The new season of Chopped debuts on Food Network next week, and if you haven’t seen this culinary competition before, despite its short comings it is fine entertainment on most nights. The premise of the show is intriguing; hosted by uber-nerd Ted Allen, Chopped has four chefs competing for $10,000 by having what is in essence a cook-off in three rounds, appetizer, entrée and dessert. The contestants are usually pretty skilled and handle themselves well. Occasionally one of the typical emotional basket cases that seem to populate reality TV sneaks in, but overall I have been impressed with the caliber of the contestants. This is mostly because the trick of the show is that in each round a basket is presented with ingredients that must be used in the dish. This can be great fun, watching some obsessive-compulsive chef who is used to running a restaurant try to make an appetizer out of unsweetened chocolate, jumbo prawns, and clamato never loses its appeal.
What makes Chopped annoying is the judges. Each one tends to be overly dramatic in their criticism, and their outrage is usually disproportionate to the crime. They have the same level of anger towards someone who double dips their finger in the sauce or serves a dangerously undercooked turkey dish as they do the person who fails to coherently make gummy bear encrusted chicken. A typical comment will be something like this: “I would be ashamed to serve this gummy bear encrusted chicken if it were my restaurant.” You don’t say. Perhaps you should get up and try your hand at it. I’ve seen Aaron Sanchez on Chefs vs. City. He seems to spend half the show running around, I don’t seem to recall him being presented with a basket containing starfruit, ostrich, and instant grits and being forced to make something delicious.
One of the worst of the judges is Alex Guarnaschelli. Below is a photo:
While I’m certain that in life Ms. Guarnaschelli is a fine human being, she comes across particularly shrill. You would think she would have a word with the editors and ask that they not make her look like a complete bitch every show. The funniest part about this is that now Ms. Guarnaschelli has her own show, Alex’s Day Off. I have a great idea for an episode, someone should drop off a basket containing plantains, frozen scallops and Cheese-Its and then berate her for coming up with a less than perfect dish.
Will the annoying judges be toned down next season? Who knows, odds are Food Network will find a way to botch it even more, or have some stupid event where Bobby Flay takes on pastry chefs and the basket coincidentally contains ancho chilies, Kobe beef and fingerling potatoes. I will still check out the newest episodes and see if Chopped remains worthwhile viewing. I sure hope so, Food Network is becoming unwatchable, and Chopped is hanging under the cleaver itself.
Comments
5 responses to “Chopped”
I couldn’t agree with you more. A few years ago I always wondered why Ted Allen was more prominent on shows…then he got this one. I was really hoping it would be good..and although he is good on it, you’re spot on about the judges. I can not stand Alex at times…she’s so critical. I haven’t seen her show but I bet it’s not the best…well..because I haven’t seen it 😛 I must say that after watching Chefs vs City I started to like Aaron a little more.
It’s fun to see what the contestants come up with and I like the format of appetizer, entree, dessert. I also like the time-frame that they give them, not too little and not too much. Guess we’ll see what this season brings.
The show definitely has potential, I just hope whoever the producer is realizes that what the viewers like is the creativity of using the ingredients, not the way the judges harangue the contestants. I will agree that on Chefs v. City Aaron does come across alot better than on Chopped.
Who knows about Alex’s show, I haven’t watched either so I will reserve commentary. Sunday is where Food Network shows usually go to die so we’ll see how it goes. Why they chose her for a show is beyond me.
I stopped watching shows with Alex Guarnaschelli for the past several seasons. Even in promo shots she would make that awful, “I’m going to kill you” face. But I just saw a new episode of Chopped (I walked in and it was on) and she was actually pleasant! I’m not saying I’m a convert, but she was actually being a good judge: Here’s what you did right and what you need to improve. Exactly what we expect from experts. I hope she keeps it up! Those who have achieved a level of success really should share their insights with those on their way up, not try to stomp them before they can get their head above the waters…
When I scrolled down to see that photo of that B$%& of a judge, I laughed so hard I cried. You have brightened my day. I hope they brighten the show and get rid of her. She makes me wish I could punch people through the tv. I would enjoy going to her resturaunt and telling her that my dish “was not presented as well as it could have been” and that she “should have made flavor a focal point” just to see the look on her ugly face. I usually don’t call people ugly but her personality just makes her look..well..ugly
Totally agree. The judges just suck. They act like they are SO far and above and beyond the chefs they are judging, and they simply aren’t. They have stupid, pointless opinions, generally saying little more than “this is good” or “this is bad” or “i like this guy because he’s Mexican and I’m Mexican, too”.
The judges’ true talents, if any, lie in their abilities to function as speakers/line cooks in front of cameras; not as chefs or judges. The show would be a lot better (and seem more fair) if the judges were more respectable chefs, and had more intelligent reviews/criteria/etc for judging.
Also, some blame should go to the editor(s) of the show; they cut judge commentary down poorly, removing the meat of the reviews and leaving small soundbites, always leaving you wondering, “how the hell did they come up with this round’s decision???”.