OK, YOUR FAVORITE FOOD/COOKING SHOWS. Anthony Bourdain...

by Seeker4 37 Replies latest social entertainment

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  Stephanus

  Rachael Ray jumped the shark when she tried the talk show format. She's just not the type for that! Methinks she copied Nigella's foray into the format. Nigella kind of pulled it off; Rachael Ray can't.

  I take it Rick Stein hasn't invaded Yankland like he has Oz? The Lifestyle/Food Channels must have bought a job lot of his shows: they're always showing the bugger! Now that that $%#^ing dog Chalky is dead, and Stein's wife finally divorced him, perhaps the show output will slow down.

  I like Alton Brown's shows and the all too short series by Heston Blumenthal, Kitchen Chemistry. Ever Wondered Food is good, as well.

  Anything Tyler Florence does seems to be good, and Michael Chiarello is borderline watchable.

  Apart from Cook Like A Chef, Canadians can't seem to make cooking shows.
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  restrangled

  LETS GET REAL HERE! All of these cooks have some good and very bad recipes. I have tried many of them. Most have to be Doctored big time and if you read posts on their websites you will see they are making nice for TV and many fans are disappointed.

  I also can't stand Miss Italian ....her food is usually boring. I can make better salads, garlic bread, and pasta with my eyes closed.

  I would never make any dish from miss 30 minute meals/ I am not ever interested.

  Paula Dean is pretty well rounded, but I will still Doctor her dishes to no end.

  We have eaten at Emeril's Restaurant here in Orlando....over priced and the food stank....So not interested in his foolishness either.

  It has taken years to get good recipes, and most of these so called cooks have not helped the cause in anyway, shape or form.

  r.
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  restrangled

  To add to this post...I was taught by my mother and grandmother and am a damn good cook.

  I disagree with ingredients and time frames on these cooking shows.

  I watch them and laugh about what most are doing. I have picked up some recipes from Paula Dean Her Broccoli salad, but added pasta and doubled the dressing recipe, which was already one of my grandmothers favorites for coleslaw.

  The other was from Missy from the Hampton's, but I had to totally remake that recipe. Arugala and Pasta salad with lemon....Totally changed up and you should have read the complaints on her website.

  r.
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  Hortensia

  I like Anthony Bourdain - but mainly because he is such a bad boy and not ashamed of it. His show about Beirut was quite different from his usual show. His books are good, too, even the fiction is decent. Pretty talented guy. I like Nigella, absolutely can't stand Rachel Ray. My god that woman is annoying. Did you know there is a website - something like ihaterachelray.com? I checked it out a while ago, pretty funny. I like Michael Chiarello, the Barefoot Contessa. Got really tired of Paula Dean, liked Alton Brown for a long time, but after a while his OCD gets in the way. I wish they had an authentic Mexican cooking show, the Mexican cooking done by people like Rachel Ray is a joke, and the Mexican cooking by the fellow whose name escapes me is pretentious. There is really good Mexican food, deserves a decent show. Not southwestern, not Tex-Mex, not Puerto Rican or Central American - good Mexican food.
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  Seeker4

  restrangled,

  Sounds like you've got a leg up on being the Next Food Network Star!

  I think one of the weaknesses of the cooking shows is this idea that you've got to always keep coming up with new recipes, so they run into problems.

  Bourdain hit it well when he said that what makes a great chef is consistency - being able to do the same 20 recipes on the menu to perfection every time. That's sort of true with home cooks as well - how many of us cook 50 different things in a year or so? Any family that cooks 20-25 different great meals is going to be happy as hell! Add a few new ones from time to time to keep things interesting, and you'll eat like kings.

  Thanks for coming up with Jamie Oliver. Used to enjoy his show.

  S4
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  Stealth453

  Anthony Bourdain......hands down.
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  Paralipomenon

  I really enjoy Hell's Kitchen because it's a reality show that isn't scripted. Gordon has been known to make up his own rules (or break them) on the spot when he gets pissed off enough.
  
  Not entirely about food, but I enjoy the show "Opening Soon" where a camera crew follows an entrepreneur around while they are opening their own restaurant. They start at the conception after the person has purchased the location and follow them up until opening day. I have yet to watch a show where it comes in anywhere close to the budgeted amount. Sometimes it's millionaires, sometimes it's just a normal couple that mortgaged their home to start their dream. It is very interesting in that sometimes the course of the show spans well over a year due to delays.
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  lonelysheep

  and Michael Chiarello is borderline watchable.

  He's gorgeous.

  Rubadub--that is hilarious!

  Also, I'm wondering why I've never seen Anthony Bourdain...where is he?
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  Dragonlady76

  I love Emeril.

  I also like Good Eats, Rachel Rays 30 min meals.

  Oh and Giada's Italian cooking show.
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  Dagney

  Anthony Bourdain HANDS down! Love him, love how he thinks!

  Semi-Homemade - I know I know...she's irritating, but her ideas are good. I tape it and skip the irritating parts, like "tablescapes!" (Bleech)

  Nigella, Jamie Oliver...and I used to tape "Calorie Commando", the guy took familiar high calorie foods and morphed them into healthier options using innovative ideas.