NOTE: You should probably read while eating a sandwich.
The competition television shows on the Food Network are surprisingly different than those of other stations. Some of my favorites are “Throwdown with Bobby Flay,” “Iron Chef America,” and “Worst Cooks in America.” All of them, naturally, are food competitions, but they don’t have a lot of the fighting and drama that many other reality shows do. (We will definitely be getting to the drama ones in future postings.)
I know there are skeptics out there who probably think who wants to watch the Food Network? Trust me, I was one of them. I don’t cook and if I do it typically involves burning. But, I’ve found that these types of reality shows are not meant to be educational. You’re not going to learn how to make a meal from any of these. If you want to learn, then you should watch Rachel Ray or Emeril. No, these shows are definitely meant to entertain.
The types of foods that the chefs on these shows make are not simple ones, in fact they get points taken away on Iron Chef if they are not original and considered difficult. There is not a list of ingredients on the side of the screen and it’s not a step-by-step instruction manual. They are pure competition—which is what I’m all about. I compete about everything from sports, to number of drinks, who can get better grades, and even how much food one can eat in a certain period of time. I’m addicted to competition. I want to be the best at what I do and if I’m not then a.) I don’t care b.) I’m about to do everything in my power to be the best, no matter what.
So, when I watch these shows, I’m not watching to see the foods (although I do end up hungry at the end). I’m watching to see the competition. The people on these shows know what they are doing and are passionate about it. They are dedicated to learning their art (I call it art because I consider making delicious food an art) and perfecting it.
If you’re at all like me and enjoy good competition then these shows are definitely going to get you all flustered. You will immediately pick your favorite and least favorite chefs. You’ll start referring to them by first name and in everyday conversation. You’ll look at your plate of food at a restaurant and wonder if it compares to the chefs on the Food Network. And, you’ll find yourself flipping to channel 58 (on the UNCW campus) to watch the network as much as possible.
For next time, look forward to a post about the controversial and addicting finale of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” and then eventually a post on the so-called “love” shows that are taking over your televisions.
Deji Adeleke Said,
I've never really gotten into the whole food network and all their shows. Every once in a while I will be browsing through and stumble on one of their shows like "Iron Chef America." I too love competition and love how you put it when you said a) I don't care when talking about your options pertaining to competition because I feel that way a lot of times when I'm put into a competitive situation. I'll either try relatively hard or I just won't care and go through the motions.
Posted on January 24, 2010 at 4:53 PM
LiveLaughAlwaysLove Said,
I am so excited to see that you are interested in these shows. While I have not taken an interest in the actual cooking shows, the baking shows are extremely interesting to me. I thrive off of the competition and effort these people put into making something as "simple" as a cake different. I am like you in the fact that if I am not at the top, I either don't care or am working my butt off to get there. I think that your overall topic with the blog is a great idea. I'll be interested to see the drama you discuss because I probably (shamefully) watch the same "trashy" shows you are going to discuss!
Posted on January 25, 2010 at 8:43 AM
Caleb Said,
I watch entirely too much TV and I must say I enjoy the food network too from time to time. No you really aren’t going to learn how to cook on most of their shows, but the competitive ones are interesting. I too really enjoy a competition and I like seeing what these chefs can create off the top of their head in a given amount of time, its very interesting. I am looking forward to your jersey shore recap later though, ha.
Posted on January 25, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Jim Said,
I would have to agree that the competition cooking shows are by far the best. Who likes watching Emerald cook a perfect salmon filet when you could watch some guy off the street bake a cake that he eventually drops on the floor? Those shows also give us examples of people who have no idea how to cook but end up making something really awesome. The underdogs of the cooking world make us all feel like we could make that same dish and they give us confidence in our own cooking. I look forward to reading more about your TV blog, and especially next week's post on Jersey Shore.
Posted on January 25, 2010 at 4:43 PM
Uns33n Said,
I am not a huge fan of cooking shows generally, but the Iron Chef is the exception. It it a great test of culinary skill and expertise. The time restraints can make it very hard for a chef and seeing them react to problems and trying to fix dishes can be very entertaining. I also like how it doesn't have the feel of a talk or reality show, it is purely a cooking show. I feel like there is too much of a focus on reality shows, especially with people who grew up during their rise. Serve some justice to the Jersey Shore, I don't think we should be recording all that nonsense anyway.
Posted on January 25, 2010 at 5:12 PM
Anonymous Said,
I don't which so much reality TV, pure or tainted. I have caught a few cooking shows the competition is kind of addicting. Would Hell's Kitchen have too much "reality" in it? I look forward to upcoming Jersey Shore blog.
Posted on January 25, 2010 at 10:52 PM