Celebrity chefs share 16 behind-the-scenes secrets about judging cooking-competition shows

Kirstie RenaeSep 24, 2020, 20:25 IST

Competition shows like "Top Chef" are no joke.Nicole Weingart/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

As part of the From the Judging Table series, Insider spoke to celebrity chefs from popular cooking-competition shows to find out behind-the-scenes secrets about the series they judge on.
It can take anywhere from 12 hours to multiple days to film a single episode of some cooking-competition series.
Judges are sometimes given customized gifts to commemorate their experience on these shows.
Sometimes judges get into heated debates about final verdicts, or wish they could change their minds.

A lot of work goes into creating popular competition series like "Top Chef," "Chopped," and "Holiday Baking Championship."

In fact, each show requires hundreds of crew members, many hours of production, and detailed judging processes to bring the final product to viewers' TV screens.

As part of the From the Judging Table series, Insider spoke to former and current judges from popular cooking shows to find out behind-the-scenes secrets about everything from production schedules to what happens inside the deliberation rooms.

Read on to learn 16 interesting things about some of your favorite cooking-competition shows.

On many shows, winners are chosen based on the episode's individual challenge, not the chef's cumulative journey on the show.

On "Holiday Baking Championship," each round stands on its own in terms of judging. Food Network

Judges often get into lengthy and heated debates about which contestant's dish reigns supreme.

Richard Blais has been a judge on "MasterChef Junior." Fox

On most shows, the judges are the only ones allowed to decide who wins — no hosts or producers get a say.

Judges will often deliberate until they make a decision. Michael Hickey/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

On some shows, contestants get to use their own personal, written recipes.

Baking without a recipe can be tricky. Food Network

Food Network's seasonal "Baking Championship" shows are filmed months in advance.

"Halloween Baking Championship" is sometimes filmed during the summer. Food Network

Multiple judges told Insider it can take up to 12 hours to film a single episode of a show.

"Family Food Showdown" is a Food Network series. Food Network

Some competition shows don't take very long to judge.

Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman, and Lorraine Pascale on "Holiday Baking Championship." Food Network

Being a judge comes with some pretty glamorous perks.

Damaris Phillips has competed on "Guy's Grocery Games" Food Network

Although it depends on the show, the judges don't always get to watch the contestants cook or bake.

On "Halloween Baking Championship," contestants are judged on the final product. Food Network

Like viewers, the judges sometimes wish they could offer advice or jump in to help the contestants.

On some shows, judges can watch contestants cook. David Moir/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Image

Sometimes extra food is taken home or shared with the crew.

Nancy Fuller, Duff Goldman, and Lorraine Pascale on "Holiday Baking Championship." Food Network

The food on cooking-competition shows isn't always that good — but time and circumstances are often taken into account when judging.

On "Guy's Grocery Games," contestants are challenged with all sorts of ingredients. Food Network

Sometimes cooking-show judges become friends in real life.

Nancy Fuller and Duff Goldman are both judges on "Holiday Baking Championship." Food Network

The "Halloween Baking Championship" judges have a say in their costumes and sometimes help put them together.

Carla Hall on "Halloween Baking Championship." Food Network

Although decisions are final, there are moments where judges wish they could change their verdict.

Carla Hall, Zac Young, and Lorraine Pascale on "Halloween Baking Championship." Food Network

Some cooking-competition shows give gifts to the judges.

Buddy Valastro and Damaris Phillips on "Guy's Grocery Games." Food Network

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