New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Here Come Da Judge!

post #1 of 7
12/16/11 at 10:31am
Thread Starter 

We have, from time to time, discussed cooking competitions on TV, and how little the judges seem to have in common with the real world. Further proof of this comes from a write-up in the latest Food Arts magazine.

 

The winner of NBC's highly touted Next Great Restaurant show was Jamawn Woods' chicken & ribs concept called Soul Daddy. Taking the judges criticisms to heart, he modified is overall gameplan, and opened in New York, Hollywood, and Minneapolis. Within months all three were closed. Apparently, soul food people are not interested in the way the judges view the world.

 

Woods plans to open a new branch in Detroit, this spring. Only this time, fried chicken will be on the menu. And he's dumping the health food options he was told to serve by the judges.

 

So, it seems, it's not just on FN that celebrity chefs and restauranters are willing to sell their integrity for a bowl of ratings. Only this time, unfortunately, it cost somebody else a big pile of dollars.

Reply
post #2 of 7
12/16/11 at 12:41pm

I havent watched that network in YEARS for a reason.  When Emeril started his cooking live program it was all down hill...  The last time a really good cooking show was on tv it was the Great Chef's Series on Discovery and PBS before that, since then they have all sucked. 

Reply
post #3 of 7
12/16/11 at 7:28pm
Thread Starter 

You're perhaps overstating the case, Chefhow, but I don't disagree with your general comment. However, I don't want to get into yet another interminable discussion about good vs bad cooking shows. By point here is showing just how bad the cooking competition judges really can be.

 

It's one thing on, say Chopped. If you lose there because Scott Conant has a thing about red onions, or because Alex G. can't remove the maize core from her posterior region, you've maybe suffered in the ego. But at least it hasn't cost you any money. In the instance above, the guy made the mistake of believing the judges were operating out of an honest appraisal of what the market wanted---when, in fact, their operating modus was strictly what makes good television. And the two aren't the same by a long shot.

 

I never watched that particular show, so don't know the details. But the very idea that you can have a soul food restaurant and not sell fried chicken is ludicrous on the face of it. But that, apparently, is what these so-called experts advised.

 

Yeah, right!

 

Reply
post #4 of 7
12/17/11 at 8:59am

Well to me soul food for the most part is not healthy food anyways ... it's what it is .. food for the soul ... which means this ... It's good for the soul not necessarily good for the heart and fried chicken is a mainstay in soul food.

 

And anyone that thinks that soul food is diet food should have their head examined.

Reply
post #5 of 7
12/18/11 at 4:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KYHeirloomer View Post

You're perhaps overstating the case, Chefhow, but I don't disagree with your general comment. However, I don't want to get into yet another interminable discussion about good vs bad cooking shows. By point here is showing just how bad the cooking competition judges really can be.

 

It's one thing on, say Chopped. If you lose there because Scott Conant has a thing about red onions, or because Alex G. can't remove the maize core from her posterior region, you've maybe suffered in the ego. But at least it hasn't cost you any money. In the instance above, the guy made the mistake of believing the judges were operating out of an honest appraisal of what the market wanted---when, in fact, their operating modus was strictly what makes good television. And the two aren't the same by a long shot.

 

I never watched that particular show, so don't know the details. But the very idea that you can have a soul food restaurant and not sell fried chicken is ludicrous on the face of it. But that, apparently, is what these so-called experts advised.

 

Yeah, right!

 


The fact that this guy truly believed the judges puts the onus on the guy. 

 

Reply
post #6 of 7
12/18/11 at 9:07am

I guess the question is, "what is a judge?"
 I dunno, serving health food in a place taht made it's rep for Soul food" at 3 locations across a big country is a recipie for bankrupty or a split -ersonality disorder.  It would make more sense to serve Tofu bacon and spelt toast at a Shriner's brakfast fundrasier.

 

I've pretty much gien up on TV for the last decade or so, besides, my kid has the TV monopolized for all his 'puter games, and I don't even know how to get regualr singals anymore.  Oh well, I get my news on the radio in the mornings when I do my prep.

 

A total of 15 years now of working for myself and I never really took anyone's business advice, but have taken financial advice,  Can't say as I'm filthy rich, but I have no fear of the banks. 

 

I read books on my trade, vist other places, talk with customers, and this is how I plan for any changes.

 

Other than that, I put a lot of effort into my woodworking hobbies.  A lot of well written and knowledgeble blogs and books on woodworking, and some of the best living craftsmen are in the southern States.  It's very refreshing to read thier stuff instead of all the "foodie" crap I am expected to read.

Reply
post #7 of 7
12/20/11 at 12:19pm



 

Quote:
Originally Posted by KYHeirloomer View Post

I never watched that particular show, so don't know the details. But the very idea that you can have a soul food restaurant and not sell fried chicken is ludicrous on the face of it. But that, apparently, is what these so-called experts advised.

 

Yeah, right!

 


I couldnt agree with you more!!! 
 

 

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home