Le Top Chef

It's certainly no secret that I love Top Chef. And now that there are two seasons airing simultaneously — one American, one French – well, let's just say I spend more time watching the reality cooking show than I'd care to admit. How does the French version differ from the American series? Well, I'm glad you asked!

The judges mean beez-ness – In Top Chef Français, the judges are successful, famous and highly respected chefs who have paid their dues in the kitchen. A beautiful cookbook author like Padma Lakshmi would not be allowed on the show as a judge.

The contestants are teenagers – Well, not quite teens. But because the French system means starting in the kitchen at age 16, they're remarkably younger than their American counterparts — 23, 24, 25 with at least seven or eight years of experience under their belts.

Everyone knows how to filet fish – Breaking down a whole salmon is not a special challenge on Top Chef Français. Nor is killing and skinning an eel, or shucking a scallop. These are considered basic skills. Fishing a squirming eel out of a tank and using it in a dish that integrates beef chuck roast? Now that's a challenge.

Contestants are not judged solely on reality TV stunts – If they've failed a challenge of, say, preparing a two-course meal for 60 wedding guests on a boat on the Seine in three hours, contestants are sent to the "dernière épreuve." In this last-ditch-challenge, each prepares a dish (usually an entrée or plat) that demonstrates their skill; the judges sample them in a blind tasting. The chef who prepares the worst dish is sent home.

Length — Unbelievably, Top Chef Français is a whopping three hours. Which is a little much, even for me.

Do you watch Top Chef Français or American, mes amis? Please tell me I'm not the only one!