'Top Chef' Season 5, Episode 1
All right, Top Chef junkies. Listen up. Your jonesin' days are over for the time being. Tom, Padma, Gail, and the rest of the resident and guest experts have been joined by 17 aspiring top toques in New York City. Based on tonight's first episode, it's going to be a doozy of a season. My favorite introductory quote came from Daniel, a twenty-something chef from Babylon, New York: "I was so unnoticed for the longest time."
You're 25, dude, how long could you have gone unnoticed?
What's interesting to me is how quickly casual viewers like me immediately find people to root for in the very first show. Jaime the tattooed lesbian chef from where else—San Francisco—I'm with you. It looks like you have cooking chops and soul. Eugene the tattooed Hawaiian who started as a dishwasher without any kind of culinary school training? You're the little chef who could. My God, what's going on here? I may have a bias in favor of chefs with tattoos. On the flip side, I already have a visceral dislike of the two patronizing European chefs, Stefan the Finn, and Fabio, the Italian dude from Florence.
The show is populated with archetypes galore: gay and tatooed lesbian chefs ("we are so gay"), snobbish Europeans ("you think a vinaigrette is an emulsion?"); and the seasoned journeyman cooks, Carla, the African American woman from Chicago in her forties (there are just too many names to remember in the first few episodes) and Ariane, the 41-year-old woman with two noninfant children who owns a restaurant with her husband in Montclair, New Jersey.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.
There were no elimination surprises in the first show. Hey, it's the first show, how could we be shocked by the results when we have only seen these cooks in action for an hour or less? Patrick, the 20 year-old CIA student, went home. No surprise. His Chinese-inspired dish looked and tasted terrible. Why did he pick black rice noodles to cook with when he didn't know anything about them. He went home because of bad judgment AND questionable skills.
After one episode I can already see why Top Chef is the gold standard for skills-based reality competitions. We are watching a real competition with hyper-competent, really credible judges, and talented, motivated contestants. I don't watch all that many of these shows (the drama and tension are just a little manufactured for my taste), but after watching this first episode of Top Chef I must tell you I'm hooked already. There goes my Wednesday nights for the foreseeable future.
One more thing before I go. Stefan, don't get too cocky. This show is more like braised pot roast rather than seared tuna. And Ariane, you may have survived this week, but I have a feeling you'll be back in Montclair with your husband and children before too long. I would like to see you stick around for awhile, but based on the first show and the coming attractions, it doesn't look good.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
39 Comments:
Hey Top Chef Producers...
That 1st Elimination Challenge - BIG TIME lame.
Why bring all those people there but only have X number of spots? Sure, someone is always first to go, but this way, just plain stupid. Big time.
suburbangourmet at 12:29AM on 11/13/08
Me too, Ed. Hooked. Not all of my first impressions have to do with cooking. I was terribly disappointed that Richard is gay. But then, he started to look a little like nude Richard from that first Survivor reality show and I got over it. I got a kick out of Daniel's and Ariane's accents. Carla - wow - can you flit and run and say cuckoo, cuckoo to your zen spirits? Soon to depart IMO: Jeff, Melissa, Carla, Ariane, Jill. Not sure yet about Alex, Hosea, Fabio, Danny & Richard.
Strong potential (at least from first impression) Stefan (but obnoxious), Gene (love the underdog with talent), Leah, Jamie and Radhika might have staying power.
Yup, I'm definitely hooked.
PerkyMac at 12:43AM on 11/13/08
Totally disagree suburbangourmet. I loved the Quickfire elim., and I love that real skills were what kept you in the game.
memphish at 7:38AM on 11/13/08
The funny thing is that I had written something about the apple challenge being lame, but then I took it out of the post. Didn't it seem kind of arbitrary (not to mention unnecessary) to have the extra person in the mix? All it did was add fifteen minutes to the show.The first challenge reminded me of the play-in game in the NCAA Division I basketball tournament, in which two teams who probably don't belong in the tournament play each other for the right to play one of the top-seeded teams (and get blown out).
Ed Levine at 7:51AM on 11/13/08
It is way too early for me to pick a favorite. But I did find myself yelling at the television (Stefan) over the vinaigrette comment. I am just thrilled Top chef is back on!
izatryt at 7:58AM on 11/13/08
Yeah, I think the apple challenge was lame. It didn't seem that anyone had a problem doing the task either- it would have been a little more entertaining had it been something with a challenging aspect to it.
ErikaWaz at 8:00AM on 11/13/08
I didn't mind the apple challenge. It's not like they didn't have 3 chances to save themselves. I'm sorry, but if I've learned anything in watching this show it's that you never make a salad. As soon as they showed the foreshadowing clip of her (Lauren) saying something to the tune of,"I am not going to go home because of apples." I knew she was a goner.
My question is: Why in the heck are they wasting a spot on someone who is still in culinary school? This person is clearly not going to win the competition. Why not give the spot to someone who is a legitimate contender?
They had to pack a lot of stuff into last night's episode, so I can't say that I was really able to pick out any favorites to win (besides the Stefan), but I think I like this cast better than last season's.
dineomite at 8:59AM on 11/13/08
@ dineomite I'm so glad someone else thought the salads were a bad idea! Seriously, guys? Coming out of the gates, this is your first dish on Top Chef, and you choose to make a SALAD? Lame. I wanted Patrick to do well, to prove that a young gun can make it in this show, but I think he was a disappointment all around.
Also, Carla? That spirit guide comment threw you way down to the bottom of my list. It saddens me, because I want the hometown girl to do well!
orangeobsession at 9:30AM on 11/13/08
"Didn't it seem kind of arbitrary (not to mention unnecessary) to have the extra person in the mix?"
Not at all: it was there to demonstrate to viewers and contestants that anything can happen. What we took to be "the way things always work" is not set in stone. It ratcheted up the tension from the get-go, and the multi-step process allowed it to narrow down to a manageable number of contestants to watch, while still making the final part of the challenge a perfectly reasonable *cooking* challenge. The skills part only *prevented* you from getting eliminated, the losers there still had the opportunity to redeem themselves by cooking. I thought it was entertaining. I mean, hell, the whole show is just a way to "take up time"!
Chris_Hennes at 9:35AM on 11/13/08
Carla is from DC.
synaesthesia.dc at 9:36AM on 11/13/08
never underestimate the dishwasher that has worked his way to the top. just look at harold from season one. the line cook worked his way to TOPCHEF.
supersu75 at 10:00AM on 11/13/08
You know, I really think Carla and Patrick's cooking school (CIA?) has got to be cringing. They were classmates and they were the first 2 to go.
I am saying for the record that I'm totally on Team Hawaii. I don't know whether I'm just being swayed by Eugene's beautiful tattooage, or that he's a home boy and I will never tire of that beautiful, super slight accent, or that I'm being led, as I have been in other seasons, to pick the winner no later than ep 2. We'll see.
chisai at 10:09AM on 11/13/08
I knew Patrick was a goner as soon as he walked into the grocery store and said (paraphrasing): "We have a whole course about Asian cooking at my school."
sarag22 at 10:34AM on 11/13/08
I'm also on board with the dishwasher - he's super genuine and will probably give the Europeans a run. It's good to be aware of how the producers are already manipulating us for and against certain people - damn, it's working!
cookingbroke at 10:41AM on 11/13/08
I'm cheering for Eugene, too--for now. True colors don't tend to come out until a few episodes in.
I'm also baffled as to why they such green cooks in. I knew when the quickfire dealt with speed challenges--the kind of speed you can only build after years of repetition--that the two culinary students would be in the bottom. And when they made salads, in my head, I heard Tom from a few seasons ago talking about how making a salad isn't cooking, and this is a cooking competition. No tears over Lauren or Patrick, but I'm bummed for more seasoned chefs who could've brought more to the show.
OneWallKitchen at 10:51AM on 11/13/08
I was really pleased to see Lauren and Patrick go, and yes, I too found it ironic that they were classmates at a culinary school. Oh well.
I actually didn't mind the apple challenge, and I also yelled in disbelief, "seriously, a salad???" at both Patrick and Lauren (can you see a pattern here?) But I did think it was slightly brutal to kick somebody out before they even started.
I was so impressed by Eugene - not having a clue about Indian cuisine and whipping up a classic Indian dish like this? Sure shows an incredible talent. I find myself rooting for him already, even though it's still too early.
About 10-15 minutes into the epi, I said to my OH, "now I remember why I love this show so much!" Yep, definitely hooked.
brooke29 at 10:59AM on 11/13/08
rats! i just moved to a new place with no cable. the kitchen is great....but i am going to very much miss Padma and crew. Keep with the updates to get me by! thanks Ed :)
in dubious batter at 11:04AM on 11/13/08
No fauxhawks this season?!
Erin Zimmer at 11:09AM on 11/13/08
Ever so much better than those Food TV shows I've been blogging.
I caught the last three eps of Top Chef last season and now I'm planning on watching the whole series. But why does Padma keep hitting those pin-up poses whenever the camera is on her? At least on Food TV all the cheesecake is in the baking competition!
annien at 11:30AM on 11/13/08
Oh, and I like Jeff from the Ritz-Carlton Miami. I just like Ritz-Carlton stuff. And what's up with Danny's beard/sideburns combo? Some pretty strange things have come out of Long Island (like me and my brother) but this facial fungus beats all.
annien at 11:32AM on 11/13/08
@ Erin Zimmer I think tattoos are this season's fauxhawks.
gwong at 11:51AM on 11/13/08
I loved this opener---while a bit dramatic to eliminate someone before they even see the kitchen, in Lauren's case it was perhaps, a blessing in disguise. As for Patrick, sweet and seemingly well liked as he was, he just didn't have the cooking chops---all the while talking about his "passion for food"...yet not being passionate--in other words, taking the easy road in the first elimination challenge shows that the judge's made the right decision. Two telling moments for me last night--Patrick's comment about the black rice noodles, you never cook something you haven't even explored with elimination on the line. Also, Eugene--didn't know a thing about Indian food and what did he do when he got the store--he tasted and then said--Thanks I think I recreate that....That is why I like Eugene!
Can't wait to see how this season progresses!
jsd517 at 1:26PM on 11/13/08
Things we have learned over the years from Top Chef:
1. don't make salads (spinach with balsamic? boring)
2. don't make drinks or little shots of drinks (hasn't happened, probably will)
3. Try at a little presentation (Jeffrey this week with his slop plate, Fabio's must have been pretty bad to lose to that; also the "punk" guy from last year, pretty much everything he made was just ladled all over the plate)
A few observations:
-what's the deal with all the lamb chops? I think half the field made lamb. I'm not sure what kind of options the cooks have, but it seems to always be scalops, pork tendo, LAMB, and maybe beef or fish. What about all the other wonderful meats/cuts? If anyone could cook these they would have a huge advantage.
-Also I was fairly amused with the chef who lucked out and scored Little Italy not named Leah. She walks into the Italian market saying something like "I have no experience with Italian food." REALLY? NONE? How is that even possible??? Something to ponder going forward.
Predictions:
-Winner: Hosea
-Runner up: Stefan
-Crowd fave: Gene. Loved it when Padma proclaimed: "you just made one of the most authentic...." Good stuff there.
-Darkhorse: the mom from jersey. GO MOM FROM JERSEY! (no idea why she is the darkhorse but, hey it is week #1.
mr_chorizo at 2:27PM on 11/13/08
@ Erin and gwong - I LOL-ed; I totally notice this type of thing too haha
I'm down in Canada and I noticed that the US aired the FNS before Canada--but I believe Top Chef runs on the same schedule (the first episode was on last night at 9ish I think)
I'm itchin' for the next 'sode too!!!
hungrychristel at 2:53PM on 11/13/08
Every time I see someone make a salad when told they can use the ingredients (I'm obviously disregarding the Quickfire where they were explicitly told to make a salad), I'm reminded of what Colicchio said in the Season 2 finale.
"He didn't cook anything!" when commenting on Sam's poke dish
I might have the quote wrong but the spirit is there. Why would you make a salad that doesn't display any of the talents and expertise that Colicchio would be looking for in that situation?
gwong at 4:30PM on 11/13/08
Why Lamb Chops? Easy answer, it's fast, and has to be rested (built in fudge factor time).
You won't get proteins that are slow or tricky in these competitions.
I'm sure it's also because it's considered the "premium" cut.
Did anyone notice the pork loin chops in the apple competition were cooked medium rare?! Is that the only way to make the hyper lean modern pork edible?
peekpoke at 6:56PM on 11/13/08
I thought Gene Cheated.... at first.
I'm not sure why I thought this but when Gene was shopping for ingredients and he was at the counter asking what the rice dish or some grain was, I thought it was a pre-made dish and then that was the dish that Padma loved. I wasn't looking for a cheater but I really thought that's what happened and that any minute they were going to drop a Top Chef bomb on ep. 1.
Then Stefan thinks it would be great for someone other than an American to win. I think I am still recovering from the 2 year long election or something, because Stefan's comment bothered me a tad.
I hope Jersey isn't defeated by her own insecurity and lack of confidence because I heard some wonderful things about her restaurant.
JacquelineS at 10:10PM on 11/13/08
@hungrychristel: Actually, it's "up" in Canada. :P
When I saw that there were two Europeans - although they both reside in the U.S. now - I realized (to my recollection) that I've never seen a Canadian competitor. Also, I'm surprised there's been no Top Chef Canada yet. I'd love to see a Top Chef Canada with the first season filmed on the east or west coast. Imagine cooking with fresh ingredients in a coastal city.
CanadianFoodieGirl at 10:35AM on 11/14/08
I'm still living on the high from last season (Stephanie was my top chef from the start) but I haven't really seen anyone this season stand out. Stefan sure looks like he'll go far but I really can't stand the big ego. I guess I prefer the more humble chefs over the arrogant ones.
Btw, what did Ariane say about a book at Judges' table? I just saw Tom's reaction and figured it wasn't good. Also, did anyone think Alex looked like Manuel in the opening sequence?
tina_eats at 1:02PM on 11/14/08
"You know, I really think Carla and Patrick's cooking school (CIA?) has got to be cringing. They were classmates and they were the first 2 to go."
I've worked with a lot of CIA grads, and all I can say is: give me someone who's learned how to cook in a real kitchen over a culinary school grad any day. Especially these days. The majority (with rare exception) are a bunch of self-entitled lazy f**ks who think that just because they've gone to the CIA, they've earned some kind of respect in the kitchen.
You earn respect by doing the job, not holding a degree!
kenjialtci at 1:49PM on 11/14/08
I love Top Chef and am so happy it is back for another season! How can you be 25 and passed over for so long?! That was a little ridiculous. I liked the quickfire elimination. These are basic skills and I can't believe tow of them made salads!!! Especially Laura's salad sounded pretty lame, I could have made it in 5 minutes. I was really impressed with Eugene and I like the fact that he worked his way up from being a dishwasher. My dark horse pick is Jill because i have eaten at her restaurant and the food is innovative and delicious. I just want Karla to go home cause she is driving me crazy!!!
mswender at 2:05PM on 11/14/08
I like Gene!
I don't really think he will win but I think he will be interesting to watch and will go far.
I am really watching Stephan and Jeff.
Most of the women drive me CRAZY!!
Ariane should have been booted. She had a lame excuse as to why she wanted to stay and she has been in the biz for over 25 years.
I also can't stand Radhika and Carla. Don't know why but they just bug me!
The one thing about Stephan that bothered me was the comment about how a Europeon should win this time. "HELLO???" Go start your own show back home.....
Hunnyoil at 3:22PM on 11/14/08
APPLE CHALLENGE!!
BIG APPLE people!
GET IT???
New York???
Hunnyoil at 3:23PM on 11/14/08
DH and I giggled all night about our spirit guides.
katarina_santiago at 7:58AM on 11/15/08
I don't think I can listen to Stefan all season.
Also, Danny annoys me. He may be a great chef, but......
Gene is my fave so far, I hope he does well.
renee59 at 10:25PM on 11/15/08
Has anyone noticed that Padma must have had some media training/diction lessons since last season? She now sounds like she has a few less marbles in her mouth.
spicegirl at 9:55AM on 11/17/08
Tis the season of bald heads.
tsullie at 12:19PM on 11/17/08
I think the commercials were edited to make it look like Ariane is going home but you should know Bravo by now...they're much trickier than that!
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 2:39PM on 11/17/08
Here in Sydney, Australia we are still in episode 4, last night they cooked for the wedding and Dale had a hissy fit Gee we really are way behind - you lucky bastards I will have to probably have to wait tll 2009 to see season 5 on Cable over here half your luck Yankees
krystyna at 9:48AM on 11/18/08