Top Chef: Episode 1

Hello and welcome to the Reality Show Recap Hour. Tonight, and every Tuesday night this season, we'll be recapping Top Chef: Lafayette. I know what you're thinking: why is Top Chef in Lafayette of all places? Well, Bravo recently learned that there were two individuals with amazingly sensitive palettes and articulate food-critiquing abilities living in that Midwestern town. These two (I think their names are Gavin & Vivian) were hired as judges to spice up the seventh season.

Since the season has already begun, and we're a little behind, I'll begin tonight's Reality Show Recap Hour by reviewing the first episode and then I'll review one episode a day until we catch up.

The first episode, which aired on Nov 9, required the aspiring Chefs to create a green bean dish. But not just any green bean dish. They had to create a green bean puree with no heating element, only one utensil, and ten minutes. When the bell rang, the Chefs were off; fighting over ingredients and utensils. After ten minutes, they threw their utensils down and looked at their poorly-plated dishes. It just wasn't enough time for any of them. Next, the judges got to taste each dish (which were all surprisingly similar).

Judge Vivian tasted a few of the dishes and was utterly disgusted. Her exact words were, "I've never had to spit something out so quickly! This is appalling!" Her distain for all of the green bean dishes made it look as if this season of Top Chef was doomed to fail.

Then, Judge Gavin tasted each green bean concoction. At first, he was a little weary- mostly because he had just seen Judge Vivian's reaction! But after he savored the first bite for a moment, he was ready for more!

He even reached out towards the other dishes and exclaimed, "Delicious! This is amazing!

I love it all! Do you think you could make me some for later?" Everyone laughed, and then Judge Gavin said, "I'm serious."

This left the end decision to Chef Tom Colicchio. Would he be harsh and spit out his food like Judge Vivian? Or, would he give the greatest compliment to the Chefs by asking for more like Judge Gavin? The suspense was intense. And then, of course, they went to commercial. When the show returned, Chef Colicchio had already tasted the dishes and was ready to give his verdict. "Delicious!" he said. "I love the way you all layered your flavors! Magnificent!"

In the end, Judge Vivian was outnumbered and no one was eliminated. This week.

It seems as though Judge Vivian is going to be the hard-ass this season...