Chopped

Space ice cream, Sharon fruit, dried pomegranate seeds, and dehydrated scrambled eggs. Feel free to take a moment and Google a few of those items, because you may need to know what they are so you don't get Chopped.

I was always a 'different' child, and turning down cartoons for the Food Channel was just another stand-out characteristic of mine that stuck into my adult years. The show 'Chopped' caught my attention due to the tight time limit imposed upon the competitors, the commentary from the A-list culinary judge panel, and the often beautiful dishes that arise from the intentional confusion caused by seemingly inedible or incompatible ingredients. I often sit on my couch thinking that I could do better, but who are we kidding?

If you've never seen it, the show starts with 4 chefs boasting great resumes that all want to take home the cash grand prize. It's winner takes all, and as they cook through 3 different rounds, the losers go home empty handed. All of the chefs may have years of experience and technique under their belt, but when you pair pig feet with fruit loops and tacos shells it doesn't matter how prepared you thought you would be; you're one misstep away from being CHOPPED. Sweat pours down their foreheads as they struggle to reduce licorice rope into a component for their steak sauce, and you helplessly watch from your seat as another chef forgets they put potatoes in the oven and they are starting to burn. You'll find yourself trying to coach them but they can't hear you, you can't save them from their fate.

This show is so much fun, I've introduced it as an all day event with friends. We aren't just watching the show however, that's much too easy. On their way to my humble home, the predetermined teams meet up at the local market to grab 3 or 4 ingredients for the other team to fashion into what we are going to eat for the day. We dare not be as adventurous as the professionals, but with my extensive knowledge of the show I welcome any curveballs. Once, I made a pan seared chicken breast crusted with jalapeño-lime tortilla chips and cheese, along side purple yams with a crunchy lollipop-infused crust... my friends weren't as creative.

If you are a human and consume food, I highly recommend you give the show a try. It has comedy, drama, and feel good moments that are sure to please a wide group of people. Remember if you decide to play with friends at home like I did, you can always get pizza in 30 minutes or less!