Just Desserts: Top Chef on Bravo

Just from this first episode, anyone can see that Top Chef isn't just any old Project Runway spin-off.

Right from the start we note that chefs are tougher, more outspoken, and more aggressively emotional than the polite mega-tailors of the famous fashion show.

In episode 1, we have a chance to briefly meet all of the Top Chef kitchen elite, from the earnest-yet-bumbling Otto, to the young culinary chemist wannabe, Marcel. In between there is Ellia, the sporadically talented cook with the low self-esteem, Carlos, the so-far mediocre-but-gay cook, and the angry white guy with the knife.

Each episode is split by a quick-cooking challenge, called a Quick Flame Challenge, followed by a more in-depth challenge in the second half of the show.

The first Quick Flame Challenge is to create a flambé dish in only 20 minutes.

This first challenge quickly showed the biggest difference between Top Chef and the aforementioned Project Runway. Namely, in Runway, it was the winners that created the most interesting viewing when it came to the judging. In Top Chef, it is the losing dishes that have the most spectacular visual presentation.

Oh sure, we had the whole gee-whiz factor of the flambé gimmick, but when we saw Ellia Abumraud setting a match to her wine-soaked strawberries, even the most sympathetic viewer had to shake his or her head in disgust.

How can anyone not know that wine is better for dousing a fire than for transforming your unplanned concoction into toasted haute cuisine? When the viewer sees the pathetic soggy mess she presents to the judges, it most closely resembles boiled sliced mushrooms and crankcase oil.

Sam Talbot ultimately pulls it together and earns immunity for the elimination round the next day.

That night we see the contestants whoop it up with a party, revealing another difference in the show; these cooks like their alcohol. Some of us are wondering if there is an alcoholic in the cast of characters and whether that will become an issue as the show progresses.