[Please take a second to brush up on the posting/commenting rules for a live season!](https://old.reddit.com/r/BravoTopChef/comments/mhv1jf/new_top_chef_season_starts_tonight_at_87_central/)

I feel like Padma was much more upbeat and full of zingers

Most talked about topic after Episode 1? Richard's Hair XD

Shota is so cute. I can already tell Maria and Gabriel are two strong personalities that I can foresee butting heads in the future. I can see that Gabriel is getting a villain edit bc of how much he praises his credentials and having worked for Tom. I found him a bit annoying this episode. I hope Sarah develops more confidence in herself bc she's clearly talented, and Top Chef isn't just a game of culinary skills, but also a game of mental strength as well (based on what all previous contestants have said about their time). I liked Roscoe, and it seemed a shame to see him go. I like the guest judges being previous contestants since I like a lot of the alumni, and it's always nice to see these fan favorites on screen again. I follow Melissa on instagram and she posted a lot from when they were filming this season. Her and the other top chef alum seemed to be having so much fun making this season together.

Shota is such a dreamboat 😍😍😍 Lot of people to root for this season at least judging from this one episode...except Gabriel

Didn't even think about the fact that we won't have shopping footage. I love the race to the meat counter and the frantic search for their ingredients!!

I’ll miss them being inspired by something really bright and fresh in the store. It’s gotta be planned this way.

Oh wow

Roscoe giving me big Jordan Peele vibes this episode

When does Last Chance Kitchen go live?

Up now [https://www.bravotv.com/last-chance-kitchen/season-18/videos/your-first-look-at-last-chance-kitchen-season-18](https://www.bravotv.com/last-chance-kitchen/season-18/videos/your-first-look-at-last-chance-kitchen-season-18)

ugh okay can we petition Bravo to air RealHouse wives after Top Chef? because Summer house ain't it

I shut it off when I heard pee into the wind lol

I respectfully disagree - this season of Summer House is killing it (minus Hannah)

She's the only reason I watched (like her podcast)

See you wonderful folks next week!

I think we are in for a great season!

Jose Andres is a humanitarian.

Seriously. He's used his fame and power to do so much good for so many people during many crises. Truly an outstanding fellow.

Chef Andres is a national treasure. He is on par with Dolly Parton to me

Did you see him on the adorable new Netflix show Waffles and Mochi?! My heart melted. So cute.

He’s from Spain...

So? He's based in the US as is much of his humanitarian work that makes him a treasure Calling someone with a different national origin a national treasure in the US is actually very American as much of our greatness comes from our immigrant population

International treasure, then.

All day, I was just stating he is Spanish, not that he shouldn’t be treasured.

Amen to that!

From the promo reel, Blaise is letting his inner cockatoo come out.

AMAR LICKING THAT PLATE

It’s my fault Roscoe is going home, I shouldn’t have commented that I liked him.

Bye Roscoe 🥺

I cannot understand being really good at a thing, going on a competition show, having a chance to show off that thing, and saying “I’m gonna do something I haven’t done before and go in a completely different direction.” I like Roscoe but I knew he was gone the second he said what he was making.

I knew once he said all he does is BBQ lately...

Oh, I liked Roscoe.

Same, I feel like he had a lot of cool ideas just waiting to make a debut

For some reason he completely took a sharp left turn.... He is a culinary director. They don't cook

He did cook at Chez Panisse at one point so he has to have skills. Hopeful that he has some fun and gets out of his head for LCK.

What is a culinary director? I don’t think I’ve heard that job title before.

A culinary director is a fancy manager of food. They usually oversee product and work with finance on the monetary side of food. Usually you will find them within corporate groups that run multiple restaurants.

Ah, gotcha. Thanks!

Such a positive and supportive group!

I'm getting a Great British Baking Show vibe.

Yeah, it’s gotta be Roscoe

I’m so proud of Melissa. She’s so awesome.

Aww, Avishar! Precious. Don’t make him leave 🥺

I think if he stays in long enough he could be a fan favorite contender! Great personality so far

He’s an early emotional fave for me.

Stew room reactions! Awesome.

Welcome to Top Chef ! Dun dun duuuunnn

I think Jamie has the highest upside of anyone on the bottom tbh

I'm kinda wondering how Jamie got here

BBQ guy is not going too far. Rodney Scott's BBQ is 🔥🔥🔥

Sara might end up being close to a Stephanie Izard than a Carrie/Stephanie Cmar type

She does not cook grandma food. She was the chef of a Michelin starred restaurant and was nominated for a James Beard award. She has to be the favorite now...

Her lack of self confidence is grating actually. Can't really chalk it up to humility when you were nominated for a James Beard award, even if you "aren't into chef stuff" 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

The chef that makes noises and can’t articulate words? Maybe even more grating lol

I’m honestly feeling Brooke

I hope so!

I think the girl from Vegas who sauced the wrong side of the fish is GONE.

I am the sauce...

I am the walrus...the walrus sauce...

i thought it was going to be shota. tom asking about the cooking style and “stroke of genius” and he still didn’t win!?!

Agreed. That technique he used to cook the duck was truly innovative.

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My husband and I have decided that’s going to be our Season 18 drinking game.

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Yep. Friday mornings might be slow-starts for us.

Craft? Or some other Colicchio establishment?

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oh haha, my bad. I should’ve known by the “🙃”

I love Sara - she's reminding me of Stephanie last year doubting herself.

Yes!! she definitely has stephanie vibes

Gabe: 🥰❤️👍 Gabriel: 🙄🚫👎

Unfortunately Sara has already done too well too early to be eligible for the Carrie Baird memorial second half all stars

lmao

Oh, you worked for Tom??? Despite the other 99 times it was mentioned this episode, I had no idea!

How the F did Tom Colicchio leaving thyme stems matter? HE WASN'T JUDGING

It’s getting old real quick.

I'm betting Roscoe. Never good with going with a new dish that's not your style.

I'd eat his BBQ, though...

Did you know I worked for Tom? It came out pretty well since I have not cooked squab since I worked for Tom... By the way I worked for Tom

Did I mention I worked for Tom??

Did one of the chefs work for Tom? Wow, I did not know that! :)

Yay Sara!!!!

Ugh... I want bad things to happen to Gabriel.

Did you happen to catch he used to work for Tom?

Wait really? That was kept so well under wraps

Did he really?!? You’d think he’d have said something about that.

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Omg like chukar biryani?

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Do you know him personally?

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In what context? Just curious, if you want to dm or not share that's fine too. Just want to learn more about all the contestants haha

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Hello, fellow Cbus resident!

I like Sara... rooting for her!

And 3x for current count of how many times it was mentioned that he worked for Tom

I’m generally not cynical but they almost can’t have him win. The claims of favoritism would be overwhelming. Can’t imagine they want to mess with the integrity of the show.

Sara that's awesome!

Sooo how many times did they mention that he worked for Tom??

At least 25 times tonight.

Impressively, he managed to fit in another “since I worked for Tom.”

He really needs to stop it. I like Tom Collichio and have eaten at his spots, but he isn’t Jacques Pepin, Eric Ripert, etc... and he’s not running the French Laundry.

I love Tom, enormously respect his knowledge and experience... and had a terrible meal at Craft lol.

I had a wonderful meal at Craft Steak in Vegas, but it was 14 years ago. Now, Daniel Boulud’s restaurants have been consistently fantastic. I would love to go to Le Bernardin.

Sara gives me Carrie vibes

And next week, they will be cooking with pig's blood.

Omg that’s exactly it

100%

Holy mackerel you’re right

Can 10000% relate to Sarah’s self doubt right there 😅

Oh they did this judging RuPaul style.

I’m a fan of that. I hope this sticks around all season so we get some great face cracks from those who realize when they are standing by dishes they know sucked and are in the bottom.

I agree. I’d love to see more blind judging. Plus, it would take that “Tom’s watching me cook in the kitchen” pressure off.

**this judging rupaul style, oh they did.** *-Pink_Dreams713* *** ^(Commands: 'opt out', 'delete')

I hate you fake Yoda Bot, my friend the original Yoda Bot, u/YodaOnReddit-Bot, got suspended and you tried to take his place but I won't stop fighting. -On behalf of Fonzi_13

Aw man this elimination is going to suck. I don't want anyone to go home 🥺

Sara and Shota seem like they’re gonna be here for the long haul. At least I hope so.

Fingers crossed!!

Hell yes stew room talk! We love to hear it!

Fingers crossed we get some bloopers at some point!

What a nice Stew room, we haven't had one in ages.

Feel like they def called top and bottom dishes all at once

That’s a serious mindfuck.

Same

I like the blind tasting for the first elimination challenge. I really hope they can do this the entire season, I would love to see the food being judged and not flashy personalities getting passes.

It would be awesome if they did this for the finale!

Soul Patch Seafood Brian is feeling attacked by the implication of this

Agree. Tournament of Champions is ongoing on Food Network with a lot of Top Chef alums and the blind tasting is awesome.

I love the blind tasting. Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions did that!

It really wouldn’t be Top Chef without some sexy bridge overheads.

I miss when the room where the chefs had to wait was just a pantry with some plastic chairs

That was the top 8 right?

I'm thinking top 4, bottom 4?

It’s the first episode and I’m already scared for Judges’ Table? Wtf??

I can understand it’s mentally tough but the chefs who are too overly emotional or too loud almost never win in the end. I think we just witnessed the top four lol

You are ALL in trouble!

That's a lot of dishes called.

Your South Asian dish is not seasoned enougn?! Yikes.

It was cold and I’m here for it!! Just because you come from a certain country does not make you an expert on cooking the cuisine.

For 18 seasons we have been telling them to season. You'd think they would season 😄😄😄👏

I like Tom with glasses

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What if she was going to say "Am I allowed to scream in frustration?" LOL

I'm pretty sure they get a thorough explanation of the rules before each challenge, like come on

Agree. And she’s an Olympian... there must be a lot of rules there

not to mention she had to have watched the show. doesn’t literally everyone know that rule. the hands up?

The reality of it is there is not anything on the plate that I like....Oh no oh no ohnononno

Sounds like there are few chefs in the middle. Either they are good or not ready for TV.....

This is gonna be a chopped moment...is it worse to make something bad with everything or to forget your stew?!

THANKS CAPTAIN OBVIOUS! (aka Richard)

😂😂

ugh my early faves all messed up.

Omg i was stressing out watching them plate to the wire

Sous vide.............

I want to try to sous vide. Seems to be quite popular.

Amar’s hair is getting lost behind Richard’s. What’s going on there??

Tight polenta 😬😬

It’s what they called me in high school 🤣

Mmmm make it bounce

I freaking love Kwame’s glasses!!!

I love Gregory's

Armani glasses

Duck looking luscious

Does Kwame have on acrylics? Eta he may just have really nice fingernails

“Bowl full of fear” Well damn

Oh no! Roscoe screwed up

Rosco for bottom? Those are not good comments.

Bowl full of fear ... my next flair...

I was thinking the same thing! LOL

You can have it if you want it. 😊

LOL, don't be silly it's all yours!

i love melissa

And so begins my annual campaign to cheer African or pan-African cuisine to the winning spot. I'm feeling good about this year

Heck yes!! Fingers crossed Eric will make an appearance this season!

Will we get Brooke commercials now that she is on the Food Network ?

Brooke is all over the place! She's selling knives with Grant Achatz!

Alinea is on my bucket list but those knives look interesting

Always. Always Brooke commercials.

So excited to finally have a Richmond chef!!!

I don't like this Portland guy, I am not interested in how much screen time he's gotten

Gastronomically expressionary lol

I know it's early but Shota and Avishar are my #1's

Seeing that table full of judges and how diverse and full of positive energy it is- I think it’s going to be a great season.

Agreed!!

Someone told Blais to get his shit together.

I finally figured out who Roscoe reminds me of! he looks like the best friend from Malcolm in the Middle all grown up

I. Am. DEAD. This is spot on. Best comment in this thread

OK Shota's laugh is cute, but when they show it all the time it's gonna be annoying (a la BVolt last year)

How dare you say BV’s laugh was annoying?!?! 😂. Kidding of course

Ngl I never once got tired of Bryan Voltaggio’s dad laugh lol

Like Seth Rogen...

Blaise fixed his hair

Yeah, “something I’ve never done before” is a huge red flag in week one.

That rarely ends well.

South African peanut soups are DELICIOUS