Who's your favorite celebrity chef?

[DavidMn]

The food network is probably my favorite channel on tv to watch. Shows like Iron Chef, Diners, Drive-in's, and Dives, and others to me make for absolutely fascinating tv watching. I know some of you out there are fans as well so I thought I'd do this fun poll!

[GODDESS6]

i watch this station all the time~

paula deen is my fav, my kitchen is filled w/ her items, such as her pan set, knives...~ when i make her fried chicken, my family gobbles it up, it's delish~

i also like giada, bobby flay, the neeley's, the guy from bigdaddy's house, anything guy fieri does, ooooowwww & sandra lee~

i used to be a huge rachel ray fan, but as of late not so much~

i love iron chef, diners, drive ins..., the challenge shows~ i also like man v food from the travel channel, & that bizarre foods show where that andrew guy will eat ANYTHING, & i mean anything~ i don't think i have seen him turn down any anatomy part of an animal~ he was also drinking that coffee that is mad from cat poop~

i love to cook, i cook every night but friday~ plus i cook for my daycare kids~ i adore making something so mouth wateringly fabulous, especially for my family~ they get good home cooking always~ i have learned alot form watching food network over the years~ i really love when it's near thanksgiving & christmas & they show all the fine foods that people fix from all over~

[bucklind17]

I'm crushing pretty hard on Jamie Oliver, especially since watching Food Revolution the other night!

[GODDESS6]

Originally Posted by bucklind17

I'm crushing pretty hard on Jamie Oliver, especially since watching Food Revolution the other night!

i have a funny story about him, when they called him 'the naked chef'~ i was sitting w/ my granny eating thanksgiving dinner (may she RIP) & she was telling me that she loves watching food network, but said she hadn't seen jamie's show yet & wondered why the call him 'the naked chef'~ i told her, i have no idea, but whenever i have seen him, he is fully clothed, except he cooks behind a counter, so who knows if he is wearing pants, yeah i was trying to be funny~ my granny looks at me all seriously & says, well if that's the case, i hope he wears a hairnet~ i about choked on my turkey from laughter, i couldn't believe my sweet little granny would come up w/ sucha naughty funny~ now every time i see ole jamie, i can't help but chuckle a little & wonder....is he wearing a hair net?~


also i left barefoot contessa off of my list~ i like her too & i love when they showing her food shopping around the hamptons where she lives~

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by bucklind17

I'm crushing pretty hard on Jamie Oliver, especially since watching Food Revolution the other night!

I felt so bad for him. Those lunch ladies gave him such a hard time.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by GODDESS6

i watch this station all the time~

paula deen is my fav, my kitchen is filled w/ her items, such as her pan set, knives...~ when i make her fried chicken, my family gobbles it up, it's delish~

i also like giada, bobby flay, the neeley's, the guy from bigdaddy's house, anything guy fieri does, ooooowwww & sandra lee~

i used to be a huge rachel ray fan, but as of late not so much~

i love iron chef, diners, drive ins..., the challenge shows~ i also like man v food from the travel channel, & that bizarre foods show where that andrew guy will eat ANYTHING, & i mean anything~ i don't think i have seen him turn down any anatomy part of an animal~ he was also drinking that coffee that is mad from cat poop~

i love to cook, i cook every night but friday~ plus i cook for my daycare kids~ i adore making something so mouth wateringly fabulous, especially for my family~ they get good home cooking always~ i have learned alot form watching food network over the years~ i really love when it's near thanksgiving & christmas & they show all the fine foods that people fix from all over~

I'm not sure if people like Paula Deen, Rachel Ray or Giada would technically fall under the term "chef." They are certainly "cooks," but I think "chef" takes on the connotation of having mastered a certain level of training at accredited institutions or under the tutelage of certain Michelin-rated eateries. Not sure though... any thoughts about the cook/chef boundary? I happen to really admire Nigella Lawson, who is definitely not a chef. Her dishes are way too rich and gluttonous, so the food is just an afterthought for me. But she has incredible presence, charm, spunk and poise. She keeps it real... but fabulous too.

Personally I love the concept of haute cuisine and mastering the technical craft of food preparation... but as a vegetarian I am appalled by the emphasis on meat. I would love to see some haute innovation within the realm of vegan/vegetarian cuisine; it is a severely unmet market segment. I just cannot fathom why so little effort has been expended towards innovating non-meat dishes- the possibilities are virtually limitless relative to the much shorter list of animals that are considered edible.

[David]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

I'm not sure if people like Paula Deen, Rachel Ray or Giada would technically fall under the term "chef." They are certainly "cooks," but I think "chef" takes on the connotation of having mastered a certain level of training at accredited institutions or under the tutelage of certain Michelin-rated eateries. Not sure though... any thoughts about the cook/chef boundary?

Excellent distinction. Those folks are good cooks with a solid knowledge of the essentials of their craft, but they aren't artists. They're pop artists at best. We can love their recipes & their personalities, but they aren't chefs.

A cook is an E.R. doc. A chef is an eye surgeon.

I voted for Mario V., who is a chef, & a damned good one.

But my favorite chef on TV is José Andrés, who hosts a Spanish cooking show on PBS (not on the food channel). Please check him out if you haven't heard of him or seen his show. His culinary ideas & presentation are delectable.

If I were a multimillionaire, I'd hire José as my household chef, & instruct him to prepare whatever he wants day to day.

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by David

But my favorite chef on TV is José Andrés, who hosts a Spanish cooking show on PBS (not on the food channel). Please check him out if you haven't heard of him or seen his show. His culinary ideas & presentation are delectable.

I've had the Bazaar in BH bookmarked for ages in case I ever have the need to go to LA. Have you been?

To answer the question... I'm incredibly spoiled by living in Portland, which is such a great town for foodies- the whole "celebrity chef" thing just isn't all that appealing to me. Based on personalities, I like Paula Deen & Wolfgang Puck, mainly due to their great chemistry/interaction with Craig Ferguson on his show. Food based... I guess I'll choose Bobby Flay, but only because of one particular dish at his MESA Grill (Las Vegas, and NYC I believe) that I love.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by LukeA

I've had the Bazaar in BH bookmarked for ages in case I ever have the need to go to LA. Have you been?

Not to jump in on the question for David, but Bazaar by Jose Andres is not in Beverly Hills, just FYI when you're planning your trip. It's close, but not BH. The place is nice, the food is good, but you may still end up leaving hungry. There are lot's of better restaurants in LA.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by LukeA

Wolfgang Puck

His food is incredible but unfortunately he no longer has a restaurant here.

[WildHeart69]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

I'm not sure if people like Paula Deen, Rachel Ray or Giada would technically fall under the term "chef." They are certainly "cooks," but I think "chef" takes on the connotation of having mastered a certain level of training at accredited institutions or under the tutelage of certain Michelin-rated eateries.

As much as I don't think it shows through her lack of creativity, Giada IS a "chef"

[gretchen]

total stud.

[golddustwoman77]

Mine is Tyler Florence, only because he is my distant cousin. I gotta support the family....lol.

[BTFLCHLD]

rocco dispirito

[macmar71]

barefoot contessa