Sunday, February 20, 2011

Top Chef - Seasons 9 and Beyond

All Top Chef reader Ellen K suggested that we start a post for our readers to make suggestions for future seasons of Top Chef. Not that this very fun All-Star season can be topped (personally, I don't think they've been able to top Season 4), but it would be fun to try.

So...what do you think Bravo should do for Seasons 9 and beyond? Should there be more All-Star seasons? Maybe a season of losers? Do you have ideas for fun and interesting challenges?

Do keep in mind that we're not affiliated with Bravo in any way, but who knows who'll be reading this blog!

20 comments:

Barbara said...

Quickfire challenge: what can you do with typical doggie bag leftovers from a restaurant? These might be orange chicken from a chinese place; half a piece of blackened tuna or grilled salmon; half a philly cheesesteak sub; half of a wrap of some kind; pizza.

Top Chef, the Judges - one episode putting the judges of the various editions to the test.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to see a challenge where the chef's make a tasty meal for folks on weight watchers, and they have to figure out the points, etc. That would be great!

Marsha said...

I think a season of teen cheftestants would be very cool. I'm sure we'd all be impressed by what teens could do - and it would be a great encouragement to youth. It could also be a cool opportunity to pair up teens with previous cheftestants as mentors.

And Andy, if you're reading this and decide this is a good idea, please invite me to one of the episodes of Top Chef: Teens!!! :D

theminx said...

Marsha - in June of 2008, Bravo announced they were going to make Top Chef Junior featuring teens.

From the press release: "The love of food reaches all ages and teens today are continually expanding their culinary knowledge from cooking classes to kids' cookbooks. "Top Chef Junior," which will be based on the Emmy-nominated hit culinary series "Top Chef," is an eight episode series where teens (likely ages 13 to 16) will compete to see if they have what it takes to become a junior "Top Chef."

I have no idea if Bravo and Magical Elves went forward with the plans or not.

Marsha said...

Theminx: well of course they've already thought of it - LOL! But thanks for letting me know. Wonder what happened to the idea...maybe that got caught up in the PR fray? Oh well, I still want to be invited! ;)

Sharon Rudd said...

Colicchio said they ruled out Top Chef Junior because of practicalities. Labor laws restrict their work hours and they’d have to have tutors on set, etc.

But I think it would be great to have an EC where the contestants teamed up with kids in some kind of mentoring capacity.

ellen said...

My idea would be to have the winning chefs from past seasons compete - kind of like a Top Top Chef...
Do I stay up at night thinking of these things? Afraid so...
Regards, Ellen K

Marsha said...

Well, maybe they could borrow from Biggest Loser and do a "couples" show.

I am late to the Top Chef phenomenon, but I'm hooked!! :D

Kristine said...

I agree with Minx on Season 4. They should just bring everyone back and do it again. Since Antonia's going to win All Stars, it'll be fun to see her and Stephanie go head to head. (that's not a spoiler, that's my opinion. She's got more air time than anyone, including Mike I.)

Heather said...

Top Chef: Winner's Circle... All the past winners.
Top Chef: Second Chance... All the people who went home first or second in their season.
Top Chef: Judges... All past judges with a background in food preparation compete, including Padma, Tom, Bourdain, etc.

Aggrazel said...

Top Chef: On the Road

Each episode takes place in a different city, the cheftestants live on a bus. ;)

MoHub said...

I love the idea of Top Chef: Second Chance. I'd particular like to see Sujai from season 2 back, as she's done some Food Network Challenges and really proved herself.

Would you bring back both first eliminees from season 5 since the first never really got her foot in the door in the first place?

What about Elia going out first in All Stars? Would she come back yet again?

In addition, rather than a new theme, I'd like to see some new cities as locations. I'm thinking Baltimore, Austin, and Seattle for starters. Especially Baltimore, as the viewing public needs to know there's more to Charm City than just seafood.

Anonymous said...

how about a season of all the people who were the first to go in their seasons - top chef losers?

Anonymous said...

It seems that they need to do something fresh with the format, not just repackage participants. Top Chef: Speed Freaks, where everything is done in 2 hours or less? Top Chef: Home Edition, where every ingredient or piece of equipment can be found in an average home kitchen? Top Chef: All-Nighter, where the competitions all take place after 10pm in New York or LA for those cities' vibrant late-night scenes?

We love Top Chef and will continue to watch it, but it feels like this All-Stars season really offers a juncture to make a format change for the next few competitions.

melissaf said...

Hi Ya'll, Finally, a place where I can Hootie Hoo with other TC fans!!!!!

I love this season, amd awed by the talent and love how unexpected each packing of the knives goes. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

Want Carla to take it home- but I think Richard is going to win it. As far as new episodes... I"m ready to see it changed up too, new cities are great (Go B'More!) and new players....if I knew how to make it better I'd quit my day job.

melissaf

DebbyT said...

I would love to see a Kosher challenge...not kosher "style," but the real thing. Ask Hung and Eli...they've done it. A true challenge.

Anonymous said...

How about top chef Canada or Mexico? Has there ever been a college campus challenge?

Varsha Gopal said...

is this padma an indian ?

Varsha Gopal said...

can we make the season 9 of top chef as within the masters of top chef ??

Merry Monk said...

Top Chef should do a best of the worst season. Bring back all the contestants that went home first on their respective season. That would be fantastic.

Elimination challenge: Chefs have to prepare an authentic Asian meal and shop at an Asian grocery store.

Best idea of all...Bring back Fabio...soon, that dude is hilarious!