‘America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation’ – Competition series brings home cooks to the next level
For those looking to raise their culinary game, “America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation” should be required viewing.
Premiering Friday, Dec. 9, on Amazon Freevee, the 10-episode competition series tasks 11 home cooks with creating and presenting their dishes throughout a series of culinary challenges designed to test their kitchen skills as well as their ability to present and explain what they made.
The winner of each episode, as determined by a rotating judging panel of ATK regulars Dan Souza, Julia Collin Davison, Elle Simone Scott and Jack Bishop, wins the opportunity of a lifetime–to join the ATK team, write their own cookbook and get a $100,000 prize to fund a culinary business. Or as one contestant put it, you’re winning a career. Jeannie Mai Jenkins (“The Real”) is the host.
There’s lots of good foodie info here, especially pertaining to cooking techniques, and viewers of all skill levels will certainly pick up something. But what sets this show apart is the presentation skills, which Souza says is critical to being a member of the ATK team.
“At the end of the day, it’s whether someone can connect with an audience ...,” he explains. “One of the things we’re always looking for is confidence in presenting it. You know, even if the dish wasn’t perfect, we wanted to see that you were confident and you could describe it. Obviously, we’re looking at presentation right off the bat.”
And, of course, the dish has to present as enticing because as the old adage goes, you eat with your eyes first.
“But once you get past presentation,” Souza says, “it’s taste and texture. We had a lot of issues with: Is it seasoned properly? You know, being able to use salt properly in a kitchen is probably the greatest skill you can have because it’s what makes food pop and taste just right. And so you can put tons of stuff into it – herbs and cook it right and all that stuff – but if you don’t season it right it kind of falls flat.”
Through it all, the judges give their criticism, which is always diplomatic, constructive and kind. Because even if a contestant doesn’t win, Souza and his fellow judges want each home chef to come away with new skills, knowledge and confidence. Because that’s what the “America’s Test Kitchen” brand is all about.
“This is a supportive environment,” Souza says, “and we want to you to succeed, everyone’s in this together and we felt it was really important to kind of send out that message of goodwill at the start. And so I think if you’re into kind competition shows and you’ve seen ‘Great British Baking Show’ and stuff like that, you’re going to like the vibes.”