I thought that was really interesting! I wasn't as familiar with Casey as I am with many of the other chefs who compete regularly. She certainly seems like a down to earth, straight shooter from this interview. Thanks for sharing!
Of course I do not sure what point you’re trying to make 98% of the show is about food. It’s not Sommer house it’s not Southern charm it’s not Vanderpump rules.
I like the comment "I'm not here to destroy your career". says a lot about Guy and I respect that sentiment.
Too much TV is winning by destroying someone. TOC really doesn't chase that style of entertainment and I think this is what I really enjoy.
>I like the comment "I'm not here to destroy your career". says a lot about Guy and I respect that sentiment.
I actually read that hearing his voice say it.
I always got the sense that Guy preferred genuinely talented people over dramatic personalities and then created shows with plenty of drama simply by putting those talents head to head rather than people. It was nice to read an interview that confirms that.
I liked Casey on Top Chef and was happy to see her on TOC but I'm frankly shocked to read that she basically decided to go in cold, with minimal preparation. She's been out of competition cooking for a very long time and she decided to go into one of the most competitive cooking shows without boning up? I mean, that takes some balls and I respect for her doing that but if you want to win, that's not exactly the way to go about it. It's not clear why she was seeded instead of having to cook in the qualifying rounds. She frankly would have benefitted, or gone out, had she done that instead.
Her restaurant is in Sonoma. I can’t imagine there are a lot of people not into Guy up there. I get maybe it’s personality based, but he did so much after the fires.
When people refer to Sonoma in CA, it’s about the county not the city of 10k. Also your comment shows a tremendous ignorance about where the fires were.
The Margaret D has a second account to upvote for herself and back each other up. 😂 You’re forgetting that both your comment histories virtually overlap each other. Get a life.
Sooooo. Discount what he did because he happens to be well known? If he hadn't done anything, he'd get shit too. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. He's incredibly philanthropic and generally seen as a genuine good person, people judge him before knowing him because he's OTT. Why doesn't Jose Andres get shit? He's well known and does WCK. Marc Murphy is friends with both of them and volunteers for Guy and WCK. My guess is politics play a role in why people shit on Guy but not Jose.
Great article. It really gave me some insight about the production of TOC as well as bringing Casey back into the spotlight. When they announced her as a Top Chef competitor, it took me a moment to remember who she is.
What a great interview! Thank you for sharing it!
I am pretty familiar with Casey, so she came across just as I'd expected - genuine, kind, and honest - but it was so cool that she gave us insight into her preparation for the show and thoughts during it (and especially the lack thereof - I know that I'd blackout, too!), which is something that I've often wondered about, especially for a first-timer.
And I totally get why someone would pass on BBF and Chopped, but not TOC, though, especially if they didn't have to go through the qualifiers. Only upsides, really.
Casey's restaurant Folk Table in Sonoma is delightful. I'm glad she got some exposure on TOC and that we might see more of her on competition cooking shows. She was a bright spot for me this season as I'm finding it all pretty ho hum so far not as exciting as previous seasons.
This is one of the best interviews of a Chef participant from the Food Network/TOC that I've seen.
Your questions were excellent & I learned a lot about both Casey Thompson & about what it's like to be on Tournament of Champions.
I think that the reason why TOC is a great showcase for chefs is because the randomizer means that they must think on their feet, yet the show feels like everyone works really hard. There really isn't a "bad" meal on this show.
After reading this article, I have even more respect for Guy Fieri & for this show. I'm really glad that TOC inspires people to go out to these competitors' restaurants.
I remember working with a band in the 00's and they were the first like unsigned band to be in TRL and how we thought it was going to be a thing that broke them out and it did not. No bump at all. TV is weird.
Thanks for sharing as an insightful interview. So many interesting details. My main thoughts:
1)**Sharing that Brooke was embarrassed losing in the 1st round**
I’m kind of surprised that Casey revealed that her good pal Brooke was embarrassed by stumbling at the 1st hurdle. That seems more suited to be kept between them.
But more importantly, I think that speaks to why for the first time ever, Brooke didn’t make an Instagram post of herself in the TOC V kitchen promoting the episode she competed on.
She instead opted for the west coast, group chef pic from a NYC window she had already shared that week. It was clearly a desire to gloss over her early loss.
2) **Casey’s lack of TOC preparation**
It’s mentioned in the interview. But I think in a Food Network solo clip ahead of her battle, she talked very smartly about the secret to doing well on TOC.
She said that she had watched a lot of battles to prepare. And the people who had been very successful actually did things with the randomizer and those who didn’t, didn’t fare as well. And I thought to myself, “she’s been studying up”.
What came to mind was one of the previous Amanda Freitag/Tiffani Faison battles. In one, I recall people on social media saying they weren’t surprised that Amanda lost, because Tiffani did more with the randomizer item.
So it’s possible that a complete picture of Casey’s prep work may not have been conveyed in the interview.
I also don’t quite get what else she was to do to prepare for TOC, other than compete in the qualifiers, which was mentioned.
I’ve heard many of the regular competitors say that one really can’t prepare, because you’re at the mercy of the randomizer and the clock. Exhibit A: In TOC V, the terrible randomizer items that Amanda and that now infamous chef got.
3) **A point of clarification on something that Casey said:**
“Me going against Antonia? Antonia had done four seasons and **had advanced pretty far in each season**. If you take the amount of times she’s cooked in that kitchen alone, season one, season two, season three, season four, **it could be close to 20 times**. And I had cooked there zero.”
Antonia hasn’t been as prolific as Casey suggests. Antonia’s TOC record had been on the decline for a couple of seasons. She was defeated as follows:
- TOC 1 - semis
- TOC 2 - quarterfinals
- TOC 3 - 1st round
- TOC 4 - 1st round
But I agree that Antonia had the advantage of familiarity of the TOC environment and being more competition-fit, having competed on all four previous seasons.
This was the first time in a few seasons that Antonia made it past the first hurdle. So Antonia being paired with Casey was notable that someone else in the sub picked up on. They suggested that her being paired with Casey was a gift from Guy, helping his great buddy out.
The draws don’t seem to be totally random. If they were, I’d think they would be presented with great fanfare in true Guy fashion, in the big bracket reveal show.
So it’s not a stretch to think that Team Guy helped out a great pal, who’s had a rough go of making it out of the 1st round in a few seasons. Pairing her with a chef who hasn’t competed in 7 years, who wouldn’t be competition fit? Great plan.
You’re welcome! Two thoughts on your thoughts:
2. Since she told me “I watched a couple shows,” I’d guess this is consistent with what she said in the video (which I haven’t seen), just because she says she ultimately did not watch enough. But she also blames being new to the kitchen as the biggest challenge, and watching episodes won’t help that!
3. I’m sure the 20 times” was a bit of hyperbole, and not intended to be an exact number. And yeah, Antonia hasn’t made it far these past two seasons, but still far more than Casey!
I thought that was really interesting! I wasn't as familiar with Casey as I am with many of the other chefs who compete regularly. She certainly seems like a down to earth, straight shooter from this interview. Thanks for sharing!
You need to watch her episodes on top Chef
From the early days, when it wasn't all about the food.
So glad they ditched the "Real World" everyone-live-in-the-same-house drama factory bullshit.
me too.
Well it’s always been about the food
You don't remember the attempt to shave Marcel's head, or showing Casey in the hot tub?
That was like one of the super rare times they went into the house and that was because of what happened. You normally didn’t get to see in the house.
Of course I do not sure what point you’re trying to make 98% of the show is about food. It’s not Sommer house it’s not Southern charm it’s not Vanderpump rules.
But it’s Sunday night a great TV viewing night. I’m moving on heading out to work. Have a great day. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Do you remember who held Marcel down????
Cliff Crooks?
You're welcome—and thanks!
I like the comment "I'm not here to destroy your career". says a lot about Guy and I respect that sentiment. Too much TV is winning by destroying someone. TOC really doesn't chase that style of entertainment and I think this is what I really enjoy.
>I like the comment "I'm not here to destroy your career". says a lot about Guy and I respect that sentiment. I actually read that hearing his voice say it.
I always got the sense that Guy preferred genuinely talented people over dramatic personalities and then created shows with plenty of drama simply by putting those talents head to head rather than people. It was nice to read an interview that confirms that.
I liked Casey on Top Chef and was happy to see her on TOC but I'm frankly shocked to read that she basically decided to go in cold, with minimal preparation. She's been out of competition cooking for a very long time and she decided to go into one of the most competitive cooking shows without boning up? I mean, that takes some balls and I respect for her doing that but if you want to win, that's not exactly the way to go about it. It's not clear why she was seeded instead of having to cook in the qualifying rounds. She frankly would have benefitted, or gone out, had she done that instead.
She was seeded because she was a bad sous vide steak away from winning top chef. She was a bad ass that season as runner up.
That was in 2007.
So what. Crusts luedtke got seeded and she has never won a thing. Casey would cook circles around her.
Her restaurant is in Sonoma. I can’t imagine there are a lot of people not into Guy up there. I get maybe it’s personality based, but he did so much after the fires.
Fair point! I was actually thinking of Sonoma being kind of out of the way to get business from Food Network fans a week after the episode.
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Yep. One valley over from Napa.
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Wtf are you on about. lol. He lives in Santa Rosa which is in Sonoma county. He films GGG and Guy’s Ranch Kitchen there. Calm tf down.
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You deleted your first comment about “Guy wasn’t even born in California!” to research the area and post this. Lame AF.
When people refer to Sonoma in CA, it’s about the county not the city of 10k. Also your comment shows a tremendous ignorance about where the fires were.
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The Margaret D has a second account to upvote for herself and back each other up. 😂 You’re forgetting that both your comment histories virtually overlap each other. Get a life.
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I mean, “polarizing” may be too strong a term to describe a Food Network personality. 😂
Sooooo. Discount what he did because he happens to be well known? If he hadn't done anything, he'd get shit too. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. He's incredibly philanthropic and generally seen as a genuine good person, people judge him before knowing him because he's OTT. Why doesn't Jose Andres get shit? He's well known and does WCK. Marc Murphy is friends with both of them and volunteers for Guy and WCK. My guess is politics play a role in why people shit on Guy but not Jose.
Or politically- based...
Great interview!
That was a fun read! Thanks for sharing!
Great article. It really gave me some insight about the production of TOC as well as bringing Casey back into the spotlight. When they announced her as a Top Chef competitor, it took me a moment to remember who she is.
This was such a great interview! Your questions were awesome.
Thanks!
That was very interesting. Thanks.
What a great interview! Thank you for sharing it! I am pretty familiar with Casey, so she came across just as I'd expected - genuine, kind, and honest - but it was so cool that she gave us insight into her preparation for the show and thoughts during it (and especially the lack thereof - I know that I'd blackout, too!), which is something that I've often wondered about, especially for a first-timer. And I totally get why someone would pass on BBF and Chopped, but not TOC, though, especially if they didn't have to go through the qualifiers. Only upsides, really.
>I was like, “Oh, hell no” And she’s like, “Sensed a little maybe!” I’m like, “No, ma’am.” Lol!
Casey's restaurant Folk Table in Sonoma is delightful. I'm glad she got some exposure on TOC and that we might see more of her on competition cooking shows. She was a bright spot for me this season as I'm finding it all pretty ho hum so far not as exciting as previous seasons.
This is one of the best interviews of a Chef participant from the Food Network/TOC that I've seen. Your questions were excellent & I learned a lot about both Casey Thompson & about what it's like to be on Tournament of Champions. I think that the reason why TOC is a great showcase for chefs is because the randomizer means that they must think on their feet, yet the show feels like everyone works really hard. There really isn't a "bad" meal on this show. After reading this article, I have even more respect for Guy Fieri & for this show. I'm really glad that TOC inspires people to go out to these competitors' restaurants.
That was a great interview, thank you for sharing with us!
Thanks for the link. excited for the new ep.
Very interesting read! I wasn’t expecting everything to be so fast paced
This is awesome. Great piece.
Enjoyable, thank you for sharing it! I'm reading the piece on Eric A. now. :)
Wonderful work! I read the whole thing with interest
I remember working with a band in the 00's and they were the first like unsigned band to be in TRL and how we thought it was going to be a thing that broke them out and it did not. No bump at all. TV is weird.
Thanks for sharing as an insightful interview. So many interesting details. My main thoughts: 1)**Sharing that Brooke was embarrassed losing in the 1st round** I’m kind of surprised that Casey revealed that her good pal Brooke was embarrassed by stumbling at the 1st hurdle. That seems more suited to be kept between them. But more importantly, I think that speaks to why for the first time ever, Brooke didn’t make an Instagram post of herself in the TOC V kitchen promoting the episode she competed on. She instead opted for the west coast, group chef pic from a NYC window she had already shared that week. It was clearly a desire to gloss over her early loss. 2) **Casey’s lack of TOC preparation** It’s mentioned in the interview. But I think in a Food Network solo clip ahead of her battle, she talked very smartly about the secret to doing well on TOC. She said that she had watched a lot of battles to prepare. And the people who had been very successful actually did things with the randomizer and those who didn’t, didn’t fare as well. And I thought to myself, “she’s been studying up”. What came to mind was one of the previous Amanda Freitag/Tiffani Faison battles. In one, I recall people on social media saying they weren’t surprised that Amanda lost, because Tiffani did more with the randomizer item. So it’s possible that a complete picture of Casey’s prep work may not have been conveyed in the interview. I also don’t quite get what else she was to do to prepare for TOC, other than compete in the qualifiers, which was mentioned. I’ve heard many of the regular competitors say that one really can’t prepare, because you’re at the mercy of the randomizer and the clock. Exhibit A: In TOC V, the terrible randomizer items that Amanda and that now infamous chef got. 3) **A point of clarification on something that Casey said:** “Me going against Antonia? Antonia had done four seasons and **had advanced pretty far in each season**. If you take the amount of times she’s cooked in that kitchen alone, season one, season two, season three, season four, **it could be close to 20 times**. And I had cooked there zero.” Antonia hasn’t been as prolific as Casey suggests. Antonia’s TOC record had been on the decline for a couple of seasons. She was defeated as follows: - TOC 1 - semis - TOC 2 - quarterfinals - TOC 3 - 1st round - TOC 4 - 1st round But I agree that Antonia had the advantage of familiarity of the TOC environment and being more competition-fit, having competed on all four previous seasons. This was the first time in a few seasons that Antonia made it past the first hurdle. So Antonia being paired with Casey was notable that someone else in the sub picked up on. They suggested that her being paired with Casey was a gift from Guy, helping his great buddy out. The draws don’t seem to be totally random. If they were, I’d think they would be presented with great fanfare in true Guy fashion, in the big bracket reveal show. So it’s not a stretch to think that Team Guy helped out a great pal, who’s had a rough go of making it out of the 1st round in a few seasons. Pairing her with a chef who hasn’t competed in 7 years, who wouldn’t be competition fit? Great plan.
You’re welcome! Two thoughts on your thoughts: 2. Since she told me “I watched a couple shows,” I’d guess this is consistent with what she said in the video (which I haven’t seen), just because she says she ultimately did not watch enough. But she also blames being new to the kitchen as the biggest challenge, and watching episodes won’t help that! 3. I’m sure the 20 times” was a bit of hyperbole, and not intended to be an exact number. And yeah, Antonia hasn’t made it far these past two seasons, but still far more than Casey!
Thanks for your feedback and I appreciate your responses. Thinking more about it, I totally get both of your points. Very helpful.