Best TV Chef? Worst TV Chef?
Someone brought up the grooviness that was Sandra Lee today at work today and I practically started vibrating. Sandra Lee? Really? No Way! Not that I'm against shortcuts, because goodness knows, they help. But Sandra Lee? Eeewww! Which started me thinking about David Rosengarten on the old Food Network show Taste. How he dissected food down to the perfect way to make it. To this day, I make my baked potatoes just like he said. Super high temperature for a much shorter period of time. He was the precursor to Alton Brown. A bit more pompous, but he would take that one single item and parse it out out and it was awesome. So who are your faves? Who are the ones you just, well, don't even get why they're on the tube?
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73 Comments:
The Horror that is Sandra Lee is, by all means, the worst, but I feel like calling her a "chef" is an insult to all real chefs out there. Can't call her a cook, either. She is just Aunt Sandy, the SLop. Now, as far as pure entertainment goes, she is invaluable. And while I invariably end up asking myself why this woman has a cooking show (and it's a rhetorical question as I pretty much have an idea why), I will probably miss her in that weird masochistic way if and when the Food Network finally drops her. Although, if they haven't dropped her after the infamous Kwanzaa Kake Disaster (or last week's "meatloaf", for that matter), or lines like "this is my Buddha...she is faux" and "France is a city of lights" I doubt they ever will.
My favourites are Alton Brown and Ming Tsai. When I watch either of them, I think that this is what a cooking show should be like. If you're not familiar with Ming Tsai's shows, in a way, his approach is close to that of Alton's - he usually takes one "master recipe" (it can be some kind of a sauce or a condiment, for instance) and shows it in different applications (and usually has a guest chef who shows us her or his use of the "master recipe"). No tablescape though.
brooke29 at 12:08AM on 01/26/08
Being a Food Network Canada watcher, I am only aware of Sandra Lee because of this here blog. She sounds scary.
I don't know if he has any US distribution deal, but Michael Smith gets my vote for best TV Chef. His current show, Chef at Home, he does something that I haven't seen on any other cooking show: he changes his mind. I don't doubt that this is actually scripted, but seeing him start to make bread and then end up making breakfast sticky buns not only gives the viewer two recipes, but it also gives them the confidence to try new things. If something is important in a recipe, he will tell you. If it's not, he will tell you that too.
There is also something satisfying about seeing someone who got famous making high class fancy food on The Inn Chef try to simplify lasagna because he has a kid now and sometimes lasagna just takes too long.
I've got huge respect Batali, Bourdain, and Brown. I think each of them, represents something that us foodies want: mastery of a whole country's cuisine, fearless embrace of new strange food, understanding the "why" of food. But nobody right now is doing a better job of encouraging the real average home cook to experiment, improvise, and love food than Michael Smith. And I think that is what we need and that is why we put chefs on TV.
drastic at 12:26AM on 01/26/08
Personal pet peeve: Not everyone who hosts a TV cooking show is a chef. Certainly not Sandra Lee, nor Rachael Rae, nor even Alton Brown (as much as I love his work). Bourdain is. Batali. Even Emeril. They are chefs who are on TV, making them TV chefs. The others are hosts of food and cooking shows.
thepictsie at 6:27AM on 01/26/08
Micheal Smith does get shown here in the states, on the Discovery Home Channel. I like his show, and he's given me some good ideas, but my wife has to leave the room when he's on because she thinks he's a complete dork.
As for me, I don't really see the attraction of Rachel Ray or Emeril, though I guess they've got a great following. I wouldn't say they're in the league with Sandra Lee, though. I also don't really care too much for Giada De Laurentiis or Paula Deen, either.
The cooking show hosts I currently watch are: Ina Garten, Alton Brown, Jamie Oliver, Kylie Kwong, Alan Harding, and Mark Bittman.
cooking monster
DaveFaris at 9:00AM on 01/26/08
Actually Sandra Lee is a chef. She graduated from Le Cordon Bleu.
Just a tidbit there.
StudentStomach at 9:10AM on 01/26/08
From Wikipedia on Sandra Lee:
Lee attended a two-week course at Le Cordon Bleu, but did not attain any certifications or degrees during her time there in Canada, nor did she complete the course. "I was scraping beef tendons and I thought, 'I'm outta here!'" she says. She left after two days.
PerkyMac at 9:26AM on 01/26/08
Interesting that "Aunt Sandy" is indeed a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu. Didn't realize they had/have a major in "Crock Pot/Slow Cooking" and minors in sickeningly sweet foofy ice-cream, curaco cocktail-time!
stigcr at 9:31AM on 01/26/08
SHE LEFT AFTER TWO DAYS
PerkyMac at 9:37AM on 01/26/08
I too am a Canadian Food TV watcher, and like drastic, I too like Michael Smith. Yeah, he can get a bit dorky at times, but his recipes are usually mainstream enough to be possible, yet just a little different so as to make them "fresh" for the avid home cook. And, as someone who cooks for kids, I like that he does acknowledge the challenges in that.
This Sandra Lee person is scaring me the more and more I read about her on this blog. So she attended Cordon Bleu eh? That would have been in Ottawa, methinks - hell I have high tech friends who have done the entire Cordon Bleu course there and done very well. She must be pretty lame.
There's a show broadcast up here that is supposed to be Latin cooking - hosted by some woman whose voice drives me up the wall (as does her attire, as apparently she is incapable of purchasing shirts that do not gap over her ample chest). Anyone tell me who that is? From the scenery, I'd say the show is taped in Miami or some place in Fla..... I actually cannot watch her show at all.
Maureen at 9:39AM on 01/26/08
Simply Delicioso is the nail-on-board scraping show! Stunned to see FN invested in a series of new episiodes. I like the Restaurant show with Gordon Ramsey. I like the business component as well as the kitchen/cooking component of it. I get the program on BBCAmerica.
stigcr at 9:52AM on 01/26/08
Even though none of her programs are new anymore, and she is not a classically trained chef, I do like the Barefoot Contessa. I use her cookbooks quite a bit, and I think she is adept at getting across information intelligently.
Giada- okay, but too perky
Rachael- SMART!!!!!!
Emeril, Bobby, Mario- knowledgeable, enjoyable
Nigella-Don't know what to make of her
Warren Brown- I liked him, too bad he is not on anymore
Two Dudes,Guy- Don't like their shows
Ellie Krieger- Love her show, and I use her cookbooks
Sandra Lee- I don't like her show, but I guess it serves a purpose
Alton Bown- Like him, tired of his show
Mich23 at 10:02AM on 01/26/08
You should be scared Maureen; very very scared. Speaking of the DEVIL, she just came on! Oooh, she's going to make a drunken watermelon cocktail!!! Here I am just having coffee and being all happy watching the new awesome Jamie at Home and before I have a chance to change the channel I am insulted with the horror that is Aunt Sandy. Can't wait to see the tablescape for Super Bowl. What a freakin trainwreck. And here is the ultimate insult to all the classicly trained "chefs" out there - there are probably thousands of folks out there just like StudentStomach who have been conned into the belief that the woman is a graduate of LeCordon Bleu. Kind of sad how this thread has been hijacked by Aunt Sandy, but bring up her name and people get violent.
Back to the original subject. Sara Moulton has a great teaching show and isn't she just as sweet as pie? Jamie Oliver's new show is way cool and I agree that Ming and Alton have flair and a lot to say. I would just love to see a show where Tony actually cooks. He's probably moved way past that point, but that would be the "ultimate" cooking show complete with the inimitable Tony vernacular. When I use the Les Halles cookbook sometimes I like to imagine Tony in the kitchen with me. He's just plain entertaining and um, hot.
frederika at 10:30AM on 01/26/08
Oh, how could I have forgotten Bobby Flay! He is so talented and sharp. Every dish I have made from his books or shows has turned out great. Tyler Florence has a great personality as a TV chef and a very well presented show. I really don't know what training Giada has had and she definitely is over-perky but she has some tremendous recipes. Michael Chiarello makes some good stuff but his presentations are kind of over the top. Come on, pouring polenta on the table to eat with your hands like neanderthals!?! The other half of the most annoying couple (with Aunt Sandy) has to be that Guy Fieri (not sure if I spelled that right). He is absolutely horrible as a TV "chef". Don't know if he can actually be in that catagory. I think he may need some medication.
frederika at 10:50AM on 01/26/08
frederika, I'm with you - I would LOVE to see a Bourdain cooking show. Just based on his brief cooking sgment of the "No Reservations" holiday show, I think he would be great teaching behind the stove.
And ol' Puddin' Cups Sandra is the best comedy on TV.
Tellicherry at 10:59AM on 01/26/08
Does anyone get Fit-TV? they have 2 cooking shows on there that I like. one with Nathon Lyon and one with Devon Alexander. I really enjoy both shows. they arnt master chefs or anything but both do fresh ingredient cooking and are healthy without trying to be. also because of less budget, the shows feel very natural, not overly produced like food network.
I am disapointed that I dont have the normal PBS lineup where I live because Ive heard they have great stuff on there. Ramsey is great on BBC but terrible on fox. and of course Bourdain is good on no reservations. what makes his show good is he is an excellent writer and the narrative is beautiful. as far as good old food network goes, glad they picked up jamie oliver, love AB, and I dont understand why Giada gets so much abuse! I think she is great. she is what got me started cooking a few years ago.
also check for reruns of molto mario on fine living
franklindelanobluth at 11:37AM on 01/26/08
Alton Brown and Tyler Florence are real pros. Great shows, great recipes. However, I miss Chef John Folse. His show was never on Food Network, but it aired on PBS. I think it was called A Taste Of Louisiana. Here's a guy with real class. Check him out if you ever get a chance. His book (he has written several), The Encyclopedia of Creole and Cajun Cooking is marvelous!
1stmakearoux at 11:43AM on 01/26/08
Actually Sandra Lee is a chef. She graduated from Le Cordon Bleu.
Um, no. Ms. Lee actually boasts about the fact that "after three weeks*, I decided cooking school was not for me" (*or some such miniscule amount of time.) So she's a proud cooking school dropout.
Obviously, the worst "tv personality who purports to know how to cook" (refuse to use the word "chef") is Sandra Lee. That's been looooong established.
However, here and on other boards, the subject of David Rosengarten has been coming up more and more. As pointed out above, he's one of those people like AB who knows food inside and out (for whatever reason and by whatever means) and I used to hang on his every word. He now does foodie things online. I miss him TERRIBLY.
I think he dropped almost out of sight because he was the first person to be "Emerilized" on TVFN. He was on the station 24/7 either in his show Taste or on some lame cooking game show (not that cooking game shows would ALL be lame, but this was badly done); then on some type of Food News (which could be valuable now!). The guy was so burned out, he was crisp. As was Sarah Moulton later on.
I think Chiarello has to be held in high esteem. And actually, her show's healthy slant aside, Ellie Krieger is really a gifted cook. I will always hold Ina Garten in my heart as someone who really loves to cook and I love the way she spoils her husband. Jamie Oliver is a great example of someone using the "it's not rocket science" approach and succeeding.
PBS is proving to be the place for intelligent, consistent cooking instruction with the likes of Hubert Keller, Everyday Food and Lidia Bastianich, to name a few. The old reruns of Cooking with Julia and Baking with Julia are always worth watching.
God, I miss what TVFN was supposed to be. ((Sniff))
chiff0nade at 12:23PM on 01/26/08
Jacques Pepin has always been my favorite.
I saw Ming Tsai (whom I also like) emphatically saying on one of his shows that cheese and seafood should never be combined and more than once he has said that there are no good asparagus/wine pairings.
On Jacques show “Fast Food My Way” he told a story of going out to dinner with his wife in NYC his wife requested some that some gruyere be added to her seafood dish. The chef was so offended that someone would request this pairing that he walked out to the dining area to have a talk with the patron. As the chef walked up to the table and asked, “Who requested gruyere with the seafood? I am sorry but cheese and…” at that point Jacques looked up and made eye contact with the chef and his voice trailed off. The chef then simply thanked Jacques for dining and went back to the kitchen, Jacques laughed saying if his wife wants cheese – who was he to stop her.
In addition Jacques admitted that some wines work better with certain foods – but invariably it is up to the individual. He then poured himself a glass of prosecco and took a bite of asparagus, smiling at the camera.
Mr. Pepin has always combined the best parts of all cooking shows to be truly entertaining.
jasonbrink at 12:29PM on 01/26/08
StudentStomach, I mean no disrespect to you when I say that if you ever took a home economics course in high school, you know significantly more about cooking than SLoP does.
royny23 at 12:32PM on 01/26/08
Jason Brink, I'm with you. I learned how to cook from watching Pepin's early shows - I remember making coq au vin the first time and learning a lot in the process. I also enjoyed watching Madeline Kaman (sp?) but can't recall ever being inspired by her to cook, just to eat.
As far as the Sandra Lee debate goes, I think Rachel Ray far out does SL as the worst cook. Annoying and overexposed.
Stephanie at 12:47PM on 01/26/08
Alton Brown states he is not a chef but I consider his show the best cooking show that is on the air right now. I loved Jamie Olivers Naked Chef when it was on the air. The jury is still out on his present show.
I have a hard time watching Tyler Florence's shows (way too gimmicky for my tastes) but I love his recipes. I can't watch 5 minutes of Michael Smith without wanting to throw something at the tv. Can that guy go 5 minutes without mentioning "flavor"? And I never liked Batali's or Emerils shows. Again - two gimmicky.
And unfortunately folks like my brothers family think that Rachel Ray is a chef and love her show. I almost choked on the dry turkey I was eating during thanksgiving when that was being discussed.
bravian at 1:12PM on 01/26/08
I'll readily agree that Rachael Ray is annoying and overexposed (she yells too much, gestures too unnaturally, tips poorly, etc.). But I'll give her credit for what she does: creates generally wholesome and yes, tasty-looking meals that can be completed in a realistic amount of time on a weeknight for a family. She cooks, and she cooks food, and her shortcuts are realistic: frozen vegs, cartons of stock. SL does not cook food and when she does, she is the "packet" queen. Seriously, 3 different variations of Kraft mac and cheese?
Ray's show, if nothing else, emphasizes a skill set that most "chefs" (ie., proper restaurant chefs) might agree that home cooks severely lack: organizing your prep, working clean/cleaning as you go, and having a strategy about what you're doing. If she left nothing more than the garbage bowl as her legacy, I'd say she contributed positively to home cooking.
I do like Michael Chiarello's food (always looks stunning) but it's usually a too pricey for me to realistically make, and his on-screen persona is a bit bland.
Nigella's become a caricature of herself, which is a shame, but I love the look of her show and her food, and I covet her kitchen.
Giada: I know there's a slideshow somewhere of her apparently reacting in horror at a taste of her food. When I catch the show, that seems to be her standard reaction: pain and despair. I'll watch the end now just for that money shot.
I'm growing a little tired of Alton, and I find it strange that, while I will look to him for general info and technique, his actual recipes rarely appeal to me.
I used to DVR Molto Mario, and I think it's a sad loss. Sara Moulton is a great teacher, but I never catch her show.
Really. there's no show on the Food Network that I won't happily walk away from. Except Ace of Cakes.
renzata at 1:29PM on 01/26/08
Yes, jasonbrink, Jaques Pepin is a god. And I think he comes across as a genuine gentleman. You can't go wrong with any of his cookbooks. He makes French Bistro cooking look so easy and his simple presentations divine. I really miss his show. It was cool also when he had the show with his daughter. Also, thinking back, Michael Lomanoco had a very good show and an exceptionally pleasant demeanor.
Unfortunately, we can't get any of the PBS cooking shows in our area. I would love to see Lidia and Hubert, not to mention Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie. I think that may be available now to view on their new website.
Rachel Ray a chef?!?! Gaaak! She would be the first one to tell you that she is only a cook. Just happens that she is a very successful, obnoxious and overmarketed one.
Funny story, tellicherry... A few years ago when we were in NYC at Les Halles we jokingly asked our waiter if Tony was in the restaurant (duh). I'm sure he had dimwitted tourists ask that at least a dozen times a day. He replied in his very driest French patronizing tone " Oh, he is much too famoose to be in ze restaurant zeze days". Slapdown... From the few brief moments in other shows and the No Reservations holiday episode where you have seen Tony cooking, you can't doubt that he has some serious chops in the kitchen. Unfortunately, you can't turn back time - he probably has people cooking for him now with all his global traveling. I guess the closest we can come is devouring his Les Halles cookbook, sigh.....
frederika at 1:50PM on 01/26/08
Sandra Lee is the Food Network's Julia Grownup (from the Electric Company). A lot of her concoctions are pretty silly.
My FN favorites are Mario Batali and Sara Moulton. He is one of a kind and she is super at teaching simple techniques. I also have a soft spot for Michael Chiarello for making ricotta. Who knew I could do this in my kitchen?
Jacques Pepin is my all time favorite. He is a master chef but seems to have a great sense of humor about it all. I loved the Jacques and Julia show where she would put a stick of butter in a recipe and he would campaign for less. Also in the show with his daughter, she would say things like Mom doesn't make it this way and he would go along.
On this subject, why is the FN setting the bar so low? It seems like they are moving away from real chefs to TV cooks.
LearP at 2:11PM on 01/26/08
Best TV cook(s) hands down: Two Fat Ladies. Really, is anyone else even close?
HunterAnglerGardenerCook at 2:21PM on 01/26/08
So everyone hates Aunt Sandy. Seriously, I have never met a single person who likes her show or has used any of her recipes (thank god). My question is WHO IS watching this show? Why/ how is it still on the air?
Kerosena at 2:33PM on 01/26/08
Chiff0nade! Thank you so much for the David Rosengarten info, I had no idea he had a website and will definitely be going there.
From reading all your posts I was reminded of some of my other faves.
I'm a pretty good cook, and I started at a very young age. I was given the task of making dinner every night when I was 12, and didn't have a clue how to go about it. I struggled on for years, adequately (I guess). My very first shining light was Jacques Pepin, who taught me technique. I dumped the butter knife for chopping and begged for a chef's knife for Christmas. And chopped and minced like a maniac. He was amazing. By the end of my studies (If you can call it that), I could crack two eggs at the same time and open them, in hand, flip flapjacks in the air, and finely dice an onion, start to finish in under a minute. This is a wildly impressive skill when you're still in high school.
And Julia was God. With Sara Moulton not far behind (though I found I wasn't crazy about her recipes, I loved the teaching aspect of her), and the Two Fat Ladies rocked.
chisai at 2:42PM on 01/26/08
Forgot to add - Kerosena - It's about ratings, not whether she is actually loved. I know lots of people who watch Sandra Lee. I do too sometimes. because the laughs, they keep on coming. As with them. But it's about eyes, not hearts. Plus, I'm more than willing to believe that lot's of people really do like her. They just don't hand out on foodie blogs and such.
chisai at 2:45PM on 01/26/08
Nigella's show is beautifully produced and don't you just love to listen to her? I have her Domestic Goddess cookbook and I must admit that nothing I have attempted from it has turned out to my satisfaction. Is she the Brit version of Sandra Lee?
I find it very interesting that no one has yet mentioned Paula Deen. I'll just bet she is the nicest lady but does she really need so much exposure on FN? She and Isabella make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck - I don't know why I have a difficult time listening to them - nails on a chalkboard!
Ace of Cakes - I don't get it. Now, Elizabeth Faulkner should have a show - that would be so cool. I probably couldn't make anything like she does or find the ingredients but she is so innovative and artistic. It would be fun just to watch her create her divine desserts and fantasize about when I come back in my next life as a pastry chef.
I agree the FN definitely needs to step up to the plate. Viewers are more sophistocated and have much higher expectations for new shows. FN just seems to want to keep feeding us the same old warmed over pablum.
frederika at 2:47PM on 01/26/08
David Rosengarten fans should check out his website where you can subscribe to his newsletter.
Although I subscribed to his newsletter for a year, I never renewed it because I thought he was too much of a shill for the products he reviewed. It seemed like every single thing he wrote about was available at a "special rate" and I was sure he was getting a cut of all the sales. Not that there's anything completely unethical about that, but it made me wonder how objective his recommendations were.
DaveFaris at 2:57PM on 01/26/08
In defense of my nominee:
bravian, I should point out that as a Canadian, the word Mr. Smith is actually saying is "flavour". A chef reminding the audience that food should be flavourful has got to be less annoying than Tyler Florence saying "alright" every 43 seconds.
Dave, I think dork may be too strong a word, but I will concede that he is corny. Does he tilt his head a lot? Yes. Does he make a funny surprised face whenever he tastes anything? Certainly. For many people, I think this makes him less intimidating. That's an important part of a teach-you-to-cook style tv chef and has contributed to the popularity of the likes of Rachel Ray. Unlike the queen of the garbage bowl, this guy has the professional cred to back his stuff up.
drastic at 3:07PM on 01/26/08
God, how I miss Julia. I've got the DVD sets of her shows on my wish list. There's still nobody who comes close being able to do what she did for TV food shows.
Alton is definitely one of the most entertaining to watch. I don't always agree with the information he disseminates, but I always enjoy watching him. He's fun, and I like the way he tries to provide background info. I also enjoy Lidia Bastianich. Her approach is straightforward, and she proves that simplicity makes for really good food.
Sandra Lee. She is like nails on a chalkboard. But I've been forcing myself to watch lately, because my opinion has been based on her annoyance factor, which has prevented me from ever watching more than 10 minutes of her show. I'm a big fan of practical, high-quality shortcuts, so I decided I should try to evaluate the content (and try to ignore her).
IMHO many of her "shortcuts" aren't. They save no time or effort, cost a lot more, and sacrifice too much in the way of quality. Others are things many above-average cooks rely on anyway. High-quality canned tomatoes are used by the very best chefs. So are frozen vegetables. They don't necessarily make something less homemade. Using store-bought angel food cake or lady fingers isn't at all unusual -- not everybody has the equipment or skill to do them.
Some things should just be taught "properly" since they aren't any harder or more time-consuming to do yourself. For instance:
- The use of seasoning salt. Why not show people how easy it is to use herbs and spices? Or even to make their own seasoned salt. It's not complicated, especially since the seasoned salt probably only contains salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried parsley and ground celery seed (or something along those lines).
- Why use a can of apple pie filling in a pie recipe that requires you to cook butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and peel and cut up six fresh apples? What was the point? Why not just cut up two more apples? She did use store-bought, refrigerated pie crust, which I consider an acceptable and "real" short-cut, especially for people who aren't avid cooks.
Anyway. I still can't stand her, but I do think she has something of value to offer. Like Rachel Ray does, it's good to show people that cooking doesn't have to be complicated. Many shortcuts are acceptable, and if you're somebody who's already using a lot of pre-made stuff, you can improve it with just a little bit of effort.
LoCo at 3:22PM on 01/26/08
Julia was absolute royalty. No one will ever take the place of that great woman. She was the essence of class and grace under pressure.
I can't believe I am referring to Sandra Lee in the same comment, however I will admit she serves a purpose. The end.
frederika at 3:42PM on 01/26/08
Thanks for saving my sanity. I thought I was the only one that dispised Sandra Lee. It seems every time I see her, she is either making or drinking some alcholic concoction. I find her matching all sets, centerpieces, table settings and clothes very unnerving. I think she has a obsesive compulsive disorder. I change the channel everytime she is on.
I do love Alton. Very entertaining and not only tells you the correct way to cook but why that is the correct way.
mommyme at 5:46PM on 01/26/08
I agree that Julia Child was the greatest. My least favorite is Bobby Flay, who IMHO is a pompas, condescending jerk. Another favorite on Iron Chefs is Cat Cora. I didn't like Mario Batali or Rachael Ray initially but have come around. Ray is a cheap tip but her shows are entertaining.
yayajac at 6:25PM on 01/26/08
Has the point of Sandra's show been passed over....I think it's for all you working gals out there who need to make something easy and reasonably good to eat when you come home after a hard day in the city..similar to Rachel Ray's....forget the table settings...try the food she fixes...it's taste that matters....Sandra does not claim to be a chef..and the critics of the show probably have a lot more culinary knowledge than she does....but the girl can keep it simple..Guess I like the show...Now,let's all go to McDonald's,,,,I'm buyin'
haggardfalcon at 6:42PM on 01/26/08
I love Lidia Bastianich ..not sure if I spelled that right or not. She is usually on the PBS channels around here. Her food is right on. When you actually make one of her dishes from her cookbook, the food actually comes out tasting like you think it would if she cooked it.
ilovejack at 6:53PM on 01/26/08
In response to the question about how Sandra Lee got her job, it's pretty clear that her ex-husband made some sort of agreement with Harvey Weinstein at Miramax to help produce a show for her. I'm not going to get into the entire history at this time, but between her book, her "Chefography" -- and yes, I just threw up in my mouth when I typed that -- and other sundry pieces written about her, I've been able to piece the above together. She's a fraud, a phony, and a nauseating one at that.
royny23 at 10:49PM on 01/26/08
Alton Brown is my go to guy when i need to know the "how" of something. If I need any technical details or want to know the background on something he usually will tell me. Some of his recipes are bland, but I like using them as building blocks.
I love Paula Dean's recipes. I think she has been a little over exposed on FN, but I still love her food. Its that rich,creamy thing that just gets me!
As far as actual chefs go I have a soft spot for Emeril. Even though most of his recipes are too involved or expensive for me I enjoy watching him. He's the guy that got me watching FN in the first place.
erysheep at 12:31AM on 01/27/08
Padma Lakshmi can cook in my kitchen any time!
1stmakearoux at 10:57AM on 01/27/08
her ex-husband made some sort of agreement with Harvey Weinstein at Miramax to help produce a show for her... between her book, her "Chefography" -- and yes, I just threw up in my mouth when I typed that...
First of all, ROFLMAO @ "threw up in my mouth..." How appropos! :D
Yes, her X, Bruce Karatz of KB Homes fame, had much to do with her "career" and/or "success." I coined a name for him ages ago on the old TVFN boards The Wallet. He tossed many greenbacks into the shredder to help old Sandy Loo. Another thing he did which astounded me is that he would place her "cookbooks" in the kitchens of his newly built homes.
No wonder the real estate bubble burst.
chiff0nade at 1:09PM on 01/27/08
i love the science behind food and cooking, so Alton Brown has my vote! Ina Garten is wonderful, too... I've made some of stuff and they came out great! Jamie Oliver is another fave. and I have a small crush on Tyler Florence... :)
fruitypebbles82 at 2:02PM on 01/27/08
I haven't seen a TV chef since Julia Child. And I only saw her once, but was impressed her aplomb, when the something-or-other that she unmoulded...slumped. She seemed mildly amused, and although I was a really little, I was still very impressed.
I've still never got around to buying a TV, so I can't honestly assess any of the current ones.
mongoose at 2:23PM on 01/27/08
chisai - I really enjoyed reading your story!
Julia Child was amazing, the best (to me) -- I also really enjoy watching Barefoot Contessa. Paula Deen is a hoot to watch, but I just don't cook or eat that way. Love Jamie Oliver too. And I love watching Nigella on the Today show -- she always looks just a little bit hungover, and her sexiness seems to make Matt really uncomfortable :)
CookiePie at 2:32PM on 01/27/08
No wonder the real estate bubble burst.
Now THAT was funny, chiff!!! I can't wait to explain it to hubby. He's an investor and day-trader and will be undoubtedly relieved to finally understand the cause of the recent market decline.
;-P
P.S., as mentioned, I've been watching Sandra Lee (for purely analytical purposes). I've found the secret to getting through the entire episode is to turn off the sound and use captioning. Eliminates at least half the throw-up factor. Oh. And change the channel before she shares this episode's WONDERFUL, GORGEOUS (not) tablescape. WTF is a tableSCAPE?
LoCo at 2:32PM on 01/27/08
LoCo, she also occasionally has a foodscape and a partyscape...
brooke29 at 2:39PM on 01/27/08
I missed the Kwanzaa cake I've read about, so I checked out the recipe. If you had any question as to her cooking ability and creativity, this should answer it. I need to go rinse my mouth now.
Kwanzaa Celebration Cake
Recipe courtesy "Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Desserts",
Miramax Books, 2003.
1 (10 to 12-ounce) purchased angel food cake
1 container (16 ounce) vanilla frosting
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (21-ounce) container apple filling or topping
1 (1.7-ounce) package corn nuts
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
1/2 cup popped popcorn
Special Equipment:
Kwanzaa candles
***note from ME (would fit in your candle holders on your dining room table, looks like 4 lime green and 2 orange/red)
Using a serrated knife, cut cake horizontally into 2 layers. Place bottom cake layer, cut side up, on a serving platter. Mix frosting, cocoa powder, vanilla, and cinnamon in large bowl until combined. Spread about 1/4 of the frosting over top of cake layer on platter. Top with second cake layer, cut side down. Spread remaining frosting evenly over top and sides of cake to coat completely. Spoon apple pie filling into hole in center of cake. Place candles atop cake. Sprinkle top of cake with some corn nuts, pumpkin seeds, and popcorn. Sprinkle remaining corn nuts and pumpkin seeds around base of cake.
PerkyMac at 3:22PM on 01/27/08
Julia was the best! Jacques Pepin is my favorite today. I met him once - he is charming in person.
Ina Garten and Sara Moulton are good and I also watch Alton Brown.
Ms Ray and Paula are turn-offs - ditto Sandra Lee. "perky and homey" are
not my choice.
I like Guy Fieri at times - he's so enthusiastic. Ming Tsai is great. No one mentioned America's Test Kitchen. I've learned from them and they have a good "Best Recipes" book that I use for reference at times.
I'm old and don't use a lot of recipes, except for baking, just read for ideas and then forge ahead. Over fifty years in a home kitchen is a help. And I cook for one and that isn't great with recipes that serve six or eight or even four. I like fresh food with not much fuss and I eat from the farmer's market using what's in season. I watch for methods and ideas, not recipes.
suegsf at 3:58PM on 01/27/08
Love:
Alton, Guy Fieri (on DD&D for the humor factor), Ina (wish I could see some NEW shows), Ellie (for some of her healthy stuff), Michael Chiarello (also hoping for some new shows)
Tolerable:
Iron Chef America, Guy's Big Bite, Giada, Bobby and Tyler..hell, even a little Dave Lieberman.
Please Go Away to Never Be Heard From Again:
SANDRA LEE, PAULA DEEN and the exploitation on her sons, Rachel Freakin' Ray who doesnt even drink Dunkin' Donuts coffee, Mario, Emeril, Ham on the Street and the Simply Delicioso Simple pain in the ass.
ChelleyD01 at 10:20PM on 01/27/08
I know the thread has moved on now, but I'd like to address one more misconception: A chef is not a person who has graduated from a culinary school. A chef is someone who is in charge of the day-to-day work of a high-quality professional kitchen; someone who has done that work for years and still gets the title out of respect even if s/he no longer personally runs a kitchen; or someone who is an American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef or Certified Master Chef. It is a professional title, not a degree.
thepictsie at 2:01AM on 01/28/08
IMHO many of her "shortcuts" aren't. They save no time or effort, cost a lot more, and sacrifice too much in the way of quality.
My hands are bruised from applauding. This is SO my point. If Shamdra Lee were serving a purpose, some redeemable act, it might be worth her annoying habits and mannerisms. However, none of what she purports to be "shortcuts" and/or "economical" rarely turns out to be so. In this realm, I think RR comes closest. I can't watch Robin Miller very long because I can't get past the bug eyes.
It's no surprise that I love to watch cooking shows on TV. Where I am shocked is that I can usually get others interested if I'm watching PBS shows or Ina or Alton or Chiarello. Five seconds of La Lee and the room clears.
A chef is someone who is in charge of the day-to-day work of a high-quality professional kitchen...
More applause. While I know I should be complimented, I don't like being introduced by well-meaning friends as "a chef." I correct them immediately, "I'm not a chef I'm a cook. I don't run a kitchen at present. But thank you." (OK, maybe I'm a chef on Christmas Eve...) The dictionary definition is as you have posted above. You would think the powers that be at TVFN would know the difference.
chiff0nade at 12:55PM on 01/28/08
Sandra Lee: She drives me crazy and is WAY too perfect!! Something is really wrong in her own personal life. Nobody is that perfect. Not even Martha.
I love Ina Garten and Nigella and it is probably because they are both HUGE so I don't feel bad when they cook with butter or batters.
I am liking Jamie Oliver's new show and I think that "Ace of Cakes" is funny but I wouldn't want to eat any of their cakes. The baker's all look dirty and they work with machines inside of the same room that they are decorating so I am always thinking that pieces of metal or sawdust would end up on the cakes.
Oh I could go on and on and on.....................
Hunnyoil at 4:49PM on 01/28/08
I also like Bobby Flay but I was watching his "Throwdown" show last night and it was a bisquit bake-off and for some reason he put black pepper on the top of his......I didn't get it.......
Anthony Bourdain or Gordon Ramsay would be interesting to watch cooking at home and I would like a step-by-step show on grilling/bbq but it would have to be something that the average cook could relate to.
Hunnyoil at 5:04PM on 01/28/08
I happened to be on my way out this AM when I heard Sandy's voice on the Ellen show. I had to put everything on hold to stop and watch. Ellen makes no bones about ther fact that she doesn't cook. So, I found Aunt Sandy's guest spot on the show for a cooking segment absolutely hysterical because of the obvious. Then SL proceeds to get Ellen trashed on her "Ellentini" and Ellen had to go back to slosh some more of the cocktail down because she couldn't swallow the chicken-from-a-bag w/ canned pineapple, which looked oh so appetizing! Unfortunately, we didn't get a famous tablescape but it really did make my day. Now I have to go to the bookstore to find a photo of the special Kwanza cake because I happen to have a bag of corn nuts in the cupboard I've just been dying to use. I promised my husband it would be delightful but he insists he has to see it first.
frederika at 6:31PM on 01/28/08
Julia had some pompous cook on her show once. The snarky kid told her some obvious cooking 101 technique. In yet another display of her grace, Julia said "Oh, I didn't know that!" Well, OF COURSE she did know that but had too much class to dress down the arrogant jerk on tv.
rockhopper at 6:56PM on 01/28/08
I haven't seen it in a while, but has Nigella truly entered Ina Garten proportions? Voluptuous, etc. I've heard before but not "HUGE."
Sorry if this is opening a dangerous path.
renzata at 7:29PM on 01/28/08
AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN: I think that the cooks on America's Test Kitchen are my favorite because they explain exactly what they're doing and why. (I think that Julia is a chef, I'm not sure about Bridget or Becky.) I also like that they take a more light-hearted view of cooking.
JAMIE OLIVER: "The Naked Chef" was also great because you couldn't help but be excited about what he was cooking because he was so hyped up!
MICHAEL CHIARELLO: I enjoyed show on PBS because his recipes were elegant, yet simple. He was laid back, too.
DAISY MARTINEZ: She always teaches me something new and has a genuine enthusiasm for Latin cuisine that she wants to share with the world. She reminds me of a woman who is "everyone's endearing, surrogate grandmother".
MING TSAI: I think that I'm in the minority here who doesn't enjoy Ming Tsai. My exact problem with his cooking show is that if I wanted to make his recipes, I have to make a master sauce or have a master ingredient and THEN continue making the recipe. To me, he comes off as pretentious and as a show-off--too flash for me.
LIDIA BASTIANICH: HER cooking shows have some tasty recipes and interesting techniques, but I don't like her TV personality.
beatle9 at 7:45PM on 01/28/08
Am I the only person who doesn't have cable TV and therefore knows next to nothing about the current food network line up? I've depended on PBS for my cooking shows for ages. America's test kitchen is my favorite, Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster are a perfect foil to Christopher Kimball's pompous tendencies and many of the recipes featured on the show have become staples in my household. For me they explain why things work better without turning it into a chemistry lesson as Alton Brown tends to do.
Julia Child's master series as well as her show with Pepin were favorites as well, I always learned something that was actually doable. Michael Chiarello could be a bit uppity and he had this persistent nasal inhale that made me cringe but I learned good Italian food with real ingredients. Lydia Bastianich was really hit or miss as she assumes you have all day to make a single meal.
Joanne Weir really annoyed me as will any show that brings the specialty ingredients especially when they begin with a "q"
Steve Raichlen's BBQ U , the only show that can get this Buffalo gal to cook outside on the grill in the middle of a blizzard
Graham Kerr - "The Galloping Gourmet"? his personality overpowered anything he made , totally unwatchable to me
Yan Can Cook - same problem, he spends way too much time and energy with his Shtick
Andreas Viestad - there are few things on that show that I could imagine eating let alone cooking, but I admired his passion and his outdoor cooking set up, plus I now know and love the word bacalao. New Scandinavian Cooking was such a great show. And I will eat none of it.
Rachel Ray - her personality to me is off putting but her recipes are pretty sound and workable for the overworked who just want to make something with some kind of wow factor that doesn't involve slaving away. (she has a chili recipe that adds sliced hot dogs and cheese making it chili cheese dog chili, which is church pot lunch genius, but doesn't really make her a chef, but still damned good IMHO)
stonechiper at 7:50PM on 01/28/08
Oh man, I forgot one!
JACQUES PEPIN/JULIA CHILD: You could tell how much respect each of them had for the other. They always worked together well to create a meal that was fresh and full of flavor! I also enjoy them separately (I wasn't around for Julia's "The French Chef", but the segments I've seen are straightforward and endearing, like the omelette party example.)
beatle9 at 7:51PM on 01/28/08
I don't like being introduced by well-meaning friends as "a chef."
Oh, me too! Over- and misuse of the term dilute its meaning and undermine respect for the profession.
thepictsie at 8:08PM on 01/28/08
I like Lidia as well as Giada. I've actually made several of Giada's dishes. I don't cringe in pain. Any woman chef good enough to go to the Food & Wine Classic is okay in my book. Justin Wilson and Julia Child are my favorite PBS throwback chefs.
Emeril is the most grating TV chef. He's a great chef, but I hate his personality and his catchphrases. He's not the worst thing on FN right now. The non-chefs, save Alton Brown (if you can call him that, since he did go to culinary school), are godawful.
heartnibbler at 10:01PM on 01/28/08
Best old school: Julia Child
Best new school: Anthony Bourdain
Jacques Pepin bridges old & new school and rates way up there.
The funniest current TV chef is the AZN Network's Reza Mahammad who hosts the show "Coconut Coast". Set your Tivo if you can to catch one of his shows.
Worst ever: Take your pick from Food Network, but most of them are more 'entertainers' than chefs.
.......does anybody remember Jeff Smith, the Frugal Gourmet? In spite of his 'unsavory' exit from Public Television, I learned quite a bit from watching him when I was young that I used when I grew up to work in professional kitchens in the US and abroad.
kathyvegas at 10:13PM on 01/28/08
Worst: 75% of those on food network. Paula, Rachel, Sandra, all the ones like these SUCK
decent ones, worth a name mention, Emeril(only cause he has amazing training and people skills), Tyler Florence, and a few others.
Best Chef gets split: Mario Batali, Alton Brown, Anthony Bourdain, Morimoto, and even Flay, if you read his bio, your opinion on him may change. all the others i could go on for hours about, but it boils down to knowledge of there field and how easily application comes with it.
ChefJMac at 10:27PM on 01/28/08
and for those who say Alton Brown is not a chef. he may not be technically a chef cause he has no restaurant, BUT he has helped redo and open enough to know the difference between possible and not possible.
ChefJMac at 10:31PM on 01/28/08
I agree with most everyone on here on who is the best/worst. I just thought I would throw my two cents in and state (IMO) that Nigella is not "huge" at all. She still seems her curvy, voluptuous self. I don't want to get on that road, but just thought I would send it out there that I didn't think she was as big as Ina...geez, I feel bad even typing that. They are both beautiful! :-)
radley24 at 12:20AM on 01/29/08
Fine Living now has several of the old cooking shows from the pre-formula Food Network days. Ming Tsai, Molto Mario, and Follow that Food still show there. I miss Jaques Torres' chocolate show.
beth1 at 12:23AM on 01/29/08
ChefJMac, Alton explicitly says, again and again, that he is not a chef. That doesn't mean that anyone respects what he does any less, certainly not me, but what he does is not the job description of a chef. As terrific as he is, he just has a different job. Bill Nye isn't a physics professor, although he holds two honorary doctorates and has done a huge amount for science education. There's nothing wrong with what he's done, but it isn't in the job description of a physics professor.
thepictsie at 2:44AM on 01/29/08
I mourn the loss of James "The Urban Peasant" Barber. His show taught me so much about the joy of cooking, and was both an inspiration and a revelation. "It's your dinner!"
blog in my soup at 10:08AM on 01/29/08
I retract that statement I made about Nigela being "huge".
I certainly didn't mean it in that way.
Hunnyoil at 10:54PM on 01/29/08
Wow talk about only garnering information from single sources!
Here's some very bad ones for your consideration.
Then Hippy gourmet:
http://www.hippygourmet.com/
Beyond annoying yet the stuff he makes probably isn't terrible. I'm sure his brownies are winners though;-))
Wendy Brodie and her *Art of food*:
http://www.wendybrodie.com/
Quite possibly the single worst voice for broadcast ever and her lush of a husband and thier disgusting little dog! The hieght of worthless snobbishness. I actually like it because it's so bad.
Rick Bayless, a very weird guy but everything he makes I think looks really tasty:
http://www.rickbayless.com/tv/season5/
Oh and don't forget how truly terrible Maryann Esposito andf her *Ciao Italia* is! "Today we will make Pasta e Fungi* roughly translated as noodles and mushrooms.
And then L. Bastianich must we watch that zaftig wench stuff her face with yet another stew and tell us how great it is while her whole family proceed to bore us?
*Everyday food* is also beyond annoying. Could we possibly find a more white bread group of condesending SSRI junkies?
How about the chunky vegitarian (Christina cooks) lady that tells us how horrible we eat yet every subsequent season looks worse herself then the season before?
And then all the lowcarb/lowfat cooking shows out there. Trust me compared to PBS the food channel looks very good at times.
It's really simple there are far more nad shows out there in TV land then there are good ones.
America's test kitchen is probabaly the most educational yet the formula is pretty simple. Make simple recipies complex, and complex ones simple.
Stiv61 at 6:44AM on 02/01/08
...those who say Alton Brown is not a chef. he may not be technically a chef cause he has no restaurant, BUT he has helped redo and open enough ...
I don't consider Alton a "chef," I do consider him an expert educator. His subject matter, area of expertise if you will, happens to be cooking and the culinary arts. Same thing with David Rosengarten, not technically a chef but an expert educator.
I also love Shirley O. Corriher for this very same reason. She also looks cherubic...LOL.
chiff0nade at 8:48AM on 02/01/08
I so wish Shirley Corriher had a show of her own. The lady is brilliant and absolutely ebuliant. She is just so cute on Alton Brown and if you have Cookwise or Bakewise, you know how much you could actually "learn " about the cooking process and food science in half an hour with her.
frederika at 3:33PM on 02/01/08
Does anybody remember Yan Can Cook...
8->
LoCo at 3:41PM on 02/01/08