Tournament of Champions - Season 6 Discussion Thread

[mlp]

1 hour ago, meep.meep said:

Between Nancy and Marcus, it seems that Scott did not get the hat memo.

He probably should have.  I don't know what was going on with his hair but he looked like he'd spent the night under a bridge.

I think I prefer Nancy's hat to her barrettes.  

[Ancaster]

Sorry, Tiffani, carrying a clipboard and wearing black glasses does not make you successful as a try hard Justin Warner mini me.  I think I've finally let go of the mean girl thing, but it's time to find your own persona.

[dleighg]

And she keeps saying "If you've got a plan, I've got a pen."

Stop. Please. She really doesn't need a catch phrase. Just ask the chefs what they're up to.

[allirish47]

Quote

Sorry, Tiffani, carrying a clipboard and wearing black glasses does not make you successful as a try hard Justin Warner mini me. 

I've come to appreciate Tiff as she's moved beyond the TC mean girl she started out as, but she still has some work to do here to be effective in her role. Justin is unique, and he really does know his stuff; I always learn something from him. He was really prescient when, while Karen O. was cooking, he told us that those spice mixes have added salt so beware. And sure enough.

[Infie]

Re: The shock at Joe winning.  I think that the scores spoke for themselves in terms of that both dishes were excellent, but I think that Guy and Tiffani were both expecting the judges to punish Joe for grinding up the steak rather than using it, and I think that's where the shock came from.  

 

[meowmommy]

6 hours ago, allirish47 said:

Justin is unique, and he really does know his stuff; I always learn something from him.

I keep thinking that if there’s ever yet another iteration of Good Eats, it should be for Justin (and after all, he was Alton’s protege on TNFNS).  He’s got the nerdiness, the quirkiness, and the knowledge down pat.

[rhygirl720]

Losing Jet and Shota in the same night was tough to watch...Guess I'm rooting for Nini.

[HyeChaps]

I'm guessing there will be a filler episode at the end where we will see more Simon discussions.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I'm rooting for Lee Anne and Antonia, since Shota and Jet are out.  

[mlp]

On 4/3/2025 at 1:43 AM, meowmommy said:

I keep thinking that if there’s ever yet another iteration of Good Eats, it should be for Justin (and after all, he was Alton’s protege on TNFNS).  He’s got the nerdiness, the quirkiness, and the knowledge down pat.

When Justin was on NFNS, I couldn't stand him because he was so cocky and deliberately quirky.  After a few years, he matured and I began to understand what Alton saw in him.  Now he's become a favorite and I'm happy to see him wherever he turns up.  Funny how that happens.

[Mellowyellow]

I liked everyone who won except Lee Anne so I was fairly happy with the results. That said, I think Lee Anne cooked the better dish so really can’t complain.

Thank goodness Guy has stopped calling mild mannered Britt the Angry Italian. That was weird!

Still very much enjoying the show. I like the new chefs that it’s introducing even if I don’t know much about them and I enjoy seeing familiar faces like Sarah B and Kaleena.

[jackjill89]

4 hours ago, Mellowyellow said:

I liked everyone who won except Lee Anne so I was fairly happy with the results. That said, I think Lee Anne cooked the better dish so really can’t complain.

Thank goodness Guy has stopped calling mild mannered Britt the Angry Italian. That was weird!

Still very much enjoying the show. I like the new chefs that it’s introducing even if I don’t know much about them and I enjoy seeing familiar faces like Sarah B and Kaleena.

He still calls her that! 

[kirklandia]

I am spoiler-averse.  Which is a problem if you are a fan of food competition shows - and are catching up on seasons you missed.

Somehow, I had missed out on Top Chef Masters.  I have really been digging it!  Then last week during Tournament of Champions, while introducing one of the chefs, they mentioned that she had beaten Top Chef Master (name here) in a previous round. And he is a contestant in the TCM season I'm watching now. Fun spoiled - bummer!

But of course, I am still watching TCM!  And Episode 7 of Season 4 looks like the inspiration for ToC.

The elimination challenge had a boxing tournament theme. The guest judge was Sugar Ray Leonard. They were set up inside a boxing ring, cooking head to head.

Host Curtis Stone was running the show (at a much lower volume than Guy).  Lots of the same shtick.

And he did make up dumb nicknames for each of the chefs.

[DEL901]

Competition breakdown:  going into the top 16 were 10 men and 6 women chefs.  

There are 6 M/W match ups and 2 M/M match ups.  Last week, there was 1 M/M match ups resulting in Joe going through.  In the 3 M/F match ups,  all 3 women who competed won their match.  

This week, it is broken down the same, so one man (Adam or Kevin) is guaranteed to get to F8.  The other 3 matches are M/F.  

Worst case for the guys, 2 Joe and either Adam or Kevin make it through, against 6 women.  Worst case for the women:  None win tonight, and it will be 3 women and 5 guys in the round of 8.

Edited April 7 by DEL901

[DEL901]

Recap - seasons 1-5 gender breakdown in the semi-finals:

Season 1 - zero men

Seasons 4 & 5 - Jet Tila

Seasons 2 & 3 - Jet Tila and 1 other man (Darnell F and Tobias D respectively).

How will it shake out this season?  I was kind of worried after round one when 10 men and only 6 women went through.  But watching tonight, I’m feeling a bit better about the gender balance.

[DEL901]

Putting this in spoiler tags in case someone hasnt watched yet…

Spoiler

OMG, the men imploded.  All six women won their matches.  The only guys who went through, were in the M/M matches, so a guy was going through regardless.

So, the F8 is 6 women and 2 men.  They men won’t be going against each other (which would have guaranteed one man in the F4), so we’ll see if the “worst” happens and they both lose… will Guy cry?  He was pretty unhappy when Jet lost last year.

 

[Grizzly]

Would someone please tell Cat Cora where to look? She is all over the place.

[Mellowyellow]

8 hours ago, jackjill89 said:

He still calls her that! 

I must have missed it! Ridiculous nickname! The Christa Latke (sp?) lady was kind of angry looking but Britt always looks cheerful to me! Where on earth did he get angry from???

1 hour ago, DEL901 said:

Putting this in spoiler tags in case someone hasnt watched yet…

  Reveal spoiler

OMG, the men imploded.  All six women won their matches.  The only guys who went through, were in the M/M matches, so a guy was going through regardless.

So, the F8 is 6 women and 2 men.  They men won’t be going against each other (which would have guaranteed one man in the F4), so we’ll see if the “worst” happens and they both lose… will Guy cry?  He was pretty unhappy when Jet lost last year.

 

Wow!!!!! I’m happy though!!!!

[Ancaster]

Wow, 

Spoiler

Carlos

was pissed, and graceless.

[Harry24]

Although Kevin is a favorite of mine, I actually felt sorry for Sobel.  It had to have been a real jolt to his ego to only score a 75.  It goes to show that you have to be prepared for public failure and a possible dent in your reputation to do this show.  
 

And he’s done several seasons now, so he knows how to play the game.  That’s what usually takes out big name chefs.

Delighted Carlos is out.  But I was rooting for David.  Antonia crushed it.  

[Quilt Fairy]

Funny that the last 2 "showcase" battles were won with a cheeseburger and fish & chips.

[Ancaster]

Tiffani, Tiffani, Tiffani.  Please find a stylist.

Were those corduroy culottes or a really unfortunate skirt?  And the top reminded me of my English Brownie uniform from the 1960s.

 

Edited April 7 by Ancaster
Because I can't proofread

[Kendra143]

No Tobias, no Jet Tila? We’re stuck with clowns like Joe Shasto and Carlos Whatshis name??   And could Antonia be more desperate to win?? I think I’m out. 

No Tobias, not Jet Tila?? We’re left with clowns like Joe Shasto and Carlos whatshisname, and a very desperate Antonia? I think I’m out. 

[DEL901]

38 minutes ago, Kendra143 said:

No Tobias, no Jet Tila? We’re stuck with clowns like Joe Shasto and Carlos Whatshis name??   And could Antonia be more desperate to win?? I think I’m out. 

No Tobias, not Jet Tila?? We’re left with clowns like Joe Shasto and Carlos whatshisname, and a very desperate Antonia? I think I’m out. 

No, Carlos is out.   He lost and had a melt down.  

[DEL901]

The breakdown for next week:

A) Antonia vs Kevin - He’s done great.  He came last year not just through the qualifying rounds, but he was a last minute substitute who just got the call that he was in a day or so before it was time to cook.  But Antonio is on a mission.  Edge to Antonia

B) Britt vs Kaleena - Britt is a #1 seed, but I think Kaleena has been cooking better - Edge to Kaleena

C) Joe vs Lee Anne - Joe did amazing with the burger but just squeaked through the first round.  - Toss up

D - Sara vs Nini - I don’t know much about either.  - Toss up with slight edge to Sara.

If the guys were against each other, there would be a guaranteed male chef in the semis.   While theoretically, there could be 2 in the semis, I wouldn’t be surprised with an all female semi-final - with the added bonus of Guy crying.

Edited April 7 by DEL901

[dleighg]

What I noticed in the last battle (Antonia vs Rocko) was that they have a seriously stocked pantry back there, beyond the required elements. To have pre-shelled English peas so that Antonia can do mushy peas (not a required element). I get that they are a typical pub thing, so perhaps the pantry designers were thinking ahead. I would love to see shelled peas sometime in my grocery store (or even in the shell!) And preserved lemons, meyer lemons (for the Sarah contest), date paste (I have NEVER seen that), and kumquats?

Do you think the chefs can request their favorite go-to ingredients?

[Infie]

Re: Carlos - I didn't think he had a meltdown.  He was clearly disappointed that he lost and he said "I thought I was swinging for the fences" but that was the extent of it.  He's generally a very high energy guy so I actually thought that his disappointment was quite subdued.  We've certainly seen chefs way angrier or way more energetically upset about losing than Carlos this season. 

I am so happy that Antonia won.  

[Bastet]

15 hours ago, Mellowyellow said:

Britt always looks cheerful to me! Where on earth did he get angry from???

I highly doubt if someone who looks like, say, Giada De Laurentiis did and said all the same things Britt has ever done, Guy would even think of calling her "The Angry Italian".  Britt's manner is less aggressive than many cheftestants, yet she's the one he describes as angry?  I think her not being stereotypically "feminine" is coloring his perception.

4 hours ago, DEL901 said:

D - Sara vs Nini - I don’t know much about either.  - Toss up with slight edge to Sara.

Based on their Top Chef performances, Sara is a better chef and stronger competitor.  But Nini seems to have gained confidence as well as skill with these extra years of experience under her belt.  I like both, but I've always really liked Sara, so I'll be rooting for her but won't be bummed if Nini has the better cook that day.

[Ancaster]

16 minutes ago, Bastet said:

I highly doubt if someone who looks like, say, Giada De Laurentiis did and said all the same things Britt has ever done, Guy would even think of calling her "The Angry Italian".  Britt's manner is less aggressive than many cheftestants, yet she's the one he describes as angry?  I think her not being stereotypically "feminine" is coloring his perception.

 

Absolutely this - and I wish someone on production would be aware enough to tell him to stop.

[Mondrianyone]

I don't see anyone in production telling Guy to stop anything.

[chessiegal]

40 minutes ago, Mondrianyone said:

I don't see anyone in production telling Guy to stop anything.

Considering Guy is one of the executive producers of the show, exactly who in production is supposed to tell him? I doubt FN is going to interfere with their cash cow.

[Quilt Fairy]

6 hours ago, DEL901 said:

B) Britt vs Kaleena - Britt is a #1 seed, but I think Kaleena has been cooking better - Edge to Kaleena

I like both of these ladies.  It will be hard to lose either one.  

5 hours ago, dleighg said:

Do you think the chefs can request their favorite go-to ingredients?

I think they can bring one thing.  In an earlier battle this season, one of the chefs brought a specific pepper/spice blend that she made herself and sold commercially. 

[dleighg]

2 minutes ago, Quilt Fairy said:

think they can bring one thing.  In an earlier battle this season, one of the chefs brought a specific pepper/spice blend that she made herself and sold commercially. 

I remember that. I still wonder whether they are given a list of what's in the pantry (perhaps while they stock the fridge with whatever protein got chosen). I mean they can't just assume that something like "date paste" is there, right?

[lavenderblue]

Apparently Britt brought the Angry Italian nickname with her to TOC, according to this 2023 interview: 

Quote

So, you know, in the kitchen I tend to be a little intense, and my sous chef used to refer to me as the angry Italian. He'd be like, Hey, anyone know where the angry Italian is? And everyone would be like, who's that? And he'd look at them and just be like, who's Italian? And who's angry? put 'em together. Where is she?

I've seen other chefs mention that their nicknames preceded the show, too (Ninja for Shota, Dr. Chocolate for Chris Scott); I think Guy/production asks if they have any to use for their intros.

[Quilt Fairy]

1 hour ago, dleighg said:

I mean they can't just assume that something like "date paste" is there, right?

Maybe they just truck stuff over from the supermarket at GGG.  That place seems pretty well stocked. 

[Infie]

re: the pantry - My impression is that they look through the pantry to find things that they can use creatively.  Since this is supposed to be about creative cooking, the pantry has lots of unusual things. 

Pre-shelled peas does not seem at all unusual to me.  Date paste is way more unusual of course, but dude didn't go looking for date paste and then find it - he found it and went 'love them dates'. 

 

[Stardancer Supreme]

We have talked before about the chef nicknames. Most of these chefs came into TOC with them; it's just Guy and his carnival barker ways that makes even the coolest chef nickname sound ridiculous.

606:

Judges: Cat Cora, Andrew Zimmern, Scott Conant.

I got 3 out of the 4 this week. 

Adam Sobel vs. Kevin Lee - Kevin wins! Maybe Sobel will come back next year a little more humble.

Carlos Anthony vs. Nini Nguyen - Nini wins! He is a risk taker, yes. But a steak tartare that he cooked a little. Heh.  Begone until next season...

David Viana vs. Sara Bradley - Sara wins. I was rooting for David, but that protein did him in. You can't play around with a rack of lamb! Sara rubs me the wrong way, so I can't really rock with her.

Rocco Despirito vs. Antonia Lofaso - The Princess Warrior wins! I'm glad she won and I would love to have those fish and chips.  Rocco was a good sport, even knowing that he couldn't get past Antonia.  Maybe he will go back to the judge's table next season.

Edited April 8 by Stardancer Supreme

[mlp]

1 hour ago, Stardancer Supreme said:

David Viana vs. Sara Bradley - Sara wins. I was rooting for David, but that protein did him in. You can't play around with a rack of lamb! Sara rubs me the wrong way, so I can't really rock with her.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who isn't a fan of Sara.  She strikes me the same way Brooke does - very good cook but smug.  

I'd love to see Kevin Lee win the whole thing.

[Ancaster]

1 hour ago, Stardancer Supreme said:

We have talked before about the chef nicknames. Most of these chefs came into TOC with them; it's just Guy and his carnival barker ways that makes even the coolest chef nickname sound ridiculous.

 

Rocco Despirito vs. Antonia Lofaso - The Princess Warrior wins! I'm glad she won and I would love to have those fish and chips.  Rocco was a good sport, even knowing that he couldn't get past Antonia.  Maybe he will go back to the judge's table next season.

Kinda like The Princess Warrior, no?   😉

[Bastet]

Kevin vs. Adam - I don't hate Adam, but I don't like him, so seeing him get his ass so roundly kicked was enjoyable.  I love the porterhouse cut of pork chop, even though it is a little tricky to cook, and I found Kevin's technique a good one even though I often don't care for cooking meat off the bone.  I love me some nachos, usually with fewer components than his but, yum, they sounded good.  And he blew Adam away on taste points.

Carlos vs. Nini - Him, I find insufferable, the kind of person I hate to ever see succeed even if it's earned in a particular instance.  I like her going back to Top Chef and have liked seeing her grow as a chef and competitor as the years have passed; the increase in confidence is great to watch.  I'm not a big fan of either classic dish, and would happily taste both updated offerings but didn't drool over either one, so I was hoping hers was the one-point winner (that point came on taste).

Sara vs. David - I don't "know" him, while I liked her a lot on both her seasons of Top Chef (and was disgusted by the "she's unlikable" or even outright "she's gross" type comments during her first season, unsubstantiated by any actual thing she'd said or done, so presumably based on her body shape and her accent), so I was all in for her, but I love the ingredients and wanted to taste both.  Especially her treatment of the lamb, but what she won on was use of the randomizer.

Antonia vs. Rocco - Team Antonia, almost always, and definitely here.  I'm not a mushy peas fan, nor do I like the fries of traditional fish and chips (they too strongly resemble potato, which I hate, rather than grease, salt, and whatever I dip them in), but goddamn I wanted Antonia's tartar sauce; based on the strength of my reaction through the TV, I was not surprised by the strength of Andrew's upon eating it.  She won mostly on taste, and two points on randomizer; I'm glad to see her take it home at this level and hope it's her year in the end.  Also, Tiffani singing "Like a Sturgeon" made me LOL.

[Mondrianyone]

23 hours ago, chessiegal said:

Considering Guy is one of the executive producers of the show, exactly who in production is supposed to tell him?

Yeah, that was my point.

[Quilt Fairy]

Speaking of bringing things, I wonder if Jet brought those 2 beautifully seasoned woks with him.  You know, just in case. 

[HappyDancex2]

Coming in late but enjoyed catching up with the thread!  Y’all cracking me up.  I did yell out LFG when Joe won over Jet just for my bracket points.  I needed that because I picked Izard way too far and she busted my quadrant long ago.  I loved her on top chef but she hasn’t been winning lately so why I picked her 2 years in row now is baffling.

i picked against Brit resigno and she has both technique and competition cooking chops.  I really like her too yet I had an upset feeling that didn’t come true for her that came true for Jet.

happy to see Cosentino and the not so angry Italian back on TV.  Chris did such a good job dealing with Art Smith in his season of Top Chef masters.  Weird to see him wearing the same aprom and glasses almost 20 years later!!!

Not feeling Kaleena.  Her showing on Top Chef was rough.

im enjoying the comeback of Jonathan Sawyer.  May he continue to be blessed on his journey.  I do wish he would make amends to the city of Cleveland at least locally though.  Even his intro is misleading….his beard award was Great Lakes for Cleveland even though he is represented as a Chicago chef now.  He had a bad road out and I’m glad he’s found sobriety.  Probably explains a lot but he left a lot of people high and dry.

kudos to rocco for stepping back in.  He not really a competition chef either but he has the guts to play in the sandbox…if not just for fun.  Antonia and Jet don’t seem like they are having fun!

I got worried when I saw Charlie Palmer.  He’s not even normally on the circuit on Top Chef which would be more he judging group.  He hasn’t a clue on how difficult these games are in the time constraint.  But nice to see his big name out there.  Can’t get too excited about Cat Cora.  I love me some J Waxman and his side kick Katsu LOL

[OnMatchPoint]

What is Jonathan Sawyer’s deal? I understand the sobriety, but what does he have to apologize for? 

[Salacious Kitty]

3 minutes ago, OnMatchPoint said:

What is Jonathan Sawyer’s deal? I understand the sobriety, but what does he have to apologize for? 

Mismanagement of his Cleveland restaurants, forcing him to declare bankruptcy. Fleeing to Chicago for a new start. 

[eclectcmoi]

I've never heard about Sara Bradley, but I like what I've seen of her so far.  When she was in the trailer watching her food being judged, I heard her say that she wanted David to do well too.  That's classy competing.  

Antonia needs this win this year though. I am pulling hard for her! 

[CrazyInAlabama]

I'm rooting for Antonia, but also for Lee Anne after her restaurant fire in Maui.   

[HyeChaps]

There was Sara, as a judge, on the most recent Top Chef, taking place in Canada.

[dleighg]

so a chef from Kentucky got a pretty high profile gig in Canada. She must be doing well.

[DEL901]

One match down and three to go 

Spoiler

Unless Kevin can upset Antonia, this will be the first time since season one that no men have made the semi finals.   Guy will definitely cry)