Like Hells Kitchen tis show is about a cooking contest and it's entertaining but also not very complex. It's a fun short bit of entertainment. Nothing less and nothing more.
71 Reviews
Typical Ramsey Show
patrickfilbeck9 November 2021
Dreadful!
rich-862221 June 2018
Masterchef US is probably the worst Masterchef series I have ever seen.As someone who has seen different versions of Masterchef series especially the Australian version I can without a doubt say that the difference between Masterchef US and Masterchef Australia is like day and night.The Masterchef series is about celebrating food,learning about various kinds of food and techniques involved...Also the journey the contestants make to the top to take the trophy.All of this is lost and washed out in Masterchef US.Though it's a cooking show Masterchef US is mainly and I think it's only goal is about DRAMA,DRAMA and MORE DRAMA.The contestants shouts and throw shade at each other and show no respect to each other.You also won't learn a lot about food or even cooking when compared to the Australian version.Each season I would hope that it will be different but NO.Masterchef US is a DRAMA show first "NOT" a COOKING show.If you want to know about food,learn about food and enjoy cooking food please avoid I mean really avoid Masterchef US and instead watch Masterchef Australia....and I bet that you will know and notice the difference immediately.In the Australian version the Judges,contestants and the challenges are complex and delightful where as in the Masterchef US is all just mediocre and frankly completely dull.Masterchef US is the "laughing stock" in the entire Masterchef series.I wholeheartedly hope that they stop airing Masterchef US and spare itself some embarrassment from other Masterchef series especially Masterchef Australia.I gave one star because I couldn't give less than one star to post this review.
More drama less food
fabregasgunner8 July 2019
Make the food the hero of the show
kevinacharles-7481521 September 2017
US MasterChef, what can I say about this show? I only stumbled across it recently whilst channel surfing. Being from the UK and knowing and loving the original MasterChef, I was intrigued to see what it was like. At first, I enjoyed the different format, but once I saw a few of the episodes, it frustrated me more and more.
The overly dramatic music; the over-the-top contestants and pathetically staged bickering between them; the judges constantly ripping into the "home" cooks as if they were professional chefs; the constant reminders of the contestants' backstories and them always crying; and finally, the way in which contestants are eliminated, where you see stronger ones being knocked out and weaker ones surviving. The show's a bit of a guilty pleasure, but I do not consider it a serious cooking show. To use an overly used phrase on the show, "make the food the hero of the show, not the fake drama.
If you want to watch a decent MasterChef show, watch the UK one, or surprisingly the best one IMO, the Australian MasterChef, which mixes the best parts of the UK and American show.
The overly dramatic music; the over-the-top contestants and pathetically staged bickering between them; the judges constantly ripping into the "home" cooks as if they were professional chefs; the constant reminders of the contestants' backstories and them always crying; and finally, the way in which contestants are eliminated, where you see stronger ones being knocked out and weaker ones surviving. The show's a bit of a guilty pleasure, but I do not consider it a serious cooking show. To use an overly used phrase on the show, "make the food the hero of the show, not the fake drama.
If you want to watch a decent MasterChef show, watch the UK one, or surprisingly the best one IMO, the Australian MasterChef, which mixes the best parts of the UK and American show.
Another goto
mickeyadamo9 July 2023
Of the many Gordon Ramsay shows out there this one is near the top of our list. I love picking who is going to win and rooting for that person throughout the competition. This has a good combination of drama and talent, which makes choosing a bit more difficult as contestants can be well trained but lacking some other quality that would make them suitable to win the competition. Overall a fair challenge that lets contestants showcase their abilities to cook, and watching one of them ascend and grow as a chef makes the show rather palatable. A great one to sit down with at the end of the week with a few drinks and enjoy.
A Work In Progress
DKosty1236 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Gordon Ramsey is becoming a brand name in television food programming. This series has all his signature trademarks. It is still a work in progress as well.
Like the mystery box challenge, this food contest has all the makings of fine cuisine. While the early shows were sometimes served raw, the cooking is getting better as the show adds to it's legacy.
It started with huge helpings of Ramsey, but now as it continues it's second run, the other judges are expanding their roles a bit. That is good as even though Ramsey seems to have limitless energy at times, there needs to be more balance and team effort from the judges to bring more perspectives to the contest.
The contestants to this one help make the show, but they always do. This one is a counter balance to Hell's Kitchen which makes the Professional Cooks look like hacks. This one gives us amateurs the chance to look the same way. That is a good thing as this is developing into a school where family recipes are often getting the professional eye from Ramsey and staff. This is the old fashioned way of sharing knowledge about food.
Season 1 taught the judges that Catfish can be done as a high class food. The diversity of contestants will soon prove other foods can do it too.
Like the mystery box challenge, this food contest has all the makings of fine cuisine. While the early shows were sometimes served raw, the cooking is getting better as the show adds to it's legacy.
It started with huge helpings of Ramsey, but now as it continues it's second run, the other judges are expanding their roles a bit. That is good as even though Ramsey seems to have limitless energy at times, there needs to be more balance and team effort from the judges to bring more perspectives to the contest.
The contestants to this one help make the show, but they always do. This one is a counter balance to Hell's Kitchen which makes the Professional Cooks look like hacks. This one gives us amateurs the chance to look the same way. That is a good thing as this is developing into a school where family recipes are often getting the professional eye from Ramsey and staff. This is the old fashioned way of sharing knowledge about food.
Season 1 taught the judges that Catfish can be done as a high class food. The diversity of contestants will soon prove other foods can do it too.
Love at first site!
JeremyDunn1416 September 2010
This show is absolutely awesome! First of all, just the idea of creating a show where everyday, average joes get a chance to change their lives in 6 weeks is compelling.
The title is grabbing, the judges are world renown, the challenges are real and keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time...I mean this show delivers like a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick to face! Someone said this show is the American Idol of food, but this show clearly goes far beyond that description.
I'm sold 100%.
This is a must watch! I am planning on buying season one when it comes to DVD.
The title is grabbing, the judges are world renown, the challenges are real and keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time...I mean this show delivers like a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick to face! Someone said this show is the American Idol of food, but this show clearly goes far beyond that description.
I'm sold 100%.
This is a must watch! I am planning on buying season one when it comes to DVD.
Fine tuning required
bobby_allen29 March 2012
Overall, MasterChef USA is very entertaining. It had the obnoxiousness contestants, though good chefs, most like to hate. There were the fair share of drama to keep viewers satiated. Some contestants, initially, thought to be no hoppers improved as they progressed and one even went on to win the title. This did not go down well with many viewers though it vindicated the judges decision to keep that contestant till the end - people can get better, if given a chance, especially those with talent and potential.
In future seasons, for the team challenges, they should let the losing team leaders nominate those in their team for the eliminations challenges. Those in the losing team should not have to suffer fools with inflated egos that usually is the cause of losing the team challenge. In this way, the team leaders would have some leverage over their team members.
In future seasons, for the team challenges, they should let the losing team leaders nominate those in their team for the eliminations challenges. Those in the losing team should not have to suffer fools with inflated egos that usually is the cause of losing the team challenge. In this way, the team leaders would have some leverage over their team members.
Great show...a fast season though
kelleykoh15 September 2010
I have loved many of Gordon Ramsey's shows that have been brought to the US, however, it was a VERY fast season with the two hour episodes. The judges seemed fair, but sometimes I wish they couldn't see the dishes being created. It would seem more honest if they had to judge blindly.
The contestants are challenged in many ways and it is great to see how they adjust to the unplanned and unfamiliar. This show teaches that you don't have to be fancy or complicated, but true to the food and your passion. I do think they have their favorites but, otherwise, I love the show and can't wait for the next season.
The contestants are challenged in many ways and it is great to see how they adjust to the unplanned and unfamiliar. This show teaches that you don't have to be fancy or complicated, but true to the food and your passion. I do think they have their favorites but, otherwise, I love the show and can't wait for the next season.
Enjoyable
anthonydapiii7 November 2021
Whether my view be too narrow because I'm just learning about the depths of food and the food industry itself, I think this show was great.
The challenges and formats of it were excellent.
I enjoyed every season and stopped at Season 2 because I felt myself binging it too much.
A sign that it was well directed, shot, and executed.
The challenges and formats of it were excellent.
I enjoyed every season and stopped at Season 2 because I felt myself binging it too much.
A sign that it was well directed, shot, and executed.
Sad copy
stefan-574-69012212 August 2014
It is a petty to see how they took the Australian (or UK) show and changed it to break people instead of building and teaching.
It is a completely different atmosphere compared especially to the Aussie version.
The Brits and the Aussies also have the MasterClass episodes that are really educational.
There are elements that are interesting in seeing how contestants form informal teams as well as having to team up with "enemies". Still - quite more subtly executed in the original series. I recommend watching the Australian version.
It is a completely different atmosphere compared especially to the Aussie version.
The Brits and the Aussies also have the MasterClass episodes that are really educational.
There are elements that are interesting in seeing how contestants form informal teams as well as having to team up with "enemies". Still - quite more subtly executed in the original series. I recommend watching the Australian version.
Enjoyed this first season tremendously!
Cattymiss9 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I have never seen the overseas versions of this show, so this was my first experience watching "Masterchef". I loved the premise of the competition. Amateur cooks, home cooking enthusiasts, foodies/cooks that are not professionally trained are competing for the title of "Masterchef". They may actually be in the industry, but have not had any classical finished training as a chef.
The winner gets $250,000 and a book publishing deal out of this. For many who might win, it very well could mean that they can stop what they are having to do day to day and attend culinary school and make this love of cooking in reality a true profession.
Watch this show with the understanding that you are truly seeing amateur foodies/ cooks, not professional chefs and you will enjoy this much more. Understand that some are really stepping outside their comfort zone and are handling ingredients that they have never had or used before. It has been exciting to watch because it is really showing those cooks who truly understand the technicality of cooking instinctively.
From the 1st episode, I have been hooked. I have enjoyed this show much more than the last two seasons of Hell's Kitchen, which I felt was more smoke and staging than a competition. This is nothing like Hell's Kitchen. It is all about the cooking and the creation of the dish.
Masterchef has stayed true to its format and has put the contestants thru some really tough challenges. While the 1st episode is as the critics said filled with a lot of back story and melodramatic emotion, I felt that this was needed. It introduced the contestants to the viewers at the beginning. Since that 1st two shows, that over the top emotional melodrama has given way to a really good and intense competition.
Without giving spoilers to any winners, the contest has been very interesting. They started with about 100 contestants cooking their signature dishes for the 3 judge. Out of that 100, 30 were picked to move forward in the competition. The 2nd show, those 30 were quickly weeded down to 14 in the first challenge, which was something basic that all good cooks/potential chefs should know how to do, how to slice and dice onions quickly.
Since that 2nd show, the format in my time zone has been 2 hours each week. The 1st hour usually contains a main ingredient or entrée challenge (for example: venison). The winner gets to pick the mystery theme for the next challenge, at the end of which someone will be eliminated. The 2nd hour has been containing a group challenge or a professional challenge whereby the contestants are cooking for a large group of people, or someone in the industry. At the end of that competition, the losing group faces an elimination test and one person will be eliminated.
There is a method to the shows madness. The judges are putting these cooks thru the paces for a reason. They are looking for consistency and creativeness. The challenges are meant to weed out those that have limited experience and do not understand the nature of cooking. I don't think any of the judges expect that these people to be professional chefs, but I do think they expect them to understand the technicality's of cooking and to have the ability to create quickly with quality.
I have truly enjoy this show and hope that they will renew this for another season.
The winner gets $250,000 and a book publishing deal out of this. For many who might win, it very well could mean that they can stop what they are having to do day to day and attend culinary school and make this love of cooking in reality a true profession.
Watch this show with the understanding that you are truly seeing amateur foodies/ cooks, not professional chefs and you will enjoy this much more. Understand that some are really stepping outside their comfort zone and are handling ingredients that they have never had or used before. It has been exciting to watch because it is really showing those cooks who truly understand the technicality of cooking instinctively.
From the 1st episode, I have been hooked. I have enjoyed this show much more than the last two seasons of Hell's Kitchen, which I felt was more smoke and staging than a competition. This is nothing like Hell's Kitchen. It is all about the cooking and the creation of the dish.
Masterchef has stayed true to its format and has put the contestants thru some really tough challenges. While the 1st episode is as the critics said filled with a lot of back story and melodramatic emotion, I felt that this was needed. It introduced the contestants to the viewers at the beginning. Since that 1st two shows, that over the top emotional melodrama has given way to a really good and intense competition.
Without giving spoilers to any winners, the contest has been very interesting. They started with about 100 contestants cooking their signature dishes for the 3 judge. Out of that 100, 30 were picked to move forward in the competition. The 2nd show, those 30 were quickly weeded down to 14 in the first challenge, which was something basic that all good cooks/potential chefs should know how to do, how to slice and dice onions quickly.
Since that 2nd show, the format in my time zone has been 2 hours each week. The 1st hour usually contains a main ingredient or entrée challenge (for example: venison). The winner gets to pick the mystery theme for the next challenge, at the end of which someone will be eliminated. The 2nd hour has been containing a group challenge or a professional challenge whereby the contestants are cooking for a large group of people, or someone in the industry. At the end of that competition, the losing group faces an elimination test and one person will be eliminated.
There is a method to the shows madness. The judges are putting these cooks thru the paces for a reason. They are looking for consistency and creativeness. The challenges are meant to weed out those that have limited experience and do not understand the nature of cooking. I don't think any of the judges expect that these people to be professional chefs, but I do think they expect them to understand the technicality's of cooking and to have the ability to create quickly with quality.
I have truly enjoy this show and hope that they will renew this for another season.
Prioritizes drama but still entertaining
davidb-193214 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This show is entertaining overall but unfortunately it's entertainment first and actual skill second. I want the show to be entertaining but I also want them to equally prioritize skill. I know that's hard but when they keep Krissi (someone who was super rude and created the most drama I've seen for the show and didn't even know how to cook a crepe despite being in the top 4) until the top 4 you know drama is a priority and they aren't trying the slightest to balance what they prioritize.
Wrong contestant kicked off
siteorg30 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I think how they got Kate off the show was ridiculous. She is a very good chef, but she is not a dessert chef. So what challenge did they have them do towards the end-desserts. Kate won more times than anyone and I think she should have been in the finale instead of the joke of a chef Eboni. All Eboni knows how to cook is for a family. She had a worse attitude than Jeff. I will not say what I think she was, but she was not a person I would want as a friend. Dino is not a chef, but a good dessert chef. If he did not get help from judges more than once he would have been kicked off like he should have. I think the two finalists should have been Kate and Jason. Dino should not have won. Gordon, Christina and whoever is the third judge should not help any of the contestants in any way. Christina told Eboni what to do to get a flame in her fry pan because Eboni had no clue what she was doing and Gordon telling Dino what to with his lamb that was under cooked after he pulled it out from the pressure cooker. That is just two examples of judges helping contestants. NOT RIGHT!! I will no longer be watching Masterchef!
This is a 9 guilty pleasure but a 2 objectively!
sjalkarjadottir8 April 2018
First .. i thought i had written a review for this before .. but apparently not?
Masterchef as well as Hells Kitchen are TOTAL guilty pleasures for me. I am fully aware how terribly aweful they are .. and i mean really, REALLY aweful in terms of cringeworthy or just pitiful.
Then again, i kind of like 3 dudes shout at a "random" assortment of nobodies.
But lets get to the details...
Masterchef is - at its core - a VERY good concept .. but the network is too cowardly to really adhere to the idea and instead makes it a meaningless soap opera or worse .. a telenovela.
The idea of professional cooks to judge homecooks on increasingly higher stakes and more difficult "challenges" .. great .. i would call that a winner .. and NOT a guilty pleasure if they actually did that.
Sadly though the quality of the food and the skill of the contestants is obviously irrelevant compared to what can only be called "drama potential". That does not mean that the finalists are not good cooks ... but the judging becomes a fárce early on .. when it becomes just too blatant that they do not judge on the quality of the dish at all.
The selection of characters to compete is usually interesting enough .. but follows typical focus group results. You get a sassy black woman, a bossy white male, a shy woman, a tough guy/girl, a very young and innocent girl and of course someone who causes the maximum drama by being antisocial or just a loudmouth with no filter. Now it is not even clear that this is actually the case, cause the episodes are edited in such a narrative .. but it does become old quckly.
What is good about it?
Aside from watching food ... there is a certain narrative of character progression. I caught myself being quite invested in start to around the end of the 3rd forth .. and then not caring much who actually won.
The challenges are often quite nice .. but it would have been interesting to see how the contestants actually prepare for them, cause they certainly do not spontanously come up with their dishes .. so there must be a lot of learning in their spare time and interaction (something that might be interesting and that Hells Kitchen does show a little more of...)
Well, but why a 9/10? that is an awefully high score i hear you exclaim!
Yes, yes it is .. and it is also a totally biased one. I just have fun binge watching this garbage sometimes. I can switch my brain off and rant at the rediculous jingoism, the pitiful veneration of military and american values, the cartoonish drama and the godlike bossy chefs that hover over everything like saints, resolving everything with amazing authority and skill.
So, its just fun .. mindless, stupid fun.
Objectively it is terrible though ....
Masterchef as well as Hells Kitchen are TOTAL guilty pleasures for me. I am fully aware how terribly aweful they are .. and i mean really, REALLY aweful in terms of cringeworthy or just pitiful.
Then again, i kind of like 3 dudes shout at a "random" assortment of nobodies.
But lets get to the details...
Masterchef is - at its core - a VERY good concept .. but the network is too cowardly to really adhere to the idea and instead makes it a meaningless soap opera or worse .. a telenovela.
The idea of professional cooks to judge homecooks on increasingly higher stakes and more difficult "challenges" .. great .. i would call that a winner .. and NOT a guilty pleasure if they actually did that.
Sadly though the quality of the food and the skill of the contestants is obviously irrelevant compared to what can only be called "drama potential". That does not mean that the finalists are not good cooks ... but the judging becomes a fárce early on .. when it becomes just too blatant that they do not judge on the quality of the dish at all.
The selection of characters to compete is usually interesting enough .. but follows typical focus group results. You get a sassy black woman, a bossy white male, a shy woman, a tough guy/girl, a very young and innocent girl and of course someone who causes the maximum drama by being antisocial or just a loudmouth with no filter. Now it is not even clear that this is actually the case, cause the episodes are edited in such a narrative .. but it does become old quckly.
What is good about it?
Aside from watching food ... there is a certain narrative of character progression. I caught myself being quite invested in start to around the end of the 3rd forth .. and then not caring much who actually won.
The challenges are often quite nice .. but it would have been interesting to see how the contestants actually prepare for them, cause they certainly do not spontanously come up with their dishes .. so there must be a lot of learning in their spare time and interaction (something that might be interesting and that Hells Kitchen does show a little more of...)
Well, but why a 9/10? that is an awefully high score i hear you exclaim!
Yes, yes it is .. and it is also a totally biased one. I just have fun binge watching this garbage sometimes. I can switch my brain off and rant at the rediculous jingoism, the pitiful veneration of military and american values, the cartoonish drama and the godlike bossy chefs that hover over everything like saints, resolving everything with amazing authority and skill.
So, its just fun .. mindless, stupid fun.
Objectively it is terrible though ....
Wild from start to finish
tesseracted25 October 2018
One of the best cooking shows out!
rivenracket25 October 2018
What a joke
firststriker25 August 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I haven't even seen porn more over scripted than this! This show is an absolute cracker of a joke. For those of you who've seen the Australian version, just compare the first episode where they simply rip off the scene of an Australian contestant during the auditions. It's where an Asian woman seemingly got a second chance to cook in front of the judges and got sent back home to grab some ingredients in order to cook her mom's traditional Asian recipe. Classic.
It's a shame to see Ramsay whoring himself away on US television as well. The man has done a genuinely good show with the UK version of Kitchen Nightmares. And just being a complete prostitute on American television. I guess he's in need of the extra dough trying to botox reduce away his wrinkly arsed face.
The other two judges are just a bunch of extras on the set. They don't add anything to the show. With the bald guy trying to be completely over the top giving every contestant the "evil" eye being all pimpy and tough and then the remaining judge who would even pass on his 'OK' if he got served a Mc Donalds meal in front of him.
Nah. Masterchef Australia ftw!
It's a shame to see Ramsay whoring himself away on US television as well. The man has done a genuinely good show with the UK version of Kitchen Nightmares. And just being a complete prostitute on American television. I guess he's in need of the extra dough trying to botox reduce away his wrinkly arsed face.
The other two judges are just a bunch of extras on the set. They don't add anything to the show. With the bald guy trying to be completely over the top giving every contestant the "evil" eye being all pimpy and tough and then the remaining judge who would even pass on his 'OK' if he got served a Mc Donalds meal in front of him.
Nah. Masterchef Australia ftw!
Only saw season 9 but I think it is good
laurenturn22 October 2018
I really like this show. I never thought I would like a cooking show but this one is interesting. The judges might have lightened up since earlier reviews because I see them as actually being helpful. I am learning about different ingredients and if I had a bigger kitchen I would love to try cooking one of these dishes.... I can not wait until the new season starts (it just aired last season though last month). In the meantime I might have to watch the older episodes on HULU!
Too dramatic, too scripted
rutietooty4 June 2013
I really, really want to like this show. I love cooking shows, I love Top Chef, I love Gordon Ramsey. For me, this show is far too dramatic, the judges are too hostile and there is not enough focus on cooking...especially the fun of it.
Who is Joe going to yell at next? How many more plates is he going to slam into the garbage? For Christ-sakes these are amateur cooks, not Michelin starred chefs! It's all a bit too scripted and too much for me.
Masterchef Australia is a joy to watch, unfortunately, the same can not be said about Masterchef U.S.
Who is Joe going to yell at next? How many more plates is he going to slam into the garbage? For Christ-sakes these are amateur cooks, not Michelin starred chefs! It's all a bit too scripted and too much for me.
Masterchef Australia is a joy to watch, unfortunately, the same can not be said about Masterchef U.S.
Classic Trash TV
TheReallyWeirdOne28 May 2013
I've watched both the British and Australian versions of Masterchef which were never perfect but the US version just elevates them in comparison.
It feels like a contrived soap opera with random, forgettable people screeching about for no rhyme or reason. There are no master classes, over the top sob stories, scripted drama and predictable judges. The show has the least amount of episodes but they're the most tedious. It gives me a headache to be honest.
This show is only for people who have short attention spans and no interest in food.
It feels like a contrived soap opera with random, forgettable people screeching about for no rhyme or reason. There are no master classes, over the top sob stories, scripted drama and predictable judges. The show has the least amount of episodes but they're the most tedious. It gives me a headache to be honest.
This show is only for people who have short attention spans and no interest in food.
Season 10 shows some maturity that is appreciated
tnliving26 September 2019
I love MasterChef for the entertainment but there have been too many seasons of the same shtick. Things such as a judge taking one bite of something then saying Oh dear in a worrisome tone then whoosh out to commercial. Only to come back from commercial (30 seconds of review) and then say it's great. That might have been entertaining once a season but for a while they did it once an episode or more.
Season 10 has been mostly free of that tiresome cliche. Also I feel like the judges criticisms have been more nuanced and not as artificially polarized as before. Overall the MasterChef franchise is aiming for a different goal than Top Chef. Its more like Worst Cooks in America. Entertainment first, food second. Still, there is plenty to see and a little to learn watching the MasterChef seasons progress. If you want more focus on fine dining and Cheffiness, Top Chef is probably worth checking out. We love both, especially watching with no commercials streaming. I think my opinion of both shows would be lower if each episode really took an hour to watch.
Season 10 has been mostly free of that tiresome cliche. Also I feel like the judges criticisms have been more nuanced and not as artificially polarized as before. Overall the MasterChef franchise is aiming for a different goal than Top Chef. Its more like Worst Cooks in America. Entertainment first, food second. Still, there is plenty to see and a little to learn watching the MasterChef seasons progress. If you want more focus on fine dining and Cheffiness, Top Chef is probably worth checking out. We love both, especially watching with no commercials streaming. I think my opinion of both shows would be lower if each episode really took an hour to watch.
Best cooking programme I've watched in years
tonyshanahan19 September 2019
Culinary pro wrestling
tubastuff28 June 2014
One could just about name the winner of this show by about the third episode. Eliminate the trash-talkers and the physically unattractive and the contestants with the personality of a wet tortilla and you have your field. Add points if there's some sort of a sob story behind the contestant.
If you think that the judging can't be rigged, then you must think that TV professional wrestling is the real, true and honest thing.
Consider the following (which have been addressed with other countries' versions of this series, but not the USA):
1. The judging isn't blind--the judges are perfectly aware of who cooked what and are perfectly free to feign criticism or praise.
2. The actual prep work performed by the contestants is shown in very carefully edited clips. As this series has progressed, less and less of preparation has been shown, so you really don't know what's being done by anyone.
3. Apparently, the rules do not allow a kibitzing Joe, Gordon or Graham to be told to go away during prep. It's amazing that fingers haven't been lost. But if you want to throw a contestant off balance, just try jabbering at her or him while he or she is trying to cook.
4. The judging criteria aren't made public beforehand, so something that the judges will allow to pass in one round becomes a fatal error in another.
I gave up on "Hell's Kitchen" because of Ramsay's screaming and cursing and the penchant of the show's producers to select contestants who are incredibly stupid, smoking (what chef really wants to abuse the most valuable tool in his arsenal--his sense of taste?) trash-talking and mean-spirited.
I'll go back to watching Jacques Pepin, thank you.
If you think that the judging can't be rigged, then you must think that TV professional wrestling is the real, true and honest thing.
Consider the following (which have been addressed with other countries' versions of this series, but not the USA):
1. The judging isn't blind--the judges are perfectly aware of who cooked what and are perfectly free to feign criticism or praise.
2. The actual prep work performed by the contestants is shown in very carefully edited clips. As this series has progressed, less and less of preparation has been shown, so you really don't know what's being done by anyone.
3. Apparently, the rules do not allow a kibitzing Joe, Gordon or Graham to be told to go away during prep. It's amazing that fingers haven't been lost. But if you want to throw a contestant off balance, just try jabbering at her or him while he or she is trying to cook.
4. The judging criteria aren't made public beforehand, so something that the judges will allow to pass in one round becomes a fatal error in another.
I gave up on "Hell's Kitchen" because of Ramsay's screaming and cursing and the penchant of the show's producers to select contestants who are incredibly stupid, smoking (what chef really wants to abuse the most valuable tool in his arsenal--his sense of taste?) trash-talking and mean-spirited.
I'll go back to watching Jacques Pepin, thank you.
Awful
Dorjee_Wang7 March 2016
As someone who has seen the other country versions of Masterchef, I personally expected fun. But this show is awful. There's a lot of things wrong with it.
First up - The contestants. Mix Big Brother-Real World with cooking in the middle and you'll get Masterchef US. My God, they are terrible - Arrogant, cynical, whiny. There is not an episode where they aren't insulting each other. Which is an extreme surprise because it's supposed to be a cooking competition and incredibly unlike the other Masterchefs (Australia for one is very viewer friendly) and even Top Chef might I add (which is also viewer friendly and actually has contestants keep up with their professionalisms). I personally don't know if it's scripted or spontaneous but it's a terrible watch full of probably psychologically challenged contestants who have anger issues and were probably bullies during their high school days.
Then it's the judges. I'm sorry but they are terrible, even Gordon in this one. One can watch Masterchef Aus and compare it to this one and witness major differences. The judges in the Aussie version are demanding, unrelenting, whilst being caring, and sharing genuine insight with the contestants as well as the viewers. It's dreadful, how the judges in this show acts. Absolute disaster.
The 1 star is just so that this review could pass for submission, my ratings for this show is absolute Zero out of Ten (0/10). Not recommended unless you want to be angry, and like to see people tear each other with no sense of decency instead of competing whilst showing class, then by all means you should watch it.
First up - The contestants. Mix Big Brother-Real World with cooking in the middle and you'll get Masterchef US. My God, they are terrible - Arrogant, cynical, whiny. There is not an episode where they aren't insulting each other. Which is an extreme surprise because it's supposed to be a cooking competition and incredibly unlike the other Masterchefs (Australia for one is very viewer friendly) and even Top Chef might I add (which is also viewer friendly and actually has contestants keep up with their professionalisms). I personally don't know if it's scripted or spontaneous but it's a terrible watch full of probably psychologically challenged contestants who have anger issues and were probably bullies during their high school days.
Then it's the judges. I'm sorry but they are terrible, even Gordon in this one. One can watch Masterchef Aus and compare it to this one and witness major differences. The judges in the Aussie version are demanding, unrelenting, whilst being caring, and sharing genuine insight with the contestants as well as the viewers. It's dreadful, how the judges in this show acts. Absolute disaster.
The 1 star is just so that this review could pass for submission, my ratings for this show is absolute Zero out of Ten (0/10). Not recommended unless you want to be angry, and like to see people tear each other with no sense of decency instead of competing whilst showing class, then by all means you should watch it.
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