Improvising Perfection

The reality television shows "Top Chef" and "Project Runway" test the talents of the contestants as they compete in different challenges and are judged on their performance. As if competition alone isn’t enough for the participants, they are also working against the pressures of a time limit, budget, and their ability to improvise. The challenge on "Top Chef" asked the contestants to use inspiration from a comedy show and create a meal that they think will meet the standards of the judges. Overall, each chef was judged on how well they followed the inspiration, how well their product was executed, and how well it tasted. In the end one contestant couldn’t keep up with the others and was asked to leave. "Project Runway" takes different fashion designers and challenges them to produce the best runway outfit, as they interpret the challenge in a way that will impress the judges. In three episodes from the current season the designers were asked to create a maternity, red carpet, and beach look. After the time limit is up, each designer must watch their garments walk down the runway on a model and get critiqued by a panel of judges. These judges look at how wear-able the garment is and how accurately they feel it accomplished the challenge. Just like on "Top Chef" one contestant doesn’t execute their style and talents as well as the others and must leave. Ultimately, without much preparation the contestants must improvise quickly and leave no room for error.