BTV – Top Chef Returns…

So last night was a GREAT night as “Top Chef: Las Vegas” premiered. 

I LOVE “Top Chef”!!!  There I said it.  I even really dug “Top Chef Masters” (which wrapped up last night, but it’s still on the DVR, so don’t tell me anything about it) but let’s face it, it just didn’t have the same energy as the original.

- Here is where if you haven’t seen last night show yet, you should bail, cause I’m gonna talk about what went down! –

BACON – represent!  Eli wearing a bacon t-shirt, Laurine’s bacon donuts (even though they were heavy), Robin’s proclaiming that her vice was that she was an “Evil Jew” for her love of pork (and what looked like a great bacon reduction sauce that didn’t get on her plate).

What’s the deal with making the very first Quickfire Challange the annual, and usually anticipated,  Relay Challenge?  That kind of bummed me out.  I really like how in season’s past they would open with every chef making a signature dish. (actually now that I think about it, didn’t New York open with some type of skills challenge?) I think you get more of an idea who the contestants are with that type of challenge out of the gate.  You could say the the Elimination Challenge served that purpose and I would agree to a point, it’s just that after this episode, I didn’t really get a strong feeling on who these contestants are.

Who are these women who love whisky/bourbon???  The Elimination Challenge was to serve a meal based on the chef’s vices and almost every woman admitted to not only drinking to access, but to drinking whiskey!!  Damn!  I’ve only met one whiskey lovin’ woman in my 38 years (seriously one cool chick, she also loves butter on her steaks – SCORE) so to see these women profess their love for whiskey, whiskey, whiskey…well, I was impressed!

Speaking of the women – holy ink Batman.  I’ve seen biker gangs with less tattoos.

I am intrigued by the two brothers, I think they will make some good TV (and some good dishes).

Wolfgang, great judge!

How many James Beard nominees where there?  Three?  Holy Moley!  And one of the chefs has received a Michelin star…these are some talented cheftestants!

Michigan has got some skin in the game – let’s go Eve!!  She was featured in the Free Press earlier in the week and after reading that article and seeing what she plated…it really didn’t seem like the same chef.  I hope it was just a matter of first competition jitters and that she comes through later…if it wasn’t for Jen and her bad, bad meal (seitan???) she easily could have gone home last night.

I am glad Jen is gone though.  I seriously could not stop starring those “earrings”.  If I had to look at that all season, oh boy…

Thoughts??

For you fans, here are a few other links to read:

Sepinwell on TV

Tom Colicchio’s “Top Chef” blog