by Kenneth Sawhill

Created on: February 27, 2009   Last Updated: March 03, 2009

Why do I like this show? I have been trying to figure this out.

As a general rule, I cannot stomach reality TV. The word "reality" is misleading when referring to this category of television programming. Anytime there is a camera crew involved, people are "on", they are "acting" in the sense that there is heightened awareness of an outside presence, and for this reason, non of these folks can be completely themselves, regardless of how informal the setting.

One of the reasons I find this show addictive, of course, is the interplay of the competitors and their philosophy as regards food and cooking. As much as it is difficult to admit, I end up rooting very emphatically for one or more of the aspiring chefs on this show, and also rooting just as emphatically against some of the others. Sooner or later, lines are drawn and alliances are formed.

The people that do well on this show are not necessarily the best cooks, but those who are able to keep their cool under pressure, and also are able to improvise and think on their feet when thrown an unexpected challenge by the producers and judges of the show. There is plenty of heat and pressure in the Top Chef kitchen, and the contestants that do well are those that can work under this stress.

Another reason I think I like this show is the myriad of quality chefs that serve as weekly judges. If you want to learn who is who in the culinary arts, sooner or later you will see them on this program. This past season saw, in addition to the legendary Jacques Pepin, the following celebrities of the culinary community Jean-Georges, Eric Ripert, Rocco DiSpirito, Wylie Dufresne, and Jean-Christophe Novelli, all of whom are renown in the world of "foodies".

I think my favorite contestant chefs this season were Fabio and Carla. Why? Fabio, in addition to knowing his craft (and cooking great pasta!), was charming. If you remember in the restaurant wars segment, he understood the necessity of being a good "front" man for the restaurant he was representing, the team he was the front man for, and he was an excellent PR man for his team. In the food business, in addition to being a creative and skilled chef, you need to have excellent people skills, and Fabio was absolutely delightful and charismatic.

Carla seemed someone who, in addition to being very gifted in the kitchen and having her own unique cooking style, was a decent, fun-loving, and compassionate human being, and not vindictive and calculating as many of the other contestants are quite capable of being. I very much hope that both Carla and Fabio achieve success in the very difficult food and restaurant business.

One drawback to the show - I haven't really learned very much about cooking! As someone who loves food and is interested in improving my cooking skills, the thrust of the show is the competition between the contestants, the intensity of the elimination challenge and judges table, and not the how-to of the cooking involved. (The recipes for the dishes done on the show are available on the show's website, however.)

There is a reason this show is the #1 rated cable food show on TV. Regardless of your opinion of reality TV, if you haven't seen it yet, check it out. You just may hooked!

Sources: http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/season-5/about

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