The Taste on ABC Tuesday 9/8c

Recently I was introduced to this new Cooking competition show on ABC called The Taste.  There are four teams of amateur and restaurant chefs being mentored by the likes of Anthony Bourdain,  food star Nigella Lawson, expert chef/author Ludo Lefebvre and chef/restaurateur Brian Malarkey.  . In each episode the groups will face team and individual challenges with a variety of culinary themes through various elimination rounds. For example last weeks episode was about creating sandwiches.  At the end of each episode, the mentors will have to judge the competitors' dishes blind -- with no knowledge of whose creation they're sampling, what they're eating, how it was prepared or whom they could send packing. 

I personally like that the judging is done this way.  No one's personality, back story or team position is influencing the judging.  The food is speaking for itself for once.  No longer do we sit thru self doubting stammering about what mistakes were made while the judges evil eye the chef while tasting their food.  I believe that could ruin the taste or sway opinion.  Shit happens but it doesn't excuse bad taste.  No longer is technique in play.  I personally believe it isn't how someone does it that matters as long as the results are good.  (as long as there was no immoral or illgalness involved).  Just like Math story problems.  It shouldn't matter if someone didn't use the right way to get to the answer as long as they arrived at the right one.  That puts pro and amateurs on the equal footing right there. 

There are definately some strong personalities and drama within the ring of contestants.  There will be people you root to go home because they rub you the wrong way and people you will stand behind because you love their stories and how they act.  

I'd definitely recommend you eat before you watch this because the food they create will make you hungry.  Immediately after the show I made my husband go to subway because I was hankering for a sub sandwich and subway is the only place in our town to get a descent one. 

You can watch all past episodes at The Taste Full Episodes  you won't be sorry.  Let me know what you thought.  Join me again Tuesday after the Taste for a episode recap and to discuss what we thought of the episode.  Did the judges choose the right person to go home.  What about that strange concoction.  Would you eat that?  What looked super yummy and what is your favorite recipe for the theme.