2 min read- Judges Tom Colicchio, Kristen Kish, and Gail Simmons shared the worst dishes they’ve encountered on Top Chef.
- Highlights include undercooked cod, raw chicken, and a clam-and-lychee dish described as “disgusting.”
- While rare, these moments stand out more today due to the show’s higher overall cooking standards.
For a show that’s built on high-level cooking, Top Chef has seen its fair share of misses. And while most dishes fall somewhere in the “not great but edible” category, a few have crossed into territory the judges simply couldn’t power through.
On a recent episode of SNACKS!, judges Tom Colicchio, Kristen Kish, and Gail Simmons shared the worst things they’ve ever eaten on the show. The answers were specific, slightly painful, and, in some cases, involved actually spitting out the food.
Tom Colicchio said there are only a couple of dishes that truly stand out. One of them was a warm clam-and-lychee combination that he described as “disgusting.” It’s the kind of pairing that might work with the right execution, but according to him, this one didn’t get there. The temperature and texture were off, and the balance just wasn’t right.
The other was even harder to get through. During a Las Vegas challenge, Colicchio was served a warm, undercooked cod dish. He said he tried to step away and spit it out behind a cactus, but production caught it. That moment alone says a lot. These are judges who are used to trying everything. If something gets spit out, it’s not a minor issue.
Kristen Kish’s experiences hit on a different kind of problem. She brought up instances of raw or undercooked chicken showing up during challenges, which immediately takes a dish off the table. There’s no working around that. If it’s not fully cooked, it’s not something you can evaluate beyond the mistake.
She also recalled a moment as a guest judge when she took a bite of meat that was so full of sinew she couldn’t chew through it. She ended up having to spit it out into a napkin. And no, it wasn’t dramatic; it was truly the only option.
Gail Simmons added some context to all of this. She explained that the worst dishes tend to come from earlier seasons, when the show was still finding its footing and included a wider range of skill levels. Now, the standard is much higher. That means when something goes wrong, it stands out more.
The judges also emphasized that they aren’t seeing everything that happens in the kitchen. They’re only reacting to what’s put in front of them, and that makes these moments even more telling. If something is bad enough to break through that lens, it’s memorable for a reason.
Even on a show known for great food, there are still a few bites that no one wants to revisit.
You can listen to full episodes of SNACKS! on Spotify and Apple or watch them on YouTube. And make sure to follow SNACKS! on Instagram and TikTok for updates on new episodes every week.