I'm an avid addict of foodie programmes and currently really enjoying The Great British Menu. For those of you who haven't seen it, essentially three chefs compete per region and are marked on their dishes over the course of a week before the two with the highest cumulative scores face the judges (the excellent Prue Leith, picky Oliver Peyton and wicked Matthew Fort) and then one goes through to represent their region. This year the ultimate prize is to cook at a banquet for Olympians.
This week in the North West Heat, Marcus Waring was the mentor / judge during the week and Johnnie Mountain one of the three chefs (the other two were Simon Rogan and Aiden Byrne) competing. In the fish round, Johnnie looked to create a 'beach' with molecular gastronomy including seaweed, edible sand and set sea Jelly. All good so far, except for the fact that Johnnie and Marcus have never got on and Johnnies dish was not perhaps the best interpretation of the brief.
So the marks are handed out and Marcus (looking rather smug) tells Johnnie that he only gets 2 out of 10. Johnnie erupts, storms off and only returns the next day to taste his competitors dishes as he says he respects them (notably missing off Marcus). So, the question is - was Johnnie being a child or did he have a point?
While I am a little biased, I believe that Marcus was in the wrong. Why? Johnnie had obviously read the brief, brainstormed and put a serious amount of effort into creating something that he was proud of. Marcus decided he didn't like it and thus it was worthless.
Yes, he is a judge but he also needs to respect the work that goes into a dish. Johnnie should have been more mature about how he approached it but ultimately, I respect him. He had no hope of winning against what appeared to be a seriously biased judge so why keep going?
I realise that it probably isn't the 'British' thing but I respect the fact that he took a stand rather than simply smiling and watching someone belittle him. Arrogant? No, unwilling to be bullied.
What do you think?
Thanks
L x
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