Favorite Food Network show/host?

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ac_claire said:
I like The Contessa and Giada because they’ve taught me a lot about cooking and generally have good recipes. I like the classic recipes and good technique.

(I have wondered, though, how it’s possible that Giada eats her own food. She’s awfully thin. And yeah, I agree that the cleavage/neckline thing is out of control.)

Alton Brown, same reasons as above, plus he’s hilarious and his show is the most entertaining. I think Paula Deen is funny, too. Some of her basic recipes are questionable, but for desserts/cakes/pies, etc.- nobody’s better.

LOVE, love Iron Chef!

Sandra Lee: I actually watch her show a lot; I kind of can’t help myself. You know how you sometimes can’t help but slow your car down to get a good look at a trainwreck? Same concept. Her cooking is ridiculous, IMO.

Rachael Ray: see comment on Sandra Lee. Throwing a bunch of random ingredients together to make a the mystery cassarole/ melty-slop-of-the-day just isn’t showing us anything we need to know about cooking, or food. Also, she needs to calm down.

I do still watch *$40 a Day *on occasion.

(Sidenote/rant—> A part of the problem is these shows have been going on for years now and the cooks are understandably running out of ideas. There’s only so many recipes under the sun. IMO, they would do good by scaling back a little. Less gimmicks, more real food and classic techniques that will last a lifetime. 👍 )

Tyler Florence is awesome. He knows his stuff, and I like the way he walks us step-by-step through one or two dishes an episode, showing us all the ins and outs. (As opposed to spreading himself too thin over a 6-course menu.)

Mario Batali also knows his stuff. I’ve learned so much about real Italian cooking from him and Giada. I’ve heard that he’s no longer with the Food Network, though, aside from a few leftover re-runs.

Emeril…eh. He kind of bugs me.

I get some good ideas also from Ellie Kreiger. I like how in recent shows she’s eased up a little and will sometimes use real butter or sour cream (for example), but in moderation…proving that you can make healthy food without sacrificing flavor!

Did I leave anyone out? 🙂
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lol–I love Sandra Lee’s cooking…when you want to appear a little more homemade than it is–her dishes are perfect. I haev made quite a few things…and they are big hits at parties!👍
 
I love to cook and I love to watch a lot of the Food Network Shows.

Doesn’t anyboyd like Robin Miller? I love Robin Miller!

Paula Deen - I lived in Savannah for many years and loved it so I feel at home when I watch her. I like her recipes too. Very home-y.

Sandra Lee - Absolutely cannot stand how her clothes always match the curtains over the sink. She has some good ideas but her diction drives me nuts so I can’t listen to her too long. DH swears the boobs are fake. :rolleyes: On the up side, I developed a respect from her when I watcher her biography - she worked hard to be where she is and took very good care of her family.

Rachael Ray - she does need to calm down a few notches. She once said that quiet people make her feel uneasy, but really, who could get a work in edge wise? Her 30 minute recipes seem to cater to singles/friends/parties moreso than family meals, which is what I need more of

Barefoot Contessa - a favorite. I’d love to spend an afternoon with her in her kitchen in that beautiful house looking on the beautiful garden…but I’m tired of her remind me to use “good” olive oil, “good” vinegar, etc.

Giada, Emeril, not so much
 
Just flipped to Food Network and Rachael Ray is on - 30 Minutes Meals .

How do you feel about her re-decorated set? I’m not crazy about what looks to me like brown counter tops (is that granite? or what?) and orange cabinets.

That’s just me though.
 
Do Southerners really pay attention to receipes? Neither do Cajuns or Creoles. So if Paula’s receipes look wrong, it’s because she’s cooking by sight, texture, smell and taste.

Emeril - you gotta understand. He cooked with Julia Child (now there was a chef who could cook!) on a program on PBS back in the 80s when he was just starting his career and he was at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. He really does know his stuff. He started a school down here after Katrina to train underpriveleged young people to cook. It is getting rave reviews for its traditional cuisine.
 
Know who I miss from the early, early FN days? David Rosenberg. He really went into the science and chemistry of foods without Alton Brown’s sometimes-funny-sometimes-irritating production number sidebars. I don’t need the eye candy. Just Rosenberg, the food, and a simple set.

And what I miss even more is the ancient black and white series from when the FN had no sponsors. Dioni Lucas and Craig Claiborne—can’t get much better. Food tech, no cleavage. 😛
 
whatevergirl said:
Hi everyone–thought this would be a fun poll to conduct. If you watch the food network, which host/ess if your fave? I love them all–but I especially like Sandra Lee and Barefoot Contessa–oh and Ellie Kreiger!

I will be cooking more, now with my husband’s new job has his schedule for the next two months from 2pm to 10pm, so he won’t be having dinner with us much.😦

Look forward to how this poll turns out!🙂
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Hey sweetheart-You didn’t mention Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiavello (spelling??) (my wife LOVES his show) or my favorite Chef Ramsey. No one comes close to my Chef Ramsey!👍 He’s not on the foodnetwork, but he should be!
 
I don’t know how I could have forgotten Tyler Florence, Michael Chiarello or Bobby Flay! They are all fantastic Chefs. Throwdown with Bobby Flay is a fun show to watch!
 
Little_Mary said:
Does anybody like Robin Miller? What about Robin Miller?
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Sorry LM- I did leave her out. I do like Robin Miller! She’s the only “quick/easy recipe” proponent on the FN who’s personality and quirks don’t overwhelm the rest of her show. She’s very down to earth. I liked the show recently where she cooked with her dad, it was so cute. Most of the FN stars have shows with their moms, but she’s the first I’ve seen w/ her dad.

(She’s another one who’s too skinny, tho. Don’t they say never trust a skinny chef…? :rolleyes: )
 
Sometimes! I saw Bobby Flay win a pie throwdown and an ice cream one.

And—KYAAAAAAAA!!! I got it wrong, it’s David Rosengarten. I THINK. :confused:
 
Sailor_Kenshin said:
Sometimes! I saw Bobby Flay win a pie throwdown and an ice cream one.

And—KYAAAAAAAA!!! I got it wrong, it’s David Rosengarten. I THINK. :confused:
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never heard of him?

I remember that cajun older gentleman who would cook the craziest cajun dishes, and you couldn’t understand a thing he was saying!😛
 
whatevergirl said:
never heard of him?

I remember that cajun older gentleman who would cook the craziest cajun dishes, and you couldn’t understand a thing he was saying!😛
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That would be Justin Wilson. I din’ have no problem unnerstanin’ him, I garontee. 😃
 
whatevergirl said:
never heard of him?

I remember that cajun older gentleman who would cook the craziest cajun dishes, and you couldn’t understand a thing he was saying!😛
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Ah yes, the Cookin’ Cajun - Justin Wilson! How ya’ll are?!

If you remember him, you remember the Galloping Gourmet as well…
 
brotherhrolf said:
Do Southerners really pay attention to receipes? Neither do Cajuns or Creoles. So if Paula’s receipes look wrong, it’s because she’s cooking by sight, texture, smell and taste.

Emeril - you gotta understand. He cooked with Julia Child (now there was a chef who could cook!) on a program on PBS back in the 80s when he was just starting his career and he was at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. He really does know his stuff. He started a school down here after Katrina to train underpriveleged young people to cook. It is getting rave reviews for its traditional cuisine.
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That’s neat–about Emeril. Thank you for sharing. My nephew went to Loyola University down in AL, and said that his restaurant was always packed–and very pricy. He didn’t think it was ‘all that,’ but I have heard others rave about his cooking. I like Emeril…but his dishes are too complicated for me…maybe my husband could manage them, but I want something normal to make.😛
 
Little_Mary said:
Ah yes, the Cookin’ Cajun - Justin Wilson! How ya’ll are?!

If you remember him, you remember the Galloping Gourmet as well…
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I vaguely remember the GG…can you describe him? I remember Chef Tell:) …I think he was mainly an up north chef?
 
Ooo, Justin! And the Galloping Gourmet! (I liked him better before he turned to ‘health food.’)

I garronteeeeeeee! 😃
 
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