MasterChef Canada

love masterchef, especially UK, UK professionals, NZ and Australia. US is OK, but agree that Ramsay has become unauthentic. just watch his old UK Kitchen nightmares, totally different person. but this.. is not watchable.. the Canadian version seems to be choosing their candidates based on looks, pink hair and tattoos and always wearing a hat. very big brother all of it. the drama of the judges, especially Mr Leung comes across very forced. and then, the very blatant product placements, with Kraft products that are definitely fresh local produce. it is so obvious and makes me NOT want to buy these products.

I am actually cringing sometimes. Please, please, improve.

I grew up watching Masterchef in the UK, an edition that highlighted the contestants and their cooking prowess by means of a tiered tournament structure. 'Goes Large' simultaneously allowed two likable presenters to provide their thoughts and opinions without overwhelming the program.

Masterchef Canada does none of this.

Like the US version, it relies too heavily on bombast, gimmicks and 'emotional' music. The 'drama' is cloying at best, and is insufferable at its worst. The judges add little to the 'spectacle' other than rousing speeches. We learn nothing of the contestants' cooking skills simply because there is so little time to watch their work in the kitchen, given how fascinated the show is on cheap side-interviews/pre-commercial soundbites. Challenge 'winners' (a joke in itself, given that often only three or four of the dishes are actually tasted) either watch from the balcony or can decide who cooks what and/or who cooks at all. Which, naturally, leads to snarky contestant 'rivalries'.

How is it possible that a program called 'Masterchef Canada' has more in common with Survivor, America's Got Talent and The Housewives of... than it's own source material?

The show avoids a lower rating as the production value is admittedly very impressive. But this is not a cooking show. Based on the potential and the original from which it has spun, it is pandering, it is consumed with 'drama', and it is a bitter disappointment.

It's no MasterChef USA, but I do like the authenticity and warmth from both Claudio Aprile and Michael Bonacini, but Alvin Leung is just plain annoying with his arrogant and cocky over-the-top attitude (maybe trying to be like Ramsay? not even close), and makes me lose my appetite when he samples the home-cook's food. He needs to learn some eating etiquette, and not stuff his mouth like a starving monkey smh. The show really needs to replace him. It's an 8/10, but would be 10/10 if it wasn't for 'Annoying Alvin'

It's pretty obvious with the most recent elimination that they are eliminating the women.

Sadly if last weeks, weakest dish had been one of the women, and not Chris, they would have eliminated her.

This week they did just that, Mai is too strong a cook and competitor. They can't let her go to the finally against one of the remaining boys.

Oh, wait, you say, there is Thea. Only Thea falls apart second guessing herself along with her lack of time management. No, this is more about ensuring a boy wins then good cooking and tasty food.

How cheesey can you get. And how gross can you be. Let's see how much food I can cram in my mouth!! And don't get me started on the product placement!