who's your most & least favorite Food Network personality?

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ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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LOL, the dude was only on in the 90's. Do you have a favorite this century?
It's hard for me to like anything on that channel when they switched from one camera with long cuts to 10 cameras, 6 second long cuts, and extreme close-ups of reaching into the fridge, salting a bowl of food, or wiping off a knife, and about 3 shows of actual cooking. Whoever is in charge or directing/editing needs to be taken out back and shot.
 
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Drako

Lifer
Jun 9, 2007
10,697
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It's hard for me to like anything on that channel when they switched from one camera with long cuts to 10 cameras, 6 second long cuts, and extreme close-ups of reaching into the fridge, salting a bowl of food, or wiping off a knife, and about 3 shows of actual cooking. Whoever is in charge or directing/editing needs to be taken out back and shot.

Well, they have to fill the time with something.

FFS Valerie Bertinelli and Patricia Heaton have their own shows. My wife watches these for some reason. :(
 
Feb 25, 2011
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When I was a kid, there was a chef on TV who was a dead ringer for Dom Deluise, but damned if I can remember the name. I always enjoyed watching his show, mostly because I was 4 or 5 years old and he also had a strong resemblance to my grandpa.

I don't really watch cooking shows as an adult. Thanks to the internet and the occasional youtube video on specific techniques (e.g., "easiest way to peel garlic") I'm too busy actually cooking.
 
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Drako

Lifer
Jun 9, 2007
10,697
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When I was a kid, there was a chef on TV who was a dead ringer for Dom Deluise, but damned if I can remember the name. I always enjoyed watching his show, mostly because I was 4 or 5 years old and he was also a dead ringer for my grandpa.

I don't really watch cooking shows as an adult. Thanks to the internet and the occasional youtube video on specific techniques (e.g., "easiest way to peel garlic") I'm too busy actually cooking.

Paul Prudhomme king of Creole and Cajun cuisines.
 

QueBert

Lifer
Jan 6, 2002
23,055
1,224
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Why do you guys hate Guy Fieri so much?

Sure he LOOKS like a complete douche with bleached spikes, sunglasses, attire, etc.

But is he an asshole? Has he insulted/act like an ass to colleagues & others? The moments I caught him on TV, he seems to be just fine, being respectful to chefs, and etc.

I don't care for him, I don't even have Food Network (cut the cord). I challenge you to rethink you knee-jerk reaction.

Nothing douchy at all about Guy, if anything he's just beyond cheesy and can be painfully goofy at times.
 

Carson Dyle

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2012
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Not much on the Food Network is available via torrent. Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Guy's Grocery Games. Alton Brown's old series Good Eats and Feasting on Asphalt.

I like Fieri. Yeah, he's a showman, and he's almost exactly the kind of person who, if I met him in a bar, I'd get up and take my drink elsewhere. But I find him hard not to like. I enjoy both of the shows mentioned above.

Alton Brown's Good Eats has a ridiculous amount of good information in it, but it feels way too researched, too slick, too scripted. When Brown says "I always do this" I don't believe him. When he uses 18 ingredients, takes two days and a 30 minute show to explain how he makes a grilled cheese sandwich, I balk. His Feasting on Asphalt was much better.

Anthony Bordain's show on CNN, though, is the epitome. Obviously not a cooking show, but a show about food, culture, travel. One of the best things on TV. Never been sure of what to make of Bourdain, though. I get the feeling that (in contrast to Fieri) his persona on screen is very self-flattering and that in reality he's probably a huge asshole.
 

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
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Nov 30, 2005
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Anthony Bordain's show on CNN, though, is the epitome. Obviously not a cooking show, but a show about food, culture, travel. One of the best things on TV. Never been sure of what to make of Bourdain, though. I get the feeling that (in contrast to Fieri) his persona on screen is very self-flattering and that in reality he's probably a huge asshole.

A big group of us had dinner with him once and he was the nicest dude ever. Put up with all of our annoying questions and photo requests and ate a giant pork chop with some red wine while telling us stories. He came across just as does on TV and in his books. It was awesome. Probably about 12 years ago now.

Loved the dude before meeting him and loved him even more after.

KT
 

KeithTalent

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Nov 30, 2005
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Chopped is the same thing over and over and over........

Now they're incorporating cooked items in the baskets to change things up. WTF do you do with something that is processed or already cooked??? The show is getting old and stale.

CTK is hilarious so not sure why people don't like it. Must be that rotting thing I was referring to.

I think the problem is I just do not find CTK funny. I also don't feel like I learn anything watching that show; with Chopped I at least get some ideas and methods to try out, or even just reminders of things I have not done in a while, I don't really get any of that from CTK.

KT
 

Carson Dyle

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2012
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A big group of us had dinner with him once and he was the nicest dude ever. Put up with all of our annoying questions and photo requests and ate a giant pork chop with some red wine while telling us stories. He came across just as does on TV and in his books. It was awesome. Probably about 12 years ago now.

Loved the dude before meeting him and loved him even more after.

Thanks Keith. That's actually really nice to know.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
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A big group of us had dinner with him once and he was the nicest dude ever. Put up with all of our annoying questions and photo requests and ate a giant pork chop with some red wine while telling us stories. He came across just as does on TV and in his books. It was awesome. Probably about 12 years ago now.

Loved the dude before meeting him and loved him even more after.

KT

so how many lines of blow did you do with him in the restroom?

I think the problem is I just do not find CTK funny. I also don't feel like I learn anything watching that show; with Chopped I at least get some ideas and methods to try out, or even just reminders of things I have not done in a while, I don't really get any of that from CTK.

KT

what, you mean learning how to make soup in a keurig coffee machine isn't a transferable skill?

I mean COME ON, who doesn't need to know how to make a crepe like this?

KT0208_Chef-Perez-Warped-Pan.jpg.rend.snigalleryslide.jpeg
 
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KMFJD

Lifer
Aug 11, 2005
33,401
53,427
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Best - Nadia G host of Bitchin Kitchen..Runner up goes to Zane Lamprey although he only had 1 cooking show I'm aware of, Three sheets and Chug are awesome

Least - The ace of cakes dude...

I take my vote for worst back, it's Nadia from Bitchin Kitchin, holy hell that voice/act is annoying
 

Skel

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2001
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I personally find almost all of the really annoying and stupid. My bride watches the channel a lot so I've seen way too much of it. If I stick to the Food Network (though I have to ask if that includes the Cooking channel as well, or just FN?) then I'd have to say

Best:Alton Brown. Out of all of them, his show was the most interesting. He also seems to have bad days and show it. Unlike..

Worst:Giada. She is just so fake it disturbs me. When you sit through shows like Next Food Network star (where do they go after they win?) you'll see her in the background with a complete bitchy face on, to only put the fakest smile on when the camera is on her. I get her looks work for some people, but I can't stand her.

I will put out a honorable mention for Nadia of Bitchin Kitchen. That show was so stupid it was funny at times. The butter bits stuff had me laughing... and i"m not sure why..
 

KeithTalent

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Nov 30, 2005
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so how many lines of blow did you do with him in the restroom?



what, you mean learning how to make soup in a keurig coffee machine isn't a transferable skill?

I mean COME ON, who doesn't need to know how to make a crepe like this?

KT0208_Chef-Perez-Warped-Pan.jpg.rend.snigalleryslide.jpeg

No blow for me. :(

Lol at that pic. So ridiculous. :D

KT
 

FerrelGeek

Diamond Member
Jan 22, 2009
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Food network star show sucks walrus dong. Just like any other sh*tty reality show. By the third show, they know who they want to win and they pretty much do everything they can to make sure their pick wins.

I personally find almost all of the really annoying and stupid. My bride watches the channel a lot so I've seen way too much of it. If I stick to the Food Network (though I have to ask if that includes the Cooking channel as well, or just FN?) then I'd have to say

Best:Alton Brown. Out of all of them, his show was the most interesting. He also seems to have bad days and show it. Unlike..

Worst:Giada. She is just so fake it disturbs me. When you sit through shows like Next Food Network star (where do they go after they win?) you'll see her in the background with a complete bitchy face on, to only put the fakest smile on when the camera is on her. I get her looks work for some people, but I can't stand her.

I will put out a honorable mention for Nadia of Bitchin Kitchen. That show was so stupid it was funny at times. The butter bits stuff had me laughing... and i"m not sure why..
 

Skel

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2001
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Food network star show sucks walrus dong. Just like any other sh*tty reality show. By the third show, they know who they want to win and they pretty much do everything they can to make sure their pick wins.

You are not lying about that. It amazed me when I watched it, how obvious the judges were on who they liked and didn't. They didn't even try to pretend there was a race.
 

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
11,374
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You are not lying about that. It amazed me when I watched it, how obvious the judges were on who they liked and didn't. They didn't even try to pretend there was a race.

Who was better than Tregay? Damiano? Lololol.
 

Spydermag68

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2002
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Favorite : Alton Brown while on Good Eats.

Least: all of the f'ing game shows that have taken over the network.
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
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I think the problem is I just do not find CTK funny. I also don't feel like I learn anything watching that show; with Chopped I at least get some ideas and methods to try out, or even just reminders of things I have not done in a while, I don't really get any of that from CTK.

KT

That was true at first, but lately they've cut to Alton who whispers what he would do with such a challenge. Usually it's how to substitute one ingredient for another, but that's still good info.
 

KeithTalent

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Nov 30, 2005
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That was true at first, but lately they've cut to Alton who whispers what he would do with such a challenge. Usually it's how to substitute one ingredient for another, but that's still good info.

Hmm, well maybe I'll give it another shot. Thanks for the info brother.

KT