Top Chef

:

Season 1
  • Network: Bravo
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 8, 2006
Season #: 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 56
  3. Negative: 14 out of 56
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User Reviews

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  1. MovieBunny
    Jul 27, 2012
    7
    This show is a good idea and not all the drama from other cooking shows where editing will change the context of a entire situation. No long pauses for no reason, no jump cuts in the middle of a conversation, and quick eliminations and no gimmicks. Here is my major problem with the show. Product placement. Every couple of seconds they are showing the label of a item straight to the cameraThis show is a good idea and not all the drama from other cooking shows where editing will change the context of a entire situation. No long pauses for no reason, no jump cuts in the middle of a conversation, and quick eliminations and no gimmicks. Here is my major problem with the show. Product placement. Every couple of seconds they are showing the label of a item straight to the camera or whenever they go for a drive or being drove somewhere, they always mention the year and model of the car. Sometimes even to the point that I think they are going into a full blown commercial. It takes away from the show. If they did not focus so much on who their sponsor is, I would of liked it more.… Expand
  2. aaronpaul121
    May 25, 2012
    2
    A very poor start to an inconsistent series of cooking competitions with weird critiques, high drama and a lot of cooking talent......................
  3. GaylordFriend
    Apr 13, 2008
    0
    What a miserable and worthless pile of garbage. I walked into the room while my 10 and 12 year old children were watching this pathetic excuse for a tv show and had to listen to some ridiculous want to be using vulgar language because he is too stupid to express his thoughts with real words. without having my kids not watch tv at all, which is probably the best idea at this point, how do What a miserable and worthless pile of garbage. I walked into the room while my 10 and 12 year old children were watching this pathetic excuse for a tv show and had to listen to some ridiculous want to be using vulgar language because he is too stupid to express his thoughts with real words. without having my kids not watch tv at all, which is probably the best idea at this point, how do I best filter this crap?… Expand
  4. sallym
    Oct 4, 2007
    9
    GIVE US MORE! Love the concept,competitors, judges, majority of challenges. Would like to see expansion of creative situational challenges.Judging is done with integrity but my heart wanted mohawk to win last night. When can we expect the next round? Tom C is the perfect anchor judge !!!
  5. MariaO.
    Jun 28, 2007
    10
    when will season 3 start cooking. you keep repeating just 2 meals one of them is the quick fire.
  6. lauras
    Feb 11, 2007
    10
    I really enjoyed watching Top chef. I would wait for every Wednesday to watch it. Will you have a new season. Please say yes
  7. MichaelC
    Feb 10, 2007
    8
    Marcel got gipped.
  8. akaw
    Jan 31, 2007
    2
    Bleah. Only saw two eps, and that's enough. The judges suck and the chefs are screwed over and/or raked through the coals. Plenty of things in Real Life where decisions and competence-under-pressure are important, but food should be *enjoyable* and this ain't it. Oh, and Iron Chef is cool.
  9. sumitb
    Jan 24, 2007
    0
    judges suck.Marcel sucks
  10. ednap
    Jan 14, 2007
    9
    I watch this show every week and usually repeat at least once. Find myself wanting to defend Marcel and I picked him as the dark horse this season. Can't wait for this weeks show.
  11. TerryB
    Jan 8, 2007
    9
    Tired of seeing Marcel used as a whipping boy by the "I'm so talented thugs". Glad that big mouthed Betty is finally off. Maybe things can get professional now.
  12. kareng
    Jan 4, 2007
    8
    love the show. My whole family enjoys top chef
  13. StephanieL
    Jan 4, 2007
    10
    I love this show. Although there are participants that make the show almost tedious to watch, it is addictive. Food is a passion of mine, and I am enjoying this show as it is part of my weekly viewing line up! I love it!
  14. DougF
    Nov 11, 2006
    10
    Entertaining for those like myself that thouroughly enjoy cooking and expieramenting with food flavors and friends, the show is a far cry from all of the way to serious programs and world news tha seemes to blast the small screen all other times of the day! I faithfuly watched rhe first season not skipping a minute of the programming. We are a few episodes in to season 2, and I cant for Entertaining for those like myself that thouroughly enjoy cooking and expieramenting with food flavors and friends, the show is a far cry from all of the way to serious programs and world news tha seemes to blast the small screen all other times of the day! I faithfuly watched rhe first season not skipping a minute of the programming. We are a few episodes in to season 2, and I cant for next Wednesdays airing.… Expand
  15. SandyD
    Oct 25, 2006
    10
    I really enjoy watching this show very much.
  16. JoniV
    May 22, 2006
    10
    I Loved the show!! My favorite had to be Harold. Don't forget Steven though. Although he was a no it all, he was really kinda sexy... If Ever in Louisina.... :) I cant wait for the next show...
  17. BonifaceB
    May 17, 2006
    10
    Great show loved it cant wait to see more next season.
  18. ValerieS
    May 11, 2006
    10
    I Love this show. To me it's one of the best shows on bravo. I hope they continue with more seasons!
  19. d
    Apr 28, 2006
    8
    i didn't like the show for the first few airings and i am not a regular realtiy show viewer. but for the contestants i would not have continued watching. the judges are useless and provide no insight into their decisions.. they think steven is arrogant and pompos.. well they need to look inward.... wont watch the next series if the same judges are controlling the program.
  20. EdwardS
    Apr 25, 2006
    0
    There isn't one contestant left who is in any way bearable. After Andrea left, that was it. Their egos transcend their skills. There is no camaraderie, no cooperation. All back-stabbing and criticizing and bad-mouthing. I watched The Next Food Network Star on Food Network and those people were fun, had a great time together, cared about each other, helped each other. I hated to see There isn't one contestant left who is in any way bearable. After Andrea left, that was it. Their egos transcend their skills. There is no camaraderie, no cooperation. All back-stabbing and criticizing and bad-mouthing. I watched The Next Food Network Star on Food Network and those people were fun, had a great time together, cared about each other, helped each other. I hated to see any of them leave. In Top Chef, I want them all to pack their knives and go home. The worst are Tiffani, Steven, and Harold but the others are close seconds.… Expand
  21. PaulE
    Apr 22, 2006
    1
    I loved Project Runway because it was really fun. The only time anyone on this show looks like they are having a good time is if they've been asked to leave--then they relax and look visibly relieved. Most of the contestants seem annoyed by the contest and each other, the judges have no sense of humor and the host, whatshername, has no discernable personality. Most of her lines are I loved Project Runway because it was really fun. The only time anyone on this show looks like they are having a good time is if they've been asked to leave--then they relax and look visibly relieved. Most of the contestants seem annoyed by the contest and each other, the judges have no sense of humor and the host, whatshername, has no discernable personality. Most of her lines are obviously recorded later and layered over a hackneyed editing style. Project Runway was so much better. This is pretty unwatchable. So we've stopped watching.… Expand
  22. FrankP
    Apr 21, 2006
    2
    You need to get some talent, very little knowledge of real foods. It seems like they are painting not cooking food. What about an Italian flare, something you find on most menus. This show does nothing for a true professional. I do not see any love of food on this show. Work on talent and personality.
  23. ElizabethE
    Apr 18, 2006
    10
    This show is intelligent and funny; people have issues with the snobbery of the chefs, but that's their world. Get over it, we don't all idolize Chey Boyardee.
  24. chuyc
    Apr 6, 2006
    4
    i think this show sucks. i agree with one of the other reviewers that all of the chefs seem egotistical and arrogant. they fucking suck. i've watched a coupla shows already but can't stomach another round. ugh my concern is that in TV land there seems to be this subculture building up about food that it should be this artsy-fartsy thing and everything has to be precious and for i think this show sucks. i agree with one of the other reviewers that all of the chefs seem egotistical and arrogant. they fucking suck. i've watched a coupla shows already but can't stomach another round. ugh my concern is that in TV land there seems to be this subculture building up about food that it should be this artsy-fartsy thing and everything has to be precious and for the elite only. i watch food network a lot and it seems that for the most part the cooks on the show really want to teach people how to cook decent tasting food but there are a few wankers on that show that pose this celebrity cheff crap -- bobby flay, that fat italian guy who has to tell stories about his food everytime he cooks -- pretentious and annoying which is exactly like the losers on this stupid top chef's show.… Expand
  25. JayW.
    Mar 29, 2006
    10
    The show itself is great. I enjoy watching it. The best part that I enjoyed watching tho was the hostess Katie. She is a piece of pie!
  26. ShamiaH
    Mar 22, 2006
    5
    I agree that this is no Project Runway! While watching Top Chef I noticed the Tim Gunn character is named Tom...Tom is no Tim! He was pompusin the first episode and hardly guides the chefs....Also I saw in the commercials a montage with Heidi....all I could think of was ahhhh I REALLY miss project runway!
  27. theresaz
    Mar 22, 2006
    2
    Do people that prepare food for a living real feel they are entitiled to this much ego? What have these people done to rate this much arrogance? They are not even at the top in their own fields! and their fields are something that is very pleasurable, but not something that is going to change the world. Why do they thing they rate? I was hoping to see some creative people competition Do people that prepare food for a living real feel they are entitiled to this much ego? What have these people done to rate this much arrogance? They are not even at the top in their own fields! and their fields are something that is very pleasurable, but not something that is going to change the world. Why do they thing they rate? I was hoping to see some creative people competition brought the best ideas out in, disappointed in the ideas and the attitudes.… Expand
  28. chefjeffd
    Mar 20, 2006
    5
    i feel they should have based there choices on skills and knowledge rather than personality,any one who works in foodservice is a charecter in my book.The organic stir fry from episode 1 was quite possibly the most terrible looking dish i have ever seen on t.v.why ken was sent home first rather than her is very puzzling,tasting with your finger especially when on a line where the patrons i feel they should have based there choices on skills and knowledge rather than personality,any one who works in foodservice is a charecter in my book.The organic stir fry from episode 1 was quite possibly the most terrible looking dish i have ever seen on t.v.why ken was sent home first rather than her is very puzzling,tasting with your finger especially when on a line where the patrons can see you is uncalled for but if sauce was out of the temp danger zone whats the big deal,weve all done it when in a rush.the attitudes from the sommeliar and red head our terrible,very very arrogant.If they had the skills to back it up it would be o.k.when the sommeliar admitted to putting out a fruit dish that he hadn't even tasted showed me what type of chef he is.You never let something leave the kitchen if you dont know what it tastes like! all in all i find the show quite entertaining especially episode 2.And i dont understand why a show about chefs is being compared to a show about clothing designers?… Expand
  29. ange'sw
    Mar 19, 2006
    10
    I hate Steven on the Top Chef he is a popis idiot
  30. MaryL
    Mar 17, 2006
    1
    This show is NOT Project Runway quality at all! The host is LAME--stiff and boring.
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Charlie McCollum
    70
    The series has a familiar format, but the opening episode suggests it may have some real spark to it.
    Read full review
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    40
    "Top Chef," though it appears to have a stable of good talent in the kitchen, so far doesn't really have much else going for it in the way of personalities.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Paul Brownfield
    70
    "Top Chef" seems like a no-brainer, an extension both of the interactivity of TV cooking and the art-and-craft side of reality shows, in which people are actually making things as opposed to just asses of themselves.
    Read full review
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