Top Chef vs.Top Chef Masters
I try not to watch too many reality TV shows but I’m a sucker for food and cooking shows. My love for Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsey are no secret. So it’s no big shocker that I love Top Chef. But you know what I love more than Top Chef? Top Chef Masters.
Now, you may be asking yourself, self, what’s the difference? They are both competitive cooking shows and they face the same challenges. The difference lies in the competitors themselves. In Top Chef, the competitors are chefs attempting to make a name for themselves and win the prize money. Ego, conflict, and attitude are just as prevalent as creativity and hard work. But in Top Chef Masters, the competitors are well known, well respected, and award winning chefs. They know, or know of, each other and they respect each others skills. And while they are just as competitive and proud as the Top Chef contestants, it’s the mutual respect that makes all the difference.
There is nothing like watching skilled professionals who love what they do work. The intensity, the dedication, the respect, and camaraderie they have for each other; it’s the way work should be. Everyone should be so lucky as to not only do what they love, but be able to share it with others just as obsessed as they are. It’s a regular love fest and I find that more exciting than petty squabbles.
If the previews for tonight’s show are any indication, the difference between Top Chef and Top Chef Masters will be clearly on display. You see, the Top Chef Master’s competitors will be getting some help from previous Top Chef contestants tonight. Check it out to see the stark contrast for yourself. Watch the sparks and egos fly.
August 12th, 2009 saat: 9:42 am
One of the few shows that I try and see regularly is Top Chef, and Top Chef Masters is also pretty solid. I do get sort of annoyed at the judges sometimes, they give these chefs some really impossible challenges (make gourmet food from a vending machine) and then get really critical at the judging.
August 13th, 2009 saat: 8:30 pm
I'm showing my age and old-fashioned values with this comment; But I remember Julia Child and The Galloping Gourmet from years ago. Now they were "Top Chefs" and they both had class. Something that is missing from so many today.
I haven't watched either of the two shows you have mentioned here and probably won't because I caught part of a show in which Gordon Ramsay (at least, I think that's who you mean) was supposed to be helping out a restaurant that was struggling. Gordon was nothing but foul-mouthed and nasty. Trying his best to be a mean-spirited SOB by calling the chef/owner stupid and all sorts of bleeped-out comments.
Most "reality" TV shows are all the same in this regard – trying to be as mean-spirited and nasty as they can.
It is a sad commentary that these kinds of "reality" TV shows are what pass for "entertainment" these days.
I guess that makes me a "ol' stick in the mud."
But, it is even sadder when this kind of behaviour carries over into the workplace.
August 14th, 2009 saat: 5:08 am
Steve – Yeah, they seem to expect a lot from the contestants. Even if I could cook I don't know if I'd want to put myself through that.
Charles – Gordon Ramsey is quite hard on people who don't meet his standards. But I kind of like that about him. 🙂 I hear he is a very nice person and that the TV shows play up the harshness.
August 14th, 2009 saat: 8:46 am
I'm so with you on Top Chef and Top Chef Masters! I love the post-mortem table chat where the chefs talk about what went wrong for them and their colleagues say supportive things over a glass of wine.
It is a good reminder that we can be competitive and take a completely different approach to any given challenge, but at the end of the day we all just want to put out something that makes us proud.
August 16th, 2009 saat: 7:37 am
I've never seen the shows, but I agree that it's much more enjoyable to watch people who are doing what they love and because they love it.
This is also true with comedy–there's nothing like seeing a comedian who you can tell loves being on stage. The whole audience can get behind and it seems to make the show that much more enjoyable.
August 16th, 2009 saat: 9:00 am
Susan – Totally!
Office Humorist – You really need to check it out, they are fun shows!