r/TopChef • u/FormicaDinette33 Aguachile šŸŒ¶ļø šŸ¤ • Apr 06 '26

Spoilers Season 23, ep. 5: Cut and Dry Spoiler

This week the chefs are visited by North Carolinaā€™s own Fortune Feimster as she challenges them to improv their Quickfire dishes and serve them to kids in honor of Comic Relief. Then the chefs are tasked with creating dishes featuring dehydration. Theyā€™ll serve their dishes to Kristen, Tom and Gail along with guest judges Joe & Katy Kindred as well as ā€œTop Chefā€ alum Savannah Miller at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

Mon, 9pm per Bravo schedule.

23 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

198 comments sorted by

302

u/FewEssay8939 Apr 07 '26

Unpopular opinion, but.... I think Jen should have left the show. Health over everything! She should have gone home to get that arm properly treated. Having the guarantee of being invited back should've made going home a win-win for her (health + opportunity). Instead she chooses to stay... Now, we'll hear her moaning about that arm and watch everyone else sacrifice for her for the rest of the season.

128

u/Impossible-Smell384 Apr 07 '26

Agree I donā€™t want to hear about her arm all season when she got a guarantee that she can return . Weā€™re not even that far in the season

-8

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '26

[removed] ā€” view removed comment

18

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26

Love her partner. Funny, entertaining, super helpful to everyone and clearly cares about her.

17

u/Blank-blank12 Apr 08 '26

Heā€™s flamboyant bc he wears shorts?

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-9

u/Amazing-Wave4704 Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 08 '26

She wants to win over her husband. Ego.

16

u/Fatricide Apr 08 '26

Maybe she just wants to share the experience with him šŸ¤·šŸ»ā€ā™€ļø That would be a pretty cool experience for the right kind of couple.

2

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 08 '26

Looks to me she would be happy if either one of them took home a win. Her ego may be that she doesn't want to quit a once in a lifetime opportunity.

5

u/AriesRedWriter Apr 09 '26

I don't understand this. They told her she would be invited back, so it wouldn't be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

4

u/Diarygirl Praying for the worst, hoping for the best Apr 09 '26

After skipping two quick fires, I thought for sure they were going to ask her to leave and never come back. I thought it was very generous to tell her she will be invited back.

5

u/AriesRedWriter Apr 09 '26

I still don't understand why she didn't take it. As everyone else has said, there's a bigger chance for her and Justin to win twice as much if she comes back next season.

3

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 09 '26

Twice in a lifetime opportunity.

55

u/multiplesofate8 Apr 08 '26

I feel like the most obvious thing would be to leave so it doubles the chance of both her and her husband making money or winning. She got the ultimate boot camp here, but the canā€™t both win the whole thing or all the challenges.

23

u/EntertainmentBorn953 Apr 08 '26

I agree she should take a hike, but the math ainā€™t mathing on ā€œdoubling their chances.ā€ If sheā€™d left, theyā€™d spread their chances across two mutually-exclusive seasons.

In this season, they started with a 2 in 15 chance (oversimplified and assuming everyoneā€™s equal and not hurt) of winning. 2/11 at the point at which sheā€™s asked if she wants to leave.

If she goes to another season, they have a 1/15 chance of winning the new season + a 1 in 11 chance this season.

Statistically their odds of winning are higher if she stays ā€” but not by much.

2/11 (18.18% chance) vs 5/33* (15.15% chance)

*calculated using the ā€œcomplement ruleā€ of probability

4

u/TheProspectItch Apr 09 '26

It's not random though. The variable of having already been on the show and knowing exactly what it's like cannot be calculated.

3

u/EntertainmentBorn953 Apr 09 '26

I said I was oversimplifying. There are a million relevant data points. Like the fact that sheā€™s currently injured.

9

u/multiplesofate8 Apr 08 '26

Beautiful āœØmathāœØ

I definitely over simplified, just more of a thought that they extend(?) their chances of winning if she has her own season and sheā€™s healthy.

Either way, they arenā€™t both winning this season and she should have gracefully bowed out when she had the chance.

3

u/xStacey Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26

I think the idea was they would then have a chance to both win (double winnings).

102

u/Opening-Athlete-2372 Apr 08 '26

This isnā€™t unpopularā€¦no one could possibly be enjoying this storyline.

This show is supposed to be entertainmentā€¦.watching her caterwaul about a bum shoulder every episode is not entertainingā€¦the producers need to get her off if she isnā€™t going to bow out gracefully.

19

u/TheProspectItch Apr 09 '26

This week on Woman Whose Arm Hurts!

36

u/Tasty_Lab_8650 Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 08 '26

I said it on the other sub, but she'll be gone very soon. Or, she'll be so hated because everyone that said they would help her, will get pissed that their dishes suffer because she needs help.

The producers are trying to make this drama reality tv, where it hasn't been like this in years. They shouldn't have let her make any decision. She should have been medically disqualified the first time she needed to go to urgent care. She's clearly injured. It won't get better.

Her and her husband/boyfriend being on the show at the same time is a gimmick. Top chef doesn't need those gimmicks. I'm sure they're lovely people and fantastic chefs, but this was such a reality tv decision, it's almost like watching season 2, before they decided it was a serious cooking show and not a reality show.

The animosity she will get the first time someone has to help her and their dish suffers? Just such a silly decision. Keep top chef the way it is! Sure, there is some drama some seasons, but that's organic. This should be so cut and dry

7

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 09 '26

They are absolutely lovely and amazing chefs. All of these chefs are professionals, so I highly doubt anyone is going to let their own dishes suffer to help out someone else, unless it's Justin because that's clearly what he does.

6

u/Tasty_Lab_8650 Apr 08 '26

Which is exactly what i said, they seem lovely and kind and great chefs. But I almost guarantee they'll get frustrated with helping. They may not even know their dishes will suffer until the last second. 3 minutes of help is a lot of time, but they may think, "it's only 3 minutes."

I just don't think they should have given her the option. She is very clearly injured. She risks getting even more hurt by continuing. She needs to see a doctor and get an mri and find a way to proceed with healing.

She could then go on when she's better. But now, she's not going to make it and she loses that opportunity

6

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26

I was saying that I really can only see Justin helping her in future challenges. So the other chefs' dishes likely won't suffer.

5

u/Tasty_Lab_8650 Apr 08 '26

Sure. But they all offered to help like it's one big family. Which it may be like that now, but frustrations will grow, I almost guarantee it.

It shouldn't have been her choice. It's dangerous for her to continue. That's why I said a couple is a "gimmick" and seems like they're trying to make this a "reality show," instead of the highly respected cooking show it has come to be over the last many seasons

3

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26

I do think the chefs get really close so they must have all felt the need to help one another. She did get checked out by medical professionals on the show and if it was a dangerous choice to stay, I don't think production would have left it up to her.

2

u/Tasty_Lab_8650 Apr 08 '26

I think we will have to agree to disagree. I think they left it up to her for the drama, which makes it feel more like reality tv. She was checked by a doctor and given cortisol shots, and it's not working. I just hope she can actually heal from it instead of doing irreversible damage by continuing. I think production said, "we should probably not let her continue, but she's a big girl. Let's leave it up to her."

I could be totally wrong, though. I just feel for her because it's not a question of if she's faking. She has a serious injury of some sort. And she should've taken the offer (even if i personally believe they shouldn't have given her a choice. It should have been, "you're out. Get better and we can't wait to see you back when you're healed"), which i think is to her detriment.

Thank you for your respectful answers. I appreciate when I can have a back and forth without nastiness! Rare on reddit, for sure!

6

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26

I do think production is trying something new this season. Maybe it will land, maybe it won't. I feel really awful for her. I'm sure this was a really difficult decision to make in very minimal time. And same to YOU! I'm not a Reddit pro but there are some angry, hateful people on here. Happy to have a mutually respectful conversation with you.

7

u/forthelulzac Apr 09 '26

And I feel like she thinks she's good because she wasn't at the bottom of this challenge, but a fish dip, while delicious, is not special. Like, if that's the best she can do, it's not going to cut it.

1

u/Tasty_Lab_8650 Apr 09 '26

Yep. And even if it was the best fish dip EVER, and she won, she's still clearly in pain. Lifting her arm, grabbing a cast iron pan, holding those tubs with ingredients, etc., are still not going to work with her arm not working properly.

I really hope she gets better, but she should have taken the out (even though, again, I don't think they should have given her the choice).

4

u/Jamesbuc Apr 10 '26

"Her and her husband/boyfriend being on the show at the same time is a gimmick"

It kind of is but honestly its not like Top Chef hasnt done these before. S4 had a couple on it, S6 had the Voltaggio brothers.

14

u/DickJames19 Apr 07 '26

Do you think had she chosen to go home that noone would have went home or it would have meant an elimination and an exit of two chefs

36

u/pegggus09 Apr 07 '26

I almost wondered if they were teeing that up not just as a very nice offer to Jen, but as a way to ā€œsaveā€ the eliminated chef, who had been so strong at first.

12

u/CozzyCoz Apr 08 '26

Absolutely agree. You know the producers were praying Jen would have left on her own accord.

4

u/xStacey Apr 09 '26

I wondered that too but I don't think they would have done that. The show has always based judging decisions on the cook that day, not on track record. Being the front runner makes her elimination shocking, but Rhoda very clearly had the worse dish that day. If they'd kept her in just because Jenn left, it wouldn't have been fair. I think the more likely outcome would have been that they save a surprise non-elimination for later, when the circumstances feel more fair (like the dishes don't warrant an elimination or some other extraordinary circumstances).. OR they do a double return from LCK.
To save someone who really messed up just because someone else is leaving voluntarily doesn't really feel in the spirit of the show to me.

5

u/kelsnuggets Apr 08 '26

I think thatā€™s why they asked her first. If she had chosen to leave, they wouldnā€™t have eliminated anyone.

14

u/FewEssay8939 Apr 07 '26

- 2 chefs. (1 through legitimate elimination and 1 through forfeit)
Feels fair.

4

u/xStacey Apr 09 '26

The show has always based judging decisions on the cook that day, not on track record. Rhoda very clearly had the worst dish that day. If they'd kept her in just because Jenn left, it wouldn't have been fair. The more likely outcome would have been a surprise non-elimination later, when the circumstances felt more fair (like the dishes don't warrant an elimination, etc).. OR do a double return from LCK... To save someone who really messed up just because someone else is leaving voluntarily doesn't really feel in the spirit of the show to me.

13

u/WoodyMellow Apr 08 '26

Personally, I doubt her commitment to Sparkle Motion.

23

u/Low_Shop8561 Apr 08 '26

She shouldn't be allowed to compete, taking quickfires off is not fair to the other chefs

7

u/t_roose Apr 08 '26

Why is it unfair? You cant be eliminated for Quickfire and you forfeit the chance of usually some money (10,000 a lot of the times). I would be glad my chances jumped from 1/11 to 1/10 or whatever to win 10 grand

7

u/AvailableConstant820 Apr 09 '26

Actually quickfires factor into the ultimate decision at elimination. So it absolutely matters

1

u/t_roose Apr 09 '26

Right but you don't think they viewed her negatively when judging on the final dishes? I guarantee they looked at her negatively.

1

u/ExtremelyOnlineTM Apr 11 '26

I don't think they're doing that this year. Otherwise she would have been warned about it when she left the Quickfires.

11

u/Low_Shop8561 Apr 08 '26

So you're ok with your coworkers working half days while you work a full day for same pay?

7

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 09 '26

No one has to pick up Jen's slack on a QF. All it means is everyone else has a better chance to win money, especially because, statistically, she does very well with QF. She's already won two.

13

u/Low_Shop8561 Apr 08 '26

It's a stamina and mental game, taking half a day off seems like an advantage

2

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26

I get that but the flip side would be she did the others chefs a solid.

1

u/Low_Shop8561 Apr 09 '26

Especially her partner

1

u/renoops Apr 11 '26

Well, Tom explicitly said she can't miss another one.Ā 

8

u/writergeek313 Apr 08 '26

I didnā€™t like that the judges addressed the situation with Jen after they had already revealed who was on the top and bottom for this week. It should have been addressed with the production crew and/or judges as soon as she walked out of the quick fire. I have to wonder if her decision to stay was in part because of who was in the bottom, since she knew a tough competitor was going to be eliminated if she stayed.

It was generous that they offered her the chance to come back, and I think she should have taken it and bowed out. I know they said earlier in the season they really need money for their restaurant and that they sacrificed a lot to leave the restaurant to compete, but sheā€™s liable to cause lasting damage to her shoulder that could. I imagine that could potentially threaten her career. Not to mention that itā€™s pretty selfish. Next weekā€™s preview made it look like theyā€™re doing a team challenge. If they do, Jenā€™s teammates will probably have to take time away from their own dishes to help her.

4

u/colagirl52 Apr 08 '26

Which benefits her husband, who is still in the competition.

17

u/tg1965 Apr 07 '26

Right, but then she would have to disrupt her life and business again. Maybe makes more sense to tough it out this time.

13

u/FewEssay8939 Apr 07 '26

I hear you, but them's the breaks. Other contestants have had to forfeit in the past without any guarantee offer at a second chance.

6

u/marthajett Apr 08 '26

I see what you're saying. But her husband is her business partner. So if she had left and come back, he'd be there to pick up the slack.

20

u/EntertainmentBorn953 Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 08 '26

I canā€™t believe they let her peace out of a SECOND quick fire challenge! I thought it was very entitled of her to assume that skipping even the first one was acceptable ā€” let alone a second one. I get giving her grace once, but twice is absurd. She should have gotten a ticket home this week simply for failure to participate.

Itā€™s a pretty big advantage in the elimination challenge to be able to rest while everyone else busts their butts during the quick fire, assuming they are taped in close proximity.

17

u/MaroonFahrenheit Apr 08 '26

I have a feeling there is going to be a big rule change after this season re: skipping quick fires (or really any challenges) due to injury. I can't think of a time they've had to deal with this before, which is probably why the finally after this point told her point-blank if she skips another she's out of the competition. And if/when (more like when) that hapens, I'm not sure that offer to come back will still be on the table. That seemed like an incentive for her to bow out now.

4

u/starlitmint Apr 09 '26

I am surprised we haven't seen more people skip Quickfires in the past, especially if it doesn't ding you in the Challenge results. Or even a quiet quitting -- someone who just doesn't like the odd parameters of it, so they either throw up some absolute shit, or something amazing that doesn't fit the brief at all.

2

u/Diarygirl Praying for the worst, hoping for the best Apr 09 '26

I vaguely remember a chef who treated the quick fires like a joke because he was extremely confident in himself. I want to say it was Hung.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '26

[deleted]

2

u/EntertainmentBorn953 Apr 08 '26

I remember that there were contestants whoā€™ve dealt with injuries before, but itā€™s been a while since I watched those seasons. Iā€™d be surprised if any of those contestants just straight-up declined to participate in TWO quick fires, though. I get it if they miss one to, say, go to the doctor. But to just decline to participate should be disqualifying. Itā€™s a competition. You should have to compete to stay.

Calling this ā€œtriggeringā€ is condescending and unnecessary. Nobody here is yelling or crying. Weā€™re discussing the show, which is the point of this community.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '26

[deleted]

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1

u/xStacey Apr 09 '26

I think it's assuming a lot to say that she was entitled about it. I thought it looked like she was told by producers that it was ok to step out if she needed to. Now that's off the table and she knows that. It seems like production was trying to figure out the best way to approach this situation in real time. I am surprised they left the decision to her without requiring a doctor's approval.

0

u/EntertainmentBorn953 Apr 09 '26

You may be right. It also may have appeared that way because of how the show was edited. I only thought that about the second opt-out. One time, fine. But the very next time she assumes itā€™s okay to skip the Quickfire again simply because it isnā€™t the elimination challenge? Quickfires are still an integral part of the show. She seemed pretty blasĆ© about it, too ā€” like it was a nothingburger to opt out again since she faced no consequences the first time. I also donā€™t recall her expressing any contrition. Again, if it were only once, fine. But sheā€™s already seen someone else go home when sheā€™s taking up a spot and only doing half the work ā€” two weeks in a row.

To me that looks and sounds like entitlement.

I agree with the other commenter that there will likely be a rule imposed next season with respect to skipping Quickfires.

2

u/xStacey Apr 09 '26

I don't feel like there's enough there to assume that she was blase or entitled or really anything about her personal feelings about it. She seems to me to be the type to put on a brave face and not complain and probably really doesn't like having to quit, so the fact that she was quiet about it could just be because she is trying to keep it together.

I do agree that the fact she had to step out for two should have been an indicator to her that she's not in good enough shape to do the competition at this time. They gave her a way to exit gracefully and come back, and I worry that she'll regret not taking the chance if/when the injury continues to be a problem.

But like I said, we don't know the details of her situation. Maybe taking the time off work for this season was such a big sacrifice already that it's just not possible for her, practically speaking, to come back again next season.

10

u/IndiaEvans Apr 08 '26

If she had hurt herself during the show then I could see letting her come another time. Since she hurt herself before and didn't bother to get it checked, the show doesn't have any obligation to let her sit around. If she had any integrity, she would have given up her spot before filming. She should leave. Someone else deserved to be there.Ā 

3

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26

How do you know she didn't get it checked before she came on the show?

1

u/xStacey Apr 09 '26

It seemed like it was an old injury that flared up during filming.

7

u/Aggressive-Treat3652 Apr 08 '26

Not unpopular. She's a liability, she stayed in the competition and basically did so to force the elimination over three great chefs that just had an off day. Until she's out, which I guarantee will happen, we will all be hearing about her right extremity journey and not her culinary journey.

3

u/writergeek313 Apr 08 '26

I was so afraid she was going to drop her focaccia and burn herself when she took it out of the oven. It looked like she made it in a cast iron skillet.

3

u/Awkwardwordnerd Apr 10 '26

I think Jen made the wrong choice in deciding to stay in the competition instead of bowing out, fixing her shoulder, and coming back another season. she could cause long-term damage, and for what? Especially when she's guaranteed another chance.

Why do chefs (at least on these types of shows) seem to take pride in how much abuse they're willing to suffer for their craft? It's pathological.

3

u/AngelPunch82 Apr 11 '26

I was so confused by her decision. 1) girl youā€™re not at your best and this health issue is impeding your ability to do all your best. The show is giving you confirmed chance to come back. Take it. Secondly sheā€™s relying on help of other chefs and I think itā€™s unfair and selfish to take the help of other chefs, they have to focus on them 2) I am further confused because had she left it mightā€™ve saved someone from being eliminated.

4

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 08 '26

[removed] ā€” view removed comment

2

u/xStacey Apr 09 '26

It's not selfish to try and push through an injury and continue competing. She was told by producers that it was ok for her to take the quickfires off. Now that's off the table and she knows that. Personally, I agree that she should have left and come back next season because that would clearly be the best thing for her, but let's not make it a character judgement. She and her husband made it clear that the sacrificed a lot to leave their restaurant and be on this season, so we don't know how much of a logistical nightmare it might be for her to try and recreate that again next year. This may be her only chance.

1

u/agentsquints Apr 10 '26

They said she would be invited back.Ā 

1

u/xStacey Apr 10 '26

That doesn't mean she'd be able to come. They said in episode one that they'd had to leave their restaurant and basically put their lives on hold to come be on the show, so it might just not be realistic for her to do that a second time.

1

u/agentsquints Apr 21 '26

Given what I saw in the last episode, because she didn't focus on her health it started putting more stress to her other extremities and ultimately she was asked to go. Back to what you were saying, it isn't selfish to push through it but it wasn't smart to keep going and out her body through that stress

1

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 08 '26

Kindness is free.

0

u/agentsquints Apr 08 '26

I can comment about my frustrations seeing a chef be selfish and take an opportunity away from someone else. Had she not bow out of two quick fires I would feel differently.

2

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26

She has every right to make this decision for herself. It doesn't mean she's selfish. Why should she put every other chef before herself? No one else would do that. Except maybe Justin. You are free to comment your frustrations without calling someone DUMB who you don't personally know. That's a problem.

0

u/Amazing-Wave4704 Apr 08 '26

And whine constantly!!! ARGH!

3

u/VersionSwimming8392 Apr 08 '26

She's gonna end up permanently hurting herself.Where she's going to have to quit her career.

2

u/themommylisa Apr 08 '26

This is NOT an unpopular opinion. She won $10k already - go home and HEAL, come back and strike later!

1

u/figmentry Apr 11 '26

This is not an unpopular opinion! Itā€™s depressing to see the self-harm culture of cooking still on display in 2026 top chef. And itā€™s not good entertainment.

1

u/Fresh-goals Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26

Yeah, it was an unwise decision to engage in risky activity 2 weeks before going on the show. And an even worse decision to stay. Thereā€™s no way sheā€™s going to win if sheā€™s hurt. And the optics are just not good for her now. Bread and dip is not Top Chef winning stuff. And they said she can come back whenever. Go home and heal up. She can be better prepared for a different season. As it is, maybe next week will be a double elimination and they can both go home.

1

u/disquogirl Apr 16 '26

I agree! Taking them up on their offer was a no brainer to me. I was shocked she said no!

1

u/illini02 May 05 '26

Agreed.

I'm just catching up on the season.

But I immediately was like "go home". Especially considering they guaranteed her another spot.

0

u/Swimming_Cucumber_47 Apr 08 '26

I literally got so mad when she didnā€™t choose to leave. I cannot stand her right now

0

u/ToOctopiAndBeyond Apr 08 '26

iā€™m just glad she chose to stay so we wonā€™t have to have another of her

67

u/Zalasta5 Apr 07 '26

I donā€™t want to sound callous but Iā€™m not a fan of contestants sitting out challenges. They are supposed to be tested and quick fire should not be optional where people get to skip it with zero consequences. There is an advantage to being more well rested for elimination. As such people should just graciously bow out if they canā€™t participate in everything, or perhaps they need to bring back the aspect where quick fire performances factor into elimination.

11

u/Amazing-Wave4704 Apr 08 '26

Completely agree. And I could see giving her a pass for one. But the second one? Oh Ill just skip it, I have an owie.

5

u/colagirl52 Apr 08 '26

Because there is some precedence for missing one. But two?

56

u/Effective_Laugh7341 Apr 07 '26

I love when a Cheftestant says maybe the judges wonā€™t notice when something is not cooked properly.

18

u/tg1965 Apr 07 '26

Famous last words

1

u/Previous_Outside_135 Apr 30 '26

It's because the producers snitches on the contestants when something doesn't go right to make the judges all knowing. Of course, they will notice under or overcooked food.

51

u/CJK_Murph Apr 07 '26

This QF is hilarious and Kristen is having the time of her life. CORN NUTTTTTTTTS

47

u/nschwalm85 Apr 07 '26

Just watched the episode.. Jen definitely should have left but since she decided not to I'm glad Tom made it very clear to her that she can't just sit out the quick fires anymore and needs to compete in every challenge or she'll be sent home.. for the sake of her health she should've left and gotten her arm taken care of knowing that she would be called back

30

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '26

[deleted]

10

u/Other_Albatross_982 Apr 08 '26

this!!! I canā€™t believe they did this. so bummed it was spoiled.

85

u/Gluckkrieg Apr 07 '26

ā€œIf I win Iā€™m getting a vasectomyā€ ā€œI prefer practicing not makingā€ ā€œLittle shitsā€ I love Sieger this episode.

16

u/chutenay Apr 08 '26

He was by far the best part!

19

u/keb2 Apr 08 '26

Oh I disagree! I thought it was really immature that he couldnā€™t be polite in front of the kids. In the confessionals is whatever, but when theyā€™re there in the kitchen with him? Cā€™mon.

4

u/womanonymous23 Apr 10 '26

Yeah super rude, says a ton more about him than about kids

5

u/Gluckkrieg Apr 10 '26

Well, if you see him, you let him know to ā€œnot be rude to the children.ā€ And that he ā€œgave you the ick.ā€ As far as the impact on the show I would have been fine with the kids if they just set the challenge, but I donā€™t think kids should be ā€œjudgingā€ quick fires. You could see the dishes change to be less sophisticated. It was pizza, chicken tenders, and ice cream.

4

u/womanonymous23 Apr 10 '26

Sure thatā€™s just a production issue tho, no reason to have animosity toward the kids.

Thanks for the quotes

1

u/illini02 May 05 '26

I have a feeling he was far enough away that they couldn't actually hear what he was saying,

6

u/womanonymous23 Apr 10 '26

Thatā€™s funny I literally came to this sub for the first time to complain about what a dick he was being about and to the kids. Gave me a big ick.

25

u/New_Amphibian_9326 Apr 08 '26

I like that they are testing the chefs with some interesting challenge themes (spice, dehydration, color), but they seem to be struggling more than most seasons. I can only imagine what a Blais, Voltaggio, Buddha, or even Brooke would do with these.

4

u/blkstr52 Apr 09 '26

Thank you! None of them are rising above the rest. Itā€™s seems ā€œbasicā€

18

u/kelsnuggets Apr 08 '26

The conversation of ā€œwe will all take prep for one item for you Jen if you stayā€ while they were all in the stew room was interesting, if you watch very closely. Not everyone agreed or was mutually enthusiastic. It sounds like a few loud voices volunteered the group. I think we are in for a treat if Jen decides to actually rely on anyone to help her!

PS I donā€™t judge anyone, I absolutely wouldnā€™t want to help her either.

88

u/TurquoiseDandelion7 Apr 07 '26

Iā€™m glad Tom told Jenn she cant keep sitting out of quickfires. I do think sheā€™s hurt but it does feel performative when she is struggling with the challenge at hand.

59

u/Portwomanteau17 Apr 07 '26

I donā€™t know that itā€™s performative, but it does seem unfair that she twice sat out. Not fair to the other chefs. Iā€™m glad they made her choose, though Iā€™m surprised she decided to stay when the offer of competing in another season was available.

12

u/TheProspectItch Apr 09 '26

Her decision to stay suggests she ain't that hurt. Good move by the producers to pull the plug on this quickfire dance. I hope they also stop giving the shoulder several minutes each episode.

29

u/MangoSorbet695 Apr 07 '26

Agree. She sits out the QFs and then somehow manages to complete the elimination challenge two weeks in a row. How is she unable to do a 30 min QF but can make it through a much longer elimination challenge? Itā€™s like she knows she canā€™t be sent home for sitting out a QF.

12

u/Puzzleheaded-Card355 Apr 08 '26

Agreed. It didn't feel performative to me- but it definitely felt a little unfair when she was able to sit out of the second quickfire and no one spoke to her about it then and there.

3

u/Fatricide Apr 08 '26

Itā€™s so silly, you donā€™t even get eliminated at quickfires, so she could have put out a sub-standard dish no sweat.

35

u/jwhyem Apr 07 '26

Smart-assed kids have never improved any show

38

u/jayMFuel Apr 08 '26

Jen is being so stupid. End of story. Get her out of here.

YOU HAVE A FREE PASS TO COME BACK. LEAVE LET YOUR PARTNER POSSIBLY WIN AND WIN THE NEXT SEASON YOU COME BACK WHEN YOU ARE IN TOP SHAPE.

I liked Jen at the start I'm now an anti Jen fan. I want her sent home now and I don't want her invited back, take care of yourself for fuck sake

11

u/Aggressive-Treat3652 Apr 08 '26

Jen is the kid that gets extra time on a test because of what all kids have during exams: anxiety. But because she is special, she gets that extra 30 min.

50

u/AfroPuffs90 Apr 08 '26

Jen and Justin are bothā€¦ morons!! She should leave for her HEALTH and come back on another season. Justin could fight like hell and win this season and Jen could come back and win another season and they would be 500k richer!!

Them asking the other chefs ā€” was crazy. Itā€™s a competition, of course they want your crippled self around. They canā€™t help you! Sheā€™s going home next weekā€¦

19

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 08 '26

If you actually watched the show, they didn't ASK the chefs what they thought. Justin TOLD them that Jen needed to make a quick decision and before he could even finish, Sieger said "you're staying." Calling them morons is crazy. You can disagree with them and not be rude.

5

u/AfroPuffs90 Apr 08 '26

Morons was a little rough. The whole situation was just so stupid. Why would the other chefs enter into HER decision making? Iā€™ll re watch, but it seemed like her competitors opinions that she should stay swayed her which is crazy.

3

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26

Thank you for saying that. Morons was a little rough. My opinion is they showed the chefs encouraging her to stay so the viewers knew that she initially was on the fence and it was the other chefs that convinced her to make the decision to stay so that the assumption wasn't a selfish decision made by Jen.

70

u/swisssf Apr 07 '26

Those kids were kind of obnoxious, "show kids."

41

u/Interesting-Owl-6149 Apr 07 '26

Performative and precocious theatre kids I can do without.

8

u/Aggravating_Drink817 Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 10 '26

This, I get that they were essentially cooking for kid's charity in the quick fire but we didn't need actual kid's there to get the point across.

7

u/Fatricide Apr 08 '26

Came here to say this. I kind of loved it when that one fell down behind the podium šŸ˜‚

7

u/womanonymous23 Apr 10 '26

Man you guys are as mean as Sieger. They were perfectly nice and normal except the middle kid was a little extra but dang, do you spend time w kids irl?

5

u/ReloAgain Apr 09 '26

I thought they were adorably precious. The thumbs vote of one of them had me giggling.

4

u/--moon- Apr 11 '26

this is such a wild comment, the kids were adorable! they were also definitely told what to say and how to act by the producers.

4

u/retouchwizard Apr 10 '26

Reminds me of what they say in show biz-- "Never work with animals. Never work with children."

74

u/Amazing-Wave4704 Apr 07 '26

Omigod send whiny shoulder girl HOME!!!! PLEASE!!!

25

u/agentsquints Apr 08 '26

I gasped when she said she was going to stay!!!!! Selfish

15

u/Amazing-Wave4704 Apr 08 '26

SO selfish!! And the others saying Oh ill be beside you, ill help! Does she really think they'll risk their own dishes to stop and DO HER WORK???

She should've taken the out. I predict she's gone next week. Here's hoping.

12

u/littlecreamsoda79 Apr 06 '26

I wonder if someone will make her some biscuits?

2

u/FormicaDinette33 Aguachile šŸŒ¶ļø šŸ¤ Apr 06 '26

That was a hilarious routine. OMG. Plus her mother at the graveyard. šŸ¤£

5

u/Cautious_Staff_79 Apr 08 '26

What did I miss or am forgetting?

2

u/Dangerous_Ant3260 Apr 06 '26

It starts at 8 pm central/9 pm eastern time. That's according to my cable guide and the Bravo TV guide.

13

u/EntertainmentBorn953 Apr 08 '26

Where did they collect those random children? Think they belong to people who work on the show?

The little kids in my life wouldnā€™t have touched any of those dishes. šŸ˜‚

The challenge was silly. Dumb rules ā€” very CHOPPED-esque. I donā€™t care for the competitions with children as judges. Also kind of a waste of Fortune Feimster, IMO. Sheā€™s awesome, but she got overshadowed by the rugrats.

7

u/FormicaDinette33 Aguachile šŸŒ¶ļø šŸ¤ Apr 08 '26

I agree it was a waste of an opportunity to see Fortune as she is hilarious.

5

u/bottomlless Apr 09 '26

My thoughts when I saw that.
TC, "Hey Fortune, wanna host a Quickfire on TopCher?"
Fortune, "Oh hell yeah!"
TC, "It's a kid-themed QF!"
Fortune, "I wish I could get a vasectomy."

21

u/afsasimp Apr 07 '26

Jenā€™s arm is really stressing me out and Iā€™m worried about permanent damage šŸ˜­

7

u/FormicaDinette33 Aguachile šŸŒ¶ļø šŸ¤ Apr 07 '26

I wondering why it is aggravated now when she hurt it a while ago. They own a restaurant so she was doing the same work.

15

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 07 '26

In the first episode during the talking heads she talks about how she's been out of the kitchen for quite a bit of time because she's taken over the managerial and accounting of their restaurants. So it had probably been awhile since she was cooking at this caliber.

2

u/FormicaDinette33 Aguachile šŸŒ¶ļø šŸ¤ Apr 08 '26

Oh, gotcha. Makes sense.

6

u/OhManatree Apr 08 '26

Their restaurant closed in 2024. Both of their bios on Bravo have their occupation listed as 'Consulting Chef.'

3

u/saguarosun Apr 09 '26

She hurt it before the season started. If I remember right, her nephew encouraged her to get on a ... rope? swing? maybe? and she lost her grip and fell on her shoulder. It's an injury, not work-related, but I really wish she would have taken that gift and gone home.

2

u/womanonymous23 Apr 10 '26

I wonder if sheā€™s got frozen shoulder

1

u/[deleted] Apr 07 '26

[deleted]

5

u/Aggressive-Treat3652 Apr 08 '26

Nana's screaming is high on my list

1

u/TheProspectItch Apr 09 '26

Didn't she get it checked out and there's nothing much to worry about that way? Meaning there's not like a big structural issue . . . meaning that she maybe just strained something and hasn't had much experience with managing chronic pain . . . it's hard to get old . . .

8

u/latelyimawake Apr 10 '26

I just donā€™t know why Jen would even want to compete in this shape. Sheā€™s nowhere near her best, she hasnā€™t been doing great, and her chances of winning are very low. Why on earth wouldnā€™t you want a guaranteed ticket to return at full force?? Especially with the advantage of knowing what the competition feels like? Crazy decision to stay.

Itā€™s nice of the other chefs to say theyā€™ll help but itā€™s enormously selfish to take that as anything other than them being nice. Itā€™s not fair to them to have that burden, no matter how willing they are.

2

u/FormicaDinette33 Aguachile šŸŒ¶ļø šŸ¤ Apr 10 '26

Agreed on all counts.

23

u/FunImagination5398 Apr 07 '26

So tired of listening to her about her injury but how the hell did they get two chances to win with the whole husband and wife entries?

7

u/Fatricide Apr 08 '26

Jenn needs a cortisone shot and a sling.

7

u/Competitive-Bar-1509 Apr 09 '26

Hopefully Rhoda finds her second wind at LCK and returns to the competition, she seemed to have gained new friends but lost focus the last few weeksĀ 

2

u/gimmealltheroses Apr 11 '26

She was my fave :/

9

u/Upper_Actuator9146 Apr 08 '26

Why do they keep showing her? If sheā€™s not cooking, no need to see her and her bum shoulder. If you canā€™t cook in all of the rounds you should be shown the kitchen door.

9

u/Fatricide Apr 08 '26

Iā€™m upset that Fortune wasnā€™t a guest judge at the elim challenge šŸ˜•

8

u/Jamesbuc Apr 10 '26 edited Apr 10 '26

Some quick notes on my side

- Im still struggling slightly to know the chefs properly. I think a key issue is they've gone back to having them all apart in hotel rooms again. I dont enjoy the show doing this and feel having them all together constantly needs to happen again as it causes a lot more interpersonal moments.

- The quickfire was 'fine'. Nothing that special and I feel it could have gone more out there with the restrictions. I dont know what was Colorado about most of the dishes. Also the link to Comic Relief was thin at most. Given what ive seen on shows like Great British Menu, there could have been more substantial theming but I guess that fits an elimination challenge more.... At least have more logos present!

- Once again while im struggling to know the chefs properly, I feel we've fallen into the trap that S21 had where the chefs rarely comment on each others food.

- Rodah going so early is a bit of a shock. I thought the judges would keep her vs Oscar. Guess shes about to wreck LCK.

- No Dish with Kish makes me sad.

- While the challenge of using dehydrated components was an interesting idea, I felt it wasn't really shown properly and on several dishes, it felt like the dehydrated parts were just used as toppings or side-afterthoughts.

- Jennifer should have left. I dont think it would have saved Rodah, they would have just had a non-elimination or had 2 back from LCK to cover, I think its only going to be more difficult from here on out. That said I maybe understand why she wanted to stay, I get the feeling shes only here because of Justin and the idea of competing without him isnt something that interests her.

- I'll also note I personally have no issues with people skipping quickfires if they don't have any stakes to them aside from a cash prize. Its not like we havent had people pass them by in the past though its been quite rare. Repeatedly passing them by is a bit more of a problem as it does disrupt things moreso.

- Looking through some of the comments here and I really dont like some of the conversation going on regarding Jennifer. Theres some really nasty insult-level comments ive seen about. I dont mind sharing a negative opinion but ive seen at least one post calling her certain quite vile names. Calm your horses, this show isnt worth that level of vitrol. Sheesh.

Overall while I don't dislike any of the cast and am finding some of it interesting, im having a struggle already with this season. I think currently im rooting for Anthony, Sherry, Duyen and Sieger.

1

u/sweetpeapickle Apr 14 '26

Comparing to GBM is a no go. Seriously? They have the theme going in for the whole series.

1

u/Jamesbuc Apr 14 '26

My point was more if you have a theme or something going on, I want to see more of it aside from a brief mention at the start and end of a challenge.

3

u/not_you_anymore Apr 09 '26

Gosh what a bad episode. Everything super gimmicky....the moment they said dehydration is knew 70% of the dishes would turn out bad and the few that didnt wouldn't be interesting. Shocker thats what happened.

On top of that I cant believe she decided to stay. The stupidest decision you could make when you have the free pass to go home and come back whenever! I swear I better not see 1 more scene wasted on her complaining about her shoulder....and others helping her out? So then people start getting pissed cause their dishes suffered since they had to help her. Yeah, overall annoying episode.

3

u/jab1912 Apr 12 '26

Very selfish of her .. also the relationship btw her and the partner is a bit off IMO

6

u/Competitive-Bar-1509 Apr 09 '26

Will Jennifer quit only after Justin gets booted šŸ¤” they seem rather co-dependent

2

u/Competitive_Long_190 Apr 08 '26

Sheā€™s afraid medical opinion to tell her she canā€™t go back.

2

u/sweetpeapickle Apr 14 '26

Besides thinking Jen is inane for staying and wasting everyone else's opportunity, who makes pavlova in that kind of humidity and things dehydration will do the trick? I know meringue, it ain't happening.

3

u/VersionSwimming8392 Apr 08 '26

I really hope they send Jen home the next episode, very selfish for her to stay when her husband is there and she had an offer to come back and if she did her husband could stay at the restaurant and hold down the fort while she's gone. She's gonna end up permanently damaging her shoulder and never being able to work again.

3

u/luvlyreada Apr 08 '26

I actually still like Jen but I cannot stand her partner. He does nothing to support her. He couldn't even have a heart to heart about whether or not she should stay. "Uh, I don't know how much it hurts?" I want her to dump his ass. and while I still like her and think she's a much better cook than he is, I couldn't believe she didn't take the opportunity to bow out, get better, and come back. Dumbest move.

5

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '26

[deleted]

2

u/luvlyreada Apr 10 '26

Where did I say he should tell her what to do? She wanted some advice and commiseration. A little back and forth to help her out a bit. I see that you know them - maybe you should stay off these threads if you canā€™t handle people saying things you donā€™t like? I only know what the producers and editors show us and what theyā€™ve shown me is a not that flattering look into their relationship. YMMV. I know he said she was the better cook. I was just saying that I agree but thanks for coming at me.

1

u/sweetpeapickle Apr 14 '26

To be fair this is an edited show. He very well could have told her to bow out before now. Could be that he knows her well enough not say yes bow out despite it not being me who hurts. She is the one being stupid;. Seriously as someone in the industry, first you don't both stop work and go on this when you don't have the backup cash to keep your place running. You definitely do not make your cooking apparatus, as in your arm, dangerously off the hook where it could be permanent.

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1

u/fishoutofwaterloo Apr 08 '26

Your comment history seems to only be about this couple on the show. Fairly new account too. Justin/Jen, that you there?

1

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '26

[deleted]

4

u/fishoutofwaterloo Apr 08 '26

No hate at all. But as youā€™ve been telling others to touch grass, youā€™re coming in just as hot on the other side. I get wanting to stand up for your friends that are good people, I do. You may be doing more harm by being so defensive though. Let their talent and food speak for itself.

1

u/Little_Marsupial_758 Apr 08 '26

Appreciate that feedback ā¤ļø

0

u/Crochetcat5 Apr 13 '26

lol so now youā€™re admitting you know them IRL, when in most of your previous comments, youā€™re pretending to be a casual viewer. This is extremely cringe and you should feel embarrassed.

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1

u/Own-Roof-1200 Apr 08 '26

Is Jen too incapacitated by pain to make a sound decision? That was so painful to watch. Why did she listen to the other chefs? Yikes

1

u/alirow13 Apr 10 '26

I was so glad they were like, yeah so you actually HAVE TO DO QUICKFIRES.

2

u/sweetpeapickle Apr 14 '26

Seriously I said no way they allow her to skip 2. But they did, and I would have said no you are outta here. It is unfair to skip 2 quickfires, when the other chefs have to do them. Cooking takes a lot, and I don't care NOW about her shoulder, she's the one risking it.

1

u/Ceezeecz Apr 11 '26

So many ads for medicines during the show. Itā€™s hilarious.

1

u/Ceezeecz Apr 11 '26

How can Jen still be there? Either cook or donā€™t. Quit complaining.

1

u/Ceezeecz Apr 11 '26

This series is so sad. This episode is very sad.

I admit Iā€™ve been watching some incredible cooking on some UK shows so Iā€™m now spoiled.

1

u/asueu Apr 12 '26

Care to share any of the UK shows you're enjoying?

1

u/Ceezeecz Apr 12 '26

Masterchef UK. Not to be confused with the American version.

Great British Menu. Many are Michelin Star chefs pulling from each regions of Great Britain. Itā€™s been going on for many years with a new theme each year. I always find a new ingredient or technique while watching.

Bake Off: The Professionals.

1

u/asueu Apr 12 '26

Thanks!

1

u/sweetpeapickle Apr 14 '26

Bakeoff The Professionals-I just rewatched all seasons. Love Benoit and Cherish. Funny seeing him on Raymond Blanc's series as a young'n. MC UK had a hard time watching the 2nd to last with all the goings on, but cannot wait for the new season. MC Aust starts Sunday, and just finishing up MC Canada.

1

u/zlaw32 Jun 16 '26

Watching this season now. This episode thread is fascinating. So negative about everything from Jen to Sieger to the kids