Let’s Talk About Food TV
Hello and welcome back toWhat’s Cooking? , an open thread where you can share your brilliant thoughts, tips, recipes and opinions on all food related matters. This week I want to talk about television, especially those programs that involve cooking and eating. (I’d also like to talk about Cutthroat Kitchen , which is more about revenge, but still matters.)
Food TV has changed a lot over the years. We not only have shows that teach us how to cook like Julia Child, but also how to achieve flamboyant defeats . We have programs that show us where to eat the “best” version of any dish, from incredible milkshakes to bulky burgers. When it comes to competition, things get crazier, and we have myopically focused not only on the food itself, but also on the processes and life of the chefs behind our favorite dishes.
Since food is about more than just cooking and eating, there are endless ways to talk about it, and that makes for some pretty good TV shows. I want to hear all your opinions on the nutritional programs you are consuming. As always, I have questions:
- What’s the best show to teach people how to cook? I prefer to be taught by calm women with soothing voices, which is why I always loved looking at Nigella and Ina. They share wisdom in the most benevolent and inclusive way, and I think it’s valuable.
- Have you ever put on a cooking show to unwind? I’m used to it, but now that food is so closely tied to work, I don’t find any relaxing media about food.
- What’s your favorite gourmet who hates watches? The chef’s table.
- What’s your favorite competition? Nailed It on Netflix is not only extremely fun, but also a much needed antidote to the perfectionism promoted by Pinterest. I also love Cutthroat Kitchen , which seems to be more about light S&M than cooking, but is fun to watch.
- What do you think of celebrity chef? I think we could do a little work.
- What is your favorite man-roam-eating show? I know it’s kind of a cliché to have a discreet love for Bourdain, but he is very good at wandering around and eating and is a pleasure to look at.
- What kind of food do you want the TV channel to never be canceled? I mean, it would be great if Julia Child kept creating content forever.
- What’s your favorite YouTube food channel? Is thisone ? (Just kidding.I love Matty Matheson .)
- How does Chef’s Table of Netflix make you feel? In a way, it is a pleasure to watch, but it can be taken too seriously. I find it best to enjoy it with a glass of wine that goes well with screaming at the TV. (Plus, if you haven’t seen them yet, both Portlandia and Documentary Now! Really capture the essence of the program.)
- Is your partner watching cooking TV with you? I only ask because I have never had a romantic partner who watched any Chopped episode with me – me, the woman who wrote and published the Chopped drinking game! – and it’s honestly frustrating, especially considering the amount of horror movies I’ve watched a bit against my will.
As usual, feel free to chat or rave about anything remotely related to our topic, even if I didn’t speak directly about it, like you. I love your nonsense.