This Is How Long Judging Can Take On Chopped, According To Alex Guarnaschelli

"Chopped" is a fairly popular TV show that has been on the air since 2007, as per IMDB. The participants on the show need to go through difficult challenges to prove that their cooking skills are top-notch. One of the biggest hurdles on the show? The mystery ingredients. Basically, the chefs have no idea what they'll be cooking with and have to wait until the last minute to find out. A former participant from the show, Michael Vignola, who managed to impress the judges with his dishes and win the contest, said, "As soon as you open the basket, the clock starts. I have no idea how I came up with the dishes I made. I just did it in the moment" (via Insider).

While "Chopped" is hard on its contestants, the judges also have a difficult task at hand. Per celebrity chef and judge Alex Guarnaschelli, it's highly unpredictable. She told People that no one really knows what to expect. "The problem is that you never know what is going to happen between the contents of those baskets being unveiled and that clock expiring. It's like gambling, and the skill set of the cook is never a sure bet," she said. And, when it comes to judging, there is no set standard.

In a recent post on Twitter, a fan asked Guarnaschelli about the judging process, writing, "How long does it usually take for the judges to decide on who's ['Chopped']?" Basically, they wanted to know how much time judges need to make their decision on the show and Guarnaschelli's answer proved how tricky the process actually is. She said, "Anywhere from five seconds to 40 minutes honestly." What a wide range, huh?

As per Showbiz CheatSheet, the judges need to think about the quality of the dish in terms of how it looks and what it tastes like. Creativity is also crucial. Judges want to see whether the chef came up with an amazing combination of ingredients to create a dish that stands apart from its competition. Also, all the judges need to be on the same page in terms of who gets to proceed to the next round. Additionally, the judges try to ensure that they have solid feedback to offer so the "Chopped" contestant knows exactly what led to their elimination.