Rating: - 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, I finally found this site on Bravo TV which walks you through them: http://www.topchefthegame.com/how-to-use-powerups/
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 panty?
For those that want a little help - here's where you can find a list of classic combos: http://www.topchefthegame.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/classic-combos.pdf
Rating: - 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!
Rating: - Top Chef really cooks!
I really liked this game.
It captures the spirit of the show really well. The Quickfire and Elimination Challenges are really fun. The game play is easy to pick up, but challenging enough to make me want to keep playing.
I thought it was clever that if you have some cooking knowledge it can benefit you in the game. But novices don't need to worry. you can pick up a lot of cooking tips as you go.
Buy this game for not just your Top Chef fan friends, but your casual game fan friends too!
- Addictive game for Top Chef fans!
- Top Notch Top Chef
