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TV Wed Nov 02 2011
Top Chef Texas, Episode 1: Return of the King
The king being, of course, the juggernaut that has become the Top Chef franchise. Padma, Tom, et al. have landed in Texas this season (but NOT in Western wear, as this promo photo would have us believe), and there's Chicago talent to spare: Spiaggia, Moto (times two!), Sable, Chilam Balam, represent!! About one-third of the chosen cheftestants, whittled down from a whopping 29 hopefuls hale from Chicago restaurants. We'll keep you updated as this saga unfolds -- because as they say, you don't mess with Chicago. Wait...
Three quick thoughts on the premiere episode:
- Hugh Acheson cleans UP! You move some of that eyebrow up into bangs territory and it's a whole different television personality.
- Bravo, you cruel mistress -- you toss me hater fodder like Tyler, Personal Chef to the Stars, and you yank him before he even has a chance to mishandle cooked pork the way he violated raw. Top Chef giveth, and Top Chef taketh away.
- In a similar vein, there's still one Chicago cheftestant we've barely glimpsed yet, representing Aria, because the final 16 contestants haven't been entirely revealed yet. Top Chef taketh away closure! But on the flip side, this has meant a lot more dedicated film of every contestant we have seen, as well as their food -- elements that both make up Top Chef but often get lost behind the numbers early in the season. Think of it as an injection of extra tension...
