Of all the Food Network shows, Chopped has a pretty simple concept: four contestants duke it out in three rounds until one chef is left standing. In the appetizer, entrée, and dessert rounds, they have to incorporate a collection of mystery ingredients into each dish…and they only have 30 minutes. Easy as pie, right?
Wrong. It might sound straightforward in theory, but once you see chefs try to wrangle five star dishes with geoduck, canned chicken, and candy corn, you realize that competing on Chopped is no walk in the park.
But after nearly 15 years on television, the show has proven how addictive this concept is. As a result, its become a bona fide Food Network staple. Theres a reason we always tune in. The creativity, the high energy competition, and the fights over the ice cream machine have become a comfort show for millions of viewers.
But what goes on behind the scenes? How have they filmed over 55 seasons in just 14 years? How do they source all of these wacky ingredients? Does Scott Conant really hate raw red onions that much? We tracked down everything you probably didnt know about being a contestant on the iconic cooking show.
Losing contestants on these episodes often receive a consolation prize, typically a $1,000 shopping spree on foodnetwork.com. On one occurrence the prize was a $40,000 scholarship, the runner-up received a $20,000 scholarship while the other two contestants each received a $5,000 scholarship.
You must be willing to talk about your personal life.
According to former contestant Josh Lewis, questions during his audition spurred his anxiety storyline: “I have some anxiety issues, and [the audition] is when that came up. When I eventually got on, that was kind of my story, that I was there to overcome my anxiety. That story was true; one of the reasons I wanted to be on in the first place was to prove to myself that I could do something like that,” he told The A.V. Club. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
You have to disclose any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Due to the mystery ingredients used on the show, contestants have to tell producers if there are any foods they cant eat when they apply.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Chopped redemption
FAQ
How much do the losers on Chopped get paid?
Do contestants on cooking shows get paid?
Do judges get paid on Chopped?
How fake is Chopped?
What happens if you lose to chopped?
Fortunately, they don’t go home empty-handed. According to FAQ-ANS, losing chefs receive $1,000 for appearing on the show. Some contestants have even been able to appear on other cooking shows to better results. The cash prizes from Chopped are far more generous than on other popular cooking competitions like The Great British Bake Off.
What happens to the losing contestants on ‘chopped’?
Even the losing contestants on Chopped earn a little something more at the end of their runs. Special episodes of ‘Chopped’ have seen even bigger cash prizes. Chopped has been spun off into several different competitions with even bigger cash prizes.
What is it like to be a chef on chopped?
It can’t be easy to be a chef on Chopped. In this intense reality cooking game show, professional chefs are required to work with unusual ingredients to create delicious and inventive meals to please a panel of judges.
Do chefs get paid for appearing on ‘the chopping block’?
After all, that kind of high-stakes cooking can’t be easy and they certainly deserve some kind of compensation for their efforts, even if their appetizers do end up on the Chopping Block. Fortunately, they don’t go home empty-handed. According to FAQ-ANS, losing chefs receive $1,000 for appearing on the show.