Cook with me
Let's talk about cooking shows, you and I.
I seem to have developed a fascination with cooking shows. I don't think anyone would ever accuse me of being a cook; while I can make probably half a dozen dishes that will whet the appetite, I don't particularly enjoy cooking. And with the various allergies and intolerances I seem to have (along with my general fussiness when it comes to eating) I sadly couldn't be called a foodie, either. I'd love to be able to eat way more foods than I do, but that's for another post.
In November, I discovered a channel dedicated to food here in Oz. I believe it's modelled very closely on the US Food Network, because a lot of the shows seem to be from that channel. It means I've been introduced to some crazily good cooking shows that I'm enjoying very much (or not, as the case may be). Let's have a looksee, shall we?
Man Vs Food: Okay, so this one is not new to me. My sister-in-law told me about this show and I immediately became addicted. It is both enthralling and horrifying to watch; horrifying in that the sheer amount of food Adam Richman consumes in the various challenges he does is revolting, but enthralling to watch him conquer most of them. I would never be able to win a single one of them. It's a wonder he doesn't throw up after each one (I do remember reading someone that he wouldn't eat a thing the day before each challenge, although I would have thought that would shrink his stomach a little). I really like this show, but I shouldn't!
Cutthroat Kitchen: While I had heard of Alton Brown before watching this show, I'd never seen him. This show is glorious. Glorious. The completely wacky sabotages just crack me up. I'm not sure I'd go on it, even if I was a professional chef, but I am addicted to it big time!
Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: I bought this as a box set on sale, and it took me a while to warm up to Guy Fieri. This is a little too Man Vs Food for my liking, except I like Adam Richman better. However, Guy does seem to be a nice man and the food looks amazing, so I'd watch it if it came on. It seems most of the places he goes to are more diners than drive-ins or dives, to be honest.
Chopped: I've only seen a few episodes of this show, but it just seems like a lightweight and far less amusing version of Cutthroat Kitchen. I'd watch it if nothing else was on.
Mystery Diners: The guy who hosts this show is a little scary. Who knew so many restaurant owners don't trust their staff? Some of the stuff they do is appalling, though. I'm surprised they'd allow the show to air their antics.
The Great Food Truck Race: Oh, I'm enjoying this show! Food trucks are not something that has really caught on here in Oz, although they are becoming quite popular. I love the idea of running a food truck, though - I would totally have a mac and cheese food truck. I'm willing to bet they're all over the place in the US, right? Next time I'm there, I must make it my mission to eat at as many of them as possible.
Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares: Gordon Ramsey has this and "Hotel Hell", and I absolutely love his shows. It's a wonder he doesn't walk out on some of them, and it doesn't surprise me when some of them go under anyway. I like Gordon, although I know he's not everyone's cup of tea. Of the really well known chefs, he's one of my favourites.
Iron Chef: If you have never seen the original Japanese version of this show, complete with hysterical English voiceovers, then you haven't lived. Don't watch the American one; accept no substitutes. The Japanese one is hilarious, even if the main ingredient is almost always something I can't/won't eat. Make sure you check it out!
Save My Bakery: It was quite disconcerting when the woman who helps the bakeries in question opened her mouth and I realised the accent was Australian! Her name is Kerry Vincent and apparently she's very well known in the bakery world, although I'd never heard of her. So she goes to various bakeries who are failing badly and totally makes over their menus and their bakeries. The overhauls are amazing but some of the people she helps? I'd have let them go under.
Beat Bobby Flay: I don't mind this show, but there's something about Bobby Flay I don't like and I can't put my finger on what. And why does nobody on the judging panel seem to realise that the first dish they try is always Bobby Flay's? I've seen like half a dozen episodes and it was true for every one of them.
Man Fire Food: While I like the concept of this show, the host - Roger Mooking? - annoys the everloving shit out of me. I mean, who thought this guy has the personality to be a host? He's as boring as watching paint dry. He completely ruins the show for me, alas, so I have to be pretty bored to watch it.
No Reservations: I've seen Anthony Bourdain here and there, and I really thought we'd get along well, but our relationship was pretty much over before it started, I'm sad to say. The very first episode I watched, he was eating a dish with some sort of animal's testicles in it. No. NO. End of the road for me. Sorry, Anthony.
Do you watch a good food show I haven't listed? Let me know so I can check it out!
I seem to have developed a fascination with cooking shows. I don't think anyone would ever accuse me of being a cook; while I can make probably half a dozen dishes that will whet the appetite, I don't particularly enjoy cooking. And with the various allergies and intolerances I seem to have (along with my general fussiness when it comes to eating) I sadly couldn't be called a foodie, either. I'd love to be able to eat way more foods than I do, but that's for another post.
In November, I discovered a channel dedicated to food here in Oz. I believe it's modelled very closely on the US Food Network, because a lot of the shows seem to be from that channel. It means I've been introduced to some crazily good cooking shows that I'm enjoying very much (or not, as the case may be). Let's have a looksee, shall we?
Man Vs Food: Okay, so this one is not new to me. My sister-in-law told me about this show and I immediately became addicted. It is both enthralling and horrifying to watch; horrifying in that the sheer amount of food Adam Richman consumes in the various challenges he does is revolting, but enthralling to watch him conquer most of them. I would never be able to win a single one of them. It's a wonder he doesn't throw up after each one (I do remember reading someone that he wouldn't eat a thing the day before each challenge, although I would have thought that would shrink his stomach a little). I really like this show, but I shouldn't!
Cutthroat Kitchen: While I had heard of Alton Brown before watching this show, I'd never seen him. This show is glorious. Glorious. The completely wacky sabotages just crack me up. I'm not sure I'd go on it, even if I was a professional chef, but I am addicted to it big time!
Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: I bought this as a box set on sale, and it took me a while to warm up to Guy Fieri. This is a little too Man Vs Food for my liking, except I like Adam Richman better. However, Guy does seem to be a nice man and the food looks amazing, so I'd watch it if it came on. It seems most of the places he goes to are more diners than drive-ins or dives, to be honest.
Chopped: I've only seen a few episodes of this show, but it just seems like a lightweight and far less amusing version of Cutthroat Kitchen. I'd watch it if nothing else was on.
Mystery Diners: The guy who hosts this show is a little scary. Who knew so many restaurant owners don't trust their staff? Some of the stuff they do is appalling, though. I'm surprised they'd allow the show to air their antics.
The Great Food Truck Race: Oh, I'm enjoying this show! Food trucks are not something that has really caught on here in Oz, although they are becoming quite popular. I love the idea of running a food truck, though - I would totally have a mac and cheese food truck. I'm willing to bet they're all over the place in the US, right? Next time I'm there, I must make it my mission to eat at as many of them as possible.
Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares: Gordon Ramsey has this and "Hotel Hell", and I absolutely love his shows. It's a wonder he doesn't walk out on some of them, and it doesn't surprise me when some of them go under anyway. I like Gordon, although I know he's not everyone's cup of tea. Of the really well known chefs, he's one of my favourites.
Iron Chef: If you have never seen the original Japanese version of this show, complete with hysterical English voiceovers, then you haven't lived. Don't watch the American one; accept no substitutes. The Japanese one is hilarious, even if the main ingredient is almost always something I can't/won't eat. Make sure you check it out!
Save My Bakery: It was quite disconcerting when the woman who helps the bakeries in question opened her mouth and I realised the accent was Australian! Her name is Kerry Vincent and apparently she's very well known in the bakery world, although I'd never heard of her. So she goes to various bakeries who are failing badly and totally makes over their menus and their bakeries. The overhauls are amazing but some of the people she helps? I'd have let them go under.
Beat Bobby Flay: I don't mind this show, but there's something about Bobby Flay I don't like and I can't put my finger on what. And why does nobody on the judging panel seem to realise that the first dish they try is always Bobby Flay's? I've seen like half a dozen episodes and it was true for every one of them.
Man Fire Food: While I like the concept of this show, the host - Roger Mooking? - annoys the everloving shit out of me. I mean, who thought this guy has the personality to be a host? He's as boring as watching paint dry. He completely ruins the show for me, alas, so I have to be pretty bored to watch it.
No Reservations: I've seen Anthony Bourdain here and there, and I really thought we'd get along well, but our relationship was pretty much over before it started, I'm sad to say. The very first episode I watched, he was eating a dish with some sort of animal's testicles in it. No. NO. End of the road for me. Sorry, Anthony.
Do you watch a good food show I haven't listed? Let me know so I can check it out!