I have a question for the producers of Food Network’s “Chopped”….
And that is, do you instruct the judges to be so bitter and critical, or did you just choose judges that you thought would fit that bill? The show, in its second season, is becoming more unwatchable by the episode, and not because the tempo of the show creates pressure that occasionally causes a contestant to slice off a fingertip or serve raw poultry and fish bones. It’s because of those judges–the likes of Alex Guarnaschelli, Aaron Sanchez, Amanda Freitag, and Geoffrey Zakarian–who sit on their high horse and just rip these poor chefs to shreds.
If you haven’t seen the show, let me give you a brief synopsis. Host Ted Allen (who is the show’s lone bright spot) introduces four chefs, who are usually restaurant owners, head chefs, or seasoned sous chefs, who will go head-to-head in a competition of three rounds. Each round, they are given a basket of mystery ingredients–ingredients that usually do not go together, maybe like duck breast, avocado, maple syrup and passion fruit. They have to create an appetizer, main course and dessert–but after each round, one contestant is “chopped,” or eliminated, until the dessert round pits the two remaining chefs, who square off for a $10,000 prize.
And if we didn’t have a reference point, it wouldn’t be such a big deal, at least to me. But even Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson and Bobby Flay of “The Next Food Network Star” are gentle to their contestants by comparison. And if you watch “Top Chef” or the awesome new “Top Chef Masters” on Bravo, the judges have the utmost respect for the chefs that are competing. But not on “Chopped.” It’s like they go out of their way to be vindictive. Alex is the most guilty here….she has these steely eyes that cut like a hot knife through (are you ready for the pun?) Butter (the name of her NYC restaurant if you missed the joke). And if a contestant dares to try and speak while she’s speaking, she cuts them off abruptly, saying, “you can speak when I’m finished!” like a fifth grade teacher reprimanding a student. But it’s not just her. If one of the contestants doesn’t plate their dish in time, undercooks or overcooks something, doesn’t use a key ingredient properly or leaves a bone or shell on the plate, or drops a spatula on the floor and wipes it off before continuing, the judges react as if someone just made fun of their mother, or kicked their dog.
Even if the dish looks like there is no way they can say something bad about it, Alex and her cohorts always find something bad to say….ALWAYS. To make matters worse, they sometimes let contestants slide for the wrong reasons, such as not watching the clock or serving undercooked chicken–when others may have clearly been more creative but added a bit too much jalapeno that made poor wittle Amanda Freitag reach for her water.
Look, I like the show and the concept of it. But can’t these judges lighten up a bit? Get the sneer off your faces, “Chopped” judges and producers, and just have fun with it. There is no good reason for you to be pissed off at the world, and if you continue to be so, we’re just not going to watch.
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Posted in: Reality TV, TV
Tags: Aaron Sanchez, Alex Guarnaschelli, Amanda Freitag, Bob Tuschman, Bobby Flay, Bravo, Chopped, Chopped Season 2, cooking competition, Food Network, Geoffrey Zakarian, Susie Fogelson, Ted Allen, The Next Food Network Star, Top Chef, Top Chef Masters
I agree whole heartedly, the Chopped judges are a*******!
THANK YOU. I was going to try to write to the Foodnetwork myself but you said everything I wanted to say – I will no longer watch this show because of the snobbish – holier than thou attitudes of the judges – I feel sorry for anyone trying to please any of those judges because it is just impossible – This should be called DINNER IMPOSSIBLE because you just can’t win – even the winners are trashed. Thank you for your post!
I just finished watching the July 28 show. This may be the last time I watch this show. One judge was angry with the other two and said the chef who made the best dessert should win. I thought surely the other two judges would stand their ground and stick with the chef who presented the best meal other than the dessert. Not so. The angry chef got his way!!! Shame on you.
I whole heartedly agree with Norma C. The other two judges appeared to be bullied in to voting for the chef with the better dessert and not the one who made the best overall meal. This may be my last episode.
Awfully sensitive, aren’t we? One would think you were describing Hell’s Kitchen.
The brusque tone of the judges on Chopped (which is far from abusive) is part of the pressure cooker – it helps sets the show apart from more sedate programming like Next Food Network Star, Ultimate Recipe Showdown, and Challenge. And far from becoming ‘unwatchable,’ the show has only improved from one season to the next.
If sensitive souls can’t stand the heat, they’d best stay out of the kitchen.
i like the one judge aaron sanchaz he’s great he should be a iron chef but alex pisses me off,lol i hate the way she acts.i dont feel good after the show im alittle angry
I agree! What’s up with Scott Connant? He is worse than of all of them combined!! He never has anything positive to say. He always makes comments like “i’m not sure how to say this” or “interesting”.
I like watching chopped, however, why does your set look like a prison?? Black setting, dismal room, chefs dressed in black (chefs should wear white) The judges are cruel except for aaron sanchaz. Brighten up your set and make it look like a “clean” kitchen like it should!! Judges, LIGHTEN UP!
All three judges ate food from a chef after she 1. dropped her tongs on the floor, wiped them on her apron, and then plated her food, and 2. double-dipped her tasting spoon and used it to sauce her plates. On a separate episode another chef double-dipped… the judges called him on it but they still ate the food! Disgusting! This is like eating food someone has spit in! And these top-notch judges propogate such disgusting behavior to be allowed by eating food prepared by such sub-standard practices. Kids at Arby’s would be fired for doing the same things!
How hard up for food do you have to be to eat it from utensils dropped on the floor and/or being served from the chef’s tasting utensil?
This show needs to go down. The judges are morons. They think they are Gods, while they are just idiots hired to be crude and rude on camera. I really think ALL food network fans should seriously boycott Chopped. There is an immediate lack of respect in the show. If you don’t like it, don’t eat it. The judges have the right to chop anyone they feel like, but they cannot ridicule the contestants. DOWN WITH CHOPPED!
I agree with this. Love the Food Network, but take these judges off and put them in those situations and see how they do. They are so abusive it is pathetic. Not going to watch this show, but it has a great concept.
I was the pastry chef at a fancy French restaurant on the Upper East Side, in NYC, in 1995. Each day, I’d prepare my sauces, ice creams, sorbets etc., under the most sanitary conditions. Afterwards, the French sous chef would come over and proceed to use his spoon to eat samples, double-dipping from all the containers, and sampling the sauces from the squeeze bottles (placing his mouth around the end of the squeeze bottles). When I would ask him not to (explaining the reason), he and the chef-owner treated me as if I were insane for having a “problem” with it. Needless to say, I didn’t work there for long and I left the restaurant business a few years later.
I absolutely agree with you… The judges ruin the show. I tried watching it, but can’t continue. As for the behavior being part of the show, I absolutely can’t agree with Phil. The dynamic of Hell’s Kitchen is different in the sense that the winner will be the face of the sole judges HUGE investment. In chopped the contestants are trying to push the envelope creatively… Also, ramsey at least recognizes achievement whereas the chopped judges just seem determined to be pissed off at the world… All in all I agree with many of you, the show is unwatchable.
I would like to see these rude and snobbish judges on Chopped have to be a contestant on the show. I would love to see what they could come up with in the allowed time and how they would handle it if they had judges for them as critical as they are. I watched the show last night and Marc Murphy and Alex Guarnaschelli were really rude.
i love aaron sanchez. a very kind man. i WANT to like the others. but i find their steely gazes almost comedic. truly. i sit here and wonder how anyone could look so mean and be taken seriously. they don’t play fair. they complain and then do eat double-dipped food and so on. the one where the guy bled into the food was so bad but they did make him start over. that was so gross i almost think they should have edited it out. yep, watching the rude stares coming out from under the furrowed brow is not pleasant in any shape or form. ted allen is okay. (i think they may intimidate him quite possibly LOL)
I agree with the author as well. In addition to commenting on this post, everyone needs to go to the food network website and let them know how you feel. I just wrote in because I was disgusted by the judges’ behavior as well. Just go to the food network website, scroll down to the bottom and click ‘contact us’. Let them know how you feel and hopefully they will change their format.
I feel relieved to find I am not alone in my opinion about the judges (except adorable and relatively normal person Aaron Sanchez) ruining this show. It could be really good, but these egomaniacal self-important asses wreck it.
Most of you are insane. The judges are the BEST part of the show. Of COURSE they are self absorbed douchebags, that’s what makes this show awesome. Half the fun I have watching is making fun of the judges. Alex lost Iron Chef America to Cat Cora, for chrisakes. My favorite douche is the short guy with perfectly manicured hair – during the intro this season he’s the one who holds up the hot pepper and says “What am I supposed to do with this?” I have a pretty good idea for him.
As far as double dipping; big whoop. There’s bacteria everywhere. The heat in whatever is being cooked takes care of it.
The judges on TV show chopped are so unfair. I watched the show last night and they sent Sonny home the older gentlemen, He was good, his food looked good but because he put chop sticks on his plate simply for decorations, they sent him home and his food was the best and looked the best. The guy that won only won because his wife was expecting a baby. The lady judge is full of bull crap, she is just a bitchy female that wants to have her way, I really wish they would take the show off the air, so unfair!!!!!
I agree with Matt. The chefs that go on the show know well in advance that they’ll be facing criticism and sometimes abrupt comments from the judges.
Plus – consider how much of the show is actually edited out for television viewers like us.
The judges don’t sit there with angry looks on their faces the whole time the chefs are conversing with them. They’re likely laughing with the contestants during the commercial breaks; asking them if they’re ready to face the mean old judges again.
I like the show and it doesn’t bother me that the judges act stern because most of that is for show anyway.
If it bothered the chefs, they wouldn’t be chomping at the bit to go on there.
Matt you are a hoot! However I don’t think the judges are doing themselves any favors by being hateful. There is too much good programing on to waste my rare free time on hateful people. I see now Alex is starting a new show, I won’t be watching.
Very simple solution if you dont like the judges on chopped, Turn The Channel to Bravo and watch Top Chef or something like that.
I hope the judges change because I do like the concept of the show. That Alex is almost comedic in her bitchiness.. lighten up.
What adds insult to injury is that most judges have a scant appreciation for world cuisines. They judge within the apparently limited range that their palates allow them and don’t seem to understand dishes that are from Asian, middle eastern, African, latino ( other than Mexican) cultures. Judging by comparing the dish to what you are used to eating without understanding aspects of food that are cultural and would be readily apparent to folks from similar backgrounds as the chefs is insulting to the skills and abilities of the chefs. If you cannot judge non western food don’t invite non western chefs and then tear their creations up on tv. I used to like the show but recent bizzare judgements have made me stop watching due to the sheer unfairness of the competition.
i actually think the judges are too easy going on these contestants. give me an f**king break it’s a competition. They are professional chefs and they sometimes make mistakes I don’t make at home. it’s supposed to be a pressure cooker. I’ve watched some of the episodes without alex and they were boring. I actually think the show has gotten better than the earlier episodes. If you don’t like it stop watching your whining is ruining for the rest of us.
I have been watching this show for a while. If I am not mistaken, rules are set for this show. I do not think exceptions should be made. I have seen several shows where contestants have gone over their time to finish plates, and some who never completed their final dishes. Many went on to the next rounds, or actually won. I totally disagree with these decisions. One doesn’t run a race, fall before the finish line, and still win an award. You have to actually cross the finish line. Rules should not be broken in contests like yours. You need to re-review your guidelines
I just turned it off because the judges were acting like toddlers. I really like the concept and the host but they really need to get the judge component of the show under control. They are so conceited it makes the show uncomfortable to watch. Rudeness is so common on other networks, I am disappointed to see it on Food Network.
I used to enjoy this show but I have to say, today’s episode with Chef Scott complaining about red onions made me laugh out loud. What a self righteous moron. I was so happy the chef he was trying to intimidate threw it back in his face by telling him he was going to make a red onion jam.
Get some decent judges. This will probably be the last “Chopped” I watch.
John I couldn’t agree more, Scott is just a bunch of hot air with the attitude of “I said no so don’t do it” Really what is the point of creativity if a judge gets to tell you how to cook it? “I don’t like raw onions” so what so no one can use raw onions with him(but it’s not personal right?LOL)
That and the fact that the other chef never finished his dish, and they made the other chef choose whether or not to have the frypan come over and when he said no they punished him for it. You can be a winner by not finishing you cooking and not serving it and yet if you do and don’t let the other chef bring over his slop in a pan you lose.
I think the winner is determined by who brown noses the judges and I agree Alex and Scott both bully the other judges. So now i can go on and not finish my dish and win right? they chopped other chefs for that exact thing. They were determined to have the one who didn’t finish win no matter what they had to do. That is just wrong on so many levels.
Dear food net work.
I wathched a challenge that played on 10/27/09. The ingredient was plantain, the remaining two chefs battled to finish their last course, at the end of the 30 minutes one chef did not finish. He DID NOT FINISH THE RACE BUT YET HE WAS HANDED THE RIBBON. It must be nice to have a foot race and not cross the finish line but still be handed 10 THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!! In all FAIRNESS the real winner should be at the least given another chance to cook again. After all he was Cheated of his winnings. Bring him back. Redeem yourself Food Net Work.
I have to agree with many who have posted here. The judges are obnoxious and they do not follow the rules of the show. On 10/27/09 I watched as they handed the prize to a chef who obviously wasn’t smart enough to realize that banana bread WILL NOT COOK in 30 minutes. The real winner who was chopped because of the ignorance of these judges should be brought back as was suggested by others on this site….RULES ARE RULES unfortunately this show allows contestants to regularly break these RULES. They are given ingredients that they MUST USE and judges often overlook it. THEY ARE GIVEN A TIME LIMIT but judges also overlook it. What is the purpose of the show. IF THE JUDGE LIKES YOU, YOU WIN? No Matter what…….?
I COMPLEATLY AGREE!!! THAT WOMAN IS A A TOTAL B*&%$. SHES HAS NO MIND AND DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO JUDGE FOOD AT ALL. AND LOOKS AT EVERYTHING AS IF PEOPLE CAN MAKE FLAWLESS DISHES IN 30 MIN. AND THEN IF ITS TO PERFECT THEY DID SOMETHING WRONG
Sure, Alex is a huge bi-ach, but isn’t that the whole fun of it? I think you people are way too sensitive. There are much worst things in life than being criticized in a competition you know you will be criticized in. Also, it’s obvious the producers want the judges to be the way they are – obviously it’s working because people like me LOVE the show because of the judges’ harsh criticisms. Television is all about drama and most cooking shows are downright boring.
How come nobody is complaining about the hard criticisms in The Next Iron Chef?
I love the show – my one problem with it is the commercial breaks before revealing who got chopped:)
I totally agree. The judges are true douchebag-asshats. Who the hell is the judge who is going ballistic over some raw onions? He and the rest need to just get over themselves. Douchebaggery, jackhole, asshatts at their best.
I totally agree too. The judgment is biased and based on judges personal feelings instead of the capability of the participant. It seems like they always want the underdog to win even if it is not fair. They hate competent, confident participant and love the ones that evoke sympathy. It is not real.
Oh please. The judges are there to judge, not be best friends forever with the chefs. I like that the judges are critical. Praise a chef when he/she doer it right, and when they don’t let them have it.
I have been wanting to write to food network myself. I have never encoutered judges (even Simon) that are so rude, uncaring, and certainly could not outcook the contestants. Some of them tried out for other shows and didn’t win. Who do they think they are treating chefs as they do. I will not be watching if this keeps up. AND I will not be watching the judges show either!!!!
PS I like red onions!!!! Who does that guy think he is.
hey you guys…thanks for all the comments….I think you’ll all be interested in this short interview I did with Alex Guarnaschelli…I am kind of surprised she said the producers do not influence them. Here is the link
http://www.premiumhollywood.com/2009/11/25/five-questions-with-alex
-guarnaschelli-of-chopped-and-alexs-day-off/
I have just finished watching an episode of “Chopped” on The Food Network. I have watched this show maybe 8-10 times and everytime I have seen it I can not believe how horribly incorrect all of the judges behavior is. I really like the concept of the show, but can hardly bare watching due to the overall rudeness of the judges. Their facial expressions alone are enough to make a blind person angry. I will not watch this show again as I am fed up with their constant unneccessary cruelty to the chefs. I think if Food Network doesn’t change this aspect of the show it will inevitably fail.
Oh and by the way… Does anyone know how to contact Food Network directly about this problem?
Although I agree that the judges can be a little “ruff” the other point is, that the chef’s going on the show now know that this is what they do. They don’t have to go on the show. I don’t agree with comparing the show with other cooking competitions. Top Chef and Next Iron Chef, these go for weeks with the same people week after week. Chopped, changes with every show.
As far as cutting people for not finishing dishes or now including all of the ingredients, this is what the competition is. If you don’t agree don’t watch. If I were in any restaurant and they left bones in the fish and I chocked, I could sue, as I am sure many other people would do. And one more point, we don’t have TV’s that allow us to sample the food ourselves, as viewers we can’t taste it and we only see a portion of the total cooking time.
I will continue to watch…Thank You!
Knowing that the judges are going to glare and be highly critical is what makes this show work. Without the “attitudes” the judges flaunt, the show would be flat. It would lose its edge. And it’s this edge that makes this competition different from the others.
Listen, Food Network producers–don’t change this show. It’s sharp, harsh, and full of tension. Just like its title.
I was annoyed over the “raw onion” incident and was looking for someplace to vent my spleen when I discovered this string of opinions. I’m glad I read the article and all the posts because it made me realize “It’s in the script”. It’s not the real world. It’s a scripted television show and written this way to extract reactions like those posted here. It suddenly hit me that a real professional chef has to use all types of ingredients and I can’t imagine one not liking raw onions or pitching a bitch because another chef used them in a dish. So from here on, I’m not going to get my undies in a bunch when one of the judges does or says something arrogant, bitchy or stupid because, IT’S TELEVISION.
You seriously need to grow some testicles, jeez.
I watched Chopped last night and the judges were the meanest I’ve ever seen them be. The three were all over the fella who cut his hand and continued to cook without covering the cut and the same thing about double dipping. I do agree with the judges about their concern for sanitary conditions, and yet I watch as chefs on Chopped and Iron Chef drip sweat into the food. Why don’t the judges say something about that? Why won’t the chefs wear a toque, a kerchief or sweat band The sweating in the food is quite off-putting.
The judges go balistic over a little hair on their plate, but no one comments on the meat/fish/fowl being prepared on the cutting board and then the chefs use the same board with no sanitizing to chop their vegetables, spices, etc. And no one washes their hands after handing the protein. A little hair? Won’t make you ill, but salmonella sure will!
I completely agree. I particularly dislike Alex Guarnaschelli and Scott Conant. However, some consideration should be given to how the shows are edited. The editors can cut to a particular expression on the judges face at the right time to create a certain feel. Same thing comments.
personally chopped is one of my favorite cooking shows! I always dvr it. I am however grossed out by the fact that the chefs never wear gloves, and are always sweaty and dripping everywhere. YUCK! How bout in the future for sanitary sake, pulling the hair back, wearing sweat bands, and some gloves?
omg i love chopped and my favourite judge is scott
Wow… I realize I am in good company after reading these posts, so I’ll add my 2 cents. When I first began watching Chopped I was a big fan. I really like the concept of the show and the variety of chefs and their personalities. I look forward to seeing the contents of the baskets and how each chef approaches the usually difficult task of combining these ingredients into something creative and palatable in 30 minutes or less… and that is what kept me tuning in each week. The best part of the show is the VARIETY of the contestant chefs. The producers do a great job of finding chefs that cover a wide spectrum of personalities. I wish they would do the same with the judges and the host. For the most part, Ted Allen is way boring, often annoying and can be as arrogant as the judges at times. C’mon Ted, a host should have at least some semblance of a personality! And get yerass out of the kitchen while the chefs are busy. Save the stupid questions until they are finished. Then, there are the judges. Pleeeease, get over yourselves. Except for Aaron Sanchez, as many of you have noted, most of the judges take their role a bit too seriously. Sure, it’s all part of the
Sure, it’s all part of the “drama” of the show, but I think the same effect can be obtained without the smugness and ego of most of the judges… especially Geoffrey Zakarian. Can we please see a more varied panel of judges and include some that aren’t quite as smug and full of themselves as Zakarian? I recently watched in disbelief as Zakarian belittled and humiliated one of the chefs at the chopping block for “having some fun” on the show rather than taking everything so seriously. He was “offended” that the chef was enjoying herself. So the show is competetive and the prize is $10,000… big deal! Zakarian acted like this was some big holy grail of a prize. It’s TV… it’s entertainment. So lighten up Geoffrey! You’re not as great as you may think you are. Perhaps a break from the judges table would do you some good. It may even help out the ratings of Chopped, which judging from these posts, may be rapidly on the decline.
okay, maybe that was more than 2 cents worth. Thanks for letting me vent. I feel better now.
Ted Allen is the best and I love him on Food Detectives. I think all the judges on Chopped, with the exception of Alex Guarnaschelli, are very professional. The judges who have spoken their minds and put some of the most arrogant and obnoxious chefs in their place had every right in doing so, however, I feel the judges were very professional in judging what the chefs did and not their personalities. Alex is just mean and rude. I would never watch a Food Network program that she was in.
I love Chopped, but not Alex.
DISGUSTING – not the contestant chefs, or the food – THE JUDGES. I hope the judges believe in karma becuase it will soon apply to all of them who are so obnoxiously rude and disrespectful. I realize that there is an expected notion of the “SIMONesque” type of judge on these types of shows, but give me a break. I wouldn’t be surpirsed if the show was cancelled due to it’s failed response from the public of the unprofessional treatment to the contestants. Any of the responses above who think professionalism is an aspect of this show obviously has never had any.
I just watched a repeat of the Oct. 27 show referenced above, with Scott, Mark, and some bald guy judging; the opinions of Amanda, Cindy and Juju are spot on!!!HOW the judges could still give the win to the chef who didn’t include the bread morphed into pancake slop was ridiculous!!! Mark Murphy’s credibility took a MAJOR hit as judge when he asked the other chef if he’d allow dish uncompleted in pan to be served to them anyway. This show more than most really sucked!!!
And other thing which torqued me was the raw onion drama from Scott. The losing chef took the loss better than I would; he got JOBBED!! These snob judges act like global elites, Rockefeller wanna-bes. Geoffrey’s the biggest jerk of the lot, AAron seems like the only judge who treats the chefs like human beings.
I use to enjoy Chopped and was relieved that the Food Network aired programing without the bleeps and foul language, however Chopped has become an utter disappontment. Jeffrey Zakarian is the most pompous ass I have had the misfortune of seeing.He treated the English woman like trash for dumping trash. He even insulted her home life, stating “I don’t know where she grew up …. “I was truly ashamed of him , and will no longer watch. Get your act together Food Network
Every time I watch this show I get pissed off, for many of the same reasons already mentioned. I came up with a solution I wanted to share. I record the show on DVR, and only watch the cooking, tasting, and see who gets chopped!! Every now and then I may listen to some comments, but for the most part I’m hitting Fast Forward!!LOL I will never watch this show “LIVE” again!! PEACE
I absolutely agree with everything that has been said above. I do however wonder if I am the only one who thinks that these judges are also slightly racist at times, and above all sexist. I see more women getting chopped more often then men. I am currently watching last nights episode, and I believe that John should have been chopped instead of Lizzy. John made more mistakes than Lizzy did, and I am not basing my opinion on just last nights episode but many past episodes as well. I think the judges are rude as well, they all need to take a lesson in constructive criticism. I think that if the show were less rude, hateful, and demeaning the show would be awesome!
I love the concept and I love the contestants, but those judges are extremely annoying. I’ll bet you money that they can’t cook worth a damn themselves and if given the same amount of time and some of those items in the baskets they’d make a God-awful mess compared to the people whom they judge so harshly. It’s like they have to find something wrong with every dish. They also kill me with all this technical jargon and that textbook bullsh*t when to me the if something ends up good it’s simply good!! I say they should get regular people off of the street each episode and have them judge. I think we’d get more honest opinons and less “for the camera” disrespecting of the contestants.
ATK, I watched that episode too and John should’ve definitely been chopped before Lizzy. His food looked like slop in my opinion, but to give the judges their due credit they did pick the right guy in the end as the winner.
UGHHH! I agree with everything you all are saying. I’m eating a salad right now and it has some raw red onion in it and I can’t help but laugh out loud. I also so the red onion episode. Scott what ever his last name was so out of line for complaiing that he doesn’t like red onion. The way he went on and on about it and basically implied that the other two chefs lacked the skill to prepaire a meal with nuanced flavors was heinous. I am loving my salad with raw red onion by the way.
If you are a judge, it isn’t your job to critique food based on your personal likes and dislikes. I personally hate foir gras. If that was an ingredient in dish that I had to critique I may say that I don’t like foir gras, but I wouldn’t faulth the chef or insult them becuase I don’t like something. Likes and dislikes have nothing NOTHING to do with skill. What crap….
OK, I’m done ranting.
Oh and ATK, I also agree that the judges are sexist. I especially hate that the judges are almost always men and women always get cut first.
Just remember people, they give some of the harsh comments to people, so they can learn how to be a better chef. A chef has to be able to make a dish depending on peoples’ different taste- not their own. And yes, without the comments I doubt the show would last a day.
On the latest episode (Jan. 26 that I saw), Scott is whining AGAIN about raw onions as if no one in the world is ever allowed to eat raw onions simply because he personally doesn’t like them. And he was served a dish with pico de gallo – he wants that COOKED? He also raves any time a contestant so much as puts cheese near fish. I know cheese and fish traditionally aren’t served together in Italian cooking, but the point of the show is for the contestants to get outside their comfort zone by using unusual ingredients together. I guess the judges are – or one of them is – unwilling to do the same. I like the show overall, I think the judges are just getting too big for their britches.
Watched last night also. I have one of Scott’s cookbooks, I am thinking of returning it to him, he just makes me want to spit. Criticism is all well and good, but these chefs are trying to make edible dishes out of really weird ingredients. I really think they should try it. These people really turn me off and would probably make me choose a different restaurant in I was in their area. Except Aaron, he seems like a sweetheart.
Geoffrey, Alex, Scott, I wouldn’t walk across the street to eat at their places.
I THINK THAT FIRSTLY THERE SHOULD BE JUDGES THAT LIKE ALL KINDS OF FOOD & INGREIDENTS. YOU HAVE A JUDGE THAT DOESN’T LIKE ONION’S HARDLY AT ALL & SHOWS IT VERY HARSHLY TO ANYONE USING THEM IN A DISH & SO ON & SO FORTH…..ALL THE JUDGES SHOULD LIKE ALL KINDS OF FOOD……WITH THESE KIND OF JUDGES ON THE SHOW IT MAKES IN AN UNFAIR COMPETION THESE PEOPLE ARE PROUD OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITHIN THE TIME RESTRAINTS & GET BEATEN DOWN BY MOST OF THE JUDGES FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS….YOU SHOULD REALLY FIX THIS BEFORE YOU LOSE MANY MANY VIEWERS
I am going to agree that, the judges on food networks “chopped” lack the respect to be called judges and ” foodies” they have absolutely no respect for the chefs on chopped, unless they make something the size of a penny and put it on the plate to be served. and second there is a trend between ” cooks” that is something that makes me stray away from culinary cynosures. cooks as they call it, or chefs lack respect all around toward others who are below them, they have an ego about them, that makes them unattractive and unworthy of the title of chef. they are not chefs i believe they are people who feel they must bash ones who are not chefs so they can gain the title in the industry. this trend makes me not want to be a part of the world of the ” food channel” thank you and good night.
I’ve often thought about writing to the producers of “chopped” to share how I feel about the judges on the show. And, after last nights show I have to say Scott needs to go. As a judge he needs to understand that he is critiquing dishes that are being prepared by chefs with very diverse backgrounds and training. They are not preparing foods based on his personal likes or dislikes. If there are foods he doesn’t like, then maybe he needs to stay in his own kitchen and brow beat everyone that works for him into preparing foods in his own limited range. And, for the record, we here in New England prepare fish with cheese all the time.
Although I agree the judges can be pompous and arrogant jerks, I still DVR it and watch. I enjoy seeing what the chefs create with all the crazy and oddly matched ingredients.
Almost all the judges are overly pompous and condescending. The wost are Chris Santos (wanna-be rocker, hardcore tough guy), Geoffrey Zakarian (the epitome of an uptight metro-sexual, I bet he gets angry if his bathroom towels are not aligned perfectly), Sue Torres (looks down her nose at everyone), and Scott Conant (who isn’t bad, but acts like every meal should be customized to only his taste).
The other judges aren’t too bad and are fair in their criticisms. They criticize without being overly cruel, snooty, or arrogant about it.
In fairness, some of the contestant chefs can be equally pompous asses. Some act like they are above cooking with certain ingredients. I remember one guy complaining about having to use ground turkey like it was an insult or another who turned up his nose at using bananas.
Guess being an arrogant jerk is part of being a chef for some (it’s only food people, you’re not inventing some revolutionary technology or writing a symphony – relax).
One final note, the host Ted is neither good nor bad, he’s just there. I have no real complaints or pats on the back, indifferent. All he really does is count down the time and ask the judges, “have you decided on who gets chopped?” (as if they they’re going to say, “No we haven’t, we need more time.” Of course they’ve decided – geez!) Anyone off the street can do his job, but he’s okay for what he does which is little (and that’s good).
Best about Scott Conant.
He keeps saying cheese and fish is a sin, but specially in Italian cooking, but there are over 600 recipes that appear on their site when you enter Cheese and Fish. Including 95 from Emeril and 27 from Mario Batali, one of the main Italian chefs of Food Network.
So is cheese with fish a sin or something good to eat.
The judges do not judge very well. They chop people for insipid reasons, as the chef made a fully cooked, well done dish. While the other chef hasn’t even completed their dish, yet it was good enough for that person to win? I don’t get it either. Also, it’s just a competition/game if you would like to call it that. The chefs really don’t have to be so sensitive when they lose. And it really surprises me how there can be a little favoritism in this show. It just confuses me. I don’t like Chopped at all.
How many Micheline stars do these judges have in their restaurants? They act as if they are better than Escoffier…
Scott Conant is a pompous loser. His raw onion tantrums are hysterical. He acts like a spoiled child.
Seriously! That Zakarian is a grade A douche of the most bitter variety.
Seriously , Last night when I watched the show I was choc….. How disrespectull was Zakarian with chef Lolla. It was unbelievebale .No respect at all. He talked to her so badly ,he should be ashemed and should not be a judge on that show . Slowly I am really not liking Chooped ..
I love chef Lolla and I love Raw onion
I would love to see these judges cook. All of the judges are the losers of Food NetWork. No one watches the shows they have were they are acutally cooking… BECAUSE THEY SUCK! Let’s see an episode with them cooking….. And see who gets CHOPPED!
Here’s how I would rate the judges on Chopped:
These three often appear together
1) Alex Guarnaschelli – 2 stars – Glum and Dour
2) Geoffrey Zakarian – 2 stars – Smug and
condescending
3) The Burly Judge – 2 stars – name unknown – 2
stars – doesn’t like to be challenged and a
prickly disposition.
Amanda Freitag – 2 stars – Mild and Bland
Aaron Sanchez – 4 stars – usually upbeat,
actually smiles, and tends to be fair in his
criticism’s.
Poor judges for a nice show!
I love chopped but I agree with most all the comments concerning the judges. I fully agree with Chelle’s idea; Have several shows where the judges (4 at a time until all participate)are competing and bring in past chopped winners to judge them. Those would be some great shows!!
Just finished watching a repeat of Chopped. and reading some of these comments… It’s a show that gets edited for TV. We don’t know how long the deliberating actually takes, we only get to see what the editors wish to show. Just imagine what your life might look like edited, probably not so good if all they show is road rage/ computer frustration/ etc…
As far as the choosing who wins, we also don’t know how the food tastes, conceptually I know people can imagine, but the only ones tasting the food are those judges. Try having some people cook the same exact dish, bet it doesn’t taste the same, ie. Macaroni & Cheese.
Personally it’s creative and entertaining & I’ll continue to watch!
Wow, what a bunch of loser judges. The fact that you cannot treat the contestants with a modicum of respect goes a long way to show the kind of sad, bitter losers you all are.
Here’s a thought, why don’t the judges compete themselves? It is not like any of you are even well known or anyone who counts in the world of haute cuisine. Is this why you all have to be so horrible to the contestants?
I’d trust a 2-year olds palate above your judgement. You can all keep spewing your bitterness, and you will keep losing your audience and contestants. From the comments the judges make, it is very obvious that you are not very well versed as a chief…oh what a joke.
Here is a suggestion, start practicing saying “would you like frys with that?” because at some point that is going to be as close to food service as you will ever get.
I have been watching Chopped for as long as it has been on TV. I am a Food Network addict and as I make my living as an Executive Chef. I enjoy the ideas concepts and fast pace of these shows. However, as it has already been stated. I too find it hard to continue to watch Chopped as the judges are just completely without compassion. I noticed the looks given in last nights Chopped show by the judges to the contestants. They looked like at any moment they would spring over the desk they sit behind and whip the poor contestants back side if they even challenged the looks they give. Alex, for sure needs to go. I have never seen such a pompus ass as this women is. She is just truly hard to digest if I can say that. The show has merit. But these Guest Contestants are no less any important than the judges who you would think are the final authorities on food at least in their minds. I personally am very tired of Alex and in many cases the other judges who just because they own a restaurant makes them special on food network.
Last night one of the judges said. I am a bit disappointed because my Chives are a bit bruised on the ends. Mercy. Now I have seen it all. Let’s look to see what all we can find wrong with this dish. As for Ted. Well, he makes a Rattle Snake look nice. Smiling and having fun seems to elude these people in every way. It is like that 10 dollars is coming out of their personal acounts and by golly you will have to face hell before we give it too you.
I would cook just for the honor of cooking in that competition and they can keep their 10 grand.
Watching any of the many Food Network Shows. If you are anything of a Chef. You can catch all of the STAR CHEFS making sometimes huge mistakes. I do not see Food Network Chopping any of them.
I believe Chopped is the ARM PIT of Food Network.
26 more shows? Do we have to endure more of the same judging with harshness and a complete lack of respect for the contestants?
Exec. Chef- Bill Shipley Edmond Oklahoma
I agree with Paula. Let’s put the judges on the show as contestants. Now that would be a show! And let’s give the judge with the raw onion aversion a basketful of them. There is no need to be disrespectful or harsh or to mistake one’s personal tastes for mastery in the kitchen.
i have to agree with most of the above..just finished(barely) watching an episode today..if it wasn’t so sad, it would be funny..the stupidest comments from so called
You know what I love — having worked in many kitchens in my life, it’s payback time for chefs (who often are as pompous and arrogant as the judges) – so righteous! I agree that the attitudes are foul, but wow, any chef with cojones enough to show up should expect the worst. I would bet that each of these poor chefs have spewed as much vitriol as the judges do…good on you!
I agree. I’m watching Chopped right now and I think Scott Conant has anger management issues!! To say quote, “Under cooked pasta is my pet peeve and this pasta makes me angry!” proves he is crazy. I also think Chris Santos is rude for the most part too, but sometimes he surprises me with a smile. Geoffrey Zakarian has major personality issues, I think he has starch in his underwear! Alex Guarnaschelli has her moments but I don’t think she’s so bad compared to her colleagues. Yeah, she does do that elementary school teacher thing that annoys me though! Now I love Aaron Sanchez! He is always diplomatic and repectful and seems to be the only one that displays these characteristics on this show. Though I realize that this is a contest and I don’t think the judges should act like Mary Poppins, they should not be disrespectful either! Just once I’d like to see their high and mighty behinds get up there and make a meal out of basket of crap in 10 minutes! Now that’s a show I’d pay to see!!
It’s not the judges I find so terribly obnoxious it’s most of the contestants. There was one last night that did nothing but whine about how nothing ever goes his way and he’s not a lucky person. Boo hoo. However, I agree with the comments about Scott being a complete and total jack *$&. Last night he remrked that no matter where he goes he never gets correctly cooked pasta. What in heaven’s name is he looking for? Also, has anyone noticed how few women get past round one?
I love the show, admire the chef’s talents. Two things: Judge’s need to lighten up, they act like their judging a murder trial and i think the contestants should be aware of the ingredients ahead of time so they can properly execute to their best, as well as, making it harder for the judges.
I came across this article while searching for a list of the judges because they are such DB’s! The only judge I can stand is Amanda Freitag. They cry, bitch, and moan yet they could not do any better if they were under this pressure. In this day in age, $10K is not worth the BS the contestants go through. ie – you have 20 minutes to cook and by the way, here is a duck that takes about an hour to cook properly. Pluck it, skin, it, butcher it, and cook it yesterday.
This show is on it’s way out. There will not be a season 3.
The female judge, whatever her name is, is up there with Nancy Grace in the annoying pug nosed bitch factor. I can’t stand her.
The rest of the judges are pretty annoying too. Get off your high horses and lighten up. You’re judges on a tv show
I cannot wait until one of the mystery ingredients is red onions. They may have to slip Scott into a strait jacket.
I agree totally that Alezx is awful. Her show, Alex’s Day Off, is equally awful. Maybe they’re all trying to outSimon (from American Idol) the real Simon Cowell. But he is so genuine in his remarks, most of the time he is right and many times he will tell people that he really is trying to help. But this group, with the exception of Aaron, are so annoying that I have decided to not watch. It always seems that the most obnoxious of the guest chefs wins…anyway, unfortunately, our comments (good or bad) are not going to make much difference in whether or not the show continues.
I think that they should do a surprise show and have the chefs sit at the chopping block and those judges do the cooking! Give them 20 minutes and see what they come up with. I think we would all be happy to see not such good results!
EL Stinko to 99% of the judges. This makes food network the pits!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good ridence.(sic).
And that is the way it is………………….
I quit watching Chopped because it became increasingly awkward and I just felt sad after the show. Imagine that — feeling badly after seeing a food show! I enjoy competition, but some of the comments and the overall angry/seething feel from these “professional” judges just seems really unnecessary. They seem genuinely angry and spiteful. It’s so awkward! Would never knowingly eat at their restaurants.
I’m surprised at how many people are upset at this problem I don’t think even the people who been on the show have showed this much concern people don’t understand that the concept of the show is a challenge and the critisim is a part of it these chefs get the opportunity to win 10,000 in a day obviously its not going to be easy you think if before they were offered this opportunity to compete they turn it down because they were going to have
I’m surprised at how many people are upset at this problem I don’t think even the people who been on the show have showed this much concern people don’t understand that the concept of the show is a challenge and the critisim is a part of it these chefs get the opportunity to win 10,000 in a day obviously its not going to be easy you think if before they were offered this opportunity to compete they turn it down because they were going to have “tough” judges these chefs are use to tough critisim in there everyday lifes being a chef isn’t a luxurious job it’s a lot of physical hard work but ever chef that does it will tell you they love there job thats why they do it not for the salary trust me every chef that goes into this competetion knows what there going in for and i’m sure they don’t regret doing it sure it’s dissapointing to see each competetor go but thats the show for you if i had the opportunity to compete i’d do it in a heartbeat even if i knew i wouldn’t finish on time it’s the thrill of the competetion the reason why they do it and of course the money but I think too many people are focused on the critisim then the actual show i have hell of fun watching these chefs come up with crazy ideas in 20-30 mintues and i’m always excited to see what ingredients they put in each basket i think before anyone picks up a pen and paper to start writing to the food network they need to put themselves in the shoes of a chef for one day and I gaurantee you will not feel the same way about it this issue
I love the show. My wife and I split a bottle of wine and watch it every Tuesday night.
A brutal judge’s comments are as compelling as a cocky chef’s swagger.
It is fun to see the “smack” talk between the competing chefs escalate.
God Bless Chopped!
My gripe is when they show live critters that the judges have to kill. Same for Iron Chef.
I watch partly because I learn and partly because it’s entertaining. I hate the judging part. Who the **** do those judges think they are???
I like the idea of making them compete — with people they were mean and dismissive to.
Although one recent British chef with spikey hair who chirped and chattered and annoyed me, I liked that she complained of her treatment.
Ooops…I meant that the chefs have to kill…sorry about that. See? I couldn’t compete on the show. I make mistakes…
What I’d like to see is an episode where the contestants can choose a “secret ingredient” to make those arrogant judges choke. It would be great to have a dish spiked with something that would leave the panel speechless. I think the reason Food Network airs this show is a contest to see what person can make be the rudest and most condescending comments about the contestant efforts. Allowing the contestant to select some kind of revenge would be more entertaining.
I really like the concept of Chopped because it’s amazing to watch what the competing chefs do under pressure with such bizarre combinations of ingredients. However, like most of the above, I really dislike the arrogance and attitudes of most of the judges. Aaron Sanchez is usually encouraging but the rest, especially Alex and Scott, are close to intolerable. I understand it’s a competition and the contestants are there by choice but I don’t understand why the judges can’t issue constructive criticism with a tad bit of mercy thrown in to the mix. And I, too, would LOVE to see the judges compete on this show…it would be fun to have one judge compete as a chef with three
(continued)
“regular” contestants but set it up so that the judges who are actually judging the food don’t know who prepared which dishes. That way they might end up bashing their buddy’s plate : )
I agree. Chefs are A-HOLES! Get some judges who can be constructive and entertaining…not demeaning.
I love watching chopped. Come on people, lighten up. It’s just a television show. I think it’s fun to watch. I would say that a lot of the contestants are just as arrogant and rude as the judges. Whatever, it’s just entertainment.
WHY DON’T YOU HAVE THESE CHEFS WEAR HATS AND HAIR NETS IT IS SO DISGUSTING WATCHING THEM WITH THERE HAIR FLOPPING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THEY SHOULD HAVE A CLOTH ON THERE SHOULDER FOR WIPING SWEAT. TERRIBLE, DISGUSTING,
scott is a big pouty baby. i’d like to tie a raw onion around his neck LOL come on judges… use aaron sanchez as your model and treat the contestants in a mannerly constructive way. some of the chefs are just as bad however. i love it when those arrogant souls lose. LOVE it. and, guess what? fish and cheese CAN be compatible. grow up.
pet peeve….. the way most all “network” stars squeeze citrus by hand and strain BETWEEN their fingers. eeeewwwww. gross. i don’t want their fingernail collections and DNA in my food. big eeewww. ina is first class. she has a juicer.
i just finished watching an episode of chopped and holy s*** that judge alex is probably one of the most disgusting persons in this planet. after watching her make those awful/disgusting faces after eating the food the contestants made for them just made me realize how much i dislike her, the way she threats people is just unbearable. i dont see how can someone be such a jerk to someone. i feel bad for the contestants and for the food network, they need to take that lady off the show so it can be bearable to watch. i hope one of the producers from chopped is reading this and realize that alex needs to go.
First time watching – it’s an episode where some chefs wanted to use red onion. I watched the spiky hair judge guy bitch about how he doesn’t like red onion. Shut your mouth. The show is not about your dislike of onions. Shut your Mouth. Food network shame on you for featuring such a dumb ass on your network.
The judge’s name is Scott- boooooo him. Food network- I have parental blocked chopped so That I will never have to hear his bitchiness again
I just finished watching the episode where Scott bitched about the red onions. I thought the rules were finish all three of your plates on time and make sure all special ingredients are used. The contestant who won made a blob of a dessert and did not even complete his dessert but because he wowed the judges with his first two plates he won. I was annoyed because I’ve seen a few episodes where chefs got sent home for not finishing their dishes! I completely agree with all of you on the unfair treatment and nasty attitudes of some of the judges. I will not be watching this show anymore.
why do the show look fix . like you pick out already who will win. i watch a show when the cook did not finish the lost round yet he won. i found that unfair to that young cook
The red onion thing would be comical if the pompous ass wasn’t so indignant about it. And Alex’s attitude and comments are ridiculous. These two wouldn’t inspire anyone to be a chef, cook, judge, viewer. Get rid of them and get some professional people on the show. What about an episode where they cook for the chefs? I’ve never heard of these 2 until the show began but I know there are some great chefs who would do a much better job.
Oh my gosh- so much hate for Scott! Ok first off, I think he is very cute/handsome what have you. He is just fine to me. Yes, he is arrogant, but to me he is acting like a typical New Yorker. They all come off that way. Now Alex, I don’t like her either and yes her show is awful, but she did make a fish dish and apple crisp on her show that I wouldn’t mind making. I did see the episode where he was so torn up about the pasta, lol. I just laughed it off and made a joke about him doing it all the time at his own restaurant, lol. He is still fine to me though.
I was so irritated tonight after watching (yet again) the token woman get chopped first, as seems to happen nearly EVERY time! The judges will clearly seem to have less criticism for the women’s dishes, but then somehow, her’s is first to go! What the hell is this? I googled “Chopped sexist” to see if anyone else felt the same way and THANK YOU! I feel better now that I know I’m not the only one that sees this unfairness! I guess Alex feels now that she has her foot in the door of the restaurant business she can slam it in the face of any other women trying to follow her. Shame.
My goodness, how sensitive everyone is! The judges are all successful restaurant owners and chefs, so maybe they have an idea of what they are talking about. And no matter what we see and think about the dishes, these judges are the ones who actually taste them–so perhaps that gives them a better perspective on which dish should be chopped?
I do agree with the poster who said he hates it that they always have a commercial before showing who got chopped. That’s annoying, but overall I love this show and wish there were more new episodes–I could watch it every day.
Scott Connant is an arrogant ass! Worst of all he thinks that he knows everything, and don’t try to cook pasta for this yahoo! He thinks that he is God’s gift to Italian cooking, I guess, Aaron Sanchez is the man, but stop kissing this guys rear end man, if someone wants to cook pasta let them, but just because Scott is on the panel forget it. Put Amanda, Scott and Aaron in the same situation I can guarantee that Scott’s pasta will turn out to be a flop, lastly I would just like to say that the chef’s cooking for these judges should be cooking for everyday normal people so that their food can be judged fairly, I hope that someone from the food network reads this and turns things around, get judges with an open mind and not one sided, take for instance the not liking onions, come on Scott you are not well known in the poking community how is every chef out there supposed to know that you don’t like raw onions, YOU SHOULD NOT BE A JUDGE, ST ALONE A CHEF! but I guess if all you cook are noodles and tomato sauce, you are one sided, you and Amanda should be banished from any of the food networks shows or events. FOOD
NETWORK GET A CLUE!
A famous chef (Jaque Pepin or Paul Prudhomme or someone like that) once was talking about young up-and-coming chefs. The gist of the comment was “yes yes, these guys come in with a new technique and the world kisses their butts. I am much more impressed with how a new chef can handle leftovers, and adapt to the circumstances and feed people with that they have, what’s fresh today, without a preconceived notion of what they’re going to cook.”
Chopped speaks to me like this. I think the creators wanted to test this kind of quality that legendary chef was talking about – how they could see something they’ve never seen before, and demonstrate a process by which they could learn how to cook something on the fly – not having learned about it, but how to test it’s characteristics and cook something accordingly. The smarmy judges and the impossible combinations are all meant to really bring out this improvisational culinary talent. I like it. Look – none of us are eating at Chez Chopped. It’s a show, with a very specific agenda. Tailor-made for people who love culinary explorations – or sometimes, expeditions.
I agree Mr. Allen is however a great host. The judges…sometimes they’re shocky and sometimes they stretch a little, accompanied by dramatic mustical cues – I’m not sure which demographic they’re trying to reach there – but overall I think they try to portray a picky eater who goes to a new place or is somehow on a very short supply chain but nonetheless must be a consumer of what the one cook in the group could whip up. Which one would YOU be?
Chopped is an awesome show. What’s wrong with all you people? You’re complaining about the judges being mean and the majority of these comments are just that! I LOVE Scott Conant. He’s my favorite judge. He not only knows what he’s talking about, but he’s great to look at, too. He can cook in my kitchen anytime. And Aaron is sweet. Lighten up everyone and enjoy this fun show…these contestants know what they’re getting in to….the judges arn’t being mean….they’re being CRITICS….which is what a judge is SUPPOSED to do.
Love the show and LOVE the judges…ESPECIALLY THAT ADORABLE SCOTT CONANT!!!
Good point – he’s the best-looking judge on the staff. Except maybe Alex. Scott seems way to entrenched and picky to be a good judge his prodigious expertise in the Italian domain which we dearly love bedamned. He’s a conflicted soul who in a tortured way can relate to the torture of the chefs – but as the torturer. Great job.
I don’t get the conflicted soul stuff…how do you get that?? He smiles, he’s pleasant…and he’s not any more picky than the others. They all say when they like something and they all say when they don’t. They are all accomplished and have earned the right to sit on that panel. Tortured soul? C’mon. If anyting, your comment implies that you’re the tortured one…he’s the good looking one…then Alex…then he’s tortured..then the torturer…then great job?? You contradict one statement after the other.
I love to watch CHOPPED. I could watch it all day every day. And I agree with the person that said the contestants were as annoying as some of the judges. Some of them need humbling as well. I agree that Alex is obnoxious, but if I had those hips, I’d be obnoxious, too. Chris Santos. He looks like a dirty biker. And that Zakarian chap. He’s the definition of stuffed shirt. Conant. He should give up cooking and be an exotic dancer. That way he could pull that string out of his butt that makes him so cranky. Have to admit that he’s awful cute and if he asked me out I’d go. I’d do whatever he asked me to. Aaron is nice.
Alex, Amanda and Arron were all unsuccessful contestants on Next Iron Chef. So Chopped allows them some revenge!
Here’s an idea for next season: have a guest celebrity judge once in a while, like Iron Chef America does.
Watched Jeffrey Zacharian get whippped by Morimoto on Iron Chef. Jeffrey, Scott Conant, Alex, and Amanda should all go back down the rabbit hole. If a judge can’t handle onions, he shouldn’t be a judge. Fish and cheese do go together occasionally. I like the show concept, but prefer how the judges work on Iron Chef. Can’t stand Scott. Can’t say that enough times.
Larry..if you can’t stand Scott you must be jealous. He has earned his credentials as a chef and if he doesn’t like onions…why can’t he say so? Lots of people don’t like onions. Fish and cheese together doesn’t sound to appetizing to me, either. He’s a judge. He is paid for his opinion. You seem to want judges that sugar coat their opinions so they don’t hurt anybody’s feelings. People are so babied these days. Scott is a revered chef and a very sexy, fun to look at man. His wife hit the jackpot. Did yours?? And if you’re not married, I can see why.
I agree with Louise AND Larry.
Conant is a pain, but he turns me on, too.
If your black you will win no matter what you make .I love this show
I love the concept of this show. The judges can be sufficiently critical of the dish without being so condescending. It’s a shame that the producers of the show haven’t addressed this yet.
I stopped watching the show because of the arrogant Scott Conant. He is a d***!! Bobby Flay would never talk to someone the way he does….hate is a strong word but I hate him.
Alex is just a bitter soul that’s about it, she has something to complain about no matter what the dish is.
I USED to like the food network shows, but they are caving in to the commercial side of life.
Reality shows DO NOT NEED to foster anger, ire, gall, condescension or one-upmanship!!!
I know MANY MANY cajun cooks here in louisian that could outcook any of the judges, but they would all be chopped because of a few attributes, namely good manners and humility.
As for Alex, I think she must have the goods on someone as she is NOT so talented except in ascerbic responses.
And then there is that male judge (can’t remember his name) that goes BALLISTIC over raw onions!
Hell, it is not arsenic on your plate! Do you EVER use them in your restaurants?
When they asked you to be a JUDGE, did they imply that you were God-like???
Even the contents of the baskets are picked with failure in mind.
I want shows that teach me something other than backstabbing and meanness for our fellow men!
Thanks,
Greg
Chopped.
A very racist programme. If you a non-American you will not win.
To the judges get a life, whats with the red onion thing. How can a Chef thats dosen’t finish a dish win.
I have lost the love for this programme.
YOU HAVE BEEN CHOPPED.
Here’s an idea – If you don’t like it, don’t watch it!!! I don’t like some of the comments that the judges make either, but it’s a show. And I agree with the comment that someone else said: Those chefs know what their getting into. Do you really think that a $10,000 prize isn’t worth the comments that those judges make? I’ve seen people do way more for way less.
I love this show.It shows how some of these chefs can think fast when a monkey wrench is thrown into their plans and how they have to think fast.Sure sometimes the judges are harsh but so is the restaurant business and if you can’t take the heat stay out of the kitchen.!!!!Last nights episode had twwo of the nicest and most skilled chefs…Chef Madison who won and Chef Lance who lost by a hair.All the judges were impressed and they all let these chefs know that they were totally impressed by both of them.This was my favorite show!
I absolutely agree! You can be critical, even extremely critical, without being an arrogant jerk. And to the moron who says “just dont watch it”, it is obvious that many posters have done just that. However, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t voice our opinions–what a lame statement! Yes, the chefs know that they will be judged harshly, but again that doesn’t mean talked down to by a-holes. Judges should judge the food and keep the snide remarks to themselves. Bottom line, they have no people skills whatsoever, and I’m disappointed that of all the true experts available out there that this is all they could get for judges.
zakarian is a jerk. Pompous and rude. I would like to see a contestant frankly slap him across the month. Then tonight on a re-run they let that jerk cook chris drive them in thdre-match. Clealry they try to intimidate folks but can be intimidated as well. I forgot that morimoto smoked zakarian on iron chef. How does ti feel buut head!
Geoffrey Zakarian was so utterly rude to one of the chefs on a “Redemption” show for returning contestants who lost in a previous show (shown on 7/24/10) who was having fun on the set while cooking that he had to belittle her and squash her down in such a criticism over her behavior (which I thought showed a fun personality) that she almost burst into tears and told Ted Allen that she wanted to quit the competition if she was going to be disgraced like that on the show. I wouldn’t blame her. The words he used were uncalled for and unprofessional. Other than Aaron Sanchez, I don’t have much respect for the other chefs who have always shown to be lame-a$$ sissies over such inane things like having preferred that a chef use basil instead of rosemary in a dessert or that OMG, using a little bit of cheese in a seafood dish is a mortal sin. Puhleeze. I want to see judges who are patrons most likely to dine out frequently and enjoy some creativity than these crybaby judges who I feel have chopped themselves out of my continued viewership.
I disagree with all the comments on the judges. If you have worked in the service industry, you know in your heart of hearts that they are not saying anything you haven’t heard from a customer – and it is still in a LOT nicer way than some of the customers I have served.
I love the show and all the judges. I think most of the chefs competeing deserve to be brought down a notch. I would like to see an AMATEUR CHOPPED for everyday people who just love to cook. Sign me up!!
all these people that say chopped sucks and the judges are big meanies need to stop whining its a competion with random ingredents its not supossed to go right
My MAIN gripe is that they need to make/enforce the rules. If a contestant doesn’t utilize an ingredient in their dish..up for elimination even if it tasted fantastic. They DIDN’T follow the rules. If someone else didn’t finish and left off an item. NO, they are up for elimination. If 2 or more didn’t finish/leave out an ingredient/working after time was up/etc. then TASTE and presentation should be considered for elimination. I hate it when all of the rest of the competition uses ingredients and finishes and they dont chop the 1 who didn’t. Maybe theirs wouldn’t have tasted so good if they used all the ingredients? Make and ENFORCE the rules.
I love Chopped and watch it every time it comes on TV. Do you want the judges to baby and kiss ass to the contestants? They are playing for $10,000. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. I hate raw red onions, go Scott!!
I agree with everyone who says that Chopped is sexist. I really like the show, but it still definitely favors the male competitors. I’ve noticed that Chopped either:
1) Purposefully puts less qualified women(meaning not as much training or experience or new chefs or home chefs) up against more qualified men in many episodes, or;
2) Judges the women competitors more harshly and holds them at different standards than the male competitors (even in the rare cases where skills-wise they are equally matched to the male competitors). If a woman has a better overall meal and makes a mistake, like forgets the salt, and a guy has an OK meal and say,forgets the salt, you can bet your clam chowder that the lady is getting the boot. Sad, but true.
It’s pretty blatant, the sexism. Either way, I still love the show and make sure to watch every episode that I can.
On an upnote however: I was glad to FINALLY see one episode where Chopped actually matched the female competitor evenly to the guys (the really great Boston Chef/top restaurant owner from Boston)- and of course she won!
BTW, I also agree with Toni – Chopped needs to standardize and enforce their rules!
I strongly agree with the show being sexist. Now we are here for the Chopped Champion and guess what all four are men. Women grow up in the kitchen helping their moms while men are usually outside with their friends or dads. They know more from years of hands-on training buuuut guess what Chopped igores them. Even the Boston contestant lost in the champions round and her food was betterin all the rounds. GIVE the ladies a fair chance.
I agree with the comments regarding the snotty judges. Alex Guarnaschelli is the worse. What a bitch! You can judge the chefs without your superior attitude and insults. I like Aaron Sanchez. He’s the one with the class. He doesn’t belittle the chefs like the other guys do. Get off your high horses judges….you act and talk like they are beneath you. I am no longer a fan of “Chopped”. Not a fun show to watch.
Can’t the chefs who compete on these cooking shows, especially “Chopped”, wear a head band or chef’s hat? It’s so nasty to see their sweat drip onto the food they are making. No wonder the judges are cranky…they have to eat the stuff.
I agree judges are critical, but you have to face one fact: these are not amateurs; these are top chefs. I love cooking, but I am not a chef (I never studied for it) and I find unacceptable some mistakes the contestants make (like raw anything). Judges are critical and harsh, but if I was in their position I would do the same. And they are fair. I just watched the Grand Finale and the best chef won. They might be critical, but they are righteous. I adore the show.
The chefs should know what to expect when they sign up to be contestants. I loved the $50,000.00 Chopped Champion Competition and at the end all of the judge were in tears, even Alex. I agree that the judges are A$$ES except for Aaron. He seems to have a heart.
Absolutely, the Chopped judges could not be nastier. I do wonder if they’re scripted to be imperious, or if they’re just naturally snotty. I’m guessing they are naturally snotty and enjoy being cruel. It’s so obvious that the little bit of power they are given on this show has gone to their heads. ALL of the chefs on that show deserve respect and admiration, not vilification. Even the ones who win have been excoriated by those nasty judges who all look like they’d just wither if, god forbid, the world didn’t go exactly the way they expect, especially that prissy Alex. I love watching the chefs cook, but the show would be so much better if the judges showed respect to them.
i feel it is the job of the judges to be critical of the dishes.what i dont like is when they ignore the rules.the chefs are given the rules that they have to use all ingredients in a certain amount of time.it makes me feel the judges should follow the rules and chop anybody that doesnt have all ingredients on all plates.the show lost me when that rule was ignored and the chef of chef[the $50000 winner]had a incomeplete plate.i feel the show is no longer worth watching.too bad .it could be a good show but rules should be followed with no exception.goodbye to chopped.i am chopping you.
I think a great episode would be to pit some of the ruder judges, and you know who they are, against each other in a judges’ chopped, using as bizarre food item combinations as the amateurs must deal with. Same rules, same timing, etc. Now who should the judges be? Chopped Champion losers?
Let me put like this, I have never in my life ever wrote a single word in disgust about a tv show until now. I was actually hoping to find some sort of support group on line when I googled “I hate the tv show chopped”. For every reason listed above, including the very well written article this thread is attached to, please, please pull the plug on your shit ass show and submerge into slightly over heated peanut oil the fuck head judges for just slightly too long.
I would love to see the roles reversed…. perhaps the judges (specifically alex guarnaschelli) could be the competitors, while the contestants became the judges? .. to see Alex criticized in the same manner that she dishes out to the chefs would be enough of an episode for me. Yet even more than that, it would give me great pleasure to see her attempt cooking in that atmosphere, while trying to maintain any type of composure…. sans ego, of course.
PS. i LOATHE her.
I find the judges definitely sit on high horses and appear that they know everything about food, when they obviously don’t. They criticize things that aren’t a big deal, but then they overlook big mistakes that even inexperienced chefs would not make. The crazy thing is, some of these chefs don’t even know why they made the mistake they did. For example: one lady decides she wants to make a sauce for her beef shoulder that she has cut into small pieces. She pan fries the meat till cooked, then proceeds to add other ingredients to make the sauce. Every chef that comes on to that show should at least know the basics. She should have taken the meat out after it was cooked, (or if they were larger pieces she could leave them in if knew she could make the sauce fast enough) made her sauce, and then added it back. If you leave the meat in pan while making the sauce of course it’s going to be tough and overcooked! So with that said, most of the judges, and many of the contestants have some things to work on…but I watch it anyway because I learn some things once in awhile and get to laugh at people most of the time.
A friend opened a small upscale bistro January of 2010. I was asked to be the pantry chef/salad maker/soup plater and all around “helper-outer” in the kitchen. The chef is most competent and serves delicious food. The sous chef is pretty good, too. Everyone else who works there is pretty much on their game.
This being said: Working in tight spaces with wait staff, dishwashers, chefs, etc. all talking and needing something at the same time when 40 people have just decided they want dinner is an incredible feat.
The front of the house is lovely and calm, and the back of the house is organized chaos during every rush period. It is the nature of the beast and if people are not organized it can be a mess.
I like Chopped a lot. Yes, sometimes the judges seem a bit harsh. But working in a restaurant is NOT easy. The contestents have 20 or 30 minutes to work their butts off to prepare only one dish. Imagine working like that for 5 to 6 hours each evening, making 60 to 80 guests happy.
I also never miss an episode. Love it!
Hello, I have a great idea I think that Chopped should do a special event for the iron chefs. The $10,000 should go to charty of the chefs choice and watch them compete just like the reg chefs you have competing on your program. I love watching the show I have learned so much and I am amazed to see some of the foods they come up with. Thank you for a great show.
I feel the judges are very fair. I’m a diner of “upscale” restaurants, and trust me if I’m spending money for good food, I want good food, and as a customer, I’m just as brutal when it comes to my dining experience.
I certainly agree with most everyone’s comments concerning the judges. However, I keep in mind this is also the TV producers at work, cutting and splicing the video as they choose. However, most of the time the judges do come across quite bad. I remember the famous “never match fish and cheese” comment from Scott – just as a poster notes, Food Network lists hundreds of recipes doing it, including by Emeril and Mario. Just don’t dwell on it – maybe call it out as something that “is really had to pull off together” but don’t come across as a fool of a judge, ranting and raving it cannot be done or coming up with miniscule comments like “it needs more salt” with a cut showing a mean, glaring stare from the judge. Overall, I give the producers too a big negative for how they present the show.
First let me say I am huge fan of the show. I am so shocked that you all cannot see that it is a ploy to make the show what it is. The judges even cry on some episodes! They are just acting! Keep up the good work!
I am sick of the sweat and hair fallinf on the food All the chefs should wear chef hat
This comment is about the host of Chopped, Ted Allen. What is with his Buster Brown hair cut. He looks like he is 5 years old. If this is a toupe, he should lose it!!
I watched a bunch of shows this past week and noticed a trend-women get voted off more often than men. I think the show discriminates. Is this true…i don’t know and I don’t care to find out.
Last time I am watching this sexest show. Women never win. – Chef Laura should have won tonight. She came in second on the appetizer but put out the best entree and the more complex dessert with a better use of the items in the basket …come on Ice Cream won..that wasn’t even part of the basket.
Greetings Sir, Here is something I don’t think anyone has said to you yet. And if they have why not let all the judges cook on the show and let the Lorn Chef’s be the judges. Then let’s us see if they can do any better with the ingredients then the other chef’s they have been judging. I think that will go over great to see the judges go head to head what do you. Just as you had chopped champions, Let us see judges cook off with the same rules. . . make that happen and I think the show will come alive over night again what you think. To the Chairwoman or the Boss.
Greeting’s Mr. Allen, I wanted to know why none of the chef’s that are doing the cooking do not wear swear bands or chef hats. Reason on more that one show hair was found on the dish or in the food and some of the chefs have dropped meat on the floor and put it back on the work station then cook it and serviced it the judges and they passed him. Another was a cooking instructior that dropped her utinsel on the floor and reused it and then sample the food with the same spoon and was passed also. You show this and people think my God is this going on in all places I take my family out to go eat and cooks go unchecked because their chefs and should know better. Let’s show that this show is for the family with good taste and correctness to the chefs that have faith in the system and safety. Thank you for listening I hope to see the judges cook off SOON.
Sexist and Racist people, Laura should have won over wade! These people need to grow up, and stop acting like they are so called remorseful when they are kicking someone off. This is Bullsh*t!!!!!
In a recent episode of Chopped, one of the chefs made a sauce that he placed in a small serving vessel which he served as part of his entree. While introducing his creation to the judges, he asked that they pour the sauce over the entree to achieve the intended flavor profile. Well, judge Geoffrey Zakarian took issue with that notion, snarling
In a recent episode of Chopped, one of the chefs made a sauce that he placed in a small serving vessel which he served as part of his entree. While introducing his creation to the judges, he asked that they pour the sauce over the entree to achieve the intended flavor profile. Well, judge Geoffrey Zakarian took issue with that notion, snarling “Don’t tell me how to eat my food! I KNOW how to eat food!” He refused to eat the entree the way that the chef recommended and then led the charge to chop the chef BECAUSE of that entree.
Two things:
1. Geoffrey Zakarian reminds me of the Southern end of a Northbound equine.
2. Many times in the past, particularly on Iron Chef America, I have observed either the Iron Chef or the Challenger instruct the judges on how a certain dish is meant to be eaten. Never have I witnessed any of those judges behaving with the churlishness that Geoffrey Zakarian displays on Chopped. I would truly love to see Zakarian dissing Morimoto or Flay in such fashion. That would be must see TV!
Les….i laughed out loud at this…i’m so with you. BUT, have you seen that show, 24 Hour Restaurant Battle? Not only does Scott Conant have a soft side, so does Geoffrey. Which makes me believe the Chopped producers just want the judges to act a certain way, or that they choose to capture them on camera a certain way.
I’m not upset about the judges per se and how mean they are. I’m upset with their decisions sometimes. They are extremely against women winning. In the episode I saw tonight, in the first course a sweet Swedish woman (of my ancestry) undercooked a chicken wing, but made a beautiful, creative and tasty (the judges loved it) grape salad with the other basket items. One guy, a firefighter named Jon first of all tried to fry the chicken wing in EVOO! Anyone who watches Food Network knows that’s the worst oil to fry in and is meant as a finishing oil and is very expensive (he wasted a whole bottle). Then when he realized the oil wasn’t getting hot quick enough (duh) he tried to boil the chicken in water, then moved it back to the oil and he didn’t even do anything creative with the other ingredients. However, sexist Food Network chopped the wonderful pastry chef woman rather than his dumb ass and I was so mad!
Second comment after reading through many other comments. YOU all are being sexist, too, when you condemn Alex and Amanda for being critical. They are successful chefs and have the right to be critical. If a man is pushy, he is successful, but if a woman is pushy, she is a bitch. People expect women to be all smiley, accommadating, sweet, mild, and quiet. When they aren’t, that is defying gender expectations and they are seen unfavorably. Alex and Amanda say a lot of nice things about the chefs’ dishes (way more than Scott and Geoffrey and the bald guy do). However, the bad things stick in your mind more because it is “wrong” for women to be so harsh, so you remember the bad comments more. I dare you to look at the next Chopped episode and count the number of negative comments and positive comments the women judges make versus the male judges and you will see what I mean.
Just in case the producers of this concept don’t get it: replace your arrogant, obnoxious judges, starting with Scott Conant and his hyper red onion sensitive palate. I like the show’s concept, but apparently I’m not alone in being turned off by your judges. I’ll find other programing.
The judges on Chopped are racists…common one! There is no place for this. The guy from Senegal goes home for his underdone risotto while the winner wins for forgetting to have a starch done and a messed up dessert. At least he made an effort to have the dish. Racists judges…quit your TV jobs and head back to your hot kitchens n pathetic lives…SHAME on you!
Scott Conant is horrid. He is so harsh and so full of himself that I can’t stand him. The way he treats the contestants is disgraceful, off-putting, and cringe inducing.
Aarón Sánchez is the only one I like. He critiques the food, but shows respect to the contestants. That is the way to do it!
I usually like Aaron but tonight he needs to pull up his panties and go home. He sounds like a whiny little girl. ” I didn’t get xxx on my plate. I am going to have to seriously consider this later” Dude be a man and just say what you think don’t whine. Scott whoever you embarrass the whole network with your no onion fetish. Alex G. you act like a petulant child, your facial expressions make you appear so juvenile. I would pay money to see you pompous asses try to make something with some of these bizarre ingredients.
I LOVE the bold flavor profile of Chopped. I can’t get enough of the exciting action between judges, contestants and the infamous BASKET.
For an entire hour, I can roll my eyes, curse, laugh, root for my favorite chef and bite my tongue when Ted lifts up the dreaded lid. For a cooking show, Chopped is as SPICY as it gets!
Geoffry is racist. It is so obvious by his comments. I do not understand why he is kept on the show as a judge. We love the show and never miss it but Geoffry should be CHOPPED !!!
Judges are extremely bigoted… They always seem to make anyone who is on this show win if they’re black. I can understand a couple of wins but nearly every show i watch a black man always wins racist judges.
BULLSHIT. Geoffry does not like blacks at all. He always has negative comments for them. I don’t know what “Chopped” you are watching Anonymous.
Just watched chopped 1-1-11 10 pm to 11 pm whats right does a judge have to tell a contestant he has not did his best . when they award prize to a guy who srews up and calls his miss a nuget give me a break he give oh poor me ive got cancer again belive that is why he won other guys plate with french toast looked so much better and more thought into it think its time to replace the judges with new ones time they were took off there thone ….
i just watched chopped and never have i been more pissed!! the guy who won just kept beating everyone over the head about his cancer battle!! i truly think that the wrong guy won!! it came out of the judges on mouth wtf that oh you had it until the desert course!! wtf it is to be an overall judging!! what a bunch of azzzzzzes! i’ve just about had it with that show! idk if i want to continue watching it! very upset sorry did not spell check!
I too just finished watching Chopped. Mr. Red Onion judge (the judge that said, “I totally disagree” twice) must have personal issues and cannot leave his attitude at home – so he takes it out on the contestants. I thought Ted was going to step-in and ask the judge to refrain himself from arguing with the contestant – but that did not happen and the judges run the show, not Ted. I guess if you can make slop, you stand a chance as chopped champ. This will be my last time to watch Chopped.
it’s a shame that these days,everything that you see on a possibly, well thought out reality tv show has to be revolving around ruddness, contraversy,and a dozen other big time negative aspects,mainly the asshole judges on chopped. the show is a great concept with the guffy ingredients, the time restraints and the four talented individuals that they find to compete. shoot, i think the producers are miles off base by thinking that this is what people want to see. my wife and i are furious vertually after every episode.believe me producers, we do not watch the show just to see what your idiot judges are going say next. it is solely to see the contestants deal with the strange ingrediants. screw the judges and get some people off the street to judge them. it would be more fair. on a personal note, when my wife and i go to new york soon, we would never, ever go to one of their(jugdes) resturants for a nice meal
Yeah, I just got done with the Jan 11th episode as well. The guy who screwed up all three of his dishes ended up winning because french toast guy didn’t cover his dish in cashew butter as Mr. Red Onion suggested. It’s not just the judges icy demeanor that gets on my nerves, although I do think they are instructed by the producers to be assholes. What bothers me the most is that the inconsistency of the judges’ opinions from one round to the next. On tonight’s episode one of the judges absolutely loved the final dish, but when it came time to pick a winner she had a several illogical complaints with it. It happens every time!!!
Does anyone else get annoyed by the judges and their pompous and pretentious pronunciations of ingredients? Sometimes I think they are honestly just taking a standard word and changing the pronunciation just to be snobs. Maybe that is normal in the Chef environment. And please Aaron Sanchez – we get it – you’re Mexican. Congratulations! Tor-T-Ah! Scott Conant – PROUD FOR YA! Not sure what you did, but you sure are proud of yourself! Seafood and cheese NEVER GO TOGETHER, EVER, NEVER, EVER! And I F-ING HATE ONIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless . . . they are carmelized. I don’t like onions either Scott, but you don’t have to be a prick about it.
I will not watch CHOPPED EVER AGAIN! I have had it with the prejudice and doggish attitudes of the judges! As if? It is known that a chef can take criticism but isn’t it supposed to be constructive criticism or just be plain evil? I have heard of these shows that make people cook with surprise ingredients but some of those ingredients require imagination. I think that it takes imagination to be a chef anyways. If they had no imagination then they would just be ordinary people cooking. I think that the judges should be judged themselves. I also think that if the show took the time to offer the opportunity to people off of the streets to judge then the show would go another direction. Offering passersby the chance at tasting delicious creations the shows ratings and audience would be more diverse and entertaining. The JUDGES are supposed to CRITIQUE the meals not change belittle or Mame the cooks.I wish they had smell-a-vision or taste-a-vision so that we could tell or judge from home ourselves. Overall I don’t trust the taste buds of every judge on TV. Those judges have eaten all over the world and God only knows what their pallet is like. To each his own. I also believe that the judges panel should consist of more than the same judges every week,and they should also practice diversity so as to mix it up a bit.Like different ethnicity and background judges so that every one can feel closer to the show. Who cares who the judges are or where they’ve eaten. The show and the meals should be judged accordingly. DONT COMPARE MY DISH TO ANYTHING YOU HAVE HAD BEFORE! as It was said before by a chopped contestant “Who wants to eat or make something that you can make at home? If the judges were to be judged the case would be totally different. Judge ye not lest ye be judged. I have seen to many cooks CHOPPED for what I think were stupid reasons like being black or speaking up for what they believe in. Like tonight the cooks stayed on the show and went on to win the prize money even though they had served raw inedible uncooked meat. It was Unsanitary and a health inspector would close down the shop if they served that kind of shit! In closing I would like to just the air of the RACISM and impartial judgmental freaks that have enough money to air a show ironically with no taste themselves. So for the record in my book and in many other books apparently “chopped” you have been CHOPPED!
Judges:
I hope they cut the show next season, you all are cheating. So, it best that you use your talents elsewhere. The Black Chef won, not the over confident Latino woman who didn’t even know how to cut the fruit with the pungent smell. You should watch the show that aired Jan 14, 2011 so you can see how ridiculous all three of you sounded and looked. As a matter of fact, go back through the achieves and see if anyone lost because they fried three dishes. Since you can’t be fair, and you don’t have the ability to allow winners to win, then it’s time the cancel the show. You three give the show a bad name, the show should be chopped.
Alicia
Get real. How nieve could you be??? I’ve lived in Hollywood all my life. I was born here! Can anyone else in this blog see the Hollywood I see…fake, fake, fake! like every thing else in this town, its what this business is, For Christ sake ! It’s HOLLYWOOD. It has always been a fabricated “set” let’s keep kissing the rest of the nations ass. It’s where the $$$$$ is at, It’s our main industry!!!!!These judges are nothing special. They are only acclaimed for their opinions. Which to the rest of the ” real ” culinary world are out of touch uppity self righteous morons!! It’s a fucking show. It’s just another way Hollywood sells smoke and mirrors!!!!Please get over it.
After watching episode after episode and continually changing the channel because of being turned off so badly by the judges and their attitudes on the show. I will no longer even bother watching a second of it anymore after hear what came out of the judges mouths on the episode that was on Juanuary 25,2011 at 9:30pm central time. You just lost another viewer.
you should try chopped “flopped” a show when the judges have to cook and the competitors get to judge. maybe some competitors that were harshly criticized.
I watch Chopped every time it airs and I get a distinct feeling that the judges are hypocrites in there own way. Some people come on and tell a story and they get kudos and some come tell a story and they get CHOPPED I just do not understand the just cause because if you got a story to tell then tell it but why get penalized (CHOPPED) just because your story doesn’t match what food you bring to the panel to be judged. My feelings are up in the air on this one… You tell me
i think aaron sanchez is a rude arrogant douchebag and i can’t understand why everyone thinks he’s so nice when he rarely has anything pleasant or constructive to say. i hope he gets food poisoning and dies.
I totally agree because I believe that it should have been against the white dude with glasses and Gillian. Those two were great, I found the black gentlemen to be very arrogant and annoying. The judges are rude, Alex is such a rude ass woman!!!! I don’t mind Aaron most of the time, but really did he have to bust that one dude out for not pronouncing tomatillos right??? Seriously? This show better stop basing their decisions on a certain race and sex, otherwise they will find themselves without a show.
Scott and his aversion to red onions are ridiculous. So, he does not like red onions, then don’t be a judge where they may be used. He and that self righteous Geoffrey are the most ignorant, arrogant idiots I’ve seen in a while. They really do no justice to the show and I can’t stand either one of them. They remind me of teenage girls out to bully a classmate. Ughhhhh
I think a lot of you will like this a lot. I personally dont mind the harshness of the judges. Any of you ever work in a professional kitchen b4? An Executive Chef isnt going to hold your hand and build you up. Hes gonna tell you you move way too slow and your too messy. But its w/e. I think these episodes will be pretty interesting.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/chopped/video/index.html
Love this show but what a sissy is Geoffrey Z. everything is too hot for this whiney B.
How can I get a chef on this program?
I have to agree with many of the points this articles raises. Personally, I love ‘Chopped’ but it is predictable in that the judges ALWAYS find something bad to say. If the taste is great they’ll say it wasn’t plated well, or it was not terribly creative. If the plating is excellent they always say it wasn’t seasoned enough or was slighty over done.
The worst part is when a contestant on show tries to use any sort of spice. Every single time I have ever seen anything spicy served on the show, at least one of the judges has a violent, hysterical reaction. Makes you want to reach into the screen, slap them across the face a few times and tell them “man-up, damnit! You’re a reknown food critic! Your reaction to a little cayenne/red onion/jalapeno is a bloody disgrace to your profession.” Seriously. Thank sweet baby Jesus that host Ted Allen is there to temper the whininess of the judges with some construtive commentary.
This is my favorite foodnet cooking show. It is so creative and entertaining. I don’t mind the critiques of the judges or the way they act. That’s what makes the show more intense and interesting. If I can’t be there to watch the show, I make sure I tape it. Absolutely love this show!
I was swayed at the idea that chopped is really a scripted show, after seeing an older episode on saturday, Feb26th. The arrogant woman, (the only woman on this eoisode of Chopped), was also on an older episode of “What Not To Wear”,(I remember the older woman’s “squinty” eyes). She was definately not a cook/chef on WNTW. With quite a few people on here saying they recognized Chopped as a scripted show, I’m just saying I definately found this a little interesting.
okay what’s with all of these whinny losers who watch the show and don’t like the judges. I think all of the judges are great, it wouldn’t be any fun without them. These contestants know exactly what they’re signing up for. You don’t get 10,000 the easy way. After all they’re supposed to be professional chefs. Also they damn well better respect the opionions of the judges. They for the most part have more experiences than the contestants. Also I have seen many episodes where the judges are very nice to the contestants and have a lot of nice things to say to them. Plus a lot of the contestants themselves are very arrogant who think they know everything.
i love chopped! cant wait for the all stars
I completely agree! I’m watching the “Chopped Champions” marathon today and am SO irritated by Alex and Geoffrey. He’s such a dick! It’s weird b/c on other shows like “Best thing I ever ate,” Alex seems pretty friendly and LOVES food. But at least she has a few good things to say…I think Ive heard Geoff say only half-compliments and he looks at the other judges like THEYRE the idiots if they dont agree with him.
At least they stopped going to commercial EVERY TIME they were about to lift the plate to show who was chopped.
The way the “Chopped Champions” ended got me wondering if this show is scripted. How did the chef that won’s daughter just happen to be there? The only logical explanation would be that the producers secretly brought someone to celebrate with all of the chefs in the final show.
Geoffrey Zakarian is a complete asshole. Plus having to put up with the antics of those stupid Kardashian sluts, now I’m beginning to think the Turks had the right idea about how to deal with Armenians. Too bad they missed these.
I find the show judges not only excessively mean, but completely unfair, often selecting the winners beacause of their race or the sob story they tell. It seems like a case of affirmative action gone wild. I agree with several of the previous writers – judging should be done blindly and based on the chef’s creativity and the quality of their cooking. Although many are afraid to say it, I will. I have seen too many episodes of “let’s kick off the white person to show the public how open and interesting we are.” No matter what color a person is – may the best chef win! Championship should not be given away because a person used to be on drugs, was in jail, or has a motherless daughter. Give us a beak.
I would like to sign up for this show. I am a Executive chef and have been cooking for over 25 years. please send me info on how to get there. I watch the show all the time. I am starting up a catering business with my fiance and really could use the ten thou. thank you
those of you interested in applying for the show, e-mail me at mike@michaeljmedia.com….I know the casting company
Food network is so boring, I agree with chopped judges being so crappy, and I’ve had enough of Giada, Rachael Ray, bring on Kelsay, Aida, and more of your young talent, Mellissa De’Arabian is so boring, and that ten dollar dinner concept is a joke!
Zacharian, Santos and Sanchez go against Alex anytime she tries to make a good point about one of the female contestents, or a male who doesn’t have a cocky attitude. It doesn’t matter if the other guys have fixed something inedible, Zacharian, Santos and Sanchez seem overly adamament to push their opinions on Alex. She is usually also the one who winds up having the give the loser the bad news.
I have to say I despise Amanda Freitag.
She has done nothing successful or noteworthy in her career.
She lost Iron Chef America
She lost the Next Food Network Star
She has been on Martha Stewart, but honestly what accomplishment is that?
I hope you will answer my question.. none of the blog posts do so. I have been arguing with my boyfriend over the appearance of chefs sweating ‘into’ the food as they prepare it. Loving to cook myself, I think the appearance to be deceiving because there is always a towel or apron present and a slight distance between your creation and your face. Really, who puts their head DIRECTLY over their food in preparation? Am I correct in my surmise or is he correct that all the chef’s cooking in these competitions are merely sweating carelessly into their food??
I love the show! I watch EVERY episode.. I’ve seen the judges get very emotional, especially when Chef Madison recently won Chopped Champion. All three were teary eyed, wiping their tears, and Alex could hardly get her words out. I admit, I used to think the judges were a-holes when the show first came out, but now I see that they are real human beings with feelings and some compassion. It is TV, and if they all acted like Paula Adbul as a judge, it wouldn’t be as appealing (my opinion!) Will someone please admit that they are NOT AS BAD as they used to be?!!
Thank you for your article. I have been writing the foodnetwork almost after every Chopped expressing the same opinions. However, I have now noticed in their marketing they are starting to reframe being jerk judges from a place where the sun don’t shine into being a jerk judge that is heavenly and something to be proud. I personally think the show will start its downward spiral this upcoming year.
The Chopped Allstars is definately fixed as is Chopped.
I was able to predict the winner in every round in order based on skill level. The Food Netwok Chopped Allstars is fixed and they should have had outside judges not their buddies due to conflict of interest. The Bobby Flay Throwdown has real impartial judges on his show and that is why he hardly wins and it is more credible in my opinion. The Food Network thinks all of us are idiots….this gets to be more stage and scripted like the WWE every show.
Also Chopped needs different real chef judges and food critics in every round with experience in entrees appitizers and desserts who are not part of the Food Network family. I honestly get tired of looking at these same judges who fake most of the time like they actually know what every mystery ingredient is. I actually heard one asks another judge competing what do I do with it ” and she said you could fry it or boil it” this show does needs some major work.
They only use these same people to promote their business and careers.
Once a fan, now I refuse to watch the show. I understand there is $10k at stake but for NO reason should any judge be so inconsiderate and rude to the contestants as they are on “chopped.” My most memorable comment was when Scott Conant belittled a chef for his/her use of raw red onions, stating his extreme aversion to them. He was visibily pissed off and the tone of his voice was downright angry, as if the chef poisoned him. Alex is my least favorite though, her blantent and obvious disrespect for anyone below her has made me change the channel everytime I see her as a judge. I refuse to watch her show and will never, ever eat at “Butter” As a patron visiting her restraunt, I don’t want to be disrespected while eating her food
I agree Scott Conant I do not like but more so Alex Guarnaschelli the Giada wannabe!
I watch the show to see Ted Allen.
Get better judges.
What an idiot you are, Grigory. You say “not matter the color, let the best person win,” after you spent a paragraph bitching about them letting those uppity minorities get a free ride, using that nasty ol’ affirmative action thing again. Figures, people like you think that whites are just entitled to everything all the time, always have to take the gold, and if they don’t it’s a rigged outrage! Go to Stormfront with that barely hidden entitlement, you loser. It’s completely unnecessary here.
I think the judges on chopped are VERY biased one time they will let someone by for bones in their fish then the next they get chopped for it. Aaron Sanchez uses this show to promote mexican people the episode I watched tonight was prime example he clearly had every intentions for this woman to win no matter what mistakes she made. This is not the show to make political or biased judgments, it is a cooking for for pete’s sake. If this kind of judging keeps it up I will stop watching the show.
the judges on todays show april 21, 2011 were jerks especially the italian guy. they gave the prize to the wrong guy just because he made a comment back to the female judge that she ate gummy bears for breakfast. after he made that comment the italian guy started to be even more rude. nick the chef should have told them before he left that all three of those jerk judges should have got up and cooked those disgusting ingrediants themselves and see how good they are.
wow, i couldn’t have put it better myself. don’t get me wrong, i really do like the show, but every single judge that i’ve seen on there are all f*cking pr*ckholes.in my opinion the very worst ones are;
1.Alex Guarnaschelli
2.Aarón Sánchez
3.Amanda Freitag
4.Scott Conant
i cannot get over just how cruel these people are to these chefs and that’s completely uncalled for. i understand they’re judging who is going to win the $10,000 so they have to critique the dishes, but my god there’s a difference between being a judge and a mean, self-righteous douche bag.
Anyone noticed that everytime an african american chef compite they win? Before I even see them cooking I say here is the winner again!! becoming obvious how scripted and fix the show is. I will never watch it again specially with that f****g bold headed judge.
THe judges are supposed to be mean henceforth judges and your issue about the plating and missing an ingredient the contestants decided to go on this show they understand the rules and they understand how harsh and how competitive it is. They enjoy that kind of pressure which is why they decided to be on the show. i dont feel they are to mean i feel like they are doing their jobs.
I would like to see a show where there are amature cooks who cooks for the judges,people who has no experience in the culinary scene to see who would win chopped,contestants chosen by random.
Finally, two female judges and one guy on a Chopped episode. I’m oh so tired of watching 2 men and 1 woman judging episode after episode, and applying tougher criteria for the women. In the music world it was thought men were simply better musicians than women, until they adopted blind auditions, suddenly it was found that talent was distributed evenly fairly between the sexes. I’d like to watch Chopped judged blind too.
I love chopped. Maybe the judges are crude sometimes. However this is not ” the next food network star”. The competitors on chopped are trained chefs they learn how to do things in a certian way. When the judges see the chefs slack there going to let them know.
i find chopped to be sexually biased very rarely do women win whether her food is better or not
You are so right, they never EVER give a good compliment without saying something bad. With that in the beginning when Geoffery Zakarian holds up that pepper and asks “What are we supposed to do with these?”
You can bet I tell him exactly what to do with it!
Another thing about chopped: I wonder if Scott Conant invented the collendar, or the pasta fork, or even the china cap, or pasta itself?
With Scott being the only person in the entire world knowing how to cook pasta, I kind of figured he had to invent the utensils too!
It makes me sick the way he thinks nobody but him knows how to boil pasta
There are so many comments here and so very many perspectives.
- blacks always win -
- Women never win
- mexicans always win
- Whites always win
Not everyone is correct. I can say this there appears to be some biases. But not for anyone in general. It seems they have decided who will win prior to the cooking.
The biggest issue with the show is inconsistency. Some remain after leaving off an ingredient, others do not. Some are given harsh criticism and kicked off for under cooked food others are not.
The inconsistency is overwhelming. That’s the main way to know that it’s staged.
I’ve decided not to watch the show again. Tonight the person who won actually served raw food and poorly prepared cows tongue.
I think they had originally planned to give the win to the guy who left off an ingredient but then he had an attitude and they jumped ship and gave the win to the other dude.
Most interesting they actually said to the second person who forgot an ingredient that “We know he left off an ingredient early – but he had confidence.” So they chopped him because he did not have enough confidence?
His food looked better, but hey I did not taste it.
It’s rigged, and I will no longer watch. I agree with some others there have been periods of bias. Which maybe directly related to viewer comments. There was the ‘let the black dude win’ phase; and there was the ‘let the best story win’ phase.
The problem with this is that it prevents the best one to win. Today that black dude was better, but so as to not make it look like blacks win too much, they had to let him go.
I’m never watching again, I’m a chef and love cooking shows – but this one has been removed from my recording list.
I also have stopped watching Chopped because of the judges. The judges glare at the contestants as if they have committed a crime, Alex is the worst to do this, and are way to critical.
Because Scott does not like red onions should not mean someone is a bad chef. Personal preference for food should not be a factor in the judging of a dish. Sometimes I think the judges are jealous of a chef who is better than they are. I did watch the shows where celebrity chefs competed. Most were terrible under such pressure with unfamiliar ingredients.
i have a question for the judges, i watched the episode with the live lobsters. Why in the world didn’t you have boiling water for them already. how could you give them live lobsters and expect them to cook them in 20 minutes w/o even having the water boiling already. Why are you so cruel to have them cut them in half when they are still alive. You people are horrible and have no compassion for living things. SHAME ON YOU!!!!
I just don’t like how alex describes food. “It’s so honest” What the hell! Describe how it tastes.
Just on the basis of the wholly shallow, beyond conceited, imperious and holier-than-thou judges alone, this show makes me reach for the Lysol and Pepto-Bismol with urgent need.
Someone please, take these judges, put them on a bus loaded with a ton of gasoline and high explosives and drive it over a 10,000 foot cliff.
Wow! This is the longest running blog post! I was Googling to find out where to write to this show to tell them I’ve stopped watching it. The judges are everything people here said: cruel and full of themselves. I don’t think they’re biased by gender or race; I think it’s by class. I began noticing that lately, but now I refuse to watch it ever again so I can’t test my theory. When the caterer with a formal culinary degree had inferior kitchen skills than the one who learned on her own, that was the last straw.
Judges aside, I have a SERIOUS issue with the producers. Tonight there was an episode the featured a chef who is a recovering alcoholic. The chef mentioned how serious his alcoholism was, felt lucky he was getting another chance at life etc. They forced this chef to have to use alcohol in his food because VERMOUTH was a mandatory ingredient!!!
The chef commented that he has purposely not used alcohol in his cooking since he has been sober because he cannot be around it. Even worse, he decided to use brandy in his dessert after that! I think it was insensitive, irresponsible, and the producers should be ashamed for dangling alcohol in front of an ex alcoholic. Not sure why that was necessary:(
woman are treated poorly and I am hateing it more and more i tell everyone stop watching it because a women doesn’t have a chance the women who judges never lets a women get through shes stinks and I’d never watch her shes totaly sextist and everyone bows down to her.I noa few ppl who would say her foods not good.
I have stop watching the show because it seems as if this show is racist, few blacks win because the judges act as though black people can’t cook. Maybe the judges need to learn how to cook first. They are very rude.
I advise anyone who is a black chef not to even go on this show, because the judges act as if black chefs can’t cook. Anytime a chef leaves bones from the fish that was cooked on the plate, and they let them win something is wrong. If I go to a restaurant and order fish and it was so suppose to be boneless I would sent it back. These judges don’t want to see anyone black win 10,000, when a black chef wins, they just don’t want the show to think that it is a racisit show. And the judges are probably not the best cooks either. I want look at it a again.
I totally agree with jojo, they almost ALWAYS kick off the black chefs, what’s up with that?
Love the show. It’s all part of the drama. Have you ever listened to some of the contestants? Actually, I think they are more rude to each other than the judges are to them. Talk about self-absorbed. I think it’s entertaining and they do give credit where credit is due. If you don’t like the show, turn the channel.
Is anybody listening? It is obvious. We all see what is happening. The one thing is that we can not taste the final product. But there has to be a better way. Instead of all this verbal negativity …..which borders on boring arrogance. Come on, get real. Nobody is perfect. And would any of these judges like to hear somebody critique their interpretation of the ingredients? I am not an expert. But I will not hesitate to express my disappointment in the performance of the judges. I would like so suggest that maybe sometime the contestants should have a vote, with their input. The problem with that is, I know, they all think that they are the best in the world. But isn’t that what all the judges do?
I realise that this is a competition. But who is it and where do these mystery ingredients come from?As far as I am concerned everyone is a winner. I like to watch the competitors doing what they do. But I do not like the judges and i feel that they project the image that they are so superior, which they are not. well call me old fashioned. You just lost my vote and I will not be watching your program any more.
I agree 100%, I’m watching Chopped right now and the female judge on here is the rudest woman I have ever seen.. Disgusting!! Why in the world would you want that terrible woman on such a great show.. She is just MEAN!!
I get angry every time I watch when Geoffrey is a judge. He is the most rude and hateful man.
Oh I’ve been dying to air my disgust at the Iron Chef show on the Food Network on TV.
All of the chefs (everywhere) should be forced to wear a headband and rubber gloves.
I gag when I see their sweat drip from their faces down to their nose and right into the food.
EEECCHHHHH!!!! Disgusting!!!
I have turned away from dining out due to watching this show.
Don’t need anyone’s DNA in my food.
EWWWWW !!! GROSS!!!!!!
chopped is a joke, not for the chefs that compete, but for the judges. judges that cant do anything in 20 minutes. judges that have restaurants & know very well that u cannot cook a main course in that amount of time & with ingredients that make no sense. all star chefs had it easy on chopped & zacharian found out the hard way, but yet he’s still an idiot judge..
i think amanda freitag & arron sanchez are unbiased & fair when it comes to judging. all other judges are very critical. helloo, not all pallates are the same.
I agree completely with your comment Roy.
Yeah I totally disagree. In my opinion a judges job is to critique the food, and sometimes being very harsh and honest. Everyone thinks that their food is great. Well that may be so in your own home and at your own party, where your friends and family are being nice. However your friends and family aren’t food judges and are not “experts”. If you are not able to accept criticism or tolerate rudeness, you shouldn’t be cooking. Besides, its TV people! Don’t watch it if you don’t like it!
These judges make the show unwatchable! I have read hundreds of negative comments about these people and can’t believe they are still on TV. They are rude and send people home for reasons that differ from episode to episode.
I you have watched any of the behind the scene shows about chopped. You would have seen how they edit these shows to create drama. You are acting exactly like they want you to. YOU CARE !!! about the players. Most generally the contestants don”t have anything but nice things to say about their time on the show.
Scott Connant is an idiot, arrogant ass.
We love Chopped !!!!
Especially when they play what seems like Viking opera in the last 20 seconds of a round. Couldn’t remember laughing so hard. As far as the judges go,when you are being served chicken feet, crickets and lamb fries, it is not hard to get a little testically.
I agree with the holier than thou attitude of the judges and do often question their decision on the winner. Regarding the contestants, what’s with the hair hanging down – no hair nets and loosely tied ponytails?
I totally agreed with you. The judges always gave upper-class looking food better comments and were pretty biased. Sometimes I even felt that they copped people because they didn’t like their attitude. I really don’t know if this is a food show or just a joke.
What in the bloody hell are all you people making such a fuss for. This show is great and the judges have to not only describe the food and how it tastes for the tv viewers, but give the contestants honest and harsh criticism so that if they make it to the next round they won’t make the same mistakes. I am addicted to chopped. All you all are whiners.
The only judges I really can’t stand are Chris Santos and Scott Conant. Scott is the worst because he’s so immature. Threatening to get violent, because you disliked something? Really. Grow the f up.
The sexism and double standards on this show usually make it too painful for me to watch. If a woman remains in a round, 75% chance she’s chopped. Her dish must be perfect. Slightest mistake against any misstep by a male contestant will go against the female. Time and time and time and time and time again.
Hi my name is Maritza Benitez and I am 11 years old. I watch your show everyday and I must say its very ammusing therefor I LOVE it. Even though I LOVE it there is one mistake that youll have made and I, being youlls number 1 fan, feel that you should correct it. Now my dad watches the show with me as well and he use to be a fantstic chef he even had a chance to work as a chef for one of the presidents. After we disscused it we made up our mind and we think that youll should always give each competitor a nice clean towl before they start to commpete. The reason for this is because, think of it in every show every commpetitor sweats a whole bunch while there cooking food, I mean youll may not see it but whose to say that the sweat doent fall into the food and then the Judges eat it. And heres another thing I KNOW that youll do see it when the commpetitores whipe there sweat with there sleaves I dont know what youll think about that but I think its just GROSS. I think that a chef should keep his or her sleeves nice and clean while they cook so that when they serve the meal it looks more enjoyable. I am very interested in cooking, infact at this age I already know that I want to be a cheff when I grow up and Im saving up money to go to collage for this carrere. With this being said I am always looking for tips and advice. If any advice or tips come to your mind for me please contact me at maritza.yesenia.benitez@gmail.c
om. I hope you take my comment in consideration and have a wonderful day.
I just love the show, “Next Iron Chef”, because Guarnaschelli and Zakarian ACTUALLY have to cook! They act like such babies when they’re not judges. Not so easy on the other side of the table eh? It shows how such steely-eyed, mean, judges feel at the other side of the table
I’m with Barb and anyone else that has mentioned sweating. I literally gag any time a contestant on any cooking show is dripping sweat in the food. They should be wearing chef hats, A handkerchief, a sweatband, something! It’s so gross & all networks should enforce headware for the chefs.
It is a competition. No one is forcing them to be on it, they know what they are getting into. I must say more than a few of the chef’s competing can certainly use a reality check in terms of their ego’s. If they can’t handle the heat in the kitchen they should not apply! Plus they are competing for 10,000 – can’t give it away!
Ahhh… I think you are acting pretty childish if you really think these things are true. I for one, Love the show, the judges, and especially Alex. They are just saying what is true, and if you can’t appreciate that, then obviously you should not be watching this amazing show!!!!!
I think Marc Murphy is obnoxiously negative “yes, however…” is always the comment from him. Very annoying. I think he was delivered this part and his comments read like a bad B movie..predictable.
I just graduated from culinary school and all I can say chefs are all assholes I have not yet met a nice one and its a very hard field to get into. Then you got the ones who didnt go to culinary school trying to tell you what to do. I trail at Alex restruant I was there for 10 hrs her sous chef was like shes coming in i’m like I just travel to be here i dont think so. They can all kiss my ass
You all need to grow some thicker skin. The chefs they have on the show are trained so the judges expect something competent and edible. The judges work at the top of their industry and are brutally honest, as they should be.
You think Pavarotti would stand for less if he was judging wannabe opera singers that butchered the language or sang out of tune? Food is their life, thier art. Some of the dishes they judge are appalling. It’s a TV show, get over it.
I think many of the chefs on Chopped are very mean to each other. They wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to toot their own horn and diss their competitors. Then their arrogance really gets to me when they think they should win the competition when what they prepared was awful looking. Some get very hostile when they are eliminated. Some of the stupid mistakes they make always amazes me, especially that they are supposed to be experienced chefs. Some of the judges are awful…especially that guy Conant.
This article has the show spot on. It is entertaining yet the judges are harsh despite the fact that they are not any great themeselves… Just watch Alex Guarnaschelli’s Thanksgiving Challenge.
The worse judge is Chris Santos. He will give a nice compliment and then says “BUT this and that…” He never stops after a nice thing about a dish. He goes on to crucify it. Heaven forbid if one of the cooks says something disagreeing to any of the judges. They will get a dirty look as if to say “You’re out of here, Buster’
They all think they’re God, poor things. But Chris Santos is the worst.
I don’t like the show when the contestants become teary eye and have to tell a sob story about their life. Seems to happen each episode to one degree or another. Not good.
Also, the judges are definetly too critical. They pass it off as helping the contestant. Being rude helps no one, especially the viewers.
The show is probably scripted. Rude judges and all. However, must all “reality” shows be about rude people using rude language? Listen up writers. This does nothing for the popularity of the show and sends the wrong message to our children. The nation is in a dummy down mode from all the “reality” The Food Network could do a lot to turn this mind set around.
“Chopped ” is one of my favorite Foodnetwork shows
and I try not to miss it. The judges are only doing their job and when the judging is over and the winner is picked the judges always speak to the winner in a very pleasant manner wishing them well.
My favorite un-favorite program is “Diners,Drive-ins and Dives and this is because the eposides are shown one behind the for hours. It drives me bananas.
Henrietta
Alex Guarnaschelli is a snobby stuff %&*^ thast needs to get laid
I am waiting to actually see a talented WOMAN chef win on chopped. I *cannot* remember ONE woman winning… EVER.
Thank you Phil! If you don’t understand why the judges are the way they are then you don’t understand the concept of the show, period.
I really like to show, but I agree wholeheartedly about the rude judges!
I think some of the irritation viewers feel may be attributed to the editing of the show. Some of the judges’ facial expressions and responses seem like the product of a manipulative little cut-and-paste job…
Anyway, I actually like the judges BECAUSE they’re so often annoying and nearly impossible to please. Really, I find the show much more appealing if I resist the temptation to grow irritated with the judges, despite the fact I may burst out in wild disbelief at what a judge says or a judge’s (edited) glare that conveys a personal affront at a chef who fails to impress. But, if I laugh at it all instead, the show is even better!
Actually, I find some of the chefs the most repulsive people on the show. Whether they’re hubristic and snobbish or if they’re more comfortable playing the victims of personal tragedy, some chefs should be more than chopped.
Bottom line: I dig the show–watching these chefs sweat it out over sometimes impossible combinations of ingredients somehow deeply appeals to me.
Suggestion: let the judges try to deal with bizarre combinations of ingredients and have some former winners judge THEM!
I used to watch this show often. However, I detest it now. At first it seemed fair but after watching for awhile I found the judges to be blatantly sexist. The first thing they do is get rid of the woman, which is usually just 1 against 3 men. The judges will get rid of a woman even if a man forgets to use a required ingredient. They blow the slightest flaw in her dish out of proportion. What a lame show, lame judges, waste of network time. My husband thought I was imagining the sexism and then we watched a few shows together and he could not believe I was right.
Geoffrey Zakarian is the worst of them. He talks down to Lola, tells her basically she is a pig/slob, and that this is a serious competition for $10,000….excuse me…its a frigging frivolity…a game show…entertainment….lighten the eff up, Geoff
As a chef and restauranteur, and proudly south african, I love watching chopped just to see the creativity but it pisses me off when the chefs start talking about why they taking part, my sister is having this operation, my brother is dying my dog is blind,I dont give a shit and im sure many dont cook some awesome food get over yourself and win some money, and yes judges get that hidden carrot out of your a.s.ses
My teen sons and I enjoyed watching the show together for awhile, but no longer watch it because of the blatantly unfair judging – sending competitors on who didn’t get the “required” ingredients on the plates because they had a good idea. It’s ridiculous. Also, the judges are way too pompous to be taken seriously by us regular folks.
I did a lot of TV watching for the week I had the flu. I must have watched half a dozen episodes of Chopped. Every episode became more and more painful to watch. First you get 4 semi-hack chefs, that seem to have somewhat of an ego. Then you give them wierd combinations of ingredients, and force them to make a decent dish in 30 minutes. Add to this four a-hole judges (yes I can believe it’s scripted) but these judges seem to be really sold on them selves. It’s a lot of ‘forced energy’ – how can we build suspense. You surely don’t learn anything about cooking. IMO it’s a big waste of time.
The judges should not see who is making what so they cannot judge about persons looks or personality, I know this would be hard to do because th whole show is based on them watching and critiquing but this would be the very best way to judge, skills, taste and presentation based on food not what a person looks like or thinks.
Amanda, and her coughing spells over spice. Have you noticed that once the camera moves on her coughing attacks subside? I cannot abide Alex. As for Scott, heaven help the chef who serves him pasta or red onions. I’d like to see a show with the biggest jerks ever to appear. Namely, Chris Burke, Chris Coames (Boston D-Bar) Please suggest others.
Just saw the latest installment of Food Nteworks Chopped Chef juding each other – Micheal Symon along iwth another top chef both took swigs out of a bottle of Liquor but were not penailized for this yet the judges did this to regula chefs and made big deals about skin, scales, bones, and caught someone for drinking out of alcoholic beverage used in cooking – why is there a double standard for this show – blatant BS – come on Foodnetwork what s good for the goose aint good for the gander?
could Ted Allen along with the judges get someone to dress them right please – I know their chefs and retaurantures but they are disgustoinly sloppy dressers
To make this show interesting they should have everyday people on as judges to judge top chefs
I absolutely love Chopped (and I’m a vegan and also a vegan that doesn’t cook so I have no idea what the appeal is for me). The judges are hilarious — they are supposed to be that way. They have to nitpick. The show is edited. And most of the judges are buds.
I think people need to look past the snarky comments and realize that is what this show is about. Half the time, the judges are crying when they talk with the winner at the end. We don’t get to see that during the show…just the nitpicking like comments.
I will agree I get annoyed when they pretend they can’t pick something up with their forks and have to move it around on their plates and complain. Or that there is one big piece of garlic on the plate that shouldn’t be there…and by the looks of the judge, you’d think it was an eyeball.
And Scott Conant?? Ha. First, I despised him…now, I love the dude! I think he’s hilarious. He is one of my favorites. He’s always laughing underneath it all. It’s all an act. I think they are genuinely good people…just put in a role for TV and they play the role well. Marc Murphy…what a guy!!
(on a side note, must mention i don’t watch the episodes where there is a live lobster or something)
I dvr the show. I’m embarrassed to admit that…but it’s out of the proverbial bag. Only thing I watch aside from hockey.
I first saw this show last year and enjoyed the concept but was bothered by how stern were the judges in their comments and how little feeling they were as they chopped a chef. This year I notice they compliment the chopped chef as that chef leaves and one of the judges often tells that chef they were honored to have him/her on the show.
The judges contradict themselves by wantnig them to be creative but they do not reward risks vs those who play it safe.
So it makes no sense for the chefs to try.
The judging is very biased based on the their personal tastes. It doesn’t make sense to me that they never say anything about techniques…
I got really hooked on this show from the first time I watched it. I think the attitudes of the Judges are all part of the drama like any reality show. Keeps it interesting I guess.? You also see that the Judges become sensitive at the end, Ive seen a lot of them tear up or drop a tear listening to some of the winning chef’s stories at the end of the show. They also become very personable at the end. I think its all part of the show.. I will keep watching!
I also must say I have learned a lot from watching the show and am not big into cooking myself. I am a vegetarian and some of these meat- mystery ingredients are horrifying to me and I honestly cant believe people eat it. I want to vomit!
My own opinion- I think the judges have to find the smallest things to pick apart since a lot of the chef’s are neck in neck. Also, what the lesser offense is on the plate when serving a dish. I think the judges true discussions are a lot more drawn out than we see. Im sure it takes a while to come to a decision on each meal. They have to nit-pick so they can all agree on something. They have to keep the Chef’s serious so they pay attention to detail, and not be distracted by ‘personality’ and ‘fun’ – so they keep a ‘boot camp’ attitude in the beginning.
I will always be a fan!
While I understand the concept that drama adds excitement to a show and to keep peoples eyeballs watching you need some drama.(ie: hells kitchen) I still believe that good quality information is so rare on television that a show that actually just gives you the correct and complete information (age of DVR recordings) would be a hugh success.
This show would be much better without all the ham-handed post production filming, ‘one on one’ shots and cheap music/sound bombs when the chefs are at the judging table.
I wanted to know if “Chopped” could have matches for kids.But not with whimpy basket items or untrue judges.With judges who speak their mind about the food. And basket items that are hard.
i have an idea for 1 of the chopped shows
ask the top cheifs that i see on tv from the fast food chains like / olive garden or others to compete for the charity of their choice sincethey all say they are topcheifs
This show is horrible, I cannot stand the judges and their stupid remarks. There are people who do not have regular meals on this planet and they are dramatically proclaiming “oh, you used to much onion” Can someone take these assholes out already?
And here we 3 years later, hoping they would kick off these judges and get some fresh meat. But nope, food network loves their little stars and will air them over and over.
love to read other’s comments that share my feelings, I found this site immediately by google search “chris santos sucks”.
i have a post for food network, i can stomach most of judges on chopped even like a few. That pepper headed republican zacharian is the biggest elitest d-bag on the planet. that guy revels in his snobish rude un affected demeanor. if i saw that guy on the street i would crush his face with my fist and ask him to critique my methodology. i like arron sanchez he is kinda awesome i wish he would reach over and just bitch slap that guy now that would be a good show.
I found this by searching “Chopped & Arrogant Judges” low and behold….I’m not the only one with that opinion. I do love the show for the same reasons others have stated.
Like the majority here, I too am just so over done with all of the negativity in TV and real life that I would enjoy the show without all the snarky nastiness of the judges, but I do understand…it’s the Hollywood way….so there it is….
I love this show. It is one of my favorites on tv and I try to never miss an episode. I disagree with the original poster though. The judges are people at the top of their profession. They critique these chefs who are striving to be at the top of their profession, as if they already are. The contestants are professionals (not kids or amateurs) that sometimes make idiotic and inexcusable mistakes. I do not think they should be caudled for these mistakes. They are there to win a competition and it shouldn’t be easy. The judges are fine just how they are. If you want to see the nice side of the judges though, watch the episode where school lunch cooks were contestants. These people are not professionals in the culinary field so the judges did not judge them as so. The judges were more sensitive and understanding of the mistakes made. That’s not the way it should be in every episode though. If these professionals can’t stand the heat, get the hell out of the kitchen. If people are that offended by the judges, either grow a pair or don’t watch!
Okay… know how i found this page? Googling “Chris Santos is a whiny pr*$&”.
There have been some great contestants on Chopped, such as Madison Cowan and Lance Nitahara, who both put a capital G in grace; how could anyone not applaud either of those 2 after those episodes? And i am not saying they are the only 2. i know we learn from mistakes and “constructive criticism”… but most of us don’t ever have to be criticized in front of millions of viewers. I love those contestants who hold their heads high, and don’t allow the negative responses they receive to cause them to react in anger. Not sure I could do the same. Just from watching, I don’t think i would go to Chis Santos’ restaurant if i was offered a freebie.
Chris Santos, Scott Conant and Alex Gurchelli (or whatever her stupid name is) are insufferable bullies. Can’t stand them!!! Aaron Sanchez is the best. I like Amanda Freitag on unique sweets. She’s really nice on that show. Marc Murphy and Geoffrey Zackarian are tolerable.
I love watching Chopped.
The idea of the show is to see who performs best under immense pressure. The judges need to have poker faces and harsh criticism, or the show wouldn’t be as exciting.
All the judges I’ve seen on Chopped are friendly and pleasant on their other shows. It’s all part of the act, folks. I’ve seen both Alex and Amanda in tears over having to chop someone. A heartless snob wouldn’t give a crap.
Sounds like the whiny, insufferable bullies are here, not judging Chopped.
OMG! Chris Santos is THE WORST! I literally groan when I see he is one of the judges and literally mute the TV when he’s about to speak! A chef can have a perfect plate that the other judges love but he will ALWAYS find something negative to say. Despise him! Love Aaron Sanchez and Amanda Freiteig–judges who can respectfully give criticism.
They are all a pretty harsh lot. It would be great television to see the judges compete against each other and watch them burn shit and make mistakes while former contestants passed their judgement!
You are all so dumb It Hurts Me