Hell's Kitchen

I've always liked Hell's Kitchen, though it is kind of an odd show. It's the standard reality show, start with 16 or so contestants and whittle them down one by one until only two are left and pick a winner. But most reality shows don't involve sharp knives and hot stoves. Survivor and The Amazing Race offer the possibility of chance injuries, but Hell's Kitchen seems destine to hurt it's contestants.

Then there is the added element of Chef Gordon Ramsay screaming his Brit head off at everyone all the time. I thought about being a line cook at one point, but I am far too much of a jellyfish to put up with the kind of abuse these people do.

As the new season starts, again the women seem to be the better team. I have to wonder if they pick moron men on purpose, or if only moron men want to be cooks.

There are two people in this year's line up that have never worked in a professional kitchen before. That takes some nerve. So they are both totally lost, wandering around asking for help and whining when none is forthcoming. This is a pretty serious lot of chefs this time round, and it looks like it might be the best season yet.

As with all reality shows, the first episode just gets us familiar with the cast of characters. The first few people kicked off are soon forgotten, and as time goes on and the inevitable losers remain, you have to wonder if those first people out the door might have been better. But then the losers will be gone as well, and just the best will be left. By the third of forth show I will have a better idea of who I like and who I want to win. I have never picked the winner early on, and I don't always agree with the Chef that Gordon Ramsay picks.

I like Hell's Kitchen and look forward to seeing what cooking madness happens this season. Hell's Kitchen is definitely a sort of foodie kind of reality show.