America will gobble up my food show idea
Is "Chopped" judge Marc Murphy ready for a completely different kind of food show?
Sherry and I were talking yesterday about an area restaurateur and, with more than a dollop of irony, Sherry suggested he should be a contestant on the Food Network's show "Chopped."
I immediately started riffing what I would say to the judges if I were a contestant on "Chopped":
"Today I have made for you a grilled peanut butter sandwich with fresh banana slices and marshmallow fluff, a la Elvis."
This got me to thinking: Why do the menus on "Chopped" feature dishes that many of us won't ever set eyes on once that particular episode is over? Why don't the "Chopped" menus feature food like hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on an outdoor grill, as well as pizza, Italian sausage, bratwurst, chicken wings, fish frys, sub sandwiches/hoagies/grinders, tacos, french fries, grilled cheese sandwiches, melts and the like? And by all means the menus should not contain mystery ingredients like cactus hearts and farm-raised grunion.
I can just hear "Chopped" judge Marc Murphy now:
"I really like what you've done with this hot dog. The skin is charred just enough for some flavor but not so deep that the dog is overcooked. I like your minimal use of condiments-and your idea to lightly toast the roll is brilliant."
I would watch every episode of this show if the Food Network ever designed to use my idea. But the name, some of you may be asking. What are you going to call the show?
I've got that all figured out. We'll call it "Chipped." After all, what else would you call a show where the menu items would all come with one of America's favorite snacks?