I am really not a huge TV watcher. I was obsessed with Lost when it was on and watched it religiously. And I always enjoy a good Friends marathon when I am sick or feeling like having a lazy day, but I really don’t watch that much regular TV. But I do have to say that when it comes to food TV, I AM a bit of a junkie. And it seems like in the summer all of the Food TV shows that I love are flooding the TV airways with new episodes. Not only are there new episodes of all the shows I love but there are some new food shows that I have come to love.
I have been watching Mr. Ramsey give the contestants of Hell’s Kitchen ‘a good stern talkin’ to’ since season one of this show 7 years ago. I know some folks are turned off by Gordon’s rough and tough (and sometimes foul) attitude in the kitchen but he sure knows his stuff! What I would give to work with Gordon Ramsey and learn from him (I know I could handle him, plus I know he’s got a soft spot deep down in there some where). In the show Gordon takes 12 professional chefs (professional in some form or fashion) and puts them through rigorous challenges and dinner services and widdles them away one by one. The winner then gets to go and be the executive chef at one of Gordon Ramsey’s world renowned restaurants! This year I have not been too impressed with the skills, and personalities of the chefs but it is still fun to watch. I sure do get a kick out of Mr. Ramsey’s personality!
Another TV food show I watch religiously is TLC’s Cake Boss. This reality TV show follows the ‘baking life’ of Buddy, the owner of Carlo’s Bakery. His bakery is a family owned and operated New Jersey bakery, and the show follows their adventures in the bakery and the adventures that their professional cakes take them outside the bakery. The the cakes and baked goods they create are AMAZING and each one holds a story. This show cracks me up because this is one BIG Italian family and each family member has a BIG Italian personality and accent. I just love it!
A new cooking competition show that is new this year is Cupcake Wars. Cupcakes have been all the rage for several years now and this show takes that rage to a whole new level. In this show 4 cupcake bakers from across the country compete in competitions with one person being eliminated each round, until they have a final winner. Each show has a theme where the competition and cupcakes being made and judged have to go with that theme/event. The winner gets $10,000.00 and their signature cupcake creations featured at that actual event. It is a fun show. Past shows have included making cup cakes for an OK! Magazine singles party, and a celebrity charity golf event. I love seeing how these cupcake artiest decorate their creations and what flavor combinations they come up with.
Have you been following this season’s The Next Food Network Star as closely as I have been? It is always fun to see the different competitions all of the contestants have to go through and how they act or react in front of the camera. It is so cool to see them progress through the show. Many of today’s top Food personalities such as Guy Feri and Melissa d’Arabian have come from this show. Who do you think will win this year? I correctly guessed Melissa winning last year and this year I have bets on Arti a fellow food blogger. I guess we will just have to wait and see who wins.
Not only are there new cooking shows out this summer there is a whole new cooking channel! Have any of you checked out the new Cooking Channel? I have been wanting to but I have been so busy with life and watching ALL of these other cooking shows that I haven’t really checked it out. It is by the same folks who bring us the Food Network but it is supposed to be purely instructional/educational cooking TV. Think old school Food Network before all the previously mentioned ‘relaity TV’ and ‘cooking competions’. A lot of old Food Network Stars, such as Giada De Laurentiis, Emerial Lagassie, Bobby Flay, have new shows on this channel. Also there is also a good ole classic TV chef, Julia Child, who is still finding the spotlight every day. If you are burnt on all the reruns of all the regular cooking shows on the Food Network (I know I am) then this is the new place to be!
But I do have to say that out of all these shows probably my favorite is Chopped. Eric loves this one (and Hell’s Kitchen too). Chopped is where 4 professional chefs compete in different rounds with one chef being eliminated each round until there is a winner. Round one is an appetizer, thee next round is an entree, and the final round is dessert. The kicker: each round they are given a basket of mystery ingredients that they must use in the dish they are preparing. An appetizer round might include chicken wings, bananas, beans, and eggs. All random and never seeming like could all come together and make a complete dish that tastes great. But according to the judges comments they do (or they don’t and they are ‘chopped’). They are given use to a pantry and fridge of basic ingredients like spices, additional fruits, veggies and grains, etc. But because each round they are handed their basket and then told to immediately start and only have a 30 minute time frame these chefs have to think and act quick. I love this show because it challenges me. I always am thinking what could or would I make with the mystery ingredients. Plus it is fun to hear the judges comments and see who gets chopped or who stays!
So I am not really a big TV watcher… just a few shows here or there! : )
Pictures courtesy of foodnetwork.com, fox.com, tlc.com
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