Top Chef Masters
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Famous chefs compete for charity in milder spin-off.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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What's the Story?
In TOP CHEF MASTERS, 24 five-star chefs leave their successful restaurants behind to compete in the ultimate culinary showdown. In the first six episodes, groups of four chefs compete for a spot in the championship round -- and a cash donation to the charity of their choice. Their dishes must impress a picky panel of judges, including New York restaurant critic Gael Green, culinary expert James Oseland, London food critic Jay Rayner, and a wide variety of guests. In the finals, the six winners must outshine each other by preparing the best cuisine of their lives. The last chef in the kitchen wins $100,000 for their chosen charity and the coveted title of Top Chef Master.
Is It Any Good?
The show's overall tone is different from that of its parent series because the chefs' primary motivation is their desire to help their favorite charity -- rather winning money for themselves. The fact that they're already famous in the culinary community also means that they don't have to be obnoxious or show off to convince anyone of their talents. And the judges are a little bit nicer, too.
It's definitely a milder approach, and it allows viewers to watch how these talented chefs can turn cooking even the simplest dish into an art form. Some viewers may miss the dramatic tension of contestants bickering with one another or arguing over ingredients. But those who enjoy cooking -- or who can appreciate what really puts a chef on top -- will definitely find something here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of cooking shows and televised cooking competitions. Are these shows supposed to teach you how to cook, or are they simply meant to be entertaining? Families can also discuss what it takes to be a "star" chef. What kind of training does a chef have to go through in order to be called a chef rather than a cook? How do chefs get rated? Who rates them?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 10, 2009
- Cast: Gael Greene, James Oseland, Kelly Choi
- Network: Bravo
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Cooking and Baking
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: January 26, 2023
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