Gun to your head: Top Chef without Tom or Top Chef without Padma?
A bit of a Sophie's choice here... if you had to choose one to not see on Top Chef again, would you say goodbye to Tom or to Padma?
Posted Aug 2, 2022, 10:46 AM UTC
4347
They could easily replace Tom TBH (and sometimes he seems like he's over it)but Padma brings life to the show. Her and Gail.
57
This was tough. But as a professional cook, I find Toms advice, instincts, knowledge, and his way of figuring out exactly where a chefs mistakes were instantly, irreplaceable.
Padma literally makes this show for me. I am in love. But I can’t imagine anyone else being the “chef” of the top chef kitchen.
47
Agreed 100%! Love them both but Tom is THE chef.
3
Holy shit this poll is so close
41
I don’t mean this in any sort of way but sometimes I forget Tom’s even there lol Padma’s the host and she does really well as it; she’s warm and inviting.
38
Top Chef is Tom's baby. It started with Kathie Lee Joel, so I can imagine this show without Padma.
31
I agree with you, but mentioning Katie’s season is not the argument against Padma you think it is lol that season was ROUGH
28
It was a totally new concept, and Padma's early seasons were, uh, mediocre at best too.
10
It took her a bit to get comfortable.
6
I think I read (and I could be wrong) that padma is the one who originally approached networks about Top Chef, but couldn’t be the host for the first season because by the time the show got picked up she had another commitment.
3
If you look at the producer credits below, the Magical Elves team started work on TC in 2006. They got Tom on board as the celebrity chef. Padma isn’t involved until 2010. Katie Lee was replaced.
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0765425/fullcredits/producer?ref_=m_ttfc_4
5
Ahhh thanks! I couldn’t remember where or when I read that so thanks for the clarification ☺️
1
padma chastising people is vital aka “did you MEAN for this to be raw”
wouldn’t be the same without a vaguely terrifying, beautiful towering padma making the chefs nervous af. plus tom could spend more time hat shopping!
25
I feel like at this point, the contestants are more scared of Padma. Haha
3
No gun needed... Bye Padma.
16
She is the worst
1†
Tell me you haven't seen season 1 without telling me you haven't seen season 1.
1
Not liking Padma doesn't mean I liked Katie...
1
I lost a bit of my appreciation for Padma after her hulu show. Just realized how... not down to earth she is? Tom and Gsil feel like genuine people - Padma feels like a very well crafted persona.
13
Just realized how... not down to earth she is?
What do you mean? Can you give an example? I watched her show and didn’t have that take at all.
13
It just came across as very preachy, very staged almost. I'm thinking particularly of the episode with the gas station owner. I dunno, it all just comes across as very performative in a way that Gail, for example, doesn't.
15
YES! I only watched the first episode of her Hulu show, and it was, like, she was above it all? Maybe it's because I'd just watched Eddie Huang's show where he covered tacos, and then Padma did the same thing at the same places, but not nearly as well.
7
Glad I'm not the only one who sees the preachy side.
6
Not how I saw it at all. I was amazed by how actually "normal" she is. Her life couldn't be more unlike my own, yet I can relate to much of what she says and how she experiences things. Now, she is no Phil.
7
Phil is the best!
2
Bye Padma.
9
Don't you make me choose family!!!!!!!!!
9
1,000 votes and 14 upvotes. Ya cretins lol
6
Gail.
5
YOU GET NO COOKIE!!!
8
This past two seasons there were whole episodes without Tom and I think the show kept working with the good flow. I think he could take a rest for a bit if he wanted.
4
It's not Sophie's Choice let's not get out of hand. Anyway, I think the spin offs without Padma or Tom haven't been missing anything but I'd rather have a different host than a different mentor, personally.
3
Padma is the host. Hosts can be replaced.
3
Without padma. Mostly because I fear they would replace Tom with Blaise or Marcus Samuelson. Someone just overly panning for screen time, trying to find the right quips to get attention.
3
Padma has let personal feelings sway her in the past such that I sometimes question her judgement. Remember how she felt about Stefan in s11? Tom, while possessing his own blindspots, feels more objective.
3
I flip flopped so many times.
2
„˙sǝɯıʇ ʎuɐɯ os pǝddolɟ dılɟ ǝɥ⊥„
2
Good bot!!!
1
Tom is less present as the seasons go on and Padma is taking more of a lead. Tom is busy with many things and Padma is as good at her role in TC as a person can be in any role. Either way I love love love the show.
2
Shoot me. I won’t choose.
this is the correct response.
Samedt