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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this reality series is a reflection of the real hierarchical power struggles in the restaurant industry. Produced by the same folks who put together the highly successful Project Runway, this show focuses on the nasty behavior between competitors instead of the cooking process itself. Critiques from judges are harsh, which may be hard for kid viewers to understand.
Families can talk about the challenges of working in a creative field under tight time pressures. What skills are required to make this situation successful? Also, how do you balance your individual creative talent while working cooperatively as part of a team? For kids interested in cooking, the featured meals may spur discussions about exotic foods or the process of preparing and cooking them.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Pam Gelman
TOP CHEF is aptly named. This reality series features aspiring chefs who whine and become downright confrontational as they try to garnish the title of king/queen of the kitchen.
The competitors face two challenges each week. First they must prepare a meal using a specific -- and often unusual -- ingredient under tight time constraints. This winner of this challenge is safe from elimination from the second challenge, which is to prepare another meal for a group of demanding clients. The last chef standing will receive prizes totaling $100,000 to jumpstart a culinary career and, of course, the title of Top Chef.
The principal judge is Tom Colicchio, head chef of New York City's Gramercy Tavern and Craft restaurants. Viewers are no doubt thankful to see him each week, since he puts the contestants' attitudes in check. Other judges include Gail Simmons (a food expert at Food & Wine), guest chefs from fabulous restaurants, and personalities like Ted Allen of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
Kids like to cook, but this show skimps on the process, focusing on personalities instead. The self-absorbed contestants' language and behavior are inappropriate for younger viewers, and they never show what it takes to work cooperatively as a team.
Also, some challenges aren't for young eyes. For example, one season had an episode that was all about preparing sexy, erotic food for a fetish ball. And another challenge revolved around cooking monk fish for a group of 10-year-olds; many of the competing chefs threw up their noses at the idea of preparing food for kids. Whose team won? The mom of three.
Even older kids interesting in cooking should probably take a pass on this one, flipping instead to the Food Network to sample 30 Minute Meals, Good Eats, or Emeril Live.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentVaries depending on episode themes. In one episode, for example, contestants had to cook for a fetish party (meals include "The Total Orgasm" and "Tarts and Tits"). |
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Violence |
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Language"You're a douche bag," "your attitude is crappy," "f--k you" (f--k is bleeped). |
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Social BehaviorArrogant personalities prevent cooperative team behavior. The contestants are extremely competitive. |
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CommercialismKitchen product and sponsor names are mentioned. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoWine is used as an ingredient. |
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