Top Chef Masters?

[SnuggleBuggles]

Has anyone been watching this show? I saw part of the first episode and am catching up on more now. I like the concept of it and I love Top Chef!

Beth

[Neatfreak]

I am on the fence - haven't watched an episode yet. I think that I'd miss Padma and Tom!

[SnuggleBuggles]

I do miss them some but I love the past cast members coming back and critiquing some times. :)

Beth

[Neatfreak]

They do? That sounds like fun. Especially if Hung comes back!

[SnuggleBuggles]

The "Lost Supper" episode had the vending machine challenge and contestants from the season where they had to do that came back to judge. :)

Beth

[fivi2]

I'm not loving it. I watched the first epi and tried to watch the second but gave up. I haven't really enjoyed it - not sure why because I love regular Top Chef. The chefs just aren't much fun to watch. (imo)

[Momof3Labs]

Like it but don't love it. It is a bit of a blast from the past as we see past contestants and judges, but some of the pros are - um - lacking in personality?

[boolady]

I am a huge regular Top Chef fan, and I hadn't watched any of the Masters episodes until last night when I saw the one from 9-10 and the new episode. It's fine...it's not the original (how could it be without Tom? ;)), but I thought it was better than nothing. I could have done without Mr. Obnoxious French Guy in the newest episode, though.

[wencit]

I like it. I enjoy watching professional chefs work and seeing their creativity (Hubert Keller in the shower, for example). What I'm particularly enjoying is the professionalism that these chefs display. At Judges Table, there's no throwing anyone under the bus or making lame excuses or pointing fingers; the chefs own up to their work and stand behind their dishes (at least, they have so far). They also seem to have a true respect for and camaraderie with each other. Of course, they're also not trying to win a huge prize and make a name for themselves, so it's a little bit of a different situation from regular Top Chef, but I'm sick and tired of watching the petty and childish "drama" bits (i.e. Marcel vs Ilan/Sam/Elia, Hosea vs Stefan). It's refreshing to see top chefs actually act like top chefs!

[neeter]

I think its really fun to watch the professional chefs, especially to see them run around! But I agree some really are lacking in personality (I'm thinking of the woman who won last week). I think the host is awful too - I miss Padma. So its a good summer filler but not better than the real Top Chef!!

[BeccaB.]

I agree with PPs. It's not the same without Tom and Padma. And the French dude was beyond annoying. I still think it's fun to see chefs who are suppose to be the best have problems doing what the Chefs on Top Chef do for weeks.

[Momof3Labs]

And the French dude was beyond annoying.

At least he lost!! He would have been more annoying had he won!

[lil_acorn]

I really enjoyed week 1 - the chefs were having so much fun and it was great to see the mutual respect & comraderie. But the last two weeks chefs have been pretty boring. And the french guy was so annoying -I was happy he lost! Good filler for the summer.

[boolady]

At least he lost!! He would have been more annoying had he won!

I just couldn't get over his willingness to show his blatant lack of respect for folks far more experienced than him...yeah, dude, Rick Bayless "copied" you by doing tacos when you did quesadillas. Um, okay. I am (perhaps naively) always amazed by people who put their enormous egos out there on television for everyone to see like that and never think that it might turn people off.

[MommyofAmaya]

I just couldn't get over his willingness to show his blatant lack of respect for folks far more experienced than him...yeah, dude, Rick Bayless "copied" you by doing tacos when you did quesadillas. Um, okay. I am (perhaps naively) always amazed by people who put their enormous egos out there on television for everyone to see like that and never think that it might turn people off.

I almost believe that they coached him to say that.... he couldn't really be serious.. could he? ugh. DH and I love Rick Bayless... but were really surprised to hear him pronounce "guacamole" without the silent "g" after all that time spent in Mexico. :ROTFLMAO: Though, I'm guessing this might not be funny for those of you farther away from the border (we are in TX).

[mommyp]

I'm a big Top Chef fan also, last night was the first Master's show we caught as well (we just moved and finally got cable and internet last night! Whooo!) I didn't like it as well as regular Top Chef, but it was fun. I miss Padma and Tom too.

[amldaley]

I am enjoying it, but I am not obsessed with it as I am Top Chef. I have an upgrade on my satellite package soley to get Bravo for Top Chef.

I do not like the hostess (Padma replacement). She is neither charismatic nor (seemingly) in to food.

This series will be short lived, not like Top Chef...I think it will only be a few episodes long.

I did enjoy seeing chef's who are normally cocky as guests on the show now under the gun and the mistakes they make.