‘Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen’ review: Did Bart ever stand a chance?
For those of you who want to make an argument that returning players are bad for TV and for fairness, you may want to look at what is currently going on in the context of “Top Chef” as evidence. This season started with 18 chefs, and it included fifteen new chefs and three returning. When it comes to chefs that are for sure fighting to stay alive in the competition (excluding the chefs that America is voting to save), we now have seven new chefs and the three returning contestants. While CJ is in “Last Chance Kitchen,” he is winning almost on a weekly basis now … and therefore, he is still guaranteed a chance to win this competition based on his own cooking ability.
Following the elimination of Bart on Wednesday night’s new episode, it was really pretty clear just who this battle was going to go to. CJ left the competition thanks to a cruel twist and a bad decision on his and Tyler’s part; meanwhile, Bart left the competition thanks to consistently underseasoning his food. His confidence was therefore rattled, and it was clear that he had a cooking style that differed from what Tom Colicchio is looking for in a winner.
With that in mind, CJ won this challenge (which was all about making the perfect dish using chicken breast), and now has a chance yet again at making his way back onto the show. Sooner or later, it’s almost inevitable that he will be facing another returning chef soon. Josie has struggled at times all season long, and while Stefan has been solid (and not to mention thoroughly entertaining), the two favorites to win this competition from our perspective are Kristen and Brooke.
How long do you think CJ’s winning streak is going to last? If you want to read our full review about Bart’s elimination, you can do so over here.
Photo: Bravo
tra
January 7, 2013 @ 12:32 am
To whom it may concern
I find it funny, that you all at top chef keep people who, are constantly being on the butcher block for bad food, as well as these same people are throwing people under the bus jus to save their own buts. And yet you get rid of a wonderful chef names Bart. This is not acceptable. I have had the pleasure of eating at his restraint in Washington dc called Belja Cafe many times over the years… I feel before you find the need to judge someone unfairly, i feel that you need to understand them, and know where they have come from and where they are known.. This woman that Bart was paired with was and is a nut case. She does not care about anyone but herself, she trashed all the other players, she talks like she is either on drugs and or drunk all the time, she throws her competitors under the buss every chance she can. And yet you still have this messed up women on your show. She was on the butchers block more times than Bart, but yet you let Bart go… I am wondering ow no I am not wondering, I feel that the only reason you kept this nut case is that she is crazy and acts crazy, and she has and will better your shows ratings. And a man like Bart who is a please to be around, does not act and or wish to throw others under the bus you got rid of. I mean really because he did not add enough salt to a dish you get rid of him, and i believe the women and I use that term lightly made some nasty tasting foods and she is still there… I know that you all have made dishes that have not been the best, and for any of you to judge him, and treat him like you a better then he is ( Bart), maybe it is time that you take a long look in the mirror… Ow right you all think you have made it and your better than anyone else, and no one has the right to call you out and tell you that you all made a mistake. AGAIN you made a mistake; you got rid of a great person, that respected everyone and the foods that he makes. ( Bart) and kept the women that he was paired up with the night he was eliminated…. I can tell you that I will not, continue to watch this show know and or into the future… You have all proved to me that sometimes it is not about the foods, and the chef that it is about the ratings.. Until this changes I will never watch top chef again. My last statement is that i saved all of the shows and I had a few of my friends watch them and they said the same thing that this women i think her name was Josie (not sure of the spelling) who Bart with paired up with the night of his elimination. Should have been sent packing not Bart…. I feel, and others I have spoken to feel the same way that you all made a big mistake, and that you all need to do the right thing… AND BRING BART BACK, he deserves this and you own him this because it looks like all the show is interested in is drama and this women gives the show drama, and all Bart did was make a mistake by not adding enough seasoning… As I stated above I will no longer watch this show, know and or into the forcible future. I have watch all of the season, and I have noticed that the drama has gotten worse and worse it is time to judge the chefs for their ability to cook, not on their ability to produce drama that increases the shows ratings…
Sincerely
A no longer fan of top chef
Libby
January 3, 2013 @ 2:22 pm
Thank you for reviewing Last Chance Kitchen. I think that several of the dishes have been so close that Tom just picks his favorite to win. With the competitors mistakes during the elimination challenge fresh in his mind, he’ll go with CJ every time. I think that CJ will go all the way because he shouldn’t have been eliminated in the first place.