How Watching Cooking Shows Helps Writers and How We Deal with Rejection
- Stephanie Bourbon
- May 12
- 4 min read
Do you watch cooking shows? I do! I'm obsessed with them and have learned how to become a better chef in my spare time--yup, it's one of my most loved things in the world--I could have been a chef-maybe in another life. :) I love cooking, but I am also realizing what it's teaching me about being a creative in the film industry.
I have been watching TOP CHEF since it started. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE HELL'S KITCHEN and almost went on MASTER CHEF as well. Yup, I almost went on, but writing is my passion, and being a home chef is one of my most loved hobbies. I pride myself in my cheffing skills. I say, CHEF and not cooking as it's a horse of a different color-so to speak.
This said, back in 2007, I started doing the quickfire challenges with the chefs in real time. I would record the episode, watch to find out what it was, buy the ingredients and then cook with them in real time. It was fun and I learned a lot. Sometimes, they didn't turn out.
That's just what happens, no matter the skill level.
Then I went on to do the ELMINATION CHALLENGES-and again, sometimes, I kicked butt and others, not so great. Similar to the chefs-the PROFESSIONAL CHEFs on the show.
These pros often work in top restaurants worldwide, and even they have dishes that don't turn out.
They understand that, and it happens on all the chef competition shows. We also cruise a lot, so we watch the Food Network, the BAKING CHAMPIONSHIPS, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, and GUY'S GROCERY GAMES.
Watching these shows has taught me not to beat myself up if someone doesn't like something I have written. I also know better, but it still hurts.
Steve Kaplan, comedy guru, is someone I have studied under for more than a decade. I used to help him run his in-person workshops in Los Angeles. He always does an exercise where he says something bad about someone's script that he has never read. The person knows that he has never read his work, and yet it still creates a reaction—it just does.
It's normal to feel bad when someone doesn't like your blood, sweat, and tears---er-I mean, writing!
Watching these shows has really helped me deal with it. Sometimes, I'm not on my game and what I write isn't funny, doesn't flow well, is filled with technical errors, and just doesn't land, and other times, I'm super proud of my pages and they don't sit well with someone, and that's okay. It has to be.
REJECTION is part of the game, so to speak. It's not a game, it's my livelihood, but you know... It's part of the deal. Being a creative in any industry is hard because we hear no more than we hear yes.
I never thought watching cooking shows could teach me so much about writing, but it turns out they’re packed with lessons that go beyond the kitchen. As a writer, I find myself drawn to these shows, not just for the recipes, but for the stories, the creativity, and—most importantly—the resilience they highlight.
Here are a couple things that they have taught me---besides how to make a Wellington, or Risotto--which I learned how to make from Chef Fabio Viviani from TOP CHEF-he inspired me so much that I actually took in-person workshops with him. But, I digress!
The Art of Improvisation
Have you ever watched a chef on a cooking show realize they’re out of a key ingredient? They don’t panic. Instead, they improvise, adapt, and sometimes create something even better than the original recipe. As a writer, I’ve had to learn this skill, too.
Sometimes, a story doesn’t work the way I envisioned. Maybe a character falls flat, or a plot twist doesn’t land. Instead of scrapping the whole thing, I channel my inner chef—I experiment, I tweak, I add a pinch of this or a dash of that. Watching chefs embrace the unexpected reminds me that creativity thrives in flexibility.
Handling Criticism and Rejection
Cooking shows are full of judges—sometimes harsh ones. Watching contestants handle feedback, whether it’s constructive or downright brutal, is like a masterclass in resilience. They don’t crumble; they listen, they learn, and they come back stronger.
As a writer, rejection is part of the job. I’ve had scripts, stories, and ideas turned down more times than I can count. It stings every single time. But I’ve learned to see rejection as feedback, not failure. Just like a chef who adjusts seasoning based on a judge’s critique, I adjust my work and keep going.
I’ll admit, it’s not always easy. There are days when rejection feels personal, like a dish I’ve poured my heart into has been sent back to the kitchen untouched. But then I remember those chefs on TV, facing the same struggles, and I remind myself: this is just part of the process.
Finding Inspiration Everywhere
Cooking shows are also a reminder that inspiration can come from the unlikeliest places. A beautifully plated dessert might spark an idea for a whimsical romance. A chef’s backstory might inspire a character arc. The way flavors are layered can even influence the way I structure a story.
So, the next time you’re feeling stuck or facing rejection, consider this: grab a cup of tea, turn on a cooking show, and let the creativity simmer. You might just find the spark you need to keep going, and if you are also struggling with what to make for dinner, you may be inspired!
Because, as I’ve learned from both writing and cooking shows, the key to success isn’t avoiding failure—it’s learning to savor the journey, one dish (or story) at a time.
Write?? Um, I mean, RIGHT? hahaha
Seriously, these are pros in the business, and they get eliminated, make stuff that just tastes bad, and go home every week. They aren't perfect and neither are we, and yet we judge ourselves for every rejection. We can't. We need to learn from them or just say "thank you" and let it go.
I hope this was helpful or insightful!
Tell me your favorite ways to handle rejection,n and or if you watch cooking shows!!
xoxo
Steph
Please follow me on social @stephobourbon
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