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What Food Network's “Chopped” Has Taught Me About Life

Aug 05, 2015

Their viewers enjoy, or endure, Guy Fieri’s blinding hair on “Diners, Drive ins, and Dives;” Bobby Flays nail biting competition on “Beat Bobby Flay;” Giada De Laurentiis’ inviting smile on “Giada at Home;” and Ina Garten’s oh-so-calm Barefoot Contessa. In addition, and amidst these Food Network classics, is the legendary, brutal, and career-defining “Chopped.” As a long time watcher who could be considered mildly obsessive with the show, I’m here to tell you that if you invest your precious TV time into “Chopped,” you may come out learning more than how to turn your nasty leftovers into a gourmet meal.

Here’s what “Chopped” has taught me about life.

1. Life’s a competition.

2. The “basket” is a metaphor for life.

3. You’ll never know what your “basket” holds.

4. You’re forced to work with the “basket” you’ve been given and make the most of it.

5. Everyone in the world has a sob story.

6. Planning out a strategy is always better than winging it.

7. Never neglect the most important things in your “basket.”

8. The little things matter.

9. Dessert will always be the most important meal of the day.

10. Slow and steady wins the race.

11. Someone will always be critiquing you.

12. You will not always win.

13. But sometimes you will, and you better hope it's when you're on a TV show.

14. People will perform crazy tasks for a cash reward.

15. Forgetting an ingredient is like forgetting to turn in an assignment; you’re screwed.

16. Always present your work beautifully.

17. The finishing touches mean just as much as the entire process.

18. Have a back-up plan.

19. Make the necessary changes when you’re given a second chance.

20. If you fail, fail gracefully and respectfully. No one appreciates a sore loser.

21. Stay true to your craft...

22. But do not be afraid to try new things. Taking risks can pay off.

23. They can also bite you in the back.

24. Alex Guarnaschelli scares everyone and always will.

25. The overly confident are always the first people to lose.

26. If you over-do something, you're screwed.

27. If you under-do something, you’re screwed even more.

28. The is no possible way to make a chef's coat look attractive.

29. Deadlines and time limits will sneak up on you so fast.

30. You’ll be forced to think on your feet.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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What Food Network's “Chopped” Has Taught Me About Life

1. Life’s a competition.

2. The “basket” is a metaphor for life.

3. You’ll never know what your “basket” holds.

4. You’re forced to work with the “basket” you’ve been given and make the most of it.

5. Everyone in the world has a sob story.

6. Planning out a strategy is always better than winging it.

7. Never neglect the most important things in your “basket.”

8. The little things matter.

9. Dessert will always be the most important meal of the day.

10. Slow and steady wins the race.

11. Someone will always be critiquing you.

12. You will not always win.

13. But sometimes you will, and you better hope it's when you're on a TV show.

14. People will perform crazy tasks for a cash reward.

15. Forgetting an ingredient is like forgetting to turn in an assignment; you’re screwed.

16. Always present your work beautifully.

17. The finishing touches mean just as much as the entire process.

18. Have a back-up plan.

19. Make the necessary changes when you’re given a second chance.

20. If you fail, fail gracefully and respectfully. No one appreciates a sore loser.

21. Stay true to your craft...

22. But do not be afraid to try new things. Taking risks can pay off.

23. They can also bite you in the back.

24. Alex Guarnaschelli scares everyone and always will.

25. The overly confident are always the first people to lose.

26. If you over-do something, you're screwed.

27. If you under-do something, you’re screwed even more.

28. The is no possible way to make a chef's coat look attractive.

29. Deadlines and time limits will sneak up on you so fast.

30. You’ll be forced to think on your feet.

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This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

Time to be merry and bright.

"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble

"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift

"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban

"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel

"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta

"Believe" by Josh Groban

"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

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