Please pack your knives and go.
What number of occasions has Padma Lakshmi, the ever-chic host and decide of Bravo’s actuality establishment “High Chef,” uttered these phrases to keen, hungry cooks competing for a money prize and culinary glory?
Not less than a number of hundred at this level, as the cooking competitors sequence begins its twentieth season (Thursdays, 9 EST/PST). Since its debut in 2006, “Chef” has made Lakshmi a family identify, launched the careers of dozens of cooks, weathered a pandemic that introduced the restaurant trade to its knees and created entertaining controversy out of pea soup and risotto. And in some methods, it appears like “Chef” is simply getting began.
Because it heads to London for a first-time “World All-Stars” competitors in Season 20, we glance again on how “Chef” has cooked up a recipe for actuality longevity.
What to learn about ‘High Chef’ Season 20
For its new season, Bravo despatched the sequence abroad to London for a “World All Stars” competitors amongst alumni from the unique American version of the present and plenty of of its worldwide counterparts. And in contrast to previous all-stars seasons, this new group of contestants consists of some earlier winners within the combine.
A few of the notable American cooks embody Season 19 winner Buddha Lo, Season 16 finalist Sara Bradley and Season 18 finalist Daybreak Burrell.
Why ‘High Chef’ nonetheless simmers
Some actuality reveals come and go with out a whisper in our collective recollections to tell us they had been there (do you keep in mind “Joe Millionaire”? “Skating with the Stars”? “Mr. Character”?). A choose few turn out to be pop-culture establishments that final for many years. Seventeen years in, “Chef” not solely marches on commercially however creatively, adapting to the altering world much better than nearly another long-running sequence, in methods each refined and foundational.
Over its first 10 seasons, “Chef” slowly dropped its cattiness, housemates drama and juvenile antics, which had been a reality-TV prerequisite within the early 2000s. Someplace alongside the way in which, the present transitioned from merely dropping its negativity to being a drive for artistic prowess, a showcase for competency and greatness. As enjoyable as it’s to look at decide Tom Colicchio roast a contestant who under-seasoned his dish, it is extra fulfilling to look at the hardened chef’s face gentle up with pleasure when he tastes one thing unimaginable. That may be a far cry from the time in Season 2 when one of many contestants tried to forcibly shave one other’s head.
Because the sequence gained in recognition and acclaim inside the meals trade, the caliber of cooks getting into the competitors dramatically elevated. It began with sous cooks, line cooks and different younger whippersnappers able to get their fingers soiled in pursuit of prize cash and fame. However current seasons have been populated by government cooks, a lot of whom already personal their very own eating places. The higher the cooks, the higher the meals, and so they have created some actually delectable, mouth-watering creations through the years.
“Chef” has additionally responded to modifications within the meals world and the better zeitgeist. The sequence has gotten much better at not exoticizing meals from non-white cultures and developed a better respect for them. A excessive level was the quarantined Season 18 in Portland, Oregon, which celebrated Pan-African delicacies – a notable blind spot in previous seasons – and indigenous meals, with a dinner attended by members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla. Bringing cooks collectively from all over the world in Season 20 is a end result of this effort to acknowledge extra than simply the French and Italian staples that make up so many cookbooks.
In 2023, “Chef” is a well-oiled machine. The producers and judges – together with Lakshmi, Colicchio and Gail Simmons – know their beats and their barbs. The contestants have all achieved this earlier than. All that is left is to see who can come out on prime for the twentieth time.
Please, “Chef,” do not pack these knives or go anyplace.
Extra on ‘High Chef’ and culinary TV
%20(1).png "Unlocking Culinary Creativity: The Art and Science of Recipe Development")
