Kacyology...

If you can’t tell from my totally random food talk, food pictures, food reblogs, etc…I am a total food nerd. There are very few shows that I totally “geek out” to and Top Chef is #1 on that list! Last night was the (highly anticipated…for me at least) season premiere of Top Chef Washington D.C.

1. I like the location…from what I hear (since I’ve never actually been to D.C.) it’s a cultural food mecca and a pretty underrated foodie city.

2. It’s always hard to get to “know” the contestants so early on b/c there are so many…but at first glance, here’s what I’m thinking by way of early favorites: a. Kenny- he’s FAST, he’s got a good head on his shoulders and he’s not a traditional “fancy” chef (no executive chef here) so he might turn out to be the sneaky underdog, b. Tiffany-she didn’t start out ridiculously strong, but I think she’s someone to watch out for. Obviously I’m biased b/c she’s a Texas girl, but I like her attitude and she is the executive chef for Go Fish Ocean Club in Dallas…I think she might bring a mean Texas twist to some seafood challenges, and c. Angelo-an obvious standout after the first episode. I know he’s totally self-involved and sure of himself but hey, his restaurant has been given a Michelin Star not to mention that his mentor is Jean-Georges. If that doesn’t impress you, I don’t know what will. And he wasn’t just good on paper…he really blew away the competition, winning both the quick-fire and the challenge. I think he has definitely marked himself as the man to beat this season.

3. Eric Ripert- who doesn’t love that soft-spoken Frenchman? If soft-spoken and Frenchman don’t get you then the fact that he is the owner/executive chef of New York’s Le Bernardin, which has been given countless awards, including Best Restaurant in America and he personally has been given the honor of Best Chef in the United States. This guy knows his stuff and you’ll like hearing him prove it…I sure do! I think he’s a nice change of pace from the more outspoken Brit, Toby Young, who interestingly enough, is not a chef/culinary expert at all, but a journalist. So, it’s nice to have a full panel of culinary minds!

Of course they didn’t ask my opinion…but in a perfect world, they would have the incredibly witty, knowledgeable, chef/traveler extraordinaire Mr. Anthony Bourdain as a panel-member. Now, that would make things interesting. But alas, I have no say-so!