Food TV

[Alpha]

For a long while, one of the very few things I watch on TV is the Food Network, the PBS Cooking Programs ( or The Documentary Channel).

I thought I'd start this thread for our many food and cooking enthusiasts out there, to talk about or tell us about your favorite Food TV, what you watch, like, or don't.

This venue seems to have taken a new life form since the matriarch, who started this all...Julia Child.

What are your favorite programs?...chefs?

What do you watch, if you do and why?

Post your links for all of us to share.

[sunshine]

He's on the travel channel, not the food channel - but one of the very few programs I watch anymore is Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. He's an accomplished chef and a witty writer and a bit of a bad boy too. He travels all over the world but eschews the more typical tourist spots to be on the streets (where they have streets) with the people. He spends a lot of show time eating the local chow at a local dive, from a street vendor, with a local family or sometimes at a highend restaurant. He's the kind of a person that when he travels he wants to actually experience the local culture firsthand and isn't afraid to go wherever he needs to in order to do that. For example - he did a show about Beirut intending to show off its potential as a hotspot for international travelers. He and his crew ended up staying in their hotel for a week being caught in the middle of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict and finally being transported out on a military ship with hundreds of other Americans. While not every show is obviously so dramatic, its a wonderful way to vicariously experience other peoples and their culture and their food. I guess what I really like about it is that although its ostensibly about travel and food what its really about is the people. He totally respects the people and their culuture no matter where he is. He'll eat whatever the people are eating - hearts, brains, eyeballs, whatever. He's known to have said that the most disgusting thing he's ever eaten is a chicken McNugget.

[Dera]

There was once a show that I got a chuckle from but I don't know whether it is on any more--I doubt that it is. That may have been before computers were invented. There were two fat British ladies who went around the countryside on a motorbike with a sidecar. They cooked up a storm when they got where they were going! :yumyum:

[Dera]

One man's opinion:

The Worst (and Best) Cooking Shows on Television

Food critic John Mariani takes a look at five TV shows every foodie should be watching -- and five that are so embarrassing, you'll wish you didn't own a TV.

"As someone who writes about food and restaurants for a living, I have near-zero interest in watching most of the food shows on TV, where hijinks, hair, and cleavage have replaced the authoritative, careful instructiveness of Julia Child, David Rosengarten, and Sara Moulton -- most of whom are either off the air, dead, toiling in obscurity, or relegated to reruns.

The Food Network, which once had all those people on, is now home to a bunch of screaming, loutish characters who read from cue cards with about as much as contrivance as Jerry Springer sympathizing with a 400-pound transsexual. Still, there are some good shows out there that teach you as much about how to cook something as about the culture or reasons behind it. Here, five of the worst (which could have been a much longer list) followed by five of the best."

http://www.esquire.com/the-side/feature/best-worst-cooking-shows

[earthist]

Ah, yes, cooking TV: what I watch when I'd rather be doing something else, but can't afford the price.

I agree, Sunshine, that Bourdain is both entertaining and educational. I've never learned anything I could use about cooking, though.

Dera, it was called "Two Fat Ladies" and it was very good IMO: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Fat_Ladies

My personal favorite is "Good Eats," but then, I'm a nerd. Alton Brown goes through so many contortions that I would never actually follow his advice, but he does do the science stuff pretty well, and I love learning.

No point in reviewing them all, it's just my personal opinions. I will say, though, that it's extremely rare I pick up a pointer that's actually useful in my own kitchen. So many of the shows, even the ones I like, recommend ingredients and procedures that cost much more than I can afford, and take more time than I can manage. I wish they'd talk about how to find affordable hamburger that isn't 10% injected water, or decent EVO that doesn't cost $50 per pint. (Speaking of which, did you know that TJ Maxx sells decent EVO pretty cheaply? Who'da thunk it?)

[VOguy]

I remember that show with the ladies in the motorcar. I think it aired on PBS locally.

BTW, (probably should be posted in the recipe thread, but I'll pop it in here), my son and I entertained a sick friend this yesterday. He likes spicy stuff as do we.

Have you ever seen those gold packets of hot sauce that they have in Wendys, that you put in chili? Next time you do hamburgers on the grill, use one packet per 1.5# of hamburger. Mix it in good, then make the paddys. They were great! Even with 90% lean beef, it really brought out the flavor.

[Dera]

Ah, yes, cooking TV: what I watch when I'd rather be doing something else, but can't afford the price.

I agree, Sunshine, that Bourdain is both entertaining and educational. I've never learned anything I could use about cooking, though.

Dera, it was called "Two Fat Ladies" and it was very good IMO: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Fat_Ladies

My personal favorite is "Good Eats," but then, I'm a nerd. Alton Brown goes through so many contortions that I would never actually follow his advice, but he does do the science stuff pretty well, and I love learning.

No point in reviewing them all, it's just my personal opinions. I will say, though, that it's extremely rare I pick up a pointer that's actually useful in my own kitchen. So many of the shows, even the ones I like, recommend ingredients and procedures that cost much more than I can afford, and take more time than I can manage. I wish they'd talk about how to find affordable hamburger that isn't 10% injected water, or decent EVO that doesn't cost $50 per pint. (Speaking of which, did you know that TJ Maxx sells decent EVO pretty cheaply? Who'da thunk it?)

I am such an expert chef, I had to look up "EVO". Extra Virgin Olive Oil I presume? At TJ Maxx? Huh? :icon16:

[VOguy]

I am such an expert chef, I had to look up "EVO". Extra Virgin Olive Oil I presume? At TJ Maxx? Huh? :icon16:

I always felt sorry for Popeye in this matter. :D

[Dera]

VOguy :rocketwho

[Alpha]

One man's opinion:

The Worst (and Best) Cooking Shows on Television

Food critic John Mariani takes a look at five TV shows every foodie should be watching -- and five that are so embarrassing, you'll wish you didn't own a TV.

"As someone who writes about food and restaurants for a living, I have near-zero interest in watching most of the food shows on TV, where hijinks, hair, and cleavage have replaced the authoritative, careful instructiveness of Julia Child, David Rosengarten, and Sara Moulton -- most of whom are either off the air, dead, toiling in obscurity, or relegated to reruns.

The Food Network, which once had all those people on, is now home to a bunch of screaming, loutish characters who read from cue cards with about as much as contrivance as Jerry Springer sympathizing with a 400-pound transsexual. Still, there are some good shows out there that teach you as much about how to cook something as about the culture or reasons behind it. Here, five of the worst (which could have been a much longer list) followed by five of the best."

http://www.esquire.com/the-side/feature/best-worst-cooking-shows

Interesting link Dera....thanks for posting it :notworthy

I'm about 50/50 on Mariani's reviews.

I guess it depends on what was one is watching the program for:learning/instruction, ideas, entertainment or a bit of all.

I would say that Biba ( not mentioned however airs or used to on PBS), Lidia, Mario Batale ( used to have a few cooking shows ), Mary Ann are excellent chefs, as is Gordon Ramsey and Marco Pierre White.

Personally I get a huge chuckle from "Hells Kitchen" despite the melodrama.

I think Paula is way overrated as is Giada, but hey, the men like her and I guess that's why she has such strong ratings. Guess the upside is that some men, who have never attempted much in the kitchen, may get motivated to try ;)

Guy Fieri does a fun show travelling all around the country called "Diners, Driveins and Dives" and is quite good IMO for a fun watch and a bit of a dining travelogue.

Personally I can't stand Alton Brown and "Good Eats". I think it's the most gimicky and silly production on the network.

I kind of like Rachel Ray. I think she brings a lot of good cooking ideas to folks with a hectic schedule and limited time and makes cooking for novices simple....not a bad thing.

Anyway, that's my review FWIW ;)

[Alpha]

He's on the travel channel, not the food channel - but one of the very few programs I watch anymore is Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. He's an accomplished chef and a witty writer and a bit of a bad boy too. He travels all over the world but eschews the more typical tourist spots to be on the streets (where they have streets) with the people. He spends a lot of show time eating the local chow at a local dive, from a street vendor, with a local family or sometimes at a highend restaurant. He's the kind of a person that when he travels he wants to actually experience the local culture firsthand and isn't afraid to go wherever he needs to in order to do that. For example - he did a show about Beirut intending to show off its potential as a hotspot for international travelers. He and his crew ended up staying in their hotel for a week being caught in the middle of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict and finally being transported out on a military ship with hundreds of other Americans. While not every show is obviously so dramatic, its a wonderful way to vicariously experience other peoples and their culture and their food. I guess what I really like about it is that although its ostensibly about travel and food what its really about is the people. He totally respects the people and their culuture no matter where he is. He'll eat whatever the people are eating - hearts, brains, eyeballs, whatever. He's known to have said that the most disgusting thing he's ever eaten is a chicken McNugget.

I've only caught a few of his shows sunshine, however thanks for the heads up :).....I'll have to check him out a bit more.

I have seen a few episodes where he is traveling and eating the oddest things. Like you, I enjoy experiencing the travel as well as different culture and cuisine.

[Dera]

When my son became "Mr. Mom" some 9 or 10 years ago, I think he came to be an excellent chef by watching Mario Batali and some of the other good cooking shows on TV. He never asked me once for my opinion, either! :screama: :rant:

You know, "Take it up a notch with Molto Mario"!

[Biker]

Extra virgin olive oil must come from really, really ugly olives.

Biker

[Dera]

Biker :rocketwho

[Divinorumus]

Food teevee? Wow, what will they think of next. Food in your face on teevee, just what couch potato America needs .. like another hole in their collective heads. Gee, I bet ya they even now have a teevee channel where they sell you new teevees and sofas for when the old one wears out. :coolsquare: Gawd, won't be long now and humons can learn their sex on teevee too, ha. Funny humons, what would they do without their mass teevee learning system. :scratchch Keep your eyes on the bouncing ball, humons, ha. Food tv, what will they think of next. hum ... :icon16:

[VOguy]

Extra virgin olive oil must come from really, really ugly olives.

Biker

3 bag + duck. One for her, one for you, one for the poor dog that wandered in the room. And duct tape to make sure the bag doesn't fall off.

[VOguy]

When my son became "Mr. Mom" some 9 or 10 years ago, I think he came to be an excellent chef by watching Mario Batali and some of the other good cooking shows on TV. He never asked me once for my opinion, either! :screama: :rant:

You know, "Take it up a notch with Molto Mario"!

Don't sweat it, Dera, guys don't usually ask their mom. They will ask grandma, but there is something sort of tough about asking mom for an opinion. Mom is.... intimidating.

In my family, asking mom would have required a lot of patience and temperance. Grandma was often the guiding light in my culinary youth.

[Dera]

I remember that show with the ladies in the motorcar. I think it aired on PBS locally.

BTW, (probably should be posted in the recipe thread, but I'll pop it in here), my son and I entertained a sick friend this yesterday. He likes spicy stuff as do we.

Have you ever seen those gold packets of hot sauce that they have in Wendys, that you put in chili? Next time you do hamburgers on the grill, use one packet per 1.5# of hamburger. Mix it in good, then make the paddys. They were great! Even with 90% lean beef, it really brought out the flavor.

:D Hey, VO. I have a lot of little packets of "Crushed Red Pepper" from Domino's Pizza. Would that work? That would be taking it up quite a BIG notch IMO. Or, would I regret it in a hot second? http://2ni2.com/emoticon/special/botando.gif

[VOguy]

:D Hey, VO. I have a lot of little packets of "Crushed Red Pepper" from Domino's Pizza. Would that work? That would be taking it up quite a BIG notch IMO. Or, would I regret it in a hot second? http://2ni2.com/emoticon/special/botando.gif

I'll tell you what those are good for...

Mix them with some regular Italian salad dressing, and coat a breast of chicken, then slow grill it at about 300 degrees.

Score the breast with a sharp knife and each time you flip the breast, recoat it with the pepper and Italian dressing.

I'm not sure how hot the Domino peppers are, so experiment a bit with the mixture. When I do chicken for my wife, son, and myself, I usually go through a half bottle of the Kraft's Italian. To coat it, you can either brush it on, or I have a squirt bottle (like you would put Catsup in), and I just dribble a little bit on the chicken after I flip it.

I don't know what your tastes are for spicy things, but when I did this with the dried chopped red pepper pieces, my wife said it was darn close to the taste of Chinese Szechuan Chicken. ;)

[Dera]

Thanks, VO! Appreciate your time and trouble.

I am going to go real easy on this. I may be just "plain chicken" when it comes to very hot stuff. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/CCCaw/chicken01.gif

[Alpha]

Food teevee? Wow, what will they think of next. Food in your face on teevee, just what couch potato America needs .. like another hole in their collective heads. Gee, I bet ya they even now have a teevee channel where they sell you new teevees and sofas for when the old one wears out. :coolsquare: Gawd, won't be long now and humons can learn their sex on teevee too, ha. Funny humons, what would they do without their mass teevee learning system. :scratchch Keep your eyes on the bouncing ball, humons, ha. Food tv, what will they think of next. hum ... :icon16:

Food TV can be kind of a trip, a learning school for those of us who like to eat, cook and learn something new in the culinary realm...and also have some fun with it.

I don't watch it often and usually pick up the shows I want to see on the net, without every turning my one TV on....which is rarely on ever.

Cooking is or should be, a basic skill, which many "humons" have no clue about....they think it's ordering out or buying something pre-packaged, canned and pretending top cook or even knowing how, relative to ingredient, flavor, technique etc.

Do you know how many people don't even know how to buy a bag of rice and cook some????...or even try to make it taste good?...to know what is involved in making a soup that doesn't come out of some can or package?...or if all else fails, go to those "golden arches".

I love food and love to learn how to do more than I know how to do, today....in just about everything.

I've learned a bunch from watching cooking programs...things that would never have come my way easily from any other source.

However that said, it is getting more commercial all the time.

Get Paula, Giada, Alton outta there.

Grilling season is getting going now, so if you really want some good recipes check out Rob Rainford's License to Grill (http://www.foodtv.ca/ontv/titledetails.aspx?titleid=68771)

Many of his great recipes can be found at http://www.foodtv.ca/ontv/hostdetails.aspx?hostid=37086

[Divinorumus]

Cooking is or should be, a basic skill, which many "humons" have no clue about....

Ah, cooking is easy, you don't need TV to tell ya what you like to eat and how you should fix it, ha. The main trouble is cooking for one. Unless you know what to buy and where, you can waste a lot of food, and it can cost more than eating out. There are a lot of things one can make from a few dozen basic primary ingredients and most of the things are pretty easy to make if done correctly. Soups and stews and sauces are easy to make with a crock pot. Noodle dishes are numerous. And the best thing is you can make things taste like you want them too instead of what the factory guy or TV gal wants them to taste like. All that processed food is crap, made from food substitutes, such as ground drywall from china, fortified with preservatives, prions, and other icky factory disease stuff, ha.

[Dera]

Food teevee? Wow, what will they think of next. Food in your face on teevee, just what couch potato America needs .. like another hole in their collective heads. Gee, I bet ya they even now have a teevee channel where they sell you new teevees and sofas for when the old one wears out. :coolsquare: Gawd, won't be long now and humons can learn their sex on teevee too, ha. Funny humons, what would they do without their mass teevee learning system. :scratchch Keep your eyes on the bouncing ball, humons, ha. Food tv, what will they think of next. hum ... :icon16:

Sex? Did someone say "sex"? What channel? :flirt:

[Alpha]

Ah, cooking is easy, you don't need TV to tell ya what you like to eat and how you should fix it, ha. The main trouble is cooking for one. Unless you know what to buy and where, you can waste a lot of food, and it can cost more than eating out. There are a lot of things one can make from a few dozen basic primary ingredients and most of the things are pretty easy to make if done correctly. Soups and stews and sauces are easy to make with a crock pot. Noodle dishes are numerous. And the best thing is you can make things taste like you want them too instead of what the factory guy or TV gal wants them to taste like. All that processed food is crap, made from food substitutes, such as ground drywall from china, ha.

Well I guess you're a natural born cook Div.

I can't even count the people that I have met in my lifetime that don't even know how to boil dried pasta...don't know what any spice is beyond yellow mustard, salt, pepper, HP sauce and ketchup.....or think that soup comes from a can.....or pasta comes from a can of "chef boyardee" or "alphaghetti".

I don't eat that stuff.....

How can these folks make them taste like "they want them to" when the don't even know what & how?

I am fortunate that I come from a great family of cooks...from scratch and I know these things...and how to do it.....for the most part, yet an yearning to learn more.

I think that some of Food TV gives many the opportunityy to learn, if they wish to...and that this is a good thing.

So share some of your recipes.

If you have it so down pat, I'm sure there are others here at IW, that would both love to economize, and still yet cook that wonderful dinner for one....or more...

Please do share that.....when I am starving around 3 a.m. during Coast, those nights I am awake, I'd love to know what you do and what you suggest..:)

[Judee]

Sex? Did someone say "sex"? What channel? :flirt:

:D :dance:

[VOguy]

Sex? Did someone say "sex"? What channel? :flirt:

Pay service. Unless you get the DVDs.

You know, that might be a popular show. Cooking in the nude. At least when they mess up something, who the hell would know?

[IronsGold]

Why is it, that whenever Biker and VO get together the topic always turns to sex!?

On topic, I LOVED the "Two Fat Ladies"! But I agree that Food TV has become a joke! I really miss Pierre Franey, I took notes when he was on!

But my god was James Beard, rest his soul. "Beard On Bread" is my bible!

[Judee]

I used to love watching Julia Child. She was such a character, and always ended the show with a glass of champagne with the food! My kind of lady! :D

[ngoclan1946]

For some time now I have been watching an Emmy-winning television personality and author who hosts at least four different programs on U.S. cable television's Food Network. Rachael Domenica Ray, has become one of my favorite culinary experts as her energetic personality and her smile have been enough to keep me in front of the TV screen to watch her teach simple recipes that she claims can be prepared in thirty minutes or less.

Being an amateur cook myself, I was pleased to discover that she shared the same view that I have in relation to food measuring. As she emphasized, "it takes away from the creative, hands-on process of cooking." Her "eyeball it" expression has stayed with me every time I am about to experiment with something new and taste my efforts. Even though she has been heavily criticized for her appearance, her voice, her gestures and her energetic manner, I declare to be one of her funs, at least in relation to her recipes.:smiley_on_tredmil:

[DorieTesla'sMom]

I've been watching "Made in Spain" lately. I find nearly everything about Spain appealing- the food, the wine, the weather! Like California without urban sprawl!

OT (slightly) the movie Julie and Julia is wonderful. Meryl Streep deserves the Oscar this year.

[Alpha]

For some time now I have been watching an Emmy-winning television personality and author who hosts at least four different programs on U.S. cable television's Food Network. Rachael Domenica Ray, has become one of my favorite culinary experts as her energetic personality and her smile have been enough to keep me in front of the TV screen to watch her teach simple recipes that she claims can be prepared in thirty minutes or less.

Being an amateur cook myself, I was pleased to discover that she shared the same view that I have in relation to food measuring. As she emphasized, "it takes away from the creative, hands-on process of cooking." Her "eyeball it" expression has stayed with me every time I am about to experiment with something new and taste my efforts. Even though she has been heavily criticized for her appearance, her voice, her gestures and her energetic manner, I declare to be one of her funs, at least in relation to her recipes.:smiley_on_tredmil:

Hello ngoclan and WELCOME to IW!! Glad to have you join us. :)

I like Rachel Ray as well and I agree with your reasons for why her style is engaging. Real cooks don't measure anything IMO....unless of course they are trying out a recipe for the first time, however always adding something else here and there ;)

[Windwisper]

for a nice treat , take the cheese dipping sauce ( spicy for me ) that tacos are dipped in, heat it up and pour it over a bar b. q.'ed hot dog... nummma food.

[Dark Skies]

My mom used to watch Graham Kerr back in the day of the 2 channel universe.

here he is yucking it up with Johnny

V94H7K_nu5A




of course my tastes lean towards more contemporary times

4W49s84XA0Y

[VOguy]

Anyone remembers Ainsley Harriott? There's a name from the past. Anyone remember him on TV, or read one of his books?