The Big Break into the Culinary World
Cooking challenges are probably a dime a dozen now among television and cable shows but “The Big Break” of Asian Food Channel begs to differ. It makes use of the familiar formula of exciting challenges, personal drama, and enticing prizes. The difference lies in the purpose and the contestants who were given the chance to get their big break in the culinary world.
The Contestants, The Purpose, and The Prize
The 12 contestants were chosen from among the so-called disadvantaged youths of Asia. They came from 6 countries including Mongolia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore. Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore (RWS) Executive Chef Alan Orreal and Indonesian Chef Farah Quinn who host the show, personally went to these countries to find the show’s final contestants. Each potential contestant was made to cook a dish before the final selection was made.
It is worth noting that the show purposely looked for their contestants with the assistance of Voluntary Welfare Organizations and Charitable Institutions in each country. This is to ensure that the show will get to accomplish its mission of transforming lives characterized by poverty into lives of fulfilled ambition in the culinary world. Only 11 contestants made it after 1 contestant from Thailand encountered some problems with documentation. These 11 hopefuls have set their eyes on the grand prize: a S$30,000 Culinary Scholarship at At-Sunrice Global Chef Academy in Singapore.
The Contest
The 13-part series which started in November 14, 2012 and will end on February 6, 2013 have been featuring the contestants in various culinary tutorials and challenges. Because each of the contestants have their own real poignant stories to tell, each elimination becomes a heartbreak not only for the losing contestant but to the other contestants and judges as well. It is a good thing that nobody really loses since those sent home brings with him/her a S$2,000 Bursary and a wealth of experience which would not have been possible if they did not become part of the show. The money is to be used to further their education back home.
“The Big Break” aims to drive these youths to fulfill their ambitions to rise above their underprivileged situation through cooking. The show is a challenge for the contestants to empower themselves by realizing what they are capable of doing. Win or not, each have already been given their respective big break.
The Viewers’ Contest
As an added incentive to watch, viewers are given the chance to win prizes by answering a weekly question and by voting for their favorite contestants for the finale prizes.
My Say
I have especially enjoyed watching this show since it started especially with the inclusion of three Filipino contestants. My husband who is the more avid viewer of this show fortunately won the prizes shown above in their 5th weekly contest. The bag contained a customized iPod Nano and two complimentary high tea sets at Boulangerie, Festive Hotel. The latter prize leaves us with just one problem since there are no plans for us to go to Singapore within the next six months or less. I really hope this certificate can be put to good use instead of being wasted.
More than these reasons, I especially like the idea of providing real opportunities for life transformation for the better. Before the final winner is announced for “The Big Break”, these 11 contestants would know that they have brought home the bigger prize of hope with them.
Rom Ireton
first time I’ve heard about this show… but I do enjoy watching shows like MasterChef, Hells Kitchen…. I kinda don’t like the drama part of the shows I mentioned but I do enjoy the cooking challenges…
Teresa Martinez
We watch it over Asian Food Channel which I’m not sure if all cable packages carry. The drama tend to go “over” in some cooking shows but generally , cooking shows have become more exciting to watch.
jem alvarado
I am watching this and so happy that Lawrence – a Filipino contestant was already in for the finals.. I am so excited for the finals 🙂 ..
Teresa Martinez
My husband and I are rooting for Lawrence as well, being the only remaining Filipino in the contest. We really hope he wins.
Rcel
I love watching a cooking reality show. Maybe because I am my household’s chef. I just don’t like the sometimes cruel and bad words that the host is using. I am talking about Hell’s Kitchen show here in the US.
Teresa Martinez
Although the cruel and bad words are obviously more for show (judging from the title), it does seem a bit too much sometimes coming from the Hell’s Kitchen host. I think this won’t be the avenue sought by producers of the The Big Break since they are after all dealing with supposedly disadvantaged youths. It doesn’t make sense to add to the trauma even if it is only for show.
Dhemz
how cool! I would love to watch this show. I’m currently watching masters chef.
Teresa Martinez
I also watch Master Chef as we really do enjoy watching cooking shows in our home.
Shela
Oh yes! and i am one of those goers who enjoys watching these kind of shows on television and online!
Teresa Martinez
Same here. Cooking shows have really evolved and now includes more drama.
RonLeyba
What makes this show a bit different with Master Chef? Looks good though.
Teresa Martinez
Well I think its the contestants who make the show different from Master Chef and all the other cooking shows. As I mentioned in the article, these young people form part of the disadvantaged youths in their respective countries. Their participation and not necessarily their winning allows them to realize their potentials, Master Chef’s contestants are amateur and home chefs who are in the older age range than these youths and they have varying economic backgrounds.
Working MAMA
if i’m good in cooking I’ll surely join this
Teresa Martinez
I can just imagine how stressful joining contests like this can be but the opportunity it offers is quite exceptional partly because of the media exposure.
Chubskulit Rose
Right now, ,my kids are watching Chopped lol. We love cooking shows here at home too.
Teresa Martinez
I haven’t had the chance to watch Chopped but I’m sure we will if it’s available here.
Angela Ricardo
I love watching cooking shows. I just wished I can watch that show too here in Italy. Thank you for sharing. As of now I’ll just stick with my Iron Chef and Hell’s Kitchen … etc. 🙂
Teresa Martinez
Maybe in some future time, the show will be available there.
joy
Another entertaining and appetizing show to watch! I love watching cooking shows too because I could learn a lot in regards with cooking and food.
Teresa Martinez
Every cooking show nowadays is trying to add more entertainment value to their concept to draw in more audience interest.
jheylo
It’s fun to watch a reality show especially when it’s cooking challenge. I watched several cooking challenge show here too and one of them is called Iron Master, Chopped, Hell’s kitchen and etc…
Teresa Martinez
Among those you mentioned, I think I have seen only Hell’s Kitchen. Hope I can watch the others as well.
Mommy Liza
I don’t think we have that channel, but there’s a food channel here that I don’t really watch. I had been thinking of going to a culinary school, but, well…I guess, my cooking ability is enough to feed my family.
Teresa Martinez
You should try. You might just discover some new things to add to your knowledge in cooking.
jo-ann
I am fond of watching cooking shows and I think this will be listed. However, my channel is lifestyle network.
Teresa Martinez
Then you will definitely enjoy watching this, just a few more episodes to go though.
Nessie
I also love watching cooking shows. Its making me inspired to cook and try other dishes too in my kitchen. And that The Big Break is also nice. From the title itself, its kinda unique and there’s something on it that really exciting.
Teresa Martinez
It is exciting to watch. One gets to learn while watching the series of triumphs of contestants.
Donald Pagulong
This TV show is a brainchild of creative minds. If only we have cable channels then I am so sure ‘hindi ito palalagpadin ni misis’.
Teresa Martinez
I think so too as it has given cooking challenges a new twist.
maritel (merlmd)
I do not watch much television anymore but I am interested in watching this one. I have to check if we have the Asian Food Channel on our cable.
Teresa Martinez
I do not get to watch much TV myself but my husband and I try to watch cooking shows that interest us since we enjoy such kind of shows.
Mary Jane Tauyan Fitzsimmons
wow! i always wanted to learn and enrol to culinary and learn! hope i can watch this too! xx
Teresa Martinez
Watching cooking shows is both a learning and enjoying opportunity for me.
franckxethee
They have really found ways to make cooking showdowns more fun to watch. I remember when I was younger cooking shows just meant a demo on how to cook a certain food but it’s a good development in the culinary world.
Teresa Martinez
Your observation is right. They have found a way to make cooking shows more exciting and dramatic.