Olympians, Paralympians take on Top Chef in Milan
Ahead of the two-part Season 22 finale of Top Chef, Olympians and Paralympians assist chefs in selecting ingredients at a market in Milan Italy, the host country of the 2026 Olympic Games.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
A teary Top Chef finds our final four in Milan
[Editor's note: The A.V. Club will be back to recap next week's season finale.] Top Chef has always had a big ol' heart beating beneath those panic-inducing Quickfires and high-stakes Elimination Challenges. But Bravo's culinary reality competition has seemingly cranked up the burners on its own emotionality in recent seasons, maybe a byproduct of the addition of Kristen Kish (a show host who acutely knows the passion, pressure, and privilege of being a Top Chef champion), or the producers simply savvily clocking that we're all desperate for compassion and community in this garbage-fire of a society. Hell, maybe it's just the Canada of it all. But in a season that's served not only great cooking and kitchen drama but also bone-deep loss, heartfelt support, and true camaraderie between the competitors, Top Chef has become less about stewing rivalries and more comfort-food viewing—i.e. just the kind of dish we need these days. As competitor Tristan Epps noted in this week's episode: 'We looked at past seasons, and everyone is always at each other's throat—we're nothing but hugs and tears.' And there were bittersweet tears and cozy feelings aplenty in the penultimate episode of Top Chef season 22, which saw our four semi-finalists—Epps, Bailey Sullivan, César Murillo, and Shuai Wang—departing the warm, welcoming arms of Canada for the grand-finale backdrop of Milan, Italy. The giddiness of the scenery change was infectious: It was Shuai's first time going to Italy ('I'd move to Europe just for the butter') and César's first time hitting the European continent full-stop. That excitement continued, for us viewers at least, when Kish announced that the final QuickFire challenge of the season would focus on that famously finicky Italian specialty: risotto. We're in Milan, where rice is king, so the inclusion of the notoriously difficult dish was fair, but that doesn't mean our cheftestants were happy to see it. ('Not risotto! I thought I could manifest it out of this competition,' Tristen lamented.) They got a little leg up with a staggered cooking schedule, so no one chef's dish turned gloopy while it waited to meet Tom Colicchio's taste buds. And the largest QuickFire prize yet ($15,000) certainly didn't hurt. With thirty-five minutes on the clock, the competitors turned out two traditional-ish bowls of rice (Tristen's West African-inspired risotto with dressed heirloom tomatoes and charred butter greens, and Bailey's red wine-stained version with Parmigiano, pear and hazelnut gremolata) and two, uh, not. Both César and Shuai ran the risk of poking the bear (a.k.a. Tom) by subbing out rice grains entirely in favor of root vegetables: The former served celery-root risotto with chicken jus and white truffle, and the latter, squash risotto with chanterelles and saffron. 'The word riso means rice!' Colicchio griped during judging, and it goes without saying that neither non-rice bowl won. Instead, it was Tristen's jollof-inspired interpretation that added $15,000 to his season's winnings. ('I made Black people risotto and won!') And now for the biggie: the Elimination Challenge that would secure their spot in the final three. For the occasion, producers tapped into the buzz around the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics by having four medal-winning American athletes—bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, snowboarder Red Gerard, ice-sled hockey player Declan Farmer, and multi-sport Paralympic star Oksana Masters—pair up with the chefs to help them grocery shop. No, it didn't totally make sense, but I did appreciate the sporty supermarket hijinks, from Masters good-naturedly trying to sabotage César's rivals by asking them about their pets to Shuai and Declan struggling to find puffed pastry with their Duolingo-level Italian. The chefs would be using those wares in a three-part head-to-head tournament, each round focused on a different ingredient from Milan or Cortina: the first on polenta, the second on beetroot, and the third on Gorgonzola cheese. After two hours of prep and an additional 30 minutes of cook time in an outdoor courtyard, the Fab Four would serve their penultimate plates to a panel including the Team USA athletes, Top Chef Middle East winner Ali Ghzawi, and two-star Michelin chef Andrea Aprea. If you win the polenta round, good news: You're automatically in the final three. A second finalist will then be added after the beetroot smackdown, with the two last players desperately battling it out over stinky Gorgonzola. Bailey, out for redemption, planned to double down on polenta for both rounds one and three, the latter of which would also include a redo of that bad brûléed Gorgonzola idea from week 11. The ever-creative César coolly decided to do dessert first, with a polenta cake with black-walnut ice cream, though he was stressed that he didn't have enough prep time to turn out the fresh tortillas for his beet tostada second course. Shuai nodded to Chinatown with a barbecue duck-inspired polenta dish and beet dumplings filled with smoked fish. Meanwhile, Tristen toured Caribbean tradition with his cou-cou porridge with spicy Haitian sos and glazed beets with pork belly and beet pikliz, though he felt his Gorgonzola sherbet was far from good enough. ('I'm fucked if I get to the Gorgonzola.') Shuai's nostalgic polenta number won over the paddles of Kristen, Tom, and Gail Simmons, as well as the other judging panelists, immediately entering him into the season's final three. And thankfully for Tristen, he didn't have to get to the Gorgonzola after all, with his smoked beets plate taking it in round two. That left César and Bailey in a head-to-head Gorgonzola duel, an interesting match-up given that I always believed César would make it to the finals and was pleasantly surprised how far Bailey has come. And, seemingly more surprises were in store: Bailey's brûléed Gorgonzola redemption panned out, with her polenta gratinata successfully clinching the third-round win over César's cheese-laced butternut squash casserole. Unsurprisingly, however, was the level of emotion from all involved at seeing César go. 'I was just one away from the final cook. I just wanted that one more,' he sadly declared before making his exit. That weepiness segued into happy tears, though, with the realization that we officially have our final three for Top Chef season 22, with Shuai especially going into the finals strong with the challenge win and an added $15,000 Delta gift card in his pocket. 'It's a wild ride and a very exciting feeling to be standing where you are,' Kristen told him through tears, to which Shuai excellently responded: 'Stop crying, Kristen!' • So what do you think of our top three? Shuai and Tristen have been pretty dominant all season, while Bailey seemed to get a dark-horse edit by producers going into the finale. Does the quirky chef stand a chance? • Did anyone else get a little teary when a ladybug—thought to be a symbol of protection and positive energy from a deceased loved one—landed on Tristen's station during the Elimination cook, or should I set up a call with my therapist? • Given that Milan is one of the premier fashion capitals of the world, our trusty judges trio really stepped up their sartorial game this ep. That leather midi skirt on Gail? That striped overcoat on Kristen? Fantastica! More from A.V. Club 3 new songs and 3 new albums to check out this weekend A teary Top Chef finds our final four in Milan First look at Andy Serkis' animated Animal Farm goes light on Orwellian satire, heavy on Seth Rogen
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ab-Soul Keeps Hip-Hop's Spirit Alive At Red Bull BC One
On Sunday (May 18), over a dozen of the country's most talented breakers arrived in Denver to leave it all on the floor at the Red Bull BC One Cypher to wrap its 2025 U.S. season. In total, 16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls — including Olympians B-Girl Logistx and B-Girl Kate — united to compete for a chance to advance to the world finals in Tokyo later this year, but first, they had to battle one another. Camaraderie is shared between the dancers as they stretch and get in the zone, but on center stage, the mutual respect is channeled into elite routines. Ahead of the main event, Red Bull hosted the competitors as well as a select group of media and content creators and offered a warm welcome into its world of breaking. This included movement workshops, workout classes, and crew battles. At the Red Bull Camp, a new 2v2 format called Breakfighter was introduced, pairing breakers with gamers in a crossover clash featuring the iconic Japanese game, Street Fighter. At stake, a chance to win a trip to the Tokyo finals. The event also featured Salt Break City, an all-girl battle that paired B-girls with all-style dancers, uniting the power of breaking with the versatility and style of street dancing. Once it was time for the BC One, the camp closed shop and the activity moved to the city's Mission Ballroom to host hundreds of ticketholders excited for the competition. Each round grew more intense as one by one, breakers were knocked out of the competition, with many of the battles close. Judged by Red Bull BC One All-Star B-Boy Taisuke, B-Girl Beta, and OG B-Boy Ken Swift of the Rock Steady Crew, each dancer was ranked on creativity, musicality, and flow. A performance from Ab-Soul kept the Hip-Hop-centered event culturally grounded as he repped California with 'All That' and 'Do Better.' 'Man you know im KRS-2,' joked the Soul Burger performer with VIBE before taking the stage. 'This is what I really came to do. I really came to represent and keep the spirit alive. Keep the roots healthy as it [Hip-Hop] grows older. You know what I'm saying, with break dancing being one of the pillars. So I'm grateful to be a part of it.' In the end, B-Girl Logistix and B-Boy Hijck rose above their competitors and earned their respective spots in the finals. 'What's important is how you put your fingerprint on this dance,' explained Hijck, the now two-time Red Bull BC One Cypher USA champion, in a statement. 'It's not just about signature moves – it's about signature style. I can't wait to represent [the] USA, but most importantly, represent Hawaii.' 'I feel proud of myself for navigating life while training for this battle,' added B-Girl Logistx, also the 2021 Red Bull BC One World Champion. 'I am grateful for this win and the people who supported me on this journey. I'm ready for Tokyo, but this time I am working my way up from the National Final. In order to do this opportunity justice, I have to win in Tokyo.' Take a look inside the Red Bull BC One Cypher below. More from Ab-Soul Speaks On Joey Bada$$ And West Coast Rap Feud: "It's A Sport" Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul Trade Bars Amid Coastal Rhyme War With Ray Vaughn Ab-Soul Teases Possible Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl Involvement In Cryptic Post Best of 10 Rap Albums Snubbed Of The Grammys' Album Of The Year Award 21 Black Entertainers Who Are Almost EGOT Winners 11 Black-Owned Games To Play At The Next Function Or Kick Back
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tramell Tillman could make Emmy history as the first Black Best Drama Supporting Actor winner
In 2015, Viola Davis won the Best Drama Actress Emmy for How to Get Away with Murder, becoming the category's first Black winner. That left one acting category that had yet to produce a Black champ: Best Drama Supporting Actor. Ten years later, that remains the case — even the short form acting categories, which were created in 2016 and consolidated into one in 2024, have awarded Black performers — but that could finally change in September with Severance star Tramell Tillman. Tillman is currently in third place in Gold Derby's Best Drama Supporting Actor odds, trailing Walton Goggins (The White Lotus) and Severance costar John Turturro. Tillman is the only Black performer in the top seven. Jason Isaacs (The White Lotus), Jack Lowden (Slow Horses), Sam Rockwell (The White Lotus), and Patrick Schwarzenegger (The White Lotus) round out the predicted field. More from GoldDerby 'Forever' star Lovie Simone on traveling back to a 'nostalgic' time for Netflix's teenage romance show Kristen Kish dishes on Season 22 of 'Top Chef,' Emmys, and the show's global impact: 'It's all driven by the fans' New 'Freakier Friday' trailer, Mia Goth set for 'Star Wars: Starfighter,' Samuel L. Jackson heads to Taylor Sheridan's 'NOLA,' and the rest of today's top stories Tillman was not nominated for the first season in 2022, not surprising for an unknown actor on a new show. Severance received 14 nominations for Season 1 and the Best Drama Series frontrunner is expected to expand this year. If Tillman makes the cut amid a possible deluge by White Lotus dudes, a win — and a historic one at that — is certainly not out of the question. The Apple TV+ drama was bigger than ever in Season 2, and Tramell got to shine even brighter as his Lumon stooge Seth Milchick faced a crisis of confidence, leading to his instantly viral line, "Devour feculence." Oh, and there was the whole Choreography and Merriment marching band dance. It also doesn't hurt that the actor has brought his unique line deliveries to Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. SEE The ultimate oral history of Severance Season 2 It's not surprising Turturro is ahead of Tillman in the odds. He's a bigger name and a past winner who was nominated for Season 1 and had meaty material early in Season 2 before a diminished presence in the back half. Tillman had a consistent presence and arc throughout the season, ending with a bang with the aforementioned dance sequence (Turturro was MIA in the finale). And voters have shown through the years that when they're paying attention to a show — and there's no reason to think they're not paying attention to Severance — the underdog can topple the "obvious" frontrunner or bigger name (see: Jodie Comer beating her heavily predicted Killing Eve co-star Sandra Oh). Of course, Goggins is the frontrunner, not Turturro. And taking down The White Lotus, an acting branch fave, will be tougher. Formally established in 1970, Best Drama Supporting Actor has seen 13 Black actors receive 23 nominations over the years. 2021 was the last year with a Black nominee — and there were a record three: Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian), O-T Fagbenle (The Handmaid's Tale), and Michael K. Williams (Lovecraft Country), who died shortly after voting ended. They lost to Tobias Menzies (The Crown). There have been POC nominees since then, however, with Squid Game stars Park Hae-soo and O Yeong-su in 2022, The White Lotus' Will Sharpe, who is half-Japanese, in 2023, and Shōgun duo Tadanobu Asano and Takehiro Hira in 2024. Best of GoldDerby The Making of 'The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day': PBS variety special 'comes from the heart' From 'Hot Rod' to 'Eastbound' to 'Gemstones,' Danny McBride breaks down his most righteous roles: 'It's been an absolute blast' Jay Duplass on exposing his 'dad bod' and playing a 'soft villain' in 'Dying for Sex': 'Easily one of my biggest acting challenges' Click here to read the full article.
