Stay ConnectedKevin Arnovitz and Tom Haberstroh bring their die-hard fanaticism of the hit TV show Top Chef and combine it with their NBA analytical instincts to draft “fantasy” teams, interview contestants and talk about America’s food and restaurant trends. Follow along weekly as the top cooking competition meets top-shelf analysis.
In Season 23, Chef Sara Bradley replaces Kevin as host to provide insight from the mind of former competitor and current kitchen guru.
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Tom Haberstroh and Sara Bradley turn up the heat and break down the trip to Puckerbutt with Mei Lin, Smokin’ Ed Currie and Noah Chaimberg of The Heatonist.
Sara reveals her shocking distaste for a certain culinary treat as PYK tries to salvage any sponsorship opportunities to the show. We also watch a 2021 YouTube video of Tom eating a dried Carolina Reaper from Puckerbutt. Tom can attest: “If it doesn’t pucker your butt, it’s not Puckerbutt.”
With the group elimination challenge, Tom and Sara debate the progression strategy of a certain chef who gets eliminated, and celebrate a first in Top Chef history.
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This season, PYK is bringing you a second weekly Top Chef podcast.
Carly and Kendra will be summarizing and analyzing YOUR power rankings and fantasy leagues!
If you haven’t yet, head over to find-topchef.com to sign up and become a subscriber on https://www.packyourknives.com/ to get additional data-driven insights on Top Chef.
00:00 Hello and welcome!
04:55 First episode, first impressions
08:18 Carly and Kendra’s Power Rankings
11:00 Orientation to Power Ranking results
11:42 Shout-outs to listeners/players doing well!
13:50 Power Rankings analysis
27:26 Thoughts on Power Rankings going into episode 2
35:35 Reminder to submit rankings and join Fantasy Leagues
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The first segment of a six-part Savor Charlotte with Tom Haberstroh series presented by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
Tom sits down with Charlotte chef and food competition guru Chris Coleman of Built On Hospitality who explains why it's a great time for Top Chef to spotlight the emerging Charlotte food scene.
Also, Chris shares the secrets of performing in food competitions and his long-held aspirations of being on Top Chef.
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Tom Haberstroh and new co-host Sara Bradley break down a dramatic season premiere of Top Chef 23 Carolinas, which was released exclusively on Peacock March 3rd.
Tom and Sara get to know the contestants and react to one of the biggest meltdowns in Top Chef history, saved by an impromptu rescue mission from one of the judges. New for this season, the couple and twin dynamics already have Tom and Sara's heads spinning. The controversial ending will be sticking with us for a long, long time.
Plus, enjoy the first segment of a six-part Savor Charlotte with Tom Haberstroh series presented by CRVA. Tom sits down with Charlotte chef and food competition guru Chris Coleman of Built On Hospitality who explains why it's a great time for Top Chef to spotlight the emerging Charlotte food scene. Also, Chris shares the secrets of performing in food competitions and his long-held aspirations of being on Top Chef.
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On a hot summer morning, Tom received a long text message from Sara. In it, Sara explained that she nerded out and wrote down a list of dishes she predicts will be on Top Chef Carolinas.
From Appalachian fine dining to hyper-seasonal sustainability, Sara drew upon the unique ingredients of the South and even sketched out the Restaurant Wars restaurant themes and menus.
After it all, Tom rethinks what it means to be a Top Chef expert.
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To get us hyped for Season 23 Carolinas, Top Chef judge Gail Simmons joins the pod and coaches Tom about what it's like to "host" Top Chef in your home city (/country). The Canadian shares a bee-hind the scenes incident in Calgary last season and revels in Tom's LeBron comparison.
Finally, Tom and Gail each give a scouting report on Charlotte's restaurant scene and what makes the Queen City unique in the American culinary landscape. The big question: Does it need a signature dish? And what would it be?
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That's right, a blind draft. In person!
Top Chef has taken their talents to Tom's home city of Charlotte, which presents a new draft twist. With the possibility that Tom (and Sara) might be attending some challenge tapings in the fall, they got their hands on the contestant list early and drafted immediately to maintain integrity of the show.
Yes, for the first time ever, the PYK draft was held before watching the first episode.
In the comforts of Tom's home, Tom and Sara break down the wild contestant list (twins! a married couple!), share how they created their rankings and debate their most controversial picks.
As a two-time Top Chef finalist, Sara reveals the qualities she looks for in a contestant. Tom explains his bold first pick with research that even Sara didn't uncover and asks the pros and cons of being the hometown chef.
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We have a trailer! We have a cast! We have a premiere date!
Tom and new co-host Sara Bradley are joined by PYK contributors Carly Levitz and Kendra McClanahan to break it all down and make some big announcements about PYK coverage this season (fantasy leagues and power rankings!).
We talk about the twins and the married couple on this season and how those relationships may play out on Top Chef. We read the tea leaves from the trailer and look ahead to the March 3 premiere.
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With Top Chef Carolinas on tap, we have a big announcement to make. In this special offseason episode, we welcome Top Chef finalist Sara Bradley to the team and preview Season 23 by taking turns predicting challenges in Charlotte, NC and Greenville, SC.
Bradley sheds light about her time living in Charlotte and cutting her teeth at Johnson & Wales. Tom reveals childhood culinary trauma and Sara reveals what she's MOST excited about for the upcoming season.
What Charlotte-themed challenges do you want to see? Chime in below.
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Making his highly-anticipated debut on Pack Your Knives, Top Chef Season 22 winner Tristen Epps talks to Tom Haberstroh about his epic performance on Top Chef and why the Afro-Caribbean chef is jealous about the upcoming Top Chef Carolinas.
The globetrotter explains what Top Chef greatness looks like, sets the record straight on the supposed Massimo beef (?) and what he envisions for his new restaurant Buboy in Houston.
The Charlotte Johnson & Wales graduate also reveals the one former Top Chef that he wants to challenge on a Top Chef All-Stars season and trashes Tom and Eric Adjepong for letting him fall so far on Draft night.
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