Mastering the mundane

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Posted at 3:20PM, 26 February 2010 by Andrea McGinniss - Editor, bbcgoodfood.com

Almost two weeks in to the latest series of MasterChef and a few things have become clear:

1. John Torode has been working out. He's still not eliciting a Wallace-style 'phwoaar' from me but he's looking a lot more buff.

2. Winning MasterChef still 'means the world' to the wannabes, who continue to 'give it 110 per cent' yadda yadda yadda.

3. Many contestants think scallops served with black pudding and pea purée will give them a golden ticket to the next round.

What is it with the scallop/pud/pea thing? I've seen it, give or take a chunk of chorizo, at least four times this week. Scallop-mongers everywhere must be rubbing their hands together with glee. Yes it might be a tried and tested combo but so is peanut butter and jam and you don't see Gregg and John being forced to linger lovingly over that. Not yet anyway.

Scallop-mongers everywhere must be rubbing their hands together with glee...

Other MasterChef dishes that are more overdone than a cheap pub steak include chocolate fondant ("look it's gooey on the inside, put me through!"), the so-raw-it's-almost-baahing rack of lamb with a herby crust, crunchy potato dauphinoise and anything served with a salsa verde.

Why not award yourself points, bingo style, should these dishes appear again? Or take it one step further as I plan to and have a shot of vodka instead. I'll be blind drunk by Newsnight.

If you are an aspiring MasterChef may I biasedly suggest you take a look around our website for inspiration. We've over 6,000 recipes and not one of them is for scallops, black pudding and pea purée. Because MasterChef starters don't get more predictable than that.

Comments

DNA

26 February 2010, 4:16PM
DNA

I agree, seems I'm not the only one who noticed that scallops & potato dauphinoise & choc fondant seem to be rather common on Masterchef. I like Masterchef, even though the majority of dishes produced are those tiny, arty portions that cost about Â£20 each & about as filling as a single crisp. Not sure where that leaves the new book, though like the tv prgramme I am glad that it exists.

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Jules

27 February 2010, 8:30AM
Jules

I'm finding this series really slow, is it just me? Twice I've fallen asleep watching when it's been an 1 & half hour show. Why do all the contestants want to change their life - what so wrong with the one they've got? I LOVED the professionals series so maybe that's why this is boring me. I love John & Greg as well, maybe just need new cooking ideas. Hopefully once we get to the quarters and semi it will improve.

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JANET

27 February 2010, 2:06PM
JANET

I've taken to recording the programme and fast forwarding through the boring bits, get really annoyed with the editing and John and Greg discussing who to put through/ kick out. Like Jules I liked the professionals series, especially with Michel Roux jnr.

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Lushious

28 February 2010, 10:19AM
Lushious

I watch the show mainly through curiosity and/or boredom!!! It always makes me laugh that the fat greengrocer (sorry Greg) cannot make an informed opinion of his own, he has to latch on to whatever John says. The way he uses his cutlery like a shovel makes me want to throw up! I like to record and then fast forward through the boring bits i.e. John and Greg have a 'discussion', anywhere where the contestants talk about their 'passion' and wanting a life changing experience and the taster of working in a professional kitchen (yawn). Cooking doesn't get tougher than this - watching a whole programme without falling asleep is pretty tough!!!

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Chris Brack

1 March 2010, 12:26PM
Chris Brack

Aussi masterchef is miles ahead of the BBC's version. You get to know the contestants alot more. It is more hollistic-there is an episode a week called the masterclass were you get some tips on cooking the classics-really good. It is still formulaic but within one week there is something different every night. Highly recommended.

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icingonthefairycake

1 March 2010, 1:23PM
icingonthefairycake

i think that the show has lost its way quite a lot firstly it is a competion so surely a 3rd judge is a must and secondly it is an amateur contest which both judges seem to forget more and more.yes it opens doors into the catering world but they will still have to work up like everyone else even if they do win. i have too fallen asleep while watching a couple of episodes.

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Mama Bee

3 March 2010, 2:07PM
Mama Bee

I preferred the format of more 30 minute shows to this year's format of 90 minute ones. It's been awfully slow this year and I do feel we've seen it all before. Chocolate fondants galore and everyone wants to run a "small intimate bistro" or a cookery school. I would agree with icingonthefairycake that a third judge is a must. John and Gregg's "chats" get more and more staged too. All that said, it's still set to record on Sky+. With a bit of luck it will pick up as the rounds progress.

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Susan

5 March 2010, 12:03PM
Susan

Agreee, agree , agree. Especially about the third judge, first of all they need a women (different food appeals differnetly I think) who would perhaps like other flavours and as opposed to a food expert perhaps just someone ordianry who appreciates good food. After all we are the ones who use the restauarants that they are going to cook in if they win!! I wonder if I have a face for telly?

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Andrea

5 March 2010, 12:22PM
Andrea

Move over scallops, last night was all about the sea bass! Much more impressed with this week's contestants over last week's. Will be a big semi final tonight...

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Cassandra Amy Rose

5 March 2010, 1:06PM
Cassandra Amy Rose

I was really looking forward to this series as the I really enjoyed last years, but i was so disappointed. When the contestants start talking about their 'passion' 'dreams' etc. it annoys me big time. That said I was so cheesed off I've only watched one so far, but i might try another one tonight. Like Gemma I much preferred lots of short 30 min episodes. I thing John and Gregg are a bit 'past their best' by now.

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Cath O

6 March 2010, 6:41PM
Cath O

I agree, they all seem to cook the same thing in the invention test, no one really stands out. I thought the professionals was much better, and what's with praising the chef;s if their food looks good, if it doesn't taste of anything I don't care if it comes on a fancy plate.

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EWS

7 March 2010, 4:18PM
EWS

Masterchef really is a staple for me, but the scallop / black pud / minted pea puree combination is awful. It's as if the contestants have seen this getting high marks on a previous show and trying it themself. Surely what Masterchef is looking for is someone who is exciting and thinking outside the box while giving good tasting and quality food - much like Lubo (I think it was, the guy who did the oyster jelly on Professionals). Strange food but tasted great and worked. I'll still watch, purely because I enjoy it and get to see some good restaurants in London to visit the next time I am down. Thinking that, they should maybe try and moving the restaurant sections around a bit - or do we think a Masterchef Australia type thing is what we should be going for?

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discodiane

10 March 2010, 9:29PM
discodiane

I have always been a fan of masterchef, but having now seen Aussie Masterchef it just seems a little samey samey. Glad I'm not the only one who is getting bored of scallops and chocolate fondant - although they did cook a hundred or so on aussie masterchef tonight too!!

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