Small changes to make Chopped better

JTB · 07-03-2009, 12:37 AM

1. Easy, lose Alex Guarnaschelli. Every reality show/competition does not need a b*thc/a**hole. Let's stop the trend. Have 3 judges who can dish compliments and criticisms equally. Also, she can dish it, but apparently she can't take it. I've heard things about her appearance on ICA where she (SPOILER) lost to Cat Cora.

2. Make Ted Allen a judge. He's a good judge, we've seen that on Top Chef and ICA. People are complaining that he doesn't do anything on Chopped and that he's robotic. Well make him host/judge. This show is short enough to allow him to do both.

3. Increase the entree section to 45 mins. I know 30 mins is sexy, but for good protein and varied cooking styles, it just seems like they need an extra 15 mins or so in this round. Keep Appetizers and Desserts at 30 mins.

4. Give them some of the ICA culinary toys. I'm not a chef, but I know ICA uses some cool toys for the chefs, right?. Don't they have something like an rapid chiller?

5. Increase the prize. $10k is good, but it's low relative to shows of its kind (and yes, I know it's per episode). If not a monetary increase, how about a sponsor tie-in with some free kitchenwares, etc. Just something to make it feel like a bigger deal.

6. Optional sweatbands for the contestants.

7. Not a change, but please keep Aaron Sanchez as a permanent judge. He's always positive, but not afraid to give CONSTRUCTIVE criticism (unlike Alex).

Food Network Fan · 07-03-2009, 12:40 AM

I think this show gets more comments than any other show currently airing on the network.

BerryBaby · 07-03-2009, 12:53 AM

I think headbands should be a MUST!

Everytime I watch, someone is sweating bullets into the food...YUCK!

Hygiene should be the number ONE priority. Maybe they should think about even wearing non-latex gloves.

So many times I have seen them wipe the sweat onto their sleeves. Guess that is better than their hand, but what about wipe towels? We have these at exercise classes, why not in the kitchen?

I'd freak-out if I was a judge and had to taste a sweat, dripping chef's dish.....ewwww.

tannerodell · 07-03-2009, 12:56 AM

Personally, I think Alex earns her comments, She's a very talented chef, like Aaron, and from what I see she tells the truth. I don't think thats a bad thing. i would love her to judge my cooking! She's an executive chef at an A list restaraunt, and also an instructor at the institute of culinary education, so she knows exactly what she's talking about. I think they don't want to be like the Iron chef, because they are going for a totally different show. A show that for some reason wants Ted allen to just stand around, but whatever! it's a successful show since people are watching! i do think it's interesting to see what they come up with in the short time!

tannerodell · 07-03-2009, 12:57 AM

And I also agree about the sweat bands!!! haha, it's gross. But I watched one the other day where the chef cut his finger, and did take the time to glove up, and clean his work space!

BerryBaby · 07-03-2009, 12:59 AM

I agree! She may not always give the comments you want to hear, but she is honest.

If something isn't cooked and is raw, she tells it like it is. I'd do the same thing. I don't think she is trying to be the 'impossible' judge just honest....nothing wrong with that.

If every judge sugar-coated their comments, it would one, be a dishonest assessment, and two, B O R I N G!

Keep the show as it is...I love it!

JTB · 07-03-2009, 01:27 AM

It's not about sugar coating comments, it's about coming from a neutral position and giving pros and cons. Her whole demeanor just turns me (and many others) off any opinion she has, regardless of how valid. Alex will usually find one thing wrong and make a face while she complains about it. I cannot stand people like that. They ruin outings at restaurants and she ruins the show for me at times.

Amanda Freitag has a serious, but fair demeanor and because of it I listen to her comments.

edit: To sum up Alex, it's not her comments, it's how she says them. You can give criticism (even harsh) without coming across like a b*tch/a**hole.

tannerodell · 07-03-2009, 01:34 AM

i don't even pay that close of attention to see that she makes a weird face...lol, I just know that I like her because of who she is, and I would make a weird face if I didn't like the food too.

Food Network Fan · 07-03-2009, 01:34 AM

She is a tad rough. But it's probably to add a Gordon Ramsay/Simon Cowell type flair to the show. She might be playing it up for effect. She seems very nice on the cooking loft.

tannerodell · 07-03-2009, 01:46 AM

Exactly! she seems nice on her show, but everyone likes a simon cowell, so that's her part on chopped. for some reason, a simon cowell is really popular to audiences.!