TV Chefs

What do you think of tv chefs, who do you like, who do you dislike and why. would you like to be a tv chef.

I look forward to your responces
TMC-

[Greg]

Basically, I like any TV chef that is only trying to further people's interest in or knowledge of cooking. Self-promoting chefs, in my opinion, have missed the whole point ( Emeril, Flay, et al). I don't do what I do to stroke my own ego or get rich. I do it because I love it and can't see myself doing anything else. I appreciate it when I see this in others.

[lynne]

I have to say that Bobby Flay drives me crazier than anyone else--

But I also have to say that people like Bobby Flay and Emeril do capture an audience that a cooking show would never regualerly have.

Because we offer a "gourmet" breakfast (pretty much the B&B buzzword for something different from the ordinary sausage, bacon and eggs), we do get a lot of guests who are here because they consider themselves to be gourmets/gourmands or people that are trying to get out of the box and try something a little different.

I will admit that when I am cleaning rooms, I have a tendancy to watch TV network (and leave that channel on the tv when I'm done -- there are so many people who continue to watch it once they arrive-

Sometimes people (esp. the guys) who will say, well Emeril says ..."x" or "I'll try it, Emeril had a show on x" -- Ditto for Bobby Flay-Some folks really like Ming's Quest. I really liked when East Meets West better.

I am lucky enough to have 2 wonderful fig trees; and I love to serve them as a first or third course -- but I can't tell you how often as I'm leaving the table I hear, "Emeril says to roast them...."

I have to tell you that I love sharing Iron Chef with people. We get a lot of guests who come in and watch it with us or turn it on upstairs. A breakfast table full of Iron Chef talk is an awesome change in the morning!

[Mezzaluna]

Iron Chef in the morning... that'll get the blood flowing! If not some poor eel's, then mine.

My vote goes to the Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver. The first time I watched the show, I thought he was just another media creation who was destined to release his own line of poor quality cookware. But as I was watching I realized that he doesn't cook like a celebrity chef at all, but like most of us do at home - as simply as possible with great respect for the ingredients. He doesn't need a particularly well equipped kitchen and just digs in with his hands. The fact that he's young and British gives him a hipster credibility, but he does have legitimate skills. He really understands how to flavor and how quality food cooked simply fits into a life well lived.

I admit that I might be biased because he's the only TV chef who regularly uses my favorite piece of kitchen equipment - the heavy stone mortar and pestle!

[Anneke]

I enjoy watching J.Oliver cook. JUST cook. The rest of his show reminds me of a geek's fantasy. Lots of cute girls and parties, girls who would never come over except that you fixed her computer- uh I mean cook well for her.....

[Anneke]

Best cooking show I've seen on the air lately (my all time fave will ALWAYS be Julia) would be the Italian Kitchen with Ruth Rodgers and Rose Gray. I love the way it's shot, like a film almost. Beautiful to look at, good balance of kitchen scenes, restaurant scenes and 'field trips'. I read a couple of reviews for their restaurant in London. Some say their flavours are too strong for the British palate. Perhaps.

People can say what they will, British TV rules. (AB-Fab anyone?)

[Jim]

Speaking of British TV (and Ab-Fab), the late 90s show "Chef" was great. Lenny Henry was hilarious... and pretty accurate!! If anybody gets a chance to see the show (it runs on BBC now and again) or on video, don't miss it! Now that was a REAL tv chef.

[layjo]

I think the Chef who I admired most on television would have to be Jacques Pepin. I have been very interested in his approach to technique for the cooking of yesterday and today. One other show I enjoy on occasion is the show called "Good Eats" with Alton Brown. He is very comical in the show, but gives the proper information and discusses the the different aspects of cooking a certain type of food or using a certain technique. I guess I'm a technique freak! But I also enjoy viewing Chefs that produce authentic recipes and methods the way they were ment to be and maybe some variations......"Molto Mario" and "Medertarranian Mario" I belive are pretty descent show but thats just my opinion.

[Shimmer]

My mother-in-law and her boyfriend only eat raw food. There is a famous guy (too bad I don't know his name) who is one of the main purveyors of this kind of cooking, and I saw him once too a guest appearance on a morning show. That would be an amazing show on the Food Network, if they could get him to do it. People are always so amazed at what can be made out of raw food, and its the looks of amazement and wonder that make the best cooking shows. Hands down.

Shimmer

[Shimmer]

Oh and one more thing. I think it'd be great to be a cooking show chef. I've pretended I was one since I was little. My little sister used the bathroom mirror to pretend she was on tv, I used the kitchen. Oh, and the backyard. Nothing like a mud pie tv marathon, eh?

[Mezzaluna]

Yeah, Kyle, I saw the "Roasts" show recently, and she and Jacques were at it over how much butter and wine to use. You can see genuine affection between them.

I have to put in a word for Lidia Bastianich. I have learned a lot about northern Italian cooking from her, and her book (Lidia's Italian Table) taught me how to make feather-light gnocchi and crisp, flavorful fricos (a cracker substitute I am grateful for on my low carb eating plan). On her TV show she is very warm and personable, and just as sensitive as Julia to what ingredients are available to the American home cook. Best of all is watching her take big, healthy bites of her dishes and a swig wine- then smack her lips! So genuine and warm.

[KyleW]

Most of my favorites have been covered. I love watching Ruth Rodgers & Rose Gray. They are the Anti Emerill. No shouting or bamming just cooking. And I also am a big fan of Alton Brown. I like the way he gets deeply into things, usually one at a time, like the show where he made 3 different kinds of chocolate chip cookies and explained what made them different. I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Mother of all TV Chefs, Julia! Isn't it fun to watch she an Jacques Pepin "debate" how much butter etc. to use?

[holydiver]

I think Emeril and Bobby have brought people into the culinary world. People always saw Chef"s as some snooty snob with horrible English 5 years ago people didn"t really know food that well I think those guy"s have been very positive. I think people don"t like them because they made money I say good for them about time Chef"s got paid for their hard work anybody that says they wouldn"t trade places is nuts. By the way Jamie Oliver was a Sous for Ruth Rodgers and Rose Gray at the river cafe he was on their show sometimes. I think he is a talented young kid who show"s that good food does not have to be some architecture attempt to be good.

Layjo, I agree with you about Alton Brown. Of all the shows that I watch, I remember and USE the things I see on his show the most. Funny & smart - good combo.

I can't dis Emril (partly becasue I am about to attend his Alma Mater, J&W.) because how many other people can get a crowd of people to chant "Mirepoix!!!" He may seem like a putz, but he really educates people and gets them passionate about the craft. His energy is really catchy - he can dispell the fear some people have of trying new things. Every little bit he does helps all of us.
CS