Top Chef 2025

[gfweb]

First episode last night. Set in Toronto.  Nothing novel, but that's good. Its nice to have it back.

[FauxPas]

On 3/14/2025 at 7:53 AM, gfweb said:

First episode last night. Set in Toronto.  Nothing novel, but that's good. Its nice to have it back.

 

It always seems to be a week behind here, but I'm looking forward to watching it next Thursday. 🙂

 

[gfweb]

I always marvel at how the cheftestants repeat the failures of prior years.  And they do it where a risky move is pointless.

[FauxPas]

On 3/15/2025 at 11:35 AM, gfweb said:

I always marvel at how the cheftestants repeat the failures of prior years.

 

Risotto, hahahahahahaha!   😄

 

Whew, ok the Canadian clichés were definitely there. Glad they didn't push that theme any further. 

 

The foods assigned to each of the regions (even the number and arrangement of the regions) was limited. Oh well, I guess there's only so much they can introduce in the first show. They certainly didn't show much of Toronto. And I guess that's just the first stop in this season? 

 

My problem is that we already have Top Chef Canada and I  think it's a pretty well done show and seems much more sophisticated and nuanced when it comes to Canadian food and regions. So unless they step up their game, I'm going to be a bit disappointed. But I've only seen one episode so I hope they surprise me! 

 

I also watched the first episodes of Last Chance Kitchen and The Dish with Kish, both of which I enjoy as much as the Top Chef episodes themselves. 

 

I'd like to know how they pick the seemingly random surprise additions on LCK. 

I got a little tired of hearing what good friends Kristen and Brooke are, but it was still nice to see Brooke and I liked the dish she picked to make! 

 

Overall, I'm really happy to watch another season and I just hope they show off Canada's diverse culinary and regional delights! 

 

 

 

 

[Shel_B]

The novelty of this type of show has worn off.  I'm more interested in straight cooking shows in which the host presents a recipe, or a series of similar recipes, and goes into the details of ingredient choice and technique.  Something I can rewind and watch several times,  and learn from. A video accompanied by a written recipe and a host explaining everything works for me.

[FauxPas]

 

I think this article in GQ summed up some of my feelings about the first few episodes. Definitely felt disappointed in how little of the country they were showing. 

 

And although the more recent episodes have been a bit better, they only touched on the incredible diversity of Toronto. And by the way, why are we calling this season Destination: Canada when it's really Destination: Tiny Bits of Toronto? 😆

 

I am confused. Top Chef Canada knows how to do this so well. Still hoping for more improvement in this season!

 

Still really enjoying Last Chance Kitchen and Dish with Kish though. 

[MaryIsobel]

On 3/21/2025 at 11:39 PM, Shel_B said:

The novelty of this type of show has worn off.  I'm more interested in straight cooking shows in which the host presents a recipe, or a series of similar recipes, and goes into the details of ingredient choice and technique.  Something I can rewind and watch several times,  and learn from. A video accompanied by a written recipe and a host explaining everything works for me.

Me too. I miss Julia and Jaque and even Ina. I'm very over things like Grocery Store Games or Worst Cook in America. I love the Great Britsh Bakeoff and programs of that ilk,

[FauxPas]

15 minutes ago, MaryIsobel said:

Me too. I miss Julia and Jaque and even Ina. I'm very over things like Grocery Store Games or Worst Cook in America. I love the Great Britsh Bakeoff and programs of that ilk,

 

I have never watched the two shows you mentioned being 'over', except for maybe 2 mins of that Grocery Store horror.  🙂

(I think the Canadian Wall of Chefs is not a bad show, though. )

 

Do you ever watch Top Chef or Top Chef Canada? I would never put them in the same category as those other shows. There is absolutely no comparison. There's a reason that Top Chef has stuck around for 20 years, it's hardly a novelty show. And Top Chef Canada is usually almost as good, occasionally better. It's been around for 11 seasons. 

 

I can appreciate a detailed recipe and cooking instructions at times, but I love seeing how up-and-coming chefs are working with food and all their creativity and how quickly they can pivot. 

 

[MaryIsobel]

I have and do watch Top Chef and also Chopped - I too like seeing what the younger, up and coming chefs have to offer. I didn't ever watch an entire episode of Grocery Games or those type of shows - the commercials are enough to turn me off!

[FauxPas]

10 minutes ago, MaryIsobel said:

I have and do watch Top Chef

 

Do you watch Top Chef Canada? 

 

I see Top Chef (US or Canada or the other international shows) as more than just a cooking competition. It's absolutely about diversity and inclusion and about exploration of food cultures. We're a beautiful mix of things in this country and I love exploring it through food! 

 

 

 

Quote

 

Determination and conflict — it’s a bold recipe for success.  

Internationally renowned chef Chanthy Yen, who was born, raised, and trained in Windsor [Canada], is the newly crowned Season 11 winner of Top Chef Canada. 

His coveted victory on the high-stakes reality TV competition is the latest success in an already illustrious career, from cooking at Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain to serving as the Prime Minister’s personal chef. 

“It’s very difficult to follow your passion,” Yen, 36, told the Star.

“When you do follow it, sometimes if you’re not causing friction then you’re not making any movements in your life."

 

https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/cooking-causing-friction-windsor-born-chanthy-yen-on-fire-after-top-chef-canada-win