Recap First Episode of Top Chef Vegas

Top Chef Vegas: Episode 1

August 20, 2009

Well folks, the moment we've all been waiting for has finally arrived! The latest season of Top Chef debuted last night. There were showgirls, bright lights, deep-fried steaks, lobster, and Wolfgang Puck. Did you watch? Let's discuss this exciting episode after the break.

As much as I love the first episode, I also hate it: All the contestants look alike, right?!
After watching Kelly Choi, I developed a newfound love for Padma. Anyone else feel the same way?
Um, might be my favorite line: "I cook because I love to cook, but I really cook because I love to eat, because I'm a fat kid. So, all I want to do is just have fat kid food."
Did Jennifer get sent home because she didn't unpack?
Are the brothers the obvious guys to beat? Who is hotter? Brian or Michael? (I think Brian.)
What part of the Quickfire was the hardest? I definitely thought it was the clams!
What vice would you base a dish on?
Was anyone else grossed out by Jen's humongous earrings?
How could Jen overcook chicken breast? I feel like making chicken breast is a basic skill one learns as a home cook!
Do the judges know about the brothers?
Were you surprised that Kevin won the first challenge or that Jen was sent home?

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23 Comments

DeviousMuse 3 years 38 weeks

Jen's pronunciation of "ceviche" the way it was is actually how it's pronounced in traditional French kitchens. Considering she has worked under Eric Ripert, a traditional French chef, it makes a lot of sense. So no lost culinary cred there.As for Jesse's chicken breast blunder - how many "home cooks" new that by cooking it via braise and removing it early would cause it to dry out? It's not an obvious correlation - and at least she recognized her mistake and owned up to it. I still think she has a lot of potential.

DeviousMuse 3 years 38 weeks

Jen's pronunciation of "ceviche" the way it was is actually how it's pronounced in traditional French kitchens. Considering she has worked under Eric Ripert, a traditional French chef, it makes a lot of sense. So no lost culinary cred there. As for Jesse's chicken breast blunder - how many "home cooks" new that by cooking it via braise and removing it early would cause it to dry out? It's not an obvious correlation - and at least she recognized her mistake and owned up to it. I still think she has a lot of potential.

chiefdishwasher 3 years 39 weeks

Looks like the TC sumo challenge.

Pallas Athena 3 years 39 weeks

1. As much as I love the first episode, I also hate it: All the contestants look alike, right?!They do! I like almost all of them, but they look really annoying. 2. After watching Kelly Choi, I developed a newfound love for Padma. Anyone else feel the same way?N/A. 3. Um, might be my favorite line: "I cook because I love to cook, but I really cook because I love to eat, because I'm a fat kid. So, all I want to do is just have fat kid food."LOL I loved it!! 4. Did Jennifer get sent home because she didn't unpack?I forgot about that! I wish she wasn't sent home and kinda mad she was, but I understand why. I don't think she was sent home b/c she didn't unpack though. 5. Are the brothers the obvious guys to beat? Who is hotter? Brian or Michael? (I think Brian.)They're both equally hot to me. I don't think they're the obvious guys to beat though. They are good. 6. What part of the Quickfire was the hardest? I definitely thought it was the clams!It definitely was! 7. What vice would you base a dish on?Mine would definitely be procrastination. 8. Was anyone else grossed out by Jen's humongous earrings?Eeeep! I was grossed out, but got used to eat. 9. How could Jen overcook chicken breast? I feel like making chicken breast is a basic skill one learns as a home cook!I think she was just nervous. 10. Do the judges know about the brothers?I don't know. 11. Were you surprised that Kevin won the first challenge or that Jen was sent home?I was surprised that Jen was sent home.

Pallas Athena 3 years 39 weeks

1. As much as I love the first episode, I also hate it: All the contestants look alike, right?! They do! I like almost all of them, but they look really annoying. 2. After watching Kelly Choi, I developed a newfound love for Padma. Anyone else feel the same way? N/A. 3. Um, might be my favorite line: "I cook because I love to cook, but I really cook because I love to eat, because I'm a fat kid. So, all I want to do is just have fat kid food." LOL I loved it!! 4. Did Jennifer get sent home because she didn't unpack? I forgot about that! I wish she wasn't sent home and kinda mad she was, but I understand why. I don't think she was sent home b/c she didn't unpack though. 5. Are the brothers the obvious guys to beat? Who is hotter? Brian or Michael? (I think Brian.) They're both equally hot to me. I don't think they're the obvious guys to beat though. They are good. 6. What part of the Quickfire was the hardest? I definitely thought it was the clams! It definitely was! 7. What vice would you base a dish on? Mine would definitely be procrastination. 8. Was anyone else grossed out by Jen's humongous earrings? Eeeep! I was grossed out, but got used to eat. 9. How could Jen overcook chicken breast? I feel like making chicken breast is a basic skill one learns as a home cook! I think she was just nervous. 10. Do the judges know about the brothers? I don't know. 11. Were you surprised that Kevin won the first challenge or that Jen was sent home? I was surprised that Jen was sent home.

rach1007 3 years 39 weeks

sorry, I just have to correct you- it's Jesse who made the chicken mistake. She's a friend, and although I lament the mistake she made, she at least should be credited with the right name!

PirateKitty 3 years 39 weeks

The Ceviche thing pissed me off too! And yes that girls plugs were so big, i kept picturing her baby just tugging away at them hahah

PirateKitty 3 years 39 weeks

The Ceviche thing pissed me off too! And yes that girls plugs were so big, i kept picturing her baby just tugging away at them hahah

leslievanhouten 3 years 39 weeks

How about Mike's rampant sexism? I hope Jennifer kicks his ass (she works for Eric Ripert...what does he do?)

kimretta 3 years 39 weeks

1. I kept saying, "Wait, who is <i>that</i>? I've never seen that person before!" So many people. 2. Yeah, Kelly Choi is probably responsible for me being on the Padma bandwagon. 3. I love that guy already. 5. I was getting a kick out of psychoanalyzing the brothers' relationship. They hate each other, right? 6. The clams for sure! And I can't believe that one team let someone with no experience do it (unless they all had no experience, I guess). 11. I was surprised, pleasantly, by Kevin. I think that was the dish I most wanted to eat.

kimretta 3 years 39 weeks

1. I kept saying, "Wait, who is that? I've never seen that person before!" So many people. 2. Yeah, Kelly Choi is probably responsible for me being on the Padma bandwagon. 3. I love that guy already. 5. I was getting a kick out of psychoanalyzing the brothers' relationship. They hate each other, right? 6. The clams for sure! And I can't believe that one team let someone with no experience do it (unless they all had no experience, I guess). 11. I was surprised, pleasantly, by Kevin. I think that was the dish I most wanted to eat.

AlexisSF 3 years 39 weeks

Kelly Choi is beyond irritating. how did she get that job when she doesn't eat???? did anyone else notice how she picked at the food on her plate when everyone else was devouring their food on the finale of TCM?

esanderc 3 years 39 weeks

I've completely fallen in love with Top Chef this summer through repeats, but this episode really disappointed me. I'm afraid that this season is going to be really gimmicky, and one thing that I liked about Top Chef was that it retained a certain level of credibility despite the sometimes outlandish challenges, but $15,000 chips?!!? That's not Top Chef! I was also hoping that they would take Las Vegas past the casinos and show a more complete vision of the city, but I guess there's more time for that this season. I hope it gets better though.

Leilanic1 3 years 39 weeks

1. As much as I love the first episode, I also hate it: All the contestants look alike, right?!Yes!2. After watching Kelly Choi, I developed a newfound love for Padma. Anyone else feel the same way?I like Padma, she too annoys me sometimes but she does have valid comments most of the time.3. Um, might be my favorite line: "I cook because I love to cook, but I really cook because I love to eat, because I'm a fat kid. So, all I want to do is just have fat kid food."I agree with Brandi in that I'd rather hear you cook because you like to eat rather than being an 'artist'4. Did Jennifer get sent home because she didn't unpack?She went home because that dish was horrible! Setan is an acquiered taste, most vegetarians i know don't like it! Why would you use that for your first cooking challenge?5. Are the brothers the obvious guys to beat? Who is hotter? Brian or Michael? (I think Brian.)Both are hot!6. What part of the Quickfire was the hardest? I definitely thought it was the clams!Yea the clams looked pretty hard and I kept wondering why they picked her to do them??? She had never shucked clams in her life and why didn't she tell her team that?7. What vice would you base a dish on?gluttony. i too love to cook because i love to eat. that's why i have to work out like a fiend!8. Was anyone else grossed out by Jen's humongous earrings?hated those. so distracting and unattractive.9. How could Jen overcook chicken breast? I feel like making chicken breast is the first skills one learns as a home cook!I don't think she lacked the skills but just didn't pay attention and recognized the error immediately.10. Do the judges know about the brothers?I don't know.11. Were you surprised that Kevin won the first challenge or that Jen was sent home?I thought the chick would win since wolfgang went on and on about her fish dish. and no i was not surprised jen was sent home. saw that coming as soon as she said she was cooking with setan.

Leilanic1 3 years 39 weeks

1. As much as I love the first episode, I also hate it: All the contestants look alike, right?! Yes! 2. After watching Kelly Choi, I developed a newfound love for Padma. Anyone else feel the same way? I like Padma, she too annoys me sometimes but she does have valid comments most of the time. 3. Um, might be my favorite line: "I cook because I love to cook, but I really cook because I love to eat, because I'm a fat kid. So, all I want to do is just have fat kid food." I agree with Brandi in that I'd rather hear you cook because you like to eat rather than being an 'artist' 4. Did Jennifer get sent home because she didn't unpack? She went home because that dish was horrible! Setan is an acquiered taste, most vegetarians i know don't like it! Why would you use that for your first cooking challenge? 5. Are the brothers the obvious guys to beat? Who is hotter? Brian or Michael? (I think Brian.) Both are hot! 6. What part of the Quickfire was the hardest? I definitely thought it was the clams! Yea the clams looked pretty hard and I kept wondering why they picked her to do them??? She had never shucked clams in her life and why didn't she tell her team that? 7. What vice would you base a dish on? gluttony. i too love to cook because i love to eat. that's why i have to work out like a fiend! 8. Was anyone else grossed out by Jen's humongous earrings? hated those. so distracting and unattractive. 9. How could Jen overcook chicken breast? I feel like making chicken breast is the first skills one learns as a home cook! I don't think she lacked the skills but just didn't pay attention and recognized the error immediately. 10. Do the judges know about the brothers? I don't know. 11. Were you surprised that Kevin won the first challenge or that Jen was sent home? I thought the chick would win since wolfgang went on and on about her fish dish. and no i was not surprised jen was sent home. saw that coming as soon as she said she was cooking with setan.

spacebear 3 years 39 weeks

1. Yes. Lots of tattoos, men who look like half of them could be brothers...i cant wait til they narrow it down a little.2. I kinda got used to Choi, but its good having gail, padma and tom back. speaking of which, where's the masters recap?3. I would agree: "I cook because I love to cook, but I really cook because I love to eat, because I'm a fat kid. So, all I want to do is just have fat kid food." 4. LOL! no but it seems like she was expecting it.5. I seriously dont remember anyones name except hector santiago.6. I agree - the clams looked difficult - i've never made them. 7. Napping. 8. YES. 9. I think a lot of the chefs aren't used to the time limits and misjudge their planning 10. i would assume they did know, but figure that in an episode later this season it will be "revealed"11. not really. that relleno looked terrible. i'm dont think i couldve looked at her ears all season long.

spacebear 3 years 39 weeks

1. Yes. Lots of tattoos, men who look like half of them could be brothers...i cant wait til they narrow it down a little. 2. I kinda got used to Choi, but its good having gail, padma and tom back. speaking of which, where's the masters recap? 3. I would agree: "I cook because I love to cook, but I really cook because I love to eat, because I'm a fat kid. So, all I want to do is just have fat kid food." 4. LOL! no but it seems like she was expecting it. 5. I seriously dont remember anyones name except hector santiago. 6. I agree - the clams looked difficult - i've never made them. 7. Napping. 8. YES. 9. I think a lot of the chefs aren't used to the time limits and misjudge their planning 10. i would assume they did know, but figure that in an episode later this season it will be "revealed" 11. not really. that relleno looked terrible. i'm dont think i couldve looked at her ears all season long.

Brandi13jrm 3 years 39 weeks

1. As much as I love the first episode, I also hate it: All the contestants look alike, right?! Yeah, I suppose they do. It always feel like there are way too many of them! 2. After watching Kelly Choi, I developed a newfound love for Padma. Anyone else feel the same way?Yes! Even though Padma sometimes annoys me, I've learned to appreciate and respect her opinions. 3. Um, might be my favorite line: "I cook because I love to cook, but I really cook because I love to eat, because I'm a fat kid. So, all I want to do is just have fat kid food."Ha! Yeah, I thought it was pretty funny... I'd rather hear that someone cooks because they like to eat as supposed to saying they are an artist or some crap like that. 4. Did Jennifer get sent home because she didn't unpack?She psyched herself out. She didn't perform well because she didn't think things through before making that massive, inedible dish. As for not unpacking, well she didn't because she didn't have enough faith in herself... so, maybe. 5. Are the brothers the obvious guys to beat? Who is hotter? Brian or Michael? (I think Brian.)No, not the obvious. I didn't pay attention to their "hotness", I could care less in the first episode. 6. What part of the Quickfire was the hardest? I definitely thought it was the clams!Well clams were obviously difficult for some, I thought the lobster would be a little hard simply because it has to be perfect. 7. What vice would you base a dish on?Probably temper or drinking. 8. Was anyone else grossed out by Jen's humongous earrings?No. Seriously? Not a big deal to me. 9. How could Jen overcook chicken breast? I feel like making chicken breast is the first skills one learns as a home cook!She knew exactly how she messed it up, so I don't think she lacks skill, she just made a mistake. 10. Do the judges know about the brothers?I don't know. 11. Were you surprised that Kevin won the first challenge or that Jen was sent home?No and No.

Brandi13jrm 3 years 39 weeks

1. As much as I love the first episode, I also hate it: All the contestants look alike, right?! Yeah, I suppose they do. It always feel like there are way too many of them! 2. After watching Kelly Choi, I developed a newfound love for Padma. Anyone else feel the same way? Yes! Even though Padma sometimes annoys me, I've learned to appreciate and respect her opinions. 3. Um, might be my favorite line: "I cook because I love to cook, but I really cook because I love to eat, because I'm a fat kid. So, all I want to do is just have fat kid food." Ha! Yeah, I thought it was pretty funny... I'd rather hear that someone cooks because they like to eat as supposed to saying they are an artist or some crap like that. 4. Did Jennifer get sent home because she didn't unpack? She psyched herself out. She didn't perform well because she didn't think things through before making that massive, inedible dish. As for not unpacking, well she didn't because she didn't have enough faith in herself... so, maybe. 5. Are the brothers the obvious guys to beat? Who is hotter? Brian or Michael? (I think Brian.) No, not the obvious. I didn't pay attention to their "hotness", I could care less in the first episode. 6. What part of the Quickfire was the hardest? I definitely thought it was the clams! Well clams were obviously difficult for some, I thought the lobster would be a little hard simply because it has to be perfect. 7. What vice would you base a dish on? Probably temper or drinking. 8. Was anyone else grossed out by Jen's humongous earrings? No. Seriously? Not a big deal to me. 9. How could Jen overcook chicken breast? I feel like making chicken breast is the first skills one learns as a home cook! She knew exactly how she messed it up, so I don't think she lacks skill, she just made a mistake. 10. Do the judges know about the brothers? I don't know. 11. Were you surprised that Kevin won the first challenge or that Jen was sent home? No and No.

ilanac13 3 years 39 weeks

1. they do and i can't figure out anyone yet - what they do where they are from...it's all about tattoo and being older this year. 2. i 100% agree. i really like padma a lot more 3. that's one of those that will go in the books with spikes phrases 4. i didn't even remember that - but it's kind of funny :) 5. i still can't tell them apart but then again i wasn't paying that much attention. i like their dynamic though - it makes for good tv 6. clams for sure - but why didn't the team help the poor girl? 7. hot tempered or being a control freak 8. YES YES YES YES YES . i hate those things 9. nerves. it's like asking how the masters could have forgotten to turn on a stove or put things in a freezer that didn't work 10. not sure - i'd think that you'd figure it out no? 11. i thought that the girl was going to win the first challenge based on wolfgang's loud expressions that she made the fish better than most places in vegas but i think that the winner was an ok 2nd choice. as for jen, i kind of saw that one coming.

ilanac13 3 years 39 weeks

3 years 39 weeks

Mike appears to be an arrogant ass, but he makes great food. I have been to the restaurant where he works many times, Zaytinya, and the food is awesome. I am not surprised given that his mentor is Jose Andres.

3 years 39 weeks

What irked me the most was Jen's(?) repeated mispronunciation of the word ceviche before/during/after her quickfire win. She kept saying "sehh-veech". Total loss of your culinary cred, you moron.

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