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Hi Tom,

I have been an avid watcher of Top Chef. This season was such a dissapointment that I will never watch it again. It was so obvious that the two brothers were left at the end for some drama that was left wanting. Michael with his undercooked eggs, and over chopped vegetables, should have left before Jennifer's slightly over salted dish.
After observing this it is way too obvious that this is not a competition about cullinary skill, but a reality show that draws on drama, in this case, the competition between two brothers. Why, as a chef would you let this happen? I have to regress to an answer to that question that usually fits in our American Society. The answer is money.
I am so sorry that I have lost one of my favorite shows.

My family & I watch this show regularly along with just a couple of other shows. After watching these, here are some great incidents and quotes in our household:

1. Our 7yr old daughter chastised me for badly plating a dover sole with a parsnip puree.

2. My 10yr old daughter just made the best lamb vindaloo I've ever eaten.

3. When I cook a dish that is good, the kids will ask, "Do you think this dish would win on Top Chef?

4. Ok, so one other show we watch is Hell's Kitchen. My 7yr old quipped the other day, "Would you serve this to Chef Ramsay? I don't think so!"

So, I think that these shows go a long way to challenge children to cook. The episodes where the kids are part of he show are just great.

Thanks,
Matthew

Top Chef inspires me to cook with flexibility and experimentation. Seeing all the unusual combinations the chefs come up with really makes me think about what I like and what I think might go together. I've had some 'foul balls' but a few homers too! I actually made a cream sauce once using some red wine (really!) to use with beef that ended up tasting really good. I am not saying this is good bad wrong original or unoriginal as I am no chef just a home cook, but I never would have tried it before.

Also, I had no idea waht umami meant until this last episode. I learn a lot from this show!

I think that TC most certainly inspires people to get into the kitchen, and whomever wrote that article is way off base. As always the season so far has been exciting and interesting to watch.

One request, though I realize that taping is over, could someone please tell Jen how to pronounce Ceviche. I feel embarrassed for her everytime she says it.

This season contains some fabulous chefs and some really mediocre ones. The Voltaggio brothers are head and shoulders above everyone else. Next we have Kevin and Jen. Bye bye quickly to Eve, Jessie, Peethi, Ron, Mattin and Ash. It will definitely come down to the bros!

Hi Tom!

Thank you for your thoughtful blogs.

Top Chef may be one of my all-time favorite shows!

I have liked the seasons with the least hostility among the chefs, and loved the seasons where teamwork and mutual respect for each others differences reigned in the kitchen, because this attitude resulted in good food in the end.

I have learned so much about cooking just by watching the show, and I am frequently inspired to cook after the show is over. This is an area of life that many of us would take pride in being better at.

I am with the fans of the show that loved the football pre-game challenge, Also the "High Steaks" challenge in Chicago, and I loved this latest French Cusine showdown.

I wonder if some of the chefs who immortalized the mean things that they had to say about the other chefs in the heat of the moment realized that their sometimes sneering comments about the other chefs and will be digitized forever, usually making themselves look small, or jealous, or mean, or not a chef that would be fun to work with in the future.

Good luck to all and thank you for a great show!

I want to know why Hector Santiago is not shown as the other chefs on the show opening? I also want to know why Hector Santiago dish during the quickfire challenge with Todd English was edited and never aired? This is the same thing that you did to Paloma in a past season. I am starting to believe that Top Chef is prejudice toward Hispanics.

Top Chef has inspired my cooking. No, I'm not learning technique from the show but I wouldn't watch a show to learn that. I love the entertainment value but what I really enjoy is the thought processes that get sparked. I frequently find myself thinking, "I'd have never thought to combine those ingredients!" or "I don't know what the heck that was but I'm going to have to try it."

Not that I needed permission but I love the freedom watching this show has given me to break out of the standard flavors and preparations. If I haven't been to the grocery store and there's an odd combination of things in the fridge and it's getting late, I don't stress about what to fix for dinner. I look at it as my own personal Quickfire. I've come up with some real winners and, admittedly, a few turkeys.

This is the one show* I try to watch when it airs and the only show I care to record.

*Applies to all the Top Chef variants

I read the NY Times article by Mr. Pollan to which you allude. I think his point is just that many people see themselves as consumers of food rather than as cooks of food and he has some impressive stats to back him up. And I do know a surprising number of people who really don't cook... they order take out or chop veggies and call it dinner. However, while now that I have read the article, I can't say I cook from scratch (I am a working mom -- I used canned broth, jars of yogurt, tomato juice, etc. in my cooking -- I am restricted by time and I have to take some shortcuts), I do usually cook, and watching Top Chef along with hanging out with some foodie friends has definitely encouraged me to rely less on recipes and experiment more in the kitchen... sometimes doing something as simple as substituting what I would normally use to make a dish for a different ingredient I found at the farmer's market or that I had on hand. Belonging to a C.S.A. has also encouraged me to experiment more with new foods, as has my growing environmental awareness. I think Top Chef has encouraged me to try to cook with seasonal vegetables more. I don't know. I think you can take almost any experience in either direction, but I would hazard a guess that the economic realities of the day have more of an effect on people's cooking habits than reality t.v. does. I have no stats to back that up. But I think it's usually true.

Chef Colicchio, in response to the last query on your post I would like to say this: If anything, Top Chef has only encouraged me to cook and to try new things.

So far, I'm really impressed by the new season. I know that it is early still, but there already seems to be a large depth of talent in this round of the competition. People who, in previous seasons, would likely have coasted to the middle are being cut NOW. I think this season is head and shoulders above the last two. Please keep up the good work.

Re the Quickfire, Preeti DID tell the others she had never opened a clam before! The other three were unwilling to change their choices of what they *wanted* to do. They were selfish and inflexible, and Preeti was unassertive but willing to try.

The New York Times article made many valid observations of NATIONAL trends. You chose to air your opinion to the one demographic most likely to disagree with the article's point that people are cooking less. If you were angling for written opinions on this issue so you can joust with the article's author in NYC, your "victory" is a hollow one.

Top Chef does not encourage me to cook more often or adventurously. Often, the ingredients (saffron, duck fat, etc.) and the equipment (such as the gadgets Richard used in the Chicago season) are beyond my wallet or talents. Nor do I have access to anyone who could teach me methods that are only named--but not demonstrated--on your show.

Tom, thanks for your fun and always thoughtful blog entries.

I have a logistical question I would love to see addressed. If all the chefs have to finish their cooking at the same time, doesn't the team that serves the food last risk having all their food be cold? Or are they actually staggered as to when they have to finish?

Thanks again -- looking forward to another great season!

I just wanted to comment on how your show is keeping people out of the kitchen--I think that the opposite is true. As a matter of fact, I think that it would want more people to get cooking! My kids who are very small(7,5,4,3,and 1) will often watch Top Chef with me on the DVR and at th breakfast table will comment, "Mommy, this looks like Top Chef food." And then they'll say "we want to make Top Chef food too!" Then they will come and cook with me. So, I would have to disagree! By the way, My husband and I just came back from Las Vegas last week and we dined at Craftsteak--What an amazing experience. Excellent food, great staff, friendly bartenders, etc.. Love your restaurant!!! Next, we'll have to go to the one in NYC.

I am absolutely addicted to Top Chef. My niece and I talk about it every week. She is an exceptional cook and loves experimenting. I am more run of the mill, meat and potato type of cook, but we both are spending more time in our kitchens...having fun and loving it! This show is not only fun and entertaining, it's motivating!

As a professional chef, retired (at least for the moment), I think Top Chef would inspire people to get into the kitchen. Especially now, with the state of the economy, fewer people are able to eat out. What we have seen here in the Midwest is a trend toward home gardens. I think people are slowly coming back toward farm to table, at least I really hope so. I think Top Chef does a very good job of showing how fresh foods are cooked and how much better they taste. Keep up the good work, you are inspiring tons of young people, from my sons in their twenties, both of whom are accomplished cooks (no thanks to their largely absent Mother), and my younger kids, who watch Top Chef every week.

Hello Tom,

We are looking forward to season 6. Love Vegas and think it is a perfect backdrop.

I love to cook. I watch many cooking shows and I really enjoy Top Chef. I have my own quick fire challenge almost everyday. What can I cook for dinner with what I have in the house and garden and can we eat before 8 pm? I enjoy the challenge.

Recently learned our 2 sons, both in college, watch your show. They are both
creative cooks and I believe watching cooking shows encourages them to try
different things. Our family watches more and cooks more. Now if I could just get
them to clean the kitchen when they are finished cooking.......

Hey Tom, what a show. I've been watching the Food Network for years, never ventured over to Bravo for food at all, until now. I am in love with this show. I caught the last few episodes of season 5 and now I am hooked. I 've already watched episode 1, 3 times. I am a tried and true foodie and this show just makes me want to try some new things. Funny, I don't get that feeling when I watch FN anymore. Keep it coming Tom, you and Padma are great.

Tom,

Six seasons and not one chef from New Orleans? Either you all are really missing the culinary boat or NOLA chefs have made it clear city-wide that none of their own should find their way onto your show. Which is it?

Overall, I love the geographic diversity of this show. It is nice to see chefs from outside of NYC and LA.

--Beth

Tom,

I would have to blame some of the silly shows that promise meals in two minutes, or dinner for under 35 cents for people not cooking. It's not just chefs who know it takes time to develop not only techniques and skill, but FLAVOR. These shows only teach people to throw things together, and hope for the best. Hope is NOT a strategy! These shows would do better to teach people how to build flavor profiles with high quality convenience foods, and some fresh herbs and seasonings. Just once I would like to Rachael Ray say "Just so you know, it took one of my chefs 9 hours to make this veal stock." Some day, because of shows like Top Chef, people will know the difference between preparing a meal, and making something to eat.

The idea that Americans are not cooking because of Top Chef is absurd. If you look at Facebook everybody is posting their recent successes in the kitchen. Our son is eight years old and has already reproduced and even revamped many TC recipes, including Hubert Keller's green gazpacho, which he now makes completely unaided. He also rails against what he calls "fake food", like canned vegetables and store-bought bread. He wakes up in the morning and says things like, "Mom, can we go to the store, i need to pick up a couple of red bell peppers and some coconut milk....." He may end up being your youngest contestant in an upcoming season. So thanks, Tom, for getting the next generation to think about what and how to eat!

I have always been a pretty good home cook - not chef - but Top Chef has led me to broaden my base. I am always looking for new recipes on the bravo site and trying some of the recipes I have seen on the show. This weekend we are going to have Chef Hubert's mac-n-cheese with prawns. Who would have guessed they'd ever be cooking a dish created by such a famous chef? Top Chef and Top Chef Masters has provided the vehicle for the home cook to truly become the home chef. Thanks to all those involved in these great shows!

I'll be honest - I have always been a foodie. My godmother brought me in the kitchen and start teaching me to cook at the age of 5 which is also the age I was introduced to Julia Child. I have always loved cooking and always been pretty good at creating tasty dishes. As my busy life has taken me out of the kitchen it is shows like Top Chef that have inspired me to jump back in (I won't even get started on Top Chef Masters - which inspired me beyond belief). I'm looking at cooking classes and even going as far to look at culinary art schools (as I've been searching for a career change to something that I am passionate about).

The show is fantastic entertainment, of course, but it also opens the audience’s minds and palates to the possibilities!
Thank you!

I love the show, but can't cook really at all. But it inspires me to try to learn to cook more. Plus at 25 I started dating someone with kids, which means that I'm somewhat automatically in the "mom role" and want to do the best for them. It's tough being a vegetarian without being a huge health freak or being vegan and not knowing any good recipes. Plus I'm struggling to learn to cook the most basic meats since I've never eaten meat at all in my life.
I would love to see a vegetarian challenge.

Welcome back Top Chef! I love this show, and it has encouraged me to cook more often, and more creatively. It has also been educational, and has inspired a group of us to form a dinner club where we experiment a good deal. I knew Eve would go this week unless she cooked the most fabulous meal of her life. Tom, sorry, but you have a way of expressing disapproval when tasting and analyzing what you're eating. So it is easy some times to know who you would like to see leave. Eve seemed to be a bit clueless about what she was doing. Any chef worth their salt should be able to cook shrimp well, my scampi is one of my best dishes. Anyway, happy to see the show back on, it does seem to be a strong group of chefs. Good luck!

This season, so far, is shaping up to be better than I expected and I am enjoying it immensely. I was so impressed with the demeanor of the Masters that I was almost dreading the new season of TC--some of the antics of the contestants in past seasons being a definite put off.

Regarding your question: my husband and I have a blast recreating some of the challenges and dishes for ourselves. We both like to cook anyway, but Top Chef is great inspiration. :)

Tom-

Not nice vice?

I'm and avid home cook, Top Chef fan and advocate of sustainable, local, fresh and organic "good food". My thoughts have been influenced by Michael Pollan, Barbara Kingsolver, Alice Waters and others. I will cut myself off before digressing into a rant about a fractured agricultural system, environmental and health/obesity problems and say that I am pleased with Top Chef's shopping trips to "Whole Foods." However, I was significantly saddened to see your new advertising campaign for a certain diet soft drink. Now, I'm sure there's lots of money involved (which would be tempting for anyone) but I believe soda is just not a "good food" and to have a well-known chef (and now pop icon of sorts) advocating for it...well, lets just say I wish you were out there guiding people away from empty/unhealthy calories and towards delicious summer tomatoes, corn, squash, peaches, etc....

Hi Tom--

I completely disagree with the premise of the article. First, Top Chef can illustrate to viewers different ways to use the ingredients that they find but don't normally use in the refrigerator. Second, the Quickfire can help individuals to think of fast ways to create good dishes. Third, the Elimination Challenge can inspire people to learn more about more refined dishes and the sometimes easy method to create them. Fourth, every episode emphasizes the old wisdom that it is ok to fail and get up and start again and you can succeed. Fifth, even in a "B" market like Phoenix, AZ (where I live) more fresh food options are available in grocery stores and markets--even in these tough times. The grocery stores are operating for a profit, so somebody is buying product and cooking with it........... Top Chef is inspiring to real home cooks or wanna be home cooks!!!

I think the author of the article was looking for an angle. The trend of people cooking less at home began before Top Chef began airing. I personally believe that shows like Top Chef inspire more to cook at home.

I certainly am more aware of ingredients and how they merge together to create a depth of flavor from watching Top Chef than before. Will I ever be a chef? No but do I love watching Top Chef? You bet!!!! Keep up the good work am already LOVING this season!!!

Tom
With your obsession about keeping meat on the bone, why didn't you say something about the contestant who played on "the rack" for not cooking and plating the entire rack?
Also it's pretty cruel to watch past episodes and hear you say to chegs "If I could get rid of all 3 of you I would."
Have a heart.

First I would like to welcome back Tom, Padma, Gail, and Toby. I've been eagerly anticipating the new season. I'm still sad about Carla choking last season :0(... As an African American female myself, I really wanted to see her to win!!!!. Not just because she is African American but because she had good food, cooked with love, and had the most growth as the season went on!!!

I absolutely believe it is the opposite. I believe the show encourages people to cook more. Especially in today's economy, it is cheaper to cook at home than to eat out, and your show gives us at home cooks some great ideas to try out with our families.

Will Anthony Bourdain be guest judging this season? He is soooo cool, cute, and sexy like you Tom ;). If there is another Top Chef Masters, Anthony should be a cheftestant on that show. See you all tonight, I cant wait!!!!

I just read the article you mentioned, I would have to disagree. My finance and I watch the show religiously & in fact our interest in cooking was certainly sparked. My finance often tried similar dishes from the show & even I have tried my hand @ cooking (I am a terrible cook, I must add) & learned a lot.

I wholeheartedly agree with Tom's comment about the article blaming Top Chef for the lack of cooking. My 11 year old LOVEs the show & has learned to cook well . My 7 year old loves it, too. Sometimes he is more interested in figuring out the "bleep" words, but he'll re-cap the show and remembers all the contestants from last year.

In response to your question about spending time in the kitchen, my 10 and 8 yr old sons' both want to open a restaurant and be "top chefs" when they grow up...we even have sample menu's with recipes created by them. So I'd say Top Chef is encouraging to future foodies!!!

Off to another great season! I saw the first show in re-run last night and it was awesome to see the talent you are dealing with this year. I also watched Top Chef Masters and it was refreshing to see a group of wonderfully congenial chefs who look out for each other and show what maturity in the kitchen is all about. The younger chefs should take heed of that and act like adults this time around and temper the language.

I love to cook and have learned alot about technique from watching TC. Thanks for your blogs which are funny and informative.

I read the article in question, and didn't get the accusation- thought the writer was pushing for a connection. And shows like Top Chef (with its giuest judges) have certainly helped diners become more sophisticated about eating out!
I watch all cooking shows and feel I have learned how to be more creative in my daily cooking.
I have downloaded recipes from bravotv.com, but they are often a bit too complex for a weeknight- so I'm saving for a dinner party!!

Chef Tom:

First off may I say how happy I am that your awesome show is in my hometown, and that you enjoy the diverse cuisine so much. Hopefully the season will go to off-strip restaurants and enjoy what's outside of the neon lights.
Secondly, I completely agree with your last paragraph about how this show inspire viewers to enjoy cooking. My girlfriend and I were so inspired by this and previous seasons that we created our own blog to follow along with the show and attempt a few cooking challenges. Check out theunderdone.com and bask in your accolades and where they have lead people like me.

Keep up the awesomeness!!

I don't watch TV much, but I didn't miss a single episode of the very first season or the Top Chef Masters series. (In between I was mostly living in the woods without TV.) My cooking is more innovative, I cook better without recipes, I have learned about knife skills and especially plating. By and large, these cooks serve as teachers for us all and Tom and the other judges teach us discretion and refinements of cooking and professionalism. Thank you.

Sandra Lee might discourage people from cooking, but not Top Chef! I'm an addict, and I cook almost every night. TC inspires me, especially TC Masters - that was exceptional programming.

My new husband at the ripe age of 48 is set on what his tastes are, not wanting to try anything new. Then I turned on Top Chef last season. Suddenly we were watching marathons of previous seasons and my husbands eyes opened as his mouth watered. His MS has pretty much cut off a lot of his taste buds but what he has left is interested in some of those wonderful dishes that you, Gail, Padma, and the guest judges get to taste. Now me, I hate to cook (haha) but a great thank you to Bravo, Top Chef, and the Judging Gang for turning my husband into a beginner foodie and for making me become creative in the kitchen. On the other hand, my husband LOVES my cooking. Thanks for great ideas and a wonderfully entertaining show.

(P.S. Tom - my sister thinks you're gorgeous.)

Hello and good luck to this season's contestants. After reading these blogs, and all the comments I really encourage you to consider a contest for kids. You could do it during the summer months and what could be more positive for the next generation of "Top Chef's" It is a great show and really shows different regional talent! Keep up the good work!

I love watching your show, and tonight for some reason, we (my daughters and I) were watching a rerun of Top Chef while eating Tuna Helper. It made me think that a great "Quickfire Challenge" would be to have to make a great meal while using Chef Boy R Dee, or Hamburger Helper or Dinte Moore Beef Stew in 30 minutes.

Use the recipes and advice from your shows when I have guests and would love ideas of how to make something special with what little is left in my pantry.

What happened to Anthony Bourdain as a guest judge?? I love that guy! get him back please.

It's ridiculous to blame top chef for people not cooking! I may not cook like a top chef, but I certainly mark wednesday nights with some home made viewing snack or appetizer because top chef is on! Take out just doesn't seem the right thing on Wednesday night. I also wanted to say that you give the best critiques and I think any chef would be fortunate to work with you.

Top Chef rocks - I never miss it. Keep up the great work Chef Tom and crew. Can't wait for tonight

I believe quite the contrary...Top Chef continues to awaken untapped culinary interests all around the country. Many home chefs, myself included, have been inspired to broaden their realm of comfort and familiarity in the kitchen. I have never tasted nor cooked with leeks, sun chokes, celery root, chilean sea bass, tuna, and other items that I frequently see and hear about on Top Chef; simply because my Mother, Grandmothers and Great-Grands had not either. But by watching the preparations, listening to the flavor profiles, and hearing your critiques, I have become confident in trying new things, new flavors, and the likes. The other night I prepared a rosemary-basil seared tuna with a lemon-dijon sauce, along with a blackbean puree and a salad. It went over extremely well, and because I was in a hurry, I plated "top chef" style, with my sons counting down!

In addition to my expanded interests, both of my sons have begun to really enjoy learning to cook...something I hadn't really pushed, aside from their knowing how to prepare simple items to be able to feed themselves when they go to college. But now we are spending more and more time together as I teach them the tastes of each herb and various seasonings and sauces...learning what goes well with what..teaching various techniques...they have taken great joy in learning simple things such as home fried potatoes, beans, chicken and dumplings...and I would be delighted to see them continue to increase in their knowledge and understanding of the culinary world.

Top Chef is opening eyes, hearts and most importantly KITCHENS to the culinary world!!! Bravo!!

Like most here, I found the NYT piece to be counter-intuitive in its conclusion. Top Chef got me into cooking. My husband, who was the cook in our family, unexpectedly died a year ago. Besides the obvious, I also found myself lost in a kitchen after a lifetime of having others always cook for me.

I love seafood. Watching Jamie on S5 and her fetish for scallops made me brave enough to try and sear my own batch of scallops for dinner. My cooking naivete showed, however, when I landed in the emergency room with self-induced food poisining. After telling the ER doctor what had happened, he laughed and said that I had better get to cooking class. 20 classes (and lots of triumphs and failures) later, I now cook almost every meal at home.

I'm not much of a cook - I cook because our family needs to eat - but I am much more interested in learning than I used to be. I had been overcooking pork tenderloin for years until Top Chef showed me how properly cooked pork should look. And because of the caliber of the judges, I know I can trust the information. So I (and my family) thank you!

i loved the idea of using vices as the challenge. Michael's rack was hilarious - and creative. Although i don't think Ron got what vices meant? but his dish looked good.
Wolfgang Puck cracked me up too. I also love watching guests judges that make Tom laugh! i think Toby had great comments when judging but Wolfgang was a bit nicer.
I look forward to a great season -

I would have to disagree with the group on the stance of cooking less. My 7 year old daughter is an avid watcher of the show. After every episode gets inspired to cook. She makes up her own dishes, and although some are not so good, she has the creativity to go on to be a good cook. Maybe she will want to be a chef, that would be wonderful for her. In this economy it seems more people are cooking just out of a need to cut back on finances. I am not saying that everyone stopped eating out, but that instead of eating out 3-4 days a week, they are cutting back to only a couple days a week. Also as a society have recognized that fast food is not a good choice for a healthy lifestyle, and that could also encourage cooking at home. When you cook the food you know what goes into the dish. Also there are great websites that have recipes that make it easier to find flavorful yet healthy dishes to cook at home! Love the show TOM!

The first episode was wonderful. The playful use of Vegas as a theme (and perhaps element of torture) kept my curiosity and interest.
I read the NYT article, and I don't agree with the premise that Top Chef et al have discouraged cooking in the average home. To compare a show where contestants compete to prove their skill to a show that is dedicated to sharing and teaching a new skill is inherently flawed.
I grew up in the south, and by now we have seen so many of the contestants from the south speak to the fact that food=love in that region. But I've met my share of Italian and Polish and Czech grandmothers who use the same philosophy, and they've never left Jersey City of South Philly.
This show has introduced me to new ingredients and techniques, it has taught me to appreciate balance and layering of flavor, and it helped me convince my significant other to take me to the Frontera Grill (goat rocks).
I think Julia would have enjoyed Top Chef with its balance of humor and seriousness and with its goal of sharing and spreading an appreciation for real talent and real food.
So Tom, the NYT article is poppycock.

I think shows like "Top Chef" inspire people to cook more. By imitating what I've seen on the show, I've picked up better knife skills, and I've learned about ingredients that I've never used but am now less afraid of.

The NY Times has it all wrong. I cook, cook, cook - Top Chef has taught me so much - I never, never miss an episode!! Top Chef Masters was a marvelous treat to see these Masters in action!!

Top Chef has definitely inspired me to get cooking more. In fact, I'm now in my second week of a 14-week 'Pro Chef' cooking course at an area gourmet shop. I finally know how to hold my knife properly! I don't have any grand aspirations -- just cooking more often, and serving better, more interesting dishes to my family. But I give Top Chef a lot of credit for helping me see that cooking can be fun and not drudgery.

Although I generally read rather than respond to your blog, I wanted to respond to your last sentence about the NY Times article. After reading that piece, I was also surprised that the writer pointed to TOP CHEF as culprit behind the push out of kitchen. As a NYC foodie and granddaughter of a former chef, I have always loved to cook/bake but am challenged by a hustling job and hectic schedule. Yet, after watching TOP CHEF Masters, I was inspired to replicate certain dishes. In particular, my husband and I tried to duplicate Chef Keller's burger on Saturday. The way in which the TOP CHEF cameras showed him inserting the Roquefort cheese into the hand-made concave ground sirloin made my mouth water and urged me to try this dish immediately...and we did!

This weekend, my husband and I are going to create a dish based on our own vices – coffee and champagne! Again, without the inspiration of your show, we would never have such an interesting Saturday night to look forward to…now; we just have to visit your restaurant Craft to get some more inspiration! (We are around the corner and have never been – who can believe it!)

I would have to say that watching Top Chef is a joy. My daughter and I watch it together. She is good at picking up on the techniques in the show. She is 8 years old and is quite the cook. She has actually been wanting to send in a video of her cooking. I have always enjoyed cooking and at one point wanted to become a chef myself. It wasn't in the cards for me to take formal training. However, I did get to go on a sailboat in the Sea of Cortez for a month as the chef on a Catamaran. I think your show does an excellent job of encouraging people to cook. I am still blowing people away with Richard's Tofu steak.

I love watching Top Chef (also enjoyed Top Chef Masters with some of my favorite chefs competing). I am on Social Security so my budget is limited and I can't afford to cook some of the fancy dishes. But I am learning how to season what I do cook, add acidity, etc. So my cooking is improving. Also -- I think cooking shows like Top Chef are a great encouragement to us who like to cook, increasing our knowledge, lifting our abilities to new levels. So I don't people are cooking less but indeed more as a result of cooking shows. THANKS!

My children and I watch Top Chef together. They really enjoy trying new dishes now and participating in cooking. Top Chef makes cooking interesting and not a chore or somethng that only Moms do. Your show has really opened up the kitchen and food to our family. We see the variety of dishes and the variety of people. Thank you.

Gosh, I think TOP CHEF has created MORE interest in cooking, not less! I know for myself, I have been trying all sorts of combinations and being far more created with spices than in the past. Additionally, I am being far more discerning about my own palette choices and paying great attention to the food and its taste and texture and mixability with the other food on the plate. My husband and I are both huge fans and watch faithfully --- taking lots of ideas back into our own kitchen! THANKS for sharing!

Hi Tom,
Just wanted to say that I had stopped cooking when my boyfriend (now husband), trained as a cook in the navy and working in restaurants and diners, took over the cooking duties, and I didn't really miss it all that much...but I love Top Chef and from time to time it inspires me to cook again, so if I'm cooking you know this is a show that inspires it. And what I love about the show is the passion of the chefs for food, for ideas, for the flavors. I love to watch people do what they love to do, it is inspiring. That's the through line for all the contestants, I think. With all the wierd stuff like liquid nitrogen and cooking in bags and frying steak and those strange foams and funny little drinks, the bottom line for all of them is that they love to cook. Anyway, love the show.

Top Chef is to home cooking as the NBA is to pickup basketball. Top Chef is no more the reason people are cooking less than professional sports are the reason we are fatter, as a people. But we are cooking less, and we are in worse shape, and we are much more a nation of spectators than doers. TV, I think, follows the trend, rather than sets it. Top Chef does a service when it lets us into the kitchen, lets us think about the way that flavor and heat interact. It does less of a service when it's about sniping personalities and the usual drivel of the reality show fare. Some seasons have been more of one, some of the other.

This post makes me want to go outside, shoot some hoops, then grill some lamb.

I read the New York Times article when it came out. My immediate response is that Top Chef does not fall into that category. I have learned alot that I incorporate into my home cooking. In particluar the need for acid, how much seasoning to use, and others.

Your comments about kids reminds me: One important responsibility of a Top Chef is to teach. I'd like to see a challenge where the "cheftestants" (ugh, I hate that phrase) have to teach a young chef how to prepare a dish, and then they are scored on how well the STUDENT does! That's the real measure of a teacher.

First things first...CONGRATS on the arrival of your son!! What a great event to celebrate! And second, I can answer that not only has Top Chef encouraged me to cook more, I often find myself turning to recipes of dishes that we've seen on the show. At least I did when they were available online. Our favorite thus far would have to be the fruit soup Ilan made on Season 2. Everyone loves it!

I love Top Chef! I have never enjoyed learning more about food than after watching Top Chef. Working out is a priority with me but since season 1 I have seen been watching Top Chef I appreciate food so much more and I actually enjoyed the learning process. Top Masters was good but not as much fun as Top Chef. I also must give props to Gordon Ramsey because he is an awesome Chef too! My favorite reality shows are the Top Chef and Hell's Kitchen (because of their passion for food and cooking).

I completely agree with you about Top Chef inspiring people to cook more. One of the things I enjoy most about the show is just how many random facts each episode allows me to pick up about food and not only does it make me want to try to make new things, but it also inspires me to find ways to make the things I already know how to cook even better.

I really enjoyed the finale for "Top Chef Masters!" The passion and history they shared was so moving to watch and listen to.

Fewer people cooking? Even my 10 year old daughter has 'attempted' to make a few quick fire dishes. Her favorite was Hung's with the ground Fruit Loops! In my home - Top Chef inspires conversations about history, origins of food and of course Padma's jewelery!

so glad for the new season, LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the show
and you. Looks like this seasons is going to be great

I don't know where you read that article, but if Top Chef has any effect on me, it's that I cook more. And not just more, but with more emphasis on cooking with fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, and with more attention to creativity and presentation (don't get me wrong - still using my old standbys regularly - but still). Top Chef has renewed my interest in and love of cooking.

I am pretty sure you can see many lit places from outer space. Like New York, Chicago, heck even Tucson, AZ!

Wolfgang Puck was great! More guests like him please!

Also, I don't think shows like Top Chef cause people to cook less. It actually caused me to cook more. I began watching the show right after I'd graduated from college and got my own place. I remember eating out a lot until I started watching food shows. The food just looked so good that I decided to try some of the simple things for myself.

I mean, we never grew up eating asparagus in my house. I only ever ate it in resturants, sometimes picking a dish just cause the lovely veggie was in it, After seeing how simple it was to prepare on a food show I decided to give it a try myself. I do that a lot now...try new and simple things I see on chef shows. Sometimes I end up with a bowl of Frosted Flakes cause things didn't turn out, but seeing the simple prep on tv gives me the courage to try new stuff.

Hi. Longtime viewer, first-time commenter.
The last question prompts me to submit my answer, for whatever it's worth. I've always been a foodie, as my hips will attest, and Top Chef has, more than any other program, given me more of an insight into what formally trained chefs are learning, that the home cook might have to glean rather than obtain via direct instruction at a cooking school. This is especially true about balancing flavors, which I hadn't paid as much attention to until time and time again, Top Chef emphasized it. The current American rationale seems to be that if you like a flavor, just add more. More seems to be the answer, as opposed to looking at complements and contrasts and how those can properly set off a flavor component or highlight an element of a dish.
So, does Top Chef inspire me to spend less time in the kitchen? No. Not at all. If anything, it makes me want to hone and improve -- because despite the show featuring so many professionals, it makes me believe, still, in my own ability -- and that means spending even more time cooking. I have two small children, and they are right next to me, perched on the counter or on stools, tasting elements and combinations. They get it. I see their passion budding, in a way that I don't think watching a television program can simply sap out of them.
But maybe I'm an exception. Still, some rag demonizing Top Chef for today's home-cook woes sounds less like a fault of Top Chef and more like someone badly in need of an "original," contrary angle to get published.

Tom -

I recently bought your book "Think Like a Chef" - which is amazing. It is set up in a way that is perfect for people who truly do want to think like a chef but just aren't sure how to do it yet! Anyway, this weekend I made my own white chicken stock (which turned out pretty good, I think). It says in the book you can keep it in the refrigerator for a couple of days or in the freezer for a couple of months - my question is if it is possible to can the stock and preserve it that way? I would think that would be a possibility but as soon as I try it I'll end up with food poisoning and so I thought it would be easier to just ask!

Keep up the great work with Tom Chef, I am totally addicted to the show!

Top Chefs Masters was terrific. I enjoyed the cooking and the amazing interaction between the chefs. It was a pleasure to watch. While I still enjoy Top Chef, I hope I am spared the "romance" of last season and the immature comments of some of the young chefs. Herbert Keller and Rick Payless were excellent examples for your new contestants.

Looking forward to a great season. Last season sucked - too much high school drama and some really bad chefs. I try to forget season 5 ever happended - it was that bad.

Tom,
I love Top Chef. I'm excited a new season has started.

But...I must say I was really disappointed to see you promoting Diet Coke in a commercial. Somehow it just doesn't jibe with what I perceive as your philosophy. What's up? I don't want to think you've sold out!

I was very excited watching the beginning of Season 6 of Top Chef. I've been watching ever since Season 3 and I'm hooked. First of all, I would like to address Mike Isabella's sexist commentary: dude what in the world is your problem. Millions of women watch Top Chef and I bet you a lot of them are single and looking for their soulmate. And after hearing your comments, they've probably crossed you off their list by now. Anyway I have favorites straight off the bat: Jen C., the Voltaggio brothers, Ron, and Jesse. They're really confident, have a lot of cooking skills, and humor.

About that last part:

A few years ago I had recently dropped out of college and was working in a restaurant just to kill time until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. I had never considered cooking as a career. One day I was flipping channels and happened upon Top Chef Season 1, and that got me to start thinking about taking food a little more seriously. A few months later I enrolled in culinary school.

Now I'm a sous chef in a fine dining restaurant.

Thanks for being awesome, Tom.

I love top chef and have been watching it since season one. I must admit i am a terrible cook but my husband has become a great cook because of your show. Is there any chance that all the past seasons will come out on dvd? I would love to watch them again. (with the exception of season two with all the nastiness). Thanks Tom for being such an inspiration.

I have been looking forward to Season 6 competition should be exciting and interesting with such a group of award winning talent. In answer to Tom's question, I think with shows like Top Chef, people are acutually cooking more. I know that I have learned so much about different ingredients, proteins etc, just by watching this program.

Tom, Top Chef has definitely encouraged me to cook. First, I cook something before I sit down and watch the show, because I need something tasty to eat while you get to sample those dishes. :)

But more than that, it gives me great ideas to try in the kitchen. I always appreciate some of the more common challenges, like cooking something low in fat. And with the focus lately in the culinary world on good ingredients cooked simply, many of the recipes are quite accessible.

There used to just be Julia Child. I watched her when I was growing up, and to be honest, she didn't encourage me to cook. I found what she did daunting though entertaining. The first cook who did something and I thought, "I can do that," was Justin Wilson. I was in college, and I finally discovered the joy of cooking. He was the gateway drug that led me to chefs who taught me how to find the best ingredients and let them shine.

TC to me works several ways. It's getting people interested in food. Those of us already interested are learning about techniques, ingredients, and flavor pairings that we'd not heard of. It's like a food encyclopedia each week, where all the volumes are tossed in the air and land with random pages open. And you can't help but want to dive in and start turning pages.

I'd never cooked before watching Top Chef - it definitely inspired me. And it's not like I have more time - I'm a med student!

Can't imagine that anybody would think that Top Chef would keep people out of the kitchen-it is always making me want to rush in, open my pantry and whip up a six course meal in 30 minutes. And be honest, haven't you gone down an aisle in your supermarket looking at the products and wondering what you could make just using items in that particular aisle? Love love love the show-Wolfgang Puck for next Top Chef Masters! (and Eric Ripert too, sigh) And believe me, Michael will not be winning fan favorite. What a jerk. Top Chef Masters proved you don't have to be arrogant or have a fat head to win-just do the job.

I have been a fan of cooking shows all my life, although each was hard to find without PBS. Nowadays, this genre is abundant and I, for one, find them totally inspiring. I've even taken to mes en prep (SP?) before preparing meals 'cause that's how the big dogs do it!

Thank you for a wonderful show. I continue to be a faithful viewer.

Hello Tom,

Season 1 seems like such a long time ago, and yet, here I am, on Season 6 and ready for more. I also enjoy the blogs for the show, though I don't often respond to them. You did ask for thoughts, though, so I will offer my perspective.

I would consider myself an excellent and enthusiastic home cook, who dabbles a bit into the realm of being a chef. ;-) Top Chef has encouraged me to formalize my culinary skills and familiarize myself with technique, form and history. The show has helped me refine my personal art of cooking, and expanded my knowledge of terminology and ingredients. Quite the contrary to the aforementioned article.

Peace to you and yours. . .

Traci

Love the show--never miss it! This looks to be a great season; but I prefer up and coming chefs to those who have "made it."

I don't think the show discourages cooking; it's just the opposite. Although I don't see myself cooking at near the level of this season's chefs. I can't identify with them.

Hello Tom and welcome back to another season. First off in answer to your question, we have become more global in our society due to Bravo and Food Network. These cooking shows and T.V Chefs (some brilliant and some not)have introduce a great many Americans to so many worldly and refined foods that they may not have heard of, or would have encountered in their every day lives. Many of my friends have attempted to create something in the kitchen because of TC and other such shows. If anything these shows have encouraged many people to be more adventurous in trying different things.

As for myself I have been and alway's will be a foody. Thanks to my mother, who has alway's been a master in ther kitchen (she could tast a dish in a fine dining restaurant and name every spice and herb, then recreate it at home or even improve upon it). Thank god I got her tast buds when I was born.

Just one question Tom, I've seen Asian Fusion Chefs, Italian Fusion, Greek, Indian etc etc. But I have yet to see a chef with a Middle Eastern background trying to bring Mid East food to a new level, taking the traditional dishes and flavors and building upon them. Are there any new and exciting Chefs out there doing this and will TC ever have one of them on the show? I ask this because not only did I grow up with this food; my background is Jordanian, but I have experimented with flavors all my life and sucessfully blended Mid east with American, French and Italian styles. I've owned a few restaurants in the past but I never concidered trying out for TC, but I'm getting more tempted all the time :)

Cheers,
Robert Marar

Tom

Top Chef has inspired a greater love and appreciation in me for cooking. My five year old son and I watch it every week. The only downside is that it makes him hungry. Top Chef gave me one of the greatest memories I will have of my life. Soon after the Common Threads episode on Season 4, my son & I made Antonia's dish together on Mother's Day. Having him stand beside me with a headband in his hair, chopping vegtables at the sink and enjoying the food that we made together is a memory that I cherish often. Top Chef instilled a love in cooking with my son and he and I share together. I recall Michael Chiarello speaking fondly of his mother teaching him how to make gnochhi when he was a child. Top Chef brings out the heart and passion of cooking.

I loved Top Chef Masters. The way that everyone treated each other with respect and how they each tried to learn off of each other was heart warming. Any one of the remaining three could have won and I would have been happy.

I enjoy reading your insight and I love this show. I DVR every episode and watch it at least four times.

I'd like to first respond to a comment you made that Vegas is the only city that can be seen from outer space due to the lights - not even close to being true; most of the world's cities and towns are visible at night from outer space due to the contrast of street lights and a dark background.

On a personal note, Top Chef hasn't stopped me from cooking, but it has made me more adventurous in what and how I cook. I'm looking forward to an interesting season.

Tom,

I read the same article, and I disagree with the comment that watching Top Chef takes people out of the kitchen. I work full-time in the high-tech sector; time is at a premium for me. However, I firmly believe that food is more than fuel for the body, it is also nourishment for the soul. Almost every day I make a conscious choice to spend time preparing a meal to the best of my ability from fresh ingredients. It is not always easy to carve out this time, but it is important to me so I find a way.

Watching Top Chef is a once a week treat that provides me with ideas and inspiration. It is one of the few shows that I choose to find time to watch - and as I enjoy it after the dinner hour there is no risk of conflict with my time in my kitchen.

Sheri
Vancouver, BC