Chopped - 06/23

[oriolefan]

There's nothing wrong with constructive criticism. On that note, last night's show was a good competition between the two finalists. But I agree with the above poster... if they're asking the contestants to clean calamari, they should have given them extra time. It takes a while to clean, so there's hardly any time to cook. Of course all of the dishes will flop. I believe the guy who made the cake should have won. He showed shrewdness in heating up several pans in the entree contest, and he was ambitious in not including a starch in the entree round (and standing behind his reason why), and in attempting the cake.

[Food Network Fan]

I didn't get to see it last night, but I think sometimes they know the ingredients won't work well together, but if someone can find a way to make it work they are sure to win.

[ibcheft]

There several things they could do that really would not change the structure of the show but would improve the contestants ability to finish the dishes without taking away from the spirit of the show, like stuff that needs extra time cleaning, give it to them already cleaned, preheat ovens, have deep fryers heated and ready, like you would do at a restaurant before you start cooking, you have some of the prep work done and ready to go, not all of it but some of the stuff that is really time consuming. But you know we all can sit here and go this would help but you know it is their show, either like or tolerate the things we can not change or change the channel.

[isilzha]

I wonder if those things were done if perhaps then they would have too much time and it wouldn't be such a race against the clock.

[BerryBaby]

Those are great suggestions, ibcheft. It would help time-wise and they could spend a few more minutes preparing the dish.

[oriolefan]

I wonder how long it takes to film an entire episode. How long the contestants get in between the cooking segments. They must take time to have lunch, etc.

[BerryBaby]

I would think a good three hours at least. Notice how they show them frantically trying to plate the food at the end with only one plate done with 30 seconds left on the clock?

It's all edited to make it look more exciting and nervewracking. The voiceover is edited in to make it seem like the clock is running out.

Bet it's fun to be an editor!

[oriolefan]

I would think it takes 6-8 hours. In between half-hour segments and the judging, everyone probably rests, the kitchens are cleaned and restocked, etc.