Next Gen Chef

OK, first, I have to say, I am french, my passion is cooking and I love French, Indian Italian, Japanese and Thai food. I have to make a statement here: In the show, the CIA is presented as the worl'd premiere culinary college. Personnally, I have never heard about it so I checked and it is obviously a known and respected institution in the North America. But it certainly is not as renowned as the French schools in the world. In 2010, the "gastronomic meal of the French" was officially added to UNESCO's list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. That said, I enjoyed watching the first episode...entertaining.

It seems like it's a knock off of Top Chef. Why is Olivia Culpa hosting? She is not able to provide any comments about food. In one of the episodes, it seemed like she doesn't try one of the dishes. Licking a dish and being grossed out by it. She laughed at some of the food as if she was scared of trying it. She does not seem like a foodie or has any knowledge regarding it. At least Padma Lakshmi tried all the foods and could comment on food. Culpa needs to be replaced as host. It's honestly painful to watch.

This has very good potential as a culinary series. However, the host could definitely be replaced by someone who has knowledge of the different cuisines around the world. Someone who is a foodie and can't wait to try the final dishes!

The other pet peeve of mine is please chefs, put your hair out of your faces! It's so unappealing when I see this. Also, if you are not going to wear gloves to prep your dishes, remove your dirty rings and jewelry. It's just all over the food that is going to be consumed and is a non professional look for all. The staff of CiA looked great and professional.

Some contestants need to clean up their act.

Would love to see more of the prep work involved with each episode.

I have actually really enjoyed this. It's definitely finding its feet, as so often is the case with a new show, but this has been a very good watch.

It focuses on the food, technique and various cuisines. The contestants have varying levels of experience and cultures and they're encouraged to use and demonstrate these skills. They're normal chefs, normal people and are encouraged to work together and learn from one another.

The host and judges do a great job and I've nothing negative to say on them. The one thing that has ruined potentially good cooking shows is terrible hosting and ridiculous critique that makes no sense. Neither happens here and they're likeable AND credible.

As long as next season, they don't decide to cast contestants based on drama for ratings (which also often happen), I can't see why this show doesn't have legs for several more seasons.

Next season, I'd like to see more of the cooking process and the techniques practiced to get to the final plate. There's a lack of that and there was time to include at least some info.

Hoping for renewal.

Entertaining show with likable contestants and fun challenges. Very poor decision to bring Olivia Culpo on as a host - completely brings down the show. Provides no useful commentary, other than occasional cringe remarks, and clearly she has no knowledge of anything food related. The show loves close up shots of her taking a bite of nothing or blankly staring into space while the other judges talk about the food. Please get a host with an actual cooking background.