The Big Brunch

First off, this is created and hosted by Dan Levy of Schitts Creek. And if you watch this unique and fun competition, that won't be the last time you'll hear that word, nor the F bomb.

It is a competition populated by all sorts of people all who had a goal in mind to use the $300,000 to accomplish, or boost or start a project. To a person, all those great competitors were consistently kind and helpful to anyone who needed it if they had it, be it crushed peppers or a spare burner. THAT was my favorite part of the show.

A major part of the show is to give the prize to a person to help them achieve their goal. This is literally part of this competition. Some (one) reviewer took great umbrage at that so dinged the show with all of their might. It's also why I gave the show 9 stars instead of 8.

I do wish that if there is a season 2 that they place all the equipment and ingredients they need at a level that is easily accessible to even the shortest of them.

I'm also in VERY high hopes for a Christmas special where the judges go to the homes of the contestants who invited them to join them and their families for the holiday meals. THAT would be WONDERFUL! Just a suggestion, Dan Levy.

Everyone else - Enjoy!

Dan Levy has created a show with so much heart and humanity. I dearly love all of the contestants and their relationships with each other. They truly do love one another and want the best for each other. The behind the scenes info on each contestant is just great and really makes it so much more personal. Dan's love for food makes me like him even more than I already did and the fact that they hand picked each person on this show is wonderful. They all have such amazing stories that make you really connect and want to route for each even after the show ends. I was not aware of Sohla and Will before this show but I am a huge fan of both now.

Of all the various American cooking shows I've seen, this show stands out in a great way. First of all, cooks from a variety of venues are invited to compete, so it's not just the sous chefs from NY hotspots. The contestants are the most humble I've seen in a professional cooking competition. Their focus is on lifting each other up, learning from the experience, and growing their personal skills. Not bragging about how they'll slay.

Of course we know they want to win the prize money to further their dreams, but the prize was only mentioned once and no one talked about it again. Instead, they focus on the challenge ahead and cheering each other on. Even the judges cheer on their accomplishments, encourage their dreams, and lavish praise where it is due.

To add to a show that celebrates rather than continually shames is a subtle score-none of the jarring or tension building music so prevalent in American competitive shows.

I'm happy to see a professional cooking competition show that reminds us that professional chefs are real people and that it's their love and passion for food, giving of themselves, and serving people that brought them to their profession rather than how many Michelin stars they can rack up or when they will become the next celebrity chef. Great job!

I was really enjoying this show until the finale, where I felt as if the show became confused as to what it is. Is it a cooking competition? Is it a brunch themed cooking competition? Is it a pitch show?

After the first episode, there was little to no reference from the judges over the next several episodes of how good the contestant's pitches were for what they would do with the $300,000 grand prize. It became about the food and the best dishes would advance each week regardless of what they would do with the money.

Now, in the final 3, the pitches began getting critiqued and would impact their decision on who to choose to win The Big Brunch.

No spoilers, but if Contestant A's pitch seemed like it needed work, why not have the pitches be discussed throughout the show and allow each contestant to improve/change what they originally wanted to do with the money based on them evolving during the process, the judges feedback, etc.

The finale felt out of place to what the show had been up until this point especially with the Brunch aspect now seemingly being irrelevant.

If there is a season 2, they either need to just award the winner based on the dishes they cook or involve the contestant's pitches throughout the show and allow them to get feedback during the process and not just get these questions at the finale where it leaves the viewer wondering what show they are now watching.

Potential for greatness with Dan leading the way, but they need to figure things out for future seasons..

The Big Brunch is a fantastic show that celebrates an oft-maligned and overlooked meal. Nothing says 'weekend' like a leisurely brunch with friends, and this show celebrates that occasion in a positive way too.

It's interesting that reality TV was the catalyst for much of the bad behaviour we now experience every day, from social media to politics. Think back twenty years to the first seasons of Survivor that encouraged disloyalty, lying, and treachery... Now, in 2022, reality TV shows like Ru Paul and Big Brunch have become models of civility, support, and encouragement.

The Big Brunch lifts your spirits as it promotes a great meal with great attitude.