How ‘Top Chef’ Stays So Relevant 20 Years In

Kevin Fallon sits down with legendary Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio to go behind the scenes of one of TV’s most beloved competition shows, from filming in extreme locations to what really goes into judging a dish. Joined by producer Rachel Passer, the episode dives into why Top Chef stands apart from other reality series, blending high-stakes competition with deeply personal food stories. Tom shares insight into the creative process of chefs, the challenges of the restaurant industry, and how the show has evolved over the years. Plus, Kevin and Rachel debate their own food opinions—some more controversial than others. Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram ⁠@kpfallon⁠ Follow Matt Wilstein on Instagram ⁠@mattjwilstein⁠ New episodes every Thursday, and Saturday; ⁠early drops on YouTube⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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How ‘Top Chef’ Stays So Relevant 20 Years In is an episode from The Last Laugh by The Daily Beast.

This episode is 42:55 long.

This episode was published on Mar 28, 2026.

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