Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Competition teaches amateurs to cook in watch-together fare.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Worst Cooks in America
What's the Story?
On WORST COOKS IN AMERICA, 16 contestants who call themselves terrible cooks go through a two-week cooking boot camp led by professional chefs, including Iron Chef America's Anne Burrell. On each episode, chefs are drilled on an aspect of cooking, including knife skills, baking, seasoning, and the like. They are then asked to prepare dishes that display these skills. In the meantime, Burrell and the other pro chef compete against each other to produce the most improved cooks. One by one, contestants are eliminated, until the two best of the worst cooks prepare a three-course meal for professional judges. The cook who makes the best meal wins $25,000, and the chef who instructed him or her gets bragging rights.
Is It Any Good?
Watching nonprofessionals get better at something difficult is both inspirational and interesting, and makes up for the distress of hearing the contenders run themselves down when they start the competition. The supervising chefs can get a little bit cranky with contestants, rushing them in the kitchen, or condemning the dishes they have made. Still, this may prove fun for parents who like to cook to watch with kids who need a little coaxing to try their hand in the kitchen.
Overall, the excitement delivered by both the mishaps (lots of kitchen fires and spills!) and the victories make this fun family fare. Kids will root for their favorite personalities and might even learn something in the process.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether cooking is an important skill. Do you really need to know how to cook to feed yourself? What are the benefits of meals cooked and eaten at home?
Do you think the judges pick contestants solely on their cooking skills? Or do the most colorful and interesting contestants tend to stick around?
Does it bother you that the cooks, particularly on the first shows of the season, tend to downplay their skills? Do you feel sorry for them? Do you think their view of themselves as a "bad cook" keeps them from learning how to cook?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 3, 2010
- Cast : Anne Burrell , Bobby Flay , Robert Irvine
- Network : Food Network
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Cooking
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate