Carrie Nahabedian Knocks Top Chef

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Regarding the recent hubbub about Top Chef (see previous articles, listed below), Carrie Nahabedian of Naha in Chicago told Superchefblog the following: It is rare that I take the time to write a long message, but, I felt a need to respond to your article on Top Chef: you were right on with your comments! I personally know two chefs who are being considered for next season, and I am glad they have decided to "step it up" in terms of the quality of their candidates. I hope they will both get on the show, but they probably won't since they have strong work ethics and cooking abilities (!) . With so many of my cooks talking about Top Chef, I felt I needed to watch it. So, Carrie tuned into the show -- chef time, about 3:00 a.m. She watched two episodes back-to-back: I must say I was completely and utterly embarrassed by the quality of the "cooks" (let us not say the word "chef"). I was scratching my head at the two women hosts: they need alot of improvement -- even if one of them is Billy Joel's wife! I felt a chef such as Tom Colicchio should have been in the kitchen offering up advice, cooking tips and general overall support. Everyone loves Tom. His restaurants are tremendous, not just in food and quality, but in style, service, and reputation. He is known for his professionalism and love for the craft. He is the best part of the show -- but have the producers use his talents. Don't just have him at a table, critiquing food: he is better than that! The idea of all the back-stabbing and stereotypes was sickening and not at all flattering for Bravo. Why do you need to cook with a stop watch? Why do you need to mimic fast food? Why do you all have to live together? The wedding episode was degrading. I am sure the creative forces behind the show can come up with a better story line than the one they have been peddling. Let's not forget the focus, which is Food and Cooking. The producers of all these shows make us chefs look like morons. Between, Top Chef, Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen, and Rocco DiSpirito's The Restaurant, it's embarrassing! All my best, CN No further comment from Superchefblog -- other than to thank Carrie for sharing her candid, professional opinion. Previous articles: Top Chef: Already Casting Top Chef: Harold Dieterle Won Top Chef: Taste of the Nation Top Chef: Tom Colicchio Hell's Kitchen on ICE Rocco DiSpirito: Be Warned By Me Todd English: American Chef Gone Wild [Food Television - complete] Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging --> back to superchefblog