Difference between Hell's Kitchen and Top Chef
Reality shows are one of the newer big top rating providers for most American television networks. This is due to the fact that users can relate easier to people they see on TV and are eager to watch their realistic adventures. The general TV format implies a challenge which needs to be carried out under the vigilant eye of a jury which is usually made of celebrities or experts. Tasks are made progressively harder to retain the viewers’ attention.
Preparation for a specific task and the participant’s emotions are equally important for the candidate’s profile. Viewers can also be involved in the process to determine the winner by phone voting. Focusing on the kitchen, per se, let take a closer look at two of America’s favorite reality shows, Hell’s Kitchen and Top Chef.
Definition
Hell’s Kitchen is a reality cooking competition which is broadcast on the American television network FOX. The series is based on a British format broadcast in the UK under same name.
Top Chef is a reality cooking competition airing on the cable television network, Bravo.
First Broadcast and Host
Hell’s Kitchen first aired on May 30, 2005 and received good viewer ratings which enable it to surpass other reality television series’. The show is hosted by the famous chef Gordon Ramsay. Hell’s Kitchen has reached its eight season on FOX network.
Top Chef’s first episode was broadcast on March 8th 2006. The show has had several hosts from the wine and culinary community. Aside the main competition, two spin offs have been aired: Top Chef Masters and Top Chef Just Desserts. For the future, producers plan to broadcast Top Chef Junior for teens and Top Chef Canada.
Format
Hell’s Kitchen candidates are split into two teams: the red team and the blue team. Each must perform a task given by Gordon Ramsay within a certain time limit. He observes them at work and decides if they do things accordingly or not. If one element is off in the whole preparation, Gordon will make a request for it to be redone. The winning team can receive awards, while the losing team has to do usual kitchen duty tasks. The best candidate from the loser team can pick two colleagues to eliminate, but Gordon is the one making the decision. For the last two competitors the area is divided in two so that each chef can have his own restaurant and prepare a special dish. Gordon will choose the winner after careful observation.
In the Top Chef competition there are two challenges: Quickfire and Elimination Challenge. The first lasts only one hour and a guest judge decides who the best chefs are. Elimination challenge implies team work. The judges will pick the winner according to their and the customers’ observations.
Similarities and Differences
- Hell’s Kitchen and Top Chef are two American reality television cooking competitions.
- Hell’s Kitchen is hosted by Gordon Ramsay and aired on May 30th 2005. Top Chef aired on March 8th 2006 and has had hosts from the wine and culinary community, most notably Padma Lakshmi.
- Hell’s Kitchen and Top Chef have team-related tasks as well as individual tasks.
