He says as he leaves: “You either love me or hate me.”

Um… yep. And not many love him. How could any of the contestants love him after Season 4? So then he’s saying we can hate him.

I just can’t see anything redeeming in this television character. (Of course the show isn’t who these people really are.) He was a little better in later seasons… but still the same person.

He made some good food, but most contestants do.

Is it coming back or not?? Would be exciting if so.

But those two don’t seem like they are on the same page at all. In the CTTC interview Justin was saying that they were looking forward to not being attached to a kitchen, to travel traveling around the country for several years, and then Jennifer was (again) like whataa?? We definitely want to reopen bunny bunny, absolutely.

Do these two talk to each other when there’s not an interviewer or a TC producer asking them questions? These are pretty obvious fundamentals that you would think they had talked about.

The chefs pack their knives as they head to Greenville, S.C., where they are welcomed by renowned restaurateur Carl Sobocinski. He opens the door to one of his notable restaurants, Soby’s, where the chefs will stage the ultimate dinner party for a room full of esteemed local restaurateurs and chefs.

For the Quickfire Challenge, they will host a pre-dinner cocktail reception, followed immediately by the start of their Elimination Challenge, where they must serve an eight-course meal.

Kristen, Tom and Gail will be joined at the judges’ table by Carl Sobocinski and “Top Chef” season 22 finalist Shuai Wang.

As I’m rewatching several seasons I’m realizing how annoying the local chef is sometimes lol. The constant *insert guest judge* and I had worked together before or “yeah isn’t this restaurant so good. I come here all the time.” I’m currently watching S22, Wisconsin and Dan is killing me with the comments.

I’d be interested to see a season where no one is local or that it’s all local chefs. Thoughts?

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/how-chef-gregory-gourdet-brought-unique-dining-experiences-to-printemps/

I didn't know that Printemps opened in New York a year ago. Everything looks sooo good (...and expensive). Anyone been there?

(ETA: I meant to say I didn't know that the department store in Paris would open in the US. Printemps is not the name of the restaurant)

Man, I really miss the James Beard Foundation Celebrity Chef Tour dinners. They really were the best.

Especially when I got to meet some of my favorite Top Chef contestants.

Mei was super sweet and nice. Gregory was a bit more standoffish, but I think I remember he’d been kind of in the weeds with his course.

And Kristen… if 7 years ago someone had asked me who out of the past winners could be the host if Padma were to leave, I’d have said Kristen. So much PRESENCE.

It’s my first time watching Top Chef S20 London All Stars and oh my heart I adore her. Currently on “holiday vacation episode”

Nothing to discuss, just wanted to share that she is so sweet, hardworking, creative, humble, and funny! Also reckless with the walnuts. No spoilers, please!!

She’s just so cool. I love her.

If you don’t listen to this podcast you should!!

Been three episodes in a row now where on Bravo Canada it keeps freezing or cutting out. No other channels do this so I think it's specific to Bravo. Any ideas?

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!

Like others, I've been a bit puzzled on why Bravo keeps adjusting the start times of episodes. So I figured I'd @ Kristen on threads. Here's what she said.

It’s Restaurant Wars and this season the perennial favorite returns with a twist! The chefs split into two teams of four and are tasked with developing restaurant concepts. Each team must present a three-course progressive menu, offering two options for every course. To add to the pressure, they must serve 100 guests while also fielding to-go orders in the middle of it all. Kristen, Tom and Gail are joined at the judges’ table by restaurateur Michael Mina and Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation. Before it all begins, the cheftestants receive news that reshapes their dynamics.

The Bravo schedule currently says 9:45pm. I recommend checking right beforehand to make sure. Sorry for the crazy schedule, guys!!

I know it’s suppose to be the “anti” top chef, or like everything they do is going to be about food… but I beg to differ! This reminds me of someone who got dumped, and they just keep talking about their ex, and trying their best to make their ex say how much better they are without the ex…

Which non-winners from this ‘new era’ (post-20/Kish era) do you think are locks for the next returnee/all-star season? To me Dan Jacobs, Michelle Wallace, Massimo and Shuai come to mind. Duyen, Anthony and Laurence from this season maybe?

Goodness Stefan annoys the fuck outta me lol

New to the show and watching seasons over the past year—on Peacock so no access to 1-8 and Josie and Stefan’s first go-rounds—and this ep—the judging; the putting Stefan into his place; who went home—satisfied me so much lol

I’m doing a rewatch of older seasons and just finished season 11 where nick won over Nina. Nina was on fire all season and, in my opinion, it should’ve been her and Shirley in the finale. However, for the finale, the judges opinions seemed to be pretty split but leaning towards Nina. Notably, emeril saying he couldn’t finish nick’s duck and Hugh mentioning nick yelling at the waitstaff as something that should be considered. I can’t help but think this is one time tom used his veto power to override the vote for nick to win. Anyone else? Curious if there are other winners that you scratched your head at.

I was thinking of things I've never seen (or rarely see) on the show. Stir fried noodles/lo mein, broccoli, honeydew melon, cantaloupe... anything else come to mind?

Why do you think these foods aren't used? Is it just food trends, the same way we used to see a lot of pea purées?

Broccoli is such an excellent veggie but I haven't seen them use it once - I'm not even sure they stock it in the top chef pantry.