Watch What Crappens – Episode #2848: Top Chef S22E10 Part One: Season’s Eatings

Release Date: May 19, 2025
Hosts: Ben Mandelker & Ronnie Karam
Podcast Series: Wondery
Episode Focus: Recap and analysis of Top Chef Season 22, Episode 10

Introduction

In this episode of Watch What Crappens, hosts Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam dive deep into the tenth episode of Top Chef Season 22. Stripping away the usual bravado and culinary theatrics, the duo offers a candid and humorous take on the latest developments in the competition, highlighting standout moments, critiquing performances, and sharing their unique perspectives on the chefs' strategies and challenges.

Episode Overview

Setting the Stage: Toronto Finale
The episode marks the penultimate stage of the competition, taking place in Toronto. Ben and Ronnie express their excitement and slight disappointment over the show's limited geographical exploration, noting, “Would have been nice if they had gone around Canada more” (05:03).

Remaining Contestants:
Six chefs remain in the competition, each vying for the grand prize of a quarter million dollars. The hosts highlight the emotional and psychological toll the competition has taken on the contestants, particularly focusing on Benny's transformation from a confident competitor to someone visibly drained by the challenges (07:02).

Chef Performances and Challenges

Cesar’s Redemption:
Cesar makes a strong comeback after a brief elimination, impressing both the audience and judges with his innovative dishes. Ben remarks, "Cesar is going to do a thing with cheddar popcorn. He's going to basically cook it down into like a grits kind of thing" (25:40), showcasing his creativity and commitment to the competition.

Tristan’s Narrative Struggle:
Tristan faces criticism for overemphasizing narrative in his dishes. Ronnie humorously points out, “Just cook me some decent food. I don't want to eat your narrative” (07:02), highlighting the tension between culinary storytelling and pure taste.

Massimo vs. Tradition:
Massimo's approach to cooking emphasizes beauty and functionality over narrative, which puts him at odds with Tristan's philosophy. Ben notes, “Massimo's like, it's food. You take what's good and you make it” (08:00), contrasting it with Tristan’s poetic explanations.

Lana’s Waffle Maker Venture:
Lana chooses to pivot to using a waffle maker, creating a savory ham and cheese waffle. Ben critiques, "It's just a dry waffle," while recognizing the potential creativity behind her choice (26:05).

Quickfire Challenges:
The episode features two critical quickfire challenges:

1. Deponeur Challenge: Chefs must cook using only items found in a Montreal-style bodega, labeled in French. This tests their ability to adapt to a bilingual kitchen environment (16:51).
2. Sustainability and Seasons: A dual challenge where chefs must create dishes that reflect both sustainability and one of the four seasons, adding layers of complexity to their culinary creations (43:36).

Notable Moments and Insights

Host Banter and Humor:
Throughout the episode, Ben and Ronnie infuse humor into their discussions, often mocking the chefs' choices and the show's production aspects. For example, Ronnie quips, “I love how you made a bougie name for a pig in a blanket, and it was delicious” (34:52), showcasing their lighthearted approach.

Judge Punky Johnson’s Influence:
Guest judge Punky Johnson adds an element of surprise and expertise, providing candid feedback to the contestants. Ben notes “15:05,” the omission of her SNL background, which becomes a running joke between the hosts.

Culinary Creativity vs. Practicality:
The hosts frequently debate the balance between innovative culinary techniques and practical, palate-pleasing dishes. For instance, Cesar’s “cheddar popcorn grits” is both praised for creativity and critiqued for practicality (25:40).

Elimination Reactions:
The show's emotional stakes are highlighted when discussing eliminations. Ben observes, “Vinnie looks crushed. Lana looks shell shocked” (08:00), emphasizing the personal impact of the competition.

Conclusion and Teasers for Part Two

As the episode wraps up, Ben and Ronnie reflect on the culinary performances and set the stage for the next episode’s eliminations. They tease further analysis and humorous commentary in Part Two, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for the continuation of their Top Chef recap.

Notable Quotes

• Ben Mandelker (07:02):
  “One of the gifts of this season has been watching this show drain the soul and confidence out of Benny.”

• Ronnie Karam (08:00):
  “You can make food without a fucking narrative, bro. Just cook me some decent food.”

• Ben Mandelker (34:52):
  “The creativity of taking popcorn, turning it into grits. I mean, wow. You need to be committed on that.”

• Ronnie Karam (57:15):
  “So he's making a farce, which is like, what? Seriously?”

Final Thoughts

Watch What Crappens delivers an entertaining and insightful recap of Top Chef Season 22, Episode 10. Ben and Ronnie provide a blend of humor, critique, and genuine admiration for the contestants' efforts, making it a must-listen for fans eager to delve deeper into the culinary battles unfolding on Bravo.

Next Episode Teaser:
Stay tuned for Part Two of this Top Chef recap, where Ben and Ronnie will continue their deep dive into the final challenges and the emotional rollercoaster leading up to the season finale. Don’t miss out on their unfiltered takes and exclusive insights!

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End of Summary

Timestamps

• 05:03: Discussion on Toronto finale location.
• 07:02: Benny’s transformation and loss of confidence.
• 08:00: Triston’s narrative vs. Massimo’s approach.
• 16:51: Deponeur challenge with French labels.
• 25:40: Cesar’s cheddar popcorn grits.
• 34:52: Punky’s favorite dish and Cesar’s win.
• 43:36: Sustainability and seasons challenge.
• 57:15: Farce discussion and culinary terminology.

Note: All timestamps refer to the podcast’s internal clock and correlate with the transcript provided.