Bake-Off TV Spoof

TV cooking shows are everywhere, and we love them. Whether it's the drama of intense, high pressure culinary challenges with high stakes rewards or just holding your breath hoping the cook's cake doesn't fall, causing her or him to experience unmeasurable baking shame, we savor every moment of our favorite Televised kitchen adventures. Julian's Comedy Stop is no exception. The hybrid TV Show that spoofs reality TV as the sincerest form of compliment, is famous for being on the front burner of laughter in the kitchen.

"Welcome to the Third Annual M&J Global Bake-Off" host Monique invites. The rules: create a culinary delight using just three ingredients: eggs, flour, and water; a unique and mind boggling task for the most experienced cooking innovator. In this funny video intended for family audiences, Champion Chef Pedro from the Culinary Institute at Le Cafe de Papas in Paris, New Jersey, is challenged by the younger but equally reknowned world famous celeberty Pastry Chef Rose Marie.

It's the results that matter on all cooking programs, no matter how well prepared or rehearsed the chef may be. A long time staple of morning drive and daytime TV, demonstrations of how to prepare tasty foods, easy to bake, super nutritious, minimal fuss, on a budget, low-cal, high or low-carb (depending on the changing winds of nutritive thinking), protein enriched, nutrient complete, and healthy alternatives seem a part of every show producer's list of must haves. The proof is in the pudding as they say and appearance is everything.

Have you ever considered the importance of presentation? Do our taste buds have a level of expectation based on what our eyes percieve? Can we be decieved just as easily? In the moment, our sense of smell may be our main source for priming and preparing our taste buds for what's on the way but on TV that doesn't work. The video screen demands good looks equate to good taste and all good programmers understand this principle. We can see the excitement, tension building, as Pedro and Rose Marie roll up their countertop sleeves.

The oven timer counts down the remaining moments. Final touches are made. The flour settles as our competitors complete their original creations for ultimate judgement. "Time's up" Monique announces and beckons the two to bring forth their best efforts. Proud but worn, Pedro presents his one and only Charbroiled Pancake, a dusting of flour sprinkled atop the gray flat mass. Rose Marie, a twinkle in her eye, reveals a lovely Spanish Bean Pie with a chocolatesque toping dribbled for affect. Presentation is all.

The judges taste. The excitement builds. Our mouths water with anticipation. Approval is near. The winner is Rose Marie and her stunning to the eye original slice of Pie! An indignant Pedro complains in his native Spanish "She cheated. She used elephant eggs!". Rose Marie can only roll her eyes in reply. She knows what looks good tastes good, when it come to TV. Recipes are available. Ask for the deliscious Bean Pie or Pedro's Charbroiled Pancake. Oh and by the way, it makes a good cat toy too! Bon apetite.