If you ask me, Martha Stewart and José Andrés deserve a better platform than Yes! Chef

Martha Stewart and José Andrés - Yes! Chef judges | Image via Instagram/ @chefleefrank
Martha Stewart and José Andrés - Yes! Chef judges | Image via Instagram/ @chefleefrank

As a longtime fan of José Andrés and Martha Stewart, I was overjoyed when they showed up on NBC's Yes! Chef. With their presence, the show promised a new approach to culinary competitions. Nevertheless, after viewing a few episodes, I believe the program underutilizes its abilities. The emphasis appears to be less on highlighting the deep culinary insights these legends can provide and more on the drama amongst the contestants. I find it depressing that reality TV clichés have eclipsed their potential.

The all-new reality TV cooking competition brought together 12 chefs who were nominated because their personal struggles hindered their ability to advance in their careers. Although the idea of personal development is intriguing, the way it is carried out frequently borders on sensationalism. In my view, the show's emphasis on arguments and emotional collapses takes away from the culinary mentoring that Martha and José are in a unique position to offer. A more thorough examination of cooking methods and industry insights, which both hosts are excellent at, would, in my opinion, enhance the series.

José Andrés and Martha Stewart, in my opinion, ought to have a stage that showcases their extensive expertise and contributions to the culinary industry. In addition to honoring their legacies, a show that explores cutting-edge cooking techniques, creative recipes, and meaningful mentoring would offer viewers educational content. Although Yes! Chef has its advantages, I believe it lacks the nuance and complexity that these culinary greats are capable of providing.


Martha Stewart and José Andrés deserve a more mentorship-focused platform than Yes! Chef

Although the idea behind Yes! Chef is intriguing, combining culinary difficulties with personal development, the show's execution frequently veers too much toward participant drama, overshadowing the opportunity for mentorship offered by its distinguished hosts, Martha Stewart and José Andrés. I think a more thorough examination of cooking methods and business insights, areas in which both hosts are excellent, would enhance the series.

Chef Katsuji Tanabe's unexpected exit in episode 5 is a noteworthy example of the drama that the show offers. Viewers were left perplexed by his quick self-elimination, which was handled with no thought or reason. This shallow storytelling also occurs in other parts of the show, when the contestants' culinary adventures are frequently overshadowed by the drama. This strategy, in my opinion, undercuts the series' ability to provide meaningful insights into the food industry.

Yes! Chef loses out on a chance to benefit from the extensive expertise and experience of its hosts. For me, the show falls short of its potential because it concentrates more on interpersonal disputes than on culinary development. In order to give viewers a more engaging and educational experience, I hope that upcoming seasons refocus to emphasize the guidance and experience that Stewart and Andrés can provide.

Furthermore, the show's focus on human drama rather than cooking lessons appears to run counter to the hosts' strong points. José Andrés' inventive culinary methods and Martha Stewart's painstaking cooking methods are rarely thoroughly discussed. In addition to underutilizing their experience, this omission denies viewers the chance to gain knowledge from two of the most reputable individuals in the field.


Watch Martha Stewart and José Andrés on Yes! Chef on NBC.

Edited by Zainab Shaikh