A new set of chefs have packed their knives and are ready to walk into the Top Chef Season 19 kitchen. What will Houston have to offer these accomplished chefs?
According to Bravo, the Top Chef Season 19 premiere episode, “Primal Instincts” features the following:
"Fifteen of the country’s best chefs arrive in Houston, Texas, ready to fight for the title of “Top Chef.” The opening Quickfire proves to be the toughest first challenge to date when the chefs must team up to create a cohesive dish that showcases each of their styles, but cannot speak to each other during the cook. The stakes only get higher for the Elimination Challenge as the chefs must perfectly cook primal cuts of beef for a table of distinguished Houston chefs including, Robert Del Grande of The Annie Café as well as Top Chef alums Dawn Burrell and Kristen Kish."
Quickfire challenges always test the chefs. But, for the first one of the season, the chefs have a tall task to manage. The inability to communicate yet make a cohesive dish is beyond difficult. Even people who work with each other every day would struggle with this challenge.
In some ways, the competition could be won or lost at the moment the chefs pick teams. If the chefs have similar styles, it will work well. For chefs who are nothing alike, they will struggle.
For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs will have to tackle primal cuts. That food term refers to the first piece of meat cut during butchering. In some ways, that first cut needs to be both respected and elevated.
Finding a way to make that meat special is key. With a group of distinguished palates, these plates can’t be just another beef dish. It needs to stand out in the crowd.
Although Houston might not be the home of Big Tex, the locals appreciate a great beef dish. Impressing this panel will not be an easy task.
Lastly, it is nice to see some Top Chef alums return to the judging table. While it might be easier to be on the other side of the table, their experience can make them a tough critic. Maybe some of the new cheftestants would like to see someone else on the panel.
Don’t miss the Top Chef Season 19 premiere on Bravo. It will air on Thursday, March 3 at 9 p.m. EST.