The problem with the Chopped All Star Grand Finale, in my opinion, was that Episodes 2, 3, and 4 were so great, it would be hard to be more grand. This sentiment may just come from disappointment. I expected Anne Burrell to win. She seemed flat out invincible to me. We learned this episode that she had burned her cornea in Round 1 in her earlier competition and after she won, she had to go to the emergency room. Here she was defeated by her use of tomato paste. It's interesting and funny and unique, but it's not High Drama, and that's well and good, but not what my palate thinks will happen in a Grand Finale.
There was more open sniping in this episode. In Round 2, in the judging segment, both the judges and the contestants were harsh with each other, which was different from the previous Chopped All Stars competitions. There had always been some bragging and some self-elevation in the contestants' private moments with the camera, but they seemed to keep it in check publicly with each other. This time, Aaron Sanchez presented his dish to the judges with a statement that basically diminished the efforts of his two rivals. This was immediately commented upon by Ted Allen, the host, and the other contestants. The ill will felt like a misused ingredient sprinkled upon a prize-winning dish. It left an unfortunate taste in my mouth.
I have mixed feelings about the personal stories. They humanize the contestant, and they make their intense desire to win clear. But on one level, they also seem like a lobbying effort, a "You cannot eliminate me, because I have this compelling personal story." The stories were compelling, and when Nate Appleman won and his son came out, I was moved. But part of me also felt a bit yanked around, like a note in a meal that had been played just a little too much.
I have to admit that I was happy when Ted Allen announed that this was the first ever Chopped All Stars Grand Finale, which seemed to indicate that this had established a tradition that would continue. In the next competition, as I had written previously, I would like to see the judges that evaluated these proceedings compete. I would like to see Anne Burrell and Robert Irvine return. I would like to see the Iron Chefs compete in one round. Would they feel it was beneath them? Would it tarnish their brand? It sure would be fun to see.
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