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“Top Chef: Portland” has picked its finalists. No spoilers, but the final twist will no doubt leave audiences pining to try the cheftestant’s remaining dishes. But until some genius/messiah perfects the instant food replicator from “Star Trek,” foodie fans of the series have to settle for eating with their eyes only. Or do they?
While you won’t be able to taste the menus that the top chefs prepare to try to take the title on July 1, your finale viewing experience doesn’t have to be all salivating and no satisfaction. Why not spice up your life and order a meal (or dessert) made or created by a former “Top Chef...
“Top Chef: Portland” has picked its finalists. No spoilers, but the final twist will no doubt leave audiences pining to try the cheftestant’s remaining dishes. But until some genius/messiah perfects the instant food replicator from “Star Trek,” foodie fans of the series have to settle for eating with their eyes only. Or do they?
While you won’t be able to taste the menus that the top chefs prepare to try to take the title on July 1, your finale viewing experience doesn’t have to be all salivating and no satisfaction. Why not spice up your life and order a meal (or dessert) made or created by a former “Top Chef...
- 6/25/2021
- by Carrie Bell
- Variety Film + TV
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
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.” 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
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
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
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
We can debate all we want about how this “Top Chef” All-Stars season with returning players has panned out, but enough about Brian Malarkey and his odd desire to buy extra ingredients he doesn’t use, Stephanie Cmar‘s lack of confidence, Lee Anne Wong‘s potty mouth and how Kevin Gillespie‘s stubborn need to make 12 dishes during Restaurant Wars, which was a disaster.
Let’s talk about the real stars of Bravo’s long-running, Emmy-winning reality cooking show that has been around since 2005. Their names? Head judge and restaurateur Tom Colicchio, former model and Indian-born cookbook author Padma Lakshmi and Canadian food writer Gail Simmons. All three know their way around a kitchen and possess finely honed taste buds. But their approaches to their critiques and the way they comport themselves on the show are quite different.
See Here’s how to vote for your ‘Top Chef’ Fan...
Let’s talk about the real stars of Bravo’s long-running, Emmy-winning reality cooking show that has been around since 2005. Their names? Head judge and restaurateur Tom Colicchio, former model and Indian-born cookbook author Padma Lakshmi and Canadian food writer Gail Simmons. All three know their way around a kitchen and possess finely honed taste buds. But their approaches to their critiques and the way they comport themselves on the show are quite different.
See Here’s how to vote for your ‘Top Chef’ Fan...
- 6/11/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- 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.
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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.
- 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
‘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
“I think I need to start making some better life choices,” said Karen Akunowicz, eliminated for the second time from “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.” She fought her way back into the competition on “Last Chance Kitchen” once before, but was she able to do it again against Kevin Gillespie? This was the finale of “Last Chance Kitchen,” so which one of them earned their right to return to the main competition next week? Or perhaps did neither of them get back in? Watch part one of the final “Lck” showdown above, and scroll down for part two.
Akunowicz was eliminated in “Colossal Coliseum Kaiseki.” The challenge was a meticulously detail-oriented Japanese meal, so her uneven slicing of her duck and her improvised roasting technique were enough to get her sent out. But head judge Tom Colicchio liked the jasmine tea flavor Akunowicz infused into her meal. So her redemptive battle...
Akunowicz was eliminated in “Colossal Coliseum Kaiseki.” The challenge was a meticulously detail-oriented Japanese meal, so her uneven slicing of her duck and her improvised roasting technique were enough to get her sent out. But head judge Tom Colicchio liked the jasmine tea flavor Akunowicz infused into her meal. So her redemptive battle...
- 5/22/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- 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
It has been a rough season for Stephanie Cmar on “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.” She has had a couple of bright spots, but she has been at the bottom more often than not. So will her luck finally run out tonight in episode 10, “Colossal Coliseum Kaiseki”? Alas, we think it might.
Cmar gets leading odds of 59/20 of packing her knives and going, according to the combined predictions of “Top Chef” fans who place their bets every week here in our predictions center. And it’s easy to see why. She has been at the bottom in four elimination challenges this season so far: “The Jonathan Gold Standard,” “Strokes of Genius,” “Bring Your Loved One to Work” and “Pitch Perfect.” And in another challenge, “You’re So Fresh,” she was on the losing team but luckily didn’t have one of the judges’ bottom dishes.
See‘Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen...
Cmar gets leading odds of 59/20 of packing her knives and going, according to the combined predictions of “Top Chef” fans who place their bets every week here in our predictions center. And it’s easy to see why. She has been at the bottom in four elimination challenges this season so far: “The Jonathan Gold Standard,” “Strokes of Genius,” “Bring Your Loved One to Work” and “Pitch Perfect.” And in another challenge, “You’re So Fresh,” she was on the losing team but luckily didn’t have one of the judges’ bottom dishes.
See‘Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen...
- 5/21/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
“I’m here for my family, for our future. It’s not over yet. This is my last chance to get back in the game and get in the running for $250,000,” said Lee Anne Wong as she entered “Top Chef’s” “Last Chance Kitchen” after being eliminated in “Cabin Fever.” But to get back into the main competition, she had to get past Kevin Gillespie. Wong herself admitted, “Kevin is probably one of the fiercest competitors in this competition. This is not going to be easy.” Watch their head-to-head battle above.
Wong was eliminated for a brunch buffet challenge. Her clafoutis was a disaster because she accidentally steamed it instead of baking it. And doughnut came out dense and stale. Her downfall was ironic since she owns a brunch restaurant and her dishes were great ideas on paper. So Tom Colicchio gave her another chance at a proper breakfast. The...
Wong was eliminated for a brunch buffet challenge. Her clafoutis was a disaster because she accidentally steamed it instead of baking it. And doughnut came out dense and stale. Her downfall was ironic since she owns a brunch restaurant and her dishes were great ideas on paper. So Tom Colicchio gave her another chance at a proper breakfast. The...
- 5/15/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
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
“Restaurant Wars” ended in an upset last week on “Top Chef.” The team led by Gregory Gourdet was full of underdogs who have frequently landed at the bottom with the judges: Lee Anne Wong, Stephanie Cmar and Brian Malarkey. But they nevertheless won that pivotal challenge. But does that mean it’ll be smooth sailing ffor them tonight in episode nine of the cooking competition? Not according to the “Top Chef” fans who have placed their bets here in our predictions center.
See‘Top Chef’ 17 spoilers: Who had to pack their knives and go on ‘All Stars L.A.’?
As of this writing they’re still the three chefs most likely to be eliminated from the competition. Wong leads with 17/5 odds of packing her knives and going, followed by Cmar with 19/5 odds and Malarkey with 6/1 odds. That’s because you can never rest on your laurels on “Top Chef,” and...
See‘Top Chef’ 17 spoilers: Who had to pack their knives and go on ‘All Stars L.A.’?
As of this writing they’re still the three chefs most likely to be eliminated from the competition. Wong leads with 17/5 odds of packing her knives and going, followed by Cmar with 19/5 odds and Malarkey with 6/1 odds. That’s because you can never rest on your laurels on “Top Chef,” and...
- 5/14/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Kevin Gillespie had won six challenges on “Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.” — three quickfires, three elimination challenges — before his elimination in “Restaurant Wars.” He threw himself on his sword as the executive chef of the losing team, but that doesn’t mean he’s done fighting. He showed up in “Last Chance Kitchen” to face off against Nini Nguyen. Watch their battle above.
See‘Top Chef’ recap: It’s a real food fight as the 8 All-Stars are drafted for ‘Restaurant Wars’
“This is going to be a tough one,” said Nguyen when she saw who she was up against. “If you’ve ever seen Kevin cook, he is a machine.” She wasn’t backing down, though. “I’m here to win,” she insisted. Then the two chefs heard the challenge from Tom Colicchio: because Gillespie was eliminated for his chaotic tribute to his grandmother’s home cooking, he and Nguyen...
See‘Top Chef’ recap: It’s a real food fight as the 8 All-Stars are drafted for ‘Restaurant Wars’
“This is going to be a tough one,” said Nguyen when she saw who she was up against. “If you’ve ever seen Kevin cook, he is a machine.” She wasn’t backing down, though. “I’m here to win,” she insisted. Then the two chefs heard the challenge from Tom Colicchio: because Gillespie was eliminated for his chaotic tribute to his grandmother’s home cooking, he and Nguyen...
- 5/8/2020
- 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
On nearly every TV reality competition show, there is one contestant who is a bit of an annoyance and not exactly a team player. On the current All-Star season of “Top Chef” that includes finalists, fan favorites and front-runners from past seasons who never won, there is an air of professionalism and camaraderie shared among the players — save for one.
Season 3 fourth-place finisher Brian Malarkey. The San Diego resident has done well for himself, opening 15 restaurants across the country. He also is a celebrity chef, one who appears on “Today” and “Good Morning America” regularly and is in demand as a judge on a variety of Food Network shows.
However, since the Season 17 premiere of “Top Chef” when Brian pushed aside Joe Sasto — who was supposed to be the captain of their three-person team with Lee Anne Wong — and started calling the shots when it came to the menu for an elimination challenge,...
Season 3 fourth-place finisher Brian Malarkey. The San Diego resident has done well for himself, opening 15 restaurants across the country. He also is a celebrity chef, one who appears on “Today” and “Good Morning America” regularly and is in demand as a judge on a variety of Food Network shows.
However, since the Season 17 premiere of “Top Chef” when Brian pushed aside Joe Sasto — who was supposed to be the captain of their three-person team with Lee Anne Wong — and started calling the shots when it came to the menu for an elimination challenge,...
- 4/23/2020
- 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
Don’t you love it when reality show celebrities pop up on another TV talent contest? If so, you will want to see what happens when “American Idol” winner and coach for “The Voice” Kelly Clarkson puts in an appearance in the “Top Chef” kitchen and mingles with the 12 remaining All-Star contestants this season. She is currently promoting her animated film “Trolls World Tour,” which is going straight to video-on-demand on April 10 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In the preview clip above, host Padma Lakshmi introduces Clarkson as a guest judge for the main challenge round. The chefs are delighted about the news. “I’m Kelly Clarkson, nice to meet you,” although clearly everyone already knows there is musical greatness in their midst. As a thrilled Karen Akunowicz says, “She’s amazing!” However, there is less enthusiasm in the room when Padma reveals that their menus for the challenge must be vegetarian.
In the preview clip above, host Padma Lakshmi introduces Clarkson as a guest judge for the main challenge round. The chefs are delighted about the news. “I’m Kelly Clarkson, nice to meet you,” although clearly everyone already knows there is musical greatness in their midst. As a thrilled Karen Akunowicz says, “She’s amazing!” However, there is less enthusiasm in the room when Padma reveals that their menus for the challenge must be vegetarian.
- 4/9/2020
- 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
On the second episode of the All-Star edition of “Top Chef,” three All-Stars committed culinary sins of varying degrees that landed them on the bottom of the 14 remaining contestants.
For a challenge in honor of the late Los Angeles food critic Jonathan Gold, Stephanie Cmar made what host Padma Lakshmi called an “Indian taco,” which she claimed “didn’t taste like anything” and later said the dish was missing “tart flavors.” Guest judge Ruth Reichl offers that the addition of chutney would’ve “woken it up.” Eric Adjepong, who missed out on buying the last duck after Lisa Fernandes grabbed it at Whole Foods, instead paired his scallops with forlorn-looking and soggy red cabbage. Judge Gail Simmons said Eric’s plate wasn’t cohesive.
See‘Top Chef’ preview: Laughter and fine art are on the menu along with ‘a Michelin star dish’ [Watch Video]
Meanwhile, Angelo Sosa couldn’t find annatto seed to make his Thai curry,...
For a challenge in honor of the late Los Angeles food critic Jonathan Gold, Stephanie Cmar made what host Padma Lakshmi called an “Indian taco,” which she claimed “didn’t taste like anything” and later said the dish was missing “tart flavors.” Guest judge Ruth Reichl offers that the addition of chutney would’ve “woken it up.” Eric Adjepong, who missed out on buying the last duck after Lisa Fernandes grabbed it at Whole Foods, instead paired his scallops with forlorn-looking and soggy red cabbage. Judge Gail Simmons said Eric’s plate wasn’t cohesive.
See‘Top Chef’ preview: Laughter and fine art are on the menu along with ‘a Michelin star dish’ [Watch Video]
Meanwhile, Angelo Sosa couldn’t find annatto seed to make his Thai curry,...
- 4/1/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
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” 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
Top Chef is back! Bravo's beloved culinary competition finally returns for season 17 on Thursday, March 19 and not only is the show returning to Los Angeles, but it's also bringing back a bunch of familiar faces in the process. For the first time since season eight, the show will be devoting itself to an all-stars format, with all 15 former contestants returning in the hopes of pulling off what they fell just short of in prior seasons. In the mix are Eric Adjepong (season 16), Karen Akunowicz (season 13), Jennfier Carroll, Stephanie Cmar (seasons 10 and 11), Lisa Fernandes (season 4), Kevin Gillespie (season 6), Gregory Gourdet (season 12), Melissa King (season 12), Jamie Lynch (season...
- 3/19/2020
- E! Online
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
Those who have been starving for some hot cooking competition action, your wish has been granted. Bravo’s ‘Top Chef” returns for a 17th season on March 19 with a supersized premiere that airs at 10 p.m. Et next year. If that doesn’t whet your whistle, maybe the thought of 15 finalists, front runners and fan favorite cheftestants plucked from seasons past will.
This All-Star edition, which will take place in Los Angeles, will once again feature host Padma Lakshmi, head judge Tom Colicchio and judge Gail Simmons, who sat out last season after having a baby. Here is the line-up of familiar culinary faces:
• Eric Adjepong (Season 16: Kentucky)
• Karen Akunowicz (Season 13: California)
• Jennifer Carroll
• Stephanie Cmar (Season 11: New Orleans)
• Lisa Fernandes (Season 4: Chicago)
• Kevin Gillespie (Season 6: Las Vegas)
• Gregory Gourdet (Season 12: Boston)
• Melissa King (Season 12: Boston)
• Jamie Lynch (Season 14: Charleston)
• Brian Malarkey...
This All-Star edition, which will take place in Los Angeles, will once again feature host Padma Lakshmi, head judge Tom Colicchio and judge Gail Simmons, who sat out last season after having a baby. Here is the line-up of familiar culinary faces:
• Eric Adjepong (Season 16: Kentucky)
• Karen Akunowicz (Season 13: California)
• Jennifer Carroll
• Stephanie Cmar (Season 11: New Orleans)
• Lisa Fernandes (Season 4: Chicago)
• Kevin Gillespie (Season 6: Las Vegas)
• Gregory Gourdet (Season 12: Boston)
• Melissa King (Season 12: Boston)
• Jamie Lynch (Season 14: Charleston)
• Brian Malarkey...
- 12/16/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
It’s almost hard to imagine that Top Chef is still on the air but even in its twelfth season, it’s as delicious as ever. The Bravo series, which has taken the chefs (and viewers) from New York to New Orleans, is now calling Boston home as it puts a new group of contestants to the test in what looks to be the series’ toughest season yet. Gail Simmons, who has served as a judge since the show premiered in 2006, is still amazed by the enormity of what the franchise become. “If you would have told me then that I would still be making the show and still be in this role, I would never have believed you,” Simmons says. “We’re still making great food television and eating really delicious food.”
In an interview with VH1, Simmons opens up about dishing out harsher critiques, welcoming former contestant Richard Blais to the judges’ table,...
In an interview with VH1, Simmons opens up about dishing out harsher critiques, welcoming former contestant Richard Blais to the judges’ table,...
- 10/22/2014
- by Stacy Lambe
- VH1.com
It’s almost hard to imagine that Top Chef is still on the air but even in its twelfth season, it’s as delicious as ever. The Bravo series, which has taken the chefs (and viewers) from New York to New Orleans, is now calling Boston home as it puts a new group of contestants to the test in what looks to be the series’ toughest season yet. Gail Simmons, who has served as a judge since the show premiered in 2006, is still amazed by the enormity of what the franchise become. “If you would have told me then that I would still be making the show and still be in this role, I would never have believed you,” Simmons says. “We’re still making great food television and eating really delicious food.”
In an interview with VH1, Simmons opens up about dishing out harsher critiques, welcoming former contestant Richard Blais to the judges’ table,...
In an interview with VH1, Simmons opens up about dishing out harsher critiques, welcoming former contestant Richard Blais to the judges’ table,...
- 10/22/2014
- by Stacy Lambe
- TheFabLife - Movies
The biggest question going into the finale of "Top Chef Duels," besides who would win, was how exactly the show would go from 10 chefs to one in a single episode. The answer: very quickly. "Top Chef Duels" has been the best "Top Chef" spin-off in part because it was friendly but tough competition between talented people, but also because each episode only had two contestants who served just five plates of food each. It was, for a show that has a countdown clock, very thoughtful and deliberate but never boring. Everything from the pacing to the slow-motion footage highlighted their technique and food. By comparison, the finale felt like fast food, quick and empty. At the end of that super-fast, chaotic hour, only one chef remained standing: Chris "Cj" Jacobsen, who never made it to the finals on either of his previous two "Top Chef" appearances, won the $100,000. Tiffani Faison,...
- 10/9/2014
- by Andy Denhart
- Hitfix
Hi, guys! Welcome to my very first Top Chef All-Stars blog!*
All too often, a fan favorite or a person who we know is really excellent doesn’t win. So I think Bravo thought, “Let’s bring back all those people—who we’re constantly being asked about, who are on our radar, who we know our audience loves—to compete against each other.” This season, there’s nothing separating the best from the weakest.
I have nothing to do with the casting process, but when All-Stars was announced, people were writing and tweeting me about Kevin Gillespie and Brian...
All too often, a fan favorite or a person who we know is really excellent doesn’t win. So I think Bravo thought, “Let’s bring back all those people—who we’re constantly being asked about, who are on our radar, who we know our audience loves—to compete against each other.” This season, there’s nothing separating the best from the weakest.
I have nothing to do with the casting process, but when All-Stars was announced, people were writing and tweeting me about Kevin Gillespie and Brian...
- 12/2/2010
- by Gail Simmons
- EW.com - PopWatch
"Top Chef" has already launched two spin-off shows, books, a line of cutlery, and more. Now, the hit Bravo show is allowing fans to learn how to cook like a "Top Chef" by attending culinary school, without ever leaving their homes.
Top Chef University is a new online culinary academy which teaches everything from basic knife skills to more advanced culinary trends. The online culinary school features content from the show's "chef'testants" across 200 lessons in 12 courses.
With over 60 hours of comprehensive material, lessons include "Basics and Technique," "Desserts," and "Entertaining, Molecular, Advanced Culinary Skills," which will likely include a cameo from Richard Blais of "Top Chef" Season 4.
Other memorable names and faces from the past seasons of "Top Chef" include winner Stepanie Izard of "Top Chef: Chicago," Spike Mendelsohn of "Top Chef: Chicago," Kevin Gillespie of "Top Chef: Las Vegas," and Carla Hall of "Top Chef: New York.
Top Chef University is a new online culinary academy which teaches everything from basic knife skills to more advanced culinary trends. The online culinary school features content from the show's "chef'testants" across 200 lessons in 12 courses.
With over 60 hours of comprehensive material, lessons include "Basics and Technique," "Desserts," and "Entertaining, Molecular, Advanced Culinary Skills," which will likely include a cameo from Richard Blais of "Top Chef" Season 4.
Other memorable names and faces from the past seasons of "Top Chef" include winner Stepanie Izard of "Top Chef: Chicago," Spike Mendelsohn of "Top Chef: Chicago," Kevin Gillespie of "Top Chef: Las Vegas," and Carla Hall of "Top Chef: New York.
- 5/18/2010
- icelebz.com
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