Kitchen

[Sooner]

I've watched Julia Child since I was a teen, so over all, it would be her.  But as for cooking shows, there is at this point in my life Jacques Pepin.  I especially love his heart and soul series because it gives me so many techniques and new ways of combining food.  I love all his shows and almost always come away with something new.

I love to watch Martha Stewart's PBS shows too.  I see how things are done properly (like creaming butter and sugar) and enjoy her straightforward and calm style!

What are your favorites?  Who really gives you new ideas and explains things?

[RespectLife]

The Kitchen

Friends on these boards turned me onto this show, and I now tape every one.

I have to watch w/ pen and pad in hand to write down all the tips and suggestions as well as the recipes I want to get online.

I also find it clever and humorous!  LOVE IT!

[PilatesLover]

I enjoy watching Ina Garten cooking. I like that she's precise and measures most things rather than eyeballing and I just love her kitchen.

I think Giada has a lot of creative but doable recipes.  Interestingly, when I search FoodTV, and actually make a recipe from the website, I always seem to make a Tyler Florence recipe.

[hopi]

Martha Stewart

[hummermom]

I agree with all the cooks suggested. Jacques Pepin and Ina Garten are so relaxed and informative. We have an old cookbook from Pepin, and we still use it. His chicken stew recipe is outstanding!

I did watch a Dining with Tiffani show on The Cooking Channel last night, and I enjoyed her approach and cooking style. More like a home cook.

[WSfan]

Ina was the first one to come to mind, but you are correct about The Kitchen. Giada has to 'Italianize' almost everything, Rachael measures with a coffee cup and doesn't bake,  and many shows feature the recipes and less of tips and techniques. I find myself having the cooking shows on for background noise, because frankly, I have so many good cookbooks, that I don't need more recipes, unless I can't find a specific one. I like to watch the holiday cooking shows, though. Just found Jaques and Martha on our PBS station this weekend, because I'm getting tired of watching reruns of shows on FoodTV on Saturdays.

[DiAnne]

I have given up on the Food Network.  I don't watch any cooking shows but I do take cooking classes at our local co-op a few times a year.  Taking a Thai class next week.  

[Brooklynny]

I learned the most about Italian cooking from my mother.  We, too, enjoyed watching Julia Child on PBS back in the 70s-80s.  I remember tackling Julia's recipe for Christmas fruitcake, and it was awesome.  I would chop the dried fruits and nuts on Friday after work, and macerate the fruits in Grand Marnier overnight.  On Saturday I would make the batter and bake the cakes to cool overnight, then on Sunday I would decorate the cakes with fruits and nuts and apricot glaze.  We would keep the big one, and give away the smaller cakes.  A major project that I did for many years, but I loved every minute of it.  Now I enjoy and continue to learn from Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, and Lidia Bastianich.  If you haven't made Ina's blueberry pie, you have to try it!

[IamMrsG]

I agree about The Kitchen, but find it too loud.  They inject canned laughter and applause, and two of the hosts, Jeff Mauro and Sunny Anderson, scream a lot.

The show that has the most potential for being truly informative is The Chew, with Chefs Michael Symon, Mario Batali and Carla Hall.  I so wish the producers would eliminate Clinton Kelly and his Craft Corner and stop featuring celebrities promoting themselves.  The time they waste with 'fluff' could be put to better use by the chefs.

[chickenbutt]

Hi Mrs G!  

I also watch 'The Kitchen' and 'The Chew' and enjoy both - with caveats (of course).

On 'The Kitchen' I simply cannot stomach Sunny Anderson.  When I first started watching I quit once because she was on it.   But i decided I wanted to watch the show so I just FF through segments that are Sunny-intensive.   She just rattles me to the nth degree - the screaminess and the FEED ME!!!   She reminds me of that plant on 'Little Shop of Horrors'.   Always screaming to be fed and always me me me me me.  ugh.  (sorry - rant over)

On 'The Chew' I have watched it since it began but Daphne Oz is the one who annoys me to the nth degree.  She's also very 'I know everything' and interrupty.    She just angers me.   So, I also FF through her segments or if it gets too much with her talking over everybody and that laugh of hers - I can only describe as a GUFFAW sets my teeth on edge.

I know Michael Symon also has a bit of an annoying laugh.  But he's sweet and fun and not obnoxious.  Plus he doesn't do it a zillion times a show so I can deal.     I always liked him anyway and he was my pick on the first season of 'Next Iron Chef' from the beginning.  

Anyway, there are often lots of great tips on both shows.