does anyone watch Chopped?

[sad-cafe]

sometimes it is very interesting

[TexasTowelie]

1. Yes, but I know that I'll never be a competitor.

Trying to balance seasoning, texture, acidity, yada yada isn't my strength. I know nothing about vegetables and most of the proteins are completely foreign to me since I don't eat much seafood.

However, I wouldn't mind trying some of the desserts.

[Phentex]

4. Every once in a while...

I like the ones with chefs I know from other shows.

I am always amazed at what they can come up with in 30 minutes! I am very slow when I cook.

[ljm2002]

2. Yes it is an interesting show...

...for one thing, they usually have at least one food item that is unusual -- often things I've never heard of before.

The time limits are ridiculous though. Instead of 20min - 30min - 30min I would prefer it if they would do 30min - 45min - 45min. Seems to me this would give the chefs a better chance to make really nice dishes. I guess the idea is that more pressure makes for better TV.

But other than that, I have really enjoyed the show.

[Goblinmonger]

6. I've thought that about the time limits, too

but then if they had 45 minutes, risotto (and just one example) is much more doable. Ice cream would not need to be started in the first 10 minutes. The short time forces them to think outside the standard box of what great food is.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

3. Yes, I rather enjoy it

[cbayer]

5. I don't get cable TV but was recently on a long road trip and got to see it.

I really like it. It's fun to try and figure out what to do with a diverse group of ingredients!

[pinto]

7. Regular viewer. I like the show and the challenge.

And, it reminds me a bit of opening my refrigerator...mmm, let's see.

[sad-cafe]

8. some of the things they come up with are so awesome

the better half says the judges and their comments are sometimes mean and they are just looking for something to be wrong.


We agree the time limits are a little stiff.

[grasswire]

9. I think the time limits reflect what a working chef might encounter.

And we all know how frantic commercial kitchens are.

Some of those who have a lot of trouble haven't thought through their plan -- putting something to bake with four minutes left, starting to cook a thick piece of meat toward the end of their time, etc.

I like it, although I don't watch it much anymore. And I like some judges much better than others.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

10. Most boxes contain what my son refers to as a "screw you" ingredient

For example, on a recent show, the entrée round included a box of chocolate-covered cake doughnuts, and the woman who was eliminated that round fell afoul of them.

[maddezmom]

11. One of my favorite TV shows

Watching it now and am looking up recipes for jicama salads. It is amazing what they come up with considering the odd ball ingredient in every box.

[maddezmom]

12. Speaking of...Ted Allen, 'Chopped' Host, Announces Engagement To Partner Of 20 Years After DOMA

Ted Allen, 'Chopped' Host, Announces Engagement To Partner Of 20 Years After DOMA Decision
Posted: 06/26/2013 3:44 pm EDT | Updated: 06/26/2013 4:30 pm EDT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/ted-allen-engaged-barry-rice_n_3505073.html

[cbayer]

13. Excellent!

I have liked him since Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

[maddezmom]

14. I loved that show

My fav part was usually the grooming and fashion. God some of the guys were so funny.

[cbayer]

15. I liked the cooking and decorating. And, yes, they were hilarious.

Real breakthrough show at the time.

[pinto]

18. I loved the snip when they were helping a guy get ready for a date or some event.

There was a web cam sort of set up as he shaved. As he shaved his neck with upward strokes, cut to one of the team - "No, no, no. I told him - shave with the grain!"

Somewhat stereotypical, maybe intentionally so. But funny. I think overall the up front format and the humor helped a bit to bring gays into the mainstream, at least in TV land. And hence, most of America.

[cbayer]

19. I remember that one! Hilarious.

I think it was intentionally campy and stereotyped, but I also thought it was effective in breaking down some boundaries.

[GoCubsGo]

20. Good for him!

I love Ted. This old lady considers him a "crying shame". And, no, is not smear of any sort. Quite the opposite.

[pinto]

16. +1. That's neat.

[Callalily]

17. Chopped? Yes, I watch it,

but frankly I find it very stressful to watch. The basket ingredients are most often insane and to come up with a good appetizer/main dish/dessert takes true genius.

I consider myself a good cook and frankly a very inventive cook, but to have the challenges brought before me as the chefs in chopped? I truly think that I would fail miserably.

Will I continue to watch? Yes. Will I continue to be stressed and cheer for each chef that is challenged? Yes.

[GoCubsGo]

21. Yes, when I can.

I love seeing what they do with all those strange combinations of ingredients. I would love to be a judge on the show, but definitely not a contestant.

[Tab]

22. I watch it all the time

Trying to work on the backlog.

I think the timing is just right (usually) - if you're really on the ball you should be able to just make it in that time frame. If you do something stupid - like trying to make rice during the appetizer round - you won't make it, but that's your fault for not realizing that you can't get rice done (and plated) in just 20 minutes.

I think at this point I've watched enough to know I wouldn't want to be a contestant. I could probably execute well enough - cook properly and plate it - in time - but I'd probably need the whole 20/30 minutes just to figure out what I can do with Lamb Fries, chocolate covered donuts, cactus, and wheatgrass.

[sad-cafe]

23. My favorite judge is Marcus Samuelson

and then Alex


I do not like the woman that is always bitching about the tartness and her accent is so thick it is hard to understand her.

[RebelOne]

24. Yes, yes, I love that show. n/t