A reality competition show in which chefs compete against one another in culinary challenges and are a judged by a panel of food and wine experts, with one or more contestants eliminated each episode.
I can't remember the last time I thought a season of a reality competition series was this good. And 18 seasons in, which is just remarkable. Obviously I cried at least once an episode.
Gradually, almost imperceptibly, Top Chef outgrew this template and set it aside. The kinds of chefs who succeeded on the show began to diversify, and while the conflict never disappeared, it was also balanced by mutual respect.
