At the Judges’ Table, flavors and execution count. See if you make the cut!
Customer Reviews:
Learn while you play… 
This game is lots of fun. The other reviewers have described the game play very well, so I won’t go into that. This game is pretty true to the Top Chef format. You actually learn quite a bit about food while playing the game. It would’ve been nice if you could’ve built your own character chef. One aggravating thing is that not all of your food items are always available in your characters pantry, I think that, that really limits game play. Otherwise, great game.
Top Chef: The Game: Please Pack Your Knives… 
This game may be fun for people who like to cook and know their herbs, flavors, textures, etc. But for those of us who are not educated in the culinary arts, it is mind boggling. I LOVE the show, but the computer game was not my favorite.
Compete against fifteen worthy opponents in 30 quickfire and 15 elimination challenges 
Rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, Top Chef: The Game is a computer game on CD-ROM compatible with Windows and the Macintosh. Based on the hit culinary competition television show, and featuring the voices of host Padma Lakshmi and head judge Tom Colicchio, Top Chef: The Game allows players of all kitchen skill and experience levels to compete against fifteen worthy opponents in 30 quickfire and 15 elimination challenges. The player must choose the right ingredients and balance their flavors, all while keeping a close eye on the clock, in this fast-paced cooking competition simulation. Especially recommended for anyone who has enjoyed games like “Cooking Mama” but is interested in playing a title with stiffer competition!
Addictive game for Top Chef fans!
Now is your chance to really be a Top Chef (even if like me - you don’t really cook)! With 15 “episodes” that have you compete in both quick fire and elimination challenges matching up appropriate ingredients as quick-as-you can, this is a perfect (and addictive) gift for any Top Chef fan. Here’s the upsides, downsides and tips for this game I’ve found:
Upsides:
1. Challenges escalate in toughness - while teaching you what you need to succeed in future ones (tip: read all the dialogue at scorings, between contestants and by “Anna” your chef when she’s thinking about a challenge to get tips on how to succeed!)
2. It’s true to the Top Chef format. What’s available in your pantry to use for each challenge changes, and it rates each of your dishes from 1 to 5 stars. (It shows and describes your final dish — and there’s a great deal of odd satisfaction that occurs when you creat a 5-star one)
3. Great on-going playability. Most of the challenges require you to make multiple dishes. So, while it seems like only 15 episodes, you literally have to create 100’s of dishes. Even when you succeed through all the levels - you’ll want to play again!
Downsides:
1. Graphics are a bit simple. In this day and age, the graphics will seem antiquated to some, “Anna” the chef representing you does wierd things like chop “soy sauce”, Tom and Padma have a set of standard responses they make when judging your dishes.
2. Two of the power-ups (special powers) are tricky and hard to use, it takes a little while to master them. There’s a video tutorial on the Top Chef Game site at Bravo that’s also helpful.
3. The “Classic Combos” which give you a lot more points are sometimes not all that intuitive - sure red and green peppers seem like a natural - but what’s a “savory rich item” that goes with something “sweet and tart” that’s actually available in your pantry? But, someone has helpfully put together a list of all of the classic combos they’ve made available on Bravo’s game site.
Top Notch Top Chef
I was so happy to see this game on Amazon. I am a real cooking nut and I love anything that supports my hobby. Top Chef, The Game was fun, challenging and easy to play; it kept me interested and I was surprised to have learned some new ideas as well.
My young adult children were interested in playing, in spite of their limited cooking experience. I think I will be making “starter gourmet cooking baskets” for the holidays and will be sure to include a Top Chef game in each! This would also make a great gift for that 50’s to 60’s party you get invited to for your baby boomer friends or think of including it with a shower gift for young newlyweds.
Whatever the occasion, what could be better than a great get together with food and fun!
admin | 
03 11th, 2010| 
