Masterchef: The Professionals

[Petcha]

I worked in catering for years in the 80s and 90s. A hotbed of bullying, violence, misogyny, substance abuse and alcoholism - esp for commis chefs. I think it's changing now with chefs like Angela Hartnett running respectful cooperative kitchen brigades but I recognise MW as still being a pretty Old School type.

Which makes it even more impressive that Monica made her way to the top I guess. Not just a woman, but a Polynesian woman.

Nah, not a world I'd like to be involved in. Crazy hours for pretty shit money. And dealing with fuckwits left, right and centre.

 

[Saul Goodman]

I worked in catering for years in the 80s and 90s. A hotbed of bullying, violence, misogyny, substance abuse and alcoholism - esp for commis chefs. I think it's changing now with chefs like Angela Hartnett running respectful cooperative kitchen brigades but I recognise MW as still being a pretty Old School type.

100% this, especially the alcohol abuse.
It's one of the most stressful jobs imaginable, and head chefs tend to be utter cunts.

 

[Petcha]

100% this, especially the alcohol abuse.
It's one of the most stressful jobs imaginable, and head chefs tend to be utter cunts.

I can reliably say that the advertising/media world isn't much better. Toxic as fuck. I pity any young person, particularly a young woman entering that snakepit.

I suppose if you're combining cheffing with media, as masterchef does, you've got a recipe for hell.

 

[seeformiles]

I can reliably say that the advertising/media world isn't much better. Toxic as fuck. I pity any young person, particularly a young woman entering that snakepit.

I suppose if you're combining cheffing with media, as masterchef does, you've got a recipe for hell.

I think the realities of kitchen life are rather glossed over in the amateur/celeb competition. They get a experience of a couple of professional lunchtime services with a lot of hand holding but hide the shit pay, split shifts, high overheads, relationship breakdowns and only getting every 2nd Tuesday off. Every time I see an enthusiastic amateur currently in a 9-5 office job express a desire to become a professional chef, I want to scream at the TV “Noooooooo! It’s a rose-tinted dream. Stick with what you’ve got and enjoy cooking for friends and family”
It was catering that gave me severe drink/drug problems and, for the most part, it’s a brutal industry with few perks or rights.

 

[polly]

Marcus Wareing is also Northern but is a total cunt. Mrs SFM was at school with him and can confirm this.

He comes over as a sociopath without even the most rudimentary makings of a sense of humour so I'm unsurprised to read this. Gregg always struck me as horrible too - he used to delight in people's nerves, always barking STOP SHAKING at contestants. But half of the enjoyment of the show for me is disliking the judges tbh (Monica is obviously decent though.)

 

[nagapie]

He comes over as a sociopath without even the most rudimentary makings of a sense of humour so I'm unsurprised to read this. Gregg always struck me as horrible too - he used to delight in people's nerves, always barking STOP SHAKING at contestants. But half of the enjoyment of the show for me is disliking the judges tbh (Monica is obviously decent though.)

I have a soft spot for Marcus as he called me over and told me to go in front of him in a busy airport Pret that I was having difficulty navigating with my children.
Everyone else was just elbows and pushing.

 

[Orang Utan]

He seems ok on screen. It's amazing how editing can distort things. Wallace actually always came across really well but apparently, not. I wonder what Monica's like IRL.

Wallace always came over as the very thing he’s been exposed as

 

[gosub]

She's a hell of a lot more knowledgeable about food than fucking Gregg

I doubt that very much

 

[polly]

I doubt that very much

Of course she is. He wasn't even on there because of his knowledge whereas she often is.

 

[polly]

I have a soft spot for Marcus as he called me over and told me to go in front of him in a busy airport Pret that I was having difficulty navigating with my children.
Everyone else was just elbows and pushing.

Are you sure it was him

 

[gosub]

Of course she is. He wasn't even on there because of his knowledge whereas she often is.

I have no problem with him not doing MasterChef anymore. However 20 years a green grocer 20 years doing MasterChef 10 years doing programs on factories . Fucking Lloyd Grossman did Masterchef for 5 and they let him rejig the NHS menus

 

[polly]

I have no problem with him not doing MasterChef anymore. However 20 years a green grocer 20 years doing MasterChef 10 years doing programs on factories . Fucking Lloyd Grossman did Masterchef for 5 and they let him rejig the NHS menus

I've no doubt he knows all about buying and selling fruit and vegetables but that's not really the same thing. His main role on MC has just been enthusiastic eater and he's never demonstrated any kind of real interest or knowledge at all. I suppose he's got gradually less shit over the years. That's the best I can say. And I'm not just saying this because he's a sex pest - I think they're all really narrow in their knowledge (remember the rendang controversy?) but he's the worst. No real love for GD either but she at least seems interested.

 

[Spymaster]

Nigella. Just no.

Seriously?

You must be joking.

Nigella is to food porn, what Roy Cropper is to soap operas.

Absolute legend!

 

[hash tag]

Seriously?

You must be joking.

Nigella is to food porn, what Roy Cropper is to soap operas.

Absolute legend!

That she may be to some people but she jsut wouldnt fit masterchef.
Besides, she probably thinks to much of herself to "share" a programme,

 

[littlebabyjesus]

100% this, especially the alcohol abuse.
It's one of the most stressful jobs imaginable, and head chefs tend to be utter cunts.

I worked in a hospital kitchen for a few months. It was pretty chilled really. There was a pecking order for sure, but that mostly related to who got to choose the radio station. Fully unionised and everyone took their breaks! I also worked in a university halls kitchen, also pretty easy going.

I guess you just need to work somewhere where the food is not expected to be anything better than edible.

 

[Numbers]

That she may be to some people but she jsut wouldnt fit masterchef.
Besides, she probably thinks to much of herself to "share" a programme,

I agree with this. I love Nigella but can't see her in Masterchef.

Olly Smith, I know he's mostly a wine man but knows his food, would be a good fit I think.