How many of you watcdh The Food Network? And if you do, who are your favorites?

I used to really like Emeril, but his show is now kind of played out for me. I actually prefer his older show, The Essenece Of Emeril, where there was NO audience and it was only him.

I did eat at his seafood restaurant in Las Vegas and it was very very good.

I enjoy the things that Sandra Lee and Paula Dean make on their respective shows, as well as Bobby Flay. And while I've always enjoyed watching Giada the most, Ingrid Hoffman of Simply Dilcioso is quickly becoming my favorite.

Though both can cook in my kitchen, ANYtime!

I haven't watched it in awhile. The only one I ever really watched was Emeril. I even brought one of his pots and his spices. Not that I could ever really cook anything he ever made.

My "other" brother has a HUGE crush on Giada!! I love to watch her make all these high-calorie foods, as if she ever eats them!!

I'd love to see one of them cut their finger off. The skinny biotches.

Funny this thread was started. Mario Batali was just fired from the network. It was in today's paper. He told network execs, if they didn't keep his daily Molto Mario show on the air, he wouldn't do Iron Chef any more. They said "ciao."

It's not like he needs the money.

I love the "road" shows. All of them. Not too long ago, the Deen boys (Paula's sons and partners) came to Mike's in the Arthur Avenue Market. They shot on a saturday (I'm always there on saturdays by 7 or 8 am) and they were really the epitome of the words "southern gentlemen." The whole "fish out-of-water" concept was hysterical.

Did you know that Paula started her catering business because she was agoraphobic? She couldn't leave the house, and found that cooking was very soothing. Her sons used to deliver the food after school. Very interesting woman.

Yeah, I read that. She completely withdrew from society pretty much. She made a helluva comeback though. I like her. I get a kick out of the whole "Goober-Gomer" image because in reality, she really has it on the ball. Her sons have been with her in the restaurant since day 1. They really helped her build an empire. It's a nice family story (not "family" story ).

I don't think it has hurt her that she's stunning. She's still a VERY attractive woman, and a real traffic-stopper when she was younger.

I still like Emeril also Iron Chef.

The food netowrk headquarters is in Chelsea in NYC. You can go there and get tix to be in the audience.

Chelsea. Where the pretty boys hang, literally.

And don't forget, you can shop at the incomparable Chelsea market!

Honestly, it's a great neighborhood. There's lots to do. I love the driving range at the pier. It's a riot.

He's a real arrogant d**k. I never liked him. He's a fake Italian as far as I am concerned. Everyone that I know who has gone to his restaurants say that he's a cold son of a bitch to his customers.

Now if they would just get rid of that snooty fat bitch, the Barefoot Contessa, the Food Network would be perfect! I can't stomach her! Her and her f**king husband Jeffery.

BTW PB, I love those road shows also. I really enjoy the Diner shows that they've been showing too.

How often do you guys watch this network?

Do you get the Food Network MIGGY?

Yes I do but I'm sorry to say I've never watched it.

Absolutely! Feasting on Asphalt with Alton Brown is one of the best shows on the network. I also like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. I have always been interested in American regional food, and these shows are very worthwhile, IMO.

(Personally, I'd like to see a series devoted to just classic American diners - before they become extinct!)

The original Japanese Iron Chef has always been a favorite. While the American version is passable, the changes in the format they made (from the original) didn't improve it. My two complaints are (a) that the original series stopped production years ago, and (b) there seem to be a great many Iron Chef episodes that have never aired on these shores. Too bad. I found the show very educational, as far as the ingenuity displayed by these master chefs, and quite enlightening as far as Japanese culture. Probably my biggest beef (pun intended) was that Italian Iron Chef Masahiko Kobe seemed to be the bastard child of the group! Hell, they didn't even film him rising up out of the floor with the other three guys! He always came off like a postscript or an afterthought. Infamia!

The problem I have with a couple of the shows (Giada's in particular) is that appear to be visually overproduced. There seems to be more of an emphasis on the visual production style than the food being made.

Emeril? A good show, but I get the feeling I'm watching a "celebrity" more than anything else. When the chef starts to overpower the cooking, then I just have to wonder...

If there is one thing I would change about the Food Network, I would make sure that a full breakdown for the recipes shown is posted on the program (I'm referring to the cooking programs.). Sure, you can get a good deal of the info from watching the way the recipes are prepared, but if you're not sure of yourself in the kitchen (or even if you are!), posting the recipes onscreen would be a big help.

How often do I watch the channel? Obviously, nearly every day. There's almost always something interesting on to tape for later viewing. Do I watch every show? No. (I've also had all I can take of Rachael Ray! ) But I do watch the Food Network regularly.

Signor V.

I do watch the Network on occasion, but I've never enjoyed a cooking show as much as when Graham Kerr used to get drunk almost daily on TV as he prepared his meals. Now THAT was a cooking show!!

I don't remember if this guy was on the food network, or on PBS. He was the old southern gentleman. I think he cooked everything in fat..haha. He always used to say, "I guarantee"...in his old southern drawl. I know he died a few years back. I can't remember his name.

I seldom watch the food network to be honest. However, I do watch sometimes if it's Italian cooking so I can get ideas for new recipes. I don't remember the name of the show but the hostess/cook is Mary Ann Espisito I believe. I've jotted down a couple receipes but never followed through with making them.


TIS

I am the worst at that, TIS. I love to write down recipes, and then I never make them. I have a lovely one for dessert that I wrote down at the doctor's office once. It's a watermelon and mascarpone/heavy cream parfait. And it sounds soooooo good. Every summer I swear that I'm going to make it, and it's been about 4 years and I still haven't gotten around to it.

I certainly remember Graham Kerr, AKA The Galloping Gourmet. Actually, he was more like The Staggering Gourmet - always pausing every few minutes to have "a slurp" from an ever-present glass of white wine he kept within arm's reach. His show was quite big over 30 years ago. He also wrote a few books that sold well. He finally went public with his drinking problem, sobered up, then didn't seem to do as much. I remember a show called Take Kerr years ago, but I think this was a short "filler" type show and didn't last very long. I don't know if he's been active lately.

I think that Southern fellow was Justin Wilson and his PBS show was called Justin Wilson's Louisiana Cooking or something similar. I used to watch him from time to time.

I know Mary Ann Esposito has an Italian cooking show that is carried here on a daily basis be several PBS stations. I believe it's called Ciao Italia. I'm not aware of her having a show on The Food Network, but, hey - even I don't know everything!

One of my favorites is Nick Stellino. He's had a PBS show for a few years now. He's also written several cookbooks. Quite a likable and engaging personality. Anybody else watch his show?

Signor V.

Hey SV

You know what? That show may not be on the food network. It is Ciao Italia and I assumed it was on the Food Network. Well, like I said, I don't watch it much.

I remember the Gallaoping Gourment too. I just remember the show, but can't picture what he looked like.

TIS

Way to make me feel old, SV!!!

No, I don't know Nick Stellino, but I'll watch for his show. I am surprised that nobody has mentioned Lidia. I like to watch her cook, and at least she looks like she eats!

Anybody remember Julia Child?

I am remembering the Galloping Gourmet like when my mother watched it. Like in the 50's 60's. Is that right? Same era as Jack LaLane????? Or am I mistaken?

I think that's why I can't place his face.

TIS

Mig,

I do remember Julia Child. I couldn't take listening to her voice for long lengths of time though.

Julia Child was great. But I always think of the SNL sketch (was it Dan Akroyd?) doing the Julia Child's skit - Save the liver!!!

You got that right.

As I remember, The Galloping Gourmet started in the late 1960s. Jack LaLanne was still on TV as well, but he had been on for years before that. (Mr. LaLanne is believed to be 243 years old. )

Here's a recent photo of Graham Kerr:



It seems he's still quite active. Here's his website:

Graham Kerr

I've been watching Lidia Bastianich for years, and have read a few of her cookbooks. I borrowed them from my local libraries, because they're quite pricey! I could put together several good meals for the price of one of her cookbooks! What I like about her is that many times she will tell you not just how to cook something, but what happens to things (chemically) when they cook, and why. Very educational, and quite interesting. There was a time, though, that whenever we turned on one of her programs, she was preparing something with tentacles. Time after time, her shows seemed to feature her cleaning, peeling, or otherwise hacking away at some squid, octopus, or other similar creature from the deep. We nicknamed her "Squidia".

But definitely check out Nick Stellino. He is from Sicily, and is a marvelous character. Extremely charismatic. I've used a few of his recipes. Here is his website:

Nick Stellino's Family Kitchen

Signor V.