Early “Top Chef” favorite Rasika Venkatesa was eliminated last week in the aptly titled “Chaos Cuisine,” leaving 10 cheftestants on the main show competing for a chance to win a feature in Food and Wine magazine; an appearance at the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado; and $250,000 in prize money: Soo Ahn, Manny Barella, Kaleena Bliss, Kevin D’Andrea, Danny Garcia, Dan Jacobs, Savannah Miller, Laura Ozyilmaz, Amanda Turner and Michelle Wallace.
So what happened in episode seven, “Sausage Race”?
“It feels weird not having Rasika here,” says Danny, who has found a new running buddy in Savannah. Rasika was sent home last week in a result that was pretty shocking because she and fellow bottom chef Michelle have been two of the strongest, most consistent chefs of the entire competition thus far. “I felt like I was going home,” Michelle admits. Being in the bottom is “a kick in the ass.
So what happened in episode seven, “Sausage Race”?
“It feels weird not having Rasika here,” says Danny, who has found a new running buddy in Savannah. Rasika was sent home last week in a result that was pretty shocking because she and fellow bottom chef Michelle have been two of the strongest, most consistent chefs of the entire competition thus far. “I felt like I was going home,” Michelle admits. Being in the bottom is “a kick in the ass.
- 5/2/2024
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Get ready for a sizzling new episode of “Top Chef” airing on Wednesday, May 1st, at 9:00 Pm on Bravo. In Season 21, Episode 7, titled “Sausage Race,” the chefs face a fiery challenge that will put their culinary skills to the test.
Joining Kristen in the kitchen is Bryan Voltaggio, who will help judge the chefs’ abilities in flambé and charring techniques. But that’s not all – the competition heats up as Amar Santana brings a unique twist to the challenge by incorporating the famous Milwaukee Brewers racing sausages into the mix.
Set at the iconic American Family Field, the chefs must create mouthwatering dishes with a focus on sausage. With the pressure on and the clock ticking, the contestants must impress the judges with their creativity and execution.
Don’t miss the excitement and delicious creations on “Top Chef” this Wednesday at 9:00 Pm. Tune in to see who will...
Joining Kristen in the kitchen is Bryan Voltaggio, who will help judge the chefs’ abilities in flambé and charring techniques. But that’s not all – the competition heats up as Amar Santana brings a unique twist to the challenge by incorporating the famous Milwaukee Brewers racing sausages into the mix.
Set at the iconic American Family Field, the chefs must create mouthwatering dishes with a focus on sausage. With the pressure on and the clock ticking, the contestants must impress the judges with their creativity and execution.
Don’t miss the excitement and delicious creations on “Top Chef” this Wednesday at 9:00 Pm. Tune in to see who will...
- 4/24/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
Get ready for an intense episode of “24 in 24: Last Chef Standing” airing this Wednesday, May 1st, at 1:00 Pm on Food Network. In Season 1, Episode titled “Shift 4: Teamwork,” hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choi present the contestants with their toughest challenge yet: teamwork.
In this episode, chefs are tasked with collaborating with teammates they’ve just met, requiring them to strategize, communicate effectively, and execute their dishes flawlessly. Under the critical eyes of guest judges Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, the pressure is on for the contestants to prove their ability to work together under tight deadlines and intense scrutiny.
Viewers can expect high stakes and nail-biting moments as the chefs navigate the challenges of teamwork and strive to impress the judges with their culinary skills. With friendships forged and rivalries tested, this episode promises to be a thrilling ride from start to finish.
Don’t miss out...
In this episode, chefs are tasked with collaborating with teammates they’ve just met, requiring them to strategize, communicate effectively, and execute their dishes flawlessly. Under the critical eyes of guest judges Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, the pressure is on for the contestants to prove their ability to work together under tight deadlines and intense scrutiny.
Viewers can expect high stakes and nail-biting moments as the chefs navigate the challenges of teamwork and strive to impress the judges with their culinary skills. With friendships forged and rivalries tested, this episode promises to be a thrilling ride from start to finish.
Don’t miss out...
- 4/24/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
Season 21 of “Top Chef” premieres on Wednesday, March 20, with 15 brand new, talented cheftestants competing in Wisconsin for the title and the grand prize of $250,000, a feature in Food and Wine Magazine and an appearance at the 41st annual Food and Wine Classic in Aspen. Scroll down to learn about all of this year’s competitors.
There are big changes this season. First and foremost, longtime host Padma Lakshmi has stepped down from the cooking competition and has been replaced by season 10 “Top Chef” champion Kristen Kish. But judges Gail Simmons and Tom Colicchio are back. Over the course of the season they will be joined by judging and dining panelists who include Dane Baldwin, Charlie Berens, Ryan Braun, Paul Bartolotta, Dominique Crenn, Curtis Duffy, Clea Duvall, Andrew Kroeger, Emeril Lagasse, Hunter Lewis, Bricia Lopez, Tory Miller, Itaru Nagano, Carrie Nahabedian, Joe Papach, Shaina Papach, Justin Pichetrungsi, Sofia Roe, Sean Sherman,...
There are big changes this season. First and foremost, longtime host Padma Lakshmi has stepped down from the cooking competition and has been replaced by season 10 “Top Chef” champion Kristen Kish. But judges Gail Simmons and Tom Colicchio are back. Over the course of the season they will be joined by judging and dining panelists who include Dane Baldwin, Charlie Berens, Ryan Braun, Paul Bartolotta, Dominique Crenn, Curtis Duffy, Clea Duvall, Andrew Kroeger, Emeril Lagasse, Hunter Lewis, Bricia Lopez, Tory Miller, Itaru Nagano, Carrie Nahabedian, Joe Papach, Shaina Papach, Justin Pichetrungsi, Sofia Roe, Sean Sherman,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Top Chef is cooking up high-stakes competition in Wisconsin according to a new trailer, which you can check out above.
Season 21 of the hit unscripted show — taking place in Milwaukee and Madison, and wrapping with the finale on the cruise line Holland America Line — will premiere Wednesday, March 20 on Bravo; weekly episodes will stream the next day on Peacock.
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Season 10 winner Kristen Kish...
Season 21 of the hit unscripted show — taking place in Milwaukee and Madison, and wrapping with the finale on the cruise line Holland America Line — will premiere Wednesday, March 20 on Bravo; weekly episodes will stream the next day on Peacock.
More from TVLineThe Regime: HBO Releases Official Trailer For Kate Winslet Limited SeriesPercy Jackson and the Olympians Renewed for Season 2 at Disney+Love Is Blind Teases Post-Pods Love Triangle in New Season 6 Trailer - Who's Having Second Thoughts?
Season 10 winner Kristen Kish...
- 2/7/2024
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 10:00 Pm on Food Network, “Beat Bobby Flay” serves up a special Thanksgiving-themed episode titled “Holiday Throwdown: Turkey Day Traditions.”
In this holiday edition, host Katie Lee Biegel sets the stage for a Turkey Day culinary showdown. The episode promises a surprise twist as it becomes a family affair, with the theme centered around Thanksgiving classics and traditions.
Chefs Darnell Ferguson, Bryan Voltaggio, and Michael Voltaggio are tasked with trying to outcook and outsmart the culinary maestro, Bobby Flay, using a new turkey tradition as their secret weapon. The competition is sure to be fierce as they bring their skills and creativity to the kitchen.
“Turkey Day Traditions” is a feast for the senses as these talented chefs battle it out, creating mouthwatering dishes that celebrate the heartwarming flavors of Thanksgiving. Viewers can expect a deliciously entertaining culinary contest that captures the essence of this beloved holiday.
In this holiday edition, host Katie Lee Biegel sets the stage for a Turkey Day culinary showdown. The episode promises a surprise twist as it becomes a family affair, with the theme centered around Thanksgiving classics and traditions.
Chefs Darnell Ferguson, Bryan Voltaggio, and Michael Voltaggio are tasked with trying to outcook and outsmart the culinary maestro, Bobby Flay, using a new turkey tradition as their secret weapon. The competition is sure to be fierce as they bring their skills and creativity to the kitchen.
“Turkey Day Traditions” is a feast for the senses as these talented chefs battle it out, creating mouthwatering dishes that celebrate the heartwarming flavors of Thanksgiving. Viewers can expect a deliciously entertaining culinary contest that captures the essence of this beloved holiday.
- 10/31/2023
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
When the Emmys decided to add a category for reality competition shows back in 2003, they could have just dubbed it the “Amazing Race” Award. CBS’s sprint around the world managed to win the category seven times in a row. But the streak for the physically challenging globe-hopping entry finally hit a roadblock in the form of Bravo’s reality cooking contest “Top Chef,” which had lost its first three nominations but finally claimed the trophy for its sixth season in 2010. Watch the flashback video above from 10 years ago when the show collected its prize on the air.
The cooking contest co-hosted by Tom Colicchio and Padma Lakshmi has been nominated every year since then, but hasn’t achieved another win for best reality competition.
See‘Top Chef’ host Tom Colicchio on the key to winning: ‘When you can cook using your personality it seems to give someone an edge...
The cooking contest co-hosted by Tom Colicchio and Padma Lakshmi has been nominated every year since then, but hasn’t achieved another win for best reality competition.
See‘Top Chef’ host Tom Colicchio on the key to winning: ‘When you can cook using your personality it seems to give someone an edge...
- 7/14/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
It might have seemed that the judges who got to enjoy the dishes served during the finale of Bravo’s “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.” had a tough choice to make in picking the ultimate winner. But, apparently, the right choice was fairly obvious. “Yeah, it really wasn’t as difficult as it looked,” admits a smiling Tom Colicchio, the head judge and co-host of the reality cooking show that just wrapped its 17th season with a conclusion in Italy that came down to three finalists — Melissa King, Bryan Voltaggio and Stephanie Cmar — putting their hearts and souls into their four-course meals. But King, who won an unprecedented 10 total challenges this season — on top of being voted Fan Favorite — clearly deserved the crown. Watch our exclusive video interview with Colicchio above.
See‘Top Chef’ finale recap: ‘Finito!’ was an epic Italian showdown for the last 3 All-Stars, so who won the title?...
See‘Top Chef’ finale recap: ‘Finito!’ was an epic Italian showdown for the last 3 All-Stars, so who won the title?...
- 6/24/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna and Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Melissa King, who was just crowned the Season 17 winner of “Top Chef,” says that participating on the Bravo reality cooking show twice has sharpened her skills as a chef: “We do find so much community among each other, and we learn and exchange information and teach each other new things constantly, even at home in the cast house.” That make the show “like a chef’s summer camp and you get this experience where you are surrounded by so much talent. Why not absorb from each other?”
She hadn’t gotten her $250,000 grand prize yet when we recorded our interview, but she also won another $10,000 for winning the viewer-voted Fan Favorite prize, which she’s donating to various causes. But even though she participated on the show and, of course, knew how it ended, she still “watched every Thursday” while it was airing. “I was on a lot of Zoom...
She hadn’t gotten her $250,000 grand prize yet when we recorded our interview, but she also won another $10,000 for winning the viewer-voted Fan Favorite prize, which she’s donating to various causes. But even though she participated on the show and, of course, knew how it ended, she still “watched every Thursday” while it was airing. “I was on a lot of Zoom...
- 6/23/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna and Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Last week on “Top Chef,” the four remaining All-Stars – Stephanie Cmar, Kevin Gillespie, Melissa King and Bryan Voltaggio – had to prepare two courses that showcased the city of Parma’s edible specialties, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma ham. Bryan got a harsh critique from one chef, who groused that his dishes lacked soul, but in the end Kevin was eliminated for his poorly cooked pork and overly salty brodo. That left three chefs going into the show’s supersized finale, so who took the $250,000 prize and the title of Top Chef? Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the 14th and last episode of Season 17, “Finito!”
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10:02 p.m. Bryan says, “I have unfinished business. I’ve been so close to this title twice now. I want to win this time.” But “this has been a lot harder than I expected to be.
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10:02 p.m. Bryan says, “I have unfinished business. I’ve been so close to this title twice now. I want to win this time.” But “this has been a lot harder than I expected to be.
- 6/19/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Top Chef All Stars: L.A. has named the best of the best! Tonight's season 17 finale of Top Chef saw finalists Melissa King, Stephanie Cmar and Bryan Voltaggio face off in an epic Italian showdown. The contestants were challenged to cook the ultimate progressive four-course meal of their lives for judges Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi, Gail Simmons and a bevy of other culinary superstars. Ultimately, the winner was... Melissa, who won the most challenges this season of any contestant in Top Chef history! Melissa's combination of Italian and Chinese flavors proved a winning marriage in the finale, earning her $250,000. Scroll through the gallery below to relive the season's...
- 6/19/2020
- E! Online
“Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.” ends tonight, June 18, after 14 weeks of grueling culinary competition with three chefs vying for the title and the $250,000 grand prize that goes along with it. So who has the advantage: Stephanie Cmar, Melissa King or Bryan Voltaggio? Fans of the show have been placing their bets here in our predictions center every week, and those predictions are combined to calculate our official racetrack odds. You can make your predictions too.
As of this writing King is the chef to beat with even odds. She has been the front-runner for much of the season, according to our users, and it’s easy to see why. She won three quickfire challenges and six elimination challenges including the last three challenges in a row. That makes her by far the winningest chef in the competition. However, it only takes one bad day to cost you the victory. Her former...
As of this writing King is the chef to beat with even odds. She has been the front-runner for much of the season, according to our users, and it’s easy to see why. She won three quickfire challenges and six elimination challenges including the last three challenges in a row. That makes her by far the winningest chef in the competition. However, it only takes one bad day to cost you the victory. Her former...
- 6/18/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
I’ll admit, after the first half of “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.,” if you had told me that Stephanie Cmar would make the final three, I might not have believed you. She struggled early on in the season, and there were a few weeks when it seemed like she was hanging on by a thread. But you can never say never on this show. Cmar eventually found her groove and even exceeded her own expectations. Now that she’s among the final three, she’s so close to the title she can taste it.
Things started off well enough for Cmar. She was on the winning team in the very first elimination challenge along with Gregory Gourdet and Jamie Lynch, both of whom she has outlasted. But over the next six weeks she was at the bottom four times, so things weren’t looking too good for her future on the show.
Things started off well enough for Cmar. She was on the winning team in the very first elimination challenge along with Gregory Gourdet and Jamie Lynch, both of whom she has outlasted. But over the next six weeks she was at the bottom four times, so things weren’t looking too good for her future on the show.
- 6/18/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Bryan Voltaggio came into “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.” with one of the strongest track records of any of the contestants. He was a runner-up in season six of the cooking competition series, and then he was the runner-up again when he competed on the spinoff “Top Chef Masters” in season five. But he has been hit-and-miss this year, and in “Parma,” the penultimate episode of the season, he got some of his harshest critiques. Will that hurt his confidence, or can he recover for a come-from-behind victory?
SEELet’s dish! Which ‘Top Chef’ Season 17 elimination challenge most tickled your TV taste buds? [Poll]
The “Parma” challenge was to create two dishes showcasing Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and prosciutto di Parma. He landed in the bottom two with Kevin Gillespie, but even though Gillespie was the one who had to pack his knives and go, Voltaggio didn’t come out of the final judgment unscathed.
SEELet’s dish! Which ‘Top Chef’ Season 17 elimination challenge most tickled your TV taste buds? [Poll]
The “Parma” challenge was to create two dishes showcasing Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and prosciutto di Parma. He landed in the bottom two with Kevin Gillespie, but even though Gillespie was the one who had to pack his knives and go, Voltaggio didn’t come out of the final judgment unscathed.
- 6/18/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
There are three contestants left going into this week’s season finale of “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.,” and from the looks of things the grand prize is Michelle King‘s to lose. She has by far the best track record of any of the finalists. However, she did have a lengthy slump in the middle of the season, so we know she’s not infallible in the kitchen. Will she dominate the last challenge, or is the door open for an upset?
King previously competed in season 12 of the series, where she won one quickfire challenge and two elimination challenges before being eliminated in fourth place. Now compare that to her performance this year: she has won three quickfire challenges and six elimination challenges, which makes her by far the winningest contestant of the season. In fact, she won the last three challenges in a row: “Michael’s Santa Monica,...
King previously competed in season 12 of the series, where she won one quickfire challenge and two elimination challenges before being eliminated in fourth place. Now compare that to her performance this year: she has won three quickfire challenges and six elimination challenges, which makes her by far the winningest contestant of the season. In fact, she won the last three challenges in a row: “Michael’s Santa Monica,...
- 6/17/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Let’s dish! Which ‘Top Chef’ Season 17 elimination challenge most tickled your TV taste buds? [Poll]
What’s cooking? The Season 17 finale of “Top Chef,” that’s what. The finale arrives this Thursday, June 18, on Bravo as the three competing chefs left standing — Melissa King, Stephanie Cmar and Bryan Voltaggio — each prepare a four-course meal. They will be joined by eliminated chefs Lee Anne Wong, Brian Malarkey and Kevin Gillespie, who will each be paired with one of the three finalists as helpers as the season concludes in Italy –hence the episode title “Finito!”
But since these chefs were all All-Stars who participated on previous seasons but never won, the show seemed to demand more from this crop of 15 contestants. Many of the sometimes brutal elimination challenges that took place in Los Angeles were tied to notable landmarks, award-winning local chefs, scenic locales and popular eateries.
See‘Top Chef’ secret revealed: All-Star Gregory Gourdet’s back woes were far worst than what fans saw during ‘Lucca...
But since these chefs were all All-Stars who participated on previous seasons but never won, the show seemed to demand more from this crop of 15 contestants. Many of the sometimes brutal elimination challenges that took place in Los Angeles were tied to notable landmarks, award-winning local chefs, scenic locales and popular eateries.
See‘Top Chef’ secret revealed: All-Star Gregory Gourdet’s back woes were far worst than what fans saw during ‘Lucca...
- 6/17/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
It’s a bit of a surprise that on next week’s penultimate episode of the 17th season of “Top Chef” Gregory Gourdet, who was just eliminated in “Lucca,” wasn’t recruited to be one of the so-called “reinforcements” to assist the final three All-Stars Melissa King, Stephanie Cmar and Bryan Voltaggio with their finale cooking challenge in Italy. Instead, Brian Malarkey — who was eliminated after the final challenge in Los Angeles — showed up as Stephanie’s helper in a preview for the June 18 finale, and Lee Anne Wong is lending Melissa a hand.
Now the truth can be told. When Gregory woke up in his hotel bed on the chefs’ first day in Tuscany, he revealed that the competition took a toll on his back. He observed that the show “takes a lot out of you, and I’m really hoping my back doesn’t bother me through these finals.
Now the truth can be told. When Gregory woke up in his hotel bed on the chefs’ first day in Tuscany, he revealed that the competition took a toll on his back. He observed that the show “takes a lot out of you, and I’m really hoping my back doesn’t bother me through these finals.
- 6/12/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Last week on “Top Chef,” the five remaining contestants headed to Tuscany where they went on a hunt for the pricey delicacy known as white truffles. Kevin Gillespie and Stephanie Cmar tussled a bit with their truffle dishes, but Gregory Gourdet’s boar stew overwhelmed the star ingredient and he got the boot. Melissa King, meanwhile, stuck to her strong suit by flavoring a rice-based Asian congee with her Italian truffles and won the elimination challenge while Bryan Voltaggio came in a close second with his braised ragu. So what happened this week with only four chefs remaining? Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the 13th and penultimate episode of Season 17, “Parma.”
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10:02 p.m. We’re back at the Palazzo Pfanner in Lucca as the judges congratulate the chefs still standing. Padma Lakshmi says that before a winner can be chosen,...
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10:02 p.m. We’re back at the Palazzo Pfanner in Lucca as the judges congratulate the chefs still standing. Padma Lakshmi says that before a winner can be chosen,...
- 6/12/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Bryan Voltaggio came into “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.” as one of the most experienced competitors. He has competed on the show twice before, and finished in second place both times. Now it looks like he’s a dark horse to finally win, but based on the combined predictions of fans who have placed their bets here in our predictions center every week, it looks like he might be doomed to second place yet again.
As of this writing Melissa King is the front-runner to win. She previously competed in season 12 in Boston, where she finished fourth. But she currently gets leading odds of 5/2 this season because she has finally risen back to the top of the weekly challenges after experiencing a lengthy rough patch. After winning three of the first seven elimination challenges she was thrown off her game during “Restaurant Wars,” which was her first of three consecutive weeks at the bottom.
As of this writing Melissa King is the front-runner to win. She previously competed in season 12 in Boston, where she finished fourth. But she currently gets leading odds of 5/2 this season because she has finally risen back to the top of the weekly challenges after experiencing a lengthy rough patch. After winning three of the first seven elimination challenges she was thrown off her game during “Restaurant Wars,” which was her first of three consecutive weeks at the bottom.
- 6/11/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
All-Star Melissa King breezed through the first half of “Top Chef” Season 17, winning three elimination challenges. But she hit a speed bump during Restaurant Wars as a member of Kevin Gillespie‘s team. He was overly ambitious in presenting 12 dishes to the judges, and the quality of his food suffered.
See‘Top Chef’ recap: The final 5 All-Stars headed to Tuscany and learned that truffles aren’t to be trifled with in ‘Lucca’
She confided that the loss rattled her, and it showed as Melissa racked up two more low scores in a row. But her confidence was somewhat restored after winning two quickfires in a row and then claiming two straight victories in the “Michael’s Santa Monica” and the “Lucca” elimination challenges — going on to win five total, more than any other contestant this season.
Of those who answered our poll about which of the four remaining All-Stars most...
See‘Top Chef’ recap: The final 5 All-Stars headed to Tuscany and learned that truffles aren’t to be trifled with in ‘Lucca’
She confided that the loss rattled her, and it showed as Melissa racked up two more low scores in a row. But her confidence was somewhat restored after winning two quickfires in a row and then claiming two straight victories in the “Michael’s Santa Monica” and the “Lucca” elimination challenges — going on to win five total, more than any other contestant this season.
Of those who answered our poll about which of the four remaining All-Stars most...
- 6/10/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
The original “Star Trek” had “The Trouble with Tribbles.” “Top Chef” Season 17 could have called its June 4 episode “The Trouble with Truffles.” Most of the five remaining All-Star competitors struggled somewhat during an elimination challenge that required a dish where the pricey woodland delicacy should have been the star. That the required element was white truffles rather than black was part of the problem since adding other heavy flavor elements in this case overwhelmed their taste.
Here’s the list of sins committed during the challenge, from the least to the worst:
— Melissa King: This San Francisco chef has wisely used her knowledge of traditional Asian dishes and cleverly repurposes them to incorporate what a challenge requires. She had a clear game plan, that she would bridge Asian and Italian while honoring the truffle. She made a Chinese rice porridge called congee and added a quail egg and a few other elements.
Here’s the list of sins committed during the challenge, from the least to the worst:
— Melissa King: This San Francisco chef has wisely used her knowledge of traditional Asian dishes and cleverly repurposes them to incorporate what a challenge requires. She had a clear game plan, that she would bridge Asian and Italian while honoring the truffle. She made a Chinese rice porridge called congee and added a quail egg and a few other elements.
- 6/8/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Last week on “Top Chef,” Kevin Gillespie returned to the competition after his “Last Chance Kitchen” victory while Brian Malarkey was eliminated for his duo dish update of a classic entrée from the past that was served at Michael’s Santa Monica. Alas, his components weren’t quite in tune with one another, so he missed out on heading to Italy and participating in a three-episode finale as “Top Chef” goes to Europe for the first time. Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the 12th episode of Season 17, “Lucca.”
10:02 p.m. A heartfelt message is delivered by head judge Tom Colicchio about how the show filmed in Italy last fall and adds, “I got to say it was just an amazing experience. The people were so warm and open. Obviously, our hearts go out to the devastation because of Covid.” The chef adds he is looking forward to...
10:02 p.m. A heartfelt message is delivered by head judge Tom Colicchio about how the show filmed in Italy last fall and adds, “I got to say it was just an amazing experience. The people were so warm and open. Obviously, our hearts go out to the devastation because of Covid.” The chef adds he is looking forward to...
- 6/5/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
There are only five contestants left on “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.” as the show heads to Italy for its final episodes. One of those contestants is Stephanie Cmar, who has been an underdog all season but has survived — and even thrived — even after struggling in the earlier weeks of the competition. But the fans we’ve surveyed every week here in our predictions center think she’s the likeliest of the remaining chefs to get chopped. Could she beat the odds yet again?
As of this writing Cmar gets leading 57/20 odds of packing her knives and going. And indeed her season has been very hit-and-miss. She started on the winning team in the season premiere episode, but then she landed at the bottom in four of the next six challenges. It seemed like she could only hold off the judges’ wrath for so long, but then came a dramatic upswing.
As of this writing Cmar gets leading 57/20 odds of packing her knives and going. And indeed her season has been very hit-and-miss. She started on the winning team in the season premiere episode, but then she landed at the bottom in four of the next six challenges. It seemed like she could only hold off the judges’ wrath for so long, but then came a dramatic upswing.
- 6/4/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
With three more episodes, five remaining competitors and one more chef who will have to pack their knives and go this week, Season 17 of Bravo’s reality staple “Top Chef” has gotten a lot of bang out of its All-Star lineup of former finalists, front-runners and fan favorites assembled in Los Angeles. There have been revered culinary greats as judges such as Nancy Silverton, Jonathan Waxman, Ruth Reichl and Michael McCarty, visits to such local landmarks as the Getty Center, the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the L.A. Coliseum. And given the locale, such stars as Kelly Clarkson, Ali Wong, Danny Trejo and Jon Favreau stopped by as well.
This week, however,”Top Chef” bids farewell to Tinseltown and ventures to Europe for the first time ever for a three-part finale set in Italy. According to the previews, the chefs head to the city of Lucca in Tuscany where...
This week, however,”Top Chef” bids farewell to Tinseltown and ventures to Europe for the first time ever for a three-part finale set in Italy. According to the previews, the chefs head to the city of Lucca in Tuscany where...
- 6/3/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Last week the “Top Chef” All-Stars got their Olympic Games on by cooking a six-course Kaiseki meal and Karen Akunowicz was eliminated for the second time. She faced off with Kevin Gillespie in “Last Chance Kitchen” and lost. Kevin then had to beat two out of three still-remaining chefs to stage a comeback, and he managed to do that, too. Brian Malarkey’s reaction to the fierce competitor coming back? “Good god!” Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the 11th episode of Season 17.
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10:02 p.m. A culinary legend is seated next to host Padma Lakshmi in the kitchen. It’s Jonathan Waxman. As Padma tells us, “He is considered a pioneer of California cuisine and a James Beard Award winner. He’s also my friend, which I think is his greatest accomplishment.” They clink wine glasses and drink champagne.
Sign Up for Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
10:02 p.m. A culinary legend is seated next to host Padma Lakshmi in the kitchen. It’s Jonathan Waxman. As Padma tells us, “He is considered a pioneer of California cuisine and a James Beard Award winner. He’s also my friend, which I think is his greatest accomplishment.” They clink wine glasses and drink champagne.
- 5/29/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Last week “Top Chef” went from six contestants to five … and then back to six. Karen Akunowicz was eliminated (for the second time) after “Colossal Coliseum Kaiseki.” Then she lost in “Last Chance Kitchen” to Kevin Gillespie, who earned his way back into the competition. But can Gillespie actually win after he was eliminated once already? Quite possibly. It has happened three times before.
See‘Top Chef’ judge Tom Colicchio gets crabby in the most delicious way on ‘What Would Tom Do?’ [Watch]
Kristen Kish (season 10), Brooke Williamson (season 14) and Joseph Flamm (season 15) were all eliminated from the competition, fought their way back through “Last Chance Kitchen” and ultimately won the whole enchilada. So there’s plenty of precedent. And Gillespie’s rivals should be even more worried because the challenge he was eliminated on, “Restaurant Wars,” was the only time he received any criticism from the judges this season.
He...
See‘Top Chef’ judge Tom Colicchio gets crabby in the most delicious way on ‘What Would Tom Do?’ [Watch]
Kristen Kish (season 10), Brooke Williamson (season 14) and Joseph Flamm (season 15) were all eliminated from the competition, fought their way back through “Last Chance Kitchen” and ultimately won the whole enchilada. So there’s plenty of precedent. And Gillespie’s rivals should be even more worried because the challenge he was eliminated on, “Restaurant Wars,” was the only time he received any criticism from the judges this season.
He...
- 5/28/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Does Brian Malarkey amuse you with his antics and ingredient overload in his dishes? Did you fall for Gregory Gourdet‘s epic efforts during Restaurant Wars? Did Melissa King‘s dishes make you want to lick your TV screen? Are you hoping that Bryan Voltaggio can join his brother Michael Voltaggio among the ranks of ‘Top Chef” winners? Or are you pulling for underdog Stephanie Cmar after her triumphant victory during the Kaiseki challenge last week?
Alas, only one person can reign as Top Chef in this highly competitive All-Star Season 17 and win a prize package that includes $250,000. However, you might still want to vote for one of them to win the title of “Top Chef” Fan Favorite this season. The chef who earns the most votes and earns the title will walk away with a $10,000 prize.
See ‘Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen’ finale: Who (if anyone) fought their way back into the competition?...
Alas, only one person can reign as Top Chef in this highly competitive All-Star Season 17 and win a prize package that includes $250,000. However, you might still want to vote for one of them to win the title of “Top Chef” Fan Favorite this season. The chef who earns the most votes and earns the title will walk away with a $10,000 prize.
See ‘Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen’ finale: Who (if anyone) fought their way back into the competition?...
- 5/28/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
‘Top Chef’ 17 preview: The 6 remaining All-Stars try to impress a California cuisine pioneer [Watch]
The six remaining “Top Chef” All-Stars still in the competition — Stephanie Cmar, Melissa King, Gregory Gourdet, Bryan Voltaggio, Brian Malarkey and comeback kid Kevin Gillespie, who triumphed in “Last Chance Kitchen” — are one episode away from heading to Italy for the Season 17 three-part finale.
See ‘Top Chef’ recap: Which of the 6 All-Stars earned a gold medal in ‘Colossal Coliseum Kaiseki’?
On this week’s episode, Jonathan Waxman, who was once dubbed “an elder statesman of the new California cooking” and previously competed in “Top Chef Masters” in 2010, is a guest judge. Brian is the first to shake his hand in a crowded kitchen at Waxman’s former restaurant Michael’s Santa Monica and says, “A walk back in time, my friend.” Jonathan says, “Forty years ago, but it seemed so much bigger back then. Every time I walk back, it’s small.”
He asks Brian what he is making, and he answers,...
See ‘Top Chef’ recap: Which of the 6 All-Stars earned a gold medal in ‘Colossal Coliseum Kaiseki’?
On this week’s episode, Jonathan Waxman, who was once dubbed “an elder statesman of the new California cooking” and previously competed in “Top Chef Masters” in 2010, is a guest judge. Brian is the first to shake his hand in a crowded kitchen at Waxman’s former restaurant Michael’s Santa Monica and says, “A walk back in time, my friend.” Jonathan says, “Forty years ago, but it seemed so much bigger back then. Every time I walk back, it’s small.”
He asks Brian what he is making, and he answers,...
- 5/27/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Last week “Top Chef” went to summer camp where 200 hungry moms brunched and munched while Bryan Voltaggio won his first elimination challenge of the season. Alas, Lee Anne Wong was done in by not checking the setting of the oven, causing her clafoutis to be steamed instead of baked. After the show she faced Kevin Gillespie in “Last Chance Kitchen” and lost in a battle involving eggs cooked three ways. What happened this week when the six remaining All-Stars headed to a coliseum to make a traditional Japanese Kaiseki meal in honor of the Tokyo Olympics, which have now been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic? Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the 10th episode of Season 17.
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10:02 p.m. After being on a hot streak with three wins and no low scores, Melissa King has landed on...
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10:02 p.m. After being on a hot streak with three wins and no low scores, Melissa King has landed on...
- 5/22/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Restaurant Wars is the most anticipated elimination challenge of any Top Chef season.
It's a worthy way of testing the cheftestants' skills and makes for dramatic TV.
Most of all, it has resulted in some of the most shocking eliminations in Top Chef history.
The concept of the challenge is this: the cheftestants divide into teams to open up a pop-up restaurant.
Leadership is essential to winning Restaurant Wars, which is why the strongest competitors often take or have the executive chef position thrust upon them.
Unless the person in charge of the front of the house causes the team's loss, the executive chef takes the fall and is eliminated from the competition.
Notable Restaurant Wars casualties include Tre from Top Chef Season 3, Dale from Top Chef Season 4, Kristen from Top Chef Season 10, and -- the newest addition to the list -- Kevin from Top Chef Season 17.
Kevin first competed...
It's a worthy way of testing the cheftestants' skills and makes for dramatic TV.
Most of all, it has resulted in some of the most shocking eliminations in Top Chef history.
The concept of the challenge is this: the cheftestants divide into teams to open up a pop-up restaurant.
Leadership is essential to winning Restaurant Wars, which is why the strongest competitors often take or have the executive chef position thrust upon them.
Unless the person in charge of the front of the house causes the team's loss, the executive chef takes the fall and is eliminated from the competition.
Notable Restaurant Wars casualties include Tre from Top Chef Season 3, Dale from Top Chef Season 4, Kristen from Top Chef Season 10, and -- the newest addition to the list -- Kevin from Top Chef Season 17.
Kevin first competed...
- 5/15/2020
- by Becca Newton
- TVfanatic
In last week’s episode of “Top Chef,” Kevin Gillespie had to wave the white flag after losing Restaurant Wars to Gregory Gourdet. But he won redemption after facing off against Nini Nguyen in the post-show “Last Chance Kitchen” with his trout dish. Host Tom Colicchio told Kevin that he has “one more battle before finals begin.” What happened this week as the remaining chefs headed into the mountains to serve brunch for 200 moms? Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the ninth episode of Season 17.
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10:02 p.m. Chefs Karen Akunowicz and Melissa King are bummed after their team leader Kevin failed at achieving his dream restaurant. Bryan Voltaggio says, “He’s a friend of mine and it’s tough to see him go.” He says in a confessional that, for him personally, “It was a big loss to see Kevin go home.
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10:02 p.m. Chefs Karen Akunowicz and Melissa King are bummed after their team leader Kevin failed at achieving his dream restaurant. Bryan Voltaggio says, “He’s a friend of mine and it’s tough to see him go.” He says in a confessional that, for him personally, “It was a big loss to see Kevin go home.
- 5/15/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Kevin Gillespie led his team to ruin during “Restaurant Wars” last week on “Top Chef.” Despite having won three elimination challenges and three quickfire challenges before that, he had to pack his knives and go. Hew still has a chance to return to the main competition if he can survive the remaining weeks of “Last Chance Kitchen,” but with him on the outs for now, his “Restaurant Wars” teammate Bryan Voltaggio is enjoying a boost in our winner odds, which are based on the combined predictions of “Top Chef” fans who place their bets every week here in our predictions center.
Actually, our top two cheftestants were both on the losing team with Gillespie. Melissa King holds on to the top spot with leading odds of 10/3 as of this writing. Clearly fans aren’t holding the team’s loss against her. And they’re not holding it against Voltaggio either:...
Actually, our top two cheftestants were both on the losing team with Gillespie. Melissa King holds on to the top spot with leading odds of 10/3 as of this writing. Clearly fans aren’t holding the team’s loss against her. And they’re not holding it against Voltaggio either:...
- 5/14/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
In last week’s episode of “Top Chef,” the judges rewarded restaurant pitches by All-Stars Kevin Gillespie and Gregory Gourdet in a prelude to this week’s “Restaurant Wars.” Meanwhile, eliminated chef Eric Adjepong tried to fight his way back into the competition on “Last Chance Kitchen,” but Nini Nguyen managed to retain her status in by cooking an Italian fish dish that was Tom Colicchio’s favorite. What happened this week during the show’s most-feared challenge? Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the eighth episode of Season 17.
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10:02 p.m. The eight remaining chefs celebrate Kevin and Gregory’s victory in their Hollywood Hills home away from home. Gregory shares that Restaurant Wars was “an absolute disaster” the last time he competed on the show. His Season 12 team had a really broad theme and was all over the place.
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10:02 p.m. The eight remaining chefs celebrate Kevin and Gregory’s victory in their Hollywood Hills home away from home. Gregory shares that Restaurant Wars was “an absolute disaster” the last time he competed on the show. His Season 12 team had a really broad theme and was all over the place.
- 5/8/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Going into Restaurant Wars tonight on “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.,” the two contestants to beat for the season 17 title are still Melissa King and Gregory Gourdet. But what about Kevin Gillespie, who has kept up with them challenge for challenge? Actually, he has outdone them challenge for challenge. In the first seven episodes of the Bravo competition series, he has won six times, more than any other chef.
King, Gourdet and Gillespie are so far the only chefs to win elimination challenges — they’ve each won three, with King and Gillespie sharing the honor in “Get Your Phil” and then Gourdet and Gillespie winning jointly in “Pitch Perfect.” But if you also count the quickfire challenges, Gillespie laps the field: he has won three of those preliminary challenges, more than anyone else. In fact, there has only been one episode out of seven where he hasn’t won one challenge or the other.
King, Gourdet and Gillespie are so far the only chefs to win elimination challenges — they’ve each won three, with King and Gillespie sharing the honor in “Get Your Phil” and then Gourdet and Gillespie winning jointly in “Pitch Perfect.” But if you also count the quickfire challenges, Gillespie laps the field: he has won three of those preliminary challenges, more than anyone else. In fact, there has only been one episode out of seven where he hasn’t won one challenge or the other.
- 5/7/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
At the end of last week’s “Top Chef: All-Stars” episode, which was a prelude to this week’s Restaurant Wars, Kevin Gillespie and Gregory Gourdet‘s concepts for their eateries — the family-style Southern Country Captain and the Haitian-themed Kann — were picked to be used by the two teams of chefs. As we can see from the preview for Thursday’s consequential show (watch it below), Gregory has Lee Anne Wong, Stephanie Cmar and Brian Malarkey onboard his team while Kevin is joined by Bryan Voltaggio, Melissa King and Karen Akunowicz as his cohorts.
We hear head judge Tom Colicchio say as he is seated at a table, presumably at Kann, “There’s not a lot of people eating right now. Empty, empty.” Then we see Karen spill a glass of red wine on a full table at Country Captain. She admits in a confessional, “The judges are going to...
We hear head judge Tom Colicchio say as he is seated at a table, presumably at Kann, “There’s not a lot of people eating right now. Empty, empty.” Then we see Karen spill a glass of red wine on a full table at Country Captain. She admits in a confessional, “The judges are going to...
- 5/4/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
On last week’s episode of “Top Chef,” best friends Nini Nguyen and Karen Akunowicz both were eliminated after their shared sour-and-umami dish failed to fully please the judges’ palates. Mere minutes afterwards they both went up against Lisa Fernandes in “Last Chance Kitchen.” Karen had Tom’s favorite dish, so she was allowed to rejoin the game, while Nini is still in “Lck” limbo and alas, Lisa will have to join the peanut gallery of “Lck” losers. So what happened this week? Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the seventh episode of Season 17, “Pitch Perfect.”
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10:02 p.m. “It’s so quiet,” says Melissa King. “I miss Nini.” Stephanie Cmar is upset that her fellow culinary crime fighters aka Padma’s Angels, Nini and Karen, are duking it out in “Last Chance Kitchen.” She thinks she might be the last angel standing.
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10:02 p.m. “It’s so quiet,” says Melissa King. “I miss Nini.” Stephanie Cmar is upset that her fellow culinary crime fighters aka Padma’s Angels, Nini and Karen, are duking it out in “Last Chance Kitchen.” She thinks she might be the last angel standing.
- 5/1/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
One Brian has stood out on “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.” as Malarkey’s super-sized personality and hit-and-miss results in the kitchen have gotten him a lot of attention — some of it even good. But what about Bryan Voltaggio? He came into the season as one of the front-runners, according to the combined predictions of fans we’ve surveyed here in our predictions center. But he’s not off to a great start in cooking challenges. Will his luck turn around?
The first three episodes of the season went pretty well for Voltaggio. He won the first quickfire challenge along with his teammates Joe Sasto, Jamie Lynch, Kevin Gillespie and Melissa King. And he had one of the top dishes in both “The Jonathan Gold Standard” and “Strokes of Genius.” But then he hit a rough patch.
See‘Top Chef’ 17 spoilers: Who had to pack their knives and go on ‘All Stars L.
The first three episodes of the season went pretty well for Voltaggio. He won the first quickfire challenge along with his teammates Joe Sasto, Jamie Lynch, Kevin Gillespie and Melissa King. And he had one of the top dishes in both “The Jonathan Gold Standard” and “Strokes of Genius.” But then he hit a rough patch.
See‘Top Chef’ 17 spoilers: Who had to pack their knives and go on ‘All Stars L.
- 4/30/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
On last week’s episode of “Top Chef,” Season 6 and 8 competitor Jennifer Carroll failed to tickle the taste buds of the judges with her Sunny Lemon Ginger Love sauce. She then lost in “Last Chance Kitchen” for underestimating the time that her beef sauce needed to thicken while Lisa Fernandes gets to move on in the after-show. This week, the remaining 10 chefs will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the sixth episode of the season, “Get Your Phil.”
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10:02 p.m. It’s rise and shine time in the roomy house in the scenic Hollywood Hills. Nini Nguyen and Brian Malarkey share a love of crystals, apparently. She explains, “It’s ‘Top Chef.’ Everyone at some point will have negative energy. And when they do I hold on to my crystal and I say,...
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10:02 p.m. It’s rise and shine time in the roomy house in the scenic Hollywood Hills. Nini Nguyen and Brian Malarkey share a love of crystals, apparently. She explains, “It’s ‘Top Chef.’ Everyone at some point will have negative energy. And when they do I hold on to my crystal and I say,...
- 4/24/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
In last week’s episode of ‘Top Chef,’ season 4 finalist Lisa Fernandes’s undercooked Brussels sprouts caused her to hear these words for the first time from host Padma Lakshmi’s lips: “Please pack your knives and go.” Luckily, she redeemed herself after she topped Joe Sasto during “Last Chance Kitchen.” This week the Los Angeles edition of Bravo’s reality show has the 11 chefs left in the game cooking with the help of their loved ones. Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the fifth episode of the season, “Bring Your Loved One to Work.”
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10:02 p.m. Back in the chefs’ digs, Bryan Voltaggio says, “We should have clearly communicated better” to his red teammates about their six-course vegetarian meal. “At the end of the day, you are going to be judged by the plate you place...
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10:02 p.m. Back in the chefs’ digs, Bryan Voltaggio says, “We should have clearly communicated better” to his red teammates about their six-course vegetarian meal. “At the end of the day, you are going to be judged by the plate you place...
- 4/17/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
On last week’s Season 17 episode of “Top Chef,” Jamie Lynch was the All-Star eliminated for not having enough time to pour his jus over his seared chicken breast, leaving his plate inspired by baroque paintings rather tasteless. He had a chance to earn redemption in “Last Chance Kitchen,” but Joe Sasto bested him in another poultry challenge. This week, the Los Angeles edition of Bravo’s reality show has the 12 remaining chefs making dishes inspired by the animated film “Trolls World Tour” and participating in a vegetarian six-course meal Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the fourth episode of the season, “You’re So Fresh” (all times Et/Pt).
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10:02 p.m. We start off in the cheftestants’ scenic digs in the Hollywood Hills. Nini Nguyen, the youngest chef this season, notes there is an interesting energy...
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10:02 p.m. We start off in the cheftestants’ scenic digs in the Hollywood Hills. Nini Nguyen, the youngest chef this season, notes there is an interesting energy...
- 4/10/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
On last week’s episode of Season 17 of “Top Chef,” Angelo Sosa was sent packing for his too-sweet tuna crudo in broth during the Jonathan Gold challenge. This week the Los Angeles-based edition of the Bravo reality show required the 13 remaining chefs to make dishes inspired by pieces of art at the Getty Center. Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the third episode of the season, “Strokes of Genius.”
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10:02 p.m. High-fives all-around for Kevin Gillespie as the winner of the elimination challenge at the cheftestants’ scenic Hollywood Hills digs. After beating cancer, the Season 6 finalist is glad he is able to continue his story on the show.
10:04 p.m. The chefs arrive in the kitchen where a smiling Padma Lakshmi greets them. “So far, you have been cooking for some of the biggest names in the business.
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10:02 p.m. High-fives all-around for Kevin Gillespie as the winner of the elimination challenge at the cheftestants’ scenic Hollywood Hills digs. After beating cancer, the Season 6 finalist is glad he is able to continue his story on the show.
10:04 p.m. The chefs arrive in the kitchen where a smiling Padma Lakshmi greets them. “So far, you have been cooking for some of the biggest names in the business.
- 4/3/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
After winning the first elimination challenge of the season, Gregory Gourdet rose to the top of our “Top Chef” odds according to the combined predictions of fans who place their bets every week here in our predictions center. But after the second episode, “The Jonathan Gold Standard,” the balance of power has shifted. See where our racetrack odds stand now.
Gourdet did just fine in “Gold Standard,” making halibut, turmeric and tomato broth that passed muster with the judges well enough for him to advance him safely to the next round, but Bryan Voltaggio made the judges’ top three with his short ribs with charred eggplant puree, fermented radish and butternut squash vinaigrette. After that impressive showing he has shot to the top of our predictions with odds of 10/3.
See‘Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen’: Who won the ‘Italian throw-down bro-down’ between Joe Sasto and Angelo Sosa? [Watch]
But Voltaggio...
Gourdet did just fine in “Gold Standard,” making halibut, turmeric and tomato broth that passed muster with the judges well enough for him to advance him safely to the next round, but Bryan Voltaggio made the judges’ top three with his short ribs with charred eggplant puree, fermented radish and butternut squash vinaigrette. After that impressive showing he has shot to the top of our predictions with odds of 10/3.
See‘Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen’: Who won the ‘Italian throw-down bro-down’ between Joe Sasto and Angelo Sosa? [Watch]
But Voltaggio...
- 4/3/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The current all-star edition of Bravo's Top Chef has tapped two very different stars for guest judge spots: Always Be My Maybe stars and writers Randall Park and Ali Wong.
Park and Wong will appear in this week's episode as guest judges during the quickfire challenge, which tasks the full cast of returning "cheftestants" (including former runners-up Bryan Voltaggio and Gregory Gourdet) with inventing their own spin on fried rice. The catch: Park and Wong have selected a wild assortment of ingredients for the chefs — see: peanut butter, frog legs and licorice — that they must use ...
Park and Wong will appear in this week's episode as guest judges during the quickfire challenge, which tasks the full cast of returning "cheftestants" (including former runners-up Bryan Voltaggio and Gregory Gourdet) with inventing their own spin on fried rice. The catch: Park and Wong have selected a wild assortment of ingredients for the chefs — see: peanut butter, frog legs and licorice — that they must use ...
When Atlanta-based restaurateur Kevin Gillespie, 37, competed on the sixth season of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” he ended up in third place. But he came in first in the hearts of viewers when he earned the title of Fan Favorite. No less than Wolfgang Puck declared him his favorite of all the “Top Chef” alums.
This time Kevin is even more determined to win. As he said in the second episode of season 17, which pits a line-up of returning All-Stars against one another, he has a very good reason why he was psyched for another chance to show off his culinary stuff. “It’s to prove to myself that I am not dying.” Kevin had surgery to remove a tumor from his kidney and spent a year fighting to recover. After overcoming such a serious health issue, this guy with a dry sense of humor clearly has a fire in his belly to succeed.
This time Kevin is even more determined to win. As he said in the second episode of season 17, which pits a line-up of returning All-Stars against one another, he has a very good reason why he was psyched for another chance to show off his culinary stuff. “It’s to prove to myself that I am not dying.” Kevin had surgery to remove a tumor from his kidney and spent a year fighting to recover. After overcoming such a serious health issue, this guy with a dry sense of humor clearly has a fire in his belly to succeed.
- 3/29/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Last week on the premiere of the 17th season of “Top Chef,” Joe Sasto was sent packing for his soggy open-fire flatbread. However, he will get a chance to get back into the game by competing with the next eliminated player in the web-only show “Last Chance Kitchen.”
This week, the Los Angeles-based edition of the Bravo reality series is inspired by beloved Los Angeles Times food critic Jonathan Gold, who died in 2018. The first food critic to ever win a Pulitzer was fond of small traditional immigrant eateries. Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the second episode of the season, “The Jonathan Gold Standard.”
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10:01 p.m. Host Padma Lakshmi tells the chefs, who are still on the same beach from the previous episode, that there will be no quickfire challenge this week. Why you ask? “You...
This week, the Los Angeles-based edition of the Bravo reality series is inspired by beloved Los Angeles Times food critic Jonathan Gold, who died in 2018. The first food critic to ever win a Pulitzer was fond of small traditional immigrant eateries. Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the second episode of the season, “The Jonathan Gold Standard.”
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10:01 p.m. Host Padma Lakshmi tells the chefs, who are still on the same beach from the previous episode, that there will be no quickfire challenge this week. Why you ask? “You...
- 3/27/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
“Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.” premiered on Thursday night, March 19, with 15 past cheftestants getting another chance to win the cooking competition that left them high and dry the last time they vied for the title. Gregory Gourdet won the first challenge, and now he’s the front-runner to win the title according to the combined predictions of fans who have made their forecasts here in our predictions center.
See‘Top Chef’ season 17 has a new after-show: ‘What Would Tom Do?’ [Watch Video]
The season premiere episode got off to a slow start for Gourdet, whose struggle with preparing artichokes and oranges during the Quickfire Challenge left him on the team with the least amount of time to complete their dish. His team ended up losing that challenge, but things turned around when he was chosen to compete on the yellow team with Jamie Lynch and Stephanie Cmar for the Elimination Challenge.
That task...
See‘Top Chef’ season 17 has a new after-show: ‘What Would Tom Do?’ [Watch Video]
The season premiere episode got off to a slow start for Gourdet, whose struggle with preparing artichokes and oranges during the Quickfire Challenge left him on the team with the least amount of time to complete their dish. His team ended up losing that challenge, but things turned around when he was chosen to compete on the yellow team with Jamie Lynch and Stephanie Cmar for the Elimination Challenge.
That task...
- 3/27/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
“Top Chef” is back for its 17th season, but unlike most years of the show which feature a brand new roster of chefs, this “All-Stars L.A.” season reintroduces 15 past contestants who just missed out on winning their seasons of the cooking competition. So which of them are you rooting for the most? Scroll down to vote in our poll at the bottom of this post.
See‘Top Chef’ returns to Bravo on March 19 — check out the 15 chefs competing in an All-Stars season [Gallery]
This is actually the fourth season appearing on the show for Jennifer Carroll. She first competed in season six, where she was eliminated in fourth place in the penultimate episode of the season. She returned for the show’s first all-star edition in season eight, but she was the second chef to go that time around. And in season 15 she showed up in “Last Chance Kitchen” where...
See‘Top Chef’ returns to Bravo on March 19 — check out the 15 chefs competing in an All-Stars season [Gallery]
This is actually the fourth season appearing on the show for Jennifer Carroll. She first competed in season six, where she was eliminated in fourth place in the penultimate episode of the season. She returned for the show’s first all-star edition in season eight, but she was the second chef to go that time around. And in season 15 she showed up in “Last Chance Kitchen” where...
- 3/20/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Guess what’s cooking? A new season of “Top Chef,” that’s what. Sadly, our reality right now is that restaurants and bars are closing down because of our health crisis. But the Bravo reality show is here to serve you with a 17th season filled with All Stars that takes place in the City of Angels. The producers picked a good time to hand out their largest winning jackpot ever in the history of the show — $250,000. These finalists, fan-favorites and front-runners definitely want to win these hunger games this time around on a supersized season opener. Read on for our minute-by-minute takes on the season premiere episode, “It’s Like They Never Left.”
10:01 p.m. In the premiere episode’s first moments, we get to hear Season 6’s Bryan Voltaggio saying, “Up until now I’ve always been the runner-up. Now it’s time to be the winner.
10:01 p.m. In the premiere episode’s first moments, we get to hear Season 6’s Bryan Voltaggio saying, “Up until now I’ve always been the runner-up. Now it’s time to be the winner.
- 3/20/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
In today’s TV news roundup, IFC has renewed “Year of the Rabbit” and Netflix released a trailer for “Altered Carbon” Season 2.
Casting
Nathalie Emmanuel has been cast in Quibi‘s upcoming series “Die Hart” with Kevin Hart and John Travolta. In it, Emmanuel plays a “tough-minded student” of Hart’s character. Hart plays a fictionalized character of himself who gets his wish of no longer wanting to be the comedic sidekick when a famous director offers him to his dream of being a leading man action star. However, Hart must first train at the world’s greatest action star school where he is pushed to his limits by the action school coach (Travolta). Production for this series is set to begin this February.
Bravo‘s “Top Chef” announced its Season 17 all-star chefs are Eric Adjepong, Karen Akunowicz, Jennifer Carroll, Stephanie Cmar, Lisa Fernandes, Kevin Gillespie, Gregory Gourdet, Melissa King,...
Casting
Nathalie Emmanuel has been cast in Quibi‘s upcoming series “Die Hart” with Kevin Hart and John Travolta. In it, Emmanuel plays a “tough-minded student” of Hart’s character. Hart plays a fictionalized character of himself who gets his wish of no longer wanting to be the comedic sidekick when a famous director offers him to his dream of being a leading man action star. However, Hart must first train at the world’s greatest action star school where he is pushed to his limits by the action school coach (Travolta). Production for this series is set to begin this February.
Bravo‘s “Top Chef” announced its Season 17 all-star chefs are Eric Adjepong, Karen Akunowicz, Jennifer Carroll, Stephanie Cmar, Lisa Fernandes, Kevin Gillespie, Gregory Gourdet, Melissa King,...
- 2/11/2020
- by Klaritza Rico
- Variety Film + TV
The new trailer for Top Chef All Stars L.A. has us salivating! Bravo just released a first look at the new season of their award-winning cooking competition series and we couldn't be happier to see all the familiar faces ready to compete at another chance to win the title of Top Chef. The all stars season brings back past contestants Jamie Lynch (season 14), Melissa King (season 12), Kevin Gillespie (season 6), Angelo Sosa (season 7 and the All Stars season 8), Nini Nguyen (season 16), Eric Adjepong (season 16), Jennifer Caroll, Bryan Voltaggio (season 6), Stepanie Cmar (season 11), Lee Anne Wong...
- 2/11/2020
- E! Online
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