Kristen Kish, the beloved host of Top Chef, has made it clear that not everything in the culinary world is suited for duplication at home, particularly in the era of “dupe culture” that’s dominating social media. She voiced her opinions on this ever-growing trend, explaining that some food items should remain a special experience found only in restaurants.
According to Kish, the internet’s obsession with replicating restaurant favorites at home, from decadent pastries to indulgent comfort foods, can be frustrating, especially when it comes to dishes she believes simply can’t be replicated. “This dupe culture … it’s all over social media,” she said in an interview with PEOPLE. “Everything is being duped, and not everything should be, if you ask me.” Kish went on to specifically call out the trend of recreating chicken fingers and curly fries. She said, “For me, chicken fingers come from restaurants. Curly fries come from restaurants.” The act of recreating something like a baked doughnut at home, which has become a popular trend online, particularly irritates her. “Nothing pisses me off more. It drives me insane. I have my food hangups,” she admitted with a laugh.
While her feelings about this growing trend might seem intense, Kish’s passion for food is rooted in her desire to maintain the authenticity of culinary experiences. As a professional chef, Kish understands the nuances and intricacies of preparing dishes in ways that the home kitchen may not be able to replicate, and it’s not just about taste, but about the atmosphere, the skill required, and the environment in which these dishes are served.
Kish is also working on a partnership with Starbucks, promoting their Sweet Cream Enhancers, a new grocery product that lets coffee enthusiasts recreate the signature sweet cream taste from Starbucks cafés in the comfort of their own homes. While Kish is a fan of the product, she did make sure to point out that some things are simply not meant to be duplicated. “If that is something that you’ve had at Starbucks in the cafes over and over again, it is going to be a hard thing to replicate,” she explained. “It is a very specific original flavor.” While she acknowledges that some fans might love the idea of recreating their favorite Starbucks beverage at home, she’s quick to remind us that some flavors are meant to be enjoyed in their original setting, where a team of professionals has perfected the recipe.
Kish, known for her discerning tastes and culinary expertise, also revealed a bit about her own coffee preferences. While she generally enjoys a simple black coffee, there are moments when she craves something sweeter. “There are moments where, depending on my mood or how long I’ve been home, different flavor fatigues, every now and again, especially as I go into an afternoon coffee, that’s when I’m like, I want something a little bit different, something to shake up the routine,” she shared. It’s a personal moment of indulgence that mirrors the way many people approach their coffee rituals—a small treat to break up the monotony.
In addition to her work with Starbucks, Kristen Kish has also been busy filming the latest season of Top Chef in North and South Carolina. The season, which premiered last month, has already caught the attention of viewers for its unique challenges, particularly due to the challenging heat and humidity of the Southern states. Kish recalled that the first two challenges, set in Charlotte, posed serious difficulties because of the intense heat. “The heat was a challenge,” she said, describing the experience of filming outdoors for long hours on a racetrack. The cast and crew spent around 14 hours working on black asphalt with stainless steel tables under the blazing sun—a combination that made filming grueling. “The humidity of the South is certainly something that is difficult,” she added, highlighting how the weather added to the already challenging environment.
Despite these tough conditions, Kish emphasized that good food has a way of making even the hardest situations more manageable. “Good food helps you get through a lot of tough situations,” she said, suggesting that food, especially when it’s prepared with care and passion, has a way of lifting spirits and fostering camaraderie among those involved.
While Top Chef season 23 has taken a lot of viewers by storm, Kish has also been making waves on another popular show. She competed on season 4 of The Traitors, a reality competition series on Peacock. Reflecting on the two very different shows, Kish commented on how her experiences in the two formats couldn’t have been more different. “I think I tried to draw the line of similarity when I was in the [Traitors] castle because I was like, ‘If I can draw on past experience, what can I do to make me feel a little bit less uncomfortable in an unfamiliar game?’” she explained. “And I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s not a lot.” The two shows, in her eyes, are worlds apart. On The Traitors, contestants are tasked with strategy and deception in a medieval setting, while Top Chef revolves around professional chefs navigating cooking challenges and judging—elements of skill and craftsmanship that demand focus and precision. “We’re talking about murdering and banishing people in a castle in the Highlands, and then comparing that to Top Chef, which is my real profession with real chefs and real food and real judging and all that stuff. No, two very, very different experiences,” she said with a smile. Though both were fun in their own right, she insists they are as different as night and day.
Kristen Kish’s candid reflections on both her professional life and personal food preferences shed light on the experiences of a seasoned chef who knows exactly what it takes to succeed in both the kitchen and in the world of entertainment. With her sharp insight into the culinary industry and her ability to recognize the limits of what should and shouldn’t be replicated at home, Kish continues to captivate audiences while promoting products and experiences that she truly believes in.
