The first episode of Bravo’s reality cooking show aired last week, but here is a recap if you missed it:
There are 16 contestants competing to be Top Chef:
They arrived in Chicago to their first task: assemble in the city’s famous Pizzeria Uno. They weren’t there three minutes when host Padma Lakshmi showed up with their first quick fire challenge:
And so the contestants were driven to the Quick Fire Challenge kitchen, which was in a beautiful town house in Chicago:
And so they all scrambled around making deep dish pizzas with classic ingredients such as pickled kohlrabi and peaches:
And then celebrity chef Rocco showed up to judge:
And then somebody won and somebody lost, and then Padma told the contestants about that week’s Elimination Challenge:
After a brief time spent shopping for their ingredients, the chefs retired back to the kitchen to prepare their dishes:
And then the judges tasted all the food before convening at the Judge’s Table:
And there at the Judge’s Table, somebody won and somebody had to pack their knives and go. The end. Tune in tonight for Episode Two.
Mom of 'Em says
March 19, 2008 at 8:14 amYou are so much better than TiVo even!
Sister Honey Bunch says
March 19, 2008 at 8:35 amRocco IS a big jerk. And he’s in love with himself.
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
March 19, 2008 at 8:38 amAnd here I thought Kohlrabi and Peaches was a 70’s musical group. Who knew?
David says
March 19, 2008 at 8:39 amI used to be a reality show junkie but I’m just worn out now. Whatever, Top Project Model Idol Chef Rules Makeover.
Amy says
March 19, 2008 at 8:47 amWho will keep me up to date on all these important events when Bossy goes on her road trip?
Chicky Chicky Baby says
March 19, 2008 at 8:47 amOh Tony. How I love him so. Fer chrissake.
Ree says
March 19, 2008 at 8:51 amI’m sure that Bossy would be the one that won. Because I’m sure Bossy knows exactly how to make the best ekehrhdldlzzz in the world!
JJ says
March 19, 2008 at 9:03 amI heart Bourdain.
Cheri says
March 19, 2008 at 9:10 amQuestion: Why do they always seat the jerk judges off to one side like that? Better question: Why are there jerk judges? Best question: Why do I *Heart* Simon Cowell?
Mary M. says
March 19, 2008 at 9:12 amLove Top Chef… I sit there and drool over high quality food I’ll never get to eat
Avitable says
March 19, 2008 at 9:30 amI feel like I didn’t miss a thing.
All Adither says
March 19, 2008 at 9:51 amI’ll have to watch so I can see that super cute dalmation up there.
Kelly says
March 19, 2008 at 9:52 amPerfect characterization of Rocco. And is it strange that I have a crush on Tom? He’s kind of like a cross between Telly Savalas and Mini-Me.
Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah says
March 19, 2008 at 9:52 amI have to say, I kind of dig Collichio too.
But Rocco is an asshole. He should go to Applebees with Tyler Florence.
Say What? says
March 19, 2008 at 9:56 amYou would think, being a retired chef, um, retired professional cook, yeah, that’s me. I would like this show, but I can’t get wrapped around it.
Now maybe if Bourdain were on it every week I could….But that Padma, Queen Amidala chick bucks the snot out of me!
Meredith says
March 19, 2008 at 9:58 amBourdain totally rocks.
Nilsa S. says
March 19, 2008 at 10:03 amMaybe we should make your pitstop in Chicago a Top Chef Tour. That is, if we can figure out where all the places are. They only show them for a fraction of a second before changing screens. Dammit!
Tempered Woman says
March 19, 2008 at 10:08 amHmm, my recap was a little more like…
Blah Blah Blah… And our guest judge oh.my.freakin.GAH.is.that?!?! ANTHONY BOURDAIN!! “Which would be the best hangover food?” Bwahahaha. blah blah blah.
Jenn @ Juggling Life says
March 19, 2008 at 10:14 amThat Padma–I liked her until she guest hosted on The View. Then she proceeded to tell the cooking guest how much better she, Padma, could cook. Just ’cause you can rock the high heel boots and miniskirt doesn’t give you the right to be so rude!
heart shaped hedges says
March 19, 2008 at 10:16 amWow. Bossy, did you know you now have an ad for John McCain on your blog? Im a Republican, so was happy to see you made the switch, but then I thought it’s probably just an ad and you are probably still swooning over Obama…but, just wondering.
Kathy says
March 19, 2008 at 10:21 amI liked the deep dish challenge, but mostly it just made me wish I had an actual kitchen to cook in, and not a closet with a stove. Epi. two has something to do with zoo food.
Assertagirl says
March 19, 2008 at 10:22 amBut how do you REALLY feel about Rocco? ha
andrea says
March 19, 2008 at 10:24 amI’m more of a Hell’s Kitchen fan myself but that could be because live in a cave and don’t have cable.
If Rocco is the same dude who had a show on NBC about some restaurant he ran then I agree, he is a TOTAL tool.
Maria R says
March 19, 2008 at 10:54 amI haven’t seen this. But the whole premise in which there is a challenge and someone has to “go” is so dang ORIGINAL I can hardly stand it!! I may not be able to watch due to the daring originality of the program.
Meanwhile, can I say that I miss Pizzaria Uno?? May I mention that before I moved across the US to the frozen wasteland that is the Eastcoast I insisted I HAD to have a Uno’s w/in an hour in either direction?? How’s that for originality??
Grandma J says
March 19, 2008 at 10:54 amI feel so connected to Padma. We both like deep dish pizza.
Mine is very easy. I take my Pizza Hut Meat Lovers and serve it in bowls. No one knows the difference.
Ok, Where Was I? says
March 19, 2008 at 10:57 amTotally have a thing for Anthony–I think it’s that slightly jerky, emotionally unavailable air he has about him. I dig that.
mp says
March 19, 2008 at 11:10 amOK..Tony (he said I could call him that..or I just want to THINK that he said I could call him that) is a judge???
I may have to check this show out!
Greta says
March 19, 2008 at 11:24 amMmmmmm….I love eoroeiuweewyhez pizza!
Dharmamama says
March 19, 2008 at 11:25 amLike her or no, Padme was HOT in that green dress. What a beauty. I totally thought she and … that tall guy, from last year… CJ! would end up together, they were muy flirty towards the end of last season.
And in other news, I desperately need to get a life.
Chris says
March 19, 2008 at 11:29 amI love this show, but your recap is even better than watching. I may have to just look for your recaps and dedicate that hour of my life to prayer and meditation. Only thing is I love love Rocco and want to be his manslave, but that’s just me. 🙂
Melanie at Beanpaste says
March 19, 2008 at 11:36 amLook at all the cable money I save by reading Bossy.
joeinvegas says
March 19, 2008 at 11:39 amI don’t watch it, so thanks for the updates.
Tootsie Farklepants says
March 19, 2008 at 11:44 amI don’t want anything to do with a pizza that boasts “peaches” as an ingredient. There is just something fundamentally wrong with that.
jennie says
March 19, 2008 at 11:54 amafter watching this episode I realized that I couldn’t cook any of the “must know” recipes that the chefs were charged with making. Inspired, I made shrimp scampi last Friday. The woman who lost was kicked out because her shrimp scampi was too salty. And because I’m so impressionable, so was mine. Can’t wait to see what is on tonight so I know what I’ll be ruining this week.
velocibadgergirl says
March 19, 2008 at 11:58 amBWAHAHA! I love you, Bossy.
Kellyology says
March 19, 2008 at 12:04 pmI love Top Chef, but re-cap is almost better. Almost.;)
meleah rebeccah says
March 19, 2008 at 12:24 pmI cant stand Padma. But I do love this show.
smr says
March 19, 2008 at 12:24 pmhmmm…so does Bossy not like Rocco? I’m just guessing 🙂
oh, and peaches? on pizza? i don’t care if they liked it…that’s just WRONG!
Foolery says
March 19, 2008 at 12:29 pmI can’t watch cooking shows with pushy chefs. I would curl up into the fetal position and suck my thumb and cry. Too much like when my baby brother the pushy chef comes to town and orders me around and says “oh my GOD not like THAT! Don’t touch my food!”
I need to cry now.
Dara says
March 19, 2008 at 12:32 pmI am with David, I am totally burnt toast on these shows.
But, I can look and listen to Anthony Bourdain allllllll dayyyyyyy longggggggg.
Total Hottie/Smartie/Snarky blend of yummy-yum-yum!
Mrs. G. says
March 19, 2008 at 12:36 pmI keep waiting for Bourdain to punch Rocco in the head…you know he wants to. Have you noticed they never sit near each other.
rosie says
March 19, 2008 at 12:53 pmBut I’ve seen the same program in France! They are usually ruining boeuf bourgingon instead of prawns…
Adorable Girlfriend says
March 19, 2008 at 1:04 pmCan AG join? I make a mean set of reservations. On teh Internets!
Phoenix says
March 19, 2008 at 1:11 pmThe thought of peaches on pizza makes me vomit in my mouth a bit.
Tanya says
March 19, 2008 at 1:50 pmOh my gosh, your illustrations crack me up as much as the story rofl.
Tanya says
March 19, 2008 at 1:51 pmOh my gosh, your illustrations crack me up as much as the story rofl. Haha, the 2 with the pokey hair!!
Sugared Harpy says
March 19, 2008 at 1:51 pmmmmmm, Anthony.
Barbara says
March 19, 2008 at 2:00 pmMy one true wish is a Lost Weekend with Bourdain. Even if he does wear a lot of manjewelry.
Laura says
March 19, 2008 at 2:25 pmI was worried that watching the pizza challenge was going to make me hungry for some pie. Then they started making pizzas with peaches, Marmite and sweet tea … so it wasn’t really a problem. Not hungry. At all.
Momo Fali says
March 19, 2008 at 3:12 pmThat dish looks just like what I made for dinner last night.
Surcie says
March 19, 2008 at 3:14 pmI watched it too, and that’s exactly what happened!
BTW, I ate at Rocco’s no-longer-in-existence Italian restaurant (did you see his reality show?), and was so disappointed. I think a lot of people where. Why is that dude so popular, anyway? Is it the hair?
Leaf, probably... says
March 19, 2008 at 3:19 pmVery thorough… Also, What’s Kohlrabi?
Cactus Petunia says
March 19, 2008 at 4:54 pmThat Padma. I’m sure she can cook, but I’ll bet she can’t eat. Or, maybe she’s on the Tony Bourdain diet: eat anything you want, but smoke five packs a day.
clickmom says
March 19, 2008 at 6:02 pmAfter reading this riveting synapsis I am setting my tivo. Imagine, pizza brought to you by the letter P! Peaches on Pizza. I have seen the light. Bless you for this opportunity.
Beth says
March 19, 2008 at 6:17 pmNow that Bossy has trademarked the apostrophe, what are all those people who write “your’s truly” and order the cast-resin yard signs saying “The Jone’s Family” going to do?
zenmomma says
March 19, 2008 at 9:30 pmI LIKE when Anthony baby is a guest judge. I get that funny feeling in my tummy and I don’t mean food poisoning.
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
March 19, 2008 at 9:40 pmPeaches and Kohlrabi sang Shake Your Groove Thing. I just know it.
MarathonMom says
March 19, 2008 at 11:50 pmThanks so much for the recap, I did miss. I have to take issue with your Rocco comments. RU Sure? Just 1 year ago I sat on the front row at one of his cooking demos in Dallas and I am still in love. I can’t believe his hotness was being jerkish. Could it possibly be an indication of the subconcious struggle he continues to fight after meeting me that day, and learning I was already taken? Heartbreak is a bonafide medical issue Y’all! I will keep you posted. xoxo
Whit says
March 20, 2008 at 12:38 amI used to love Rocco’s Modern Life. It was pretty funny.
Lisa says
March 20, 2008 at 4:59 amI totally forgot the season started! Thanks to you I have a recap of the first show and don’t feel like I’ve missed a thing.
Candy says
March 20, 2008 at 12:11 pmSince I’m a day late, I watched Episode Two and it was almost identical to your description of Episode One.
Molly says
March 20, 2008 at 5:29 pmBest. Recap. Ever.
Biddy says
March 20, 2008 at 7:18 pmnew slogan!
bossy: better than cable
Patrice says
March 20, 2008 at 11:35 pmLMAO That’s one way to recap the episode!
Ruth Dynamite says
March 21, 2008 at 11:58 amI don’t think you could possibly like Anthony Bourdain (or Tony, as I like to call him when we have imaginary chats) as much as I do.
mj aka sugarmama says
March 21, 2008 at 1:49 pmAnthony Baby! I dig him!