Back in the day, when I had a television and about 60 blissful channels to choose from, I would often find myself in a battle of wills with my mother over the intrinsic value of reality TV.
She was blind to the artistry in gems like So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol, and would demand we watch CSI or Criminal Minds or The Mentalist instead.
What has more value, really? Watching nobodies become dancing and singing superstars, or watching psychos viciously carry out crimes that make it hard to sleep at night?
The one grey area in my mother's blanket loathing of reality TV is the Food Network. I maintain cooking shows are the original reality shows, only with less drama and human interest than Survivor or that now-defunct classic, Fear Factor. She refuses to discuss the topic at all, particularly when such discussions interfere with her enjoyment of one particular favourite, Iron Chef.
I can appreciate that. Afterall, there is a little bit of personality and drama in the show, where two chefs face off in Kitchen Stadium with baskets of secret ingredients, fighting for culinary supremacy.
Sure, there is very little singing or dancing involved, but there is plating, which is a form of artistry. I guess.
Either way, when I saw the Bonnyville Agricultural Society would be hosting its first “Celebrate Local” Iron Chef competition on the museum grounds on Sept. 10, my first thought was to drag my mother up to Bonnyville from Wainwright to take part in the competition.
Now, my mother is an amazing cook. All of my life, my own culinary skills have wilted in the shadow cast by my mother's abilities. Sure, I can wield a mean waffle iron, and I have invented some truly disgusting and amazing concoctions starting with a box of Kraft Dinner and getting creative. Hamburger-less Helper is a particular favourite.
In fact, just this last week, I had to call up my mother to ask the age-old question, “How do you know when mushrooms are done being sautéed?”
Despite my chronic inability to cook a decent meal, I have selflessly stepped up to complete my mother's two-woman Iron Chef team, The Sous Chefs.
Afterall, she would do the same for me. If, say, the opportunity to do a bit of Mantracker were to suddenly arise (and it should. It really, really should), my mother would totally step up and sign up with me.
Right, Mom?
