May 29 2008
Reality Cooking - Top Chef vs. Hell’s Kitchen
Are you a food tv junkie? I personally have watched each and every episode of both Top Chef and Hell’s Kitchen. There are so many cooking shows out there though. They’re all the same right? What’s the difference? Well, there are a few major differences. Here’s my take on the two wildly popular reality tv series.
Like many of you I love these reality shows. I’ve even considered applying to become an contestant on both of them. However, while considering the options there are some major differences between the two. Top Chef claims to be a contest of “cooking”. The judges focus on the final product’s taste, preparation, and overall appearance. On the other hand, Hell’s Kitchen tends to be a contest focused on not only precise execution of food products, but more over an ability of the contestants to work under extreme stress, and how the contestants’ individual personalities mesh with the other contestants, as well as the Executive Chef, Gordon Ramsay, of course.
Which aspect is more important? Isn’t it just about the food that ends up in front of the consumer? Well, if you’ve ever worked in the relatively high-stress environment of a professional kitchen you might agree with me that the overall adapability and personality of the contestants is what can really make or break a great culinarian. Granted, the food has to be spot on. But, once all of the experimentation is finished, and the recipes are written and perfected, it is in my opinion most important that the chefs are able to work closely with others. For that reason, I believe that Hell’s Kitchen is a more accurate gauge of a person who will be sucessful in the fast paced restaurant industry.
Don’t get me wrong…both shows are very entertaining. I’ve enjoyed sitting in my livingroom and taking on the role of the judge and jury of all of the previous contestants. I usually have a favorite picked before the third episode is finished. Of course, I can’t taste the food itself, but that doesn’t stop me from deciding who I think I could work with (or for), and who I can’t stand. It’s easy to judge these people from the comfort of the sofa. But, one thing stands out in my mind when I think of the shows individually. At the end of each season of Hell’s Kitchen I’ve found myself getting teary-eyed when the winner is announced. Its probably because I can identify with the winners, and I can see how hard its been for them to make it to that point. Maybe its because the contestants are pitted against eachother, or maybe because the winner just made it through “HELL”.
4 Responses to “Reality Cooking - Top Chef vs. Hell’s Kitchen”
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What do you think? Is the cooking more important than the personality? What makes a successful chef or restauranteur?
I think both are most likely equally imporant. If you have poop on a plate, no one is going to care how genuine you are and how well you work through hell. If you have a miraculous dish, people are going to compliment you but tell you that you need to shape up in the kitchen because no one is going to want to work with you.
Being able to take peoples critism and make yourself better makes a successful chef. Being able to tweak yourself into something even better than before. If you have no adaptablity, you dont have much. Even if you can create a great dish. You still have to have variety and be able to make things even better. Without that you are just “old news”…and doomed to “hell”.
Emily - I agree 100% the key to being successful is not only having cooking talent, but being able to adjust to the situation at hand and still maintain leadership qualities. Some chefs mistake critisism as blows against their character, when in reality a successful chef will use the critisism to make themselves and their products better. Also, someone who is difficult to work with may not go as far in their career simply because no one wants to work with them. Its pretty difficult to be a leader when you have no one following.
That is a very good point actually. its very easy to work on your culinary skills, but rarely does anyone want to change the way they are.