Top Chef

Although early seasons are more focused on the drama and competitiveness, I can still appreciate it for what it is. When you think of it as a reality show first, those early seasons are pretty good. As the show evolves, it becomes more of a cooking show and less of a reality show and I can appreciate that as well. The food always looks so good and its fun seeing how contestants find their way around wacky challenges and restrictions. If you hate reality tv, skip the first half of the franchise. Otherwise, this is a great franchise!

I would be fine with this Portland season if they didn't have previous contestants judging. They are strutting around like they own the place and act like they are desperately trying to score a full time judging job in the next season. I understand the pandemic had to change things. But this is ridiculous. It's clear that they don't know how to judge properly. You can't compare to the seasoned judges.

This show is just so much fun! You can root for your favorites and rag on the ones you don't like. I have found that my favorites change as the show moves on, but there are some I simply did not like, right from the start. The first few episodes were kind of "getting to know the players" episodes. Then I chose Elan as the most likely to win. He just seemed to be the most professional of the bunch. Now, mid-season, I have changed my favorite three or four times. Now I'm torn between Elan, Cliff, and Sam. Then again, I think Marcel has real pizazz! He also has real potential as a celebrity chef. But who knows where it will go. Each week, I await the next episode eagerly. And not just incidentally, they cook some pretty amazing stuff. I really can't wait till this comes out on DVD.

Or cooking. It is ALL about product placement. Hey, let's step into the kenmore pro kitchen and gather all the calphalon equipment which is, of course, prominently displayed. This has the opposite affect on me. I would NEVER buy anything so unabashedly hawked.

And I don't understand why the so called hosts in season one and two are so monotone and awkward. Their delivery is incredibly lame and boring, no personality at all. They are a mess.

Add the insanely frenetic editing, which never focuses on anything for more than a millisecond, and it all adds up to nothing more than a shameful display of product placement.

Season 15 brings up Parma dressing herself in the most inappropriate clothing for a cooking show. Her dresses are so revealing that she might as well not be wearing anything at all. It is garishly inappropriate.

It is very entertaining and gives me tips for dinner !! Howerver, I think the contestants in Season two ( except Elia, Sam and Marcel ) are really, really unpleasant ! Especially Betty ! She is really behaving ugly