In this one day, 50 minute seminar, we will consider how cooking food on TV has become a competitive sport. We'll look at different shows and consider how they do it- contestants, teams vs individuals, judging, setting, and food types. If you watch these shows, bring your observations and interest. Shows we will look at include Culinary Class Wars, Master Chef, and Hell's Kitchen.

Cooking on television has evolved from a weekend hobby into a high-stakes competitive sport. A 50-minute seminar will examine this shift, analyzing the production elements that turn a kitchen into a stadium. The session will break down the mechanics of the "food sport" genre by looking at contestant dynamics, team versus individual play, and the influence of judging styles.