Flashback Friday-Chopped Grill Masters (2012-Present)

For many people, nothing say summer like cooking via the grill. That of course, leads to another off shoot of the Food Network show Chopped.

Chopped Grill Masters premiered in 2012. The premise and format of this program is similar to that of it’s predecessor. The only difference is that the contestants are all professional grillers and it is held outside as a posed to be filmed in a kitchen with professional chefs.

I like this show, as I do all of the various incarnations of Chopped. While it is a reality show in the strictest sense of the word, it’s fascinating to watch. The competition by itself is enough to keep the viewer hooked, but the process of watching these pros create a meal is the icing on the cake for me.

I recommend it.

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Throwback Thursday-Chopped Junior (2016-Present)

When it comes to certain professions, it takes years of hard work, grit and mistakes before one can call themselves a master of their craft.

The adults who compete on Chopped have years of experience in the kitchen. The children who compete on Chopped Junior may not have same amount of years in the kitchen. But they have the same drive, passion and want to succeed.

The premise of Chopped Junior is the same as it’s adult predecessor. Also hosted by Ted Allen, four young chefs must make three distinct meals within a short amount of time. One by one, the contestants are eliminated until one is named the winner and earns $10,000.

What I like about Chopped Junior is that even though the pressure is the same as it is for the adults, the kids are willing to help their fellow contestant. It shows, at least from my opinion, not only how talented and driven these kids are, but how open helping one another succeed.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday-Chopped (2009-Present)

From the outside looking in, cooking does not look even remotely like a competitive sport. But, in right hands, it can be.

Chopped premiered on The Food Network in 2009 and has since become a staple of their schedule. Hosted by Ted Allen, the premise of the show is as follows: four chefs are given three baskets of ingredients that seem to have nothing in common. From these baskets, each chef must prepare a meal using the basket ingredients as the core of said meal. Their final creations are judged by well-known celebrities from within the food and restaurant world. At the end of each episode, one chef is declared the winner and takes home $10,000.

Chopped is one of those shows that is not the average reality competition show, at least from my perspective. It’s fun to watch and it doesn’t feel like your brain is sucked dry by the end of the show.

Do I recommend it? Yes.