Chef reality show

Last night when I was watching "Project Runway" and wondering when that irritating Santino is going to get the auf wiedersehen from Heidi Klum, I saw a commercial for "Top Chef." The reality show starts March 15 on Bravo.

Twelve chefs will attempt to prove each week that they are worthy of the $100,000 prize money that will, of course, solve all their problems in life. And lucky them, they get to do it in San Francisco.

Anyhoo, I was wondering if a chef reality show could be as interesting as other types and won't it be difficult for viewers to judge whether they are fabulous cooks or not. On "American Idol," you get to hear the contestants sing and on "Project Runway," you see the clothing designs. On "The Biggest Loser," you have the scale and your eyes to let you see how much weight someone has lost and how great they look. But for food, how can viewers judge if someone is any good since you don't get to taste anything?

Personality will play an even bigger role than usual in "Top Chef" as far as viewers are concerned.

Comments

[Anonymous]

I'd watch Top Chef. Next Food Network Star was a big hit for Food Network. It was impossible to get in and vote during the live voting show. The guys that won seemingly have turned their six-week show into a permanent fixture on the network. It would be nice to get a feel for what the food tastes like, but as we all know, we cook that Rachael Ray stuff! (And most of it is pretty good.)

[Janet K. Keeler]

Good point on the Next Food Network Star but they weren't really selected on whether or not their food was any good. (Even though there was some food judging and lots of "mmmms.") They were judged on how well they performed on camera. Could they hold the audience's interest? Supposedly, Top Chef will be judging how well they cook and how they peform under pressure. I'll watch it too, though.

[Liane Ching]

Remember Hell's Kitchen. Now that was a reality show from Hell. It's amazing with all those knives, no one stabbed the chef. I'm anxiously awaiting Top Chef. But you're right, I wish we had smell-a-vision. I guess we'll have to wait and see.