Why You Like Top Chef

You needn’t feel guilty about loving the best show on television. Top Chef is everything most reality shows aren’t: a celebration of the truly talented (I’m even talking to you, American Idol). Top chefs have to not only make a great dish, which is hard enough, but have to make it look startlingly good and artistic, sort of like an edible Monet. Some viewers have been suggesting that the current crop of chefs are inferior to those from previous seasons. Hogwash. This unchecked nostalgia overlooks the obvious skills of Stefan, Fabio, and Jamie, three crack artists who can stand up to anyone from the past. Jeff, who was voted off last night, and Hosea are underrated, but Leah and Karla are pretty uneven.
I must admit, the behind the scenes infighting is half the fun. When a hundred grand is on the line, you want to see some teeth and claws. If you watched this week’s episode of Food Network’s “Chopped” you realize how superior Top Chef is. It’s not enough to have people cook against each other. You need to see a carving knife, cold and sharp, plunge into that pink flesh. And I’m not talking turkey thighs.