TV cooks you like?

[foraloysius]

Patronising

Oh yes, Delia Smith can be very patronising, but on the other hand she is very very good. What I like about her is that she is very good in explaining basic techniques. She would be the teacher that you hate in school but later think of as the one who really taught you something. I posted the link to her website below.

I hate Gordon Ramsey, I'm not sure about Jamie Oliver, I like Gary Rhodes, loved 'The two fat ladies. Keith Floyd is very special and I loved watching his shows.

Julia Child is the only one of the American TV cooks that I have seen, there are some shows in the archives of pbs.org. I can understand why she would be America's number 1. Quite a personality!

Did anyone ever see Hudson and Halls? I loved their camp humor. ("You all know what a loose bottom is") Forgot about their cooking though! LOL

http://www.deliaonline.com/

 

[thor]

Biba

About ten years ago I started to tape her shows on TLC, and thanks to them I actually learned to cook all kind of Italian foods. She cooked delightful Italian meals.

Then, about four or five years ago, I was with my family vacationing in California and while we were in Sacramento my wife suddenly remembered her restaurant was there, so we asked someone for directions, and we all went to her restaurant and had a delicious lunch. While at the restaurant we actually met her personally and we had a delightful long chat with her. She couldn't believe I watcher her shows in Argentina. She even gave me some personal tips!

Here's a picture of me and my wife with her.

Emilio

http://www.biba-restaurant.com/

 

[angus]

I think there is a big difference between food shows on PBS and the TV Food Network. The Food Network has become less about food and more about flash and cleavage. That said, I do like Giada de Laurentiis and Ina Garten - I have cooked recipes from both and they actually work. What I like about Ina is that her ideas are actually workable for busy people who like to entertain. And Giada is authentically Italian. I used to like Paula Deen, but now there is Paula everything and enough is enough already. Besides, while I think her sons are absolutely edible (especially Bobby), I see no need for them to have their own show where they go around the country tasting local cuisine. Maybe not their fault - the network knows they are adorable and just probably sees them as a big draw and moneymaker. I guess if they looked like average folks, there would be no show. Unfortunately, I too have tried some of Paula's recipes and they are hit or miss (unlike Emeril's which are mostly miss - though I think he does a great deal for charities and has been incredibly generous)

I can pretty much take or leave everyone else on the Food Network. Rachael Ray is a pet peeve - talk about over exposure! Again, I wouldn't necessarily care, but now she seems to be the guru on everything -29 cookbooks, a new talk show and a magazine. I still haven't figured what her actual talent is. Sadly, it is a good example of what a very successful friend once told me - "it doesn't much matter what you are actually capable of, it is what you can trick them into thinking you can do that counts"

That said, I tend to like the PBS shows, especially America's Test Kitchen. Anyone that considers themselves a serious cook should subscribe to "Cook's Illustrated" and watch this show. It is fascinating because they explain why things work and dont work, what they tried and I must say that I have never been disappointed in anything from the show and magazine.

Really, Julia Child is in a class by herself. There will never be another like her.

Ming Tsai (East Meets West and Simply Ming) is also very talented - but I tend not to cook that type of cuisine at home. And people laugh at her Italian with the upstate NY accent, but I have a soft spot for Maryann Esposito. And her recipes generally work well.

 

[agiflow]

That is another show i forgot to mention. Americas test kitchen is also another favorite. I also got a kick out of the 2 fat ladies.

 

[tlee618]

My vote would go to Paula Deen and Martha Stewart. You just have to love Paula and believe me her Brown Sugar Pound Cake is to die for. I like the way Martha is so calm, and everything seems to flow.

 

[mixfinder]

From The Heart

In the beginning, Tyler Florence with his fresh faced honest approach to cooking and Paula Deene, because she's real. Then Tyler found fame and attention and someone told Paula she needed to be more "gourmet" and both lost some authenticity. It is painful to watch Paula in her new kitchen stuggling to lean over ovens too big and running the catwalk to complete the simplest tasks. In another 10 years she won't be able to use such a clunky set up. Now, after the editorial:
Paula Deene
Michael Ciarello
Giada DeLaurentis
Alton Brown
America's Test Kitchen
Kelly

 

[peterh770]

Alton Brown, because he is local and is frequently seen in the stores he films in nearby.

I think Rachel is good for what she does.

Giada DeLaurentis is ok. I don't care for Paula Dean or Michael Ciarello much (altho' he is suuure purty!).