Hey all ... long time lurker ... first time poster.

Having watched all the HK seasons, I have a couple of common sense questions:

1) Many of the contestants are chefs of one variety or another in their lives ... and yet that is how they COOK? I hate cooking and yet I can do better then them on doing just the basics. Do they purposely find awful cooks for this just so Gordan can do maximum yelling?

2) I wonder if the winners from all seasons go on to get further training since they just barely won? I mean, just because you won doesn't mean you actually know what you are doing ... especially running a multi-million $$ restaurant/business.

Regardless, I'll be glued to the TV in an hour *grins*

Is anyone also watching "The Chopping Block" on Wednesday nights with Gordon's mentor, Marco Pierre White? So very different - and yet more people who have a hard time doing basic cooking. LOL It's epidemic I guess.

Oh, and Lacey ... I think she's only around for the "soap opera drama".

Welcome Barb,

Glad you decided to start posting. This is my first time watching Hell's Kitchen. I do agree about Lacey. I thought she would be gone by now. Hope to see you around Zappy.

Welcome Barb! I've been watching the Chopping Block. I think the problem with both the contestants on the Chopping Block and on Hell's Kitchen is the addition pressure that is put on them. Plus the short time frames to prepare and the competitive dynamics, cut-throat politics and being very stressed in the environment through the constant barrage from the team mates. Nasty dynamics there.

For that very small audience who have watched the Chopping block, its been canceled. Reason being a very small audience due to a slow start. I have to agree that the last episode was better than the first two but the Network isn't taking any chances. No word as to if or when the final episodes will be run.

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-nbc-cancels-chopping-block,0,4236075.story

I found this on the front page of Zap2it. I always enter that way because I read some of the critiques of shows.

Hey Barb!

I agree w/phoenix regarding the contestants...

I watched 1 episode of The Chopping Block~~~really didn't hold my interest or attention...

Lacey has left the kitchen

Tune in next week as the Carol/Andrea feud boils over again

Hi Barb, welcome to posting with everyone. I was a lurker for a while before I started posting too. But the great group here really welcome you with open arms.

Thanks for the update about the Chopping Block Phoenix. I've been watching/recording this since week one and didn't find it great but enjoyed seeing Marco. I've seen him with Gordon a few times on Gordon's BBC shows.

I often wonder the same thing about the people on Hells Kitchen compared to people on Top Chef. Top Chef people would wipe the floor with Hells kitchen people, so why can't they find "real" cooks?

Just watched it tonight on DVR...

I think it may be in how the contestants are selected. Hell's Kitchen isn't so much looking for the best chefs, they are looking more for personalities and in Hell's Kitchen Ramsey is the star of the program. Now in Top Chef, I always get the impression that we have excellent chefs and that they are the star of the show. Not only are the contestants the star but so is the food. In Top Chef, you often get a list of ingredients and if you go to the site, you get some of the recipes. One show is all theatrics and one show is a true cooking show.

I mean why is it so many of the Hell's Kitchen folk can't cook Beef Wellington? By now everyone should know you have to be able to cook beef wellington and make a fantastic risotto.

The other thing on Top Chef is that we sometimes get to see past contestants whereas in Hell's Kitchen, once gone and you are forgotten. Also Top Chef uses well known professionals in the profession, be they critics, restaurant chefs or TV food personalities. Its a total difference in what each show is trying to do.

As to The Chopping Block I like it. Not the best but okay. I guess if it has been canceled us Canadians are screwed again. We don't get to see the end.

I like Marco. It is hard to believe he made Gordon cry. He is so nice and mellow. He is also a good teacher. I watched a bit of hells Kitchen UK and he was the chef. He teaches doesn't yell. The chefs are non cooking celebs. When they cook crap he tells them what they did wrong. I learned alot about eggs from him. Also he is the exact opposite of Gordon. If a patron complains about crap food ther are banned from the restaurant.

I don't think anyone is going to see the end of The Chopping Block, Trixie. Marco sounds like someone I would like to watch if he spends time teaching.