Food Network, who's your favorite? and not so much?

[antmaril]

I have to admit, although she drives me crazy with "the good vanilla" (always has to smell it) and "how easy was that," I still have more of Ina Garten's cookbooks and have made more of her recipes than any of the other chefs on FoodTV. Her recipes are actually really good. Friends now beg for my (her) Parmesan Roasted Broccoli. (It's delicious!)

To a previous poster, she doesn't have a cheese shop within walking distance. I have a home nearby and all of those cheese stores are between a 6 to 20 minute drive from her house. (We pass her house all the time & often see her walking from house to her barn.)

And, although I've never been introduced to her, I started going to The Barefoot Contessa store on the 1980s. My sister actually did meet her and spent quite a bit of time with her in another (unmentioned) state when she was responsible for the set up for her local cookbook signing. She confirmed, what I had always heard, that Ina is very shy and uncomfortable with crowds and people in general. Most of the guests on her show are locals (real estate agents, small store owners, florists) that have known her for years and with whom she feels comfortable.

I was sorry I could not be at that book signing in the other state, because I would have told her I was a neighbor & tried to wrangle a dinner invitation!
And, Jeffrey's field is global economics and finance. He's been at the Yale School of Management, as Dean for quite a few years, since the mid-1990s; the White House under Clinton, and Wall Street before that.

And, no I'm NOT stalking her, it's just really a small community and she does a lot of charity work so gets a lot of local press! (I know, more than anyone wanted to know about Ina Garten.)

Thank you posting this about Ina and Jeffrey. I think it is very interesting.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Like:
Alton Brown
Pioneer Woman
MOST of the time Giada

Dislike:
Any of the Food Network Star winners
Trisha Yearwood

I like a lot of the competition shows, especially the celebrity ones because there are so many awesome chefs with great personalities out there! They should be the ones with shows! (Johhny Iuzzini, Art Smith etc...)

This is why I prefer shows like Top Chef. There is a wider range of people on! Not just the same few people cooking the same meals with a few different tweaks.

 

[luvsJack]

I like Ree Drummond, Trish Yearwood and most of the competition shows and I actually like Bobby Flay. He can seem arrogant but also confident.

I do not like Ina Garten but its not really about her show or her cooking. I have made her macaroni and cheese.

I have probably made more of Trish's food than anyone else's.

 

[LovesTimone]

I am really enjoying reading everyone's fav's and not..

I realized after I posted that I forgot about Alex Guarnaschelli, I really could not stand her at first, since she became a Iron Chef, it seems to me the have soften her up some, now she talks about her family, and seems more reachable, she is super competitive.

I love Amanda Freitag, she is another competitive woman, I enjoy when she critiques she is direct without being nasty.

I know a lot of people are ify about Ree Drummond, AKA Pioneer Woman, but for me she seem like a regular person who is just on TV, She seem nervous and unsure, which we all would be if we were on TV. She not a actor and this is one of the reason I like her, and her food is good.

Geoffrey Zakarian - has that whole elitist thing down...

On the Lenny thing, I could not believe he won to begin with, They should have picked Luca... smoking hot, and that accent... Oh yea and he could cook.

 

[JanaDee]

I have to admit, although she drives me crazy with "the good vanilla" (always has to smell it) and "how easy was that," I still have more of Ina Garten's cookbooks and have made more of her recipes than any of the other chefs on FoodTV. Her recipes are actually really good. Friends now beg for my (her) Parmesan Roasted Broccoli. (It's delicious!)

To a previous poster, she doesn't have a cheese shop within walking distance. I have a home nearby and all of those cheese stores are between a 6 to 20 minute drive from her house. (We pass her house all the time & often see her walking from house to her barn.)

And, although I've never been introduced to her, I started going to The Barefoot Contessa store on the 1980s. My sister actually did meet her and spent quite a bit of time with her in another (unmentioned) state when she was responsible for the set up for her local cookbook signing. She confirmed, what I had always heard, that Ina is very shy and uncomfortable with crowds and people in general. Most of the guests on her show are locals (real estate agents, small store owners, florists) that have known her for years and with whom she feels comfortable.

I was sorry I could not be at that book signing in the other state, because I would have told her I was a neighbor & tried to wrangle a dinner invitation!
And, Jeffrey's field is global economics and finance. He's been at the Yale School of Management, as Dean for quite a few years, since the mid-1990s; the White House under Clinton, and Wall Street before that.

And, no I'm NOT stalking her, it's just really a small community and she does a lot of charity work so gets a lot of local press! (I know, more than anyone wanted to know about Ina Garten.)

I love Ina! The remodel/addition she did on her kitchen is fantastic. I am so jealous of her new gorgeous pantry and library!

 

[JanaDee]

I like Trisha Yearwood, Chopped, Food Truck Race, Guy's Grocery Games.
Trisha Yearwood because she makes food a lot of people actually do make and eat at home. I watch Chopped and a lot of other shows but honestly, is there that many people who cook in duck fat and eat raw meat?

I watch Pioneer Woman even though she says "ok" way too much. I have to admit, I saw her twice tell her husband he was first to be served because he was working hard and that did me in with her. I'm a firm believer kids are first.

I also like the new holiday baking show however, that one girl that looks and sounds like a dark haired Damaris is actually Damaris' friend. Their mouths are even similar.

I also like the show that's on after Trisha Yearwoods, the one in Minnesota?

I cannot stand the Farmhouse Rules and she's a judge on the holiday baking show. She would have a good show if she didn't sound so fake.

Heartland Table. I like her show, too, mostly because it is the one I relate to the most. She cooks in her kitchen, not some fancy set and cooks food I grew up eating and food I still make. She talks like me and everyone on her show talks like me. It's a good solid representation of Midwest cooking.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Favorites.
Alton Brown, Bobby Flay, Michael Symon. Robert Irvine.

Least Favorites
Alex G., Cat Cora. Jeffrey the stuffed shirt. Mark Forgionne.

As for the next food network star winners, it goes without saying most of them would be my least favorites if I bothered to watch their shows.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I like the shows where they actually, you know, take a recipe and cook something. They're becoming so much fewer and farther between.

I think they must be on during the day--the night's full of competition shows and loud talkers checking out some diner or dive someplace. Yawn.

 

[MIGrandma]

I don't watch the daytime 1/2-hour shows so don't really know many of the people who host those. I think I saw the Pioneer Woman show once, it was okay but for cooking/recipes I have a bazillion cookbooks I refer to, or Allrecipes.com. I've seen Giada as a judge on shows before and really can't stand her, the way she smiles is so annoying.

I love the competition shows like Chopped and Ted Allen, (enjoy all of the regular judges like Aaron Sanchez, Geoffrey Zacharian, Alex Guarnaschelli, Amanda Freytag, etc. etc.), Tyler Florence and his two shows: Food Court Wars, and The Great Food Truck Race, Anne Burrell (although she sometimes can come across as a bit condescending) and her shows: Chef Wanted and Worst Cooks in America with Bobby Flay, Beat Bobby Flay too. I enjoy Guy's "Drive-ins, Diners and Dives", and sometimes watch his "Grocery Games" show too. Love Alton Brown and Cutthroat Kitchen too.

I also enjoy Robert Irvine hosting "Restaurant Impossible." And "Masterchef" and "Masterchef Jr." but those are on Fox, I think. There was one hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, I think it was a baking competition a year or two ago, and was hoping that one would come back. I like "The Taste" with Nadia G and the "No Reservations" guy - can't think of his name.

I like the holiday baking competition show that's on now, is it Paula Deen's son that's hosting that?

I didn't know Lenny from "The Next Food Network Star" wasn't going to get his show because of things he said, that's too bad. I did like him and was looking forward to giving his show a try. Why don't they give the show to the runner up? Wouldn't that be Luca?

Wow, I think I watch too many Food Network shows.

 

[JanaDee]

I like the shows where they actually, you know, take a recipe and cook something. They're becoming so much fewer and farther between. I think they must be on during the day--the night's full of competition shows and loud talkers checking out some diner or dive someplace. Yawn.

I agree! Hate what FN has become. Those type of stupid reality shows have taken over during the daytime, too.

 

[nene0182]

Heartland Table. I like her show, too, mostly because it is the one I relate to the most. She cooks in her kitchen, not some fancy set and cooks food I grew up eating and food I still make. She talks like me and everyone on her show talks like me. It's a good solid representation of Midwest cooking.

Same here. She's actually not that far from me so I got a little excited when she mentioned buying lamb at a city we go to often.

I like Pioneer woman and Trisha Yearwoods show but that's about it. There are a few shows we watch randomly but just because they are on not because we really like them

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

FAVORITE: It's Ina Garten and I thank all who posted on here about her and educated me about her. I love the tone of her show and the music too. I, am, however, always aghast at the amount of oil she uses to roast veggies, etc. Definitely not food for every day of the week, but for fancy meals, once in a while. It's true, I find her mesmerizing especially when she's making a cake. Her lifestyle is admirable, especially if she is giving to charity much of the time.

NOT SO MUCH:
I don't really dislike any of the chefs. I find it annoying though to be shown so much delectable food, and not be able to even try a morsel.

 

[RustManFan]

I agree almost completely with the OP except I am not a fan of Sandra Lee and Tablescapes......

Rush home from work most days to catch about half of Barefoot Contessa (Jeffrey is adorable!) and then Pioneer Woman. I can watch the same episode of Ree's show over and over!

I am not a fan of the competition shows

 

[alex9179]

I have to admit, although she drives me crazy with "the good vanilla" (always has to smell it) and "how easy was that," I still have more of Ina Garten's cookbooks and have made more of her recipes than any of the other chefs on FoodTV. Her recipes are actually really good. Friends now beg for my (her) Parmesan Roasted Broccoli. (It's delicious!)

To a previous poster, she doesn't have a cheese shop within walking distance. I have a home nearby and all of those cheese stores are between a 6 to 20 minute drive from her house. (We pass her house all the time & often see her walking from house to her barn.)

And, although I've never been introduced to her, I started going to The Barefoot Contessa store on the 1980s. My sister actually did meet her and spent quite a bit of time with her in another (unmentioned) state when she was responsible for the set up for her local cookbook signing. She confirmed, what I had always heard, that Ina is very shy and uncomfortable with crowds and people in general. Most of the guests on her show are locals (real estate agents, small store owners, florists) that have known her for years and with whom she feels comfortable.

I was sorry I could not be at that book signing in the other state, because I would have told her I was a neighbor & tried to wrangle a dinner invitation!
And, Jeffrey's field is global economics and finance. He's been at the Yale School of Management, as Dean for quite a few years, since the mid-1990s; the White House under Clinton, and Wall Street before that.

And, no I'm NOT stalking her, it's just really a small community and she does a lot of charity work so gets a lot of local press! (I know, more than anyone wanted to know about Ina Garten.)

Thank you posting this about Ina and Jeffrey. I think it is very interesting.

It was interesting! I knew a bit about their careers and philanthropy but I didn't know that she is shy. You see the same friends over the years on her show, which I love. You SHOULD keep friends for years!

I never watched her show until I tried a couple of her recipes on the advice of others. She uses more salt than I do, always salt to taste, but the recipes that I've used have always been delicious. I highly recommend
Make Ahead Gravy - good with the holidays coming
Easy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Croutons - I just cut the sandwich in 4 long strips and dipped. So good. The only tomato soup I've ever liked but I didn't use the orzo.
Spanish Pea Soup with Crispy Ham
Roasted Potato Leek Soup - my favorite
Snap Pea with Pancetta and Parmesan - I used bacon. This is like crack.
Homemade Ricotta - really a farmer cheese. I used it for several lasagnas I was freezing. Heaven help me, this is good. You can drain it until firm and make an herbed cheese spread for an appetizer. Recipes for this are all over, but I wouldn't have tried it if I hadn't forgotten the ricotta and had her book in front of me.
Roast Chicken - I roast on high heat after dry brining for a day, so a little different

I could go on and on here as she's written consistently good recipes. I'm always checking out her cookbooks from the library. Hmmm, maybe I'm a stalker!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Alton Brown forever and ever. I miss Good Eats. Sigh.


My mom really likes Ina Garten, but there's something about her voice and demeanor that really puts me off. And her whole Hamptons lifestyle is just so non-relatable to me that it kind of gets on my nerves. Who DOESN'T have a local gourmet cheese shop within walking distance of their estate in which to purchase their $50 camembert?

Also dislike Jeff Mauro, and Sandra Lee, even though she's not on FN anymore. But she was epically bad. Anyone ever see her make her legendary Kwanzaa Cake? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we2iWTJqo98


Don't know if this counts since she's technically on Cooking Channel and not FN, but Nadia G from B-in' Kitchen. OH MY GOD CANNOT STAND HER. At all.

DW & DD14 LOVE Nadia G!!!!!!

 

[Bamagirl43]

Anyone but Giada. She's very annoying. I did find her attitude somewhat amusing when she was on Iron Chef in the Tag Team match. She wasn't too happy to lose to Rachel Ray and team.

Yeah. I get that about Giada. I've noticed on The Next Food Network Star that she's mean to the contestants on her team and she's a sore loser. Don't like her cooking. Don't like Bobby Flay either, he's too phony.

My favorite chef is Alex Guarnschelli, with Alton Brown running a close 2nd.

 

[FergieTCat]

I rarely watch cooking shows on the FN because I do not cook! I can prepare simple edible food (like roast chicken), but if a recipe has more than 5 ingredients (and one of them must be sauteed), it is not happening in my kitchen!

I used to like watching their cake decorating shows and still DVR "Ace of Cakes". I also still tape reruns of the "Amazing Wedding Cakes" (which may have been on TLC), even though I've seen each one over and over. For some reason, I watch them while I'm crocheting or knitting.

I also like GGG, although, as I said, Guy's cadence on DDD gets on my nerves. No one can be as enthusiastic about rendered fat as Guy Fieri. As for the Next Food Network star -- interesting, but I really dislike their choice of winners lately.

 

[Saphire]

Fergie, ever see '5 Ingredient Fix' with Claire Robinson? Sounds right up your alley.

While I love a handful of cooking shows, I cannot tolerate for a minute any of the competitive shows, many I have never seen (they all seem to follow the same format). To me they are the same as talk shows...everyone is yelling and creating silly drama! Not my style.

The thing I love the most about watching talented chefs is learning new techniques and getting new recipe ideas, making me a better cook and enjoying entertaining a lot more.

 

[KNJWDW]

I like the Pioneer Woman and Trisha Yearwood. I think their recipes are easy to follow and similar to the kind of food my family enjoys.

Not a big fan of Ina, but I do make her caramelized onion dip quite a bit
I don't care for The Kitchen. I find them to be awkward and Katie Lee's voice is irritating. I used to like Sunny Anderson, but not so much anymore.
Is Aaron McCargo's show still on? It was called Big Daddy's House. He won Food Network Allstars one year. It was painful to watch his show.

I like some of the competition shows. Right now, my son and I watch the Holiday Baking Challenge.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I totally forgot to add this, and even though it's actually on Cooking Channel I love love love Extra Virgin. Love Deb and Gabriele!