Alex Vs. America

The food on this show is much more elevated than Chopped due to getting more time. The variables are so facinating and the blind judging is pretty cool.

I was scared of Alex from Chopped so going into this show I was undecided, but after binging all 3 seasons in 2 weeks, I can say she won me over. Alex is a stress head but she is relatable. She shows humility and grace when she knows something is not in her wheelhouse.

I feel like being a female chef who isn't a supermodel is hard to win over a crowd, but put away all the shallow judgment and she is actually a fierce competitor and skilled chef. I really love this show and hope to see more.

Why the Food Network continues to try and force feed her on the viewers is bizarre. She has no appeal from a TV show standpoint. Probably a great chef she just has absolutely no star quality. They've bounced her around on a dozen shows and she never lasts.

Seriously, each episode has someone on as a challenger who cooks something that in no universe imaginable would Alex have cooked, whether it's niche Mexican, authentic Asian, etc. So right away they no which one dish Alex DIDN'T make.

I don't understand why most reviews are so negative. It's a fun show! I appreciate how Alex is down to earth and not incredibly cocky like Bobby Flay. She actually gets visibly nervous every time she competes. She is obviously very competitive but doesn't have a huge off-putting ego.

Alex's snark and food have always been a fun combination. Now three chefs get a chance to take advantage of her weaknesses by choosing ingredients, cooking times, and other factors as they attempt to beat her dishes for a cash prize.

Thus far the competitors are top-quality, with diverse cuisines and extensive experience. So it's nicely inspirational to watch, and usually mouth-watering.

The only drawback is that the judges likely know Alex's style very well, and it stands out from most of the competitors. But they also aren't judges known for cutting anyone a break, and their blind assessment of strengths and weakness of the dishes seems genuine enough.