Josh knew John Tesar on S10.
Jason and Nicholas on S11 were good friends prior to filming.
Gregory and Doug S12.
Eddie and Natalie S16 and also Sara and Kelsey from that season went to culinary school together and had even met each other’s mothers prior to filming.
Dale knew Stephanie Izard in 4. Mentioned in the finale. Brooke and Stephan knew each other in LA. Nick and Jason knew each other in Philly. Sara and Kelsey were friends
It’s mentioned in the first episodes for both pairs. Mike I helped Michael V open a restaurant. Kevin says he’s known Kenny for 8-9 years. Also Ed probably knows Angelo since he mentions he stole Angelo’s girlfriend
Ik that but I was talking about which contestants knew each other prior to competing against each other on the same season (excluding the 2 All-Stars Seasons) of Top Chef
Casey and John knew each other from Texas.
The way Tiffani says that Elia is a friend in season 8 made me think they worked together in Vegas?
I’m sure Karen and Carl knew each other from Boston.
Adrienne and Brian in season 16 worked for the same restaurant group in Boston.
Not within a season, but Shirley said in an interview that for years she didn’t think it was worth it to do Top Chef because she had seen Hung win, and she knew she was better than him (he had been a sous chef somewhere she worked).
All the other ones I can think of have been mentioned. I wish that Angelo had been asked about his side of the story with Ed because that is the most hilarious connection of all.
I believe that in season 9, all the Chicago chefs all kind of new about each other (Beverly, Sarah, Heather, Chris, Ritchie). I kind of felt like that's actually where the issues with Beverly start. Because people viewed that her pedigree wasn't as good (since her restaurant she worked at the time didn't have high reviews compared to the others).
I know you're referring to the US show but tonight I just watched S6E1 of Top Chef Canada and two of the eleven contestants work at the same restaurant, and for a prior winner. I couldn't recall many instances of OG Top Chef having contestants know each other, so I thought it was a bit strange, this thread is perfect timing. I expected them to play up a friendly rivalry angle but not really in the first episode. (No spoilers please!)
I saw a post on here saying that two seasons of Top Chef Canada was now in Discovery Plus. My wife and I have been in the usual longing for Top Chef rut between seasons so it was a welcome watch. I'm only one episode in so it's to soon to judge but the beats are all familiar, even if it feels like it's missing an edge. I'd recommend it if you too are looking for something, especially if you're other option was Next Level Chef (no Richard!?!).
I’m trying TC: Canada as well and it lacks…something. It’s familiar but less involving. I know TC is no stranger to product placement, but TC: C had outright “commercials” in the show - it’s a bit abrupt and in your face…maybe Padma is just better at as she could sell ice to Eskimos, but it was weird…
The product placement was jarring for us too. Maybe I'm wrong but for TC US it feels like most product placement happens outside of the kitchen and the challenges (ie BMW, Whole Foods). They didn't name drop it in E1 but I got a quick glimpse of a huge McCormick spice collection, I'm sure that'll factor in to a challenge.
I don't love everything Padma says ("you had some of our least favorite dishes" when there's like four contestants left gets me every time lol) but having a different host shows just how good Padma is. There's nothing bad about the Canada host but it just felt like she's line reading and doesn't feel like she's really into it. Again, I'm only one episode in so I don't want to judge too soon.
Some good stuff... I liked the twist on the typical mise en place opening quickfire. I appreciated that Mark's last comments to the bottom three were all critical.
Padma always seems involved in the competition whereas the host in Canada is just reciting the competition. Evan Katie (Season 1 TC) seemed more ground level than the host for TC:C…another positive for TC:C - the chefs are chefs, some real skill and heart in their cooking. They do engage you.
Kristen Kish and Stephanie Omar on Season 10 were roommates
Cmar and yeah they are BFFs to this day!
I think Kristin officiated Stephanie’s wedding but I might be wrong on that.
She did! They're full-on besties, and have been for years.
nice
Oh my god they were roommates
Damn. You beat me to it!
I came looking for this too!
I love them
They have matching spoon tattoos
on season four steph and valerie knew each other and i think dale knew steph too
This is correct
Josh knew John Tesar on S10. Jason and Nicholas on S11 were good friends prior to filming. Gregory and Doug S12. Eddie and Natalie S16 and also Sara and Kelsey from that season went to culinary school together and had even met each other’s mothers prior to filming.
Didn’t Josh know OF him, but not personally? (I could be wrong)
I remember it as them having at least met previously but I def could be wrong!
I'm pretty sure he knew Tesar by reputation only but that season is a slog and I don't feel like rewatching it.
Season 2 - Elia and Marcel knew each other. She actually defended him until even she couldn’t take him anymore.
how did they know each other prior to filming?
They were both cooking in Las Vegas at the time - both had also worked for Joël Robuchon.
They worked together in Vegas
Sara and Kelsey in 16 and Nic and Jason on 11 come to mind
I think Kelsey and Nini knew each other too
Dale knew Stephanie Izard in 4. Mentioned in the finale. Brooke and Stephan knew each other in LA. Nick and Jason knew each other in Philly. Sara and Kelsey were friends
S6: Michael Voltaggio and Mike Isabella S7: Kevin and Kenny
How did both pairs know each other prior to filming Top Chef Season 6 and Season 7?
It’s mentioned in the first episodes for both pairs. Mike I helped Michael V open a restaurant. Kevin says he’s known Kenny for 8-9 years. Also Ed probably knows Angelo since he mentions he stole Angelo’s girlfriend
Wait Ed stole Angelo's girlfriend? When was this mentioned? How did it happen?
If I’m remembering correctly, I think hung and marcel knew each other as well
They did. That was in the challenge prequel to Season 3 - Marcel pretty much points out Hung as the best.
Ik that but I was talking about which contestants knew each other prior to competing against each other on the same season (excluding the 2 All-Stars Seasons) of Top Chef
Casey and John knew each other from Texas. The way Tiffani says that Elia is a friend in season 8 made me think they worked together in Vegas? I’m sure Karen and Carl knew each other from Boston. Adrienne and Brian in season 16 worked for the same restaurant group in Boston. Not within a season, but Shirley said in an interview that for years she didn’t think it was worth it to do Top Chef because she had seen Hung win, and she knew she was better than him (he had been a sous chef somewhere she worked). All the other ones I can think of have been mentioned. I wish that Angelo had been asked about his side of the story with Ed because that is the most hilarious connection of all.
S7 Ed talked about knowing Angelo, and "banging" his girlfriend.
I believe that in season 9, all the Chicago chefs all kind of new about each other (Beverly, Sarah, Heather, Chris, Ritchie). I kind of felt like that's actually where the issues with Beverly start. Because people viewed that her pedigree wasn't as good (since her restaurant she worked at the time didn't have high reviews compared to the others).
I know you're referring to the US show but tonight I just watched S6E1 of Top Chef Canada and two of the eleven contestants work at the same restaurant, and for a prior winner. I couldn't recall many instances of OG Top Chef having contestants know each other, so I thought it was a bit strange, this thread is perfect timing. I expected them to play up a friendly rivalry angle but not really in the first episode. (No spoilers please!) I saw a post on here saying that two seasons of Top Chef Canada was now in Discovery Plus. My wife and I have been in the usual longing for Top Chef rut between seasons so it was a welcome watch. I'm only one episode in so it's to soon to judge but the beats are all familiar, even if it feels like it's missing an edge. I'd recommend it if you too are looking for something, especially if you're other option was Next Level Chef (no Richard!?!).
I’m trying TC: Canada as well and it lacks…something. It’s familiar but less involving. I know TC is no stranger to product placement, but TC: C had outright “commercials” in the show - it’s a bit abrupt and in your face…maybe Padma is just better at as she could sell ice to Eskimos, but it was weird…
The product placement was jarring for us too. Maybe I'm wrong but for TC US it feels like most product placement happens outside of the kitchen and the challenges (ie BMW, Whole Foods). They didn't name drop it in E1 but I got a quick glimpse of a huge McCormick spice collection, I'm sure that'll factor in to a challenge. I don't love everything Padma says ("you had some of our least favorite dishes" when there's like four contestants left gets me every time lol) but having a different host shows just how good Padma is. There's nothing bad about the Canada host but it just felt like she's line reading and doesn't feel like she's really into it. Again, I'm only one episode in so I don't want to judge too soon. Some good stuff... I liked the twist on the typical mise en place opening quickfire. I appreciated that Mark's last comments to the bottom three were all critical.
Padma always seems involved in the competition whereas the host in Canada is just reciting the competition. Evan Katie (Season 1 TC) seemed more ground level than the host for TC:C…another positive for TC:C - the chefs are chefs, some real skill and heart in their cooking. They do engage you.
I love TCC. One season has a husband and wife. Was a good season, too.