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Is the New Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out Living Up to the Original’s Chaos?

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“My all-time favorite Food Network show is Cutthroat Kitchen. I was sad when it ended after four years in 2017. I frequently share the story of Cutthroat Kitchen and its mischievous charm with others. So, you can imagine my excitement when I found Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out on HBO Max for streaming.”

In this version, I attempted to maintain the original meaning while using simpler language and a conversational tone, making it easier for a wider audience to understand.

In essence, the revamped show retains the core elements of its predecessor, yet it comes with some refreshing tweaks. One significant change is Brian Malarkey taking over from Alton Brown as the host. I was eager to embrace Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out with the same enthusiasm I have for Cutthroat Kitchen, but after a few episodes of this revamped, advanced version, I find myself harboring some doubts. Let’s discuss these concerns together.

I Think Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out Lacks Some Of The Chaos Of The Original Series

I hold a soft spot for the show Cutthroat Kitchen, as it revolutionized cooking by adopting an unpredictable and chaotic approach. The sabotages were ingeniously devious, making it impossible to guess what challenges contestants would face. Sometimes, the theme of the challenge was only loosely followed, adding an element of surprise that made the show truly captivating. It was a masterpiece of creative chaos.

In a more straightforward and engaging manner:

The initial episodes of “Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out” seem to tone down the level of sabotage compared to the original series. The challenges presented are simpler, yet they still manage to create a unique twist for the chefs. For instance, one chef might have no knives while another is required to cook upside down. It wasn’t just the contestants sabotaging each other that made “Cutthroat Kitchen” stand out; it was the absurd or restrictive nature of these sabotages that added an extra layer of difficulty for the chefs. This Food Network show is often overlooked, but it truly deserves more recognition.

As a film enthusiast, let me tell you that the original cooking show had an electrifying energy all its own. The fast-paced, high-stakes competition of Cutthroat Kitchen made it feel like anything could happen – and often did! Contestants were faced with the most outlandish challenges, pushing their culinary skills to the limit. It was fascinating to witness the incredible creativity that a chef can muster when working under such extreme conditions. And there’s nothing quite as thrilling as watching a contestant triumph over adversity and emerge victorious at the end!

In a simpler, more conversational tone: Cutthroat Kitchen has this unique blend of structured disorder that neither Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out nor any other show has quite replicated so far.

Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out Has A Bigger Budget, And, To Me, That Takes Away From The Show’s Scrappy Feel

Food Network (and HBO Max) boast numerous popular and successful cooking shows among their offerings, with Cutthroat Kitchen being one that had a dedicated, though perhaps lesser-known, fan base. This show seemed to resonate particularly with ardent Food Network viewers who tuned into anything on the channel. It was apparent that it was produced with a smaller budget compared to some of its counterparts, yet it boasted an incredibly creative and engaging team. To put it positively, it appeared as though a low-budget cooking show, but in reality, it offered innovative and entertaining content.

The budget for Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out has seen an enhancement, though perhaps not a drastic one. However, the alterations are noticeable, such as the title sequence incorporating special effects and full name cards, a larger set, and additional props. These may seem minor, but they make a difference, giving it an air of professionalism that subtly distances it from its beloved, humble origins.

The modifications give off a vibe that’s quite similar to many of the more recent Food Network programs. However, I must admit, I found the unusual nature of this show less appealing compared to the straightforward style of Cutthroat Kitchen.

I Don’t Mind Brian Malarkey As The Host, But I Miss Alton Brown

Based on Variety’s report, Alton Brown severed his relationship with the Food Network in 2022 and moved on to co-host the reboot of Iron Chef on Netflix. Since then, he hasn’t taken up any other TV cooking show hosting roles. The Iron Chef series on Netflix is currently undecided, as there has been no official announcement about its renewal or cancellation. As of May 2025, there’s been no word of a second season, so it appears the show isn’t coming back.

I appreciate it when Brown decides to venture into a new series and collaborate with another network. But I do miss him hosting Cutthroat Kitchen. Since I’m quite fond of cooking shows, I’ve seen Brian Malarkey in various projects. I don’t have any problems with him as either a host or a contestant, and he does well on Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out. However, there’s a certain mischievous vibe that is uniquely Brown’s.

It appears that he shows an unusual mix of indifference and over-involvement towards the successes and setbacks of the chefs on Cutthroat Kitchen. Furthermore, his presence often takes on a supervillain-like quality across Food Network shows, particularly this one. It’s as if no one relishes the hardships and battles of these contestants quite like him. Unlike Brown, Malarkey doesn’t fully embody the cartoon villain persona on Cutthroat Kitchen that Brown does, making it harder for me to appreciate his hosting as much as I do Brown’s performance.

I believe that over time, Malarkey might prove to be a more suitable host for “Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out,” yet he seems to lack the sinister, malevolent vibe that the role requires at this point.

I Have Some Issues With Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out’s Structure

In the revised version of Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out, there’s a reduced number of opportunities to sabotage opponents. Compared to the original series that spanned over three rounds, this new format has only two rounds, thus diminishing the chances for sabotage. In Knives Out, the initial round sees every competitor being sabotaged, but they can purchase advantages to mitigate these handicaps.

In the TV show Cutthroat Kitchen, each of the three rounds followed a consistent pattern. The competitors would spend their funds to purchase disadvantages that would negatively impact their fellow competitors. This setup allowed for quick rivalries to form and immediate retribution when one contestant sabotaged another, who had previously sabotaged them.

In the TV series Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out, it appears as though the competitors are feigning hostility because the initial round seems too amicable and lacks sufficient conflict. This is unlike the original show where the tension builds over three rounds of sabotages, making each round ruthless and challenging. In Knives Out, however, the second round includes purchasing sabotages, but since it’s the final round, there’s no room for escalating tensions as in the original format.

I Enjoy The Judges Interacting With Contestants More Than I Enjoy Anonymous Taste Testing

A unique twist in the TV show “Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out” is that the guest judges taste and critique the contestants’ dishes without knowing their identity. They provide feedback to Brian Malarkey, not the competitors themselves, who are secluded in a separate kitchen area and can only watch and listen. Additionally, the judges discover the sabotages after they have already tasted the food, which was secretly kept from them by “Cutthroat Kitchen“.

In the show Cutthroat Kitchen, I found it amusing when judges critiqued the dishes since their comments increased the humor of the program. The competitors had to take the feedback and couldn’t explain why their dish turned out as it did, making it entertaining to watch the judges discuss a subject extensively, even if that topic might have been precisely the sabotage they experienced, such as a judge commenting on a pot pie needing meat while the contestant was forced to use only canned goods or similar items.

Instead, it was more captivating to observe the dynamic between the judges and competitors compared to solely the host and judges. Alton Brown added an extra layer of intrigue, understanding well the challenges they faced, which made it all the more fascinating.

I don’t believe that “Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out” is inferior to the original “Cutthroat Kitchen”, but it hasn’t sparked the same level of excitement and awe in me yet. Perhaps it just needs some time to iron out a few issues before it can surpass its predecessor. Regardless, “Cutthroat Kitchen” remains one of the best competitive cooking shows around.

At the moment, you can’t find Cutthroat Kitchen on HBO Max, but for a limited time, it’s accessible on Hulu instead.

Stream Cutthroat Kitchen: Knives Out on HBO Max.

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2025-06-10 12:10

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