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Most favorite: Alton Brown

Least: Rachael Ray.

Fun question, Kbear.

Most: Alton Brown

Least: Paula Deen

I agree with Jerzee Tomato's comments. The days of real cooking shows like the early Great Chefs series, Dining in France, The world of cooking (all shown on PBS stations who had an eye for good programing), have all been taken over by entertainment shows that use "Food" as the theme. The shows have definitely been dumbed down for the masses to attract advertising viewership , not serious cooks.

I live in England, so I don't watch the food network, but here are my choices:

I hate Michael Smith from A Chef at Home, which I think is on the food network, or maybe the Canadian food network. I hate the whole show, from the cheesy opening (female vocalists singing 'You can do it too!' and 'Let your spirit free!'), to his glib delivery and constant use of the word 'flavour,' and the fact that he acts as if he invented the most basic cooking techniques all by himself. Also, I hate that at the end of the show, he forces his family to sit around the table and give him compliments in front of the camera about how great the meal was. Just thinking about it makes me angry.

I really like Andreas Viestad. I don't think he's on the food network, but last time I was in the States I saw him on local NYC tv. I think he does one take in Norwegian, then one take in English, so he's always linguistically confused. Also, he's often visibly drunk. He makes a lot of simple things with local ingredients. Plus, he's good looking, slightly goofy, and reminds me of my Norwegian boyfriend.

I also like Mireille Johnston, Madhur Jaffrey and Keith Floyd.

I love Giada from Everyday Italian. I love the way she annunciates her words and I like the style in which they film the show. What's funny is I have never made anything from her recipe collection but I love looking at in on TV! Rachal Ray is a bit annoying. But at least she doesn't claim to be some master chef. She is just a regular average person. So she isn't as well spoken as some, but she is relatable.
I can't think of any that I dislike immensely, usually I don't watch the shows that don't catch my interest right of the bat.

I'd have to go with the pack and say Alton Brown is my favorite personality. How can you go wrong with someone that drives a motorcycle and has a KitchenAid stand mixer painted with flames? Plus he set a turkey on fire to demonstrate the hazards of deep frying. Awesome. But like Jerzee Tomato, Alton's schtick only goes so far. The quality of programming on the Food Network is reaching a new low. I long for the days when it was actually about *cooking*. I'm nearly blinded every time Giada smiles, and WTF is Emeril still doing on TV?

My least favorite is definitely Sandra Lee. I don't have a favorite.

Favorite: Alton Brown
I have soft spot for Paula Deen, as she reminds me of a lot of my family from the south and my childhood dishes my Grandma used to make for me.
Least Favorite: Definitely Sandra Lee.... the woman won't put her hands in her food... she barely touches it, that scares me.

I have not seen this Sandra Lee person. I must watch it now!

Favorite: GIADA please marry me!
Least: except for Alton, all the rest

I take a peek at Sandra Lee just to shake my head at how the color of her curtains and gingerbread kitchen decor match whatever she's pouring out of a packet that day. I can't stomach much more after that. I've decided her show is targeted towards wealthy trophy wives who don't really cook, but want to think they do.

I like Giada and Ina Garten. My father evidently can't stand Barefoot Contessa. He calls me up and complains about her incessant laughter as soon as a guest walks in the door. I have to defend her. Hey, her show's about simple entertaining and having a good time.... "how bad can that be!"

I think PBS still airs superior programming. They've got Jacques, Julia, Lidia, Ciao Italia, and America's Test Kitchen. Plus, I dig the no-nonsense pace and presentation of Everyday Food.

Favorite: Either Chiarello or Tyler Florence--I'm surprised nobody's mentioned him at all. Of all the food I've tried to cook after watching a tv chef, I have to say I've cooked more of Tyler's dishes than anyone else's.

Least favorite: It was Rachael, but that's getting too easy. I'd have to go against the grain and say Giada. I swear she'd put on that food orgasm face while popping cheez-its late night; she annoyingly overpronounces italian ingredients "paaahn-CHETTT-a" to show everyone how Italian she is, and it's as if she has someone pulling her cheeks as far apart as they can when she smiles. I can respect her love for Nutella, however.

Thumbs up: Jamie Oliver because I love his spirit and copious herbs, and Ina Garten because her recipes always work. (Have you tasted her coleslaw recipe?)
Thumbs down: Giada, because of her frozen, plastic smile. Holden Caulfield would say she's a "phoney." Rachael is getting skewered on this site, but at least she acts naturally!

Faves: Ina Garten, great recipes using quality ingredients. Could use fewer shots of her zipping around the Hamptons in her BMW but the food's the real deal and she knows her stuff. Alton Brown: great recipes, great philosophy of food and cooking, fun to watch and learn with my kids. A+

Least Faves: Sandra Lee. Is 'tablescape' even a word? And why is Food Network giving a show to a woman who uses so much Cool Whip.? They should be ashamed. She must have incriminating photos of a programming exec or something.

Favorite: Mario (why is he being cancelled? great personality), Giada, Ina, Alton
Least favorite: Sandra (why she is on food network i do not know...if she can get a show, we call can), Rachel (I used to like Rachel Ray, a while ago...then she got way too big and it seems like her personality overdid itself after that...now that she's on nabisco boxes and has a horrendous daytime show, it is just too much. I have to admit i get ideas from some of her recipes, though.)

Faves: the Chairman from Iron Chef and Batali...Ed Levine, saw you on the show tonight for the fennel challenge!! Yum, I'm jealous!!

Favorites: Barefoot Contessa and Giada (although I get tired of her describing every vegetable as "so sweet".)
UNfavorites - that weird Sandra Lee (oh my gosh, I can't believe she got a show when she doesn't actually cook and talks about her matchy-matchy kitchen and "tablescapes". But she's fun to hate.) and Emerill even though he'd a great cook, he's getting old and we're tired of his tricks.

Favorite: Mario Batali

Least: Rachel Ray

Favorite: Alton Brown
Least: Tyler Florence. Sell out.

fav. Giada
least: Rachel Ray.
Question, what would Rachel Ray & Emerils kid look like?

fave: since alton has plenty of representation, i'm going for the barefoot contessa. her condescending tone about "good chocolate" and "fresh mozarella" is endearing, and i wouldn't have it any other way. she's truly talented, and knows her stuff when it comes to food.

least fave: oh, this one is hard. unfortunately, the list for least fave is larger than the other. but if i had to choose, it would be sandra lee, emeril, and guy fieri. i'm just not a fan of gimmicky chefs.

Fav - Alton Brown - I was a history major, so I love all the historical info he throws in (I'm also a Bourdain fan - I track him down on the Travel channel)
Least - Rachel Ray - her nasal voice drives me nuts and all of her cutesy poo isms are tiresome. I save my EVOO (arrrgh) for salads and use regular old industrial olive oil for my omelets!

Alton Brown is my favorite. Cannot stand to even hear RR or Sandra Lee's voices!

I don't like Sandra Lee, and I can't imagine there is a bikini top big enough to contain those things. She, and her 'food', are unnatural.

Both SL and Giada got shows because of their looks.

I love AB and ADORED Restaurant Makeover and that entreprenuer show (can't think of the name) but haven't seen either in a while.

RR is kinda like the Macarena. It was cool at first, but then you got pretty damn sick of it because it was all you heard.

I posted about this yesterday on Required Eating, but for those of you who missed that, Anthony Bourdain discusses what he thinks of the Food Network personalities over at Ruhlman's, where he's currently guestblogging. No holds barred!

Favorite: Alton Brown.... it is hard to follow the herd, but his shows are so entertaining and the bits of chemistry and history stick to your brain. My college professors could take notes.
Least Favorite: Emeril and Rachel Ray

Favorite to watch and learn stuff from? Alton Brown. But for usable, accessible recipes that I actually cook I'd say it's a three way tie between Ina Garten, Jamie Oliver and Dave Lieberman. I used to cook like Paula Deen, but you just can't eat like that all the time because it will eventually kill you. I loved watching Mario make those glorious dishes, but some were too esoteric for my daily life.

I miss the more old-fashioned cooking show. Where there was just a chef and a kitchen. Maybe a shot of food shopping thrown in for good measure. I have no desire to watch Ina actually feed her guests. I don't really want to see Jamie Oliver serve a giant fried breakfast to a bunch of models.

I miss The Frugal Gourmet.

I want Rachel Ray eliminated from television altogether. Permanently.

Giada doesn't cook enough food for a bird when she serves four people and her lack of basic food knowledge is horrifying. How can she describe every single herb as "lemony" and every single vegetable, even a Spanish onion as "sweet?" Watching her stresses me out.

Sandra Lee's "recipe" for Kwanzaa Cake: a store-bought angel food cake with canned apple pie filling dumped in the middle and corn-nuts sprinkled on top. If this wasn't enough to get her cancelled, then there is no God. She is a nightmare. She is the Lowest of the Low to which the Food Network has sunken.

Thank heaven for Alton Brown and Mario, who are at least teaching us something, or were, anyway. Molto Mario is cancelled, isn't it? And Mario, in a recent interview I read at the Amateur Gourmet's site, is mourning the dumbing down of the Food Network. I also like Ina Garten, who believes in simplifying yet classing up with good quality ingredients, along with the occasional unusual dish like Chicken with Forty Cloves of Garlic or Summer Pudding.

The Food Network is fast becoming a real bore. It's like Game Show Network, but with eats.

Wow! So many comments. I agree with AdamH that The Two Fat Ladies are fantastic!!! I wish they were still on. I love Alton, Ina, and Giada. I can tolerate Rachael Ray (I sometimes fall back on her recipes when I don't really feel like cooking too much). I cannot handle Sandra Lee. BLAH! She is very pretty, but I cringe when I hear 'tablescape'. Plus, opening a bunch of packets is not cooking. I wish they would show classic cooking shows like the old Great Chefs show, Julia Child, Justin Wilson, and even the Frugal Gourmet. I miss those shows so much.

Faves: Mario Batali. Also MingTsai and whatever happened to Rocco Dispirito? I just love their articulateness.

Can't stand Rachael Ray or Sandra Lee.

Favorite: Giada. How can you not love everything she does? And I love anything with Nutella. I loved Ming Tsai too! FN definitely needs a good Asian cooking show. And don't care--I'll always love Emeril. He's the original celebrity chef. Plus I don't get annoyed with him anymore because I watch him sparingly now. Lastly, I love Michael Chiarello.

Side note: I love Curtis Stone on TLC's Take Home Chef.

Can't stand: Rachael Ray (although I find myself watching her show all the time only to make fun of it), Ina Garten, Sandra Lee.

Okay, so everybody's hates Rachel Ray. I'm going to be a contrarian. My father found Rachel Ray in the last year of his life, and loved watching her show. She made him happy, so I like Rachel Ray.

bobblehead removal list:
ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner, and her name is sandra lee. oh, dear god, please make it stop. what's next, sandra? an quick and EZ method for a weekday supper using road-kill (it's right there, you don't even have to go to the supermarket!) slathered in cheez-whiz (just pop that jar open and pour) and topped with durkee fried onion rings? sandra lee, when vaudeville becomes burlesque.

bobblehead #2 -RR. please, fellow posters, don't take offense at my language, as i only wish to share with you that, when she pops up on the television, i reflexively yell "STFU, and go away". i don't say "die, already" - i just think it..

other than those two, i just let it ride.

i enjoy and respect alton brown, rick bayless, jamie oliver. these three gentlemen are enthusiastic and informative.

ah, whatever. for a good view of where we're all going to end up as the dumbing down of america continues apace, rent "idiocracy". it''ll make you laugh, it might make you cry, but i promise you that RR is not in it.

thanks to lia for the link to the bourdain post - he said it all.

R.I.P. Julia Child, you sweet, dignified, wonderful woman.

One name I haven't seen mentioned yet is Sara Moulton. She, along with emeril, mario & a few others can be considered the founding members of the food network.

But unlike most of the other food network stars, she has not made cooking about big business, opening restaurants, & selling cookware.

She has remained genuine, sincere and honest about her love for cooking...she has not lost her true passion for food and is a credit to her mentor & friend Julia Childs. I think she embodied the spirit of Julia more than anyone else on the Food Network. I find it fitting that since leaving, Sara like Julia is going to be on PBS. So yeah...she's a favorite!

My least favorite....all of the above, anyone with a reality or travel show, and Dave Lieberman....Isn't he pretty much the male version of Rachael Ray?

Give me Cooking Live with Sara Moulton, Multo Mario, the original Essence of Emeril, Alton Brown without the travel, Bobby Flay cooking with his friends, and all the old school programming. Success has ruined the food network.

Food Network really blew it letting Bourdain get away. Of the current crop, the REAL cooks are the only ones that interest me. I will watch every Iron Chef episode, Batali's show, occasionally Emeril, Flay and Alton.

I am driven to jab a fork in my eyes by Rachel Ray, Paula Deen and her spawn, and Sandra Lee. The only way I watch HER show is if they have an episode titled, "Nobody does me like Sandra Lee."

I'll watch just about anybody except Emeril Lagasse- - his show doesn't appeal to me (don't know why). Maybe it's him?

Love Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa. She makes food I actually want to eat and its unpretentious and uncomplicated.

While I do not mind Rachel Ray's food I can't watch her mannerisms. They are very distracting...the overuse of her hands, the eye rolling, the catch phrases, the laughter at anything. It's just too much.

I have been inspired to post another entry to say again how much I love Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa). I recently had house guests and over the course of their stay I made several recipes of hers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All of them resulted in rave reviews and "you've just GOT to give me a copy of this recipe" type of comments. I also just read a great article about her in the NY Times. She is the antithesis of Rachael Ray in that she refuses to grow her empire to ridiculously gargantuan proportions, even though she has been asked to do things like her own magazine, etc. She wants to stick with what she knows best and still have a life, which is admirable.

Some of her show "sub plots" might be a little cheesy, and some people are annoyed by her laugh, but say what you will, she is pure class; do not judge until you have tried her recipes - they are fool proof and delicious.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/18/business/yourmoney/18cook.html?_r=3&ref=business&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

The AB! I love to see how many fans he has. I've been a devoted Good Eats watcher since the first episode I saw. FoodTV canada doesn't show enough good eats, barely comes on it seems. Heh, I see I'm not the only one who's had a crush on Giada.

Also see that I'm not the only one who can't stand Bobby Flay. I always disliked the guy but man, that Iron Chef America where he beat Sakai. Complete bs, so biased. They tied on everything but presentation?! Sakai's had super awesome detailed french style presentation and Flay's big thing was "I poured soup into this bowl until it over-flowed. It's like in japanese culture where they fill a sake cup till it over flows". How does that win out? he was just being sloppy and lazy.

I gotta say that I have always rather liked Michael Smith and the License to Grill guy was awesome. I haven't seen his show for a long time so I forget his name, but all his grilling rocks. Oh, the Food Jammers rock too, love that show.

Top notch:
DAVE LIEBERMAN, such a cutie.
Alton Brown--an adorable, intelligent, spastic nutcase!
Bobby Flay on Throwdown

Hideous:
Emeril....BAM, he's just greasy!

Favorite: Seems like Alton is the hands-down fave, which I absolutely agree with. He is hilariously dorky and I love how he couches cooking in chemistry. He's always fun to watch. Also great: Tyler's Ultimates, Paula, Ina.

Least Favorite: Robin Miller. She seems nice, and maybe her repositioning will make her program more palatable, but her recipes have never appealed to me. Sandra's recipes rarely appeal to me either, but at least her goofiness is entertaining and she looks like she's at least having fun.

Clearly, Giadda is the best, because;
1)she's actually a classically trained chef
2) she cooks interesting and good food, and
3) as Mario says, "she's got a great rack" (he really did say that)

Faves: Nigella and Ina

Least: Sandra Lee, Robin Miller and Rachael Ray!

My favorite hands down is Alton Brown. The combination of great recipes along with kitchen science is always entertaining and educational. And his presentation of every subject is clever and fun. I just love him.

Least favorite is hard to say, Paula Deen is sometimes just too much deep south and by the way I am from the deep south myself. Sandra Lee frequently makes me grit my teeth by I do love her recipes. Rachel Ray's gestures are just way too much but I love her recipes and own several of her cookbooks. So I guess the truth of the matter is if they are cooking something I like or are interested in I watch every one of them.

worst: GIADA is a SHAM. OK, hire Giada as your stylist... she makes eveyrthing look great. Oh wait, she has a stylist do that FOR her. All she does is add nutella to desserts and parmigiano reggiano (with aforementioned irritating dramaticized pronunciation) to anything savory to make it "italian". She is classically trained so she can julienne an effing carrot, big deal.

best: alton is the real deal. he gets results.

Favorites are Giada and Alton, hands down. They both have what Rachael Ray, Sandra Lee, and other hated cooks don't--a really, truly fundamental understanding of the science behind food and cooking, not just slapping together things that are tasty (because 'tasty' is completely subjective).

I reel at the artificial, prepackaged nonsense that Sandra Lee and Rachael Ray use in their cooking. Anyone can add water to a box mix! Entertain me! And RR needs to add some more words to her food vocabulary aside from "yummy," "gooey," "salty," and "sweet." Hit the books!

hey charm....don;t diss my girl giada....she does not pretend to make fancy Italian food, I'm not sure there is any such thing as "fancy" italian food, it's pretty much all peasant/farm food...and Rachel Ray admits she's not a cook, cuase she's not, Giada is a Chef....

maybe you're jealous of the aforementioned rack?

This is definitely a fun question!
Favorite: Tie between Alton Brown and Ina Garten
Least Favorite: Tie between Sandra Lee/Paula Deen/Emeril Lagasse.

I gave up on the Food Network over a year ago and haven't watched it since. When I DID watch it, Alton Brown was my favorite. He strikes me as a down-to-earth, decent person.

The rest of the idiots are just that . . . IDIOTS.

Most: Giada De Laurentis, Sandra Lee, Emeril

Least: Mario Batali, Paula Dean, Barefoot Contessa, Rachel Ray

I am getting tired of Food Network...I loved it in the beginning, with Puck and Ming, and Batali....but now it is just dumbed down. i cannot watch Ray or Sandra Lee... and I cannot watch Flay talk and eat without any manners. I can tolerate Ina, but she is so predictable...most receipes have been done forever....her show is uninspired..... Giada's and Michael of Napa Style are the only chefs with some excitement.

While Paula is fun...I have never wanted to even try her fat and heart attack dishes. One visit to the Lady and Sons Restaurant in Savannah will cure you of any interest in her food......

Giada hands down.

please take paula dean's boys off the air along with the spikey obnoxious guy.

Hunter / smokinaphattie.com (it's a bbq thing)

I don't think they are going to bring back the two fat ladies unless they are repeats...and most of the ones you saw on FN were repeats because I know one of the fat ladies was already dead!

Both of them may be by now!

tyronebcookin

Favorites -- Alton Brown (Good Eats), Giada, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence and Sara Molton
Least favorite - Lagasse, Sandra Lee, Rachel, and Paula

Watching the contest to pick the next food person... I wonder how some of these people got there... like emeril - his personality is so grating BAM! and ditto for Rachel - YUM!. Both (Paula and Sandra should also be included here too) are too over the top and insincere - come across like used car sales people. I couldn't sleep for a week eating most of Emeril or Paula's cooking with all that fat and butter! Didn't that go out with the 60's? And look at the two of them... and Rachel is catching up! If they don't have heart disease and type II Diabetes, I predict they will have it soon. "Personalities" should set a good example for the rest of us! And it seems like FoodTV gives Emeril and Paula the prime times! Really a shame we can't see the better shows in those slots.

Favorite: Sara Molton
Least Favorite: Giada

I love watching Sara Molton. She is so low-key in her cooking and her style, and she makes everyone feel like they can accomplish the many beautiful dishes she prepares. I have attempted several of her tasty recipes, and every one was a success.

My least favorite TV chef is Giada. Frankly, I haven't tried any of her recipes. When I feel like cooking Italian food, I always use Mario's recipes. My best friend was born and raised outside of Rome and he moved here about ten years ago. He laughs every time he sees Giada. He calls her the psudo-Italian food porn queen. He thinks it's very funny the way she pronunces Italian foods with a phony Italian accent. So, both of us don't think she's much of a cook. She should also invest in a turtleneck.

I have three favorite chefs. I like Emeril and Sara Molton because they cook and act like serious and knowledgeable chefs. Their recipes are easy enough for most cooks, and they always taste great. For Italian cooking, my family and I love Mario. Now that’s great Italian food!

My least favorite chef (if you can call her that) is Giada. Growing up in a family of Italians (my parents brought me to this country when I was two years old) I know what authentic Italian recipes are. Believe me, Giada doesn’t even come close. I must admit that I do watch her show because we normally gather up whoever is in the house when she’s on, just for a good laugh. We love the way she tries to sound Italian when she says “spa…geeee…teee” or “mut…zaaa…reeeeeel…laaa”. Even my mother, who was born in Naples and lived there for twenty-seven years, can say spaghetti and sound more American than when Giada says it.

Watching a cooking program should be educational and fun, and that’s what most of them are. We all love to cook and we all love the cooking network, but we do not like the way Giada acts, cooks or dresses. I hope the people who watch the program do not think all Italian women are walking around Italy with their breasts hanging out. In general, Italian woman dress very well and are much more conservative than Giada. Most of my Italian friends would never leave the house looking the way she does on her TV show. The only true Italian chef on TV is Mario. His Italian meals are quite authentic and very delicious.

Actually, I had not really thought about Sara Molton until I read some of the comments above. I like her style and I've tried many of her recipes with great results.

I also agree about Giada. There's no one more annoying. I can't understand why it's necessary to show so much cleavage on a cooking show. I also stopped watching her quite a while back because I don't want to be seduced; I just want to see some good cooking. It’s true that she’s not attractive at all, and no matter what they do with her hair (pull it back, put it up, let it hang, make it full, make it flat) her head still looks too big for her body. Perhaps letting the breasts hang out is a way of distracting everyone so we don’t notice her huge head. Yeah, good luck with that!

As far as her cooking is concerned, she’s not creative and the few recipes I did try were not very good. Everything she cooks is either lemony, creamy, crunchy or a combination of all three. Someone please send her a Thesaurus!

Well, I'm a man, and I would rather watch anyone other than Giada. Come on, just because she has breasts, doesn't mean that the show is worth watching. You can find breasts in any magazine or in any porn video. The purpose of watching a cooking show is to learn something about cooking or to get some good ideas or recipes. Why do you think it's necessary to show cleavage to do that? Giada's recipes really are not true, authentic Italian recipes. I studied in Europe (Italy and France) and I know a good Italian recipe when I see one. I also speak fluent Italian (and French), and in nearly twenty years of living in Europe, I have never heard anyone use an Italian accent only when saying Italian food items. You have already admitted her phony accent and plastic smile are not normal, so apparently as a “macho man” you feel it’s necessary to drool over her breasts to prove you’re a “real” man. That’s fine, but to say Giada is a chef of any kind or that her show is interesting or worth watching is stretching it a bit.

As far as whether the comments above are from men or women, it seems to be about even. I couldn’t find any other blogs about other TV chefs with so much animosity for the chef as the blogs about Giada. The network should truly do something to change the show. They can’t dump her because of her money and family connections, but they need to sit her down and have one serious chat. No one seems to take her seriously as a chef or as a person, for that matter. She looks like a cheap hooker and she acts like one as well. The harder she tries to be sexy, the more sleazy she looks.

I love to cook and I found this site by accident. I don't get much time to watch cooking shows on television, but I enjoy watching them whenever I get a chance. I knew many of the chef personalities, but I had no idea who Giada was. So, because of all the "hate" comments, I decided to watch her. Before tuning in, I decided that everyone seemed to be very unfair and I felt sorry for Giada. I watched her show two days in a row. Now I understand.

Oh my word, is she annoying or what? And, yes, why show off the saggy breasts? They look like they belong on an old lady! What's wrong with the food network? While she tries so hard to be sexy, she fails so badly at it that it's almost funny...if it weren't so pathetic! In a way, I really do feel sorry for her because she obviously has some sort of personality disorder.

Even Rachael Ray (although loud and too full of energy for me) is far better to watch than Giada. At least Rachael Ray lets the viewer know ahead of time that her recipes are quite easy to prepare. The recipes that Giada made were recipes that any ten year old could make. They didn't even look that good. Frankly, I was so distracted by the phony smile and the fact that she felt it was necessary to have her boobs hanging out, that I didn't pay much attention to the food. I guess that's what the food network wants or they'd put a stop to the madness!

I'm actually getting some relief from the debilitating intensity of Giada-itis, so I'm droning on here, too. Thanks for the opp.

RayRay: Hyperactive fireplug with too shiny eyes. Frenetic, arrested development with a sham marriage. Luv ya, Rach!

Paula: The aging madam of a hillbilly brothel. (JenSings is southern so this is not a slap, per se). I can just see the girls getting into knife fights with her for trying to steal their johns. Gawd, that phoney is like leprous vaseline.

Aunt Sandy: She is just sooooooo yummie, and can I tell you? You cannot believe how fintastic her food is. It is just sooooo good. Yum! A tired drunk with pendulous breasts and an odd shine about her.

Giada: Or, as I like to call her: Titsia! Sweet flaming nutella, she is going to drive me in-sane. Has anyone seen her trying to tempt a fish into the boat with her "sinwich?" Air kiss a couple of crabs? Was I the only one who watched her sitting astride a wheezing mule climbing stairs to some exotic mountaintop locale? I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. There's Giada, regally perched, parasol in hand, atop a jackass. It was a confusing scene.

Flay: Let's put *you* on the grill, arrogant punk. I'll make the flippin' mojitos.

Florence: Shines like Aunt Sandy. Has become a blow fish, too. Tyler, go away. For the love of God!

Batalli: Pompous ass.

Emeril: Potty mouthed pissant.

Chiarello: Stingy creep.

Lieberman: Make something interesting for a change, huh?

Ina: Faaaaabulous! Fag Hag who gets wasted on lemon drops. I'll give her this, though, she actually cooks. The classics. Though petit-choux in the food processor got my goat, Contessa.

I could go on, but they know who they are...rotten bastards.
Whew! Feelin' groovy!

Favorites: Giada and Alton
Least Favorites: Sandra Lee and Emeril

Okay, I know lots of people really don't like Giada, but hear me out. Sure I love to cook really authentic Italian food sometimes, but other times I just want a new recipe that is quick, has great flavors, and has been tested by countless test kitchen cooks. This is why Giada's recipes are great. I know, they're really easy and anyone could come up with the not-too-innovative flavor combinations, but it's nice to know that when you start a recipe of hers, it'll turn out delicious. I also love to create my own dishes on the spot, so it's not that I can't come up with good recipes either. Sometimes I just like the security of a well-tested recipe. Also, for people interested in learning how to become better basic recipe cooks, her show really demonstrates basic techniques well. Not everyone needs the basics demonstrated anymore, which is why we all own cookbooks that utilize more advanced skills without the visual aid of a tv personality cooking in front of you. I love watching the food network because I love to cook, but I rarely learn anything new from it. If I want to learn something new, I'll buy a new pastry book or take a class at a local culinary school. So please, we all know that her food isn't exactly authentic or innovative or challenging, but that's not the point of her show.

Another thing I find interesting about the food network is the evolution of both Giada and Sandra Lee as tv personalities. If you watch really old reruns of Everyday Italian or Semi-Homemade, the women look totally different! Giada used to seem pretty camera shy, wore less makeup, and wore much much more conservative clothes. The same goes for Sandra Lee, who used to look almost like a normal (albeit super blond and smiley) woman, whereas I always think she looks either like a barbie, with varying degrees of eyeliner overkill. These women used to be fairly professionsal looking cooks, but the network has made them into eye-candy for both guys who think they're super hot and women who want to look just as unrealistically beautiful while whipping up incredible (or so it's percieved) meals in a half hour segment.

That's just my two cents. Oh, and I also think it's a little immature to either criticize or praise Giada for her breasts when, in reality, we all (women) have them, and some peoples just aren't as "perfect" as others. Whether or not you think Giada's are "perfect" is totally irrelevant to her capabilities as a cook and tv personality.

LOVE Alton and Geoff [Ace of Cakes]
LIKE Giada 99% of the time
TOLERATE that pretentious Ina Garten [if she wouldn't waste so much]
DON'T LOVE the Deen family - oh brotha.

My favorite's are Alton and Mario (I miss Molto Mario)

I can't stand Sandra Lee and ever since seeing Tyler Florence shack up with Applebee's he's lost all my respect.

I rarely watch The Food Network (TFN) these days. There just isn't anything much on there to interest me. I have very little positive to say and the rest is negative (sorry).

Since I really enjoy food science, I will say Alton Brown is my favorite and wish they would put more food science shows on.

Ah--finally a place I can vent about "Her Awesomeness"--Rachael Ray. Definitely NOT my favorite. And yes, she is so hyper at times and says "awesome!" so often (and don't forget the punctuation mark), I wonder if she isn't actually on something... The word "awesome" has been worked and reworked and overworked to the point that I don't care who says it--I despise the word and could swear it is the average American's only known adjective. Also, since she makes way too many burgers, I wonder if that isn't the only thing she really knows how to cook (and hey, I'm a burger fan myself--just not of the Chez BK or Mickey D version).

I would like the "Barefoot Contessa" more if I just didn't harbor the sneaking suspicion that Ms. Lawson was saying to the rest of us: "I have the perfect house, perfect kitchen, perfect career, perfect friends, perfect marriage; I live in the Hamptons and I'm LOADED--couldn't you just die?" However, she does look like she knows what she is doing, and I admit, as financially strapped as I am these days, I would quite happily settle down with someone like her Jeffrey.

The Iron Chefs, both Japanese and American, I can take or leave. I do admit to feeling dismayed when hearing one of the challenger chefs on the Japanese show had used horse fat to flavor something or other. I'm just glad it wasn't offered to me.

And yes, Giada needs to put her boobs away. She is more convincingly Californian than Italian.

In addition, I am saddened to read that TFN used to be much better--that it has deteriorated into cheap entertainment using food as a prop. But then again, when did chefs begin to be treated like movie and rock stars? I'm all for recognizing hard work and accomplishments, but I have no doubt that the ego of many "chefs" today rivals that of most ubermodels.

And it galls me that TFN even has constant repeats--and it really galls me that it has the nerve to go off the air and try to subject us to paid programming/infomercials. (So many stations already do that to us.) Jeez Louize, I mean, aren't we already paying for cable/satellite?

Really good "talk" topic Kbear!

Favorite: Alton Brown, because he's real, educational and actually passionate.
I also love watching Iron Chef Japan (not the American version.)

Least favorite: Tie between Rachael Ray and Emeril LaGasse. They both just love to hear themselves talk. How many times do we want to hear BAM or see the same reaction to a food on $40/day?

But I'm not going to lie, I will still sit through just about anything on the Food Network though (except Emeril I think I actually switch channels.)

i agree it should be called cooking with cleavage...i have yet to see an episode with her mammaries covered...

I have tried many of the recipes of several Food Network chefs that were easy and delicious. Maybe some of you are too critical and have overlooked the cooking tips and helpful ideas all the chefs are sharing with us, the viewers.

Take Giada off the air.

Today absolutely pushed me over the edge to see Ingrid, like Giada with the tightest shirt on and practically every button undone on today...I tuned in to see what she cooks and decided I really don't care...I like Giada but don't need her nor Sandra Lee's or now Ingrid's BREASTS swinging around the set!!!!This is supposed to be a Food Network but apparently they are selling out to eye candy like the rest of the world...Isn't Sandra married to Gordon Elliott???I guess that's how her show stays afloat...Flay is arrogant since the day when he used to grill with Jack, remember that???He used to cut the poor guy up and talk over him every chance he got...would never cook his stuff and would never go to his restaurants...Emeril was good back in the day and I really used to enjoy David Rosengarten!!! Remember him??? I actually met him in person at a cooking demonstration where he was cooking Moussaka...it was delicious...and now the newest food network star, Amy, I'm not really sure of...Alton really showed his true colors on that recent competition...a side of him I would have rather not seen as I too enjoy and respect him... wonder if Food Network ever gets wind of these sites on line...I wish you could contact them directly so that maybe they would see we all agree on the direction the network is headed ---DOWN THE TOILET!!!

Has anyone seen the latest edition of Esquire? Giada is covered with tomato sauce and looks more like an ugly cheap hooker than some of the hookers I've seen walk the streets of New York. I believe if they wanted to show off some breasts, they should have found someone who had a nice set, rather than the saggy variety. Oh well, just my opinion.

Yeah, I checked out the Esquire article. Here's the link:
http://www.esquire.com/women/women-we-love/delaurentiis0807
You'll be totally grosssed out. She is so unattractive, I can't believe they used her for the shoot. Don't miss the three pictures below the main one. She certainly is looking for attention, isn't she. Unfortunately, it's the wrong kind.

I saw the Esquire article and I was appalled. Giada is either not very smart (which I think is the case) or mentally disturbed. As if showing us almost every inch of her sagging breasts while she stirs pasta sauce isn’t enough, we have to see her covered in tomato sauce as well. Does anyone really think she is attractive? Skinny doesn’t mean attractive. She looks sickly with that huge head and skinny body. I’m sure she thinks the only thing she has going for her is her breasts, but even those are a bit saggy. I’m sorry, but I just can’t get past that head! I noticed she’s pulling back her hair these days, but it doesn’t help make her head look smaller. The woman is damn ugly, and showing her breasts doesn’t help.

Now, on to another objection. Why on earth does she have to pronounce Italian food with an Italian accent? That is the funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time. We just laugh until we have tears coming out! My girlfriend can imitate her so well, I can’t stop laughing. Who on earth does that? It’s just so annoying. I must admit that I watch Everyday Italian because my girlfriend and I imitate her and have such a good time laughing. It’s more of a comedy show than a cooking show.

Reading the comments above, I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who feels that way!

Most favorite would have to be Ina Garten, Michael Chiarello, Nigella Lawson, Alton Brown and Giada DeLaurentis.

Least favorite: Easily and hands down, Sandra Lee.

The top line lists accomplished cooks who teach worthwhile lessons.

Sandra Lee OTOH, knows nothing and doesn't care who knows that she knows nothing. I have never seen anyone so proud of dropping out of cooking school in my life!

The first time I tuned into SHM, I expected to learn healthy shortcuts for busy nights and was left completely aghast at the parade of chemical laden products used by Lee. It became clear to me from her very first show that she was to be viewed for nothing more than comedic value. And this was even BEFORE her Holiday Cake debacle where she managed to insult three cultures in the same 30 minutes!

Ina Garten's food is a sensory reward for the eyes, nose and especially the mouth. Each of her recipes while not diet food can be proudly served to your most important business associates, treasured family or friend from next door over a pot of coffee. Ina's food = love.

Chiarello and DeLaurentis (unfortunately Batali will no longer be on TVFN) have Italian food wrapped up and delivered piping hot to your TV.

If you want a sexy cook, checkout Nigella Lawson. She's passionate about food and is not afraid to show it. The woman absolutely makes love to any chocolate recipe she demos!

Alton Brown = The Television equivalent of going to cooking school. Even with his outlandish costumes and sometimes over the top methods, the guy's a frippin genius. He tells you the "why" as well as the "how to."

I sincerely hope that anyone who watches Sandra Lee does so with tongue firmly in cheek because the minute a piece of her food passes your lips, your stomach will never be the same...And not in a good way.

For a while I was hooked on Nigella Lawson..where did she go? Right now I think Alton Brown is the best host. He's actually educational even if you don't cook. The man should be on Discovery and not FN. My least favorite is Paula Deen. I'm sick of that overdone southern drawl and all that butter and mayonnaise is tiresome.

Favorites: Alton, always. He's a genius, funny, and has resisted the pressure to get hairplugs. : P I viewed what I'm guessing some people were declaring his rude behavior on the Food Star, and I think they need to take a breath and grow up a little; after all, these contestants were presenting themselves as both knowledgeable about cooking and having the charisma and creativity to create their own show--I don't think his expectations were too high. It's the network's that should be much higher.
Nigella I have loved for years, although I am dismayed by some of the shortcuts on the new show.
Jamie Oliver has had some great recipes in the past, so I'm interested to see the new show.
Anthony Bourdain is more himself, and therefore more entertaining on the Travel Network, but certainly worth watching in the original Cook's Tour.

Should be cancelled immediately, if not sooner:
Paula Deen, please sit down and allow Southerners to retain some semblance of self-respect. Every time I hear her, I can feel my brain cells committing suicide, and her recipes nauseate me. Less is more, Paula.
Rachel Ray--I used to find $40 a Day marginally bearable if only for the locations, but eventually stopped tuning in not only because of her overdone, annoying banter, but especially because of the appallingly paltry tips she would leave the kind people who served her food. It's no wonder she always wound up eating alone--no one else wants the waiter spitting in their food because they're sitting with a cheapskate! Since those early days, it's hard to escape Rachel. She chases me from one network to another, and even if I don't stumble onto one of her myriad shows, I can't escape her hawking something in commercials, nor her unnaturally shiny eyes in the grocery checkout line. God save us.
Sandra Lee: like a clone gone awry, she has followed Rachel in the Food Network's race to the bottom. I came across an amusing article that addresses this on a wider scale: http://chriswalkerversus.blogspot.com/2007/04/chris-walker-vs-dumbing-down-of-america.html Atrocious doesn't adequately describe her show. Just how stupid does FN think we are--and are we? *shudder*

I think Food Network made the gradual decision to make the channel more about food and life and less about cooking technique... what with the average American's non-stop hectic life. Cue: 30 Minute Meals and the like.

I supremely enjoyed Batali's program with the three guests observing, asking questions and sampling his dishes - it was a beautiful and simple concept for a cooking show. It was what cooking should be, about learning and sharing with people. To whoever said he moves too fast and undercooks everything, I am going to fight you.

I don't like Rachael Ray or Sandra Lee either. A lot of people go bananas over Ray though. I've never watched an entire Sandra Lee.

Wow.....the animosity towards Sandra Lee in some of the comments is quite interesting. I’ve worked with and have hired professional chefs over the years and the short cuts they use in their cooking isn’t much different from Sandra Lee’s. She’s just honest about it. I know of one 5-star restaurant that opens a can of Campbell’s tomato soup, adds some garnish, gives it a fancy name and charges a ridiculous price. Anyone who utilizes a can of San Marino for a tomato dish cannot possibly sit in judgement of others.

I’ve tried some of the recipes of the highly rated “chefs” mentioned here and found them to be quite disappointing. The end result is what it’s all about....not how much one slaved in the kitchen.

Sandra Lee makes cooking fun....especially for those just starting out. And nowadays, with so many young folks working many hours in serious careers, I’m sure it’s nice to have a quick, fun recipe when one finally gets home at 7:00 pm and the kids are famished. I can’t wait to try some of her recipes with my grandson when he gets old enough.

I liked Alton Brown better before he went gimmicky and goofy.

First of all I have to recover from laughing sooo hard at the remarks from:
Nance- re: Sandra Lee on the Kwanzaa cake (topping in with corn nuts) please tell me your joking, I don't know if you or Sandra's Kwazaa cake recipe want to kill ME. rotfl.
Jensings- your comment also made me roll off the couch, well put.
Alssa- same as above
Thanks y'all for a very good laugh.

Now who I like:
Alton - becuz he is silly and informative, I like that.
Emeril- becuz of due respect, but he needs to (or has) retire, his "bam" has gotten a little too old.
Ina- like her soft spoken demure and her recipes seem very good, but did she make a pact with the devil? Read her bio eveything thing she did she is successful at... hmmmmmm. That nervous laugh does get to me though.
Tyler- tried some of his stuff....really good.
Sara Moulton- like her alot, she is so relaxed, I like her cooking, she teaches, and she covers UP!! I miss her.
Cat Cora-total professional, she is very pretty but like all chefs ( iam one myself) cover's UP!! She wears a chef coat. I like her demure and professional knowledge.
Anthony Bourdain- Love his shows, they tell the real shit that goes on in cultures.
Mario- real authentic chef. Love his shows and his foods. Wll miss him too.
Duff-I like but other then his oux and Mary Alice many of his workers seem liike there on drugs.
Guy- I like him. his show makes me sick becuz my city has very few diner, drive-ins and dives anymore( I live in Seattle). His other show I only saw a few times, but I liked what he made so far. He's funny.
Symon- I like him. He's professional and his giggles crack me up. I like his food.
Flay- His actual shows bore me to sleep but I do respect his success and I 'm sure his food is good. I hear good reviews about his restaurants.
Ming Tsi- I miss him, he too is a Pro. and I loved his show. I made a dish of his for Mother's Day once and it turned out great but man, I almost had to hop a plane to Asia to get some of the ingreds. for it.

Now for my dislikes:
Paula Deen- I like her home program (she's somewhat mellow) but the shit she makes.......
Paula's party- That is enough to make my ears bleed. Is she drunk on that show? She is flirting, forgetting what they are doing she is hamming it up. Nooooooooo!!
Robin What her name- Boring.
Giada- I liked her pogram when it first aired, but now it is a joke. Yes that phoney accent, the Farrah Fawcett smile, yes the low cut shirts. Shit she is making Italian food (maybe), she should be professional and wear a chef coat. You get shit all over yourself making Italian food. It's food food porn.
Sandra Lee- Ah wtf is she doing on FN? Yes she has a concept for making things go easy in the kitchen, yes someone above wrote that some chefs use canned this and that for fresh and its true, and that is good, but she can at least come through with some dishes that are homemade 100% for the times one has day off or special occasions ect. Anyone can open a box or packet and just add shit to it, but I thought the FN was to educate people how to make real dishes.
Bobblehead aka Rach Ray- She is over the top of WHAT???? Yes I play a game with my boyfriend, everytime 30 mins. airs we get beers ready and when she says her imfamous words "EVOO, sammies, delish, garbage bowl, awesome, eyeball it, giggles, ect., we take a drink. Guaranteed your tipsy (if not drunk) in 30 minutes. FN needs to restructure what their goal is really quick. Do they want the true chefs that really show people methods, ideas of real cooking or do they want to have circus acts like they are airing?

Favorites: Paula Dean, her recipes I can make and have. Sandra Lee because her recipes are very doable. Why do so many dislike her? I love to watch her. I also like the fact that with Sandra Lee, you can take common packaged stuff and make something great. Alton Brown, definitely a fav of mine. I can't stand Emeril. His recipes are so complicated, why bother? Ina Garten's recipes are too complicated as well.
Least Favorite: Obviously Rachel Ray is an amature when it comes to cooking. Come on folks, I mean, my teenage son can concoct what she comes up with. Also, she is extremely irritating with all of her hand gestures and her EEVO and her rolling eyes. I deliberately turn off the FN when she is scheduled. I just don't get it. She's awful. BEST: Alton Brown WORST: Rachel Ray

FAVE: jamie oliver -- i LOVE jamie at home. also nigella -- apparently i love brits.

LEAST FAVES: sandra lee, hands down. not even a competition!

I used to watch this channel frequently for info on cooking techniques, and good recipes; not on much anymore. Weekend getaways at $40 and such rot are a waste of time. I have no problem with the dumbed-down shows for the chef-boyardee crowd, but I have the travel channel, with Bourdain, for the other stuff.

Faves: Alton, Mario, Sara

Middling: Sandra, Giada [OK....just eye candy....no turtlenecks needed]. Flay....I like the genre, so I follow his recipes. Emeril....shelf life date gone by......he's now a shill on the "green network".....and, not convincingly so. Paula.....on the fast track to Emeril status.

Least: Ray Ray. Well, Sandra too...although S doesn't annoy me me nearly as much as does RR.

My favorite is Ina and my very least favorite is Giada. Can Giada's tops get any lower without this show being rated as porn? I have nothing at all against showing some cleavage, but please...this is a cooking show, and if her cooking isn't good enough to stand on its own, they should take her off the air. Actually, I tried several of her recipes and thought they we just "okay". Her books are loaded with photos of her rather than of the food, and she is way too full of herself. She should stop the annoying Italian accent when she pronounces Italian food items. She was born and raised in California for goodness sakes!

I have to agree with many comments here.I have studied culinary arts for years and these housewife cook wannabees do not know the difference between a good Veloute and a bowl of gravy.
Where does the food netwok find these people?
Sandra Lee gets so excited over her booze,you would think she was an alcoholic! Rachael Ray acts like the host of Sesame Street with her ignorant, goofy, childish sayings. Paula Dean serves so much fat in her food, it is more rich than her fake,overpronounced accent which is comparable to fingernails on a chalkboard.Giada dresses like a street walker and tries to sound italian with her fancy pronouncing og food.What happened to credible culinarians? are all we are left with are women's day readers like these four women who think they are teaching cooking? please!!!

I used to watch a lot of FN back in the early days. I enjoyed Jack McDavid, Mario Batali, Sara Moulton. Now, I never watch FN. The turning point, for me, was when Rachel Ray became a "star" (gag).
Now if I want to learn something about cooking, I tune in PBS, and watch Jacques Pepin, Lidia, or the two ladies on America's Test Kitchen.