Not Another "Reality of Reality Chef TV" Blog

Since starting this blog, I have developed a new appreciation for Chef Reality TV. I originally began this blog with the statement that “I am not a big fan of most reality Chef TV Shows” I was actually embarrassed by the performances and images portrayed by some contestants. The biggest culprit, as most of you probably might have guessed, was “Hell's Kitchen”, a show where mostly novice cooks and a few chefs can't execute a simple bistro style menu. This season has somewhat of a better talent pool than previous seasons, but it is still a black eye on the face of all culinary professionals.

Although I am not convinced that the Iron Chef America is everything it’s made out to be, the contestants are highly qualified and talented chefs. I have competed in many mystery basket competitions and know the strategy is to practice a basic game plan based on utilizing a variety of possible mystery ingredients. It's just not possible for a team to work independently producing a series of complicated and highly technical dishes without some hint of the secret ingredient. Also, please put on a pair of gloves when you're plating my food, especially after you have been bleeding for the last 30 minutes. Great Chefs, Great Show, but its just not entirely possible.

What I consider to be an amazing and well thought out competition is “Chopped”. Four Chefs create three courses with elimination at the conclusion of each course. This is pure genius. These are real chefs, some extremely talented, but all competent. I would like to give it a try myself, but the application states you have to be a resident of the NY tri state area; it doesn’t sound fair. I guess I will just have to be happy watching for now and wait for the Chopped South version, Hint! Hint! The food network has done a great job with this show as well as with “The Next Iron Chef”. The Next Iron Chef format is very much like “Top Chef”, but still worth watching.

Top Chef Las Vegas has got it all, the biggest names in the industry tapped for judging, amazingly talented contestants and nail biting drama, I love it. Where else can you see James Beard quality Chefs being judged by the likes of the "Chef of the Century," Joel Robuchon, along with culinary superstars Daniel Boulud, Hubert Keller, Laurent Tourondel, and Jean Joho. I am on the edge of my seat, envious of the once in a lifetime opportunity that these competitors have. My hat is off to the Bravo network and the shows' creators. Bravo please reduce or lose some of the annoying commercials.

Last but certainly not least; I would love to see an American Culinary Federation Master Chefs test or an ACF Hot Food competition documented. America could see Total Package Chefs operate under a stringent and professional set of rules. It would probably be to boring for most; there would be no back stabbing or cursing and the only persons blamed for failure would be the Chefs blaming themselves.

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Non-Operator Comment by zane myrick on December 1, 2009 at 9:08pm: ^ I agree with you about putting yourself in the contestant's shoes. Also, I must admit, I love a good competition while laughing at the contestants when they do something really dumb. I prefer Ramsey's Show on the BBC "Kitchen Nightmares". There is true “Reality” to that show, and I like that it lacks the staged drama. I think there is a reason that they allow marginally talented hacks (at best) onto that show. True Story: An Instructor/ friend of mine back at the CIA tried out. They denied him because he would not give Ramsey a reason to scream. He was far beyond competent.

Hope you have a great holiday, and a Happy NEW YEAR@!

Comment by Chef Len Elias CEC on November 17, 2009 at 3:41pm: Wow, glad to hear all the feedback. I first of all think everyone has some great points. The comments on Chopped are true, but as I watch I put myself in the shoes of the competitors and stratagize my own plates. I have always competed, some times I actually looked like I knew what I was doing and other times I couldn't wait to get out of there. The point is that competition is so crucial to a chefs growth. Your weakness's and strengths are amplified and you come away with a new sense of what you need to work on, if you want to continually improve.

If your interested Check out my blog on this site, it was the first blog I ever wrote. http://www.hotelfandb.com/blog/?p=176

Comment by Terri Hitchcock on November 17, 2009 at 10:14am: But Len, these shows are inspirational to those of us that don't know any better! I live vicariously through all of those shows!

I watch and imagine myself slicing and dicing, grilling and sauting, all without burning down the house or lopping off a limb...LOL By seeing how they struggle I feel better about myself and that renews my faith in a new day...LOL

Comment by Jeffrey J Kingman on November 17, 2009 at 6:18am: Maybe live video blogging of ACF competitions with CEC or CMC commentators?

We are providing live video blogging of the Barista competitions for the three Coffee Fests next year. As a former ACF member, I would jump at the opportunity to provide this service to the ACF.

Non-Operator Comment by Kaffeenjunkie on November 16, 2009 at 5:30pm: Anyone who would appear on Hell's Kitchen is probably worthy of every barb and epitaph that Ramsey can hurl.

I am a big fan of Top Chef, as well as most of the guys in my kitchen.
The right level of talent well matched to the challenge. It showcases strengths, teamwork, competition, camaraderie and enough weaknesses to eliminate people with out humiliation.

I have watched Chopped a couple of times but found it a bit stiff. Perhaps as Matthew pointed out it is the ingredient combinations. :)

Iron Chef is too contrived. Len is correct you just can't turn out the plates in the time alloted. Not that the chefs aren't talented, you just can't turn out at that level with team members not knowing what is planned. Not to mention having all the needed ingredients at miraculously at hand.

Non-Operator Comment by Mathew Mandeltort on November 16, 2009 at 12:12pm: Hi Chef;

I'm with you. Hell's Kitchen isn't so much about culinary professionals and life in kitchen as is it is about humilitating people on TV - think of it as Fear Factor with Fois Gras. I'm not as big a fan of Chopped as you - sometimes i think the combinations of ingredients are a tad sadistic. I'm waiting for a box to include road kill, durian, lutefisk and goji berries ;-) Good luck with that. I'm a big fan of Iron Chef from back in the days when the original episodes were filmed in Japan and the sound track was dubbed in by the same guys that did Godzilla, Mothra and Gidra movies from the 70's. The Master Chefs competition was documented one time and it was really compelling. Now that is a test of skill.