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.

Chopped Review

I wanted to like “Chopped,” I really did. It’s hosted by the intelligent and now ubiquitous Ted Allen and it involves food and competition, what else do you need? The idea behind “Chopped” is sound. Chefs compete using three to five ingredients to create dishes for a group of three judges. It is “reality” in the sense that you and I are more likely to cook for three than for three hundred as is the case with “Top Chef” or “Dinner Impossible.” But the premier of the show Tuesday night suffers from a glut of these kinds of programs. That’s not the fault of “Chopped” I know, but several times I had déjà vu while watching this show, seeing visions of Tom Collichio, and Padma(well, Padma, anyway, in my dreams.) What differentiates this new show from the pack? Nothing, or at least nothing substantial. Also, Ted Allen’s skills seemed wasted on the show. He’s better served as a judge on “Iron Chef” where his opinions can be savored rather than as a host explaining rules as he does on “Chopped.” Unfortunately, Allen can no longer fill in on the “Iron Chef” panel because of a rule regarding objectivity. Of course, it is only one show and they may still be trying to find their way. I’ll be rooting for it to work and hoping for an improvement. Until this happens, I’ll be glued to “Top Chef,” which remains the best show on TV.