You Don’t Win Friends with Salad—Not on ‘Top Chef’ Boston

A scene from the season premiere of “Top Chef.’’ The latest season of the long-running reality show was filmed in Boston. David Moir/Bravo

By Michael Ratty

October 16, 2014

4 minutes to read

This Season

After a gumbo-flavored trip to New Orleans, “Top Chef’’ came to its senses and planted its flag in the Hub of the Universe for Season 12. Boston’s culinary scene has moved far beyond baked beans and lobster bisque, so the show’s arrival here is long overdue. In addition to joining the roster of people who can call themselves “Top Chef,’’ this season’s winner will get $125,000 (furnished by Healthy Choice, natch). Joining Tom, Gail, and Padma at the judges’ table is “Top Chef: All-Stars’’ winner (and fan favorite) Richard Blais. Here’s a quick peek at the cast, which includes one local contestant, Stacy Cogwell from the Regal Beagle in Brookline.

Quickfire Challenge

The first Quickfire Challenge usually focuses on basic knife skills to separate the wheat from the chaff. This time, the 16 contestants were broken into teams of four and tasked with completing a New England-themed mise en place — three lobsters, 20 oysters, eight mackerel, and 21 littleneck clams — relay-style, which meant that the oysters couldn’t be tackled until the lobsters were done, and so on.

The finicky New England foods threw some contestants for a loop. Adam struggled with the lobsters; and Gregory couldn’t fillet a mackerel to save his life, and, to open the clams, Katsuji shunned the traditional clam knife and Gronk-spiked the bivalves—with little success.

The slowest person on the slowest team was George, and he got to choose who he would go up against in a one-on-one competition. If George won, he and his opponent would stay, but if he lost, he would go home. George chose to take on his teammate Gregory, who was more than happy to share that he’d worked for Jean-Georges Vongerichten. I had pegged George as an early favorite, but his pan-seared mackerel lost to Gregory’s seafood trio, and he was sent home before he even had a chance to try a Fenway Frank.

(In Washington, D.C. this week, I popped into Season Eight contestant Michael Isabella’s Kapnos, where George is executive chef, for brunch. George happened to be in the kitchen, and we chatted for five minutes. Talented guy with a great attitude. And his food is delicious.)

Elimination Challenge

This week’s challenge was dubbed the “first-ever ‘Top Chef’ Food Festival.’’ (Isn’t every episode of “Top Chef’’ a food festival?) The contestants had to serve 250 guests and prepare a meal based on the first thing they remember cooking. The event was held on a gloomy Boston day under tents outside the Museum of Science. I guess my invite blew off the porch!

It’s hard to keep track of all the contestants this early in the season, but a few observations:

• Katie, on a nationally televised cooking competition, decided that her first meal of the season would be… broccoli salad! She had a sweet family connection to the dish, but her choice was met with groans and an “I didn’t come here to toss salads’’ crack.’’

• Padma did not enjoy Aaron’s pork belly—to the point that she spit it out into a napkin right in front of him. In my many years of watching “Top Chef,’’ I can’t remember Padma ever doing that.

• Since Bravo announced “Top Chef’’ would film here, I’ve been wondering who would cameo this season. Producers threw the kitchen sink at us right off the bat: Todd English, Barbara Lynch, Jamie Bissonette, Lydia Shire, Kristen Kish, Tiffani Faison, Ming Tsai, Jasper White, and Michael Schlow were among those who cooked at the Elimination Challenge.

Judge’s Table

The judge’s three favorite dishes were Doug’s fried chicken, Gregory’s Haitian chicken (which Richard Blais compared to a “Fast and Furious’’ movie), and Mei’s congee, a kind of rice porridge. Mei was the winner, and she dropped an f-bomb in surprise.

The judge’s least favorite dishes were Katie’s salad (Richard Blais dissed it as “more of a side dish’’ — ouch!), Michael’s corn soup, and Katsuji’s… whatever that dish with 545 components was. The judges didn’t quite get Michael’s creative vision, and he was sent packing along with his bag of sour grapes.

Coming up this season: A cranberry bog challenge, a Thanksgiving feast at Plimouth Plantation, dinner at Fenway Park, Norm from “Cheers,’’ Rob Gronkowski, and tears. So many tears.

“Top Chef Boston’’ Cheat Sheet

Who Should’ve Won

Doug for his fried chicken! I want some right now.

Who Should’ve Been Eliminated

Katie for her salad. She should go play the lottery.

Boston Eye Candy

Lots of Zakim Bridge, with some Quincy Market, Old State House, and the North End thrown in for good measure. Bonus points for showing Dino’s, my favorite sub place in my old neighborhood.

Insider Info

Wondering where the “Top Chef’’ studio and Judge’s Table were located? Woburn, believe it or not.

“Boston Strong’’ References

Only one!

Weekly Wacky 30-Second Interlude During Commercial Break

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh! Yes, contestants from other parts of the country, our mayor has the best accent ever. “Oh my gawd,’’ he said after tasting Stacy’s food.

This Week’s Lesson

“You don’t win friends with salad.’’ — Homer Simpson

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