Interview: Talking ‘Top Chef’ (and Eating) with Tom Colicchio, Kristen Kish, and Gail Simmons

I love to eat. Top Chef, both in terms of those who make it and those who compete in it, love food. The chefs competing to become, well, the top chef, they have a passion for cooking, as well as showcasing their culture, that’s absolutely infectious. The judges, as well as hosts, have over the years been able to help expand the horizons, not to mention, the palates, of viewers. It all makes for a show that’s not just fun, but informative, and even important. The most recent season of Top Chef was nominated for four Emmy Awards and to celebrate, an event was recently had that I was invited to. There, I spoke to host Kristen Kish (those of you who loved her prior show, Fast Foodies, like me, will enjoy her delight at my mention of it), judges Tom Collichio and Gail Simmons, and was even lucky enough to dine on a meal crafted by winning chef Rhoda Magbitang. Those conversations are below, as well as a bit about this meal, which I’ll never forget.

Top Chef this season was in the Carolinas, with Magbitang the winning chef. When talking to Collichio, Kish, and Simmons, they raved about her, with each expressing excitement over what they was going to be cooking for us that night. Our conversations also got into how the show has invited audiences to experience food they’d never have otherwise considered. Chef Rhoda was able to win, in part, by doing filipino food her own way, winning everyone over in the process.

As mentioned above, I was lucky enough to be invited to a dinner at the James Beard House in New York, where chef Rhoda made us an incredible meal. Filipino food was the cuisine, with everyone consistently delighted by what we were served. Magbitang wanted to simulate a day in the food life of someone in the Philippines. To say she blew us away was an understatement. As excited as you can hear Collichio, Kish, and Simmons about the food, trust me, eating it was even better.

This is what we ate. Prepare to be very hungry and more than a little bit jealous:

Here now are my interviews with Top Chef judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, as well as host Kristen Kish. Enjoy:

Gail Simmons

Tom Colicchio

Kristen Kish

Top Chef is available to watch on Bravo and is nominated for four Emmy Awards!