Sue's News

Two Great Tastes

April 23rd, 2008

Tonight’s episode of Top Chef combined cooking with comedy, namely the art of improvisation.

Not only were the intrepid group of chefs set upon the task of creating dishes from the suggestions of the drunken patrons at Second City show, they also had to do it without mechanical equipment. They were then abruptly moved from a large kitchen to a much smaller one in the middle of preparation.

Thankfully, most pulled it off. Richard (the heavy favorite) and Dale (his stiff competition) pulled off “Perplexed, Green, Tofu” (pictured above).

There were so many theatrical elements I recognized in this episode, it made my head spin and heart sing to watch these artists take these things in stride and just run with it — which is the essence of improvisation.

But, the thing that really made it for me was watching how fantastically Richard and Dale complemented each other. One of the comedians picked up on it immediately. She said, “I loved how they complemented each other… It’s like that in improve too.”

I’ve heard it, read it, written it, and said it myself, “Theatre is a collaborative medium,” and honestly so is any art… when you’re creating something out of nothing, it’s the people who make it happen…

You don’t have to be a chef to know that oil and water don’t mix, and of course, the personalities and egos can get in the way of artists working with one another, but I think this dish won tonight because each chef was willing to bring his knowledge and expertise to the table and be open to his partner.

THEY REALIZED THE DISH WAS BIGGER THAN ANY ONE OF THEM.

And that, in the end, is the essence of collaboration… Realizing that everyone has his or her own unique talents in bringing art to life.

It takes a lot to take turns steering the wheel, but that’s how you end up going places you would have never dreamed of, and being better off for having taken the ride.

–Sue

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