Chef Tell -- does anyone remember him?
I saw a cookbook of his at a used bookstore, and the name was familiar, in a weird sort of way. I can recall someone joking about Chef Tell when I was a kid, but I don't know if that's because of the chef or if it was because the person was clueless.
Honestly, I don't remember ever seeing him on TV, and the photo on the book cover wasn't familiar. So I only know the name as a second-hand reference.
Anyway, if anyone remembers this guy, do you remember if he was a cooking guy like the Frugal Gourmet, or a veg-o-matic demo kinda guy?
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15 Comments:
I remember that guy too! It seems like there was a syndicated segment which featured Chef Tell on our local news during the day, around noon. I remember that from daytime TV in the summer when I was growing up. He always featured a quick, easy to make dish and it was about a 10 minute segment. I do remember he was an older guy and wore a chef's hat and seemed really personable. Wonder what ever happened to him?
gourmetgal at 12:29AM on 03/02/09
Chef Tell died in 2007 - he was 63: http://www1.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-10292007-1431987.html
BangieB at 12:44AM on 03/02/09
Yep - Untimely death - I remember him. Also the Frugal Gourmet - Jeff Smith - who unfortunately fell from the publics eye due to allegations of abuse.
If you remember 'food tv' didn't really come into it's own until the Food Network got started. Food shows were pretty much relegated to PBS which was good and short little 'blips' on morning network tv.
Don't forget the great pioneer though was Julia Child.
Ribster at 4:42AM on 03/02/09
I loved Chef Tell, he was a real personality. Graham Kerr too. Those afternoons after school watching him act bananas.
JerzeeTomato at 7:42AM on 03/02/09
"very simple, very delicious.....I see you!" was his "catch-phrase" I remember him well, he was quite the personality. Too bad he passed so early.......
Pavlov at 8:57AM on 03/02/09
Yes, I remember Chef Tell! As a kid I used to watch his show along with The Frugal Gourmet and Wok With Yan. Chef Tell would do segments on our local news station too and I remember thinking he was funny with his thick German accent. The rumor was that he was the inspiration for the Muppets character the "Swedish Chef".
radley24 at 9:01AM on 03/02/09
Sure, I remember him. He always recommended eating "vedge-TEB-bles" with "a little salt and a little pebba."
juliec at 10:22AM on 03/02/09
Forgot to mention -- he did segments on Evening Magazine, which I believe was called PM Magazine in some television markets.
juliec at 10:23AM on 03/02/09
I ran a food demo back in 1995 at a local shopping mall and Chef Tell was the star one particular afternoon. He showed up completely prepared and did a great 30 minute demo for only about 10 people. He was a real stand-up guy and very personable.
thegoch at 11:17AM on 03/02/09
Juliec - an audio flashback! What a hoot! Yes, that is exactly how the man talked. i don't know anything about his actualy "cheffing" - nowadays you tend to know the name/location of every restaurant anyone owns (and when they have 5, do you wonder how much control they actually have? Hmmmm?)
But yes indeed, "salt and a little pebbba" on your vedge-TEB-les. There's a guy who does chocolate every so often on FN who reminds me.
i can't really imagine Henson using him as a model for the Swedish Chef, can anyone?
Ah yeah, Martin' Yan's Yan Can Cook with the great show off chopping technique. Pre-Bam! And far more engaging.
Frugal Gourmet's finest hour was cooking with Elmo. "Saute, saute!" Smith seemed totally outclassed by a little fuzzy guy controlled by a guy lying on the floor behind the cooking island. It was adorable.
Fluffnik at 1:10PM on 03/02/09
"Very simple, very easy, very good." He was great.
LadyMarmalade at 1:23PM on 03/02/09
Gee, I wish some of this rang bells, but he must have fallen into that gap in the space-time continuum where I didn't see much TV.
dbcurrie at 3:03PM on 03/02/09
@julliec....wow PM magazine! My family and I used to watch that show every night after dinner. When ever us kids would ask my mom to make something special for dinner she would say, "who do you think I am, Chef Tell?"
labcab at 11:08PM on 03/03/09
Oh, Chef Tell! Loved him. He was pure corn. So corny. Like the Italian Martin Yan, no?
Tokyorosa at 12:44AM on 03/04/09
Oh, yeah! I used to watch him. PM Magazine - gosh, that's another flash back...Matt Lauer hosted.
WickedGoodDinner at 11:00PM on 03/05/09