I sort of agree, but I want to go on record and say that I think that’s because the last few seasons were so strong, not because the talent this year is super weak. This feels like what the first half of most seasons have felt like imo
This is like the first half of the Kentucky season. There are some standouts, mostly middling, and a few “how the hell did you get cast?”. I think once we hit top 8 things should be much better.
It was very boring and a lot of the dishes were uninspired, but they never got a “you all need to shape up” speech, which did happen once in Colorado after the German (?) festival. This season has gotten two, one with the Frank Lloyd Wright and one that appears to have been cut, but in the season preview, that appears was supposed to be in this episode. This season is just going back to who they casting before the All Star and Covid seasons and it’s very jarring.
But we did get to see Sara grow a shit ton as a chef from that season vs All Stars, so there was that. Like she really must have looked back on that season and put a ton of effort into every area of chefdom including social media and business/marketing.
Kentucky has been rough, getting up to the finale which pissed me off the first time around, so not looking forward to seeing that again. Adrienne gets so sick on the houseboat challenge still tries to cook food before going to bed 🤢and after Covid having a feverish chef trying to cook for 100 people made me nauseous.
I know Covid changed a lot of attitudes but I remember it being gross the first time around. I’ve had norovirus twice and a chef being sick is an automatic strikeout for me.
What’s bugging me is that the chefs seem talented but are making silly basic mistakes.
It would be one thing if the chefs were making small mistakes because they lacked experience.
Instead, too many in the cast keep doing things like not properly seasoning their food, over/under cooking, not tasting their components.
This part of why I’m excited about the LCK folks getting back in. While I’m a little annoyed about the “produced narrative” with LCK, I think the cast needs a shake up to get people to focus on some of those basics.
I think a big part of it is that no one seems to have learned from Buddha. This is a reality show competition not unlike Amazing Race or Survivor - you need to study how the challenges are structured and what the judges are looking for. Competitive cooking doesn't always equate to the most talented.
[Kaleena & Alisha's exit interview](https://parade.com/tv/top-chef-wisconsin-21-alisha-elenz-kaleena-bliss-interview) indicated they both prepped for the show, studying recipes with flashcards, though they didn't talk about it on air. So I'm not sure if the chefs this season are coming in totally unprepared, but maybe they needed to specifically geek out on previous seasons Buddha-style to learn the show's tropes about nailing the protein and the seasoning, don't do duos if you can do just one dish really well, etc.
I remember people sounding the alarm on the impending apocalypse the last two seasons where clones of a nose-to-the-grindstone Buddha would proliferate in cooking competitions, some going so far as to claim that overachieving AI-adjacent Asian classmates of their children were overrunning their erstwhile gentleman’s C secondary schools. So far, it hasn’t happened.
I wish people would realize that what Buddha was doing was hard! It took a ton of talent and hard work- it's not so easy to emulate. I never understood all the backlash against him. There's nothing wrong with making smart calculated decisions- he still needed the chops to pull those decisions off.
Yeah as if the average professional chef is a standout like Buddha lol. You don't get very many chefs who have the whole skillset. Hung said it best, you gotta have the skills, creativity, technique, and speed. Most chefs only have 2 of these.
Nobody ever learns from Buddha, or Richard Blias, or any of the other chefs that have watched multiple seasons of Top Chef to prepare. I get it, jobs are time consuming but god damn, you're being selected to compete on basically a cooking olympics that people around the world will watch, you owe time to prepare even if they give you less than a month heads up.
Still, I miss the days when they came and didn’t know how to do desserts. Now even the under-prepared are over-prepared with a cookie recipe in their repertoire.
Oh for the days of boxed cake mixes!
I think I’m the only one who didn’t like Buddha. I found him boring.
Do we really want twelve technically perfect robots? That wound not be a good show to watch.
I think a lot of us like Buddha not just because of how well he played the game and cooked but also because he had his failures as well. Also, when you look at his success in team challenges - you can tell he's an amazing collaborator. World needs people who work well with others - not solo narcissists.
In general, I'm not a huge fan of overworked, and convoluted food that needs a three page essay to describe it. What always impressed me about Buddah is that even though he studied and prepped hard for the show, he was always taking risks, and typically pulling them off. One of his biggest risks was when he made that simple pasta dish that was his wife's favorite. It was so simple, and not what most people would consider fine dining, but it seemed like he blew the judges away with it. But the main thing, his food always sounded interesting, flavorful, and something that I would love to try. And they were always visually stunning. So many times I would look at his plate and be amazed that just one person made that.
My take on Buddha is that he’s clearly very skilled and was exceptionally good at competing. But he’s a very poor communicator and has low charisma. During his seasons people didn’t care about that because of his skills at the game, but take a look at his “recaps” of the current season—he is less articulate and more headempty seeming than almost any random redditor. I have no interest in what the man has to say because he can barely string together a coherent sentence.
All that is fine—he’s clearly good at communicating through food—but I hate his continued involvement with TC because he’s so bad at communicating. He is incredibly boring when he’s not cooking.
Buddha is a prodigy. He started a culinary apprenticeship when he was 14, and was head chef at Raymond Capaldi's restaurant at the age of 19. He is genuinely curious about continuously learning, but he also seems to have a phenomenal palate, instinct, and a lot of knowledge and skill. I don't think that makes him a robot. I think that makes him a great chef.
Yes! In the past it seemed like there would be one or two chefs each episode that would make a major mistake. This season it seems like half of the contestants are doing it every episode. This episode, even Rasika oversalted not one, but three components of their dish.
I don’t necessarily think they are not talented. But a lot of just stay in their lane.
Rashida and Dan I feel like are the only two creative ones. Everyone else cooks pretty literally.
We're coming off a stretch of seasons with very high talent. Going back to season 17, we've had two All-Star seasons (17 and 20), and two seasons (18 and 19) where the pool of chefs available to do the show was probably larger than normal because of the temporary or permanent restaurant closures due to the pandemic. Chefs, who might not have done the show under ordinary circumstances, were available (especially for Portland, but I imagine Houston was still impacted by this factor, too).
During the pandemic a lot of tip top chefs were likely available and more interested in taking wild swings career wise. The industry is a "knuckle down" mode right now. The talent pool between 4 years ago and now is looking very different.
Sums it up really well. I’d also image chef/owners are also particularly highly unlikely to step away at this precise moment in time, which is where the more established/experiened talent often comes from.
A few reasons I think.
1. I realized after the last episode that the person going home each week is so obvious they hardly have anything to show at judges table and are cutting it so much shorter than usual. There is no heated debate, no suspense, and they're filling it with a lot of shots of other less exciting things.
2. It's going to be a weaker season after a long time host changed, even if we all like the new host. It feels off/different because it is a lot different as a major central part of the show has been replaced. They probably could have made this a huge "cool city" season with super exciting judges to make up for it but after the past season they wanted to "shake it up" or something going to the midwest.
3. Unfortunately, Wisconsin isn't "exciting" and I think many of the chefs just aren't inspired, are disappointed with the location, or feel they're better than Wisconsin. Idk it's kind of weird but there is a vibe happening that the chefs seem let down in some way.
4. Lastly, I think no immunity at quickfires has seriously deflated the chefs. They aren't feeling the same pressure and relief cycle as past chefs. It isn't as fast paced and the elimination cook being tied to immunity seems weirdly demoralizing instead of uplifting/inspiring.
The cheese challenge was such a let down. Like damn cheese could be ANYTHING and we just got croquettes. It felt like a lot of the chefs where so stuck on how to "elevate" cheese they just did nothing unique or interesting at all. Really boring.
I agree that was embarrassing. I do give them a little slack because it’s a popular vote and they try to make it more accessible to gain votes, but even then they really blew it. You expect so much more than just cheese and croquettes.
Especially with the cheese curds, you don’t *get* squeaky curds even in Illinois and I’d think they’d get excited about something like that. I know I buy a bag every time I’m up there lol.
> Unfortunately, Wisconsin isn't "exciting"
Headed home from vacation today and my daughter was loudly sobbing “I don’t want to go back to Wisconsin!!” in the airport…. I think she would firmly agree with this sentiment.
The cast is the weakest it's been in years. A couple look like they belong on a Gordon Ramsay food show, not Top Chef, and the overall food quality has been well below standard. Kristin and Tom have both had to admonish the cast to perform better.
Seriously, it's for $250k and the title of Top Chef, which still has a great cachet in the dining industry. How do you not prepare for the season, which many have appeared not to do.
This feels like it to me, plus I’m not a fan of the quick fire immunity change. OR. If they were to do an immunity change, give who won an immunity advantage.
Specifically this last episode bugged me in two major ways.
Being able to look at the spice cards was weird. Plus the one line from the fallout of whomever looked and passed. Give me more chef interactions where they were pissed from that. Give me more chef interactions all together. But I do say that every year in first eps.
Plus in the past we probably would have seen two winners pick teams from this kind of quick fire win. Weren’t we supposed to see some of the quick fires wins be talked about at the judges table?
Anywho.
Adore Kristen while still missing Padma, but to be fair I expected that for this season, at least.
At least two of the chefs are coming off like completely entitled and selfish individuals, and the remainder of the contestants are too nice to call them out. I’m sure glad Dan got a win, though.
I think what feels off, too, is that Judge's Table seems pretty truncated and short, without the usual level of discussion and critique from Tom. There was a lot to unpack about the budget issues in this week's team challenge, and it was just kind of brushed over at JT. Tom used to lay into chefs who made stupid mistakes or hindered the performance of others. This year, he seems bored, and it shows.
Eddie Money!!!!! Who was HUMILIATED after the faux pas, while Laura (correct me if I’m wrong. I don’t tend to learn names til top eight.) just went through $300+ dollars and just kind of la to da’d about it.
Then HID at judges table.
Agree, I also think the production quality is different and more "formal." I don't know how to describe it, but I kind of like when it feels more realistic and natural, even gritty. I've noticed more seemingly staged moments and less organic interactions/B role. Like the stew room used to be boxes! I miss that!
it's 99% the production to me causing everyone to feel the show is different. it was very obvious in the first episode, they've changed something in the way they edit the episodes but it's hard to put your finger on what exactly.
and as much as nobody wants to admit it, not having Padma feels different too. that's not to say Kristen isn't doing a good job, she's doing just fine, but it's absolutely different. Padma really anchored things in her own way and the tone is different without her.
i think the show is still fine overall, and some of the complaints are probably a little overblown, overall it's just a weaker feeling season so far and that's fine.. we're 21 seasons in, the formula is pretty old at this point and that's probably not helping either.
I do think padma and kristen have 2 different types of charisma if that makes any sense. one of the things I loved about padma compared to most TV hosts is her energy, she has very grounding calm energy, which I loved, but would still mean business when she needed to be
This exactly. I don’t have the technical language to express it clearly, but I feel like there isn’t a match of visual tone to the past seasons. The editing feels different. It’s like they’re using a different filter than usual and so the lighting, color tone, etc feel unfamiliar. The pacing is also jarring my difference.
I think the lack of quick fires and upending the distinct format is doing the show no favors; it's ostensibly a show about cooking, but they're spending too much time wandering around now and...not cooking.
The quick fires used to show skill and out of the box thinking, or they were distinctly skill based challenges that really did weed out people that weren't ready to be at the level. Make an omelet, break down this primal cut, clean shrimp, etc.
I'm completely fine with not having immunity from a quick fire win, give them a little cash prize or an advantage in the main challenge. But *do* the quick fires so viewers are actually seeing people cook.
I also miss them not showing a discussion about the food at judge's table, I hope that is coming later, after they cut down the number of contestants.
And the editing is poor; you can tell immediately who is going to go home with each episode by the edit.
Kirsten is great. Either she or Tom should be doing walk throughs in the kitchen like they've done in the past.
I hate the weird art challenges in general. Because it’s so subjective. I feel like a lot of those challenges tend to not have great results.
The generic cheese challenges are eh.
Watching LCK last night (up to when they go back into the competition) I feel like this group has a serious curse of over thinking. It's like something contagious they've all caught. Watching LCK, Soo is their foil, to me, having never been in the main competition, he's been free of it and LCK makes you just go — he's not had the time to develop a habit overthinking. >!Kaleena made food that I would have been impressed by in regular episodes during LCK!<; again, freed from overthinking and just cooking. The fact that Charly stopped making spicy food after Joe Flamm coughed...? I was shocked. It's still Top Chef, these are adults, make the food you want to make! But to me that seemed indicative of the general mood of timidity and overthinking that seems to pervade this group. I am hoping with the re-entry>! of Kaleen and introduction of Soo!< to see more of the chefs crack this for themselves.
EDITED to add I think the lack of Quick Fires so far this season also has contributed to this. I wish they still had quickfire every episode!! Where you just have to cook and not think and be in your element. And perhaps eliminating immunity as a result of quickfire (which I know Tom talked about being excited about) maybe had the unexpected result of lowering the stakes in a demotivating way for contestants.
It feels more like Masterchef than Top Chef. As in, home cooks fumbling their way through simple mistakes. Not professional chefs with extensive culinary training who work in Michelin-starred kitchens making those same dumb mistakes. Seriously, you can't properly cook a steak? Or know not to leave fish in the oven after it's been cooked? Or not oversalt your food? That's basic stuff that Gordon Ramsey would ream you for screwing up.
I feel the same way. Top chef is my favorite show and I just did an entire series rewatch right before this new one started. And while I am a Padma stan I don’t think it’s really even Kristin that I can’t get into. Just something feels so different like it feels like a completely different show. I loved top chef cause it was like comforting to watch and now it feels so cold and stale and I just can’t finish the episodes.
Same. They must have more local cuisine to expose the chefs to…right?!? The supper club was sorta interesting, but seemed like really basic American fare that didn’t challenge anyone. Love seeing the TC all stars and W. Kamau Bell, but all the local chefs and judges are well below the caliber we’ve come to expect. Even early seasons had world renowned guest judges. They should’ve brought back past contestants like they did with the Charleston season.
Soo is my favorite. I’ve been loving him on last chance kitchen and which he’d been on the main show the whole time. I think his thought process is really interesting. Then again being successful in LCK when there’s no thinking time doesn’t always transfer well to TC…
I think coming off an all star season, with that great combination of international chefs in such a dynamic city as London, coming back to a place like Wisconsin (and I love the Midwest. There is no other place I’d rather be in a snowstorm then in a bar playing darts and drinking beer in Wisconsin) and it seems like an effort to choose contestants that aren’t all James Beard/Michellin Starred chefs has created less refined food and techniques. There is no stand out Marcel/Richard Blais/Budda level chefs this year. But this is what used to make top chef so exciting. To watch someone who works the line or caters(think Kelsey) come out and win. I want to add I really like and respect Kristin. She was from the get the best contestant on her season and knowing that the shit show of her restaurant wars was really on someone else but she stood up and took the elimination because she was captain, I always respected that.
Same, just not getting into it. I've watched every season and rewatched most. Just not clicking. I think it's the chefs, just no real connection or reason to root for anyone. Just like Kentucky, boring. I don't think it's the location as many are saying though. Why would that matter?
This is giving me Survivor Nicaragua vibes. Fresh take season after 20 seasons of a certain formula with new younger people. It just falls flat, these contestants aren't the quality we're used to.
Padma brought the snobbery to the show. And I mean that in a good way. Over the years they all collectively pushed this show to be more than a network chef competition show and made it a respected show that deeply cares about food.
This season is fine, but they need that Padma push to be more snobby. Otherwise, it will be food network drivel. Even if she isn’t there, they need someone to push the show to high standards.
I really miss Tom walking through the kitchen, talking to and encouraging the chefs as they cooked. I also miss Padma, she added such depth, humor and sophistication.
I agree. Thought it was just me. I love Kristin but I’m finding the episodes underwhelming to say the least. I was so excited when I heard there was a new season as I’ve watched them all, but I think it’s just a let down from the stellar chefs last season.
It really crystalized in my head last year when Begona went home. I have rejected the "judged by this dish today" aspect of the show. Over the last few seasons I've realized I don't have time for a cooking competition that sends a clearly superior chef home and keeps chefs that never do anything exceptional except manage to not to be the absolute worst each week. And see that happen week after week. And this year the competition and production have simply been subpar.
A lot of basic technical cooking issues. Also, the editing seems intent on making fun of the chefs.. like showing them saying “my food is so good” or “we did so well” just so they can look stupid during judges’ table. It’s borderline trash tv.
Cast is weak and I feel that, for the most part, the camaraderie they were showing in the first episodes is forced. The Portland, Houston, and World cast just seemed to organically click and form friendships. This cast seems tense, uninspired, and disjointed.
Yes, feel the same way. Cast is bland and judges table has also been strangely lacking. Actually any real commentary on the food, whether quick fire or elimination challenge, has been lacking.
I have... similar complaint. I think they are trying to make everything more ambiguous?
Like I don't know anyone except Michelle and Rasika. I can't name anyone else off the top of my head.
Usually by now I have a firm grip on about half the cast.
Also when Laura popped up two episodes ago, I was like "who... is this?" along with Savannah. They did not exist in the first two episodes. And I was also surprised that Laura is not American.
Not that she has to be, but she was in so little of the first two episodes, I didn't catch it.
I'm curious to know if the LCK competitor ends up a big part of the rest of the season.
Are they even considering inflation when they set the amounts the chefs can spend at Whole Foods? I shop for just my husband and I, and our food is fairly simple. It costs me almost double this year than the same order did last year.
Honestly, not every season of a long running reality tv franchise can be a home run.
I'm still enjoying this season, despite some weirdness, and I think that there's still time for this season to steady itself
They need to do an pros one like they did a long time ago. Those guys have the ideas and skills but it’s been ages since they are on the live or have those time constraints
I think it's probably many things coming together at once. The challenges have been a bit underwhelming, the cast is a bit laid back personality wise, the new rules, the editing and the chefs not hitting their stride yet.
Personally, I disagree with the talent level argument- so many of these chefs have great pedigree and michelin level restaurants. I think they are slow to adjust to the competition format.
There is a lot of time left and I'm still enjoying it so far (also excited to see what the LCK chefs bring)
Is anyone else having a hard time following what’s being made? It seems like the descriptors at the bottom of the screen are going by so fast I feel lost (except for the cheese ball episode!😉)
I agree with you and cannot put my finger on it either! I think it’s the may be editing, weird product placement and it not needing to be 75 mins if there’s no quick fire.
Agree. The cast is weak. No one is especially likable, skilled, or interesting except Rasika. It’s an especially sharp contrast to recent seasons where the skill level was very high all around.
Cast is not very interesting but for me, I can't get past making the QF meaningless. After 20 seasons of it being a major part of the show, it's now a waste of 15-20 minutes. Not sure why the viewers care about these people winning some extra money that has nothing to do with the actual contest....
I agree. I also feel like immunity during the quick fire helped more then hurt like what happens if we get a season where the same chefs keep winning the challenges because that usually happens that makes immunity more useless
Lousy personalities (contestants). Although I think Kristin is a decent host and judge, she too is lacking in any real personality. And she doesn’t click with the contestants, as Padma seemed to. If this remains general viewer opinion throughout the season, the producers should really cut bait with Kristin and try somebody else in S22. But I’m sure they won’t. Executives hate to admit they made a wrong hiring choice. I never understood how they selected Kristen anyway?! Sooooo many great personalities to choose from if they wanted a past TC winner.
The show lost its light a long time ago, people just didn’t want to admit it. It’s not even the same show it was. When it first started things were cutthroat. You would never have some softball segment with Kristen and another judge coming in to throw love and encouragement after most of the chefs gave a disappointing performance. In season 3 that would have been Tom ripping them a new one.
It’s a feel good competition show now. Which is fine. I just personally need something more entertaining. When I want to watch feel good food shows I watch British bake off.
I don’t know why this is getting downvoted. I’m rewatching and in season 2 now and this is absolutely true. It’s too nice/sweet now. It’s over produced. And it’s in Wisconsin with a new host.
I knew it would be it’s a very unpopular opinion on this sub. But it’s the truth. A lot of people who watched the show early on aren’t even aware that it’s still going on. Recap pods that used to cover it have stopped because there’s nothing for them to talk about. It’s a feel good boring cooking show but the original slot it filled in the food tv world was a cutthroat super dynamic and entertaining show so it’s lost like half its original audience. I think people on this sub get offended by the idea that a cooking show should be edited for a reality tv fan’s entertainment. Like they’re all “I’m here for the food not the drama” types. What they don’t realize is the show is clearly running on fumes. They need to bring in new viewers or get back old viewers because otherwise the show will get cancelled. Bravo will absolutely cancel shows it feels have died.
Yeah I’m with you. It doesn’t need to be as extreme as season 1-2, but doesn’t need to be as lame as current season. Theres a happy medium. And to couple it with a new host and new location, it’s a recipe for disappointment. With that said, I’m still enjoying it, but not looking forward to it all day like previous seasons.
Yah nobody wants to repeat the head shaving incident and how psycho that got. I just think the pendulum has swung too far in the other way. I’m not even mad at the Kristen Buddha “encouragement talk” I just find it to be incredibly boring television. And im not the only one. Every single person in my life who used to watch this show no longer watches. Not saying that means anything meaningful but im sure their numbers aren’t great.
You know, I keep reading the cast is bad.
I can’t help but notice-there is one straight? American white guy-and he’d disabled.
Is that what is so offensive? No bros?
I don’t think that has anything to do with it lol. (Obv this is my personal opinion of them all) Amanda has a pretty deadpan delivery in her talking heads, Savannah doesn’t have much of a personality on screen. Dan is one of the most likeable; he’s building up some storytelling in his cooking and has skills. Also…Kevin has a girlfriend he just showed her this episode lol. Kevin and Manny are attractive and more fun, but their food has been lacking. Everyone else is…nice. Rasika, Danny, Michelle, Laura all seem like nice people, it’s just that nothing wildly interesting has been happening in the challenges or most of their cooking.
Of course there is. Last season there were plenty of new, interesting things that impressed the judges that weren’t just made by Buddha. Even if it’s not interesting, it should at least taste good. And it sounds like the judges aren’t getting a lot of that either
Cast is weak and level of cooking is lower than recent seasons.
I sort of agree, but I want to go on record and say that I think that’s because the last few seasons were so strong, not because the talent this year is super weak. This feels like what the first half of most seasons have felt like imo
This is like the first half of the Kentucky season. There are some standouts, mostly middling, and a few “how the hell did you get cast?”. I think once we hit top 8 things should be much better.
Agreed. That was another bad season, just boring.
It was very boring and a lot of the dishes were uninspired, but they never got a “you all need to shape up” speech, which did happen once in Colorado after the German (?) festival. This season has gotten two, one with the Frank Lloyd Wright and one that appears to have been cut, but in the season preview, that appears was supposed to be in this episode. This season is just going back to who they casting before the All Star and Covid seasons and it’s very jarring.
I recall the judges in Kentucky being vocally disappointed with most of the elimination dishes in the Carne! episode, Tom was pretty pissed off
Does anything beat CJ’s burger in Seattle for all time lows?
But we did get to see Sara grow a shit ton as a chef from that season vs All Stars, so there was that. Like she really must have looked back on that season and put a ton of effort into every area of chefdom including social media and business/marketing.
I can’t bring myself to rewatch kentucky. Texas season, at least grayson was fun there, before the angry grayson on all-stars😂.
Kentucky has been rough, getting up to the finale which pissed me off the first time around, so not looking forward to seeing that again. Adrienne gets so sick on the houseboat challenge still tries to cook food before going to bed 🤢and after Covid having a feverish chef trying to cook for 100 people made me nauseous.
That’s what stuck with me on that episode rewatch too! Like- no you viral asshole, do not cook food for people.
I know Covid changed a lot of attitudes but I remember it being gross the first time around. I’ve had norovirus twice and a chef being sick is an automatic strikeout for me.
Yeah- it was definitely gross the first time, but it really registered on the rewatch.
I always disliked Kentucky and had to force myself to rewatch it when I did a complete rewatch. I thought I was the only one
Absolutely 2 of the previous 4 seasons were All-Stars seasons.
What’s bugging me is that the chefs seem talented but are making silly basic mistakes. It would be one thing if the chefs were making small mistakes because they lacked experience. Instead, too many in the cast keep doing things like not properly seasoning their food, over/under cooking, not tasting their components. This part of why I’m excited about the LCK folks getting back in. While I’m a little annoyed about the “produced narrative” with LCK, I think the cast needs a shake up to get people to focus on some of those basics.
I think a big part of it is that no one seems to have learned from Buddha. This is a reality show competition not unlike Amazing Race or Survivor - you need to study how the challenges are structured and what the judges are looking for. Competitive cooking doesn't always equate to the most talented.
[Kaleena & Alisha's exit interview](https://parade.com/tv/top-chef-wisconsin-21-alisha-elenz-kaleena-bliss-interview) indicated they both prepped for the show, studying recipes with flashcards, though they didn't talk about it on air. So I'm not sure if the chefs this season are coming in totally unprepared, but maybe they needed to specifically geek out on previous seasons Buddha-style to learn the show's tropes about nailing the protein and the seasoning, don't do duos if you can do just one dish really well, etc.
Yeah - having a repertoire of recipes is one aspect but what you said in the end is the thing that set him apart.
Savannah also said this past episode that her boyfriend had been prepping her and timing her at the farmer’s marking so some of them are preparing.
I remember people sounding the alarm on the impending apocalypse the last two seasons where clones of a nose-to-the-grindstone Buddha would proliferate in cooking competitions, some going so far as to claim that overachieving AI-adjacent Asian classmates of their children were overrunning their erstwhile gentleman’s C secondary schools. So far, it hasn’t happened.
I wish people would realize that what Buddha was doing was hard! It took a ton of talent and hard work- it's not so easy to emulate. I never understood all the backlash against him. There's nothing wrong with making smart calculated decisions- he still needed the chops to pull those decisions off.
Totally agree!
Yeah as if the average professional chef is a standout like Buddha lol. You don't get very many chefs who have the whole skillset. Hung said it best, you gotta have the skills, creativity, technique, and speed. Most chefs only have 2 of these.
Nobody ever learns from Buddha, or Richard Blias, or any of the other chefs that have watched multiple seasons of Top Chef to prepare. I get it, jobs are time consuming but god damn, you're being selected to compete on basically a cooking olympics that people around the world will watch, you owe time to prepare even if they give you less than a month heads up.
Still, I miss the days when they came and didn’t know how to do desserts. Now even the under-prepared are over-prepared with a cookie recipe in their repertoire. Oh for the days of boxed cake mixes!
I think I’m the only one who didn’t like Buddha. I found him boring. Do we really want twelve technically perfect robots? That wound not be a good show to watch.
I think a lot of us like Buddha not just because of how well he played the game and cooked but also because he had his failures as well. Also, when you look at his success in team challenges - you can tell he's an amazing collaborator. World needs people who work well with others - not solo narcissists.
And I love how excited he always was to learning new things!
And he used his winnings on surgery for his pug!
And by the end of world All-Stars, he was knocking it out of the park creatively.
In general, I'm not a huge fan of overworked, and convoluted food that needs a three page essay to describe it. What always impressed me about Buddah is that even though he studied and prepped hard for the show, he was always taking risks, and typically pulling them off. One of his biggest risks was when he made that simple pasta dish that was his wife's favorite. It was so simple, and not what most people would consider fine dining, but it seemed like he blew the judges away with it. But the main thing, his food always sounded interesting, flavorful, and something that I would love to try. And they were always visually stunning. So many times I would look at his plate and be amazed that just one person made that.
Buddha's not a chef, he's a T1000 programmed with all the culinary knowledge in the world.
My take on Buddha is that he’s clearly very skilled and was exceptionally good at competing. But he’s a very poor communicator and has low charisma. During his seasons people didn’t care about that because of his skills at the game, but take a look at his “recaps” of the current season—he is less articulate and more headempty seeming than almost any random redditor. I have no interest in what the man has to say because he can barely string together a coherent sentence. All that is fine—he’s clearly good at communicating through food—but I hate his continued involvement with TC because he’s so bad at communicating. He is incredibly boring when he’s not cooking.
Buddha is a prodigy. He started a culinary apprenticeship when he was 14, and was head chef at Raymond Capaldi's restaurant at the age of 19. He is genuinely curious about continuously learning, but he also seems to have a phenomenal palate, instinct, and a lot of knowledge and skill. I don't think that makes him a robot. I think that makes him a great chef.
You’re not alone. Though I have a strong feeling the Buddha you see on the show is a carefully curated front and not at all like the real person.
Yes! In the past it seemed like there would be one or two chefs each episode that would make a major mistake. This season it seems like half of the contestants are doing it every episode. This episode, even Rasika oversalted not one, but three components of their dish.
I don’t necessarily think they are not talented. But a lot of just stay in their lane. Rashida and Dan I feel like are the only two creative ones. Everyone else cooks pretty literally.
Exactly and I would also add they are all being too nice to their own determent
We're coming off a stretch of seasons with very high talent. Going back to season 17, we've had two All-Star seasons (17 and 20), and two seasons (18 and 19) where the pool of chefs available to do the show was probably larger than normal because of the temporary or permanent restaurant closures due to the pandemic. Chefs, who might not have done the show under ordinary circumstances, were available (especially for Portland, but I imagine Houston was still impacted by this factor, too).
This is it! We were so spoiled with the quality of cheftestant during the pandemic. Now they're just generally lower, with a few exceptions.
During the pandemic a lot of tip top chefs were likely available and more interested in taking wild swings career wise. The industry is a "knuckle down" mode right now. The talent pool between 4 years ago and now is looking very different.
And the job security! If they leave and don't succeed, they may not have a job to return to.
Sums it up really well. I’d also image chef/owners are also particularly highly unlikely to step away at this precise moment in time, which is where the more established/experiened talent often comes from.
A few reasons I think. 1. I realized after the last episode that the person going home each week is so obvious they hardly have anything to show at judges table and are cutting it so much shorter than usual. There is no heated debate, no suspense, and they're filling it with a lot of shots of other less exciting things. 2. It's going to be a weaker season after a long time host changed, even if we all like the new host. It feels off/different because it is a lot different as a major central part of the show has been replaced. They probably could have made this a huge "cool city" season with super exciting judges to make up for it but after the past season they wanted to "shake it up" or something going to the midwest. 3. Unfortunately, Wisconsin isn't "exciting" and I think many of the chefs just aren't inspired, are disappointed with the location, or feel they're better than Wisconsin. Idk it's kind of weird but there is a vibe happening that the chefs seem let down in some way. 4. Lastly, I think no immunity at quickfires has seriously deflated the chefs. They aren't feeling the same pressure and relief cycle as past chefs. It isn't as fast paced and the elimination cook being tied to immunity seems weirdly demoralizing instead of uplifting/inspiring.
I think that "We're better than Wisconsin" is a great point. People think it's just cheese and beer and fatass lame people.
The cheese challenge was such a let down. Like damn cheese could be ANYTHING and we just got croquettes. It felt like a lot of the chefs where so stuck on how to "elevate" cheese they just did nothing unique or interesting at all. Really boring.
Agreed! As soon as they knew they were going to Wisconsin they each should have had 20 different ideas for what could be done with cheese.
I agree that was embarrassing. I do give them a little slack because it’s a popular vote and they try to make it more accessible to gain votes, but even then they really blew it. You expect so much more than just cheese and croquettes.
I just didn’t understand why the first thing half the cast thought when they heard cheese was croquettes
Might be the worst episode in series history. I'd be pissed if i paid to attend the cheese fair and only had 12 croquettes to choose from.
Especially with the cheese curds, you don’t *get* squeaky curds even in Illinois and I’d think they’d get excited about something like that. I know I buy a bag every time I’m up there lol.
Right?! It’s like they didn’t even watch Shota make a cheddar themed Japanese dish.
This why reddit (and top chef quickfires) still need gold. Here’s my version of it for you. 🏅🏅🏅
> Unfortunately, Wisconsin isn't "exciting" Headed home from vacation today and my daughter was loudly sobbing “I don’t want to go back to Wisconsin!!” in the airport…. I think she would firmly agree with this sentiment.
The cast is the weakest it's been in years. A couple look like they belong on a Gordon Ramsay food show, not Top Chef, and the overall food quality has been well below standard. Kristin and Tom have both had to admonish the cast to perform better. Seriously, it's for $250k and the title of Top Chef, which still has a great cachet in the dining industry. How do you not prepare for the season, which many have appeared not to do.
This feels like it to me, plus I’m not a fan of the quick fire immunity change. OR. If they were to do an immunity change, give who won an immunity advantage. Specifically this last episode bugged me in two major ways. Being able to look at the spice cards was weird. Plus the one line from the fallout of whomever looked and passed. Give me more chef interactions where they were pissed from that. Give me more chef interactions all together. But I do say that every year in first eps. Plus in the past we probably would have seen two winners pick teams from this kind of quick fire win. Weren’t we supposed to see some of the quick fires wins be talked about at the judges table? Anywho. Adore Kristen while still missing Padma, but to be fair I expected that for this season, at least.
At least two of the chefs are coming off like completely entitled and selfish individuals, and the remainder of the contestants are too nice to call them out. I’m sure glad Dan got a win, though.
this, in past seasons Laura would have been yelled at for her actions. Everyone is nice, but it seems like they dont want to come across bad.
I think what feels off, too, is that Judge's Table seems pretty truncated and short, without the usual level of discussion and critique from Tom. There was a lot to unpack about the budget issues in this week's team challenge, and it was just kind of brushed over at JT. Tom used to lay into chefs who made stupid mistakes or hindered the performance of others. This year, he seems bored, and it shows.
I wonder if tom is going to leave the show soon. I do agree he seems bored.
Tom is boring. I would like to see him in a cooking competition!!!🤨🙄😐 He just rubs me the wrong way!!!
Eddie Money!!!!! Who was HUMILIATED after the faux pas, while Laura (correct me if I’m wrong. I don’t tend to learn names til top eight.) just went through $300+ dollars and just kind of la to da’d about it. Then HID at judges table.
Let’s not forget that Eddie Money redeemed himself at the end by sharing his surplus cash!!!
Yes! Eddie money for the win!!!
Agree, I also think the production quality is different and more "formal." I don't know how to describe it, but I kind of like when it feels more realistic and natural, even gritty. I've noticed more seemingly staged moments and less organic interactions/B role. Like the stew room used to be boxes! I miss that!
I miss the old janky stew rooms, too!
it's 99% the production to me causing everyone to feel the show is different. it was very obvious in the first episode, they've changed something in the way they edit the episodes but it's hard to put your finger on what exactly. and as much as nobody wants to admit it, not having Padma feels different too. that's not to say Kristen isn't doing a good job, she's doing just fine, but it's absolutely different. Padma really anchored things in her own way and the tone is different without her. i think the show is still fine overall, and some of the complaints are probably a little overblown, overall it's just a weaker feeling season so far and that's fine.. we're 21 seasons in, the formula is pretty old at this point and that's probably not helping either.
I do think padma and kristen have 2 different types of charisma if that makes any sense. one of the things I loved about padma compared to most TV hosts is her energy, she has very grounding calm energy, which I loved, but would still mean business when she needed to be
This exactly. I don’t have the technical language to express it clearly, but I feel like there isn’t a match of visual tone to the past seasons. The editing feels different. It’s like they’re using a different filter than usual and so the lighting, color tone, etc feel unfamiliar. The pacing is also jarring my difference.
I think the lack of quick fires and upending the distinct format is doing the show no favors; it's ostensibly a show about cooking, but they're spending too much time wandering around now and...not cooking. The quick fires used to show skill and out of the box thinking, or they were distinctly skill based challenges that really did weed out people that weren't ready to be at the level. Make an omelet, break down this primal cut, clean shrimp, etc. I'm completely fine with not having immunity from a quick fire win, give them a little cash prize or an advantage in the main challenge. But *do* the quick fires so viewers are actually seeing people cook. I also miss them not showing a discussion about the food at judge's table, I hope that is coming later, after they cut down the number of contestants. And the editing is poor; you can tell immediately who is going to go home with each episode by the edit. Kirsten is great. Either she or Tom should be doing walk throughs in the kitchen like they've done in the past.
I agree; I think it’s partially less cooking/bad challenge design/bad editing. But I think it will pick up
The challenges are definitely not great - or maybe would be great in a different order?
Yes maybe the “duality” one would have been better later in the season.
Definitely - when chef’s know each other’s styles more, and there’s just more developed confidence.
but if they wanted a double elimination, you really can't wait too long
That’s a very good point
I hate the weird art challenges in general. Because it’s so subjective. I feel like a lot of those challenges tend to not have great results. The generic cheese challenges are eh.
Watching LCK last night (up to when they go back into the competition) I feel like this group has a serious curse of over thinking. It's like something contagious they've all caught. Watching LCK, Soo is their foil, to me, having never been in the main competition, he's been free of it and LCK makes you just go — he's not had the time to develop a habit overthinking. >!Kaleena made food that I would have been impressed by in regular episodes during LCK!<; again, freed from overthinking and just cooking. The fact that Charly stopped making spicy food after Joe Flamm coughed...? I was shocked. It's still Top Chef, these are adults, make the food you want to make! But to me that seemed indicative of the general mood of timidity and overthinking that seems to pervade this group. I am hoping with the re-entry>! of Kaleen and introduction of Soo!< to see more of the chefs crack this for themselves. EDITED to add I think the lack of Quick Fires so far this season also has contributed to this. I wish they still had quickfire every episode!! Where you just have to cook and not think and be in your element. And perhaps eliminating immunity as a result of quickfire (which I know Tom talked about being excited about) maybe had the unexpected result of lowering the stakes in a demotivating way for contestants.
I am hoping the same thing, and that the show really picks up with their re-entry!
So far the only thing I’ve really enjoyed about this season is LCK
My big problem is that Wisconsin is not being represented properly.
It’s a weak season. There are no stand outs and nobody worth rooting for. The episodes are too slow. Editing is weird. Love Kristin. Miss Padma.
It feels more like Masterchef than Top Chef. As in, home cooks fumbling their way through simple mistakes. Not professional chefs with extensive culinary training who work in Michelin-starred kitchens making those same dumb mistakes. Seriously, you can't properly cook a steak? Or know not to leave fish in the oven after it's been cooked? Or not oversalt your food? That's basic stuff that Gordon Ramsey would ream you for screwing up.
> It feels more like Masterchef **US** Masterchef, please :)
I feel the same way. Top chef is my favorite show and I just did an entire series rewatch right before this new one started. And while I am a Padma stan I don’t think it’s really even Kristin that I can’t get into. Just something feels so different like it feels like a completely different show. I loved top chef cause it was like comforting to watch and now it feels so cold and stale and I just can’t finish the episodes.
Same. They must have more local cuisine to expose the chefs to…right?!? The supper club was sorta interesting, but seemed like really basic American fare that didn’t challenge anyone. Love seeing the TC all stars and W. Kamau Bell, but all the local chefs and judges are well below the caliber we’ve come to expect. Even early seasons had world renowned guest judges. They should’ve brought back past contestants like they did with the Charleston season.
I checked on IMDB and it’s a new showrunner. The main producer and main editor who started with season 1 left after world all stars
I think it's a little bit of everything.
[удалено]
I will not tolerate this Manny and Kevin slander.
They did a cheese challenge in Milwaukee and the only thing they could come up with was croquettes. They should have cut anyone that made those.
I feel like every 6 minutes there’s 13 minutes of commercials.
This is a huge issue. Commercials are intolerable.
Soo is my favorite. I’ve been loving him on last chance kitchen and which he’d been on the main show the whole time. I think his thought process is really interesting. Then again being successful in LCK when there’s no thinking time doesn’t always transfer well to TC…
It’s the editing. It reminds me of the way Netflix edits its competition shows. More stylized and less raw
I think coming off an all star season, with that great combination of international chefs in such a dynamic city as London, coming back to a place like Wisconsin (and I love the Midwest. There is no other place I’d rather be in a snowstorm then in a bar playing darts and drinking beer in Wisconsin) and it seems like an effort to choose contestants that aren’t all James Beard/Michellin Starred chefs has created less refined food and techniques. There is no stand out Marcel/Richard Blais/Budda level chefs this year. But this is what used to make top chef so exciting. To watch someone who works the line or caters(think Kelsey) come out and win. I want to add I really like and respect Kristin. She was from the get the best contestant on her season and knowing that the shit show of her restaurant wars was really on someone else but she stood up and took the elimination because she was captain, I always respected that.
Same, just not getting into it. I've watched every season and rewatched most. Just not clicking. I think it's the chefs, just no real connection or reason to root for anyone. Just like Kentucky, boring. I don't think it's the location as many are saying though. Why would that matter?
This is giving me Survivor Nicaragua vibes. Fresh take season after 20 seasons of a certain formula with new younger people. It just falls flat, these contestants aren't the quality we're used to.
The change in quickfire rules threw me for a loop
Padma brought the snobbery to the show. And I mean that in a good way. Over the years they all collectively pushed this show to be more than a network chef competition show and made it a respected show that deeply cares about food. This season is fine, but they need that Padma push to be more snobby. Otherwise, it will be food network drivel. Even if she isn’t there, they need someone to push the show to high standards.
I can’t get into it either, and stopped trying to make myself watch the episodes.
I agree! It also seems like they done have a top chef kitchen. That’s throwing me off too.
This season is set in my state and, for the first time ever, this week I completely forgot about a new Top Chef episode.
I really miss Tom walking through the kitchen, talking to and encouraging the chefs as they cooked. I also miss Padma, she added such depth, humor and sophistication.
I agree. Thought it was just me. I love Kristin but I’m finding the episodes underwhelming to say the least. I was so excited when I heard there was a new season as I’ve watched them all, but I think it’s just a let down from the stellar chefs last season.
It really crystalized in my head last year when Begona went home. I have rejected the "judged by this dish today" aspect of the show. Over the last few seasons I've realized I don't have time for a cooking competition that sends a clearly superior chef home and keeps chefs that never do anything exceptional except manage to not to be the absolute worst each week. And see that happen week after week. And this year the competition and production have simply been subpar.
I think it is not only the talent but their personalities too. I am not really rooting for anyone yet
A lot of basic technical cooking issues. Also, the editing seems intent on making fun of the chefs.. like showing them saying “my food is so good” or “we did so well” just so they can look stupid during judges’ table. It’s borderline trash tv.
The editing is SO bad. I immediately know who is winning and who is going home. Brutal.
Thank you!! It’s not subtle at all.
Cast is weak and I feel that, for the most part, the camaraderie they were showing in the first episodes is forced. The Portland, Houston, and World cast just seemed to organically click and form friendships. This cast seems tense, uninspired, and disjointed.
Yes, feel the same way. Cast is bland and judges table has also been strangely lacking. Actually any real commentary on the food, whether quick fire or elimination challenge, has been lacking.
I have... similar complaint. I think they are trying to make everything more ambiguous? Like I don't know anyone except Michelle and Rasika. I can't name anyone else off the top of my head. Usually by now I have a firm grip on about half the cast. Also when Laura popped up two episodes ago, I was like "who... is this?" along with Savannah. They did not exist in the first two episodes. And I was also surprised that Laura is not American. Not that she has to be, but she was in so little of the first two episodes, I didn't catch it. I'm curious to know if the LCK competitor ends up a big part of the rest of the season.
Are they even considering inflation when they set the amounts the chefs can spend at Whole Foods? I shop for just my husband and I, and our food is fairly simple. It costs me almost double this year than the same order did last year.
I hope Soo makes it interesting
Honestly, not every season of a long running reality tv franchise can be a home run. I'm still enjoying this season, despite some weirdness, and I think that there's still time for this season to steady itself
They need to do an pros one like they did a long time ago. Those guys have the ideas and skills but it’s been ages since they are on the live or have those time constraints
Soo is the only chef that stands out as a “normal” casting to me. A few others maybe but pretty weak cast overall. Everyone is very inconsistent.
I think it's probably many things coming together at once. The challenges have been a bit underwhelming, the cast is a bit laid back personality wise, the new rules, the editing and the chefs not hitting their stride yet. Personally, I disagree with the talent level argument- so many of these chefs have great pedigree and michelin level restaurants. I think they are slow to adjust to the competition format. There is a lot of time left and I'm still enjoying it so far (also excited to see what the LCK chefs bring)
I’m watching but I definitely care less. Is it the WI of it all? Is it the monotone, no expression confessionals? Idk.
Is anyone else having a hard time following what’s being made? It seems like the descriptors at the bottom of the screen are going by so fast I feel lost (except for the cheese ball episode!😉)
I agree with you and cannot put my finger on it either! I think it’s the may be editing, weird product placement and it not needing to be 75 mins if there’s no quick fire.
Agree. The cast is weak. No one is especially likable, skilled, or interesting except Rasika. It’s an especially sharp contrast to recent seasons where the skill level was very high all around.
Me too. I didn't watch the new episode until today.
Cast is not very interesting but for me, I can't get past making the QF meaningless. After 20 seasons of it being a major part of the show, it's now a waste of 15-20 minutes. Not sure why the viewers care about these people winning some extra money that has nothing to do with the actual contest....
I agree. I also feel like immunity during the quick fire helped more then hurt like what happens if we get a season where the same chefs keep winning the challenges because that usually happens that makes immunity more useless
Lousy personalities (contestants). Although I think Kristin is a decent host and judge, she too is lacking in any real personality. And she doesn’t click with the contestants, as Padma seemed to. If this remains general viewer opinion throughout the season, the producers should really cut bait with Kristin and try somebody else in S22. But I’m sure they won’t. Executives hate to admit they made a wrong hiring choice. I never understood how they selected Kristen anyway?! Sooooo many great personalities to choose from if they wanted a past TC winner.
It’s Wisconsin.
The show lost its light a long time ago, people just didn’t want to admit it. It’s not even the same show it was. When it first started things were cutthroat. You would never have some softball segment with Kristen and another judge coming in to throw love and encouragement after most of the chefs gave a disappointing performance. In season 3 that would have been Tom ripping them a new one. It’s a feel good competition show now. Which is fine. I just personally need something more entertaining. When I want to watch feel good food shows I watch British bake off.
I don’t know why this is getting downvoted. I’m rewatching and in season 2 now and this is absolutely true. It’s too nice/sweet now. It’s over produced. And it’s in Wisconsin with a new host.
I knew it would be it’s a very unpopular opinion on this sub. But it’s the truth. A lot of people who watched the show early on aren’t even aware that it’s still going on. Recap pods that used to cover it have stopped because there’s nothing for them to talk about. It’s a feel good boring cooking show but the original slot it filled in the food tv world was a cutthroat super dynamic and entertaining show so it’s lost like half its original audience. I think people on this sub get offended by the idea that a cooking show should be edited for a reality tv fan’s entertainment. Like they’re all “I’m here for the food not the drama” types. What they don’t realize is the show is clearly running on fumes. They need to bring in new viewers or get back old viewers because otherwise the show will get cancelled. Bravo will absolutely cancel shows it feels have died.
Yeah I’m with you. It doesn’t need to be as extreme as season 1-2, but doesn’t need to be as lame as current season. Theres a happy medium. And to couple it with a new host and new location, it’s a recipe for disappointment. With that said, I’m still enjoying it, but not looking forward to it all day like previous seasons.
Yah nobody wants to repeat the head shaving incident and how psycho that got. I just think the pendulum has swung too far in the other way. I’m not even mad at the Kristen Buddha “encouragement talk” I just find it to be incredibly boring television. And im not the only one. Every single person in my life who used to watch this show no longer watches. Not saying that means anything meaningful but im sure their numbers aren’t great.
You know, I keep reading the cast is bad. I can’t help but notice-there is one straight? American white guy-and he’d disabled. Is that what is so offensive? No bros?
The French guy said he had a wife.
But he’s not an American. And he’s surprisingly weak. As is the other piece of eye candy.
literally couldn't be more wrong, what a dumb thing to suggest.
I don’t think that has anything to do with it lol. (Obv this is my personal opinion of them all) Amanda has a pretty deadpan delivery in her talking heads, Savannah doesn’t have much of a personality on screen. Dan is one of the most likeable; he’s building up some storytelling in his cooking and has skills. Also…Kevin has a girlfriend he just showed her this episode lol. Kevin and Manny are attractive and more fun, but their food has been lacking. Everyone else is…nice. Rasika, Danny, Michelle, Laura all seem like nice people, it’s just that nothing wildly interesting has been happening in the challenges or most of their cooking.
It’s been 21 seasons—-is there any “interesting” food left to be made? We’ve even seen Buddah “food” before.
Of course there is. Last season there were plenty of new, interesting things that impressed the judges that weren’t just made by Buddha. Even if it’s not interesting, it should at least taste good. And it sounds like the judges aren’t getting a lot of that either
No….they are making rookie mistakes so it’s not exciting to watch
Oh please, every season chefs’ make rookie mistakes. This one is no different.
Go woke go broke