Pressure Cooker

The only kind of reality TV I tend to watch are the creative ones - I'm very partial to cooking shows, so when a new one is released, I have to watch it.

The premise of this appealed to me - eleven chefs in one house, and having to judge themselves, rather than having any kind of guest judge.

The reality, however, wasn't so appealing. This is just like Big Brother but with cooking instead of canoodling. But apparently the food is 'sexy', food should not be 'sexy'. It should be enticing, appealing, delicious, etc.

If you want to watch a group of talented chefs being judged fairly on their food, this is not for you. If you want to watch a group of talented chefs being judged on their friendships, rather than talent, then this is for you.

This show was not about innovation and cooking talent, it was literally a popularity contest. I was so disappointed with this because it started to get frustrating due to the way the eliminations were structured. If you're going to have a competition, at least let it be fair.

The chef that ended up being the runner-up was completely robbed. From the start they were strong, they did not form deceitful alliances, and they surely did not shed a bunch of tears to get sympathy votes. It really was a complete waste of time especially for those watching, and for those who were on the show to compete based on their talent as a chef!

What a sham. The producers decided who should win and how and it was a shame. The whole show I told my wife how cool it was to see a show without a third party to influence voting. Then, the last episode betrayed me when the ticket read - this has always been about more than cooking... Really, then why the hell did I watch it? If it's really not about cooking then just produce Big Brother and move on. I don't really like chef Ramsey. He is abrasive, rude and mean but boy is he one bad cook! I have rarely if ever known my chef or been introduced to him. I actually don't care if the chef is a nice guy. Give me good food that I can rave about and I will pay my bill, tell my friends and plan to come back. Yes, it really should be all about the cooking. I will never waste my time on another BS show like Pressure Cooker.

This is a show steeped in tension and drama and toxicity. The producers have done everything possible to pit these people against one another, every episode the contestants who are up for elimination practically beg the other competitors to not eliminate them. It's humiliating for everyone involved, and distasteful for viewers looking for an honest cooking competition.

Contestants forming partnerships for the cooking challenges, and former contestants coming back to be judges does add excitement, but the actual judging should be blind or carried out by third parties. Food critics should have chosen the winner.

So much work, talent, control, planing, punctuality, integrity and innovation - for nothing. The winner is a likable guy, and that's it. Next time they don't have to cook at all, they can just sit around and tell eachother how badly they need the money, because obviously that's all that it takes to win. Occasional crying is also a plus, if you are a man.

I liked most of the candidates, but few of them were just so much better cooks then the rest, still, it didn't matter, in the end it all comes down to who they like more as a person. I just don't understand the concept, and it's a shame, it had potential.