Jamie's Kitchen (Food Network)
 

Is anyone else watching this? It is a mini-series/reality show starring Naked Chef Jamie Oliver. It is sort of like his version of "The Restaurant". He is hiring a bunch of unemployed young adults (16-24) who have little to no cooking experience and they are being trained guerrilla-style in order to open a restaurant in a few short months.

Last night was the first episode. They had an open call and about 1000 people showed up. They got it down to about 100 and then to 30.

For the final cut, Jamie showed them how to make a dish (salmon and vegetables) and the kids had to re-create it on their own. I had to laugh at the kid who mistakenly chopped off the tips of the asparagus, instead of the ends. One of the judges, a food critic, exclaimed "That's the best part!"

So far it seems like a pretty good show, much less "staged" than "The Restaurant" seemed. The remaining episodes are airing every night this week at 10pm (with several repeats later at night).

I am kind of surprised they aren't airing one every week for several weeks, but it is kind of cool they are putting it on every night. I'm anxious to see the next episode tonight-- from the previews it looks like some of the 15 finalists aren't doing so well in their training.

I only caught part of it, but I didn't really think it was all that good. I'll probably check it out again though to give it a chance. You're right about it seeming like less of a production than "The Resaurant", but I actually enjoyed the episodes of TR that I saw a lot more than JK. The people on TR seemed to have great personalities whereas most of the people in JK just seem dull and boring.

Already aired in the UK last year with a follow up to find out how all the trainees are doing.

I suppose you have to like Jamie Oliver to really enjoy this show.

Perhaps it's a British thing, but the enjoyment of the show is mostly seeing how much Jamie puts himself out and how they abuse his goodwill.
He's bending over backwards financially and generously giving his time to these kids who have no education and are an ungrateful lot of **** who cock things up (in the British sense of the word) every chance they get.

It's a bit like watching a car crash for the most of it, you can't belive these no goods are giving lip and attitude to someone who'se given them a chance at a real future.
In a real restaurant a sous chef with attitude is out the door quicker than you can say knife.