Did anyone see the first installment of this Food Network Challenge? It was on here on Sunday.
I don't think I have missed many episodes of Challenge over the years, specially the ones to do with cakes and other edible structures. I have found that the recent challenges have gotten really difficult - too many curves thrown at the chefs.
But I never dreamed they would get so desperate as to resort to survivor tactics. They started with 6 top chefs (three were undefeated and the others were previous winners). They first took away their 2 hour prep time and started the clock immediately. Then, at the end after the winner was given immunity and sent back stage, they told the remaining five that the judges would not be picking the one to go home, they would. And it wasn't secret ballot either.
I have purposely not mentioned any names so I don't give it away for anyone who wants to see it, but I am just wondering if they are running out of ideas maybe they should stop producing the show rather than making it so hard on the competitors. These are professional pastry chefs and cake decorators. I know all too well how much pressure is on you when you have to make a perfect cake in crunch time. But to add the fact that not only might you not win but your peers may "vote you off the island" is pretty tough to take. They want to win, but at the same time these are their colleagues and they were all holding back tears as they said their choice. Yes, maybe they (and I) should have expected it on elimination style show, but it isn't something they are used to or were prepared for.
I will watch it to the end, but if the series doesn't improve, I will strike it from the top of my very short favourites list.
I don't think I have missed many episodes of Challenge over the years, specially the ones to do with cakes and other edible structures. I have found that the recent challenges have gotten really difficult - too many curves thrown at the chefs.
But I never dreamed they would get so desperate as to resort to survivor tactics. They started with 6 top chefs (three were undefeated and the others were previous winners). They first took away their 2 hour prep time and started the clock immediately. Then, at the end after the winner was given immunity and sent back stage, they told the remaining five that the judges would not be picking the one to go home, they would. And it wasn't secret ballot either.
I have purposely not mentioned any names so I don't give it away for anyone who wants to see it, but I am just wondering if they are running out of ideas maybe they should stop producing the show rather than making it so hard on the competitors. These are professional pastry chefs and cake decorators. I know all too well how much pressure is on you when you have to make a perfect cake in crunch time. But to add the fact that not only might you not win but your peers may "vote you off the island" is pretty tough to take. They want to win, but at the same time these are their colleagues and they were all holding back tears as they said their choice. Yes, maybe they (and I) should have expected it on elimination style show, but it isn't something they are used to or were prepared for.
I will watch it to the end, but if the series doesn't improve, I will strike it from the top of my very short favourites list.
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