Please give Mario a better time slot! He's lost in the mash-up of midday shows that few people are able to watch. He deserves better.
Rachel Ray, Sandra Lee and Paula Deen should be exiled. Bring them to an island so they can work on recipes that include deep frying store-bought desserts in EVOO. Ugh.
I love it grilled with cheese and a little cayenne pepper and chili powder, but since I rarely grill, I boil it--cob on--and like it with just a sprinkling of garlic salt.
In the States, French Laundry is at the top of the list, followed by a visit to Blackberry Farm. I'd also like to be able to taste the best sausage, peppers and onion hero (with ricotta cheese).
Then, definitely a wine and cheese tour of France. And a gelato tasting throughout Italy.
therealchiffonade,
Thank you for explaining why people like Ina. I have seriously been scratching my head for years about it. So it is the way she presents what she cooks - the way she explains it. OK, cool. I kind of get that now. I do not, however, agree with you about her voice. When she speaks I think, "Oh, this is what Ben Stein would sound like if he took estrogen." To me, her voice is like someone banging something extremely boring against my temple.
I'd love to see some ethnic shows. How about Indian and Asian, to name a few? I'd also love to see Anthony Bourdain again (With his sexy self!). Get rid of the Throwdown. I think it hurts the livelihood of people when Bobby comes along, hoodwinking them, and perfecting their signature dishes that they've made their living off of, not to mention the embarrassment and uncomfortable looks on people's faces. Why the need for that? Find something for Ted Allen, his talent's being wasted with that silly show! Keep Bobby, Tyler, Paula, Guy, Rachael, I like the new "Aaron McCargo, I don't like his stereotypical name "Big Daddy", but he should stay. I'm looking forward to seeing Adam Gertler's new show not so much for the food, it wasn't so special, but he was pleasant to watch, and made people comfortable. You couldn't help but like him. Now bring on Tom Collichio and you'd have a huge new female following. He's sexy, too!
I agree with many of the comments here...but especially love @honeybumper's comments and yes, I would also add Morimoto...yes, he's a bit hard to understand sometime...but let him cook and I'll watch and learn more!
I would love to see shows on how to make sausages, (sausage guy in Albequerque sounds like a good one to watch!), and how to make beer at home. Alton did one show on it but as a home brewer there is so much more to learn! Also the wine and cheese show idea is great! Lets get some depth to these shows.
At first I enjoyed watching NFNS but it's all about personality now instead of the techniques and teaching. I want substance!
I'm pretty sure they don't get a cut from the restaurants, which i also have from a reputable source. However, once chefs sign a deal, it often covers merchandising, spin-ff rights, likeness, etc, so agreed there is definite money to be made.
FN has definitely become "talent-driven," and while they still have some great talent, it is called Food Network, and they shouldn't lose sight of the point.. food, silly!
I still find things to watch, but less than before, and it can be hit or miss. Fine Living is also owned by Scripps, btw!
ALTON BROWN FOR PRESIDENT!
(...of FN)
FN needs more real ethnic cooking shows, i.e. Daisy Cooks feat. Daisy Martinez or Ming Tsai's East meets West, and not the fusion cuisine they try to cook up like Ingrid Hoffman. Also, what happened to Dave Lieberman, who had a niche of making affordable food at home (and really knew how to cook too). I think they should make a new all french cooking show staring Boulud, Bouley, Ripert, and Ducaisse cooking in their restaurants.
Talent to keep: Alton Brown, Ina Garten, Mario B, Bobby Flay, Morimoto, Symon,
Talent to get rid of: Rachel Ray, Sandra Lee, Paula Deen, all of the next FN stars (except Guy on diners, drive thrus and dives), Elie Krieger, Ingrid Hoffman (too many others to name).
RIP Food Network. It's now called PBS, Fine Living and Travel Channel, with a bit of Bravo thrown in just for Tom Colicchio, Eric Ripert, Tony Bourdain and my favorite, Ted Allen.
I hear what FN did is demand a cut of everyone's restaurants, including those who built up the network in the first place (Mario, Emeril). After hearing that from a reputable source, I view any new "talent" chosen by the bean-counters with suspicion. No wonder they need contests to determine the next "personality" and use home cooks with no experience whatsoever. Like Sandra Lee, whose only expertise seems to be "tablescapes," color-coordinating Kitchenaid and kitchen window coverings, and cocktails.
What started as a novel concept is now mainly drivel because most of the people who can cook moved to other networks. Those who can cook (you know who you are) must have good agents/publicists to have sweetheart deals with FN that don't allow them to keep their hand in your pocket for part of your restaurant's gross profits.
I know I am in the minority here, and accept that. I love FN and since I am a person who likes to eat - not necessarily cook - the shows that are entertaining and tempt me outside my comfort zone are the shows I watch. I love Guy Fieri and would watch DD&D every day. Ace of Cakes and Paula Deen are also on my list as well as the Challenges, Iron Chef and Dinner Impossible. Some of the best cooks on the network, like Ina and Mario are frankly, boring to watch. I like the humor, the fun and the wild ideas the other shows have. I guess I am their target audience since the rest of you are so ticked off!
Re: Ina. Lack of babblegene does not = Boring.
Ina speaks to viewers as though they might have a clue about how to cook instead of filling every second of airtime with mindless chattering about how "I'mgoingtostirthisandputthisinthesinkandputthisoverhereand..." Ina's succinct instructions make her a superior TV cooking coach. Her Night Time FM DJ voice is one of the areas where I give her highest non-cooking-related points. (Aspects of the show not directly related to cooking or technique.)
I heard new BC's are coming out and frankly, it's way past beyond time that happened!
All that's happening at the FN is they're continuing to grow the corporation and demographics. Hence, Neely's and Big Daddy (Afro-American demo),
Guy Fieri (younger demo), Dan and the other gay guy who "won" the first NFNS, (uh, expand gay demo)...anyway, you get the picture. To add my show opinion, best shows are Jamie Oliver's most recent (I think the guy's genius AND great technique), Tyler's Ultimate, make NEW Boy Meets Grill, and lose Flay's other ego projects, anything Batali, D,D,and D's (just because I love good diner food and all the Guy we get is pretty much just him eating), and the three new A chicks, Aida, Alex, and Anne. I guess ICA still entertains me. Lose everyone else and hire a few newer cutting edge chefs from great restaurants and let 'em cook for us.
Just my opinion...I could be wrong.
@Tobey: I'm sorry that the back-and-forth here has turned you off to Serious Eats. This seems to happen anytime there's a Food Network thread. People really feel strongly about the network and otherwise friendly folks get a little angry. I'd urge you to check out other Talk topics and blog posts on the site before you leave completely! I promise there's more civil discussion going on here.
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Website: http://thecookierookie.blogspot.com
Location: New York
About: Formerly in the publishing world, I left it all to pursue my dream of becoming a chef. Gutsy, maybe, but completely necessary given how obsessed I am with food. My blog chronicles my preparation, recipe development and love of gastronomy. Enjoy!
Favorite foods: Mussels in white wine sauce, flourless chocolate cake, any type of cheese, Gerwurtztraminer, all scones, thin-crust margarita pizza, smoked mozzarella (again, all cheese), cupcakes.
Last bite on earth: The thick, chewy center of a freshly-baked cinnamon roll.