Hell's Kitchen is one of my must-see television shows. I have not missed an episode since it's inception. While some seasons have been stronger than others, the show remains almost constantly entertaining, largely due to the presence of Chef Gordon Ramsay. What has fascinated me about this particular season has been the fact that none of the contestants has really stood out head and shoulders above the others. Each chef has strengths that are counterbalanced by glaring weaknesses, whether in technique or character. These particular comparisons were inspired by Jay's frequent justifications, and his may be the strongest, though feel free to judge for yourselves.
Jay: Bill Clinton. Jay never seems to be able to bring himself to admit any wrongdoing, even when evidence to the contrary is shoved in his face. A prime example was when Chef Ramsay cooked a frozen entree for the palate challenge. Jay waxed eloquent about how it was fresh and vibrant. After Ramsay revealed that it had been pre-prepared, Jay switched his tune to the meat tasting old. Throw in his spirited pursuit of Holli, and the only thing for Jay left to do is say, "Well, it depends on what your definition of the word chef is." Is Jay able to keep being more Slick Willie than disgraced Bill?
Holli: John F. Kennedy. As one of the better-looking chefs, Holli has been a victim of the classic HK editing with extended glances, bubbly giggles, and superimposed suggestive music. With all that, some may overlook the fact that she has significant culinary talents and has performed arguably the best of all the chefs in dinner services. Some critics dismissed Kennedy as a prettyboy player until he proved that there was something behind the facade. Where does Holli fall on the plane of style versus substance?
Autumn: John Tyler. After having been put up for elimination by her teammates in seemingly every show in recent memory, it is safe to say that Autumn does not have many friends. John Tyler was so despised in his lifetime that he was rejected by not one, but two political parties (the Whigs refused to nominate him for president in the 1844 election, an ironic reversal of Autumn's similar situation). Late in life, Tyler won election as a representative to the Confederate Congress. Will failure in HK cause renegade Autumn to go back to law school?
Benjamin: Calvin Coolidge. For all his bluster about his experience, creativity, and talents, Benjamin usually comes out a disappointing dud in dinner services. Not only that, he is also the most silent chef I can recall on HK. The man simply does not talk to his teammates, greatly to his detriment as Ramsay threatened to eliminate him on the spot recently if he did not start sharing. Coolidge once famously refused to help a reporter win a contest of getting him to say more than three words at a meal with one of the greatest two-word putdowns in history, "You lose." Will Benjamin's laconic ways also cause him to lose?
I plan to keep watching, as I have always done, to find out. The same I cannot confirm for the new show "Master Chef," but that is something for another time.
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