It's always fun to trying to figure out what the HECK the producers were thinking. This strikes me as some California based concept of "how cool would it be to..."
Next thing they'll have Avacado and Sea urchins as the mystery item.
Me, it's just reality TV and little reality TV is anything more than entertainment.
That's how I view this.
But I think it's lacking something, especially for the masses. Forget the hardcore BBQ'er that frequents a forum. We won't like what they've done.
I've spent years, researching what the public "wants". Back when I was on the NBBQA board, I interviewed a lot of public at contests.
Most of them/us want:
1. Access to the BBQ experts and
2. Taste food
3. How to improve their own cooking/how do they match up to the experts
#3 is the key on why people do or don't tune in. Why are you watching?
I can think of ONE simple, quick fix. Post the recipes from the winning team and have them spend the last 5 minutes TEACHING you how to do what they did.
Simple, quick fix.
Maybe I'll email John with my idea. I hadn't seen anyone mention this in all the various forums and threads.
OH, and before you poo poo the Alligator, it HAS been a subject in our forums (how many of you searched first)? None.
Here you go:
Search on Alligator