Your Favourite Cooking Shows Past and Present
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norgeway
Well-known member
Jeff Smith
My late Mother never missed the Frugal Gourmet,I have several of his cookbooks and they are great, I also collect cookbooks and have probably 4 or 5 hundred, Galloping Gourmet, Julia Child etc, I have a bunch of Rachael Rays...but never had much success with them,my favorites are as noted before, Betty Feezor, also the Good Houskeeping Cookbook,Better Homes and Gardens and the old Betty Crocker, also the Betty Furness Westinghouse Cookbook is good!
My late Mother never missed the Frugal Gourmet,I have several of his cookbooks and they are great, I also collect cookbooks and have probably 4 or 5 hundred, Galloping Gourmet, Julia Child etc, I have a bunch of Rachael Rays...but never had much success with them,my favorites are as noted before, Betty Feezor, also the Good Houskeeping Cookbook,Better Homes and Gardens and the old Betty Crocker, also the Betty Furness Westinghouse Cookbook is good!
norgeway
Well-known member
Julia Child!
Many of you know Mark Harman...Lighted Control Dial..He used to work with Julia Child and is a fine chef also, you never go wrong sitting at his table, as an all around fantastic cook ..Steve Riley is unbeatable in my book!!
Many of you know Mark Harman...Lighted Control Dial..He used to work with Julia Child and is a fine chef also, you never go wrong sitting at his table, as an all around fantastic cook ..Steve Riley is unbeatable in my book!!
Funny you guys talk about Jeff Smith! I worked for him for 3 years. Yes, I'm from Tacoma, WA. Knew him from high school on when he was still the Chaplain at the University of Puget Sound. A terrible businessman who as he got more famous became an even worse human being. His rise to success and downfall are still talked about in Tacoma's homes. I worked for him just out of college when he had 2 restuarants that he ran into the ground and had to sell. He was more interested in what PBS had planned for him than anything else. He used, abused and discarded many people. I also unfortunately had to be involved in the lawsuit against him for his pilanderings. It wasn't pretty! His family suffered greatly. He is not missed! Greg
"Barefoot Contessa" -- Ina Garten
"Good Eats" -- Alton Brown
"Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" -- Anne Burrell
Any show with Alex Guarnaschelli is very good, but they are hard to catch.
The Two Fat Ladies - or, "how to cook without measuring a thing" - was a riot. I knew it was more for entertainment when I saw the horrible things they made in the first show "Fish". Jennifer is talking about the fish pie she is about to make and announces "And now I will make a bechemel" and walks off camera only to return with a potful of sauce. How did she make it? How much did she make? What is in it? How would anyone know what the hell she is talking about? The world will never know... It became very evident after a few shows that the purpose of the series was to show the world why England has a reputation for very bad food. All other shows and cooks would have to repair the damage reeked on all by 2FLs...
"Good Eats" -- Alton Brown
"Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" -- Anne Burrell
Any show with Alex Guarnaschelli is very good, but they are hard to catch.
The Two Fat Ladies - or, "how to cook without measuring a thing" - was a riot. I knew it was more for entertainment when I saw the horrible things they made in the first show "Fish". Jennifer is talking about the fish pie she is about to make and announces "And now I will make a bechemel" and walks off camera only to return with a potful of sauce. How did she make it? How much did she make? What is in it? How would anyone know what the hell she is talking about? The world will never know... It became very evident after a few shows that the purpose of the series was to show the world why England has a reputation for very bad food. All other shows and cooks would have to repair the damage reeked on all by 2FLs...
Julia And Kerr
I grew up watching Julia Child and "The Galloping Gourmet"; those shows were great for a budding cook. Of the modern shows, I like to watch Lydia and "Good Eats;" among the competition shows, "Top Chef" and "Next Food Network Star" are my favorites. "Hell's Kitchen" is great fun, IMHO, but I've never learned anything about fine dining from watching it!
I grew up watching Julia Child and "The Galloping Gourmet"; those shows were great for a budding cook. Of the modern shows, I like to watch Lydia and "Good Eats;" among the competition shows, "Top Chef" and "Next Food Network Star" are my favorites. "Hell's Kitchen" is great fun, IMHO, but I've never learned anything about fine dining from watching it!
For me my favorite is Good Eat's. I really like the way he infuses humor and explains the science and history behind it all.
Back in "the day" I really enjoyed watching Graham Kerr as the Galloping Gourmet. I don't know that there were many others on then (don't remember any).
Oh yes... I did really enjoy watching the Frugal Gourmet too!
While I can't really say it's one of my favorites, I did really like the original Japanese version (with the dubbed audio) of Iron Chef, don't care much for the current "American" version.
And if we are talking the competition cooking shows, my absolute favorite is Top Chef and now the spin off, Top Chef Just Desserts.
Kevin
Back in "the day" I really enjoyed watching Graham Kerr as the Galloping Gourmet. I don't know that there were many others on then (don't remember any).
Oh yes... I did really enjoy watching the Frugal Gourmet too!
While I can't really say it's one of my favorites, I did really like the original Japanese version (with the dubbed audio) of Iron Chef, don't care much for the current "American" version.
And if we are talking the competition cooking shows, my absolute favorite is Top Chef and now the spin off, Top Chef Just Desserts.
Kevin
One thing with Graham Kerr was when he did the Galloping Gourmet the guy was always drinking and a few shows he was downright trashed. Years ago there was big thing about him being an alcoholic and drunk on tv. He kinda redeemed himself with the new series he came out with on eating better and how to "fix" recipes to make them healthier.
Julia Child I loved watching her when I was younger. But...this past winter there was a marathon of her show The French Chef and OMG she not once washed her hands and so much cross contamination of surfaces with poultry and not to mention all the handles she touched with raw chicken juice on her hands. If she were cooking today her show would have been yanked. For me chicken is not something to play around with or any raw meat really. I am constantly washing my hands after touching it and cutting boards go right into the dishwasher along with the knives. Then I sanitize the countertop.
Her show Cooking with Julia and friends I did like in her later years. Jeff Smith was a bit of a diva I thought. And there was one cook on the FoodNetwork that ended up getting his show yanked because at his restaurant he was overcharging customers and reswiping their credit cards. That scandal broke out when Food Network was very young in the 90's...gawd I cant remember the guys name either...But he was an Italian cook...
Julia Child I loved watching her when I was younger. But...this past winter there was a marathon of her show The French Chef and OMG she not once washed her hands and so much cross contamination of surfaces with poultry and not to mention all the handles she touched with raw chicken juice on her hands. If she were cooking today her show would have been yanked. For me chicken is not something to play around with or any raw meat really. I am constantly washing my hands after touching it and cutting boards go right into the dishwasher along with the knives. Then I sanitize the countertop.
Her show Cooking with Julia and friends I did like in her later years. Jeff Smith was a bit of a diva I thought. And there was one cook on the FoodNetwork that ended up getting his show yanked because at his restaurant he was overcharging customers and reswiping their credit cards. That scandal broke out when Food Network was very young in the 90's...gawd I cant remember the guys name either...But he was an Italian cook...
lordkenmore
Well-known member
I knew, I JUST KNEW I should have kept my big, fat mouth shu
when talking about Jeff Smith!
I have heard Smith stories, too. I won't go any further, since I try not to speak ill of the dead.
However, the unfortunate truth is that whatever flaws Smith had, he was not alone in being flawed. I hear a lot of stories of various big names that--frankly--make me cringe. It is most helpful, I think, to keep their best work--in the case of Smith, things like his TV show--apart from flawed personal lives.
Years back, I liked his cooking show. I don't know what my perception would be now. Probably, I'd be less interested--but a large part of that is the nature of my cooking--keep it simple, keep it fast--these days.
when talking about Jeff Smith!
I have heard Smith stories, too. I won't go any further, since I try not to speak ill of the dead.
However, the unfortunate truth is that whatever flaws Smith had, he was not alone in being flawed. I hear a lot of stories of various big names that--frankly--make me cringe. It is most helpful, I think, to keep their best work--in the case of Smith, things like his TV show--apart from flawed personal lives.
Years back, I liked his cooking show. I don't know what my perception would be now. Probably, I'd be less interested--but a large part of that is the nature of my cooking--keep it simple, keep it fast--these days.
bugsyjones
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2009
- Messages
- 581
Alot of Food Network's shows, to me aren't that great anymore. Especially the 'Reality' shows like Next Food Network Star, etc....They were showing marathons of that apparently highly popular series, and it made me mad. I wanted to watch something else besides that show.
Anyway, I like Iron Chef Japan. The original. Most of the delecacies I probably wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole, but it made for good tv. The Iron Chef America just isn't as good.
I did like Emeril Lagasse. He seemed the flagship show for so long and then poof! He's gone elsewhere.
Cooking channel has been showing Two Fat Ladies re-runs. I have to say that they are a hoot and the food seems a little more appetizing. Fat, grease, butter, and all.
In my opinion, now that Paula Dean, Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay, Alton Brown, etc. are now 'celebrity chefs' they don't seem as appealing to me. I find shows like Barefoot Contessa as snooty and upper-crust better-than-you. That's what Ina Garten seems like.
I suppose the that certain appeal that the shows had when Food Network was young, is no longer there.
~Tim
Anyway, I like Iron Chef Japan. The original. Most of the delecacies I probably wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole, but it made for good tv. The Iron Chef America just isn't as good.
I did like Emeril Lagasse. He seemed the flagship show for so long and then poof! He's gone elsewhere.
Cooking channel has been showing Two Fat Ladies re-runs. I have to say that they are a hoot and the food seems a little more appetizing. Fat, grease, butter, and all.
In my opinion, now that Paula Dean, Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay, Alton Brown, etc. are now 'celebrity chefs' they don't seem as appealing to me. I find shows like Barefoot Contessa as snooty and upper-crust better-than-you. That's what Ina Garten seems like.
I suppose the that certain appeal that the shows had when Food Network was young, is no longer there.
~Tim
lordkenmore
Well-known member
Appnut
Thanks your thoughts above.
I do try to eat reasonably well. Unfortunately, it's not always easy.
For me, I find myself mostly doing fast prep meals. This is what I think of when I comment about "what can I fling together fast?" Once, I regularly would tackle complicated recipes--like those Julia Child ones that take all afternoon and every pot in the kitchen. Now, cooking is more like a few minutes, and one pot.
I think off and on about cooking in larger quantities and freezing some for future use. I may start doing that--I have my freezer unearthed, although getting it set up and in service is one of the many to do projects that I just don't seem to get around to....
Thanks your thoughts above.
I do try to eat reasonably well. Unfortunately, it's not always easy.
For me, I find myself mostly doing fast prep meals. This is what I think of when I comment about "what can I fling together fast?" Once, I regularly would tackle complicated recipes--like those Julia Child ones that take all afternoon and every pot in the kitchen. Now, cooking is more like a few minutes, and one pot.
I think off and on about cooking in larger quantities and freezing some for future use. I may start doing that--I have my freezer unearthed, although getting it set up and in service is one of the many to do projects that I just don't seem to get around to....
Only a little.
I do like Alton Brown, and who can forget the Two Fat Ladies?
Paula Deen takes Southern Cooking to an unnecessary extreme (I love Southern cooking, but it can go too far).
Dave
I do like Alton Brown, and who can forget the Two Fat Ladies?
Paula Deen takes Southern Cooking to an unnecessary extreme (I love Southern cooking, but it can go too far).
Dave
Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade!
Always has a cocktail recepie in every show!!...(Fill glass to rim with vodka...consume immediatley!)......her recepies are good too....
Always has a cocktail recepie in every show!!...(Fill glass to rim with vodka...consume immediatley!)......her recepies are good too....
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
I try not to speak ill of the dead.
Did Jeff Smith die, or is this figurative is speaking?
I know our local PBS station dropped him like a hot frying pan when the news of "abuse" broke.
In any case I had not heard of his passing. He always had such great travel stories.
Did Jeff Smith die, or is this figurative is speaking?
I know our local PBS station dropped him like a hot frying pan when the news of "abuse" broke.
In any case I had not heard of his passing. He always had such great travel stories.
Jeff Smith died in 2004.
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
Jeff Smith died in 2004.
WOW, guess I wasn't paying attention. I wasn't the
Chair but was on the board of the local PBS station at that time, but his name was not spoken.
I did enjoy his shows.
ETA:
I just googled his obit. The time of his death coincided withte birth of my daughter, so I was spending a lot of time at the hospital that next month. I give myself a small pass on not paying attention.
WOW, guess I wasn't paying attention. I wasn't the
Chair but was on the board of the local PBS station at that time, but his name was not spoken.
I did enjoy his shows.
ETA:
I just googled his obit. The time of his death coincided withte birth of my daughter, so I was spending a lot of time at the hospital that next month. I give myself a small pass on not paying attention.
nurdlinger
Well-known member
I do like Good Eats but more for an entertainment factor. I
Me three.
Watched Graham Kerr when I was in college. From him I got the made-from-scratch pizza recipe I still use.
When I was a little kid, the local station in Detroit had their own cooking & lifestyle show called "Lady of Charm". L of C was someone named Edythe Fern Melrose. I have no idea if she ever was famous or more widely seen than the channel 7 viewing area.
L of C made cakes with "hobnails" in the frosting. I asked my mother why she never did that to cakes, and got a frosty glare in response. Really what it was was my mother had no time for non-essential extras like that which added nothing to the flavor of the cake.
Me three.
Watched Graham Kerr when I was in college. From him I got the made-from-scratch pizza recipe I still use.
When I was a little kid, the local station in Detroit had their own cooking & lifestyle show called "Lady of Charm". L of C was someone named Edythe Fern Melrose. I have no idea if she ever was famous or more widely seen than the channel 7 viewing area.
L of C made cakes with "hobnails" in the frosting. I asked my mother why she never did that to cakes, and got a frosty glare in response. Really what it was was my mother had no time for non-essential extras like that which added nothing to the flavor of the cake.
Julia Child, and Delia Smith
The old Julia Child stuff was awesome.
Regarding cross contamination of surfaces et al, folks didn't worry about that then as they do now.
While some of Julia's recipes were a bit over the top (as much as I do like to cook I also have a lot of demands on my time, like most of us do) but she is really good discussing technique and how to deal with issues in a down to earth way.
And who can forget the Saturday Night Live skit
?
As for Delia Smith -- she'll teach you that British food is delicious. And it is, when properly prepared.
British restaurant food is often mediocre at best - but so is US restaurant food.
Delia's books have never been big in the US but they are spectacular.
The old Julia Child stuff was awesome.
Regarding cross contamination of surfaces et al, folks didn't worry about that then as they do now.
While some of Julia's recipes were a bit over the top (as much as I do like to cook I also have a lot of demands on my time, like most of us do) but she is really good discussing technique and how to deal with issues in a down to earth way.
And who can forget the Saturday Night Live skit
?As for Delia Smith -- she'll teach you that British food is delicious. And it is, when properly prepared.
British restaurant food is often mediocre at best - but so is US restaurant food.
Delia's books have never been big in the US but they are spectacular.
