⁠"Trying to break you" Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out host Brian Malarkey discusses Top Chef 

Brian Malarkey said about Top Chef's grueling format during his 2020 return to the competitive cooking series:

"They're really trying to break you."

The current Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out host opened up about his reality television experiences in an exclusive March 2023 interview with Mashed, revealing the psychological challenges contestants face on food competition shows.

Malarkey's journey into culinary television began unexpectedly after a failed Food Network Star audition led to a memorable charity dinner performance featuring flaming Baked Alaska and fire breathers. That dramatic evening caught the attention of Top Chef producers, who contacted him the same week, asking if he was "the guy who lit the ballroom on fire."

His initial Top Chef appearance in season 3 nearly ended in disaster when he attempted an ambitious rattlesnake and eel "surf and turf" combination during his first challenge. The chef survived elimination and won the next two episodes, establishing himself as a formidable competitor.

Beyond discussing the intense isolation and mental pressure of Top Chef, Malarkey also shared how the pandemic shifted his career focus toward helping home cooks through virtual classes and his oil brand, Chefs Life. His television career has since expanded to hosting duties and appearances across multiple food competition programs.

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Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out host Brian Malarkey’s journey to Top Chef and beyond

Malarkey's path to reality television started with rejection. His Food Network Star audition failed to impress producers, but his next performance would change everything. At a charity dinner, he served flaming Baked Alaska while incorporating fire breathers into the presentation. The dramatic spectacle made headlines and caught industry attention. He recalled:

"Somebody from Top Chef says, 'Are you the guy who lit the ballroom on fire?'"

Producers contacted him that same week without requiring a formal application. The unexpected call launched his reality television career and introduced him to the demanding world of food competition shows.

Malarkey's Top Chef debut nearly ended before it began. His first challenge featured an overly ambitious "surf and turf" creation using rattlesnake and eel. He remembered thinking as the complex dish struggled to come together under pressure:

"I'm going to get kicked off on the very first episode."

Fortunately, another Top Chef contestant performed worse, allowing Malarkey to survive elimination. He rebounded impressively, winning the next two consecutive episodes. His early experience taught him valuable lessons about managing ambition within time constraints and television pressure.

During his television journey, Malarkey acquired Diego, an 18-pound lobster originally intended for a photoshoot. The massive crustacean became an unexpected restaurant attraction.

Guests began contributing money to "save Diego" rather than ordering him as dinner. The community effort turned the lobster into a local celebrity. Eventually, Diego was relocated to the Maine Aquarium, where he could live out his days safely. The story became part of Malarkey's restaurant folklore.

Malarkey's 2020 Top Chef return revealed the show's intense psychological demands. Contestants face complete isolation from outside communication during filming. Explaining the production's approach, he said:

"They're really trying to break you."

No phones, books, or external contact are permitted during competition. The isolation creates additional stress beyond cooking challenges. Mental resilience becomes as important as culinary skills for survival. This psychological pressure distinguishes Top Chef from other food competition programs, making it particularly demanding for participants.

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Brain Malarkey’s other ventures

When COVID-19 forced restaurant closures, Malarkey laid off over 500 employees. He turned to virtual cooking classes to generate emergency funds. These online sessions provided unexpected insights into home cooking habits. He observed:

"Nine out of 10 people said they cook with extra virgin olive oil."

The widespread misuse of premium oils inspired his business venture, Chefs' Life. He developed three specialized blends for different cooking applications. His oil line targets "affordable luxury" under $8, making quality ingredients accessible to home kitchens.

Malarkey's television presence has expanded beyond competing to hosting and mentoring roles. He calls Guy's Grocery Games "the best one" due to its casual community atmosphere. His current role hosting Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out represents a career evolution from contestant to show leader. The experience of enduring competition pressure helps him guide new participants.

His journey demonstrates how reality television can launch diverse career opportunities beyond initial competition appearances.

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You can catch Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network, with full episodes available to stream the next day on Max.