Chef cinq étoiles

I was really looking forward to this when I saw the legendary Michel Roux Jr. Was in this.

I have to preface this by saying I do not like reality shows (and can't stand the Food Network) I only like cooking competitions where they can cook a lot better than me and/or are high end pros...like Masterchef Pro, UK and Great British Menu.

What a disappointment. It has that cheap production theme of most reality shows, highlighting more on the quirks of the contestants rather than the food. The judging was kind of okay, but lacking in some way. Could be it felt over dramatic...an air of arrogance or insincerity, imo. Some of the challenges struck me as slightly low brow. I think one of them was for an "influencer" (omg...kill me now)

I also have a very difficult time believing Michelin starred Chef Roux is going to let a newly christened winner really be head chef of an off shoot restaurant under HIS reputation at the Langham!

I watched it, but FFWD most of it, just to see the winner.

The first episode wasn't bad. When I started the second and saw a $21,000 taco...I lost it. A taco is not good because it's covered with gold leaf. This episode is completely out of touch with today's society, even with those who enjoy fine foods. Even the best ingredients in the world, would not be worth that much without the gratuitous addition of edible gold leaf. Couldn't even watch to see what the competing chefs came up with; and I am sure the Judges will come up with some criticism, not only to move the shoe along, but in comparison with the edible (but tasteless) gold leaf.

I, apparently, have to add words since I can't submit a review with fewer than 600 words.

...between what types of chef they wanted and who they chose to compete. It almost felt like they had picked the chef already, they just wanted to put the others through the paces for the drama. Sure, there's always drama in these shows but the quality of the chefs to start seemed so much less talented than the winner. There's NO way a 5 star famous restaurant is going to hire a chef who got lucky or unlucky on any given cooking day. Also, I spent two weeks in London in March 2024, this show must have sucked up all of the spices, salt and pepper included because I saw none. Some of the most tasteless food on the planet so I just don't trust the judges (tho Rav on junior bakeoff is a treasure).

It first had me at "there must be a hidden gem somewhere"... only to completely lose me immediately after that.

"epitome of luxury five-star hotel", "start their empire and be worth millions", "the most expensive thing I'll ever make", "they need to make money".

Five star five star five star blah blah blah (I know it's in the title), concept concept concept, money money money blah blah blah. It's the most infuriatingly cheugy thing I've seen for a while. It's like the Dubai-influencer kind of a show. Yes, I know restaurants are businesses, and fine-dining is expensive but guys... come on, have a wee bit of class? You can be bougie all you want, but not cringey and cheugy at this level? And I know it's a competition reality show, but you can't go shark tank all the way? After all, cooking still needs some artistry, authenticity, soul and personality, not just bling.

It's extra troubling to learn about the report of Roux paying kitchen staff below minimum wage. Just imagine that in your head, in 2023, when economic inequality is horrendous, some employees are scraping by just to have something to eat, while someone is gorging on caviar for the "five-star" lifestyle at the expense of the said employees.

The only saving grace is the cheftestants who seem like genuine people striving to meet the "five star" - whatever that means - brief.

I always love watching Michel Roux. And I thought, these must be really top chefs to be considered for this position. But they are not. I can't believe any one of them could run a 5 star restaurant at a luxury hotel. I don't think the winner will be there for long. I certainly would not pay a fortune to eat that person's food. I kind of didn't believe it. The whole thing was kind of stupid. Very inexperienced chefs. I don't understand, why one has to write such long reviews on here. It's really stupid. What more should I say? Michel Roux did not look best pleased, and I understand him. A joke.