Pack Your Knives

Chef Eric Adjepong Joins Pack Your Knives Dec 13, 2024

Ahead of the upcoming Top Chef season in the spring, Tom Haberstroh makes a big announcement about the future of Pack Your Knives.

After officially welcoming in chef Eric Adjepong, the two-time Top Chef contestant reflects on his time on the reality TV show and presents his top-three misconceptions about the grueling competition. He also dishes on his elite knife skills, opening up a new restaurant and whether he'd prefer winning a Michelin star or his New York Knicks winning an NBA title.

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The Bear Season 3 Ep 10: 'Forever' Aug 12, 2024

Every episode of television is a series of creative decisions. Which characters do we spend the most time with? In which settings? How will the conflict occur?

Season Three of “The Bear” took some unconventional risks — some worked and some didn’t.

PYK Producer Anthony Mayes joins Tom and Kevin to break it all down, and to look ahead to the show’s final season.

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The Bear Season 3 Ep 9: 'Apologies' + Chef Eric Adjepong Aug 05, 2024

Chef Eric Adjepong knows restaurant kitchens and he knows television — he hosts “Alex vs. America” and “Wildcard Kitchen” on The Food Network. He stops by PYK to chat about what “The Bear” gets right.

Tom and Kevin also ask him which is more beneficial: A love-letter of a review of a restaurant in a big city newspaper, or an Instagram reel of Kamala Harris & husband raving about the dining experience.

He also shares why so many chefs both love the show, but also are triggered by the intensity of the kitchen experience.

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The Bear Season 3 Ep 7 & 8: 'Legacy' & 'Ice Chips' Jul 29, 2024

Sandwiched between two bottle episodes, “The Legacy” puts Sydney on the spot — will she take Shapiro’s offer to become Chef de Cuisine at his new joint, or will she finally sign the partnership agreement and fully commit to the Bear.

Tom and Kevin debate what Sydney will — and should — do. They also lament that the show’s shot selection, opting for more scenes of the Fak brothers esoteric and unfunny shtick over more dramatic beats that heighten conflict and deepen characters.

Tom enjoyed “Ice Chips” and the interplay between Natalie and Donna on the verge of delivering her firstborn into the world.

Kevin appreciated the stage play, but wonders how much the series can devote to deep dives between supporting characters before losing the central thread.

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The Bear Season 3 Ep 6: 'Napkins' Jul 22, 2024

Bottle episodes can be risky business for a series, but “The Bear” has shined with its one-off productions, from Season’s 2 family stage play “Fishes” to this season’s mood poem of a premier.

This episode, “Napkins,” marks the directorial debut of series regular Ayo Edebiri (Sydney) and focuses almost entirely on how Tina (played remarkably by Liza Colón-Zayas) found her way to The Beef/The Bear.

Friend of PYK C.J. Krawczyk stops in to share with Tom and Kevin his conflicting thoughts about the episode. On one hand, the half hour is an affecting portrayal of the heartbreak and frustration of job insecurity. On the other, it also takes us away from the central dynamics of “The Bear" in the middle of a season that has spent precious little time in the kitchen — and virtually no time in the dining room.

Whatever misgivings the guys have about the trajectory of Season 3, they agree that the music has been pitch perfect.

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The Bear Season 3 Ep 4 & 5: 'Violet' & 'Children' Jul 15, 2024

Richie’s character is starting to cultivate grace away from the restaurant, even as he and Carmy persist in their sometimes-hot-sometimes-cold war.

Tom shares his love of the scene between Richie and his daughter, Evie, and why the two-handed scenes represent The Bear at its best.

The two episodes are at their strongest when Carmy and Sydney occupy the kitchen, honing their collective vision. Sydney is learning how to carefully check Carmy’s worst instincts, even as she struggles to sign the partnership agreement and codify her relationship with the Berzatto clan.

Episodes 4 and 5 are also marked by two big cameos — Josh Hartnett and John Cena respectively. The first works a lot better than the second, as Kevin kvetches that there are few things he cares less about than the Fak brothers’ ‘haunts,’ and the fate of Sammy’s SD cards.

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The Bear Season 3 Ep 2 & 3: 'Next' & 'Doors' Jul 08, 2024

Kevin and Tom examine the moments when the show performs at its best: is it the introspective, brooding Carmine scenes at The Bear or when the show “goes home” with secondary characters?

Kevin draws a spot-on parallel of Syd/Carmy as Peggy/Don in Mad Men while Tom campaigns for more Richie exploration.

The Bear can’t be discussed without a dive into the show’s musical choices. With the Gen X sounds of Eddie Vedder and R.E.M taking center stage, the topic of needle drops surfaces and Tom and Kevin analyze whether the FX show becomes too navel-gazey (the PYK stance: it doesn’t).

A central question of the show: what does joy for Carmy look like? For Tom and Kevin, joy looks a lot like Oliver Platt on the television screen. Say it with us now: God Bless Oliver Platt.

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The Bear Season 3 Ep 1: 'Tomorrow' Jul 02, 2024

As one season ends, another begins.

With Top Chef off the air, PYK’s Kevin Arnovitz and Tom Haberstroh have taken a seat at the table of The Bear, the hit TV show on FX. Kevin and Tom explain why they love the scripted series about a family restaurant in Chicago and unpack the unconventional Season 3 premiere. Plus, a discussion about musical choices and which character is the true star of the show.

If you’d like to catch up, all episodes of The Bear (Seasons 1-3) can be found on Hulu. PYK will be posting Season 3 recaps on a weekly basis. Stay tuned for Top Chef alums to join us along the ride…

(Yes, Chef, the audio this week isn’t our best work. It’s the summer. We’re on the road. Apologies. *rubs chest in circular motion*)

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Tom Colicchio Interview - Free Preview Jun 25, 2024

Tom Colicchio is Top Chef’s ranking authority, a lifer who has been with the show since its inception.

Less than a week after Season 21’s finale riled some longtime fans of the show, Colicchio visits with Tom and Kevin to discuss what went wrong with the finale edit.

He explains the various roles of producers, editors and professionals who create a season of Top Chef, shares his candid thoughts about Quickfires, and explores how this season’s cheftestants measured up to previous fields.

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S21 Ep 14: Cruising to a Win Jun 24, 2024

The Top Chef judges table shocked audiences with a surprise verdict in the finale.

Tom H. sounds off against the decision, as he and Kevin debate what the outcome says about what the show values most in a Top Chef contestant.

Also, an interview with chefs Dan Jacobs, Savannah Miller and Danny Garcia about how this season changed their lives.

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S21 Ep 13: Set Sail Jun 17, 2024

There are inspired challenges in magical destinations on the eve of the finale that bring out the best in our aspirational cheftestants.

With the title of Top Chef only two cooks away, they reach deep into their imaginations and execute the meals of their lives!

This week aboard a cruise ship in Curacao was decidedly … not that episode.

Tom and Kevin break down what went wrong in an elimination challenge where only two of eight dishes were successful, and look ahead at who might be able to pull it together to claim the crown.

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Michelle Wallace Interview - Free Preview Jun 11, 2024

From the very outset of Season 21, Michelle Wallace distinguished herself as one of the most authentic chefs to grace the Top Chef kitchen.

Not only does she bake the best biscuits in the business, she can execute an elevated homey dish of stuffed lobster pasta with charred corn sauce and crispy chorizo.

Two Elimination wins. An additional four top finishes. (The only thing Michelle can’t abide is “chaos cooking”).

Michelle stops by to chat about her Top Chef journey, what is and isn’t a sandwich, St. Louis’ greatest BBQ delicacy (pig snoot), the funniest Season 21 contestant, the secret to the perfect biscuit, and the wizardry of Ozzie Smith.

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S21 Ep 12: Goodbye Wisconsin Jun 10, 2024

The five remaining cheftestants compete for only four tickets on a cruise ship to Curacao for the Season 21 finale in an elimination challenge that asks the to prepare a plate that express their maturation as chefs during their time in Wisconsin.

But first, it’s the beloved Blind Taste Test Quickfire, with one of the chefs blowing away the competition (is daily tongue-scraping the secret weapon?).

Finally, we have a blockbuster late-season trade between Team Tom and Team Kevin!

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S21 Ep 11: Lay It All on the Table Jun 03, 2024

Tom Colicchio does work in the Top Chef kitchen, where the wok is king in the Quickfire challenge.

Coming off her Last Chance Kitchen run, Laura re-enters the main competition and makes dessert for an elimination challenge that demands imagination.

Tom H. feels that desserts are a market inefficiency that more cheftestants should opt for.

Kevin shares how You Can Count on Me explains Michelle’s allergy to blue-sky Top Chef challenges without specific parameters.

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Mina Kimes Interview - Free Preview May 28, 2024

With her sharp analysis, Mina Kimes can break down any NFL pass coverages or team-building strategy — and Top Chef field. She joins Tom and Kevin to discuss how Season 21 stands up to previous Top Chef seasons, to grouse about Soo’s controversial elimination at the fish boil, and to size up the remaining six contestants in the competition.

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S21 Ep 10: Door County Fish Boil May 27, 2024

No chef has built confidence and momentum in recent weeks like Savannah Miller. She bagged a Quickfire win with canned corn beef (!), only to slice her hand open while filleting her fish for the Fish Boil.

Though it looked like she prepared the worst of the six plates, she was spared elimination.

Kevin was on hand in Milwaukee for the Fish Boil, and tasted three of the six fish boil dishes. He shares his impressions of the production, Soo’s beurre blanc, and Miguel’s winning boil.

Tom argues that, even with the new “Quickfire factor” at the chopping block, the judges didn’t make the right call.

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S21 Ep 9: The Good Land May 20, 2024

For weeks, the judges have been threatening to send home not one — but two chefs — if circumstances demand it.

This week, they did just that when they sent a quarter of the remaining field packing in a challenge that highlights the indigenous cuisine of the Northern Plains.

Tom and Kevin note that Kristen is bored stiff by Manny’s generally successful (but tiresome) formula in the kitchen, and celebrate Savannah and Dan for a master class on how to endear yourself to the judges by “embracing the challenge.”

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Rasika Venkatesa Interview - Free Preview May 14, 2024

Few chefs have demonstrated the talent to execute risk in the Top Chef kitchen like Rasika Venkatesa.

Her pretzel-barley cake with honey mustard sabayon and her daal quenelle have been highlights of the season, during which she emerged as a fan favorite.

Rasika stops by Pack Your Knives to talk about her desire to reinvent cooking from Tamil Nadu, which she recently visited on a months-long food tour.

She recounts her trip, which included convincing village fishermen to take her back to their homes to cook snapper with their families.

She also shares her experiences on Top Chef with little formal training, despite rising from station cook to Chef de Cuisine in three years.

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S21 Ep 8: Restaurant Wars May 13, 2024

As Wimbledon is to the pro tennis calendar, and the Masters is to the PGA, Restaurant Wars is to Top Chef.

It’s the signature event of the season, after which things start to get really serious as the field of chefs is whittled down on the last stretch to the finale.

Tom and Kevin react to this season’s 5-on-4 imbalance (boo!) and the new twist with two judges tables so that both restaurants have to shine early and late (yay!).

They also dive into the controversy that erupted over Danny’s winning scallop chou farci from a few weeks back.

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Amar Santana Interview - Free Preview May 07, 2024

The great thing about chatting with Top Chef finalist Amar Santana is that you get a completely unvarnished take on everything. He stops by Pack Your Knives to tell Tom and Kevin who really had the best dish of the last week’s elimination challenge, why toilet paper should replace napkins at your next reservation, and the saltiest confrontation he’s ever had with a customer at one of his restaurants.

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S21 Ep 7: Sausage Race May 06, 2024

Maybe you’ve seen the Arrested Development episode in which Tobias tells Lindsay that people who entertain open relationships are delusional to believe that the arrangement could work …. “But it might work for us.” This is the theory of mind of any Top Chef contestant who believes that even though seven cheftestants have been eliminated after preparing risotto, somehow he’ll be the one who will impress the judges and be named the winner of the challenge.

Enter this week’s delusional chef … Exit this week’s delusional chef.

Tom and Kevin break down how Amanda is building momentum in the kitchen, how Danny is the kind of technical chef who has an inside track to Top Chef, and how ketchup has no place on a hot dog.

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Vince Mancini Interview - Free Preview Apr 30, 2024

Top Chef superfans are likely familiar with the brilliant work of Vince Mancini.

For the better part of the last decade, the always-funny Top Chef Power Rankings have been a staple of the culinary competition’s coverage.

On this episode, Mancini of The #Content Report, By Vince Mancini Substack joins Tom Haberstroh to digest all things Season 21: Wisconsin.

We take stock in the competition so far; evaluate the stylings of Kristen Kish vs. Padma Lakshmi; the stunning elimination of Episode 5; the literary process of assembling his Power Rankings; Fresno, CA.,’s food scene; the revelation that is Soo Ahn; Danny vs. Dan atop his leaderboard and so much more.

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S21 Ep 6: Chaos Cuisine Apr 29, 2024

After weeks of more restrictive team challenges and hyper-specific assignments, the chefs get a chance to stretch their legs in an open-ended elimination challenge whose directive was … Chaos!

fter all the chaos settled, two of the leading chefs found themselves on the chopping block with the threat that both might be sent packing.

Laura has emerged as a passive villain, while Savannah continues to build confidence, and Manny underwhelms after his strong start of the season, which seems like eons ago.

Tom and Kevin also size up Soo’s Top Chef potential during his rookie outing in the main kitchen, then debate the virtues of dark chocolate.

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S21 Ep 5: Supper Club Apr 22, 2024

Tom and Kevin discuss how much team competition is too much team competition on Top Chef, as the chefs again split up into two teams to come up with a progressive, 5-course meal befitting of a vintage supper club.

The producers inject an edgy dose of conflict into the show when the the teams are restricted to just over $20 per diner, and chefs jockey over assignments.

One chef emerges as an unwitting villain on the Green Team, while the Purple Team endures the Great Pineapple Shortage of Season 21.

At the judges’ table, the chef with the worst dish of the night is spared, though there are no shortages of clunkers.

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Buddha Lo Interview - Free Preview Apr 16, 2024

Buddha dropped by to dish with Tom and Kevin about his time on set, who actually served the best dish of the week, getting to watch Kristen Kish at work in her rookie season, and whom he’d name White House chef should he ever occupy the Oval Office.

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S21 Ep 4: The Wright Way Apr 15, 2024

For all Tom and Kevin know, Wisconsin native Frank Lloyd Wright’s career might have been fueled by Pop-Tarts and Spaghetti O’s.

But some of the architectural luminary’s best work can be found just a couple of blocks from where the Top Chef 21 chefs scavenge the aisle of the Whole Foods for their ingredients.

This week, those chefs were asked to pay homage to Wright in a team challenge that stumped more than a few of them.

The upside is some heightened tension in the kitchen and some incisive analysis at the judges’ table, where Kristen Kish continues to shine in her first season hosting Top Chef.

After four weeks, one contestant in the field continues to dominate — and it ain’t a Top 3 pick.

A heads up that we will be hosting a LIVE chat during next week’s episode at 9 pm ET on April 17 on Substack.

All Substack subscribers can join — free or paid. We will send out a notice in the coming days. Join us!

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Carly Levitz Interview - Free Preview Apr 08, 2024

This week's PYK Premium guest is Carly Levitz, the delightful queen of Top Chef data science.

Carly joins the show to talk about her (recent) obsession with Top Chef and how she watches every episode through the lens of a data nerd (we say this with utmost affection).

Kevin and Tom ask her some burning questions about the value of immunity, the Top Chef GOAT debate and regional evolution in Top Chef history.

The Seattleite shares her all-time favorite cooking hacks from Top Chef and gives us her assessment of Season 21 Wisconsin as we enter the fourth episode.

Follow her work at carly.sue.bear on Instagram, @carlylevitz on X and her viz page on Tableau Public.

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S21 Ep 3: Take It Cheesy Apr 04, 2024

Tom & Kevin aren’t huge fans of hidden doors or cheese croquettes, but they love getting to the bottom of a good mystery -- like who’s to blame over the slippery floor this week in the Top Chef kitchen.

This week’s Cheese Elimination Challenge didn’t produce any instant classics. One nice “nice fried ball” — as Gail Simmons artfully called the procession of croquettes — after another.

Though the episode didn’t produce any or memorable dishes, it did what an early episode is supposed to do: Begin the separation of the contenders from the long-shots.

Michelle, Rasika, and Dan are beginning to form an elite at the front of the pack.

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Joe Flamm Interview - Free Preview Apr 01, 2024

In the annals of Top Chef lore, Joe Flamm is a legend. He clawed his way back through Last Chance Kitchen to win Season 15 with his combination of rustic Adriatic fare and technical savvy.

If you find yourself anywhere in the vicinity of Chicago, treat yourself to the Croatian goodness that is Rose Mary in Fulton Market.

Joe joins Tom and Kevin to chat about his experience sitting at the judges’ table in Episode 2.

How good was Laura’s hops-infused rice pudding and Rasika’s pretzel-barley cake? Was Valentine’s soup bad enough to warrant elimination ?

Has Tom Colicchio, after 21 years, entered the give-no-fucks stage of his Top Chef tenure, to the delight of all of us?

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Season 21 Draft Mar 29, 2024

It’s a Pack Your Knives’ tradition like no other: The annual Top Chef fantasy draft.

Team Tom has deployed its scouting and data analytics departments to scour the field of cheftestants for the sure bets and hidden gems.

Since Kevin got a glimpse of the field of remaining chefs at a mid-season challenge, Pack Your Knives’ Chef’s Table founding members aggregated their draft boards and chose on Team Kevin’s behalf.

As always, producer Anthony Mayes is at the podium for the proceedings.

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S21 Ep 2: Living the High Life Mar 28, 2024

Brew City wastes no time throwing its first beer-focused challenge at the Season 21 field.

Nobody seems excited about cooking with hops in the Quickfire challenge, but the chefs who go sweet win favor with guest judge, Top Chef champion, and Friend of PYK, Joe Flamm.

The chefs then split into teams to prepare a progressive dinner in the historic Miller Caves of dishes inspired by salty bar snacks — which Tom and Kevin rank.

The team with more fine-dining, tweezer-head chefs struggles against their opponents, whose sensibilities are more rustic.

Tom takes issue with the judges’ final verdict, while Kevin celebrates the winning chef’s bold risk.

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S21 Ep 1: Chef's Test Mar 21, 2024

The Kristen Kish Era of Top Chef has arrived! Top Chef Season 21 is here, and Tom and Kevin like the new look.

This 'inverted' premiere episode has immunity up for grabs in the Elimination Challenge at the beginning, while a Quickfire cook-off has the loser packing their knives.

Tom digs the 5-chef divisional battles, each with their own judges' table. Kevin believes that soup is a 'high-floor, low-ceiling' challenge, while a stuffed pasta challenge is designed to kick a chef's ass.

Tom and Kevin agree that Michelle Wallace has serious potential as both Top Chef and fan favorite, winning an 'away game' with her lobster ravioli.

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Season 21 Preview Mar 18, 2024

Pack Your Knives is back. And better than ever.

On the Season 21 preview, we discuss the new host, new rules and bring in PYK’s Wisconsin correspondent and Milwaukee-native C.J. Krawczyk to give the scouting report on the host city.

Tom and Kevin also offer their 3 cheftestants to watch as we launch a new chapter in PYK.

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Season 21 Teaser Mar 16, 2024

Pack Your Knives has big news for the upcoming season…

Find out more at https://www.packyourknives.com/

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S20 Ep 14 Fin! with Sara Bradley & Buddha Lo Jun 09, 2023

Padma, Buddha and the f'ing liver. In a jam-packed episode of Pack Your Knives, Tom and Kevin recap the contentious Season 20 finale, bid farewell to Padma Lakshmi and launch a campaign for her replacement. Also joining the show are Buddha Lo and Sara Bradley taking us behind the scenes on the finale and this World All-Stars season.

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S20 Ep 13: Champions in Paris Jun 02, 2023

Our love for this season continues to grow like mushrooms on cow dung. Tom and Kevin recap the infamous Wall Challenge and the mushroom elimination challenge ahead of next week's finale.

While reeling from a cheftestant's elimination, Tom shocks the world with a blockbuster trade offer ahead of the final episode. Will Kevin accept? It could swing the entire fantasy season.

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S20 Ep 12: Goodbye, London! May 26, 2023

Breaking news: Tom and Kevin went to a Top Chef dinner in Los Angeles at Craft this week!

The Pack Your Knives crew not only got to meet Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, but also the Restaurant Wars winning team and taste their five-course meal.

We recap both the night, the Last Chance Kitchen finale and another banger of an episode of Top Chef as the contestants head off to Paris.

Tom H also goes through the archives and researches whether any cheftestant has won four challenges in a row. The answer may surprise you.

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S20 Ep 11: Battle of the Wellingtons with Mina Kimes May 19, 2023

ESPN's Mina Kimes drops by Pack Your Knives for a recap of the Beef Wellington episode. Kevin, Mina and Tom wrap themselves up in the drama, investigate the mystical origins of the Beef Wellington and discuss the double-elimination choices by the judges. Plus, we gawk at a particular chef during a "candid" moment while Kevin offers a scouting report on the Kimpton hotels across the country.

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S20 Ep 10: Thali Time with Thi Nguyen May 12, 2023

With Restaurant Wars in the rearview mirror, Tom and Kevin digest the smoked fish and thali challenges of this week's episode and interview Top Chef producer Thi Nguyen. As one of the brains behind the show, Nguyen shares what it's like to work on Top Chef over the years and why they call her the "police" of the competition. She debunks some myths and pulls back the curtain on the impact of Queen Elizabeth's passing on the production.

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S20 Ep 9: Restaurant Wars May 05, 2023

It's Restaurant Wars!!! Or is it?

Tom and Kevin air their grievances about the unconventional Restaurant Wars episode and wonder what happened behind the scenes.

They rank their favorite dishes and designate the roles that we never got to see. Kevin's squad has an up-and-down performance while Tom's team hums along.

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S20 Ep 8: Street Food Fight Apr 28, 2023

With Restaurant Wars around the corner, Tom and Kevin get their engines rev'd with the incredible Fast X mise en place elimination challenge.

Then, Team Haberstroh and Team Arnovitz, each with four cheftestants remaining, fill in the roles of their hypothetical Resturant Wars team.

Who's the No. 1 prospect for executive chef? Front of house? Tom and Kevin hash it out and recap LCK.

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S20 Ep 7: Hands Off with Dale Mackay Apr 21, 2023

Kevin and Tom get their hands dirty with the Gaggan Anand episode of Top Chef: World All-Stars and take stock of the competition as we near ever closer to the Restaurant Wars mark.

Cheftestant Dale Mackay of Saskatchewan fame joins the show to talk about his rollercoaster ride on Top Chef, daily life as a triathlete in reality-television isolation and the difference of this particular season vs. Top Chef Canada.

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S20 Ep 6: Top Chef is No Picnic Apr 14, 2023

With the most confusing Top Chef episode of the season, Kevin and Tom fight off whiplash and vertigo as they recap the Downton Abbey episode. Tom bids farewell to one of his top picks but discovers a budding crush on another and rants about sandwich toppings. Meanwhile, Kevin does a victory lap on one of his picks who continues to deliver and gets wistful about one of his other cheftestants heading to LCK.

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S20 Ep 5: Holiday Vacation with Sara Bradley Apr 07, 2023

Top Chef heads to the Kent countryside, where a shocking ending sends a cheftestant home. Kevin takes issue with the cheftestant's fate while Tom defends his squad.

Then, World All-Stars contestant and Season 16 finalist Sara Bradley of Freight House in Paducah, Kentucky joins the podcast! We discuss her stat-keeping, experiences on the show, favorite Jewish dishes, raw eggs and more.

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S20 Ep 4: Spurred Lines Mar 31, 2023

Kevin and Tom put their green velvet blazers on and recap Episode 4 of Top Chef World All-Stars. We get introduced to the glory that is Paul A. Young and deliberate on the value of an English biscuit. After a scouting report on the Tottenham Hotspurs stadium experience, Kevin and Tom hash out the Elimination Challenge and remark about the parity of this season.

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S20 Ep 3: Cheeky Pints & Pub Bites Mar 24, 2023

With three episodes in the books, Kevin and Tom put it on the Ritz for Top Chef's pub crawl. With a double elimination on tap, Kevin and Tom scout the pairings and give their take on the dishes. Has any cheftestant separated themselves from the pack? Kevin and Tom get into it.

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S20 Ep 2: Rice, Rice Baby with Lorna Maseko Mar 17, 2023

Kevin and Tom welcome in Top Chef South Africa's Lorna Maseko to help recap the show and share her experience of being the guest judge in the All Star Season's second episode. If you were planning a culinary trip to Africa, Kevin and Lorna give you the scouting report. If you weren't planning one, you will now. Finally, Kevin and Tom take stock of their fantasy rosters and bid farewell to a familiar face.

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S20 Ep 1: The Draft Mar 10, 2023

It's our favorite time of the year at PYK HQ: Draft Day! After watching the season premiere of Top Chef Season 20, Kevin and Tom partake in their annual PYK draft of cheftestants while recapping the episode. Who goes No. 1? Where will the elimination challenge winner go in the draft? Where will Buddha, Dawn, Amar and Sara land? Who has the best roster? It's all happening.

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Season 20 Preview Mar 07, 2023

Top Chef is back! And so are Tom Haberstroh and Kevin Arnovitz. To get you ready for Season 20: London All-Stars, Tom and Kevin span the globe and preview the 16 cheftestants on the board. Which cheftestants are back? How do we feel about London as a food city? Wait, is there really a Top Chef Finland? All that and more on the PYK season preview.

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The Champ is Here! with Buddha Lo Jun 13, 2022

Kevin and Tom are giddy at the much-anticipated arrival of the Top Chef Season 19 champion, Buddha Lo! They discuss Top Chef reality vs. fiction, where his performance ranks all-time and how to properly cook halibut. Plus, his recent interaction with TMZ at LAX, his Jurassic alligator and how he studied Top Chef.

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S19 Ep 14: The Finale Plate with Sarah Welch Jun 04, 2022

Another season of Top Chef is in the books! Tom and Kevin recap the season and the final episode with the help of beloved cheftestant Sara Welch. We discuss her Jamaican roots, her bff Buddha, her restaurant Marrow in Detroit and the basics of churning butter.

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S19 Ep 13: Cactus Makes Perfect May 28, 2022

As the show hits the road to Tucson, Kevin and Tom marvel at the city’s culinary offerings and welcome PYK favorite Chef Maria Mazon back to the Top Chef stage. A strong chef goes home, but in Kevin’s eyes, the playing field is more level than it seems. Who will be crowned Top Chef next week? Kevin and Tom call their shots as we arrive at the finale.

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S19 Ep 12: Gone Fishin' May 20, 2022

In this week's episode, Tom hops on a boat and guides Kevin on the joys of fishing. With the competition whittles itself down to the final four cheftestants, we bid farewell to a poor time-management victim. Tom and Kevin rearrange their power rankings as we head into the surprise domestic location of the finale. And lastly, we run through some VRBO submissions from listeners and Kevin recaps some of his favorite restaurants on his recent road trip.

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S19 Ep 11: Family Vacation May 13, 2022

With a thrilling Last Chance Kitchen finale in the books, Kevin and Tom dive headfirst into the Galveston episode and emerge with a boatful of praise. We welcome back a cheftestant and revisit our chef vs. the field prop with some new information. Finally, Tom, inspired by the show, lets Kevin indulge in the ultimate VRBO parlor game: if you could go on vacation anywhere in the world for $10,000, where would you go? We ask our listeners to send their scouting report to our socials @PackKnives on Twitter and @PackYourKnives on Instagram.

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S19 Ep 10: Dinner in Zero Gravity May 06, 2022

The cheftestants go to space (in theory) and the Earth-y dishes raised lots of questions from Tom and Kevin. We discuss a shaky performance from an otherwise sturdy cheftestant and debate whether we'd take one chef over the field. Also: a deep-dive into crumby foods.

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S19 Ep 9: Freedmen's Town Apr 29, 2022

On this episode of Pack Your Knives, Kevin and Tom recap a heartwarming episode where the judges taste the rainbow and do some soul searching. Kevin reveals a personal story of his classroom etiquette and his favorite restaurants on his recent travels while Tom struggles with the quirky scoring. Finally, Producer Mayes surfaces a Top Chef Reddit post that sparks serious domestic debate from the PYK panel.

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S19 Ep 8 Recap: Restaurant Warrior Hershy Ash Apr 22, 2022

It's Restaurant Wars! Our friend and restaurant consultant Hershy Ash stops by for our annual Restaurant Wars viewing. Kevin, Tom and Hershy break down the Restaurant Wars experiences from Matriarc and No Nem while scratching our collective heads at a certain chef's performance. Hershy offers a lighthearted conspiracy theory and makes a prediction about the winner of Top Chef.

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S19 Ep 7: Jurassic Joe Flamm Apr 15, 2022

We dig into this week's episode with our PYK pal Joe Flamm, winner of Top Chef Colorado and guest judge of the Jurassic World challenge. Flamm shares some amazing behind the scenes details from his experience on Top Chef Houston and some old callbacks to Season 15. We also discuss best movie scenes involving food and get the goods on the actual winning individual of the challenge. We get Kevin's lowdown on Nigerian cuisine, tier-out the remaining cheftestants and get ready for Restaurant Wars.

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S19 Ep 6: Tough Love Apr 08, 2022

After Top Chef welcomes back an eliminated contestant from Last Chance Kitchen, Kevin and Tom dive into Episode 6's drama -- or lack thereof. The competition show brings in trailblazing women to honor trailblazing women and the chefs deliver satisfactory meals, but hardly anything transcendent. With the help of producer Anthony Mayes, Tom and Kevin try to untangle their feelings about this season of their beloved Top Chef and wonder if its recent softness is a symptom of a broader cultural shift.

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S19 Ep 5: Don’t Mess With BBQ Apr 01, 2022

A tentpole challenge is presented on this week's episode, but Tom and Kevin are trying to figure out why this season doesn't seem to be hitting its mark. Tom mourns a surprising elimination, which prompts Kevin and Tom to do a mock redraft of contestants. Who goes No. 1? And can a Last Chance Kitchen juggernaut jolt the season into shape? Five episodes in, the PYK crew are hoping that's the case.

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S19 Ep 4: Doppelgängers Mar 25, 2022

Kevin and Tom unpack what goes down as one of their favorite challenges of Top Chef in Pack Your Knives history: doppelgänger dishes! But first Kevin and Tom reveal their favorite biscuits in America and then praise a sense-deficient cheftestant’s rise. A terrific double-elimination challenge cripples one of the fantasy teams and Mayes’ squad provides hope to resolve Kevin’s lone complaint about this season.

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S19 Ep 3: Open Market Mar 18, 2022

Kevin and Tom recap the Asian night market episode and survey the landscape. Kevin unveils his night market power rankings, dominating Tom’s impromptu trivia. The two discuss Sam the Potato Man’s polarizing behavior. Meanwhile, trade discussions continue as producer Anthony Mayes picks up his very own cheftestant.

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S19 Ep 2: Carbo Loading Mar 11, 2022

Tom and Kevin break down the second episode of Season 19. With Evelyn on the mind, Tom investigates hometown advantage. A trade is proposed and the two are officially engaged in negotiations.

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S19 Ep 1: The Draft Mar 04, 2022

After a season premiere chock full of surprises, Kevin and Tom take part in their fifth annual PYK draft of cheftestants. Who went No. 1 overall? And which pick created the most controversy? Kevin and Tom give their first impressions on the cast as another season of Pack Your Knives gets underway.

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Season 19 Preview Feb 25, 2022

And we’re back! With the season premiere of Top Chef Season 19 Houston around the corner, Kevin and Tom give a scouting report on Houston and the 15 cheftestants. Which cheftestants seem to have a leg up? Which Top Chef alumni are returning? And what’s the dirty little secret about bone marrow? Kevin and Tom dig in and get ready for another season of Top Chef.

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S18 Finale Recap: Staff Meal Jul 03, 2021

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Ep 13 Recap: Abdication Jun 25, 2021

After the penultimate episode of Season 18, Tom and Kevin debate the merits and joys of hunting for seafood. A Top Chef judge's table scandal has Kevin and Tom fuming. Did Gail, Padma and Tom fail in their duties as judges?

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Ep 12 Recap: Cheesy Bread Jun 18, 2021

Kevin and Tom break down the final four as we head into toward the coast. A discussion about Dawn's gougères veers into a love letter for cheesy bread at various establishments and other gluttonous exploits. Speaking of exploits, Tom and Kevin indict chefs for taking advantage of one of their own.

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Ep 11 Recap: Blind Ambitions with Gail Simmons! Jun 11, 2021

Kevin and Tom are blessed by the presence of Top Chef judge and culinary expert Gail Simmons, who makes her long-awaited debut on the podcast. Gail takes us through a most dramatic episode of the season and pulls back the curtain on her new Top Chef Amateurs show that launches July 1. Also, our mission to get Kevin on Top Chef Amateurs is one step closer to becoming reality, but he's still mentally two years away from being two years away.

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Ep 10 Recap: Tofu Tourney Jun 05, 2021

Top Chef is coming down to the final five and Kevin and Tom are locked in. This week they discuss Kevin's horrific cooking injury, Tom's frustration with the scoring format, a double feature of Last Chance Kitchens and wish that the show would solve its only issue: not being able to taste the food.

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Ep 9 Recap: Portlandia May 28, 2021

Recipe books take center stage as a Top Chef twist rattles the cheftestants and sends an overmatched chef home. While Kevin expresses disdain for complicated instructions, Tom proposes a theory on elimination tells on social media, and they unite to discuss various milks, hipster or not. Plus: which cheftestant is the Jen Carroll of this season?

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Ep 8 Recap: Restaurant Wars! May 21, 2021

It's time for the Restaurant Wars. Or is it Chef's Table Wars? Tom and Kevin gather themselves after a shocking elimination and compare the upset to a certain NBA Finals stunner. Kevin coaches up one of the teams on their concept and Tom blasts the hard taco movement.

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Ep 7 Recap: I'm Baaack May 14, 2021

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Ep 6 Recap: Connective Tissue May 07, 2021

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Brian Malarkey's Top 10 May 03, 2021

Two-time Top Chef contestant Brian Malarkey joins the show to reveal his Top 10 power rankings and also gives his surprising prediction on who's going to win the competition. Kevin and Tom have their minds blown when chef Brian explains his rationale. Also, Brian offers some behind-the-scenes intel on his rally in Season 17 and sets the record straight on his much-debated net worth.

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Ep 5 Recap: Drive-in Debate Apr 30, 2021

Tom and Kevin quarrel about the quality of the movie drive-in episode and marvel at how flattened the race has become. New contenders emerge while the juggernauts experience an absolute horror show.

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Ep 4 Recap: Richard Blais Apr 23, 2021

Top Chef superstar Richard Blais returns to the pod to help Kevin and Tom recap the fruit-filled episode. We discuss Richard's amazing hair and geek out over TopChefStats.com as Richard takes us behind the scenes in Portland. Plus, finally, Richard gets to be in the same sentence as LeBron James.

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Ep 3 Recap: Yes, You Have Apr 16, 2021

Kevin and Tom recap Episode 3 of Top Chef Season 18: Portland while reminiscing about Friendly's peanut butter sauce and revisiting last week's big trade. One thing is clear: Kevin means business this year.

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Ep 2 Recap: Chefsplainin' Apr 09, 2021

Kevin and Tom recap the second episode of Season 18/Portland and debate the game theory of choosing teams in the Top Chef schoolyard. Also, after much deliberation, a four-chef trade is completed between the two PYK teams.

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The Draft Apr 02, 2021

Tom and Kevin take part in their fourth annual PYK draft. A trade is made. The teams are selected. Top Chef Season 18 has begun.

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Chef Gregory Gourdet Apr 02, 2021

Part 2: Tom and Kevin are joined by Top Chef alum and Portland’s own Gregory Gourdet. The Season 18 host and judge talks about his new restaurant, Haitian food, the infamous back injury and whom he’d want as a White House chef.

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Season 18: PDX Preview! Mar 25, 2021

With the season premiere of Top Chef Season 18 Portland on the horizon, Kevin Arnovitz and Tom Haberstroh set the stage for another round of Top Chef and scout the new 15 cheftestants. What's new? What's staying the same? The new season of Top Chef is upon us.

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Mother Of All Finales (Ep 6 Finale Recap) Nov 03, 2020

Kevin and Tom bust out the scorecards and judge the final courses of the three finalists of Top Chef Season 6. Who deserved to win? Controversy ensues. Finally, a request from our Pack Your Knives audience as we look ahead.

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Viva Napa Valley (Ep 14 Recap) Oct 27, 2020

With the cheftestants leaving Las Vegas for wine country, Kevin and Tom break down part 1 of the finale, discuss wine vs. beer and bid farewell to a stellar chef. Also, Kevin explains his new upcoming diet and asks Tom for some advice.

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Welcome Back (Ep 13 Recap) Oct 20, 2020

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Gambled And Lost (Ep 11/12 Recap) Oct 14, 2020

Kevin and Tom recap the Vegas hotel episode, write a love letter to Thousand Island Dressing and debate the virtues of breakfast in bed. When a certain chef goes home, Kevin and Tom cry foul. Also: chicken wings.

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Eat Your Veggies (Ep 10 Recap) Oct 06, 2020

Tom and Kevin break down the Natalie Portman episode, reminisce about TV dinners and go deep on vegetable protein stats. A controversial chef goes home.

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R3VOLT-ing (S6:E9 Recap) Sep 29, 2020

It's Restaurant Wars! It's time for Kevin and Tom to bring in PYK's Senior Restaurant Wars Correspondent guest Hershy Ash to break it all down. Who should have gone home? Who was right in the Robin-vs.-Michael spat? Plus, halfway through the pod, a surprise guest appearance from one of the cheftestants on the show.

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Revisiting Vegas with Chef Ash Fulk Sep 25, 2020

Kevin and Tom are joined by Chef Ash Fulk from Season 6 Las Vegas. The Hillcountry Barbecue Market chef takes us behind the scenes on the season and reveals the secret breakouts from elimination island, the real story behind the amazing "Oh, I forgot flavorrr" line and takes us on a tour of Texas barbecue lore.

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Candy Pallette Whine (Ep 8 Recap) Sep 22, 2020

Tom and Kevin debate their favorite elevated snack food and break down Episode 8, which bids farewell to a chef that hurt our sides from laughing so hard.

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Chef Jen's Flu Game (S6:E7 Recap) Sep 15, 2020

Kevin and Tom recap Episode 7 with the help of Chef Jen Carroll who talks about her flu game, the surprising beef between Chef Kevin and Chef Bryan, and the lowdown on Chef Robin.

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Under Deconstruction (S6:E6 Recap) Sep 08, 2020

Tom and Kevin deconstruct the Penn & Teller episode of Top Chef Season 6 and dish about Eli's pressure cooker incident, Toby Young, the Eli line and an unfair linguistic disadvantage.

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Giddy Up! (Ep 5 Recap) Aug 31, 2020

Tom and Kevin recap a hot ‘n spicy episode of Season 6 and break down Tom Colicchio’s famous spit-out in the desert sand.

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C’est la vie (Ep 4 Recap) Aug 25, 2020

Kevin and Tom break down a French powerhouse episode and debate the benefits of kitchen technology.

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Mess Kitchen: Ep 3 Recap Aug 17, 2020

Tom and Kevin break down Episode 3 of Season 6 Las Vegas and serve up some praise on the challenges. Tom rants about greek salad and offers a mea culpa to Kevin. We look forward to Episode 4, where the real fun begins.

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Let's BroGo: Ep 2 Recap Aug 03, 2020

Kevin and Tom get their bachelor party on and break down an episode full of cringe. Kevin and Tom bid farewell to a cheftestant and debate Top Chef's ability to identify and groom successful chefs. Also, Kevin pitches his new bachelor party consulting biz.

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What Happens In Vegas (S6:E1 Recap) Jul 27, 2020

Kevin and Tom hop into a time machine and rewatch the season premiere of Season 6 Top Chef Las Vegas, starting a new chapter of Pack Your Knives. The hosts break down how all the surprising ways that the show has changed and take in a heavy dose of Top Chef nostalgia. Which chefs stand out?

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Season 6 Rewatch Teaser Jul 23, 2020

Kevin and Tom preview their upcoming rewatch of Season 6 Las Vegas and discuss their memories of the star-studded season. @packknives on Twitter packyourknives on Instagram www.countthedings.com

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Top Chef's Magical Elves Jul 01, 2020

Kevin and Tom bring in Magical Elves executive producers Doneen Arquines and Tara Seiner to take us behind the scenes on Top Chef. Plus, Kevin and Tom's big announcement about PYK's next chapter.

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Finalists Roundtable Jun 23, 2020

Tom and Kevin are joined by Top Chef Season 17 All-Star finalists Melissa King, Stephanie Cmar and Bryan Voltaggio to review the epic season, get the inside scoop on their music video and learn about their future endeavors.

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Cooking GOAT Jun 19, 2020

Kevin and Tom recap the Season 17 All-Star finale and debate the winner's placing in all-time Top Chef ranks.

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With Chef Kevin Gillespie Jun 15, 2020

Tom and Kevin sit down with Top Chef Season 17 All-Star Kevin Gillespie to talk about his run on Top Chef, what viewers didn't see about his pork coppa, his Atlanta community service initiatives and his decision to re-join Top Chef after his cancer battle.

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The Final Three Jun 14, 2020

Kevin and Tom review Part 1 of the Finale, debate the merits of Voltaggio's home game and assess the critiques of the Italian chefs. Plus, Kevin and Tom share their picks for Top Chef Season 17 winner.

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Duffles of Truffle Jun 08, 2020

Tom and Kevin recap the Tuscan truffle hunt episode and bid farewell to a juggernaut. Uproxx's Vince Manciini, the man behind Top Chef Power Rankings, joins the show and discusses the season and why he loves the show.

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Champagne Padma May 31, 2020

Kevin and Tom go deep on 30,000-foot cuisine, gush about Champagne Padma and discuss Chef Brian Malarkey''s moment of crisis at the judge's table.

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Let The Games Begin May 27, 2020

Kevin and Tom piece together their brains after a mind-blowing week of Top Chef and Last Chance Kitchen and break down the Olympics episode. Later, Top Chef Jennifer Carroll joins the show to dish on this season, the Philly food scene, her past appearances on Top Chef and the Whodunnit mystery of Top Chef All-Stars: Who turned up the heat on her coriander cashew butter?

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With Top Chef's Tom Colicchio May 21, 2020

An interview three years in the making, Kevin and Tom finally land their biggest guest in PYK history: Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio. The Emmy award-winning, James Beard award-winning chef reveals his favorite season of Top Chef, explains why Kevin and Tom's Elimination Challenge pitch needs serious work and tells us why he initially turned down Top Chef. Colicchio also shares his food policy reform ideas and reflects on his secret friendship with UNC basketball legend Dean Smith.

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Straight-Up Hunger Games May 18, 2020

ESPN's Mina Kimes joins the show and breaks down the Summer Camp episode with Kevin and Tom. The trio assess the favorites for the rest of the competition and debate Voltaggio's stock.

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Comfort & Chaos May 11, 2020

Kevin and Tom battle on the merits of this Restaurant Wars and break down the jewel episode of Top Chef with special guest Season Colorado winner Joe Flamm, who tells us about his new Croatian restaurant.

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On The Double May 04, 2020

Kevin and Tom recap Episode 7 of Top Chef All-Stars and get on the phone with cheftestant Eric Adjepong to talk about this season, that damn mood board and the promising future of West African cuisine in America.

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Monkeys On Crack Apr 27, 2020

Tom and Kevin bid farewell to a Top Chef fan favorite, crown the greatest of all-time six-episode start and argue, once again, about Brian Malarkey.

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Doubles Apr 20, 2020

Kevin and Tom recap the loved-ones episode of Top Chef All-Stars, assess the virtues of Malarketing and sketch out the tiers of remaining cheftestants.

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Now I Get / I Get What I Want Apr 12, 2020

Tom introduces Kevin to Kelly Clarkson before breaking down the first contentious episode of the season. A mid-round juggernaut emerges from the group while Kevin loses another cheftestant in Last Chance Kitchen.

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'Jus Eat?' Apr 05, 2020

Kevin and Tom get their art history on and break down Episode 3 of Top Chef All Stars. Also, a cheftestant gets picked up off the waivers and a trade is proposed.

www.countthedings.com

www.patreon.com/countthedings

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Wicked Oops Mar 30, 2020

Kevin and Tom recap Episode 2 of Top Chef All-Stars and pay tribute to culinary legends Jonathan Gold and Floyd Cardoz.

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The Fire Next Time Mar 22, 2020

Tom and Kevin recap the season premiere of Top Chef Season 17.

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Draft Day Mar 16, 2020

After the long layoff, Kevin and Tom are back for Top Chef Season 17 All-Stars. Ahead of Thursday's premiere, it's time for their third annual Pack Your Knives draft of cheftestants. Kevin and Tom make their picks, break down each contestant, tweak the fantasy scoring system and review the Los Angeles cast as we await the star-studded return of Top Chef.

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"Congratulations, you are Top Oyster and Buttermilk" Mar 18, 2019

Tom and Kevin review Season 16 and recap the surprising finale in Macau. Per PYK tradition, the finalists --- Chef Eric, Chef Kelsey and Chef Sara -- join the show to answer all our burning questions about the finale -- Eric's menu, what was in their luggage and the things they couldn't say on air.

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Durian and Spirit Animals Mar 12, 2019

Kevin and Tom recap the Final Four episode of Macau and discuss the virtues of durian and the game theory of cooking with the stinky fruit. Chef Michelle Minori joins the show to explain why she's the quickfire champ, fava bean prep and of course, her admiration of a certain Golden State Warrior.

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High Top Chef IQ Mar 05, 2019

Kevin and Tom discuss Macau, this season's darkhorse and chef Eric's performance. For the second half of the show, cheftestant Kelsey joins the show and dishes all things Top Chef including the one rule she'd change, the Restaurant Wars fiasco and the secrets of the party boat challenge.

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Bye, KY Feb 27, 2019

Kevin and Tom are joined by Top Chef superfan and ESPN personality Mina Kimes to recap the Kentucky finale, handicap the remaining chefs and reflect on Season 16's drama (or lack thereof). Who's going to win in Macau? One chef or the Field?

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Kentucky TKO and WaffleGate Feb 19, 2019

Tom and Kevin recap the Muhammed Ali episode, discuss fried chicken spots and bid farewell to a juggernaut on the show. Cheftestant Sara Bradley joins the show to discuss WaffleGate, being a Southern Jew, Paducah cuisine, her sensitive nose and what it's like to be the Kentucky representative.

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Homemade! Feb 11, 2019

Tom and Kevin analyze the most contentious episode of the season with the help of cheftestant Eric Adjepong. What's the best food? Who's to blame for WaffleGate? Is Eric a big, bad bully? We also talk Ghanaian cuisine, Eric's beloved Knicks and what really happened at Rupp Arena.

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Grand Ole Opportunity Feb 03, 2019

Kevin and Tom review the season's cheftestants after yet another first-time winner steals the show. We also hash out our hypothetical songs of inspiration, handicap the favorites and scout the next episode at Rupp Arena.

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Soiree or Kegger? Jan 28, 2019

Kevin and Tom analyze all things Boat Party Wars -- Eddie's draft, the jiggle juice and whether their souls belong to Team Blue or Team Green. The hosts also pay tribute to the late Fatima Ali, a PYK and Top Chef fan favorite.

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Carne! Brother! Jan 21, 2019

Kevin and Tom dissect Episode 7 like Dario Cecchini on a Decca patio. Kevin parades Eddie while Tom laments Brian. Also, Kevin and Tom talk to old friend Brother Luck about his up-and-down year on Top Chef and Last Chance Kitchen

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Brian And Justin Jan 16, 2019

Top Chef cheftestants Brian Young and Justin Sutherland join Kevin and Tom for a recap of Restaurant Wars and the latest Canapé episode 1606. Why did the cheftestants go on a hunger strike? Which cheftestant practice quickfires before the show? What are they up to now? On the latest episode of PYK.

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The Forgotten Crudo Jan 07, 2019

Kevin Arnovitz and Tom Haberstroh take you behind the scenes at Restaurant Wars and reveal what it’s like to attend Top Chef’s signature event. Special guest Hershy Ash re-joins the show to analyze this season’s three-restaurant twist and assess the performance of Third Coast, North East and Thistle.

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The First Restaurant War of 2018-19 Dec 31, 2018

Tom and Kevin are joined by restaurant consultant Hershy Ash to break down the first of a 2-part special, 12-contestant Restaurant Wars.

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Naughty and Nice Dec 24, 2018

Tom explains to Kevin the workings of Quick Fire White Elephant Gift Exchange, and the hosts debate whether Nini or David should be the early favorite and wonder if Natalie has the goods to run the table in Last Chance Kitchen.

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Ask For More Lemons Dec 17, 2018

Kevin Arnovitz and Tom Haberstroh break down a stunning exit, the infamous $500 lamb tab and handicap the frontrunners for Season 16 Kentucky.

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With The 1st Pick ... Dec 07, 2018

Kevin and Tom recap the Season 16: Kentucky premiere while conducting a live draft of all 18 contestants, including the Last Chance Kitchen field. Who will go No. 1? Who is the villain? Which contestants have the biggest trade value?

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Top Chef Season 16 Preview! Dec 04, 2018

Kevin Arnovitz and Tom Haberstroh are back for Season 16 of Top Chef. Gearing up for this week's season premiere, Arnovitz and Haberstroh preview season 16, scout the bios of the 15 contestants and share their favorite Kentucky spots and cuisine.

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The Finale Mar 14, 2018

Tom and Kevin break down the exciting finale of Top Chef Season 15, and are joined by the finalists, Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm to recap the season, what went into their dishes, and what's next in their journeys.

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Gone Fishing Mar 07, 2018

The episode before the finale. Tom and Kevin break down the penultimate episode.

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The Final Four Feb 27, 2018

Tom and Kevin break down the final four episode of Top Chef 15, including the rocky mountain oysters quickfire and family recipe elimination challenge, then visit with chef "Mustache" Joe Sasto.

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High End Feb 20, 2018

Tom and Kevin are joined by ESPN's Mina Kimes to welcome back the Last Chance Kitchen winner, break down Episode 11 and scout the remaining Top Chefs as we approach the final.

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Return of the Curse Feb 13, 2018

Tom and Kevin break down Episode 10 of Top Chef with the help of special guest and father of Baby Jude, Bruce Kalman. Kalman goes behind-the-scenes to explain why he went on Top Chef and why he ate candy bars out of a baby diaper.

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The Risotto Curse Returns Feb 05, 2018

Kevin and Tom recap the Super Bowl episode, mourn Team Kevin and geek out about Top Chef myths with Lynn from the essential TopChefStats.com

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Restaurant Wars Jan 29, 2018

Tom and Kevin recap Restaurant Wars with the help of restaurant fixer-upper Hershy Ash and check in with Top Chef’s Fatima Ali about her cancer battle, being a Baby Bear and cooking Pakistani cuisine.

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The "Olympics" Competition Jan 20, 2018

Tom and Kevin break down Top Chef's high-intensity, super-tense "Olympics" competition, and debate whether cliquey-ness is a good thing.

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Cilantro vs. Claudette Jan 15, 2018

Tom and Kevin break down the High German elimination challenge and negotiate a blockbuster trade of chef-testants. Then they chat with Chef Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins about the dynamics on show, regional Mexican cooking, and their hate of cilantro.

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Ep 6: Chef Amish Soul Food Jan 06, 2018

Kevin and Tom recap Episode 5 with the help of Top Chef contestant and proprietor of Amish soul food Chris Scott. Warning: strong language and stronger recipes.

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Ep 5: Bye-Bye Bear, Hello Blais! Jan 02, 2018

Kevin and Tom recap a shocking Episode 4 of Top Chef and talk to special guest Richard Blais of Top Chef fame and the Starving For Attention podcast about possibly starting a Top Chef camp and other behind-the-scenes topics too fire for TV.

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Ep 4: The Chilito Dec 23, 2017

Top Chef contestant Tyler Anderson joins Kevin Arnovitz and Tom Haberstroh on the pod, taking us behind the scenes at Top Chef and breaking down the food truck episode with details you can't get anywhere else.

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Ep 3: The Bear Den Dec 16, 2017

Kevin Arnovitz and Tom Haberstroh break down Episode 2 of Top Chef and re-visit their draft picks after a surprising elimination.

Draft.com (Promo Code: Healthy)

1:10- Intro

1:45- Quickfire Challenge

9:55- Team Challenges

10:35- The Farm

12:20- Menu Creation

14:25- Elimination Challenge

20:45- Kevin’s Tyler Anderson Experience

SeatGeek (Promo Code: Healthy)

27:15- Elimination Challenge contd.

31:00- Last Chance Kitchen

34:00- Elimination Challenge contd.

40:45- Draft lookback

44:40- Pack your Knives and go

49:30- Dish they wanted to eat most

51:30- The Big Number

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Ep 2: The Draft Dec 08, 2017

Kevin and Tom draft their fantasy teams and dive into the Season 15 premiere. Who went No. 1? And should you help a fellow Top Chef if it isn’t team play? Is this season too nice?

01:00- Rock, Paper, Scissors for 1st pick

02:00- Pick 1

09:00- Elimination Challenge Winners statistics

10:15- Confidence impact on Top Chef competitors

11:20- Pick 2 announced by David Stern

12:30- Ballsiness in dish choice

13:40- Helping other Competitors

17:00- Pick 3

18:40- Pick 4

19:50- Why do people do Top Chef after “Making it”

22:20- Specific Skills for Top Chef vs Real Life abilities

24:40- Pick 5

27:00- Pick 6

28:30- Winning Quickfire wins as a future predictor

30:20- Pick 7

32:05- Pick 8

32:30- Michelin Stars

33:40- Cooking Pedigree

34:30- Red Sauce and Pizza

36:20- Pick 9

37:50- Pick 10

38:45- Pick 11

39:40- Purple Potatoes(Pack your Knives hack of the week)

41:05- Pick 12

42:20- Pick 13

43:30- Pick 14

44:40- Pick 15

45:30- Pick 16

46:30- Pick 17

47:15- Episode 1 closing thoughts

47:40- This seasons Villain

48:40- Recurring Mistakes by competitors

49:35 Top Chef Strategy

52:20- Scoring System

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Ep 1: Welcome to Pack Your Knives Dec 05, 2017

NBA writers Kevin Arnovitz and Tom Haberstroh profess their love for Top Chef, name their favorite seasons and preview Season 15's contestants with analytics and scouting.

0:00- Intro/How this podcast got it's start

1:30- Top Chef fantasy quick rundown

2:30- QuickFire appreciation

5:10- Favorite Seasons

20:00- All Time Favorite Chefs

26:05- Season 15 Cheftestants

37:30- Choosing a Chef based on bio

42:30- NBA Restaraunts

48:25- Bojangles Nutritional Trivia of the week

50:25- The Big Number(Top Chef Style)

Follow us on twitter @PackKnives

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