The Taste

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 22, 2013
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Buy on
Stream On

Critic Reviews

  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Jessica Shaw
    Jan 18, 2013
    75
    Mostly it is [like every other cooking competitions], but Bourdain is a Michelin-starred sound-bite machine, delivering his insults piping hot. [25 Jan/1 Feb 2013, p.110]
    All this critic's reviews
  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Jan 22, 2013
    70
    The Taste takes the "Voice" format--blind auditions producing "teams" of contestants chosen by four judges who double as mentors--and turns it into something better than the original, if your definition of a better reality contest includes more rational and less insulting to the intelligence.
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Jan 22, 2013
    50
    While The Taste certainly works hard to foster a sense of excitement and tickle the palate, this appetizer feels like just the latest half-baked competition idea that doesn't deliver.
  5. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Jan 22, 2013
    50
    The judges seem well chosen. Unfortunately, The Taste kicks off with a bland and sluggish two-hour casting session.
  6. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jan 22, 2013
    40
    The Taste is like an endless retread of MasterChef by way of the multiple judge/mentor set-up of The Voice, only this time with blind tastings as the gimmick. Which isn't nearly as enjoyable as watching judges operate those revolving chairs. The judges are a mixed bag.
  7. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Liz Medendorp
    Jan 22, 2013
    30
    The Taste is a confusing show with humorless banter that does not inspire the audience to become invested in the contestants. It's doubtful that viewers will be coming back for seconds.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 3 out of 10
  1. pro_critic_2014
    Feb 9, 2014
    0
    One of the worst TV shows of all time!!! Anthony Bourdain, the arrogant one who thinks he knows best. Nigella Lawson, the drama queen whoOne of the worst TV shows of all time!!! Anthony Bourdain, the arrogant one who thinks he knows best. Nigella Lawson, the drama queen who doesn't even know how to cook! Ludo Lefebvre, the childish creep who thinks he knows French food best, and Brian Malarkey, another childish creep who needs lots of growing up to do. Definitely a bad cooking show.… Full Review »
  2. jsal
    Jan 4, 2014
    9
    I really enjoyed the taste and its eccentric and humorous core. While it is not meant to be a serious food show I do think it is entertainingI really enjoyed the taste and its eccentric and humorous core. While it is not meant to be a serious food show I do think it is entertaining and enjoyable to watch.… Full Review »
  3. Ekopam
    Jul 5, 2013
    9
    I never watch the first 1/3rd of any cooking competition show. It is almost always a mess. I did for this and it was no different BUT II never watch the first 1/3rd of any cooking competition show. It is almost always a mess. I did for this and it was no different BUT I absolutely loved the way it turned out after the first 3 episodes.

    I greatly dislike Bordain as a personality BUT he was great in this. I don't watch TV and haven't had cable for years but I always watch a few cooking competitions through out the year on HULU.

    I think it is worth a watch just to see the final and see Chef K's reaction to her idol. And it's great that Andres was on the show. Most of the time it's either someone already popular on TV or a M-Star winner. You can have really, REALLY great food and not have a star. Andres is a perfect example of that.

    I do dislike that the judging is based on personal taste. It undertones the reality of what actually tastes good.

    If you like cooking competitions, I suspect you'll like the final half o the first season ALOT. In addition, I'm very excited for second season which won't have Malarky (I actually thought he had great potential for TV). I'm curious who the new 4th judge/chef is???

    Overall I gave it a 9/10. The first couple of episodes were easily just a 5/10 but by the end you wanted to give the last two episodes a 15/10 and that to me puts it at a 9/10.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »