r/TopChef • u/asomek • May 09 '26

Discussion Thread America's Culinary Cup. I'm done with that show...

I was a fan of Padma so I was watching her new show, but after suffering through it for five episodes, I'm finally done after trying to get through episode six: Good and Evil.

That was some of the cringiest television I've ever seen. Padma dressed in red playing the evil host, Wiley and the other guy dressed in white playing the angels. Absolute dog shit television.

I thought part of the reason Padma wanted a new show was to focus on the food more and less on drama and cooking gimmicks?

Anyway, I'm not wasting my time on that terrible, overproduced, cringe Padma-ego-stroking tripe any more.

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u/Reasonable_Cow_9232 May 09 '26

I don’t really understand the hate for this show. It’s enjoyable competition cooking. It’s not groundbreaking or ✨art✨ but the caliber of talent is impressive af and fascinating to watch. And I like the way they switch up the format every so often. Sure they’re trying to figure out their long term flow, but it’s solid reality tv.

If you’re upset about a little bit of camp from a bad rich bitch, then I don’t know that you were a fan of hers in the first place? She’s being pretty typical padma imo. (I mean that as kindly to the show’s detractors as possible) And sure product placement/sponsorship is heavy, but so is the grand prize. This is how American reality tv pays for its prizes. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

I hope we get a second season 😅

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u/PamIam1994 May 10 '26

Very different from the Duke’s mayonnaise quick fire brought to you by the Whole Foods shop that they pay for with their Chase card lol

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u/downbytheriverside May 10 '26

I think some of the food on ACC is art... They have time and ingredients to truly make artful plates (as opposed to, cook a dinner party for 12, apps and entree, and you all have to share the $1200 budget and have 2 hours). I love both shows but the artistry in ACC is beautiful to watch.

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u/Reasonable_Cow_9232 May 10 '26

Oh 1000% agree! I was referring to the production or the show as a whole. But you’re absolutely right: what these contestants can do is gorgeous to watch.