Top Secret Recipe (2011– ) User Reviews

marketing gimmicks

[jaymef · 26 October 2011]

It's an interesting concept but I'm not a fan of the execution. I have watched the first three episodes and came to the conclusion that the show is heavily scripted and just a marking gimmick for the companies involved. If I had to compare it, I would say it is along the same format as undercover boss.

In each of the three episodes the methods used to get information just seemed totally setup and unbelievable to me. The host even goes as far as stealing ingredients on camera which is conveniently left with in his possession.

In each of the three episodes I've seen thus far the recipes required either a special ingredient or a special cooking appliance that is not available to the public. In the KFC episode it was a pressure fryer, in the Cinnabon episode it is special cinnamon and in the Outback episode it's a special onion.

If you can put the obvious marketing ploy aside the show has some entertainment value. If you are expecting to walk away with knowledge on how to create any of the secret recipes showcased you'll be disappointed.

Used to watch when i was 12 :)

[abhinavkatore · 10/10 · 3 June 2022]

Show is really Entertaining, Used to watch when i was 12 :) Take a time and watch with peacfully. This will entertain you with some basic knowledge of food.

A shameless plug for big fast-food

[dagobert_29 · 31 October 2011]

The other reviewer was far more generous than I will be. This is a pathetic plug for fast-food restaurants. The crap he's promoting is supposed to make us think that care and effort along with wholesome ingredients are at the heart of these great American classics.

In two episodes he's forced to use products such as some form of gum which prevents the cinnamon from leaking out of the role while it rises or a genetically modified onion. Also, it is widely known that most of these restaurants use insanely large amounts of salt or sodium in their recipes, something he conveniently avoids.

Although the host does appear to be doing it with his tongue firmly in his cheek, it's still an hour-long ad for whichever product he's trying to clone. At least it does not appear on the Food Network. They seem to have known what this piece of garbage was all about.