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that seemed most strongly shaped by head judge Tom Colicchios preferences.
(Two words: New Orleans.)
Rememberher reactionto the Gabe Erales revelations?
What doesTop Cheflose in losing Padma?
ShesTop Chefs beating heart.
But her abilities as a TV presenter are next-level, and that particular alchemy will be hard to match.
Nick, Im curious what you think they should look for in a potential replacement?
Nick Quah:Thats a tough one.
First of all, I agree with everything both of you have said.
(Though, while I wont defend the first season, I do think its afascinatingwindow into the 2000s.
They were trying stuff out!
Goatees were in!)
Of course, we do have some reference for what the show might and could look like without her.
To begin with, theresLast Chance Kitchen, though I wouldnt say a fully Tom ColicchiohostedTop Chefsounds particularly appetizing.
Then there are the various spinoffs and non-American versions of the franchise.
You wouldnt have Padmasje ne sais quoi(who does?
), but youd have a shot at maintaining some contiguity.
I guess what Im saying is that we should probably talk about Buddha.
Roxana, I know you have mixed feelings about what a back-to-back Buddha win might mean for the show.
Want to walk us through that?
Remember how season 12 Boston winner Mei Lin had previously worked for season six Las Vegas winner Michael Voltaggio?
Theyre technically wonderful, and of course the judges have rewarded that.
I cant help but feel like this season is geared specifically toward his strengths.
Am I just being a hater?
(Quah, were expecting a lot from you.)
But I think for me, the issue comes back to Buddhafatigue.
Would his system-gaming work?
Weve had that before!
Two seasons in a row of watching someone game the system isnt fun or interesting reality TV.
Compare his dominance with the dominance of Melissa Kings All-Stars win just a few seasons back.
Buddha, on the other hand, seems rehearsed.
To me, hes not a bad contestant, hes a bad TV character.
Nick, Ive heard a rumor that youre mounting a defense of Buddha.
I can personally relate to that.
But I dont think it should be a problem for a player to come in having studied the game.
Why not shake things up somehow?
Jesse, lets loop you in here.
I hear you have a scintillating take on Buddha beingTop Chefs antichrist and embodiment of its design weaknesses.
Ill dump the lane.
As a result, Buddha wins, but without ever giving insight into his actual perspective as a chef.
What is Buddhas cooking like?
My guy honored his first kitchen job as a dishwasher by making a trompe-lil sponge for the judges.
Thats cheeky and fun, and he should have won that challenge!
Ill miss Padma, but ifTop Chefat least keeps attracting contestants like Gabri, Ill probably keep watching.
Jason, what about you?
JPF:Oh, Ill never stop watching.
Two seasons in a row?
What a lame era.
I will be rooting for Gabri, and notjustbecause I have a crush on him.
(I said Id make it to the end of this without mentioning that, but I failed.
Gabri, call me.)
Nick, are you aboard the Gabri train as well?
NQ:One thousand percent.
But chaos could also be Sara winning, having cooked her way out of theTop Chefunderworld.
Ill be into that, too.
Really, Ill be happy for anything thatll make me feel anything.
Will I keep watching if Buddha wins?
Probably, given my deep attachment to the show.
Jesse, you sticking around?
Ive thought about quitting the show before.
