Watch What Crappens: Episode #2800 - Top Chef S22E6 Part One: Underpassed Up

In the milestone 2,800th episode of Watch What Crappens, hosts Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam delve into the latest happenings of Top Chef Season 22, specifically focusing on Episode 6, titled "Underpassed Up." This detailed recap not only dissects the culinary challenges and eliminations but also showcases the hosts' signature humor and insightful commentary on the competitive cooking landscape.

1. Live Shows and Listener Engagement

Ronnie kicks off the episode with enthusiasm, reflecting on recent live shows in Boston, Detroit, and Chicago. She teases upcoming appearances in Dallas, Austin, and Las Vegas, urging listeners to stay tuned via their Instagram and Patreon for ticket links and exclusive content.

Ronnie [04:08]: "Thank you for coming out to Boston, Detroit and Chicago. What a great weekend we had."

2. Hosts' Perspectives on Top Chef Season 22

Ben shares his appreciation for the current cast and challenges, expressing support for contestants like Padma, whose presence remains impactful even after elimination.

Ben [05:00]: "I love it so far. I think this is a really good cast. I like the challenges."

Contrastingly, Ronnie voices concerns about the show becoming overly self-important, yearning for more fun and unpredictable personalities.

Ronnie [05:13]: "Top Chef is a little bit too much. It's up its own ass lately. I need more fun and crazy characters."

Their differing views set the stage for a nuanced discussion, blending critique with genuine enthusiasm for the competition.

3. Episode Recap: "Underpassed Up"

a. Challenge Overview: Line Cook for a Day

Episode 6 presents the "Line Cook for a Day" challenge, where contestants are paired to explore diverse culinary cultures across various neighborhoods in Toronto. The grand prize has been elevated to $250,000, alongside prestigious Delta Sky Miles and other travel perks, adding significant stakes to the competition.

Ben [05:40]: "The grand prize is a quarter of a million, which is pretty good."

b. Contestant Dynamics and Eliminations

The hosts highlight key moments and eliminations, notably the exit of Zubair, whose reliance on his famed chicken sandwich leads to his downfall.

Ronnie [07:08]: "He won that challenge, but he's done. Goodbye, Zubair."

Ben humorously attributes Zubair's elimination to the so-called "Ben Mandelker curse," adding a playful layer to the analysis.

Ben [14:34]: "Anytime I have that thought about literally anyone on Top Chef is the moment that they go home."

The elimination of Anna Gasteyer, known for her Nutella sandwich, is also dissected, with Ronnie predicting her short-lived success.

Ronnie [14:53]: "There's no way they're gonna keep a Nutella sandwich winner on forever. They got rid of her."

c. Double Elimination and Team Challenges

The episode introduces a double elimination, intensifying the pressure on remaining contestants. Contestants like Shuai and Henry grapple with their performances, while teamwork tensions surface, especially between Vinnie and Lana.

Ben [15:27]: "Henry says that he's just a bottom queen."

The challenge tasks chefs to create dishes inspired by their cultural explorations, leading to creative but sometimes flawed culinary attempts, such as Vinnie's ill-fated Indian hollandaise fusion.

Ben [40:08]: "Vinnie worked at the Nomad, which is a fancy ass restaurant in Europe, and he like worked at the sauce station... why are you doing that?"

d. Notable Contestant Highlights

Contestants like Bailey make a significant comeback, displaying newfound confidence and skill, much to Ronnie's amusement.

Ben [25:13]: "It's a new Bailey, one who's not going to be stupid enough to make risotto on Top Chef again."

Meanwhile, Katiana's meticulous approach to Thai cuisine garners praise, contrasting with some contestants' struggles with unfamiliar cuisines like Greek and Filipino dishes.

Ben [36:22]: "Cesar is like, oh, worked it. And then, you know, there's oil and smoking, and it, like, flares up."

4. Hosts' Humor and Banter

Throughout the recap, Ben and Ronnie infuse their analysis with witty remarks and playful jabs at contestants' quirks and mishaps. From mocking dish choices to poking fun at contestant personalities, their chemistry keeps the discussion engaging and entertaining.

Ronnie [05:40]: "He's the kind of person to be like, come and go. He's like, I came by."

Ben [21:04]: "He did look like Michael Cera with a puberty beard... he's an odd ager."

5. Insights on Culinary Techniques and Challenges

The hosts offer observations on the contestants' culinary techniques, highlighting both successes and failures. They discuss the importance of understanding cultural cuisines and the pitfalls of dish misinterpretation, emphasizing how these factors influence eliminations.

Ronnie [32:34]: "To make the chicken Karma Sutra super weird... you're being too literal about this idea of, like, cook who you are and what you're about."

Their critique underscores the delicate balance contestants must maintain between innovation and authenticity in their cooking.

6. Conclusion and Tease for Part Two

As the first part of the recap concludes, Ben and Ronnie wrap up with a summary of the day's events, leaving listeners eager for the continuation of the episode in the upcoming segment.

Ben [53:00]: "So at this point, there are some question marks like, will the octopus be ready tomorrow? And will Massimo and Paula's short ribs, will that be ready?"

Ronnie [53:32]: "So. So that's it for part one. Catch you on the second half."

Final Thoughts

In this comprehensive recap, Watch What Crappens effectively captures the drama, culinary creativity, and competitive tension of Top Chef Season 22. Through their engaging dialogue and sharp insights, Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam provide listeners with an entertaining and informative overview of Episode 6, "Underpassed Up," setting the stage for even more thrilling developments in Part Two.

Notable Quotes:

• Ronnie [05:13]: "I need more fun in my Top Chef, and I need more crazy characters."
• Ben [14:34]: "Anytime I have that thought about literally anyone on Top Chef is the moment that they go home."
• Ronnie [14:53]: "There's no way they're gonna keep a Nutella sandwich winner on forever. They got rid of her."
• Ben [40:08]: "Vinnie worked at the Nomad... why are you doing that?"

Stay tuned for the second part of this episode recap, where Ben and Ronnie continue their in-depth analysis and humorous take on Top Chef Season 22.