Spain - on the road again

Mapiva · #1 10-14-2008, 08:09 AM

Not sure where to place this post.

Has anyone seen Mario Batali's new series about Spain? He's traveling around Spain with Gwenyth Paltrow, Mark Bittman, and a Spanish lady tasting all the local regional cuisine. They pair off and drive around in Mercedes convertibles and eat. I find it to be such a strange show. I have always liked Mario's cooking but his interaction with Gwen seems strange. They don't seem alike at all and his mannerisms and weird humor do not ever come across well. I don't know why but I don't like Bittman one bit.

Your thoughts.

phatch · #2 10-14-2008, 08:16 AM

I've never been impressed with Bittman either.

Ishbel · #3 10-14-2008, 09:21 AM

I don't see many US cookery programmes, because they seem to be aired on cable during working hours here in the UK.

BUT, if you get a chance to watch the BBC, there was a programme on earlier this year with a really interesting English chef called Tomasina Miers. If it gets aired on any of your foodie channels, it is definitely worth watching! I thik it was called a Taste of Spain.

chrose · #4 10-14-2008, 11:40 AM

When I saw that Alton Brown had some show about seafood, hopping the islands I realized that the Food Network stars have figured out a way to take paid vacations and travel the world under the guise of educating us about the "world" of cuisine. So MArio decides he wants to go to Spain, let's make a show, Alton wants to go to Tahiti, let's make a show. The network buys it because they know the drones will tune in and buy anything "they're sellin..."

Smart move on their part. (As my cynicism rears its ugly head again)

phatch · #5 10-14-2008, 11:48 AM

It's an old technique popular in the 80s on PBS cooking shows. I enjoyed many of these types of cooking shows showing the real food, restuaraunts, home cooking, and markets of regional cuisines.

KYHeirloomer · #6 10-14-2008, 12:19 PM

While it's true they are selling it, the fact remains that culinary travel is a very large market segment. I've tapped into it for years, with many articles. For instance, I once did one called "In Search of the Perfect Crabcake," which was a culinary tour of the Eastern Shore.

People love to combine travel with food finds. So those shows make a lot of sense.

Ishbel · #7 10-14-2008, 01:10 PM

I have to admit, I have taken cookery courses in various European countries - it's a great way to see the place AND learn about new food styles.

Dillbert · #8 10-14-2008, 01:12 PM

..........called "In Search of the Perfect Crabcake," which was a culinary tour of the Eastern Shore.

so enuf' already! did you find it? I'm looking . . .

washed out last weekend on Hoopers Island.... interesting residents, crab cakes nothing (at all) to mention . . . .

RPMcMurphy · #9 10-14-2008, 01:30 PM

it's a "nothing left to watch on TiVo" show.

I saw a few epis'.

Nice eyecandy, the interaction between gwen and mario is a little strange.

chrose · #10 10-15-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KYHeirloomer

While it's true they are selling it, the fact remains that culinary travel is a very large market segment.

People love to combine travel with food finds. So those shows make a lot of sense.

Oh I don't disagree with that at all. I love those shows, it's just that these particular shows to me just scream "free trip". I prefer the shows like the old PBS ones or Tony Bourdain, or Andrew Zimmern where they go to the out of the way places and eat the local foods where you usually won't get to. Or is that just my cynical, jaded mind coming out again

gonefishin · #11 10-20-2008, 11:35 PM

I wasn't aware of the show until I read this thread so I decided to Tivo it. I watched two episodes and really found it of little value. I actually don't mind some of Bittman's other shows. But this show seemed to be more about the reactions and interplay of hosts than it is about food.

I think I'll cancel my subscription. But I'm glad you brought it up...I'm always looking for a new cooking program.

thanks,
dan

HeidiH · #12 10-21-2008, 12:48 AM

I've seen a few portions of it, and while I like the concept, it seems a bit forced to me. I used to like the Thirsty Traveler, I'm not sure if it is still on or was cancelled, he got quite drunk in many episodes, although that one too seemed a bit staged. What I would like to see, is real people traveling for food. Hopefully someone will capture that at some point!