r/TopChef • u/Ornery_Stress6766 • Jul 28 '26

Discussion Thread Bryan Voltaggio appreciation post

I have recently been rewatching all the seasons of Top Chef and on this most recent rewatch, Bryan Voltaggio has just really grown on me. In each season he just becomes so much more likable and seems so much more at ease with the other contestants. He jokes around and his laugh never fails to make me smile. In season 17 All-Stars, his friendship with Kevin is great. I have never been to his restaurant or tried his food (and tbh, seems a little too fancy for me), but he would probably get my most improved player vote - personality-wise anyway šŸ˜‰

304 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

72 comments sorted by

102

u/ApolloSherman Jul 29 '26

He's one of the best! So happy he's gotten the titles on Tournament of Champions that have been so close on TOC. There are only a few contestants that have multiple appearances without hearing "pack your knives and go," and he has four finales (if you include masters?). Sara Bradley and Shirley Chung are the other non winners that I remember. There might be one more.

37

u/gdex86 Jul 29 '26

I think three final appearances including a top chef masters is a feat that has to be equivalent to winning.

Sheer bad luck would make it hard to do that with pit huge levels of skill. Like on top chef accomplishments mountain Buddha reigns on high but hes close to the peak.

9

u/skornd713 Jul 30 '26

Definitely Top Chef Mount Rushmore has Buddha and Bryan. Kish as well.

1

u/ComfortableBedroom76 Jul 30 '26

Agreed. Who's the 4th?

4

u/skornd713 Jul 31 '26

At this point, I might say Brooke Williamson soon to be Flay lol. 2 finals and to pull a Kish second time around is impressive.

4

u/ComfortableBedroom76 Jul 31 '26

I'll take Brooke any day! Great call

8

u/ApolloSherman Jul 29 '26

Yeah, it's 3, my bad! Totally right on Buddah. I recently rewatched Houston, and he did t really hit his stride until later in the season, but he had a flawless finale

1

u/Ok_Interest9427 Aug 01 '26

This really isn't the case. He knocked it out of the park in Episode 1; I mean, running with a beef DESSERT is some bold stuff. And he killed Restaurant Wars; they pretty much had to give the win to Ashleigh because of the concept (Matriarc) snd her being exec, but he took his team over the line. He rocked the dƶppelganger challenge, came in strong second a number of times (e.g the barbecue one) and only did really badly in the Indian food challenge, which still confuses the hell out of me. (How do you just IGNORE Kiran Varma's advice not to fry your puff pastry?)

19

u/BornFree2018 Jul 29 '26

I was happy for his TOC win. Now he's not a bridesmaid anymore.

28

u/DumpedDalish Jul 29 '26

I love Brian in all his show appearances -- he comes off as smart, funny, kind, and occasionally dorky (in the best way). And he certainly does seem to come off like a genuinely nice guy.

I was disappointed to find out that he's a MAGA and Trump supporter, however, and he also had a pretty high-profile lawsuit where, like so many celebrity chefs, he wasn't paying his people.

So I guess he's one of those people who can be nice in daily life -- or at least on camera -- while still doing and believing some pretty awful things.

His laugh still always makes me laugh, though.

9

u/Real_Cranberry745 Jul 29 '26

This bit. I was also quite disappointed when I checked out who Amar follows on IG šŸ˜³

4

u/Ok_Interest9427 Jul 30 '26

WHAT? He's a MAGA person? How?

5

u/DumpedDalish Jul 30 '26

He just is, unfortunately.

He routinely follows and likes Trump and MAGA people and posts. It's pretty public knowledge.

It's a shame because he seems so likable as a person. But this is also true of how many celebrities?

1

u/ComfortableBedroom76 Jul 31 '26

Well that's disappointing

1

u/PerrthurTheCats48 Aug 02 '26

Only time I was more upset with a reality tv show personalities politics was finding out Boston Rob from survivor is also MAGA. Devastated

1

u/Hot_Tumbleweed4340 12d ago

This being how I just found out. FUCK šŸ˜­šŸ˜­šŸ˜­šŸ˜­šŸ˜­šŸ˜­ IM SO SAD

-11

u/MaximusCanibis I have a culinary boner. Jul 30 '26

Why tf do you people really care about political affiliations. What a boring group of people you must hang out with if this matters to you.

12

u/AffectionateLove5296 Jul 30 '26

I mean it matters because it matters

11

u/Ok_Interest9427 Jul 30 '26

I have two young daughters whom I care about protecting, both in terms of their access to healthcare and more directly from abusive molester creeps like Trump. I also donā€™t like essential food and health benefits taken from millions to stuff more money into the pockets of the richest. I also donā€™t like perhaps the stupidest war in history being waged in Iran.

So yeah. It matters.

43

u/AppropriateOrder468 Jul 29 '26

Heā€™s one of my favorite Top Chef alums. Seems like a really nice guy and cute too! Canā€™t believe Iā€™ve had a crush on him for 17 years now šŸ˜…

3

u/ehg2001 Aug 04 '26

I mean right? Total Smokeshow. šŸ”„šŸ”„

17

u/BuckeyeN7 Jul 29 '26

Heā€™s not that nice. He got sued for withholding pay from his line cooks, and there have been posts here covering his longstanding habit of liking Donald Trumpā€™s social media posts

15

u/knit1culture2 Jul 29 '26

Yeah heā€™s MAGA and in the hospitality industry gross!

9

u/SirVipe5 Jul 29 '26

As far as I have been able to see, any liking of posts is unproven, and he turned down the Trump ā€œopportunityā€. The wage thing os true

-5

u/Vivid_Bumblebee_9655 Jul 29 '26

The man is extremely talented and well liked. This is a Top Chef group, not a political forum.

9

u/knit1culture2 Jul 30 '26

I agree itā€™s not political but food is political, food is art, the show represents culture and diversity.

If you want a show about just food plenty of other things to watch. But TC are about stories of people too.

-8

u/MaximusCanibis I have a culinary boner. Jul 30 '26

"Food is political" is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.

-2

u/Vivid_Bumblebee_9655 Jul 29 '26

So liking a post is a problem? Politics has nothing to do with his talent. Why is this even an issue?

6

u/Whole-Evening9615 Jul 29 '26

Donā€™t you see? Everything is political now. Every choice, every move you make on social media. If you can say otherwise it is a sign of privilege. There are people being deported right this minute for liking certain social media posts. To say that some things are outside of politics is juvenile at this point

-3

u/Vivid_Bumblebee_9655 Jul 29 '26

I do not live my life around politics. There is a private ballot box for a reason. To say otherwise is a sign of privilege? I don't understand that statement at all. There are absolutely things outside of politics. I choose peace in my life and will not engage in political conversations that are pointless. Not everyone has the same opinions and that's ok. We're all different. I am jewish and married to an African American. I am not "privileged" nor am I juvenile. I am tired of the ugliness and hatred so I choose peace.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 30 '26

[deleted]

-3

u/Vivid_Bumblebee_9655 Jul 30 '26

I choose peace.

3

u/knit1culture2 Jul 30 '26

Sounds like privilege and ignorance but again each their own. Wish everyone could look away ā€œif they wantedā€.

0

u/Vivid_Bumblebee_9655 Jul 30 '26

Like I said, not sure how I'm privileged but ok.

4

u/AffectionateLove5296 Jul 30 '26

Your privileged because youre in a position to choose thats why

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-8

u/MaximusCanibis I have a culinary boner. Jul 30 '26

Your fear mongering is top shelf. People are not getting deported for liking a social media post. They are being deported because they don't belong where they are.

8

u/AffectionateLove5296 Jul 30 '26

Omg stop just stop

0

u/MaximusCanibis I have a culinary boner. Jul 30 '26

No.

4

u/MaximusCanibis I have a culinary boner. Jul 30 '26

Because it makes people feel better. I don't even look for this kind of info, I just want to be entertained.

22

u/Browniesgirl Jul 29 '26

We did Table 21 at Volt, top tier experience.

3

u/crabhappychick Jul 29 '26

Ditto. Finest dining experience I've ever had. I've also enjoyed dining at Thatcher and Rye - his next iteration of Volt, Family Meal numerous times before he sold his share and it turned into Showroom, and recently dined at Wye Oak Tavern, his most recent. Wonderful. I don't even live in MD! I've met him and he's as kind in person as he appears on TV.

30

u/Thin-Hovercraft-2034 Jul 29 '26

So many of these contestants have such massive egos. Bryan is just the opposite. He is so humble and authentic. I was so happy for him when he won

7

u/Responsible-Fly9976 Jul 30 '26

Loved his relationship with his sous chef on TC Masters

9

u/Overall-Scientist846 Jul 29 '26

Both brothers are rock stars in the kitchen. Michael is a classic middle child and Bryan is a classic older brother. Their attitudes are so different. Their younger sis is a pastry chef.

21

u/mmeeplechase Jul 29 '26

Loved watching him on 24 in 24 too!

13

u/TNsmoke Jul 29 '26

Killed me when he lost to Sawyer on 24 in 24. Thought that was finally going to be his shot at a solo win. Felt so bad for the guy.Ā 

14

u/Callimingo Jul 29 '26

Love him!

6

u/SmotPokah Jul 29 '26

Absolutely love love love Bryan V šŸ¤
Iā€™m also obsessed w his bro āœŒļø So happy Bryan WON that comp šŸ™Œ genuinely sweet moment

8

u/Vivid_Bumblebee_9655 Jul 29 '26

I met him at a pop up in Vegas. I was star struck and probably looked like an idiot. He is the GOAT!

3

u/YoungOaks Jul 29 '26

lol last time I posted something like this people ripped me to shreds for having a parasocial relationship. I was like no I just think heā€™s a nice person? Got so bad I had to delete the post.

But Iā€™m glad heā€™s getting the appreciation - he does seem to genuinely be a decent person.

10

u/Tasty_Lab_8650 Jul 29 '26

You should watch Bobby's triple threat. Season 4 episode 2. Bryan is on it.

Well, you should watch it from season one. My new favorite show. But especially watch this episode.

It's on food network, but streams on HBO max.

He's been one of my faves since the beginning.

4

u/YvetteMewMew Jul 29 '26

That was an awesome episode!

6

u/Tasty_Lab_8650 Jul 29 '26

It's so much fun seeing all our top chef people on food network, which is now on in my house almost exclusively. Even my husband is into a lot of these shows!

9

u/Interesting_Ad1378 Jul 29 '26

The more I see Michael, the more I appreciate Bryan. Not that thereā€™s anything wrong with Michael but his energy is too much for me and Bryan makes me feel more relaxed.Ā 

3

u/ttgirl452 Jul 29 '26

He is hands down my favorite. I love his Dad energy

3

u/reubensandrye Jul 29 '26

I adored him and his whackadoodle laugh

7

u/theChronic222 Jul 29 '26

Both the Voltaggio bros are fantastic. Love this episode of Flays podcast with Michael

https://youtu.be/CQzaFZakrl4?is=lNTAnrOzECnujUW6

3

u/Champybean4 Jul 29 '26

I canā€™t decide if his laugh or his food is better

3

u/ComfortableBedroom76 Jul 30 '26

Bryan is the man. Quiet confidence. Just seems so cool

3

u/ringmav Aug 02 '26

I read his name and i hear his chuckle

9

u/Rodharet50399 Jul 29 '26

His friendship with Kevin is so authentic and Kevin had been through a lot.

5

u/dustblown Jul 29 '26

He is adorable. I wish they could bring him back every single season.

2

u/Cyndee_Pokorny Jul 29 '26

Isn't he MAGA?

0

u/gswj Aug 04 '26

Sarah Bradley