"The Taste" serves up new spin on cooking shows

In the two-hour series premiere, "Auditions Part 1," the pressure is on when Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson, Ludovic Lefebvre and Brian Malarkey put 29 professional chefs and home cooks through their first grueling round of blind taste tests. / ABC

"The Taste," a new show that gives home cooks and professional chefs alike the chance to be judged solely on the taste of their food, made its debut Tuesday night on ABC.

Based off a single spoonful, four judges were given the task of deciding whether a mystery cook was good enough to be selected for their exclusive team of four. Think the latest season of "Next Food Network Star" meets "Rachel vs. Guy: Celebrity Cookoff" meets "The Voice."

The judges include: British food star and "domestic goddess" Nigella Lawson, classically-trained chef Ludovic Lefebvre, "Top Chef" finalist and restaurateur Brian Malarkey and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, whom Lawson refers to as the "Mick Jagger of food."

• "The Taste" debuts with Anthony Bourdain

In the first episode, competitors were given one hour to prepare a dish and arrange it on four spoons for a blind taste. They then stood behind a wall while the judges critiqued their presentation and flavor combination. The competitor was revealed only after all the judges voted, by pressing a "yes" or "no" button hidden underneath their table. A "yes" meant the judge wanted that cook on their team. "No" meant they were out of the game.

This format left plenty of room to tug at viewers' heartstrings, especially when Bourdain told a contestant that he instantly regretted his decision. Or when Ludo promised a job to a teary-eyed culinary instructor after she wasn't selected by any of the judges, who all admitted she did "nothing wrong."

The lucky ones that heard the magic words, "Join my kitchen," will go on to compete for a grand prize of $100,000. Over eight episodes, they will face being eliminated by the judges and could even be sent home by their own mentor as the blind tastes continue.

At the end of the lengthy two-hour debut, each judge had begun the process of putting together his or her team (the auditions continue next week). And, unlike other food competition shows that singled out the home cook amongst professionals, "The Taste" seemingly puts everyone on the same playing field. At least for now.

Tell us: What did you think of "The Taste"?

[crlamury]

I liked the concept of the blind tastings so that it gave every contestant a fair shot. However, I don't like that the judges predetermine whether or not they like the tasting, only to change their mind once they actually see the person who prepared the food. If they are simply looking for really great food, it need not be "chef designed", only handcrafted by someone who genuinely cares and is passionate about what they are producing. Anthony, Nigella, and Chef Ludo all have heart and seem to be looking for the diamond in the rough. Chef Malarky (the name says it all) is really full of himself.

[gnasher156]

I think this show has an interesting premise, but I don't think the format really works for a cooking show. The audience doesn't get to be an armchair judge the way we do with The Voice, so the blind "auditions" aren't as entertaining to watch. I'm going to keep watching for now, but it does need to get better. I actually just found out about The Taste last night, when one of my DISH co-workers told me about it. I would have missed it, but my DISH Hopper's PrimeTime Anytime feature was turned on. The Taste got recorded for me automatically, along with all the other primetime shows on the four big networks. It does this every night and it makes my life SO much easier.

[Philboy19]

I don't think it showed Anthony Bourdain in a very favorable way. I thought he came across as a pompous jerk. It seemed like the hour I watched... they didn't like anything. I finally tuned out as I was a bit disgusted by how they treated people. I'm not sure I would watch this again.