4 PR lessons from ‘Chopped’

This fast-paced show is a good reminder of the deadline pressure and the notion that hard work is required to achieve favorable results.

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Chefs on The Food Network show perform under seemingly impossible conditions, from having very limited time and being in an unfamiliar kitchen to having cameras focused on their every move.

Sound familiar? If you’re a public relations professional, “Chopped” might not be much different from your reality.

These four facts of the PR life are constant occurrences on “Chopped”:

1. Deadlines are never-ending.


PR practitioners are always on deadline. Whether you’ve got an announcement for a client tomorrow or a campaign due in a month, PR pros are always counting down the days until an event. Much like on “Chopped,” where contestants have only 20 to 30 minutes to make a high-quality meal, PR professionals may have only minutes to react to crises, news or competitors.

2. Everyone is watching you.

Especially in a crisis, all eyes are on you. On “Chopped,” contestants have lots of eyes on them, from the three celebrity judges, to the cameras broadcasting the show nationally.

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