Frugal Gourmet... bad?

dunno about you but I really miss the Frugal Gourmet. what was he busted for again? Something about abuse and kids. Can't really remember. But he was fun to watch and really authentic. I hope others feel that way to.

BRING BACK FRED SMITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

[m brown]

i have the first frugal wire bound cook book. one of the best in my collection.i grew up watching him......
i think i know what happened to him. but out of respect for his professional work, is it really that important?

who else would end a show with "i bid you peace."? now that's good cook'n.


[This message has been edited by m brown (edited April 10, 2000).]

[Pete]

I don't know what happened to him, but I disagree with mbrown. If he was involved in abuse of childern, either sexually or physically his name should be spread far and wide as a very sick man. He has lost all professional standing, in my eyes, if that is the case. If it is not the case then my apologizes.

[m brown]

I think what I was trying to say, I don't know if he was charged or stood trial for his offences. If not, than who am I to speak about what he did or did not do.
I agree with you Pete.
Isn't it sad to loose all the good someone does because they are sick?

update, read the complaints: charged with sexual abuse by six men, settled out of court, Jeff Smith denies all, sound like he is now in a wheelchair. sad, sad story.

[This message has been edited by m brown (edited April 11, 2000).]

[shahar]

Well i don't know who he is, never heard of him or seen his shows/books. But sadly i i've seen what can sexual acusations do to a man. Unlike other crimes, if you're accused it doesn't matter if you did it or not. It sticks. It happened to two friends of mine. I believed their innocese, and after a long episode so did the court.
The problem is that no one believes you even their friend's respones was - "how do you knwo if he didn't do it".
They're both strong people, but it still can ruin a man's life. Be careful don't go with rumors. The court is the one who decides guiltness not the media.

[Jim]

I was deeply dismayed to hear about the charges against Jeff Smith. I have modeled my cooking style around his. He studies the ingredients, their origins, applications and recipes. His shows always fascinated me; he would present 10 or 12 dishes in his 1/2 hour show versus the 1 or 2 dishes you see from most TV chefs. He spent the time exploring the history of the dishes he prepared, but was not droll in his storytelling. His anecdotes were always interesting and informative, laced with religion and background. He always brought spirit and faith to the table without ever once yelling "BAM!" or "Kick it up a notch!" That said, the acqusations leveled against him are just that; it would be unfair and unethical to act as judge and jury in a situtation that we are not fully informed. His work speaks for itself and if it were to surface that the charges were true, that does little to change my opinion of his work, it merely changes my opinion of the character of Mr. Smith. With most certainty, I can say that the insight he delivers in his books, his interperation of Charles Fellow's Culinary Handbook and the knowledge that he conveys during his shows, he is one of, if not the, best to grace the television and bookstore shelf as a chef. I can only hope one day to have half the know-how that he has so eloquently displayed, not based on who he is but what he has done.

[lynne]

I too used to watch and appreciate the Frugal Gourmet--and enjoyed it.

I have to say that there is a place in this world for those to-be-nameless chefs that yell "Bam" and "Pork Fat Rules!" For the majority of the population he is solely for entertainment purposes. But -- he has taken the mystery out of many foods for the unadventurous. Because of him, Joe straight off the ranch will try softshell crabs, etc. I can't tell you how many people I have fed that say it's because of him that they are trying something new!

I also have to say that eating at his namesake restaurant was a phenomenal experience. The atmosphere in the open kitchen is not like the show. The plates are not the spattered messes they can become while baming, squirting, etc. The food was awesome. We did the 8 course degustation the first time and could not complain about a thing!

Okay, I will get off my soap box now and go watch this weekend's taped episode of Iron Chef -- what an experience!

[Jim]

Is Iron Chef the best cooking show on TV or what?

[lynne]

Definitely the best--have you ever checked out the unofficial web site at www.ironchef.com? It can be interesting. The guy running it has a wealth of info and a good background on the chefs, the battles and themes.

It definitely gets taped every week to be watched at my leisure-