Review: Masterchef US v/s Masterchef Australia.

“Masterchef” is a TV reality culinary competition show open to all amateurs and home chefs, now adapted and produced by 40 countries in the world. Unlike the original UK program, Masterchef USA is a typical American reality show. In the sense it is overly dramatic, confrontational and offensive.  It lacks camaraderie which is essential in a competition. Now Masterchef Australia (the Australian version) on the other hand is class apart. There is love, empathy, friendship amongst the participants. They consider themselves as extended families. The contestants compete in the right spirit, which makes it a healthier competition. They know why they are here and what they want to achieve, but most of all they know their limits. There is no back stabbing and cursing which is very evident in the US version.  

Besides Masterchef US (MC-US) being a weekly show and Masterchef Australia (MC-AUS) being a daily show, the main difference lies in the choice and attitudes of the judges. Celebrity chef, television personality and restaurateur, Gordon Ramsay along with an Italian restaurateur and food writer, Joe Bastianich and American chef Graham Elliot are the panel of judges in the US version of MasterChef. Ramsay is known for his explosive temper, tough judgment and frequently salty language. Bastianich being a food critic is intelligent in his comments, but does occasionally behave insulting like Ramsay. Graham on the other hand is sweet, nice and well mannered. This makes MC-US more like a soap opera than a professional competition. Rather than encouraging and teaching young cooks, the judges are more interested in pitting contestants against one another.  

The Australian judges- Gary Mehigan, a restaurateur and chef, George Calombaris a Michelin star chef and Matt Preston, food journalist, critic, and a foodie are an excellent choice of judges. Though Matt Preston may  look like a big scary man, he is very knowledgeable and kind. All the 3 judges are so warm, loving and caring that participants feel encouraged and confident even at their weakest times. It is because of this mutual loving relationship that I prefer watching MC-AUS over MC-US. 

MC- AUS is a platform to cook from heart. Here, individuals are treated with respect, even though they may just be “amateur cooks”. It is place to showcase one’s talent and learn from past mistakes. As an all-time Masterchef fan, I want to like MC-US, but I just can’t seem to do so. I am not attached to the participants. I almost don’t care who wins. It’s basically just mindless entertainment. A big disappointment. In the words of the judges “It’s a no for me.”