Good Eats' Alton Brown-I'd vote for him for President!

[Kerryclan]

Originally Posted by Pete

I love AB!!! Years ago, a friend of mine, when I lived in Atlanta, and I wrote up a bunch of outlines for scripts of a cooking show we wanted to do. It was very much along the lines of "Good Eats". A lot of serious instruction, presented in a very tounge-in-cheek way. I hate Alton for beating us to the punch, but I love his show. Now my goal is to become the first cartoon chef on FNTV

Alton showed how to brew the perfect cup of coffee last night. It was great. Now I know what I do wrong.

Love the idea of a cartoon chef! Don't let it get around or someone might beat you to that one too. (I won't tell anyone, promise.)

[aaronproot]

Alton Brown is one of the best things on FoodTV.

I do wonder about something, however. I met him at a San Francisco book signing earlier this year and I asked him if he got to eat the food made on Iron Chef.

He said no because on the pilot he ate something that had oyster in it and he had a horrible allergic reaction, so now he steers clear of all the food.

But... I just saw an episode of Good Eats where he prepares and eats oysters. What up with that?

[Mezzaluna]

I, too, am an AB fan. I'm looking to buy my first one of his books, and am browsing them to see which one will be the lucky winner.

As for the illness: it could have been any of several things.

First, he could have shot the oyster episode some time ago, but developed a sensitivity or allergy to the shellfish later on. My own brother used to enjoy cranberries, until one time he broke out in nasty hives. Now he avoids them.

Second, in spite of all precautions, the critter could have harbored smaller, illness-causing critters.

Third, it wasn't the oyster at all, but some other ingredient or pre-existing illness.

Fourth.... well, I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV...

[ricib]

Alton Brown is in deed not only one of the best things on FNTV, but TV at all. I really dig his show(s).

I don't blame him for not doing oysters, Can't stand them myself. I had a bad reaction to shrimp one time, and steered clear of it for a year afterwards. But eventually it got the better of me, and I gave in and tried it again. Everything was fine after that. Musta just been bad shrimp.

BTW, I've been on TV, and I've played doctor, but that's another story. Never put the two together though.

[liv4fud]

well, I must say that the first time I saw food tv about 4 years back, it was emeril, sara moulton and martha stewart with others.

I enjoyed them but what got me stuck to foodtv was Alton Brown. I was a big Mission Impossible fan and happened to watch the rerun of his 'poaching' show - which was based on Mission Impossible theme.

Love what he does with food - and his insight and research are good too.
For a converted non-veg eater, I really appreciate how he makes 'science' to the 'art' of cooking meats.

[Shaolin Bushido]

Originally Posted by Kerryclan

In all fairness to Food Network (we've snarked Sandra Lee and Rachael Ray so thoroughly) I think we should give the channel it's due for having the great Alton Brown on.

Super smart, great info and excellent cooking instruction. Plus, he has a sense of humor, is a great chef and has not yeilded to FN's apparent "just be cute (loud, ridiculous) and it will be great" policy.

And let's not forget Ina Garten and Paula Deen! I hope FN doesn't decide to replace these real chefs with more "personalities".

Alton Brown IS my favorite of all the people from the various shows; that Chef, Tyler Florence is next but I also like the ladies you mentioned above.

I, uh ... won't say WHY I like em so much though.

[skunkman]

AB is good and I watch him almost every night. I have used his way of doing things more times that I can remember. But he is not always right. A fire extinguisher is a better tool to crush things that anything I have in the kitchen.

[skilletlicker]

I've learned a lot from Good Eats and try to record them. Even if I don't use the technique I always learn something. Have also learned from Mario B. Not sure if I've learned anything, but do enjoy looking at Giada D.

If you're interested in but not already expert at Latin American ingredients I recommend Daisy Cooks on PBS. I've only seen 3 or 4 episodes but have learned from each one.

[Kerryclan]

Originally Posted by skilletlicker

I've learned a lot from Good Eats and try to record them. Even if I don't use the technique I always learn something. Have also learned from Mario B. Not sure if I've learned anything, but do enjoy looking at Giada D.

If you're interested in but not already expert at Latin American ingredients I recommend Daisy Cooks on PBS. I've only seen 3 or 4 episodes but have learned from each one.

Daisy Martinez is terrific. I love her recipes and her unsnobby, natural persona.

[Shaolin Bushido]

Originally Posted by skunkman

AB is good and I watch him almost every night. I have used his way of doing things more times that I can remember. But he is not always right. A fire extinguisher is a better tool to crush things that anything I have in the kitchen.

Hahaha, Experience is truly the best teacher! Even better than Alton. I've read that he isn't the expert he purports to be .... he has very good advisers on that show, however!

He sure plays the part though ... very informative episodes.