Top Chef Masters

First of all, you have the finest chefs in America which include Hubert Keller and Rick Bayless and Oprah's chef, Al Smith (I believe that's his name but I could be wrong.) This time, the top chefs are competing against each other for their charities. There are all quite mature in how they deal with their disappointments. The Top Chef Masters is quite a nail-biter but don't worry they are all winners. There are no hard feelings among the other contestants. I liked this series and I liked the chefs in them although most of them were males. It's nice to see the top chefs like Hubert Keller and Rick Bayless as contestants than judges for a change. The show is addictive but that's because the contestants are voted by a panel and not amongst each other. They have to work as a team and they all do a fine job.

I was really enjoying this show, no Tom Colicchio, no Padma (gag), with a new cute host and some world class chefs jumping through all sorts of hoops to advance.

And I was really digging this show right up until I caught this disclaimer in the end credits: "Winning and elimination decisions were made by the Judges in consultation with producers. Some elimination decisions were discussed with Bravo."

WTF!!! "in consultation with producers?" How bogus. Screw these guys, I ain't watching this crap anymore.

What a waste of a real opportunity here... great chefs like Hubert Keller and Rick Bayless shouldn't have to rely on ratings to get passed up the chain, their food should stand on its own.

I really like this show. After watching Top Chef, I've noticed there's something called Top Chef Masters - instead of aspiring young chefs trying to become Top Chefs, you have Top Chefs who are competing to become Top Chef Masters.

Now, to tell you what really caught me on this show, is seeing masters at work! Their professionalism is top notch, you see these genius chefs, juggling with crazy conditions, crazy ingredients and deadlines, yet they manage to pull amazing dishes out of their sleeves! What's also top notch - is their characters - how they handle stressful circumstances, how full of humor and love of life and food and people; and these guys don't get caught up in the dramas you usually see on reality shows, which is my guess as to why the score and popularity on IMDb at least is low. for me at least that's a big plus.

So, if you wanna see brilliant Chef Masters competing in funny twisty surprising conditions, with lots of food, wine, laughs and joy - give it a go! :)