In this household, we watch a lot of TV. 90% of those shows happen to be food related. It's hard not to notice a show that features mouth-watering dishes and recipes. And the shows that happen to showcase stuff from your particular locale? Forget about it; I'm totally glued to the TV until I can find the exact address... and then I scurry there as soon as I can to try it out for myself.
That said, not all TV shows and show hosts were created equal. I love Bravo's Top Chef (and Top Chef Masters) series and actually find Padma Lakshmi to be an adequate and semi-knowledgeable host. Travel Network's Anthony Bourdain (No Reservations) rocks out his Emmy-winning show each time with this acerbic tongue and sarcastic wit. I also enjoy Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern quite a bit, but it really bothers me that he likes to either chew with his mouth open at times or talk while he's still chewing. Um... gross?
The worst, I find, are the hosts on Food Network. Mario Batali from the old days was simply fantastic. He was charming, knowledgeable, and actually produced great food. (His recipes are ALWAYS winners.) But then you have people like Rachael Ray, Sandra Lee, and Brian Boitano (a figure skater) whose shows are in need for some serious quality control. Personalities aside (as I'm just not a fan of Rachael Ray's ultra-sunny disposition -- I feel like she may turn into a monster off screen just to balance her on-screen persona), the food/recipes from these shows are mediocre at best. I know that these shows are more for people with less cooking skills but there are better food shows out there that produce better food!
This woman scares me. Eek.
For instance, Guy Fieri (Guy's Big Bite), Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa), and Giada De Laurentiis (Everyday Italian) all feature simple recipes that home cooks (and novices) can prepare. And their food is actually really tasty. And isn't that what food programs should be about ultimately? The food?
Ok, end rant. My favorite 3 TV Show Hosts are (in no particular order): Anthony Bourdain, Alton Brown, and Adam Richman (from Man vs. Food). Bring Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson to American TV and that'll change my rankings in a hurry though!
Who's your favorite food tv show host? Least favorite?
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Comments (37)
Giada De Laurentis, Anthony Bordain and Alton Brown are my favorites. My least favorites are Paula Deen and Rachael Ray.
I think my favorite TV food host was Justin Wilson, because he always blended Cajun humor with his recipes.
I like Ina Garten, Giada & Jamie Oliver
Guy Fieri is the man!
Anthony Bourdain is the Man! No Reservations is the best food show on T.V.
BOURDAIN IS GOD.
Alton Brown is my favorite, with Sandra Lee and Giada De Laurentiis right behind him. I don't watch too many cooking shows now, though, because my diet is kind of limited, so there's really no point in watching a show about Italian cooking if I can only eat rice/corn/quinoa pasta, you know?
heres an interesting question.... should you trust a skinny pastry chef?
You're absolutely right about Rachel Ray! I love watching Nigella Lawson because of how simple her recipes are. Can you believe she's 50?!
Jamie Oliver's recipes are also fairly simple. He does a lot of tossing and his methods are not clear-cut, which I love!! Ina Garten is another favourite. That's how I want to be when I retire :)@mz_d0rkabl3@xanga - Yes...a lot more than a fat one.
@thebmillerexperience@xanga - Agreed.
I also have a small thing for Bobby Flay.
Guy Fieri! I've always found Alton Brown to be annoying although I know he's extremely inteligent. I think it's the way he carries himself. I always enjoy watching Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives! And on his regular show, his food always looks tasty, plus we share similar taste :)
MAN VS. FOOOOOOOD!
bobby flay!!
I love watching Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) and Sandra Lee :) Oh and Mrs. Paula Deannnn! Even though she puts a stick of BUTTA in everything..
Least favorite is Alton Brown, he just talks too much... even though I know his show is based one explaining from a scientific perspective, still...
I haven't seen some of the shows you mentioned, but I'd have to agree that I can no longer stand watching Mario Batali or Rachael Ray...they just annoy me now. I mostly watch the shows on Food Network, my faves are Good Eats with Alton Brown, Barefoot Contessa with Ina Garten and Guy Fieri's Big Bit/Diners Drive Ins and Dives. Occasionally on the weekend, they show Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson. My favorite shows have people cooking simple meals that even I can do on the weekdays after work, that matters most! But you're right, I love Nigella, she should be on Food Network more!
@mellowmell@xanga - Don't you just love Nigella's accent? I think that adds to her charm! And I love how Ina does everything for Jeffrey
'cause he loves his chicken dinners. I think she's my favorite now, she cooks things that are simple and you don't have to go on a scavenger hunt to look for the ingredients. (Most of them at least.)
Was there ever any question? Alton Brown, of course!
I do know one thing - I cannot watch Paula Dean. If she adds one more unnecessary stick of butter into a meal I think I will actually projectile vomit on top of my TV screen.
I think I like Sandra Lee...not many agree I'm afraid.
For me, it's a tie between Alton Brown, Ina Garten, and Giada. Alton makes for an interesting show, Ina is very classy (and not annoying like some of the chefs on Food Network), and Giada makes very delicious-looking Italian food.
BOURDAIN WTF!
My fav's are: Paula, Emeril, Alton, Guy & Adam.
Dang, 2 of your 3 are my faves. I love Anthony Bourdain and Alton Brown. I also used to really like Mario Batali when he was on Food Network. I don't see him much anymore. I also like Paula Deen because she's charming and likes butter, and Emeril because of personality. If I'm allowed to go old school on you, I also really like Julia Child, and this guy from wales named Floyd. I wish I knew his last name, but Floyd was the bomb.
oh! and I can't forget Jamie Oliver. I have one of his books. Lovely!
@kinamorata@xanga - girl, I ain't mad at you. I agree. I also thought Tyler Florence was sexy, and that was like the only reason I watched his show. I had to stop though because of the timing and when I would be scheduled for work... and the choppy camera transitions bug me.
P.S. Has anyone seen Lidia Bastianich's show? If I could catch the show, I'd watch it more often.
Too many to choose from. Maybe a tie between Rick Bayless and Tina Nordström. After that, I like the people on America's Test Kitchen, Ming Tsai, Steve Reichlen. Jeff Nathan and Joanne Weir are OK in small doses. Jacques Pépin is enjoyable.
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