They Won't Let Me Be On Masterchef
I'd like to be on Masterchef, try my hand and see how I meet up with the competition. And show that wheelchair users can cook. But I can't be on Masterchef, because there is a strict "no prior professional experience" allowed.
As it happens, I have been trained as a chef and worked in the industry for years. This automatically disqualifies me from competing in Masterchef. Yet, as a wheelchair user, I would be at a disadvantage compared to the other contestants. I think that my slight advantage from experience is completely eradicated by my disadvantage from the wheelchair. But apparently the powers that be don't think the same way I do.
Rule 8 and 9 of the conditions of entry state:
8. You cannot have any formal tertiary or other professional catering qualifications acquired in the last 10 years
9. All MasterChef NZ Series 2 contestants must be amateur cooks. If you have previous professional or semi-professional kitchen experience that the producers deem (in their entire discretion) could create an unfair advantage you are not eligible. Guidelines for professional activity that preclude participation as a contestant on MasterChef NZ Series 2 (and the matters listed in this clause 9 are not exhaustive) are as follows:
a. You cannot have ever worked full-time in a kitchen as a cook, chef or in food preparation
b. You cannot have earned money or payment of any kind from preparing food and/or cooking fresh food in a professional kitchen environment such as a restaurant, café or take-away in a casual or part time capacity for a total of more than 12 weeks in the last 15 years
c. You cannot have taught cooking classes or have done cooking demonstrations or food preparation in any capacity be it casual, part time, full time or contract in the last 15 years
So, it is at the producers' entire discretion whether a participant is deemed to have professional experience. I meet rule 8, no worries. I also meet rule 9.b. and 9.c.
It is rule 9.a. that I don't meet. But the last time I worked in a professional kitchen was a long, long time ago, and since then, I landed in a wheelchair. So if it truly is at the produrcers' discretion, in theory, they have the power to accept me. Right?
I stopped at the Masterchef booth briefly yesterday at the Wellington Food Show, and they reiterated that I don't qualify because of my experience. The girl who was talking to me said that there would likely be a NZ Masterchef "Pro" soon, and that I would qualify for that. Which is a nice thought, but then I would be at a double disadvantage: I use a wheelchair and I haven't cooked professionally in nearly 15 years.
So, thank you to everyone who's been telling me I should apply for Masterchef NZ. I'd love to. Being on the show, even if I don't win, would be very satisfying for me, as it would show that people in wheelchair can cook. But unless somebody in the production company, Imagination TV, ltd, changes their mind, there's no point in filling out the application form.
I'd love any suggestion you have as to how we can make them change their mind and give me a fair go at Masterchef.
// EDIT: This is not really a question of disability rights or discrimination, I don't think. I don't believe I am *entitled* to participate just because I use a wheelchair. I do believe there is a question of equity, that the disadvantage of using the wheelchair balances my long-ago experience in kitchens.
