I started watching this reality series with the second episode during the first season. I have loved it ever since. I really like the challenges. I have heard the complaint that it is not always about the cooking but being a top chef is about the cooking.. the challenges in my opinion are set up to evaluate how the chefs interact with each other, co-workers, underlings, and customers. I think the show is designed to challenge the chefs in ways that they are not accustomed to but yet, the effect is the same as things that happen every single day in the kitchen. THe challenges force the chefs to look deep within themselves. What I mean is that the challenges are set up to encourage out of the box thinking, what happens when half the staff is out with the flu, the delivery truck is 6 hours late, the market sent the wrong type of lettuce/squash/herb, the freezer went out, the house is overbooked by double, as someone got a date wrong on the books so 2 whole seating's are scheduled for the same time, when something gets burned etc. This show just puts what normally might happen over 6 months of problems squashes it into a couple of days, a group of people stuck together away from home, living together, working together,cooking together-from all walks of life, all kinds of cooking experience and education. Add it all together, stir it up and you get a great show
42 Reviews
Privilege over produce
estathena213 March 2022
A cooking show that focuses on flash rather than the ingredients needed; it's all about privilege, product placement, busswords (organic) and an anti-science (gmo) approach to agriculture.
Top Chef is more of a "Housewives" show that centers around chefs and their egos than the food They prepare. It's a reality show that places far too much importance on tears, conflict, & petulant temper tantrums.
The best episodes & seasons are ones that feature Anthony Bourdain - because he was always unpretentious, honest, and genuinely cared about food.
Top Chef is more of a "Housewives" show that centers around chefs and their egos than the food They prepare. It's a reality show that places far too much importance on tears, conflict, & petulant temper tantrums.
The best episodes & seasons are ones that feature Anthony Bourdain - because he was always unpretentious, honest, and genuinely cared about food.
I love this show
westelius10 September 2020
This show has NOTHING to do with food
WalterMittee19 January 2021
Or cooking. It is ALL about product placement. Hey, let's step into the kenmore pro kitchen and gather all the calphalon equipment which is, of course, prominently displayed. This has the opposite affect on me. I would NEVER buy anything so unabashedly hawked.
And I don't understand why the so called hosts in season one and two are so monotone and awkward. Their delivery is incredibly lame and boring, no personality at all. They are a mess.
Add the insanely frenetic editing, which never focuses on anything for more than a millisecond, and it all adds up to nothing more than a shameful display of product placement.
Season 15 brings up Parma dressing herself in the most inappropriate clothing for a cooking show. Her dresses are so revealing that she might as well not be wearing anything at all. It is garishly inappropriate.
And I don't understand why the so called hosts in season one and two are so monotone and awkward. Their delivery is incredibly lame and boring, no personality at all. They are a mess.
Add the insanely frenetic editing, which never focuses on anything for more than a millisecond, and it all adds up to nothing more than a shameful display of product placement.
Season 15 brings up Parma dressing herself in the most inappropriate clothing for a cooking show. Her dresses are so revealing that she might as well not be wearing anything at all. It is garishly inappropriate.
I Love Top Chef
nancysparkle1 December 2006
This show is just so much fun! You can root for your favorites and rag on the ones you don't like. I have found that my favorites change as the show moves on, but there are some I simply did not like, right from the start. The first few episodes were kind of "getting to know the players" episodes. Then I chose Elan as the most likely to win. He just seemed to be the most professional of the bunch. Now, mid-season, I have changed my favorite three or four times. Now I'm torn between Elan, Cliff, and Sam. Then again, I think Marcel has real pizazz! He also has real potential as a celebrity chef. But who knows where it will go. Each week, I await the next episode eagerly. And not just incidentally, they cook some pretty amazing stuff. I really can't wait till this comes out on DVD.
Riveting. Action Packed. Must Watch.
artpavlenko7 April 2020
My favorite competitive cooking show. Interesting variety of characters sourced from around the country each season. You learn a lot about different cuisines, cooking techniques and hundreds of different chefs all while being entertained. There's a reason this show's been going strong well over a decade.
Not bad at all
KariPuff28 November 2021
Although early seasons are more focused on the drama and competitiveness, I can still appreciate it for what it is. When you think of it as a reality show first, those early seasons are pretty good. As the show evolves, it becomes more of a cooking show and less of a reality show and I can appreciate that as well. The food always looks so good and its fun seeing how contestants find their way around wacky challenges and restrictions. If you hate reality tv, skip the first half of the franchise. Otherwise, this is a great franchise!
Nasty chefs
patrickharding-6301314 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
It's entertaining but I've never seen such defensive, narcissistic chefs. They constantly question the judges' criticisms. It makes me wish desperately for Gordon Ramsay to put them in their place. A lot of the challenges are just plain silly like making a dish from ingredients found in vending machines or really lame product placing excuses such as a Uncle Bens instant microwaved rice dishes lol. The r soundtrack is especially annoying . So repetitive and mediocre. Yet it's quite entertaining in spite of all this.
Sometimes Unfair! Sometimes Brilliant!
Sylviastel15 January 2009
The chefs who compete in this series are all seasoned and professional and work in top rated restaurants around the country. Until now, I was watching it because I found it interesting that the group of chefs in this series and season were compelling and real to watch. If I was teaching culinary arts, this show would not only be a staple but mandatory in the world of restaurants and culinary fare. The fact that they shop at Whole Foods rather a normal supermarket would have saved them some money. I was rooting for Ariane Duarte in this season and thought she might make it to finals. I won't spoil who gets eliminated when. I think the fact that your colleagues are not voting you out helps a bit. I found them to be supportive of one another during those tough times like students in a class. In fact, Ariane started out on the bottom and suddenly redeemed herself by cooking turkey, lamb, etc., and she won Martha Stewart's choice during a quick challenge and a guest spot on the Today show. But Ariane's luck can change in a matter of days on this show as it does for some other seasoned chefs. Unlike other reality shows, this competitiveness is rather healthier and more entertaining. During their time, they live together while they are working. Their views and comments are often enticing. The culinary world is tough in itself and fiercely competitive just as it is on the show. I wouldn't know because I don't cook but go out to eat in restaurants. I'll probably keep watching this show to see who becomes top chef even though my first choice was let go.
Show Has Gone Donwhill and Fast!
ShelbyTMItchell12 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The show has gone on downhill and fast as the show not completely stopped being a cooking show and contest. But it also shows that the judges are partial and also that they are showing favoritism to contestants and wants that contestant to win not by food but by looks, appearance, or loving to hate the person, etc.
Really the show has gone downhill. Since 2010 and onward. Wished that Gail Simmons who knows her food more than host Padma does. Padma is there for the eye candy. Gail is that but also she knows her food more than Padma.
Tom C is a great judge but at least he is not abusive like Gordon Ramsey is on his shows. But still the show needs to go back to cooking and not appearances.
Really the show has gone downhill. Since 2010 and onward. Wished that Gail Simmons who knows her food more than host Padma does. Padma is there for the eye candy. Gail is that but also she knows her food more than Padma.
Tom C is a great judge but at least he is not abusive like Gordon Ramsey is on his shows. But still the show needs to go back to cooking and not appearances.
The Recipe Is Drama
TEAQUIEMORO25 May 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I love this reality show, and the food looks great. The chefs are the one's the really get me attached to the show. The first three were good and I was happy for Harold and Hung to win, I thought in Season 2 Marcel should have won over Illan. Marcel did all these stuff a person or a chef couldn't do, Illan did all Spanish. Also Sam should have went to the finale 2. In the 4 Season things really cook up when 2 lovers in Top Chef double there chance. In each season I hated Tiffni, Illan, Howie, and now Lisa. At first she was okay, but when she thew Dale and Andrew under the bus and made them both go home made me sad. Ihope she doesn't go 2 the final, she's a b###h. Lot's of hope to Richard and Stephine. Tom is one tough judge to please, an even harder one is Eric. He is one mean son of a gun, he can take you down with one word. Glad that Ted and Gail are back and the lovely Padma. She really beats season 1's judge. And now the competition continues, watch Top Chef the best cooking show. Never missed one Episode, hope you watch it cause you won't be disappointed.
I like the show with one glaring exception...cultural bias.
domp-334306 May 2022
So here's the formula....if you're Italian or French or from any predominantly historically white country, you have to change your style of cooking for every challenge. You may even get knocked if you do the same kind of technique (ie pasta) more than once in the entirety of the season no matter how long through the completion you make it. If you're a person of color, you can and are encouraged to make the same style of food every challenge on repeat and you're applauded for it. This goes double for South American chefs...even if they're born and raised in America, since they're of Latin decent, they're encouraged to make latin food from start to finish. But god forbid a white chef goes Italian, French, Greek, west African, Indian, Asian, Italian.....this second Italian dish will get them knocked by the judges for repeating a style. But the Latina can go 15 for 15 Mexican food and she'll be lauded. The double standard is so painstakingly obvious and the good news is, these shows are all run by liberal progressives and if they didn't have double standards they'd have no standards at all so we can look forward to this kind of added racial bias on white contestants from here on out. Equality y'all! Ain't it grand?!?!? Sad broken leftists....
Ego of chefs
livstanglund12 June 2021
This is a study in self importance. It is beyond me, why people cooking food think they are soo special. It's food, for Christ's sake. The judges and contestants take themselves equally important. I find it comical. They all honor this and that. They all cook from the heart. There is soul in the food. They all find their voice. OMG, it's so stupid. Can you come up with some new platitudes? Please! I don't care who wins. No one has caught my interest. Some of them I can't stand. Are there any NICE cooks in this world?
Going downhill faster than a skier
londas5 January 2019
The first 3 series were fun to watch. After that, the producers struggled to make a series that didn´t create a yawn. I couldn´t get past the first 5 minutes. There seems to be a desperation in trying to attract an audience with their challenges, which are mundane. In there attempt to improve the contest, especially the recent first round with each team of three given minimal time for prep, then taking away the knives before putting a meal together in short time did nothing to stir my interest.
I've watched every season and really enjoyed it
tusseymussey-194-14022522 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I've learned a LOT from this show. It's not just a reality show; it actually teaches you how to be a better chef. That being said, the politics of it can get ugly. I'm going back and re-watching all seasons right now. I'm on Season 9's Ep 15 now and I can't remember who won. However, I'm hoping very much that the bully named Sarah didn't win. Lindsey's behavior can also be described as bullying towards Beverly. I can't understand how people actually make themselves feel better by being mean to other people. Here's hoping Karma is a real thing.
Can they think of something original
hillangela-5978617 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Like MasterChef the chefs are given chosen ingredients to work with and like MasterChef the chefs are cooking under ridiculous
time constraints and like MasterChef there's always one judge on this show that's criticising
and insulting your food
Best cooking-based competition show
leesimon-263575 November 2021
This show is great and features the best chefs in America. This is not like other shows that really glorify the drama between contestants, or tries to amp up and benefit from a contestant's mental state (like say Hell's Kitchen.)
The challenges are great and the food put out is incredible. I have seen every season multiple times. Highly recommended if you like cooking or eating!
The challenges are great and the food put out is incredible. I have seen every season multiple times. Highly recommended if you like cooking or eating!
Great people make great chefs.
marinajones-790746 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I've seen some dirty play in this competition and even recipe stealing but I am blown away by the nastiness from Lindsay and Sarah. In all the seasons I have watched I was just taken aback by their nastiness. And even after Beverlys gone they are still complaining about her. Your attitudes speak volumes of your personality and define exactly who you are and quite frankly you two should lose to Paul. I will continue to watch but to see dirty play in a high calibre competition like this is just sickening. If you cant win without being a total b-arch, putting people down on your way and on your own skills and knowledge then you don't deserve to compete in the first place. Wow Padma and Tom must see it all and I bet they have to bite their tongues sometimes. I admire those who do this competition with dignity, style and flair. That totally makes them a winner in my eyes..
Note: This review is only based on Season one that is currently into its concluding episodes in India
sashank_kini-113 December 2007
Top Chef is a new show that they are currently viewing in India. I was surprised when I read that three seasons were already over over there. And therefore, I cannot comment much on the second season and the later season of the show.
Top Chef is a light-hearted show. It doesn't focus too much on drama like other reality shows do. Many people want more drama in reality shows in America, I think so- that's because many of the shows over there focus more on humor.
But once they have a trip to India, they would realize how much drama the audience is being viewed to in the countries. Daily soaps bring with them tons and tons of melodrama and utter rubbish that now has made me red with fury. Only a few shows are hilarious and make you laugh. Therefore, I have got tired of watching old grannies weeping on the television screen all the time.
Even the reality shows have adopted the new policy of including melodrama in them. We have fights during the shows between the judges and the contestants, with judges walking out of the show, people fainting, everyone weeping and judges yelling at the contestants in a hammy voice that hurts your ears. People are so gullible that they actually believe in these and gives more votes and watch the show with more drama persistently.
Therefore, when I saw Top Chef, I was relieved that it didn't focus too much of drama. The idea is simple, twelve people or rather cooks compete for winning the coveted title of the 'Top Chef' and winning some prizes.
The idea of this reality show isn't that new or unique. We have heard of such shows based on cooking before. Yet, it offers a mild pleasure as you watch the delicious dishes made by the contestants which make your mouth water.
The episodes aren't boring, dull and mundane but not even that great but just good. The manner in which the judges converse with the contestants is sophisticated. They do not yell at the top of their voices but discuss the pros and cons of the contestants in a well-behaved manner. Though there are some snide remarks by the judges, they're not hurting the feelings of the contestants that much ( remember Simon of American Idol).
The problems with this show are mentioned below:
1) Katie Lee looks beautiful but she is a bad host. Her speech seems rehearsed and monotonous and her behavior is like a Barbie prototype. She has no expressions on her face, even when she tells the contestants to leave the show and her conversation with the other judges about the contestants and the food is about nil.
2) The judges don't seem to guide the contestants even that much; they just point out their pros and cons. Unlike Hell's Kitchen, they don't go to the kitchen and assist the contestants and thus, are not their helping hands in any way.
3) In the reunion episode where all the contestants are called back together, there is unnecessary drama created which looks absolutely fake. You can see some of the contestants smiling as they argue with the other contestants. Plus, as there is not much drama in the show, why show so much drama in the special episode? I mean, highlighting the fights and calling them controversies is 'silly' as none of the fights have that much effect to cause a controversy.
Overall, its a good show that is entertaining to watch and a upliftment for a person like me who is exposed to the abominable drama of the daily shows that make you doze off. 7 out of 10.
Top Chef is a light-hearted show. It doesn't focus too much on drama like other reality shows do. Many people want more drama in reality shows in America, I think so- that's because many of the shows over there focus more on humor.
But once they have a trip to India, they would realize how much drama the audience is being viewed to in the countries. Daily soaps bring with them tons and tons of melodrama and utter rubbish that now has made me red with fury. Only a few shows are hilarious and make you laugh. Therefore, I have got tired of watching old grannies weeping on the television screen all the time.
Even the reality shows have adopted the new policy of including melodrama in them. We have fights during the shows between the judges and the contestants, with judges walking out of the show, people fainting, everyone weeping and judges yelling at the contestants in a hammy voice that hurts your ears. People are so gullible that they actually believe in these and gives more votes and watch the show with more drama persistently.
Therefore, when I saw Top Chef, I was relieved that it didn't focus too much of drama. The idea is simple, twelve people or rather cooks compete for winning the coveted title of the 'Top Chef' and winning some prizes.
The idea of this reality show isn't that new or unique. We have heard of such shows based on cooking before. Yet, it offers a mild pleasure as you watch the delicious dishes made by the contestants which make your mouth water.
The episodes aren't boring, dull and mundane but not even that great but just good. The manner in which the judges converse with the contestants is sophisticated. They do not yell at the top of their voices but discuss the pros and cons of the contestants in a well-behaved manner. Though there are some snide remarks by the judges, they're not hurting the feelings of the contestants that much ( remember Simon of American Idol).
The problems with this show are mentioned below:
1) Katie Lee looks beautiful but she is a bad host. Her speech seems rehearsed and monotonous and her behavior is like a Barbie prototype. She has no expressions on her face, even when she tells the contestants to leave the show and her conversation with the other judges about the contestants and the food is about nil.
2) The judges don't seem to guide the contestants even that much; they just point out their pros and cons. Unlike Hell's Kitchen, they don't go to the kitchen and assist the contestants and thus, are not their helping hands in any way.
3) In the reunion episode where all the contestants are called back together, there is unnecessary drama created which looks absolutely fake. You can see some of the contestants smiling as they argue with the other contestants. Plus, as there is not much drama in the show, why show so much drama in the special episode? I mean, highlighting the fights and calling them controversies is 'silly' as none of the fights have that much effect to cause a controversy.
Overall, its a good show that is entertaining to watch and a upliftment for a person like me who is exposed to the abominable drama of the daily shows that make you doze off. 7 out of 10.
Best cookshow ever!
MariaMona20 July 2021
I have been binge-watching the show in the pandemic. As a non-professional cook, but a mother of 3 who has been cooking with passion for her familiy for almost 30 years (since my mother died) - for two families, actually - my first one and my second one as a mother, I love the show! Yes, there are placements of products, that is something you would expect. But the competing chefs and the judges win with their hearts. The best seasons are those where competing chefs became friends! Loved Season 15, best one (so far)! And I have learned a lot as a home-cook who likes to try new unexpected things in the kitchen!
I'm a fan except for...
dtdenver-987-9255465 May 2019
Padma is a little too too so just tolerate her. The first episode of Season 16 with the Kentucky Derby theme (filmed around November?) - looked like they rounded up all the homeless in Louisville, put suits and dumb hats on them, fed them, and handed 'em 5 bucks on the way out. Are people in Kentucky that odd? The "local" contestant seems to be....
Good show!
brynisha0305065 February 2022
I have to laugh
jfh-7232026 May 2022
Like cooking competition shows. That said, I laugh. All the chefs are introduced based on what chef they studied under, or what place they worked. Not if they are any good. It's an industry where you get ahead by name dropping. Not talent. Then suddenly, next season, they are "stars" on the shows, and appear everywhere.
I could say I studied under Monet or Picasso. So what. Both could have kicked me out, because I can't paint. But hey, I studied under them ...
I could say I studied under Monet or Picasso. So what. Both could have kicked me out, because I can't paint. But hey, I studied under them ...
Top Chef Portland. Contestants shouldn't be judges
kbradasevic5 August 2021
I would be fine with this Portland season if they didn't have previous contestants judging. They are strutting around like they own the place and act like they are desperately trying to score a full time judging job in the next season. I understand the pandemic had to change things. But this is ridiculous. It's clear that they don't know how to judge properly. You can't compare to the seasoned judges.
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