Favorite TV Cooking Shows

[Ilaine]

Have you even tried to find good benito shavings in Safeway?

Whole Food, Super H, Grand Mart, Daruma, Great Wall. Seek and ye shall find!

The only episode of Iron Chef I ever watched, the secret ingredient was trout, and somebody made trout ice cream! I never got over it.

[grover]

I used to watch 'Two Fat Ladies' and liked it a lot. Is any DVD available?

Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten), Everyday Italian (Giada di Laurentiis) and Good eats (Alton Brown) are helpful for me. Paula Dean's show is also helpful for me to learn southern cooking.

[Joshua Grinnell]

This is offensive, poorly spelled, and possibly libelous and has been posted in one of the filthy backwaters of the internet, but it does claim to outline Rachael Ray's plans for humanity:

Something Awful.com

[Hannah]

I used to watch 'Two Fat Ladies' and liked it a lot. Is any DVD available?

If you have a regionless DVD player, you can order their dvds from amazon.co.uk - if not, they're only available on VHS over here.

[silentbob]

Currently I am a fan of Ming Tsai's programs on PBS and Fine Living

Agreed, and I think that Simply Ming is a vast improvement on his older shows (which weren't too shabby themselves). There's something about the "one master recipe that can be used to make several different types of dishes" concept that appeals to me very much. It also reminds me of a great Jean Georges/Mark Bittman cookbook that I've relied upon for years.

[CrescentFresh]

Great Moments in Television History: Take Home Chef

If you don't watch Take Home Chef, the premise is this -- A sleazy, ho-hum talented Australian chef that some TV exec thought would make the ladies swoon goes to Los Angeles where he surprises and picks up attractive women, generally between the ages of 20 and 40 in the supermarket. He creates a menu with her that they will cook together in her kitchen in the hopes of surprising her SO with a gourmet meal when he arrives home later that day.

Sometimes the arriving chumps are unfazed by coming home and seeing all the lights, cameras, and a production crew of 15 people when he opens the door to the house. Sometimes, they're incredibly surprised, like the dude on this week's episode who opened the door, saw all the lights, cameras and people, his girlfriend standing there in a kimono and he blurted out, "Oh, God, you're making another porno!"

You never know who you're gonna pick up in a supermarket, I guess. Reminded me of Animal House when Otter picked up the Dean Wormer's wife in the produce aisle.

[cgarden]

The food network website is now selling, I kid you not, Rachel Ray-brand "EVOO."

[Sthitch]

The food network website is now selling, I kid you not, Rachel Ray-brand "EVOO."

A couple of weeks ago I saw it for sale in a Supermarket (I think a Harris Teeter, but I am not sure), and it was rather expensive. If memory serves me, it was around $20 a bottle (it came out to a little more than $1 an ounce). It seemed idiotic to me.

[mdt]

A couple of weeks ago I saw it for sale in a Supermarket (I think a Harris Teeter, but I am not sure), and it was rather expensive. If memory serves me, it was around $20 a bottle (it came out to a little more than $1 an ounce). It seemed idiotic to me.

While I agree that it is ridiculous, they are probably going to make a good deal of cash.

[zoramargolis]

The food network website is now selling, I kid you not, Rachel Ray-brand "EVOO."

I've seen "Barefoot Contessa" boxed mixes at Crate and Barrel and a couple of other places--biscuits, brownies, coconut cupcakes, all very expensive. the most ridiculous one was pie crust mix ---$$$ for a couple of cups of all purpose flour with some salt and sugar. You have to add a stick of butter and cut it in, and water.

[CrescentFresh]

The new season of Rick Bayless and Mexico, One Plate at a Time has been superb so far. Everything has been concentrating on the Yucatan. I dig his laid back approach which is a welcome contrast to all the other garbage you find on the Food Network. And, most importantly, I think he does a great job of not just being a cooking show. He ties together people, markets, culture, history, topography -- all the vital elements that give a sense of place to a cuisine and make food, cooking, and tradition important. A fantastic show. And really makes me miss having Andale around.

[zoramargolis]

The new season of Rick Bayless and Mexico, One Plate at a Time has been superb so far.

I love Rick Bayless--when is this show on? Is it a PBS program?

[CrescentFresh]

I love Rick Bayless--when is this show on? Is it a PBS program?

Yes it's PBS. To be honest, I don't know if it's on locally. Don't tell the FCC, but my "television provider" provides me out of town television and I watch it from WLIW on Long Island. http://www.rickbayless.com/tv/season5/

Perhaps if there's someone on the board familiar with broadcast communications laws they could shed some light on why, in our free market system, I'm not legally permitted to get local channels from another city if the technology is there to allow it.

[mhberk]

I enjoy watching "Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello" on the Food Network for simple ideas

[DanCole42]

This is offensive, poorly spelled, and possibly libelous and has been posted in one of the filthy backwaters of the internet, but it does claim to outline Rachael Ray's plans for humanity:

Something Awful.com

Possibly the funniest thing I've read all fortnight. Thank you

[Pat]

I enjoy watching "Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello" on the Food Network for simple ideas

That show is my favorite on Food TV. I also like Tyler Florence, both Food 911 and Tyler's Ultimate. Rounding out my top 3 (or is that 4?), Giada DeLaurentis, Everyday Italian.

[monavano]

I just discovered Create TV. It's on channel 800 if you have Cox cable. It shows Public TV shows and the cooking lineup is strong. Lots of Lidia.

http://www.createtv.com/

[monavano]

I discovered Endless Feast today on WHUT. Today's show from Whistler, BC is all about regional slow , sustainable and fair food ,with local chefs and artisans . For a foodie, this show is the tennis ball hitting the sweet spot.

Sorry if this show has been posted about before.

[Pool Boy]

My wife still digs Kylie Kwong's shows. They are enjoyable enough and she shows how to cook some things I am weak on (basically lots of Asian foods).

I kind of like Chef At Home, but I can't stand the jerky fluid camera style the show is shot in. So often I'll 'watch' it while I read the paper (read -- I listen to it).

[silentbob]

I've been diggin' After Hours more and more. If you haven't checked to see if your system has INHD, look for it. It's a cool show. Not perfect, but a nice change from you average piece of rodent poop found on the Food Network.

Anyone else still watching? I'm pleasantly surprised that MOJO continues to greenlight new episodes.

Last season, Daniel went to Los Angeles -- episodes were largely hit or miss. This season, he is splitting time between Miami and New Orleans. I wonder if the show will last long enough for him to tape episodes in DC. It would probably help if some local chefs used to work in one of his kitchens.

[ol_ironstomach]

Last season, Daniel went to Los Angeles -- episodes were largely hit or miss. This season, he is splitting time between Miami and New Orleans. I wonder if the show will last long enough for him to tape episodes in DC. It would probably help if some local chefs used to work in one of his kitchens.

Were there any of his alums in last week's episode? It seemed like a total Commander's Palace reunion (and that first managing sister should consider a switch to decaf )

[squidsdc]

Anyone else still watching? I'm pleasantly surprised that MOJO continues to greenlight new episodes.

Last season, Daniel went to Los Angeles -- episodes were largely hit or miss. This season, he is splitting time between Miami and New Orleans. I wonder if the show will last long enough for him to tape episodes in DC. It would probably help if some local chefs used to work in one of his kitchens.

I was kinda wondering if he'd make his way to DC as well. I've caught most of the Miami shows, and have enjoyed them more than the LA series. Not sure why. But I've missed the New Orleans shows! Mojo used to repeat the shows all the time, and I'd end up catching bits of the same ones several times, but I don't see it on as often anymore.

[silentbob]

Were there any of his alums in last week's episode? It seemed like a total Commander's Palace reunion (and that first managing sister should consider a switch to decaf )

I don't think were any Boulud alums as guests, just the chef de cuisine from db bistro moderne who was cooking with him (there was a discussion of the burger, IIRC). From what I've heard about Commander's Palace though, it would've been odd for Daniel to do a season in New Orleans without taping an episode there.

My understanding is that the New Orleans episodes have not all been aired yet.

[squidsdc]

From txaggie and cjsadler's blog

I'm not sure if Caprial Pence and her husband still have their show on PBS or not.

We've been thoroughly enjoying the reruns on Create. The most recent episodes are from last year, that I've noticed.

[goodeats]

I just watched America's Test Kitchen for the first time on PBS today and was wondering what people disliked about this show, for those who didn't like it.

Also, did anyone not get Martin Yan's cooking show on PBS? My brother used to subject me to watching Jeff Smith, followed by Martin Yan on Saturday mornings all the way to the afternoon, cutting into my morning cartoons, and since he was a LOT older, he got to choose. But I appreciate it now. It was then followed up by Fu Pei Mei, the Julia Child equivalent in Taiwanese household, although perhaps not as refined as her.

I still can't get a nice chopping rhythm going like Martin Yan can...

[Scott Johnston]

I still like ATK and its sister act country cooking. Lately I have been hooked on "The F Word" on BBC Television. Now I can see that Ramsey really can cook.

I just watched America's Test Kitchen for the first time on PBS today and was wondering what people disliked about this show, for those who didn't like it.

Also, did anyone not get Martin Yan's cooking show on PBS? My brother used to subject me to watching Jeff Smith, followed by Martin Yan on Saturday mornings all the way to the afternoon, cutting into my morning cartoons, and since he was a LOT older, he got to choose. But I appreciate it now. It was then followed up by Fu Pei Mei, the Julia Child equivalent in Taiwanese household, although perhaps not as refined as her.

I still can't get a nice chopping rhythm going like Martin Yan can...

[Kibbee Nayee]

I sort of learned how to cook by watching Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet. Since then, I've leaned towards shows that teach me something, like Alton Brown (also entertaining in a geeky sort of way), America's Test Kitchen and Jacques Pepin.

Anthony Bourdain holds special place in my heart for the way he eats the world and disdains the BS of the restaurant world. He is also a fair novelist, and his Typhoid Mary is a must-read.

For me, the Mount Rushmore of television cooking is Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, Jeff Smith and Graham Kerr.

I loathe Rachel Ray and everything she stands for. And the American version of Iron Chef took a good Japanese idea and made it absurd? Bobby Flay and Cat Cora and Michael Simon are Iron Chefs? They wouldn't be a pimple on Eric Ripert's or Thomas Keller's butts.

I can't stand Sandra Lee's show but I wouldn't mind a romantic rendezvous with her....

[sacrilicious]

Surfing around my digital cable lineup, I recently found the WETA Create channel, a/k/a, the America's Test Kitchen channel. I swear it is being shown every time I turn on the TV. So I've been watching a lot of it (beats the evening dreck on Food Network).

It amuses me that everyone is totally average-looking, and I don't have to stare at someone's cleavage and/or distracting french manicured lacquered nails while they chop. Ah, public television.

(Unfortunately though, I haven't been that impressed by the couple of recipes I've tried from their website so far. I've had the same problem with Alton Brown's recipes - it's always just not quite right. Which is odd because both shows seem to put so much emphasis on precision.)

[KissAndFly]

Love the Barefoot Contessa--also have one of her cookbooks and it's excellent!

[johnb]

Here's a piece from the NYT yesterday that gives some interesting background about how the TV "chef" game works.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/fashion/...gent&st=cse

[mdt]

Here's a piece from the NYT yesterday that gives some interesting background about how the TV "chef" game works.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/fashion/...gent&st=cse

I find it hard to believe that this is news. Do folks really think that everything works perfectly every time?

[johnb]

I find it hard to believe that this is news. Do folks really think that everything works perfectly every time?

Of course we all know that. No news there.

The part that was interesting, to me anyway, is how agent-driven the whole business is. But then again, when you think about it, that's not news either.

[jeffs3113]

There was a show I used to watch as a little kid, called The Travelling Gourmet- which really sparked my interest in food and as far as i remember, was pretty informative. Anyone remember that one? had to have been in the mid 80's i think.

[Dave Pressley]

There was a show I used to watch as a little kid, called The Travelling Gourmet- which really sparked my interest in food and as far as i remember, was pretty informative. Anyone remember that one? had to have been in the mid 80's i think.

You sure that wasn't the "Galloping Gourmet"?

[jeffs3113]

You sure that wasn't the "Galloping Gourmet"?

Nope. I remember Graham Kerr as well. But this was the Travelling Gourmet- almost like an early Anthony Bourdain type show. He would go to other countries, see how they made certain dishes, and try their food. I remember a crepe recipe when he was in France that I used for years- cinnamon, sugar, baked apples, whipped cream. Nothing too exciting, but for me as a little kid, I loved it.

[mhberk]

Diary of a Foodie is quickly becoming one of my favorite "cooking" shows. There isn't a lot of cooking, but I like how they focus on a city (or country) and showcase the local cuisine or they'll take a certain food (like chili peppers) and show how it's prepared in different regions.

[zoramargolis]

Diary of a Foodie is quickly becoming one of my favorite "cooking" shows.

It's possible to watch every episode from season 1 & 2 online! Which is great, because I never seemed to be able to find them when they were being broadcast. I just watched the episode with José Andres, because it had some info about Barcelona, where I'm headed next month. Lo and behold, there was our local foodie friend David Bono, eating at Minibar while they were filming there.

[Al Dente]

I've been enjoying the Made in Spain episodes on some obscure cable channel in the afternoons.

America's Test Kitchen follows... or is it Lidia? Anyway, the reason I dislike ATK is because they come off as though THIS is THE BEST possible way to prepare these dishes. They take all the magic out of cooking.

[zoramargolis]

I've been enjoying the Made in Spain episodes on some obscure cable channel in the afternoons.

America's Test Kitchen follows... or is it Lidia? Anyway, the reason I dislike ATK is because they come off as though THIS is THE BEST possible way to prepare these dishes. They take all the magic out of cooking.

That's why I stopped subscribing to Cook's Illustrated. Their recipes are all "the very best" way to do a particular dish, but inevitably involve many complicated procedures. I actually have picked up a few useful tips while watching the show--and I don't have to pay for a subscription.

[goodeats]

There was a show I used to watch as a little kid, called The Travelling Gourmet- which really sparked my interest in food and as far as i remember, was pretty informative. Anyone remember that one? had to have been in the mid 80's i think.

After much determined sleuthing, Travelin' Gourmet is the answer, and the link is pretty much the only traces of this show I could find.

[ol_ironstomach]

I just stumbled across the Israel episode of "Food Trip with Todd English", which intersperses a travelogue with recipe adaptations. Now starting its second season, you can catch it on some PBS stations and MHz.

[FunnyJohn]

When I was in Prep School [all boys no less] right after classes and before our athletics started was the Galloping Gourmet with Graham Kerr. We would all sit in the TV lounge and watch, just to see how stewed Kerr was at the beginning of the episode and how stewed he became by its end.

[goodeats]

There must be a special on food trucks, as I've now seen a few tweets from the trucks saying that Food Network* Canada is filming at their stop. Does anyone know?

*Am posting here because the Food Network thread has been locked for 3+ years, lol.

[Tweaked]

I've been enjoying Tommy Tang's Easy Thai Cooking on Create TV...mostly for the opening travelouge section...miss Thailand *sigh*

[yfunk3]

I grew up on and loved dearly the "Great Chefs of the World/U.S./North America/Europe/Whatever region" that used to be aired around 4:00/5:00 PM on the Discovery Channel/The Learning Channel. The perfect after-school programming for me! I don't think they show them anymore. I learned so much from those programs because it was just such a simple concept, no frills. I didn't even start cooking until I moved out on my own after graduating college, but I knew exactly what to do, the names of the techniques, what I needed and how to do all of it because of the cooking shows I watched and absorbed in my youth!

Who says TV rots the brain, huh?

BTW, does anyone know/remember the name of a cheapish-looking cooking program with a Chinese guy (obviously trying to emulate Martin Yang) who used to wear personalized aprons featuring horrible-but-amusing puns containing the word "wok" (like "Wok the dog" and "Take a wok on the wild side")? My family and I loved teasing the guy (not personally, but while watching him on TV) about his aprons... Mean, I know. I'm sure he was/is a wonderfully nice guy.

[goodeats]

BTW, does anyone know/remember the name of a cheapish-looking cooking program with a Chinese guy (obviously trying to emulate Martin Yang (sic)) who used to wear personalized aprons featuring horrible-but-amusing puns containing the word "wok" (like "Wok the dog" and "Take a wok on the wild side")?

Wok with Yan (Stephen Yan, that is). Rarely came on WTTW, but once in awhile. Canadian PBS:

In Wok With Yan, chef Stephen Yan demonstrated how to cook oriental dishes with a wok. A kind of Galloping Gourmet of the l980s, Yan achieved notoriety for his energy and ebullience and for the bad puns on the word, "wok," printed on his apron. The series was produced by Carlton Productions and Stephen Yan Productions in Ottawa.

Trying hard to find the answers,

Research gal

[yfunk3]

Thanks, goodeats! I guess Martin Yan stole from Stephan Yan and not the other way around like my family had thought!

The episode of Galloping Gourmet that I remember most is when he was stirring a pot of water with oil, and the water and oil exploded all over the set due to the fact that the oil didn't allow the heat from the boiling water beneath to escape. So when Graham broke the surface with a spoon, it went everywhere and the audience gasped. Ever the cheery guy, Graham just took a short break and assured his audience afterwards that he was fine.

I also miss his 90s PBS show where he made healthy versions of dishes, and he was IN LOVE with arrowroot. I had never heard of arrowroot before seeing that show (granted, I was like, ten years old!), but he loved using that instead of cornstarch and used it in basically every single sauce he made. That, and the suspenders...

[goodeats]

There must be a special on food trucks, as I've now seen a few tweets from the trucks saying that Food Network Canada is filming at their stop. Does anyone know?

I cannot remember which blog turned me onto Food Truck Fiesta, but I really like it, for both its news and the ability to let me decide where to go at the last minute. Anyway, to stay on topic, this site reports that FN Canada has a new show called Eat Street.

[dcs]

On ‎7‎/‎23‎/‎2010 at 4:32 PM, yfunk3 said:

The episode of Galloping Gourmet that I remember most is when he was stirring a pot of water with oil, and the water and oil exploded all over the set due to the fact that the oil didn't allow the heat from the boiling water beneath to escape. So when Graham broke the surface with a spoon, it went everywhere and the audience gasped. Ever the cheery guy, Graham just took a short break and assured his audience afterwards that he was fine.

A Slower Pace for TV’s ‘Galloping Gourmet’, by Kirk Johnson, JAN. 9, 2017, on nytimes.com.  I remember watching the Galloping Gourmet growing up.  It seemed like it was always on, but memory is a funny thing.  It appears it only ran from 1969 - 1971, a mere 3 years.

[Al Dente]

I've watched this a couple of times. Man, they really take their cannabis chemistry seriously! 

"Bong Appetit" on munchies.vice.com