[Rachel]

[i]
1. Ferran Adria sells smoke and foam to his adoring public. (This is a fact.)[/b]

Most of his 'adoring public' are lawyers taken there by their clients to impress their lawyers, or important Catalan politicians taking whoever there (probably a French whoever) paid for on expense accounts - expense accounts paid for by what used to be me! And i couldn't afford to try it!!

[Rachel]

P.S. Welcome to cheftalk zcook. I've not seen you before.

[Marzoli]

I have to say that so far, I've enjoyed Cook's Tour on tv--been saving the book to read after the show finishes up--definitely wouldn't want to eat some of the things Bourdain eats on that show, but it's fun to watch.
I agree with those who think some of the celeb chefs are tiresome with their acts. But I sure have learned a lot by watching them--even if Emeril does go "kick it up" and "bam" a lot.
My perspective is probably different because I know almost nothing and want to learn almost everything (except seafood--my husband will have nothing to do with seafood). Since I won't be going to a cooking school in this lifetime, the food network is really good for me.
One of my students watches the food channel every day. She doesn't plan a food career, but she is really into cooking. That's sort of cool.