'Top Chef': Eric eliminated after he names concept restaurant Middle Passage, fans ask 'was Holocaust taken?'
Bravo's 'Top Chef' is getting unpredictable by the minute. Eric Adjepong was eliminated in today's episode. Even though fans are upset to see him go, some have expressed issues with the concept of his future restaurant, especially the name -- Middle Passage -- which means the forced journey of African slaves by sea to the New World.
Eric is a talented chef and has proven his skills in the kitchen enough and more. But today wasn't his day. However, he was excited about the 'Restaurant Wars Pitch' challenge and went all out to create his mood board that helped set up the tone for his presentation.
In Season 16, Eric created a dish inspired by his vision of the transatlantic slave trade. Although the judges' panel loved the story, they thought the tartare had one too many ingredients, following which he was asked to pack his knives.
In the current Season 17, he is more confident. "I need to make sure that I focus on the execution and finish on top, this time," he said in his green-room interview. Unfortunately, his enthusiasm and the dream of getting Middle Passage up and running was cut short by the judges' - Padma Laksmi, Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons - fierce decision.
Meanwhile, fans were divided about Eric's exit. While some have expressed they wouldn't want to eat at a restaurant that goes by such a name, others are upset he had been shown the doors.
"Really? "Middle Passage"? Was "Holocaust" already taken as a restaurant name?," a fan asked, while another shared: "I don't know how I would feel about eating at a restaurant called The Middle Passage. #TopChef."
"Ok Eric, who’s gonna want to eat a restaurant named middle passage tho? Gonna be thinks about slavery the whole time #TopChef," a viewer posted. "Ard why is his restaurant concept called “middle passage”? I mean the food looks good & its a blend of styles but idk #topchef," a fan wrote.
"This Black guy on Top Chef is pitching the idea of a restaurant called “Middle Passage” that features African Diaspora food. He could have called it Diaspora!!! That’s better," another suggested.
Catch all the new episodes of 'Top Chef' on Bravo every Thursday.