I don't think it's that strange that a show has sort of a bumpy beginning. It's just part and parcel of the process.
Sometimes people just want you to fail. Except your really good friends. I've always known who my best friends were.
Cooking is not difficult. Everyone has taste, even if they don't realize it. Even if you're not a great chef, there's nothing to stop you understanding the difference between what tastes good and what doesn't.