First time playing the game and, I have to admit, what drew me in were the two anthro characters. I have to say that anthros are a big interest point for me, and if I see something has anthro playables, that increases my interest in something. I was disappointed that the two non-human characters required gems, plus are the most expensive chefs that require gems, but I had just enough money in my account to buy one of them, and my love for cute, cuddly anthro characters made it feel like it was worth it. I still have to beat him at a contest, though, which is disappointing.
...But I'm not getting anywhere against him. He's challengable in four cities, each with a different variation of these four traits: Fritter, Street, Greasy and Fruity. I tried Candy Apples, which I thought would fit the Street criteria as well as Fruity, but I guess not. I DO notice that Chairman Meow generally rates his dish lowly, so that might make things easier, but the other judges give him all 10s, so it feels like a requirement to have Chairman Meow as a judge. ...But it's not enough.
I do kind of want Tubbs because I know the main villain is anthro, and human VS anthro situations tend to make me feel uncomfortable. I know it's weird, but that's kind of why I want to get Tubbs.