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Tesar is but one of a quintet of chefs who arrive at the lobby of Craft. His introduction is so full-throated, however, that he is already demonstrably a level above his competitors. Colicchio cannot help but size up his peer when the man enters the kitchen. Top Chef is ostensibly a cooking competition centered upon rising culinary talents who want to make their bones by claiming the title. Tesar’s situation is unique. Here is a man whose reputation precedes him in the kitchen for myriad reasons. After only two minutes, he has already become the Stefan/Antonio of the season, the mercurial 800-pound gorilla against whom the others must compete.

The other competitors who seem diminished by Tesar’s spotlight now receive an introduction. There is Lizzie Binder, a South African woman who eye-bangs Colicchio’s brains out then confesses her fantasy sins during her camera interview. Jorel Pierce is based in Denver and while I’m confident there is a lot to his personality, I cannot get past the handlebar mustache. He looks like he has modeled his appearance after a Rollie Fingers baseball card.

Micah Fields is the executive chef at The Standard Hotel in Los Angeles. The marketing people really dropped the ball on that hotel name. Anyway, Micah expresses a tremendous amount of confidence then is reduced to flop-sweat moments later. Joining him in this regard is Anthony Gray of Atlanta. The heavyset gentleman appears hesitant and mousy from the instant he enters Craft. And he perspires like Meatloaf running a marathon. The reason that Micah and Anthony look so overwhelmed is simple.

Tom announces that he has judged over 150 challenges and more dishes than he could possibly count. He notes that this is the tenth season of Top Chef and that he wants to watch how the contestants perform in a kitchen. As was the case with Top Chef: Texas, the would-be performers of Top Chef: Seattle must sing for their supper. The five players are hustled back to the kitchen and just like that, they are placed in a stress test wherein each one is evaluated regarding their cooking ability. Tonight’s Craft dinners will be supplied by the five fledgling Top Chefs.

Lizzie is the first one challenged. Tom informs the South African that he has a job for her. Lizzie’s mind presumably races to dozens of lurid interpretations before she is gob-smacked by the reality of the request. She is to shape the tortellini for the dinner rush. This appears to be a precise, demanding task yet she quickly accomplishes the request. Tom deduces that this is not her first time making tortellini. To this point, there has been neither mention of how many qualifying rounds there will be nor how many chefs will advance from this group. Lizzie appears to be in great shape, though.

Anthony, on the other hand, needs a shower. The Georgian has psyched himself out regarding the scale of earning a spot on Top Chef. He seems totally intimidated by Colicchio as well. Tom asks him to break down whole ducks, a task that Anthony should have no problem completing. He mentions his expertise and experience with hunting game. Then, he messes up and nicks a breast. Anthony may be a marvelous chef but he is struggling mightily thus far. “I basically fked up," he summarizes.

The odd situation of John Tesar is evaluated once again. Colicchio is perplexed by this odd turn of events that sees him judging a peer rather than the usual rising contestant. Pointedly, he asks Tesar “Why are you doing this?” Tesar has practiced his response. Too quickly, he replies, “I’m in Dallas. I’m starting my own company. I have a 20-month old son, I want the acceptance of my peers and I want to show the world that even a 54-year-old guy, there’s no reason to stop…”

Yes, John Tesar is the oldest contestant in the history of the show. He confides that he “came up with the Mario Batalis and the Bobby Flays and I owned a hot restaurant in the Hamptons." Some quick research reveals that Tesar was a millionaire at age 30 yet reduced to sleeping on the floors of friends by the time he was 36. Clearly, this dude is prone to implode.

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