I just finished watching Season 5 of Masterchef US, and I must confess that some amazing cooking and inspiring talent came on this show. Week after week, watching the 19 episodes made me hungry even after a heavy meal and sometimes I caught me biting my nails in nervousness. At times, I felt the comments of the three judges and personalities of contestants were unreasonable and played to the gallery. Should I blame the typical American reality Television?
Be it the creative and super-sized Willy, muttering Malibu Leslie in his 50s, super confident Courtney or mysterious Mediterranean Elizabeth, they brought fierce passion to the Masterchef sets. The backgrounds of these home cooks may not be appealing, but I must agree that America definitely has grit and contestants have what it takes to compete, showcase their talent and prove their worth to win the title.
But this season winner, Courtney's behavior when it came to team cooking sucked. Her fuming spirit came through in her personality and tongue. She played her games when it came to pairing up wrong people together and eliminating strong competitors. Is it the capitalistic attitude?
What does Masterchef test in a person: acerbic tongue, short fuse, conniving personality, manipulating skills? Looking at who won the title this time, Masterchef doesn't need one to be a team player or possess leadership skills.
That takes me back to the question, what takes it to be successful in life? Is it expertise, leadership or both?
Courtney is a individual contributor and in a group she morphs into a hyena. This is something we all see in our professional lives. Her micromanaging and volatile personality makes her a fire-spitting monster, a trait that we again see in many of our colleagues and managers.
So, what does Masterchef test in contestants? Is it their skill or spitefulness?
Courtney may posses skills to be a good chef, but has many shortfalls to be a Masterchef. If she were to open a restaurant, I'm certain the attrition rate would make her the one employee restaurant in America.
If a home cook must graduate to be a Masterchef, he/she must possess or cultivate the leadership and team management dimension to be truly successful in the real world. Can't talent and goodness co-exist?
I sincerely hope Masterchef producers will reshape the reality show to inspire talent and not belittle them for shock-value. I hope Gordon Ramsay and his colleagues in real life are more than Masterchefs and not Machiavellis.
