Please Note: This Recipe to Riches post is going to be a little different. So much happened during the marketing campaign which occurs near the end of the show that I have to put up this SPOILERS warning! I will be discussing the latter half of the episode and reveal this week’s winner. You have been warned!
Every week I am impressed with the contestants on the show but this week they were even more adorable than usual. Elisa from Gibsons, BC, teared up every time she mentioned the word family. Sean from Newmarket, ON, dreams of winning the contest so he can finally go to culinary school. Karen, from Markham, ON, whose zest for life was completely infectious.
When it comes to the food, Elisa brought her father’s Italian Lollipops, Karen brought her Bollypops which are sweet and spicy potato and chicken balls and Sean brought his flavourful Mainlander Fish Bites.
The Episode
Elisa was stopped by Kitchen Commander Chef Rob Rainford because commercial kitchens are not set up to shallow fry so she had to deep fry her “lollipops” which impacted the presentation and the size of her dish.
It was hard enough for all the contestants to get 500 appetizers each. Sean was told that he had to make 1000 because his fish bites were so small.
Karen was told there was no way to get the chutney into the centre of her Bollypop so she would have to come up with another way to create the flavour. But that is where my sympathy ended for Karen. She seemed more focused on having fun than getting serious. When Chef Rob started to get angry about her relaxed approach, I totally agreed with him and I think it is what did her in because she did not end up having enough time to deep fry her product long enough. If Sean could hand-create 1000 fish quenelles, she could have had her 500 appetizers done.
Each week when the competitors have their marketing homework to go out on the streets of Toronto to do a little test, I usually roll my eyes. Elisa’s test was to find out if people think of desserts or appetizers when it comes to the term “lollipop”. Duh! Yes, people thought of desserts. I guess they were really trying to drill it into her that they thought her product’s name was inappropriate. Which she ignored.
Sean on the other hand really did not want to give up the name Mainlander Fish Bites for Oh My Cod Cakes but when everyone he asked responded positively to the name, he relented.
The Showdown
Then it was time for the taste testing to begin and the setting this time was inspired by the Toronto Argonauts. Sean’s approach was to do an outdoor man cave with cheerleaders and sports. I immediately hated the idea but must say that the venue looked complete and that men and boys were having fun whereas I am not really sure what Elisa’s approach was.
I know she was not happy with how close their two venues were and they managed to sort that out but other than giving kids deep fried ham and cheese on a stick, I really do not understand the theme of her venue at all. I was also surprised she had a friend out there doing a lot of the directing and potentially starting drama by accusing the other team of stealing.
During judging I was so relieved that Arlene Dickinson mentioned the one-sidedness of Sean’s marketing ploy and that she felt this was a product that women would really love (I nodded my head vehemently as she spoke). She also mentioned that Elisa’s product was one she thought men would love but she marketed it to children (I nodded again).
Sticking To Your Foodie Guns
Sean listened to his marketing team when it came to the name and the event… and lost. This seems to be a recurring trend on this show. Elisa stuck to her original name and idea for her product and won.
This was a complicated episode and I bet figuring out who the winner should be was a tough one. I personally wanted to product test the fish cakes more because they were a healthier product and I have always wanted to try salt cod. That said, I guess I will find out just how tasty, ooey and gooey Elisa’s Italian Lolipops are.
Product review to come!
I knew the only two products I would purchase were the Bollypops or the Cod Cakes, so of course they both got sent home LOL. I think the problem is that healthy is not marketable, at least in this show’s eyes. I really don’t like the whole “on trend” thing, and I thought that this time, they definitely picked the wrong product to go with. So far, the only product I’ve purchased was the Lobster Bisque (and it’s still in my freezer, waiting for a rainy day).
That seems to be the way for a lot of viewers this season, disappointment in the winning product. Apparently the calorie count for the lollipops is lower than I was expecting it to be. I have a lot of other people tell me they’re sick of the whole “on trend” mantra of the show. I really hope you enjoy the bisque! It seems to be a product you either love or hate. My fingers are crossed for you.
Karen, from Markham, ON, whose zest for life was completely infectious. – why thank you! And just to clarify – just because they took a two second moment and made it look like I wasn’t serious, doesn’t actually mean that I wasn’t serious. Having fun while I work is part of my personality and I’d do it over if I had to. I prepped for Recipe to Riches for two years. My recipe was very labor intensive and if I realized there was no deep fryer available, things would have been different but I have no regrets. I loved both my competitors and still keep in touch. And for the record – my completed number of Bollypops was pretty close to 500.
Karen, I am honoured you came by to visit! It is a shame that they portrayed you in that light. Your food looked amazing and I totally believe you worked to prepare it for the show. Your was a product I would have loved to have reviewed. I think it would have done great in the stores!
Hey Suzie! I totally agree! I did quite a bit of research to present something that Loblaws didn’t have. The experience was priceless, I’d do it again in a heartbeat! I’d love you to stop by by blog kravingsblog.ca and my channel youtube.com/kravingsblog Have a fabulous weekend!
Thanks for the invite Karen! I have subscribed to both your blog and your YouTube Channel. So lovely to meet you!
You too! And thank you!