TCFL 16 // Episode 1 Recap

Need some... opinions... before you draft your team? Well I've got plenty! It's always said that first impressions are everything, but when you've got 75 minutes of Bravo-y goodness, there's some time for second (and third) impressions as well. Here's who stood out to me in Episode 1:

Kelsey

1st Impression: "I'm not just a southern belle and I'm certainly not that in the kitchen."
Psh, *scoff*. You're no Casey. Or Grayson. Or Jen.
2nd Impression: *Loses her herb salad because of "mom brain"*
I have sympathy here. Mrs. Commish has thrown a baby thermometer in the trash before for... unknown reasons.
3rd Impression: *Wins her group with a deviled egg*
When you win with eggs, you are legit.

Kevin

1st Impression: "I'm here to prove you don't have to be from a big city to be a bad-ass chef."
Agree. But you also have to not be from Dubuque, Iowa.
2nd Impression: *Wants to showcase technique by making ricotta*
Did you guys know that Dubuque lies at the junction of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin; a region locally known as the Tri-State Area?
3rd Impression: *Serves an under-salted ricotta-beet salad at the Elimination Challenge*
DUBUUUUUUUUUUQE!!!

Brandon

1st Impression: "I don't want to be portrayed as the cocky guy..."
LOL, too late. What a bro.
2nd Impression: *Pesters Adrienne about her pasta*
I wonder what kind of pre-workout he drinks.
3rd Impression: "The good news is: the polenta cakes are awesome. The bad news is: the polenta cakes are awesome."
The future Mike Isabella, ladies and gentlemen!

David

1st Impression: *Relinquishes possibility of title of "best chef to come out of Elizabeth, NJ" because Tom Collichio exists*
Loser talk. Next.
2nd Impression: *Forgets to buy flour for his gnocchi*
Loser shopping. Next.
3rd Impression: *Serves vegan soup at the Elimination Challenge... and wins his group*
Loser sou... wait, what?!

Natalie

1st Impression: *Worked for a decade under Jose Garces*
Hmm. Jose Garces, my least favorite Iron Chef. Will be an interchangeable middle-of-the-road chef whose name I'll keep forgetting.
2nd Impression: *Video package showing family and Vietnamese mother*
Wait, she's Asian?!
3rd Impression: "My ex is a really big fan of Top Chef and that was one of the catalysts for me wanting to apply. You know when you look at who wins the breakup? I would say that I probably won the breakup."
What a fucking savage. I'm absolutely drafting her.

Stray Thoughts:

• Mrs. Commish on Williams Sonoma being a new sponsor: "Mmm... all the copper, yes please!"
• In general, this was a great Episode 1. Getting Churchill Downs out of the way early was a good move. Thematically -- being at Churchill, the 2-minute mise en place QF, the Derby Party, and the Win-Place-Show structure of the Elimination Challenge -- always reminded us that they're in Kentucky this season, but I never felt like I got beat over the head with it.
• The "Food Facts" chyrons are new and a nice touch.
• I'm not a horse guy, but Kentucky Derby VIP tickets is a pretty sweet prize.
• I want a replica of the Top Chef Kitchen bourbon wall. Speaking of...
• Bourbon consumed during Episode 1: Willet with an ice ball
• Boy, one great benefit of not being in a "major" city this season is that they get to stay in a freaking estate/plantation/mansion. As far as I know, that was the first bidet in Top Chef history.
• Respect for Tom: he's wearing a real (one you have to tie yourself) bow-tie.
• Padma will never ever not be hot. Episode 1 of a new season is always a good reminder.

Scoring (if this Episode had been scored):

QF Top (+2): Blue Team (Nini, Brandon, Adrienne), Red Team (Kelsey, Eric, Caitlin)
QF Bottom (-2): Yellow Team (David, Michelle, Brian), White Team (Natalie, Eddie, Kevin)
QF Win (+5): Green Team (Pablo, Justin, Sara)

Elimination Top (+5): David, Pablo
Elimination Bottom (-3): Caitlin*, Kevin, Adrienne
Elimination Win (+10): Natalie

LCK Winners (+5): Carrie, Brother, Jim