112 replies to this topic

[June Pickering]

I was wondering how many of last night's collection of eaters at the Ritz would think about hiring one of the losers of the competition. It seems a perfect audition for someone seeking 'food' as a career - win or lose.

I think Digger Dean or our mother of two would have a better chance than Peter. I sense age discrimination at times in this contest.

My money is also on Dean and I sure hope this week goes quickly so we can go back to eating dinner at the table.

[Nicolai]

Is is a wee bit perplexing when the title of Master Chef will go to anybody who can read a recipe IN DETAIL and executes the dish.

Is this really what being a Chef is about? To prepare a recipe by numbers!

I think not.

More like a one trick poney or three to that matter!

Aaarghhhhhh

[fabienpe]

My money is also on Dean and I sure hope this week goes quickly so we can go back to eating dinner at the table.

You might be very disappointed unfortunately tomorrow then! The judges don't seem to have come up with a consistent and meaningful set of criteria for selecting the winners since last year.

Edited by fabienpe, 16 March 2006 - 04:08 PM.

[tony h]

It was great seeing David EM and LeCS on last night - but no Helen? shocking.

[Duncan]

That was a nailbiting final. The judges had to choose between raw partridge, raw venison and overcooked duck.

Sadly, Dean and Daksha both blew it and the judges went for Peter.

[Andy Lynes]

...and what the hell has happened to Daksha? She seems to have gone from sweet, endearing mother of two to referring to herself in the third person (a sure sign of a rampant ego) in a matter of weeks!

[Champagne Sadie]

It was great seeing David EM and LeCS on last night - but no Helen?  shocking.

I've only ever seen the kitchen at LeCS spotlessly clean - never in use. It was good to see, and watching David in action.

Contestants and Wallace still painful to watch though.

[Champagne Sadie]

the judges went for Peter.

The guy should have gone in the heats - sweating old git.

That just about sums up this series.

To quote Catherine Tates "gran" - "What a load of old shit."

[Richard_D]

Wish I'd put a bet on Peter winning 'cos I spent yesterday telling everyone that Dean should win but that they would pick Peter. This was, in the most part, greeted with howls of laughter.

I was sadly proved right.

'gulp', does this mean I think like John Torode and Gregg Wallace!?!?!?!?

Oh well, just got this to look forward to now....

The Great British Menu

Edited by Richard_D, 17 March 2006 - 11:51 PM.

[June Pickering]

I can't feel too sorry for Digger Dean. I think he'll have found a good job in any top kitchen by now... has he? I have no idea why this Yank got so hooked on this program - maybe because there's nothing like it in the States. I found the judges appalling. Peter, although we know he had trouble with his sauces because they told us 50 times, was really the best of the three.

[Andy Lynes]

The BBC explain themselves.

[Nicolai]

The BBC have got lot of explaining to do.

The simple title of "Master Chef" is a slap in the face to all Chefs and future chefs slaving away from Switzerland to US culinary schools. It is not doing a favour to the industry who is either teaching or training Chefs and not even to the self taught maveriks behind their stoves in their heated up kitchens.

Being a food lover does not make you a Chef and being a good cook does not make you a Chef either!

So much money went into the making of this program from studio set up to outdoor mobile units to on site shooting. And for what?
Two jokers and few amateurs cooking by numbers.

If Daksha can do a Soufflé by number then it is time to hang up our aprons and head for the nearest golden arches.

But at the end of the day, the budget for such production is coming out of our pocket so that the BBC can have one hundred channels and spend good money on rubbish programs and presenters....and be proud of it!

[Winot]

I'm slightly surprised at the high expectations expressed on this (and other) threads about food TV.

It's TV. It's mass market. It's shit.

Saying that, for our licence fee we get R4 etc.

(Perhaps I'm just being defeatist)

[fisherman]

The BBC have got lot of explaining to do.

What exactly do they need to explain? They're a television company, they made a show, some people liked it, some didn't, what's new?

So much money went into the making of this program from studio set up to outdoor mobile units to on site shooting. And for what?

For what? For 6 weeks (I think it was 6) of compelling network television, that's what. If they hadn't spent the money on masterchef, it's not like it would have gone to charity or something, they would have shot a new series of some shitey property program. I enjoyed masterchef, I didn't like either of the presenters, I didn't like many of the contestants, but that doesn't matter, it made good television.

[Carlovski]

Is is a wee bit perplexing when the title of Master Chef will go to anybody who can read a recipe IN DETAIL and executes the dish.

Is this really what being a Chef is about? To prepare a recipe by numbers!

I think not.

More like a one trick poney or three to that matter!

Aaarghhhhhh

No - most chefs are also shown how to prepare it as well...

[Andy Lynes]

Is this really what being a Chef is about? To prepare a recipe by numbers!...

No - most chefs are also shown how to prepare it as well...

Not in a cookery competition which are tests of knowledge and skill not hand holding exercises. This wasn't Masterchef Goes Large, it was Generation Game Goes Large.

[Nicolai]

Hehehe, poor poor Andy.

Put your apron on, Cilla Black coming to town.

New program on BBC2:
Eating with...
starting March 29 06 @ 20.00pm and for eight weeks.
A new series explores famous people through the food that has flavoured their lives.

The BBC will have us gasping with Cilla Black, Ronnie Corbett, Oona King, Sadie Frost,
Nigel Slater, Minette Walters, Malcolm McLaren and Tom Parker Bowles.
Yes you read right Tom Parker Bowles for crying out LOUD.

Just in case you missed it. Tom Parker Bowles in da flesh!?!?!!

Everybody hold on to your Cringometers. Gonna be a rough ride.

Master Chef, please come back, everything is forgiven. We are not worthy!

Edited by Nicolai, 23 March 2006 - 08:00 AM.

[Andy Lynes]

Hehehe, poor poor Andy.

Do you think, by any chance, I might be taking this a bit too seriously?

I saw the trailer for the Cilla show and I think there was a scene shot at Le Caprice so there might at least be a bit of restaurant action in the show to keep us all amused. I quite like Cilla actually, I was a Blind Date addict and her vocal on "Alfie" is just awesome.

[Mrs Foodie]

I agree with Nicolai - Tom Parker Bowles!?! Talk about a name getting you places.
I think his dreadful column in the Mail on Sunday seems to have disappeared, haven't noticed it for a while - it was cringe making and so patronising. The series sounds interesting though......

[Richard_D]

So, the new series started this week.

I think it's a bit hit and miss so far but it's still early days. Glad to see that the table manners of the presenters appear to have improved.

Any egulleteers appearing?

[britcook]

There's definitely an improvement, that dreadful voice over woman has been reined in (and she has finally been told there is no 'n' in restaurateur) and limited to brief intros and dish descriptions without the faux drama of previous series. Much less of the "life changing" schtick, more attention paid to the food and generally better editing with less repetition. Even the two presenters are being more forthcoming about the food on the plates and why they pick particular contestants. Still not great TV but it has lost a lot of the more annoying "features" of previous series.

[Andy Lynes]

Why does John Torode shout all the time? John, just stop bloody shouting will you! And you don't have to try and get all the food in your mouth in one go. That's why knives were invented.

[Richard_D]

I think I might have to eat my earlier comments about it having improved.

In the Friday 'final' firstly they dragged them round a market to get a shot of them sniffing/prodding/looking thoughtfully at a button mushroom. They then kicked one bloke out because he couldn't identify some tinned beans and bits of lamb (fair enough, although the person who couldn't identify the borlotti beans she cooked with in the earlier round should have been booted out as well). Only then with 10 minutes to go did they get around to cooking something.

Oh, and each stage was followed by some serious blubbing from all the contestants.

I'm still hooked though. I don't know why I can't stop watching it.

[algy]

I don't know why I can't stop watching it.

My guess would be the quality of the presenters

[Matthew Grant]

......Glad to see that the table manners of the presenters appear to have improved.

I noticed that as well, I think John Torode's teeth only rattled against his fork once this week

[Bapi]

What a crock of shit this prgramme is. Did anyone see the programme last night? Highly competent Police bloke (Rob?), was totally unflappable in the kitchen of the Mandarian Oriental hotel. He then produced a good looking confited salmon starter and and a pork belly dish, which was admittedly somewhat overcooked.

But he lost out to the woman, who produced roast patridge without the skin( sacrilege), but with all the trimmings. Torode said the components were far too sweet. And she was utterly pants in the professional kitchen. She couldn't even plate salad up, despite being told how too umpteen times. Aaagh, why send them to a professional kitchen and ask the chef's opinion- if they then take fuck all notice?

I only watch it as my two year old loves it. He will be watching on his own tonight, for fear of me sticking my foot through the telly.

Edited by Bapi, 08 February 2007 - 03:30 AM.

[Matthew Grant]

Why can't we ever see the discussion that leads them to pick the final winner? We hear the talk regarding why they have dismissed everybody bar the last two. Do you think it has anything to do with the decision being influenced by what is perceived to make good TV?

Edited by Matthew Grant, 08 February 2007 - 03:45 AM.

[Basildog]

I only watch it as my two year old loves it. He will be watching on his own tonight, for fear of me sticking my foot through the telly.

It is a big hit with the under 5s, Becky loves it, picking a contestant at the begining to win.

[Matthew Grant]

I only watch it as my two year old loves it. He will be watching on his own tonight, for fear of me sticking my foot through the telly.

It is a big hit with the under 5s, Becky loves it, picking a contestant at the begining to win.

I suspect that's what the judges do as well

[Basildog]

She asked me on Monday if i would like to have a go!