[ED BUCHANAN]

Strickly my opinion ""
When the Food Network started, I thought it was quite good. It aquainted the general public with concepts and procedures that pro chefs use. I feel however it has changed , and for the worst.
I put it on and watch Guy eating away a big sandwich while standing near or over a prep table in a diner, totaly against any health code in any state. Flay who gets up and stands on tables, and issues a challenge to a woman that makes dim sum for a living where self admits he never has made any.. Critics that judge the taste of chefs offerings based strickly on their likes and dislikes.
Some joker on Sunday mornings that has no idea about what he is talking about but has a good personality.
So many blatent examples of cross contamination., and although not on the food channel there is Gordon who makes the public think we are all a bunch of screaming idiots,. Why dont they have 3 days of Real Pros on there and 4 days of the other, like Sandra Lee (but she is attractive) Rachel (she is cute) and the Sunday morning guy and Oh yea the couple who have a bar b q place down south but attempt other things by trial and error. I hope the public does not think we run kitchen nightmare type places and this is the way we all act.

[chefhow]

I agree and I havent turned it on in probably 6 months. I really have no interest in Rachel Ray, or Guy Fieri or any of the others on there. It is nothing like it was years ago and I just have no interest in it.

[trk]

Oh my. Open can - out comes worms...

Besides all the abominations you've mentioned, can we just chat for a moment about the sexualization of the FN? Now, I'm no prude but I can't, for the life of me, understand how I'm supposed to watch Giada's knife skills with an onion when her bigger-than-life boobies are filling the screen. How on earth can anyone tolerate that caricature of Southern hospitality, Paula Deen, an her constant dirty talk with every male that comes to her set? Watching Nigella Lawson is truly like watching soft porn. Even Rachel Ray has gotten in on the act with cleavage aplenty squeezed into her 30 minute meals. All these new female chefs (with the exception of Anne Burrel, who has her own issues) are appealing to whom? Other women? I'm a female and I can promise that Geena Neeley and her cutesy delivery and fliratious behavior with her husband makes me want to put my whetstone through the TV screen. Bobby Flay and Emerl are almost a relief from the onslaught of "home cooks" who have somehow landed a career on TV as culinary authorities. At least they paid their dues.

If you look at the bios for some of these folks (and I'm ashamed to admit I've done this), most have little or no restaurant experience. Some, like Ellie Krieger, were nutritionists and some have "written" about food. Those that have industry experience, like Dean and Ina Garten, owned their own specialty shops turning out home style cooking in exclusive communities. Hardly what I would call paying one's dues. At least Ina sticks to the classics and her recipes work, despite the fact that I'm convinced the woman is on high doses of Valium.

It's impossible to watch this channel any longer. While I still tune in for Iron Chef and Chopped, everything else is just idiotic and insulting. The network may have started with the best of intentions, but their goal now seems to be an appeal to the celebrity hungry culture and the Hooters-loving masses. I do find it interesting that FN gives no opportunity on their website for viewer feedback. When they ran their last Next Food Network Star progam, they allowed for some viewer email and most of it was quite negative - people complaining about how bawdy, raunchy, and unprofessional the shows were. Guess they don't read their email.

[mont86]

I find it interesting, but that is the way t.v. has gone in the last 15 years. I have been watching kitchen nightmares online..Its pretty interesting how some of the people get themselves in these jams with no experience in the food service business.

[Schuster]

The invention of the DVR and the downfall of nearly every specialty network kinda balance out in my opinion. About 90% of the shows on food network now are crap, but I try to learn what I can. Even Rachel Ray occasionally cooks up an interesting flavor combination or preparation, plus as you mentioned, she is pretty cute. The shows on my DVR are Good Eats and Chopped. I like Good Eats, A.B. always has an interesting sciency take on food that I appreciate greatly even if I already know what he's saying, and my girlfriend loves Chopped. Frankly, I think it's a mediocre show, but I always get enjoyment out of thinking what I would make with the mystery ingredients. It's like three exercises of the culinary mind spanned over an hour. Then I get to see what they made. It's somewhat interesting, though I could deal without all the overdramatics. The show could be condensed into five minutes and be much better, but meh. DVR for the win.

Lee

[buonaboy]

Originally Posted by trk

Watching Nigella Lawson is truly like watching soft porn.

yes. yes it is. As a mater of fact, I could gladly drift away into sweet slumber listening to her read passages of Escoffier. -But that's besides the point.

Why aren't there more shows like "After Hours with Daniel Boulud" ? THAT is the kind of cooking show cooks want to see. If you haven't seen it, go check it out on Hulu - Watch your favorites. Anytime. For free.

I liked the original "Malto Mario". real cooking, minimal editing, and the only thing that was sexy was the panchetta.

[chefelle]

In Canada we used to get Chef At Large with Chef Michael Smith. LOVED that program. But they cancelled in favour of Chef At Home and another program which I believe was also cancelled called Chef Abroad. I HATE Chef At Home and Chef Abroad.

So I no longer watch Food Network...unless I catch an episode of Ace of Cakes. I really like Duff Goldman..he makes me laugh.

[oldschool1982]

"Oh my. Open can - out comes worms..." Thanks for the chuckle trk!!!

I've made a promise to limit the time my foot spends in my mouth for a while so......with that said.......

I hate to be a basher with things like this but like most of you I find it lacking in....well....everything. There are a couple shows that are watched during a blue moon just for the chuckle factor but I have to say that it's not even a close shadow of it's former self. It's funny that television in general has taken on a sort of "Running Man" persona. Yet, given the popularity of many of the shows out there today, (FN and he rest) they're obviously someones cup of tea..... just not mine. I do miss some of the old shows.

[trk]

Originally Posted by buonaboy

yes. yes it is. As a mater of fact, I could gladly drift away into sweet slumber listening to her read passages of Escoffier. -But that's besides the point.

Why aren't there more shows like "After Hours with Daniel Boulud" ? THAT is the kind of cooking show cooks want to see. If you haven't seen it, go check it out on Hulu - Watch your favorites. Anytime. For free.

I liked the original "Malto Mario". real cooking, minimal editing, and the only thing that was sexy was the panchetta.

I just found the "After Hours..." program on Hulu the other day and was THRILLED to be watching a great food show, with accomplished chefs, creating and sharing great meals. And, it WAS entertaining! It is so unnecessary, IMHO, to reduce food shows to such smarmy depths just to appeal to an allegedly larger audience. I watch food shows for inspiration, not titillation. I don't want to hear about the Neely's kids, Rachel's boyfriend, or Ina's FABULOUS Hampton companions. Anyone with a modicum of intelligence or knowledge would feel insulted while watching Tyler Florence refer to his carrots as "these guys" - he is worst offender in this cavalcade of clowns who, for some unknown reason, want to personify food with cutesy termonology like their hosting Sesame Street. I want to scream at the TV that I am a 50 year old woman and I do not refer to my food as "guys" or "gals".

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by trk

Besides all the abominations you've mentioned, can we just chat for a moment about the sexualization of the FN?

wow... i cannot believe there is another person who felt this way...(http://www.cheftalk.com/forums/255649-post106.html) i am annoyed with giada... her breasts are the main focus of the show and the food is the supporting cast... it is ridiculous... (on a side not her over use of italian accent on certain items irritates me to no end, but that is a whole 'nother topic) imo she is only on there bc of her family connections and her looks.

it seems the food network has gone the way of reality tv to compete with the rest of the tv markets... everything is average joe, or cook easy/simply/quickly, i can only think of two shows on food network that actually involve restaurant chefs who focus on food... iron chef, and secrets of a restaurant chef... everytime i put it on food network i quickly turn it off... if i see guy fiery eat another disgusting sandwich im going to vomit.

[Chef Bill]

if any pro is going to watch food network and is expectiong to find something for them they are crazy. these shows are for the house wife, i still get pissed when people ooohhh and ahhhhh at emril using butter and salt. My sister went to go see his show and at the end he says "thanks for supporting the cause"???? what!! is he a freedom fighter for salt and butter?
the only sjows pro's should be watching on food network is iron chef, good eats and the challanges. the challanges and iron chef is how pro's work in their kitchen and good eats is a little more on the science end of it but i get a ton of info out of every show. if the dvd's werent so expensive i would buy the whole series

[bughut]

Such a well timed thread.

I returned yesterday from a fabulous fortnight at folly beach sc. Hubby and boy slept late, and i gave into a masochismic hour of total cheese on the food channel...I cant believe emeril. OMG The man was applauded for adding butter. In fact every stage was woo-hoo'd. The audience constantly thriled with the guy's cullinary majesty.

I thought UK food channel was lame, but after a rainy day of food channel tv we were gobsmacked. It was so bad we had to keep watching.

Paula Deen Y'ALL...I was sick in my mouth

The heelies ...I think my marraige is in trouble

We get the barefoot contessa at home and she scaares me. You've just got to hear that constant fake laugh...Reminds me of a horror movie i saw in the 80's with sweet yet manic wifie and a couple of unfortunate kids.

Giada... we get that too...I don't

Rachel Ray ... she's the tops. She could be rubbish and i'd still watch her. She must be doing wonders for the sales of evoo... Anyway i bought her magazine to read on the way back to Edinburgh cos i did actually learn stuff from her programme. Unlike &^% Emeril unless you count the best way to use "paperico or make a nice tampenade"

We did do other stuff too, but food channel will be a holiday memory

[bughut]

just wanted to say... If ive offended anyone re. their food channel heroes, then i'm sorry...Just my opinion

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Chef Bill

the challanges and iron chef is how pro's work in their kitchen

youre forgetting that iron chef is almost entirely staged, when a nights service isnt... not trying to take away from these iron chefs. theyre all great at what they do, but the show to is borderline watchable.

[Chef Tomain]

Most of those TV Chef show are for the general public who have no clue what goes on in a restaurant and have limited cooking skills. The Pro Chef should feel insulted. Next time you go to the grocery store check out whats in most of the carts, processed foods, frozen prepared meal, can this and that, its not to say that there isn't any good home cooks but they are definitely in the minority. So the public( a term used in pr to segragate a group to be marketed to) that watch those shows have a very low food IQ. These people need simple and entertaining show. Even Alton Brown show Good Eat which i think is ok is just a few recipes with Food Science thrown in. So next time you get that " I can't believe he/she is doing something you don't like" tune into the porn channel no I mean the NBA play offs.