Season 6 of Top Chef started out promising for our 3 Atlanta chefs out of 17 contestants. Unfortunately, one of my favorite chefs, Hector Santiago was booted off a couple weeks back. I’ve never had much interest in the show until this season. I had actually never seen a single episode until this season. But, I was sucked in by the fact that not one or two but three chefs from the ATL are on the show.
In case you’ve missed it, here’s a quick recap. It started out with many talented chefs from across the country. Here in Atlanta, interviews / tryouts were conducted at Tom Colicchio’s restaurant Craft. As I said, 3 chefs from Atlanta made the cut – Hector Santiago (Pura Vida), Eli Kirshtein (Eno), Kevin Gillespie (Woodfire Grill).
Chefs better be prepared to cook with just about anything – a recent episode had them cooking cactus – and in any condition. It could be over fire pits in the middle of the dessert or in an Army base with bare bones kitchen appliances.
Many of the women have been booted of thus far. Hector was the first male to go. I do have a soft spot for Hector as I LOVE Pura Vida. Having eaten at his restaurant, it is too bad his best work wasn’t showcased. And it is also a shame that some cooks that seem to be less talented than Hector still remain on the show. However, he did get high praises from the judges for his tofu ceviche, and it is now on the menu at Pura Vida.
As I’ve not seen the show in the past, I don’t have a frame of reference, but it seems like you could tell from episode one, who the last men (and ladies) standing will be. They seem to devote more camera time to these guys from day 1 than other contestants. I expect that the last 4 remaining will be brothers Michael and Brian Voltaggio, Mike Isabella, and the Jennifer Carroll.
Top Chef airs Wednesday nights at 10 PM on Bravo.
