Food Network Survey Results
Of the shows listed in the survey, Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa won, by a long shot. However, it is evident by the comments that Alton Brown's Good Eats is a very popular show, despite it not being on the list (we'll have to check with our friends at FN about that.) The Rachael Ray controversy continued, and a resounding cry against Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee was heard throughout the blog.
Interestingly, many readers shared their preference for cooking shows that air on PBS, such as America's Test Kitchen, and Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything.
Comments (17)
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Rachael Ray rock!! All of her food I have tried is very tasty!!! Some things she does make is something the average person wouldnt eat. But if we was talking like that we would have to say that Mario, Bobby Flay and Emeril would top the cake!!!!! Now Rachael may be corny but hey she did pose for FHM back in 03!! haha
OH btw Sandra Lee say.. Keep it Simple, Keep Delcious, Keep it Delightful, Keep it Daisy, and ALWAYS keep it SEMI-HOMEMADE!!
Here here for the cooking shows on PBS. I especially love Lidia. And there's Martha's Everyday Food too.
Barefoot Contessa is my favorite cooking show - and her recipes are incredibly delicious. She stays true to the flavors of the ingredients, dressing them up just a little bit.
Paula Deene uses too many processed ingredients for my taste. A lot of her recipes would never be seen in a true southern kitchen.
Good Deal with Dave Lieberman wasn't on your list, but his show is great as well.
Tina and Mario!
I didn't post on the original thread since I think what I watch is so different than what is popular on this site. My favorite cooking shows are Molto Mario and New Scandinavian Cooking with Tina Nordstrom (PBS). I also watch Iron Chef America since they do things there that are not home cook friendly, crazy, inventive, and amazing. But Mario and Tina are my mentors.
I can't stand Daisy Cooks on PBS nor Michael Chiarello. Unfortunately the latter is on Fine Living too, so I have to dodge him on two channells.
I've only seen it once, but I'm interested: Scazza, why don't you like Daisy Cooks?
I love Ina, and I also like Giada. I really dislike Rachel Ray. I'm sure she's a great person in real life, but that doesn't mean that I have to like her food or watching her show.
Many people do love Good Eats, but I just can't get into Alton Brown. I mean, he's good, but I'm not hooked.
Sandra Lee's show is a travesty. I had to laugh when I read the comment calling her a lush--my friend swears the same thing!
Just had to add--Rachael's $40/day show is especially terrible, since she ends up tipping the waiter like $0.25 to stay in her budget.
Exactly Fiona. I didn't mind her really till her $40/Day show (though her catch phrases were upping to change channel reflex). She's teaching millions of people that it's ok to shortchange servers. My husband used to have a crush on her till he saw how she tips. It's tacky how she sometimes make special requests, take up space for the filming of her show then tips 1.25. Free advertisement isn't worth the disrespect of your workers.
The Food Network has really gotten cheesy (pardon the pun). I used to watch it quite a bit, but it has become more about the personalities then the food. I'm tired of all the waving hand gestures, unnaturally bleached teeth and tiny breasts squeezed together in an attempt at creating cleavage, especially the scary Giada, who bares her teeth like an angry wolverine.
I too cast my vote for PBS. I love the awkward geeks of Test Kitchen, because I actually learn why some methods work and others fail. I love spending 22 minutes in Lidia's kitchen and I've started catching Daisy Cooks. But my hands down favorite is the true Anal Retentive Chief, Charlie Trotter. I hope more Kitchen Sessions are filmed soon!
i'm with scazza on this, i can't stand daisy cooks either
shes far too something that i just can't put my finger on
i don't know if its perkiness, or calmness, its just something, i get this feeling that she's on too much xanax and her real personality is locked inside somewhere
its very strange
I am never going to be able to watch Everyday Italian again without thinking, "angry wolverine!"
Thanks for the laugh!
I like watching Michael Chiarello. With the sound off.
I can't believe Sandra Lee has her own show! The first time I saw her I thought I was watching MadTV. Her Kwanza cake must have made the African-American community cringe in horror, it was so dreadful. And those tablescapes ... how are those monstrosities in keeping with her premise to "keep it simple?" A birdcage on the table? I have time to spray-paint paper lanterns red and black and hang them from the ceiling but can't make decent Asian food? Furthermore, I didn't know I was supposed to make my outfit out of the same fabric used as the tablecloth, and make matching kitchen curtains for each new meal! What kind of host have I been?
I absolutely love Food Network! I have it on almose 24/7. Sorry but Paula Deene is one of my favorites. Not just because what she cooks is so down-home and real (pretty much what most of us cook each day) but she is real herself - she loves her family and has such a good time. I also love Rachel Ray - Bobby Flay - Ina Garten and Giada (although I do have to agree about the grin.) I also am an Iron Chef fan as well. I like the PBS shows as well but love Food Network.
Can seem to find any Black folks who can cook, eh?
I love Paula Deen.
Paula Deen is okay but she does a lot of nepotistic promotions (her sons, her restaurants...etc.) I really can't stand Bobby Deen and the other one is barely tolerable. They're talentless men that don't deserve their own show.