Top Chef Chicago - "Anything You Can Cook, I Can Cook Better"

Quote of the Week: "If this keeps up, we're just in for a great season." Tom Collichio

Well, finally, Top Chef is back! After last season's dramatic finale, it's been a long wait. The first episode introduced a wide range of competitors with varied backgrounds.

Top Chefs From San Francisco:
· Ryan, who has been working in restaurants since he was 11 years old.
· Zoi, who suggested making pig's-head soup in her audition video.
· Jennifer, who is one of two competitors this season with a haircut very similar to Stephen from season one.
· Eric, who reminds me of a toned-down Howie (season three).

Top Chefs From Atlanta:
· Nimma, who makes it quite clear that she is here to compete, not make friends.
· Richard, with a Stephen-from-season-one haircut and a Marcel-from-season-two interest in molecular gastronomy

Top Chefs From New Zealand:
· Mark, who is living the American dream after arriving in the country with little to start off.

Top Chefs From New York:
· Andrew, who is very emotionally invested in his cooking.
· Dale, who exudes confidence.
· Manuel, who is classically French trained.
· Nikki, a co-owner of 24 Prince Restaurant in New York.
· Lisa, who loves to truly move people with her food.

Top Chefs From Chicago:
· Stephanie, a cheery girl who wore a Yoda back pack while cooking on her audition video
· Valerie, who has a fine-dining background

Top Chefs From Los Angeles:
· Antonia, who says her love of feeding people is "in my blood".

Top Chefs From Williamsburg, NY:
· Spike, who has a very loud and boisterous personality - fun but manic.

Introductions were made over (what else?) deep-dish pizza, along with a surprising announcement. Jennifer and Zoi are a couple. Well, that got some people talking! Will this prove to be an advantage?

I see how it could be, but I can also see it being a detriment. Imagine trying to stay on top of your game while watching someone you care about struggle... tough. I guess we'll just have to watch and see.