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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

The Chopping Block

The Chopping Block is the latest reality cooking show on TV. I always love cooking shows as I'm so fascinated to see the inner workings of a restaurant. Sometimes I think I should take on a part time job as a waiter at a top notch restaurant just so I can see how the chef works. But then I remember how tough it is to be a waiter and I relax back into my couch to watch a reality cooking show.

I watched the first season of My Restaurant Rules religiously. It was fresh and exciting. I wanted the Melbourne restaurant to win. I too, like many people, entertained the thought of going to the restaurant just to see what is was like. But it was so hard to get a booking and didn't make it there. I have watched other shows like Jamie's Kitchen, Hell's Kitchen and Ramsay's Kitchen (I can't remember the exact names but one show was where he yelled at staff in his own kitchen and the other show was where he yelled at restaurant owners that he was trying to help), Roco's (I think, about an American chef's restaurant), A French Odyssey etc etc. The list goes on and on. I can't remember half the show names but I do love the dynamics that occur between people in the kitchen when things get stressful.

The Chopping Block is like a My Restaurant Rules in one episode. There are less tears but it still has a bit of heat. The format is fun but not as strong as a whole series that follows contestants throughout their ordeal. I like the part where Matt Moran physically goes to the restaurants and help the contestants to improve it. However, it all feels a bit too rushed. You don't get to know the people too well, so don't care too much. The fact that it's all over in about a week doesn't show you the determination of the contestants. And that one man judges the restaurants without any breakdown of the scoring criteria cheapens it a bit. But I still like the show and will continue watching for a bit of light entertainment. That's if it is still on TV in a few weeks time. Apparently, it didn't rate so well last week.

7 comments:

  1. I checked out one episode where the daughter cooked better than her father who didn't get it, a bit sad really. I didn't mind the show and would watch again.

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  2. Neil, I think that was the second episode. The daughter was really afraid of her dad and was scared to fully voice her opinion even though she disagreed. I don't mind the show too so will keep watching.

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  3. I've only watched it the last 2 weeks but thought it was pretty good. Have to admit that I do enjoy watching these types of shows and when My restaurant rules was on I did succomb to visiting the Melbourne restaurants in the second series, both incarnations, which I have to say were pretty good. Not 2 or 3 hatters, but reliably good nonethless.

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  4. Hey Jon, join the reality cooking show train. This week's episode tonight had two restaurants from Richmond. I've seen Wild Oscars before and was tempted to go in one time. But once I stepped inside and saw the decor, I stepped straight back out. It was too casual and looked like some hippy's apartment.

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  5. I love the show, the food reviews are the best part and I can't help but have a little crush on Matt Moran he is so adorable :)

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  6. Hey Squishy (Amelita), I like the show more and more now too. Matt Moran isn't the bad guy like I thought he would be. He seems very genuine actually.

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  7. On tonights episode of the Chopping Block Matt Moran taught a chef to make a Cesar Salad using a hard boiled egg and cooked chicken. Great if you're running a truck stop, but Matts lost all credibility in my eyes

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