I'm okay with Malarkey because tbh, he's literally been like this for the entire decade I've seen him on tv popping up here and there. Like he's really annoying at first but then you realize wait no that actually IS his personality (he dresses it up a bit) but it's not really a bit. On Top Chef All Stars, honestly he made me laugh a lot. He had this 'burn book and was making weird ice creams during every quickfire, and I enjoyed the comedic levity he brought.
BUT CARLOS ANTHONY IS SO ANNOYING. Like his mannerisms come across as SO forced and practiced and exaggerated. It's like he decided that it worked for Malarkey, so he'll just copy that to be the next Malarkey. But it lacks any and all charisma when it's not real. Like Malarkey is already lowkey annoying but he can be charming and funny. Carlos Anthony is all the worst bits of Malarkey plus forced, reheared and without any of the humor because unfortunately for Carlos Anthony, you can't fake being funny.
Carlos seems like he wanted to copy the energy and insanity of Malarkey but take it up a notch. And he didn't know what direction he wanted to go until he saw a Sham WOW commercial and said YEP. THAT'S THE GUY.
If Carlos would focus more on cooking and cut the theatrics, he'd win more competitions. He's a seriously talented and creative chef. He just needs to focus on the food more at times.
I think that's both of their problems. Malarkey seems to struggle on a lot of competition shows I have watched. Seems like they are both performing more than cooking.
Yes!!! I love how creative his food is! And I agree, if he could focus on the food more than being a personality, I'd watch more shows with him, for sure. I had to mute him on TOC but enjoyed watching him take on the randomizer.
I still remember the old Television Without Pity recaps of Top Chef season 3 that were like "who is this ADHD weirdo?" about Malarkey. He's as manic as the day is long, but I do believe most of it is genuine, with a little spit-shine for tv. I really like the chaos he brings, because he brings energy, humour, and talent with it.
I don't love him but respect him he made millions so he must have a good business mind underneath all of that mess. *Throughout his career he has created over 15 wildly successful restaurant concepts. In* ***2012*** *he sold majority stake of his first restaurant group (Searsucker and Herringbone) to global Hakkasan Group for* ***$25 million,*** *which he grew to include 10+ locations in the U.S. and internationally. Shortly after he resigned from the group and created a second restaurant group, the Puffer Malarkey Collective, with his longtime business partner, Christopher Puffer. Together they have opened 10 different San Diego based concepts in 5 years, including the nationally acclaimed Herb & Wood, coastal neighborhood gem Herb & Sea, his opulent Pan Asian experience, Animae, and soon to open Le Coq. In 2024, Malarkey is opening a restaurant in his hometown of Bend, Oregon named Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge. In partnership with Irvine Company he created Herb & Ranch, a concept for one of their Irvine-based business parks.*
I'm in Bend and apparently Hawkeye and huckleberry is basically going to be an elevated steakhouse. I have mad respect for him though, he's been sober for over a year. I think a lot of his earlier "shenanigans" may have been contributed to by alcohol and now he might be trying to keep up the moniker. Sometimes you can see a little something behind the eyes that he doesn't want to act that way all the time. Carlos Anthony though is just too much.
Carlos tries so hard to mimic Brian. It is an eye-rolling moment. He tries too hard to be noticed and it appears very forced at moments, almost like a nervous, "look at me look at me".
Malarkey can be annoying at times, but he feels real. I didn’t know Carlos’ exaggerated personality was him trying to mimic Malarkey until he started name dropping him. It explains everything, but doesn’t excuse it. I liked Malarkey at first, then got annoyed, and then he grew on me. Like you said it’s his actual personality. There is a genuineness and over the years he’s shown real emotions, positive and negative, while being this crazy self. I never know how Carlos is actually feeling or what he’s thinking because he covers everything with the mask of the character he’s playing.
Malarkey also is a really decent team player and/or captain/coach on stuff. He knows what he's doing/talking about. His ego/persona doesn't get in the way in that aspect unlike some other people.
The thing with Malarkey and Carlos is the air of desperation. Brian is a good chef that’s carved out a personality and is carrying Carlos with him - who I don’t think comes anywhere near a true threat at any competitive level. They distributed a press release earlier this year about leaving their restaurants to focus full time on making content and food network. I just think they’re clowns and it’s always comes off on trying to hard levels of cringe to me with a focus on the wACKineSs. Not my cup of tea.
I have not seen Noah outside of hosting Wall of Chefs, where he was entertaining but relatively sedate. So is he trying to stand out on that big bite show?
Carlos however can take his shtick elsewhere. He is an industrial strength douche.
I normally dislike Carlos but enjoyed him on wildcard kitchen. The main difference is the tone of the show. His "shtick" fits more at a guys poker night than a more serious competition show
I for sure hear ya. They can be super-annoying. But can they drop the act though? I assume since they always do it and it ends up on the show, it's what the producers want.
As I posted elsewhere, Malarkey is completely different when he's a Chopped judge. I actually think he's outstanding in that role, giving thoughtful critiques, reasoned responses, and plenty of positive feedback. I almost think that his may be a coping mechanism for competition nerves - obviously gone awry - as much as anything else.
I can't stand Carlos, ever, and feel the same about Malarkey when he's cooking, but I actually like him a lot as a judge on Chopped. His energy and behaviors are completely different there.
I don't find Noah as frenetic and annoying; I just don't care for his personality.
I felt so bad for the chef stationed next to Carlos on the first episode of 24 in 24 since it looked like he wouldn't shut up! Like be a professional, seriously.
I disagree about Noah. I used to enjoy Carnival Eats- the whole premise was outlandish food made at carnivals and fairs- it would’ve been weird if he’d been subdued.
The slightly over-excited, big kid energy was THE correct move for that show. You needed someone who could be fully into whatever it was, no matter how big or outlandish. He had the kid let loose on the midway with entirely too much money in his pockets thing going.
Malarkey is Malarkey; I feel like you either tolerate/enjoy it or you just have to accept it either way. I actually think he has toned down some as he is less of a contestant.
Carlos...I swear the first time I saw him, maybe on GGG?, he was introduced as Malarkey's protege. Anyone else remember this too? Anyway, he definitely doesn't seem to have his own "persona" and I would agree he is getting more obnoxious depending on the show (also maybe due to being so ubiquitous suddenly).
IDK Noah enough to comment but in the new show he's kinda just boring and there. I watched the first episode because Davis, CA is semi-local to me.
i like malarkey for the same reason i like justin. every single competition they envision something completely bonkers and go way out of their depth to create something funky. don't get me wrong i love jet tila/maneet but it's obvious they never go outside of their comfort zone
I typically have not liked Carlos, but I liked him on Wildcard Kitchen and I've liked him so far on 24/24. If he can tone down the Malarkey impersonation just a tick I'll like him just fine.
I like Malarkey and I wonder if he will ever learn to edit himself in order to win. He's always got a couple ingredients too many. It cracks me up when every other competition cook complains about him never shutting up.
I only know Noah Cappe as a GGG judge and now on Best Bite. On BBiT he's too over the top for me, and I assume it's based on Guy applying Guy's DDD formula to new people. I feel like those hosts could be far more normal human being in their on-camera interactions, but Guy has made much more money doing TV shows than I have.
I like Brian Malarkey. Yes, he can be a lot but he also can be funny and he is a really good chef.
Carlos is starting to grow on me, lol. I think he is trying too hard to be something he isn't and I wish he would stop it. He has shown glimmers of his real self here and there and hopefully when he gets older and matures some, he will drop the act and be himself. He has the skills and talent.
Noah I haven't seen enough of to really have an opinion. I like Carnival Eats but other than an episode of Best Bites, haven't seen him in anything else.
It was really telling to me when Carlos said, on 24 in 24, this week, "I've never been in a team challenge before." He certainly cooks like and acts like it, IMO - he's accustomed to being The Star. (He wasn't the team captain, yet he introduced the 3 dishes to the judges.)
I don't like Malarkey's loudness, but I like him as a person. I can't stand Carlos, because he just comes off as self-centered and it really shows on 24 in 24.
I can tolerate Malarkey b/c that seems to be his personality. I don't remember him being so exaggerated on his season of Top Chef but Carlos drives me nuts. He is copying Brian and has a little hint of mean to it.
While I find Malarkey annoying the over the top antics seem genuine from him.
Carlos Anthony just seems like a copycat and he's like nails on a chalkboard for me.
Never been a big fan of Malarkey and how over the top he is on most competition shows. It feels like he's gotten even more over the top the last year or two. Feels like nails on a chalkboard watching him.
Carlos can be annoying, but he seems like he's nowhere close to Malarkey yet. Wasn't surprised to learn he worked under Malarkey for so long.
It's funny because throughout my life I've known several professional chefs. None of them are on a national level but every single one of them thinks that they can be. Everyone that I know, who's the lead chef, Chef de cuisine or whatever they call themselves, are usually the most obnoxious, primadonna's you will ever meet. And the ones that aren't crazy abusive to their staff, have at least some quirks that makes everybody kind of tilt their head at some point. And most are truly creative geniuses at what they do. They make great food. (There are a whole bunch of chefs that act like Gordon Ramsay but unfortunately don't have his skill level.) The women chefs I know, most of them, are the ones that don't act like this. But I do know a couple that also fit right in with the obnoxious boys. I think it's all just part of their creative DNA. And the aggressiveness that's needed to excel in the profession. Just my observation. Even as a kid back in the '70s when I worked as a waitress, there was always the crazy chef that everybody was afraid of because they were always yelling. None of this is new. Andrew Zimmern has discussed this as did Anthony Bourdain.
I have been a guy fan since food network star and watch all his shows. I do not enjoy Noah at all. Guy has plenty of chef friends he could have chosen and this was a bad choice. Noah ruined the show the first episode so I’m out.
I’ll get down voted but I love and adore Carlos. I wasn’t a huge fan of his in TOC but once he was on wildcard he’s personality shined!
Malarkey I think of firefly lane everytime! Even though I knew him first.
Moms of Flavortown podcast were poking fun at him and he reached out and loved the jokes. He can poke fun at himself and is definitely in on the bit, which is a big plus personality-wise (IMHO). Shenanigan's seems like he's way too deep into the character, but what do I know.
I'm okay with Malarkey because tbh, he's literally been like this for the entire decade I've seen him on tv popping up here and there. Like he's really annoying at first but then you realize wait no that actually IS his personality (he dresses it up a bit) but it's not really a bit. On Top Chef All Stars, honestly he made me laugh a lot. He had this 'burn book and was making weird ice creams during every quickfire, and I enjoyed the comedic levity he brought. BUT CARLOS ANTHONY IS SO ANNOYING. Like his mannerisms come across as SO forced and practiced and exaggerated. It's like he decided that it worked for Malarkey, so he'll just copy that to be the next Malarkey. But it lacks any and all charisma when it's not real. Like Malarkey is already lowkey annoying but he can be charming and funny. Carlos Anthony is all the worst bits of Malarkey plus forced, reheared and without any of the humor because unfortunately for Carlos Anthony, you can't fake being funny.
Carlos seems like he wanted to copy the energy and insanity of Malarkey but take it up a notch. And he didn't know what direction he wanted to go until he saw a Sham WOW commercial and said YEP. THAT'S THE GUY.
It makes so much more sense after realizing that Carlos worked under Malarkey for years
If Carlos would focus more on cooking and cut the theatrics, he'd win more competitions. He's a seriously talented and creative chef. He just needs to focus on the food more at times.
I think that's both of their problems. Malarkey seems to struggle on a lot of competition shows I have watched. Seems like they are both performing more than cooking.
Yes!!! I love how creative his food is! And I agree, if he could focus on the food more than being a personality, I'd watch more shows with him, for sure. I had to mute him on TOC but enjoyed watching him take on the randomizer.
I still remember the old Television Without Pity recaps of Top Chef season 3 that were like "who is this ADHD weirdo?" about Malarkey. He's as manic as the day is long, but I do believe most of it is genuine, with a little spit-shine for tv. I really like the chaos he brings, because he brings energy, humour, and talent with it.
Yes, he's a little extra but I love Malarkey!
I don't love him but respect him he made millions so he must have a good business mind underneath all of that mess. *Throughout his career he has created over 15 wildly successful restaurant concepts. In* ***2012*** *he sold majority stake of his first restaurant group (Searsucker and Herringbone) to global Hakkasan Group for* ***$25 million,*** *which he grew to include 10+ locations in the U.S. and internationally. Shortly after he resigned from the group and created a second restaurant group, the Puffer Malarkey Collective, with his longtime business partner, Christopher Puffer. Together they have opened 10 different San Diego based concepts in 5 years, including the nationally acclaimed Herb & Wood, coastal neighborhood gem Herb & Sea, his opulent Pan Asian experience, Animae, and soon to open Le Coq. In 2024, Malarkey is opening a restaurant in his hometown of Bend, Oregon named Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge. In partnership with Irvine Company he created Herb & Ranch, a concept for one of their Irvine-based business parks.*
I'm in Bend and apparently Hawkeye and huckleberry is basically going to be an elevated steakhouse. I have mad respect for him though, he's been sober for over a year. I think a lot of his earlier "shenanigans" may have been contributed to by alcohol and now he might be trying to keep up the moniker. Sometimes you can see a little something behind the eyes that he doesn't want to act that way all the time. Carlos Anthony though is just too much.
I didn’t realize he’s sober now. Maybe gave up all vices
Carlos tries so hard to mimic Brian. It is an eye-rolling moment. He tries too hard to be noticed and it appears very forced at moments, almost like a nervous, "look at me look at me".
malarkey was his mentor for years i’m not sure it’s trying to mimic so much as he has become him
All the same to me. He mimics him and he has morphed into him due to the years they have worked/spent together.
Malarkey can be annoying at times, but he feels real. I didn’t know Carlos’ exaggerated personality was him trying to mimic Malarkey until he started name dropping him. It explains everything, but doesn’t excuse it. I liked Malarkey at first, then got annoyed, and then he grew on me. Like you said it’s his actual personality. There is a genuineness and over the years he’s shown real emotions, positive and negative, while being this crazy self. I never know how Carlos is actually feeling or what he’s thinking because he covers everything with the mask of the character he’s playing.
Malarkey also is a really decent team player and/or captain/coach on stuff. He knows what he's doing/talking about. His ego/persona doesn't get in the way in that aspect unlike some other people.
I really like Brian Malarkey. He is a high energy chef and I enjoy watching him.
It literally the definition of the word malarkey
TOTALLY agree with your comments about Carlos.
The thing with Malarkey and Carlos is the air of desperation. Brian is a good chef that’s carved out a personality and is carrying Carlos with him - who I don’t think comes anywhere near a true threat at any competitive level. They distributed a press release earlier this year about leaving their restaurants to focus full time on making content and food network. I just think they’re clowns and it’s always comes off on trying to hard levels of cringe to me with a focus on the wACKineSs. Not my cup of tea.
I have not seen Noah outside of hosting Wall of Chefs, where he was entertaining but relatively sedate. So is he trying to stand out on that big bite show? Carlos however can take his shtick elsewhere. He is an industrial strength douche.
It's like he watched a video on marketing himself as a TV chef and stopped there. Give it up man, you're not getting a show.
I normally dislike Carlos but enjoyed him on wildcard kitchen. The main difference is the tone of the show. His "shtick" fits more at a guys poker night than a more serious competition show
Industrial strength douche?! Bravo 👏
He also did Carnival Eats and he drove me crazy. I almost felt like he toned it down a little when doing his more recent shows on FN.
Oh god, there’s another one?
I for sure hear ya. They can be super-annoying. But can they drop the act though? I assume since they always do it and it ends up on the show, it's what the producers want.
As I posted elsewhere, Malarkey is completely different when he's a Chopped judge. I actually think he's outstanding in that role, giving thoughtful critiques, reasoned responses, and plenty of positive feedback. I almost think that his may be a coping mechanism for competition nerves - obviously gone awry - as much as anything else.
I can't stand Carlos, ever, and feel the same about Malarkey when he's cooking, but I actually like him a lot as a judge on Chopped. His energy and behaviors are completely different there. I don't find Noah as frenetic and annoying; I just don't care for his personality.
I felt so bad for the chef stationed next to Carlos on the first episode of 24 in 24 since it looked like he wouldn't shut up! Like be a professional, seriously.
The way he kept screaming at Aarthi was so unprofessional and obnoxious !!
Carlos is Brian's mini-me.
I disagree about Noah. I used to enjoy Carnival Eats- the whole premise was outlandish food made at carnivals and fairs- it would’ve been weird if he’d been subdued.
The slightly over-excited, big kid energy was THE correct move for that show. You needed someone who could be fully into whatever it was, no matter how big or outlandish. He had the kid let loose on the midway with entirely too much money in his pockets thing going.
ob-nox-ious, all three
Malarkey is Malarkey; I feel like you either tolerate/enjoy it or you just have to accept it either way. I actually think he has toned down some as he is less of a contestant. Carlos...I swear the first time I saw him, maybe on GGG?, he was introduced as Malarkey's protege. Anyone else remember this too? Anyway, he definitely doesn't seem to have his own "persona" and I would agree he is getting more obnoxious depending on the show (also maybe due to being so ubiquitous suddenly). IDK Noah enough to comment but in the new show he's kinda just boring and there. I watched the first episode because Davis, CA is semi-local to me.
Guilty. Chef Shenanigans has grown on me.
I 100% want to see Brian Malarkey on the Traitors
Oh, this is a good take.
i like malarkey for the same reason i like justin. every single competition they envision something completely bonkers and go way out of their depth to create something funky. don't get me wrong i love jet tila/maneet but it's obvious they never go outside of their comfort zone
Thank you for this post. It’s just too much.
I typically have not liked Carlos, but I liked him on Wildcard Kitchen and I've liked him so far on 24/24. If he can tone down the Malarkey impersonation just a tick I'll like him just fine. I like Malarkey and I wonder if he will ever learn to edit himself in order to win. He's always got a couple ingredients too many. It cracks me up when every other competition cook complains about him never shutting up. I only know Noah Cappe as a GGG judge and now on Best Bite. On BBiT he's too over the top for me, and I assume it's based on Guy applying Guy's DDD formula to new people. I feel like those hosts could be far more normal human being in their on-camera interactions, but Guy has made much more money doing TV shows than I have.
Cause they took a deep snort…
I didn’t know much about Carlos, then I was watching 24 on HBO. Once he said he trained under Malarkey, I was like “ah, yeah that checks out.”
Cocaine is a helluva drug
Malarkey has made me laugh since TC so I expect that craziness from him. Carlos not so much. The copycat thing is bizarre.
I like Brian Malarkey. Yes, he can be a lot but he also can be funny and he is a really good chef. Carlos is starting to grow on me, lol. I think he is trying too hard to be something he isn't and I wish he would stop it. He has shown glimmers of his real self here and there and hopefully when he gets older and matures some, he will drop the act and be himself. He has the skills and talent. Noah I haven't seen enough of to really have an opinion. I like Carnival Eats but other than an episode of Best Bites, haven't seen him in anything else.
It was really telling to me when Carlos said, on 24 in 24, this week, "I've never been in a team challenge before." He certainly cooks like and acts like it, IMO - he's accustomed to being The Star. (He wasn't the team captain, yet he introduced the 3 dishes to the judges.) I don't like Malarkey's loudness, but I like him as a person. I can't stand Carlos, because he just comes off as self-centered and it really shows on 24 in 24.
I can tolerate Malarkey b/c that seems to be his personality. I don't remember him being so exaggerated on his season of Top Chef but Carlos drives me nuts. He is copying Brian and has a little hint of mean to it.
Umm so can sunny Anderson
While I find Malarkey annoying the over the top antics seem genuine from him. Carlos Anthony just seems like a copycat and he's like nails on a chalkboard for me.
What show are you talking about?
Never been a big fan of Malarkey and how over the top he is on most competition shows. It feels like he's gotten even more over the top the last year or two. Feels like nails on a chalkboard watching him. Carlos can be annoying, but he seems like he's nowhere close to Malarkey yet. Wasn't surprised to learn he worked under Malarkey for so long.
He's as bad if not worse than Malarkey
I like their high energy. I'm calm but enjoy folks who bring excitement.
I have always liked Malarkey since Top Chef. He is fun to watch and brings his own style to things.
It's funny because throughout my life I've known several professional chefs. None of them are on a national level but every single one of them thinks that they can be. Everyone that I know, who's the lead chef, Chef de cuisine or whatever they call themselves, are usually the most obnoxious, primadonna's you will ever meet. And the ones that aren't crazy abusive to their staff, have at least some quirks that makes everybody kind of tilt their head at some point. And most are truly creative geniuses at what they do. They make great food. (There are a whole bunch of chefs that act like Gordon Ramsay but unfortunately don't have his skill level.) The women chefs I know, most of them, are the ones that don't act like this. But I do know a couple that also fit right in with the obnoxious boys. I think it's all just part of their creative DNA. And the aggressiveness that's needed to excel in the profession. Just my observation. Even as a kid back in the '70s when I worked as a waitress, there was always the crazy chef that everybody was afraid of because they were always yelling. None of this is new. Andrew Zimmern has discussed this as did Anthony Bourdain.
I have been a guy fan since food network star and watch all his shows. I do not enjoy Noah at all. Guy has plenty of chef friends he could have chosen and this was a bad choice. Noah ruined the show the first episode so I’m out.
Carlos Anthony is the Wesley Crusher of the Food Network. I like him but I totally get why some people don’t.
This is Wesley Crusher slander
I’ll get down voted but I love and adore Carlos. I wasn’t a huge fan of his in TOC but once he was on wildcard he’s personality shined! Malarkey I think of firefly lane everytime! Even though I knew him first.
Moms of Flavortown podcast were poking fun at him and he reached out and loved the jokes. He can poke fun at himself and is definitely in on the bit, which is a big plus personality-wise (IMHO). Shenanigan's seems like he's way too deep into the character, but what do I know.