Last night's episode of MasterChef finished off the audition process and showed the contestants either get sent home or earn an apron to continue on into the season. In the last post I wrote about MasterChef, I mentioned right in the title that it was Gordon Ramsay's new cooking competition reality show, sans insults. However, after watching last night's episode and chatting all about it with Renee, I feel that I must clarify. No, MasterChef does not include Gordon Ramsay screaming at women on the show and calling them donkeys, but that doesn't mean that nothing insulting comes flying out of his, Graham Elliot, or Joe Bastianich's mouths during the judging process, because oh my goodness people. The sexism and ageism is astounding; it's almost enough to knock the wind out of you as soon as you hear Gordon Ramsay insisting a young woman bring her parents and sister into the judge's room to convince the judges that she should earn an apron and move on in the competition because while her food is amazing--more-so than the food of people twice her age, mind you--the fact that she is 22 means that she is not mature enough for a reality television show. I am not kidding you. That is pretty damn insulting.
Another big theme that we noticed throughout MasterChef is conformity. So, not only do women need to have their parents speak on their behalf about how they will be able to handle the stress, pressure and what will be expected of them throughout this cooking competition reality show, the judges also firmly believe that Latino women must make "authentic" Latino food and that Italian men shouldn't go on a cooking reality show where one of the judges is also Italian and not only that, but just so happens to be one of the most arrogant people in the foodie world. I wouldn't even call Joe Bastianich a foodie--his pomposity is so much more than that; he is an Italian man who believe that because he owns 20 Italian restaurants and three award-winning wineries that he is the only Italian chef needed in the foodie world. The need for the contestants to conform to the judge's own vision of who they should be and what stereotype they should personify is in full swing on MasterChef.
Take a look at what else Renee and I thought as we chatted about last night's episode of MasterChef and check back here every Wednesday morning for our chats on the show. Don't forget, feel free to add your own insight in the comments.
Holly: I'm here, I'm here!
Renee: Hey
I am not feeling the idea of lobster curry. That flavor is too strong for curry
I cannot belief the jerk said no over plating, I mean these are amateurs
Holly: Very true, and then the last episode they made several comments about plating and appearance.
Renee: Yeah well these are home chefs and I think that this is unfair
Holly: Me too! And she's going to get an apron because Gordon Ramsay is talking Graham into it so that's good.
You know who did totally deserve to go home? Last week's "funeral potatoes."
Renee: I don't remember that one and I don't think Graham has any guts really
Holly: I really do not like how they just played with that woman's emotions. It's like Faruq--they made his wife and son go into the room just to see how much it would mean to him before they gave him an apron.
Renee: I know and they think it is building drama to do this
Holly: No, it's just mean.
Hm. So because someone is 22 they need to ask her parents permission?
Renee: I think it is sexist and ageist because they would not have asked a guy this question
Holly: No, they wouldn't have. They'd be all "Wow, you're 22 and you cook so well, it's delicious!" But a 22 year old woman goes in there and she's too sweet, she needs her parents and sister to speak on her behalf.
Renee: I like the knuckle dragger
Holly: He knows a lot about presentation, too.
So, Graham just expected him to cook a giant steak because he's a big guy?
Renee: Yeah they are all about stereotypes... and pisses me off the way they are ignoring that dude is ALSO Italian
Holly: Well to them it doesn't matter because Joe Bastianich is the face of Italian restaurants, owning 20 of them and all. So his opinion is the only one that matters when it comes to Italian food.
Renee: Well that is arrogance personified
Holly: Well, I'm Polish, so I guess I should invite a bunch of my friends over to cook kielbasa and then tell them all how they can't cook because I don't like it.
Renee: What no perogies?
Holly: I have an immense love of perogies, you have no idea.
Potatoes with faces! I'm sold, he gets an apron. LOL!
Renee: He is scaring this guy with the essence of Italy things
Holly: I want an apple head!
Renee: Can you imagine how full the judges are at the end of the day
Holly: Oh yeah, that has to be rough. Or maybe they separate it into several days.
Whenever I hear the word infused I get scared.
Renee: Notice how he questioned her on if she really needs one more responsibility...that is for her to decide. Ramsay is such a misogynist
Holly: I was just in the middle of typing that!
So, what man was asked if he needed another responsibility because he's a father?
Renee: Of course not she planted those kids in her garden and harvested them in the fall
Renee: Okay I would so eat that
Holly: Me too. I would eat all of it. She would have to carry me away from the plate.
Renee: Of course she has to bring in her mom
Holly: All of the parents having to vouch for the daughters is really pissing me off. I would tell them off.
Renee: And why does he assume the mother taught her to cook?
Holly: Especially since I know what it's like to be a professional young woman and being seen as something smaller than I am because of my age. Someone would make a comment about my age and I'd be all "Excuse me!? Well, you obviously have no idea what you're talking about because you couldn't make it when you were as young as I am. Moving on!"
It's really ridiculous the amount of misogyny and ageism that goes on all the time, all over the place, and people don't even realize it. And ageism isn't just generalizing and discriminating against elderly, which is another misconception.
Renee: I know don't you want one person to just tell them to F off
Holly: Yes, I think they have it coming.
Renee: mmm those ribs look freaking good
Holly: Yeah they do. They look incredible!
Graham is right, you can't eat ribs without getting dirty. It is just not right. No one should eat them with a fork!
Renee: I know I thought that was snotty when he grabbed a fork and knife. Who the hell eats ribs like that?
How come they didn't need to ask his grandmother if he could handle the stress?
Holly: Oh come on Renee, you know men can always handle stress better than us wee little women.
Renee: Now that the Latino woman has conformed with her second dish they accept her
Holly: Yep, pretty much. Way to teach these cooks a lesson.
But since Joe Bastianich went on to own 20 Italian restaurants and three wineries and is a stereotype of his culture, they expect the same for everyone else.
Renee: I know, make sure that your food does not deviate in the slightest. Why oh why is fusion cooking so popular today then?
0 comments:
Post a Comment