I liked how respectful the chefs were in the judging area.

Tim Love was featured just recently on Bizarre Foods, he was a cool guy sad to see him go. That Mac and Cheese sure did look tasty.

Ive gone off Padme after i found some info on her and saw she was a pure gold digger (dating some billionaire 30 years older than her)

Sorry i don't respect that, makes her a hooker

shit she was married to salmon rushdie...thats disguting.

Did anyone else have an issue with Hubert actually sticking the shower head into the pasta? Using the water is fine I would imagine the shower head of any given dorm bathroom would be pretty nasty...

I'm really liking this so far. Reading about the changes in format and personnel, I was afraid this might end up being a second-rate spinoff along the lines of Celebrity Mole. Thankfully they managed to keep the core elements of the show intact, so this still feels like Top Chef and not some second-rate knockoff.

I think the critics will be more critical in future episodes, they seemed to be starstruck in this first episode.

yes, putting the shower head into the food was yucky.

Carpacchio and Ceviche are not cooking, I think it is a copout.

How little charisma or character does Tracht have? Seriously?

If it wasn't for Wylie and Bowles this ep would have been a snoozefest.

I was pulling for Wylie but he just didn't have it, this time. Bowles and one of the judges seemed to be in love with the guy, I think he rated his cooking technique rather than the substance of his food. Chicken and egg? Top Chef Master?

In any season with the regular joe type of contestant, Tracht would have been sent packing for her inability to plate and present food, that dish was all over the place with no clear idea of what she was serving. Bowles should have won this one.

I think the quickfire challenge should have more impact, it is half the show but only 20% of the score.

Kelly Choi may be a hell of a nice person but she has no presence, the show could present itself.

I loved Wylie's constant swearing and Bowles' admiration of him. Didn't care for Tracht's continuous mention of her kids. Get over yourself.

I didn't see the first episode. Did Roy Yamaguchi go already?

Alma de Cuba is awesome. Too bad there's only one Philly chef representing. Would've been nice to have seen Georges Perrier, José Garces or Chris Painter in there. Or Morimoto-san.

Yamaguchi hasn't had his appearance yet.
Bayless is next week, that should be entertaining.

Just finished watching this tonight.

I had a very small issue with the segment with the people from Lost. Why the hell didn't they put up a graphic to identify who the hell the people from Lost were?

I only recognized Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse because I've seen them from interview segment from the DVD's I own. I had no clue who the hell anyone else was.

I definitely agree about the Quickfire not being worth enough.

Although in both episodes so far, the winner of the quickfire has been the winner overall. Even if it's 20%, it does place them out front. Although maybe their win places them in the zone and then they rock the challenge.

The quickfire does definitely help, i think the scoring is fair, it gives the quickfire winner an advantage but the others can catch up if they are good enough

was bummed Wylie didn't win, next time i am in NYC, i will definitely visit his restaurant

I think all the chefs will gain extra business for their restaurants from this show

I'm digging this show because what I can learn from these awesome chefs, the interesting but fair judging, plus the whole Top Chef touches.

Last night's episode was cool, they made those inedible foods look appealing. I was surprised at the reaction from the crowd, they weren't squeamish in the least and you know the cameras were hoping for a few grossed out diners.

The judging still has their kid gloves on, I'm sure all of these chefs have had tough criticism in the past, quit patronizing them.

The judges do seem a little in awe of the Chefs.

I'm enjoying the season, but it's really getting me jazzed up for the next season of Top Chef.

Ludo seems like someone I would like. Good attitude, Bayless is just super bland to me, even as a guest judge I don't think he adds a lot.

Julienning the heart was an interesting way around the texture.

He's the Ned Flanders of the Masters. Looking forward to seeing Besh next week.

I just checked why is there no new show next week ?

The only explanation I can figure is that it's close enough to the July 4th holiday that they figure a lot of people will be out of town.

i like rick bayless, glad he won

I caught eps 2 and 3 today.

Having never really watched Top Chef, I liked the challenges and the scoring system.

I think I'll watch the rest of this season and maybe catch the next season.



Just an FYI, I bounced the list of contestants against a list of Iron Chef America contestants and found:

• Tim Love defeated Morimoto (Chilis, s4e9)
• Anita Lo defeated Batali (Mushrooms, s1e2)
• Michael Cimarusti defeated Morimoto (Blackfish, s6e14)
• Wylie Dufresne lost to Batali (Tilapia, s2e12)
• Graham Elliot Bowles lost to Flay (Chocolate, s4e1)
• Art Smith lost to Cora (Cheddar Cheese, s7e3)
• Rick Bayless lost to Flay (Buffalo, s1e9)

If you like this show, you will definitely love Top Chef. I'm so addicted to cooking competition shows because of Top Chef. BTW, Padma Laskhmi is a way better host than Kelly Choi. The only major difference is alot more contestants and there is no star scoring system (they rely alot more on the judges opinions)

You know I'm not too crazy about the critics on this show. The British guy is okay, but I don't like the other guy and for someone who is regarded as a hard ass food critic, Gael Greene seems quite lightweight to me.