Image Credit: Rob Kim/Retna LtdI know that Top Chef: Masters is currently airing on Bravo, but, in my opinion, it just doesn’t compare to the original. (I’d much rather see someone who could actually benefit from winning the competition than someone who has already established him or herself in the food world.) For those of you who have been conducting your own quickfire challenges each morning to make up for the lack of Top Chef, the wait will soon be over: Top Chef: Washington D.C. premieres on June 16!
Accomplished chef Eric Ripert will be joining Padma, Gail, and recent James Beard Award-winner Tom Colicchio at the judges’ table for seventh season. No stranger to the nation’s capital, Ripert got his start in the States at Jean Louis at the Watergate Hotel, before moving on to Le Bernardin in New York City (where he would become a mentor to season six finalist Jen “bitch in the kitchen” Carroll). A frequent guest judge, Ripert is a more than deserving choice, but I have to say I’ll miss Toby Young’s snark when eating something particularly repugnant.
According to Bravo, season seven “captures the varied tastes of Washington D.C.” and will feature appearances by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Aaron Schock, Senator Mark Warner, MSNBC host Joe Scarborough, and Buzz Aldrin (who is certainly having a great 2010!). While these are all D.C.-centric people, are you excited about seeing them be on the show? Part of the fun of Top Chef is meeting critically acclaimed food gods (few of whom I actually recognize) and watching as the cheftestants geek out over seeing them in the flesh…and then freak out over having to cook for them. At the same time, a little star power doesn’t hurt (remember Natalie Portman’s dinner party last season?), but will Nancy Pelosi really be that big of a draw for audiences? And what do politicians like to eat anyway?
Challenges are said to include trips to the Washington Nationals stadium (those poor cheftestants) and the CIA headquarters. Among the 17 cheftestants, who range from 24- to 51-years-old, two have followed in Ripert’s footsteps with stints at Jean Louis at the Watergate, while one teaches at the Culinary Institute of America. (I wonder how she’ll take criticism?) Based on these short bios, my early pick for fan favorite (or least favorite?) is Kevin Sbraga, the self-proclaimed “Barack Obama of the cooking game.” (Nice tie-in to the show’s location.)
What do you think PopWatchers? Can you contain your excitement for the season premiere? Have you been casually dropping in terms like “amuse-bouche” ever since Michael Voltaggio was crowned the season six champ?
Ripert’s a great addition. I will not miss Toby Young.
Here here. Toby added nothing but eye rolling to both the viewers and the judges table. Love Eric Ripert!
You mean “hear, hear.”
He was always trying WAY too hard to get a quip. They rarely, if ever, landed.
Pipert is an A+ replacement for the unqualified and obnoxious Young. Good riddance.
good, i hope this means Toby Young never comes back. I for one will not miss him. He always had these unauthentic, prepared comments that seemed so forced and unnecessary. He tried too hard to be the Simon Cowell of judging cooking. I look forward to the new season!
Maybe Toby can go be Simon Cowell now in Idol.
Awesome choice. I’ve always liked his appearances on the show. But Emily, you’re the ONLY Top Chef fan who will miss Toby Young. Good riddance to him.
Top Chef Masters is “okay” but I miss the true “Top Chef” and glad its returning in a few weeks. Ripert will be a good addition.
Looking forward to it. I am not as excited about the politician guests as someone like Natalie Portman but I guess it makes sense since it is in Washington, D.C. I’d watch it no matter what though since I’m into the show.
agree. one politician is interesting so many is going to start to get annoying.
I still miss Ted Allen. But anyone’s gotta be better than Toby.
Do you ever watch him host ‘Chopped’? Rarely gives feedback, but I enjoy his presence.
That’s because he’s the host on Chopped, not a judge.
THE REIGN OF BUZZ ALDRIN CONTINUES. He’s certainly proven to be a lot more interesting than that crotchety Armstrong fellow. But I wish someone would realize how personable and downright hilarious Michael Collins is, and give him a venue somewhere.
As for Toby Young, so long to smarmy little hobbits who love the sound of their own voices. That man needs to be made to watch Tony Bourdain’s guest-hosting stints, Clockwork Orange-style, until he understands how snark is done properly (and with heart). Ripert’s a fantastic choice to eclipse Young.
What do politician’s like to eat? Their young. Hope that’s not on the menu this season.
ha, nice
I wonder if Joe Scarborough’s appearance will be swathed in Starbucks product placement. Maybe for the quickfire they could serve Starbucks-based recipes out of Gladware in a Whole Foods.
I always thought Voltaggio was saying amuse-douche, meaning “yes, I am a douche.” I feel dumb.
Still miss Ted Allen – he was a great fit, but I think Ripert will be great. Can’t wait for the return!
I will GREATLY welcome Eric Ripert over Toby Young! I mean, the 80′s called and they wanted their quips back. I guess the Flux Capacitor finally got working again and the Delorean was able to take Toby Young off of Top Chef! I still miss Ted Allen and hope that for this season they are able to bring back Anthony Bourdain as a guest judge once or twice. Anthony knows exactly how to critique a dish with a good quip!
what do politicians like to eat??? interns!!! ooh, la la…
Tres snark! Good one!
spanks, flyer!!! =P
Hilarious…and true!!
ill watch cause i like top chef… but i got to say, the DC special highlights ya threw at us… well i think i fell asleep twice while reading them. but im sure the cheftestants will make up for it, plus… Padma, ahh so pretty, so pretty
I much prefer TC Masters to TC original flavor, if only because there’s more emphasis on cooking and less on drama. That said, I love the idea of Eric Ripert as a regular judge; he’s been a fantastic guest judge, and should really elevate the level of discussion.
I agree, TC Masters is much more about the food (and for charity). I also think it gives real perspective on how good the younger chefs are… It was amazing to see what the “Masters” did with all the weird ingredients recently, as opposed to season 3. Really gives you a sense of where the chefs are in their careers…
Oooh, some eye candy for me–wee! Viva la France!
Oui! Oui! But technically he’s not French, he’s from French-speaking Antibes.