Some quick thoughts on this episode leading to the final elimination of next week. I always have enjoyed watching this series, and I thought that this version of it with the Super Chefs would be the most interesting one of them all. But it actually has been the one that has called into question the most the existence of this show. In other years, it was easier to justify the eliminations. Some chefs did not seem that they actually did have the skills to be an Iron Chef. Others acted out, and for that reason, in my mind, they should not be an Iron Chef.
This has not been the case for this season. Yes, there has been some bluster and mild trash talking, but generally everyone has behaved honorably. The candidates seem exceptionally talented. More and more it seems to me that that become an Iron Chef should not be a public process with competitions that affect your fate, that it would have been better for the show if they had interviewed their candidates and decided who in terms of demographics and personality would be the best fit for the show. Many people, myself included, would like to see a female Iron Chef now that Cat Cora has retired from the show. But if Chef Falkner wins next week, there are going to be complaints of a fix.If they had just decided on who would be their best candidate behind closed doors (I think it would have been Chef Burrell), I think people would have been happy with that choice.
I did appreciate that the candidates did seem genuinely devastated when they did not win. I do believe that there is some honor still in being an Iron Chef in the food world, and that in terms of your career, it does vault you to a new level. I liked it that being an Iron Chef seemed to really mean something to the people involved.
I would be happy if either Chef Zakarian or Chef Falkner would win. It just doesn't ultimately seem to me that an Iron Chef should be chosen this way. I hope they will retire this show after this season.
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