Treatment of Tara (S21)

I HAVE NOT FINISHED S21, I JUST SAW TARA GET ELIMINATED WHICH PROMPTED THIS POST

The cast of s21 has a good number of chefs I quite like. Its not my favourite ever, but I could list of 7-8 chefs I enjoy watching.

The red team has a good number of these cast members I like. Sommer is a strong vocal cook who really earned my respect in the charity service, Dafni was consistent and fun, and Cheyenne is probably my favourite of the bunch. However, the BIGGEST issue I’ve had all season, and its one that has really put a dent in my enjoyment, is the treatment of Tara.

Tara was not and is not one of the strongest chefs in this season, however, she was consistent on the line, did solidly in challenges, and I think she did well to come in 6th. Despite all that, the red team (AND EVEN THE BLUE TEAM) consistently downplayed Tara’s achievements, ousted her at any given opportunity, and talked down to her. This really felt like an issue of “we’re young, your old” and none of the remaining red team wanted to give her any amount of respect. What ESPECIALLY irked me was basically everyone immediately assuming Tara would get sent home in the Black Jacket challenge, and the worst thing was basically everyone assuming the worst dish (Sakari’s) being Tara’s. This honestly really pissed me off cause it really shows a complete lack of respect for your fellow chefs, and it feels so out of place cause the majority of these guys are meant to be ‘nice’! Alejandro immediately putting his least favourite dish as Tara’s REEKED of bias and felt super out of character.

I genuinely believe Tara could’ve made Black Jackets if she had a teammate she could’ve leaned on more/communicated with more. Feeling alone in a competition like Hells Kitchen is crushing, and Tara had it some of the worst out of any chef I’ve seen. Not to mention Alex for whatever reason putting her up for punishment with his pass (the literal only thing I dislike about Alex… iirc Tara’s friend had JUST been eliminated and he did that?? Should’ve made Dafni or Sommer go up).

Am I the only one who thinks this? I don’t really know what the community’s thoughts on Tara are. Maybe I’m overrating Tara and she deserved the criticism? But I don’t think so… it felt so harsh how her every mistake was scrutinised but the rest of the team would get off scot free.