Compete to Eat

Compete to Eat is a thrilling culinary television show aired on Cooking Channel in 2013 that pushes the boundaries of the traditional cooking competitions, adding an extra layer of fun mixed with adventure. The show artfully bridges the gap between the podium of professional restaurant-like food preparation and the rough and rugged field of outdoor survival cooking.

The dynamic show features the globally recognized chef Jo Lusted as the main host, who is not only an epicure but is also known for her impressive physical fitness. Her role is multi-faceted in the program, from serving as a judge, mentor, to a competitor. Chef Jo brings an enthusiastic energy to the screen, keeping viewers hooked and participants on their toes.

In Compete to Eat, Chef Jo takes two teams of two participants each, throws them in a remote outdoor location, generally a scenic place of natural beauty in Canada. These places vary in their geography, topography, and climate, from the sprawling open meadows to dense forests, from snow-clad mountains to the serene coastline. This variation offers a thrilling unpredictability, enhancing the excitement and adventure aspect of the show. Each team must confront environmental challenges and maintain a strategic approach, emphasizing the survival-of-the-fittest theme.

Compete to Eat takes a unique spin on the conventional ingredients-supported format of most culinary shows. Participants do not find themselves in a well-stocked kitchen filled with an abundance of exotic ingredients. Instead, each team is provided with a limited supply of basic staples, like salt, oil, flour, some spices, and a few vegetables. Interestingly, the primary ingredients, usually proteins, have to be procured by the contestants themselves. They either have to fish, hunt, or search for edibles in the wilderness, presenting a daunting challenge.

These challenges make the show more thrilling, entertaining, and educational. Viewers get a glimpse of survival cooking, while also picking up tips on how to make a delicious and appealing meal from minimal and locally available ingredients. The contestants also have to build their own makeshift kitchen, further pushing their survival, adaptive, and problem-solving skills.

Each episode spans approximately two days, with chefs given a specific task each day by Chef Jo Lusted. The first day usually includes gathering ingredients and prepping a particular dish, while the second day is marked by another cooking challenge, leading to the announcement of the winning team. As the show progresses, viewers see the personal growth of contestants, their kitchen camaraderie, competitiveness, the innovations they bring to simple cooking, and the beautiful meals they create despite all the limitations.

One of the highlights of the show is when Chef Jo takes on cooking challenges herself. She too battles the odds of limited resources and time, crafting delightful dishes while teaching audiences valuable lessons in cooking and surviving in the wild. The show often concludes with Jo's final task or food creation, marking an inspirational and educational ending to the episode.

Featuring different teams of contestants every episode increases the variety of personalities, perspectives, and strategies. The participants range from complete novices who can barely differentiate between various spices to seasoned campers who know their way around an outdoor pit. The contrast of novices and pros in the wild, the constant guidance and leadership of Chef Jo, and the intense, challenging, yet fun tasks all make each episode a riveting experience.

Compete to Eat is lauded for its unique, tough yet engaging concept, blending the skills of survival, outdoor adventure, and culinary arts. Its charm lies in the diversity of locations, contestants, cooking styles, and challenges. The show shows us that cooking is not just about having the most expensive cuts or exotic spices, but about innovation, resourcefulness, and being able to whip up delicious meals under pressure and in the most challenging circumstances.

Overall, with its blend of beautiful outdoor locations, culinary creativity, competition, and survival tactics, Compete to Eat offers a fulfilling viewing experience, making it a standout in the sphere of cooking shows. Whether you love cooking, are an adventure enthusiast, enjoy competitions, or simply appreciate a good, light-hearted show, Compete to Eat will not disappoint. The show skillfully highlights that cooking can be an adventurous journey rather than just a chore.