Top Chef University Ultimate Destination For 86'ing Money

Following in the footsteps of everyone's favorite fake alma mater Trump University, reality TV cooking program Top Chef is breaking the bottle on their own online school: Top Chef University.

Courses range from "Kitchen Basics and Technique" to "Entertaining, Molecular and Advanced Culinary Skills." Site creator Jeff Goldenberg of Post Oak Productions said, "Top Chef is one of television's most popular franchises and we are delighted to be extending this property to the web with what we believe to be the ultimate destination for culinary education."

Interested applicants can sign up for one course a month for $25 a month or gain access to the entire 12 course (60 hours) curriculum for a lump sum of $200. Because the best way to learn to cook is by paying money over the internet... and not to dissuade anyone from taking their business cues from Trump, but perhaps Top Chef should be a little more careful with how they advertise their made-up, brand-enhancing attempt at squeezing a couple more dollars out of their loyal audience, lest they get sued just like Donald.

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By Ben Yakas in News on May 17, 2010 6:18 PM

Comments [rss]

Chef Karim

This is not authentic. It is brand expansion at its worst. Think about it. Once the show falls off the air, who at Bravo will continue to support this puffy site? They won't care!

Look at sites like Rouxbe.com where the passion is real and the content is deep. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't buy a membership anywhere as I utilize free resources online which are interactive and creative. We all know youtube and of course there are thousands of personal sites that are filled with tricks!

Don't feed the money hungry. Feed the needy!

BlogWellDone

This criticism seems a little unfair because you could just as easily say "Right, because the best way to learn how to cook is to do it reading a book." and disparage the entire cookbook industry.

Given the multi-media approach to education and the fact a laptop fits in a kitchen nicely, I don't get why everyone is so upset about the format. Plus, this site appears to have been created by Bravo, so I don't think it's fake like Trump University.

Now, if it's the price tag people are upset with, I guess I can see that, but really this is no different than a fancy cookbook. Unless I am missing something.

Rocknrope

Right, because the best way to learn how to cook is to do it at a computer.

longacre

Not fair to compare to Trump.

Top Chef: $200 for videos that probably demonstrate, to some extent, how to cook, something that can be taught.

Trump: $40,000 for lectures that give you vague sales strategies, something that can't definitively be taught.