Does anyone else love to watch TV cookery shows?
By oldchem1
@oldchem1 (8132)
May 13, 2010 8:35am CST
My husband and I (mainly my husband I must say!) do love to watch cookery programmes on the TV, and we have both picked up some good recipe ideas from them.
There are some shows I like more than others - I am not really keen at all on Jamie Oliver, but I do like Rick Stein, Nigella Lawson,and I love the Hairy Bikers.
I have seen a few American cooking programmes (like the Barefoot Contessa), but I can't say that I'm really that keen on them, the reason I think is the old 'you say potato and I say patato' thing - although two English speaking countries they have a zucchini while we have a courgette, they have an egg plant while we have an aubergine, they have a skillet and we have a frying pan etc etc 
Which is your favourite TV chef or cookery programme and have you learnt a lot by watching them?
Which is your favourite TV chef or cookery programme and have you learnt a lot by watching them?2 people like this
17 responses
@petersum (4522)
• United States
13 May 10
Oh wow! I have finally discovered what zucchini is! Thanks for that valuable snippet of information.
I don't know the shows that you mention, but the F word gets broadcast here. I do watch it but don't learn a lot. I'm a pretty good cook even if I do say it myself. I laugh at the tiny portions they serve - they aren't exactly man sized are they?
Egg plant or aubergine is also called brinjal in PakIndia area. I hate the stuff because it was the cheapest vegetable and my wife bought it several times each week. It's hard to imagine that British chefs think it is a delicacy! Even worse is okra or lady fingers - yukky sticky stuff!
If, or when, I return to Britain, I want to open a restaurant, but having seen these restaurants a la Gordon Ramsey, it had better be a transport cafe!
1 person likes this
@rajaiv0810 (1012)
• Philippines
14 May 10
Every Sunday before there was this local cooking show which is aired on TV. I would always watch it and I have with me my notebook and pen. I think I was able to fill 3/4 of the notebook with different recipes. It was fun because I would also follow the same and if I have difficulty finding the ingredient then I will just substitute. If I was not around I would ask our nanny to copy the recipes for me. We were able to learn a lot of tips and recipes from that show. Unfortunately, the show had stopped. As much as I would like to follow international cooking shows but the ingredients are quite difficult to find so I just stick to locals.
As much as I would like to follow international cooking shows but the ingredients are quite difficult to find so I just stick to locals. 1 person likes this
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
31 Oct 10
I like watching Hells Kitchen, although that's more reality. Cooking shows in the United Kingdom tend to do the same thing every other week and generally they get boring chefs on the show who just seem to focus on promoting places they own rather than cook.
Perfect example would be "Ready steady cook"
Who can't seem to retain the chefs which actually appear to enjoy cooking and creating wonderful recipes.
@epicure35 (2814)
• United States
21 Jun 10
I grew up watching Julia Child, so watching the Food Network and other cooking shows is par for the course for me. I mostly like Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. I also like The Best Thing I Ever Ate. I enjoy Nigella Lawson, especially because she really loves food. I also like Ina Garten and Alton Brown. I think I've learned a lot from Brown, re food chemistry; also he's funny. Garten's recipes are good and I've tried a couple of Nigella's.
@epicure35 (2814)
• United States
22 Jun 10
She's really great and I've tried a couple of her recipes and they were excellent. It's a joy to watch her enjoy her food and cooking!
@TeamCholent (2832)
• United States
13 May 10
I have to agree with you but my choice differs slightly from you. My wife and I love loving Hells Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares both with Chef Ramsey, the problem is you don't get to see the recipes but rather more the presentation etc.
I myself enjoy Jamie Oliver.
@TeamCholent (2832)
• United States
13 May 10
Never heard of Gary Rhodes but what gets to me is when a Chef thinks he is the best in everything, I prefer some simple stuff as well. Chefs seem to forget most of us don't have a kitchen with every ingredient in the world and are looking for simple but tasty dishes for the family.
@gracie04 (4549)
• Philippines
14 May 10
Yes, I am one of those people who likes to watch cooking shows. I like barefoot contessa, iron chef, top chef, everyday italian, rachael ray 30 minute meals, nigella bites, top chef masters, quickfire, sarap at home, healthy cravings (local cooking shows in QTV 11), asian food channel and a lot more.. i am a frustrated chef. if given an opportunity, i would like to take up culinary arts classes and be a famous chef of my own restaurant someday :)
@babyEj (1522)
• Philippines
17 May 10
When I was at least know how to read and write English , I became interested with cooking. I am always at my aunt's side whenever she cooks for meal or snacks. I always ask what is she going to cook and what are the ingredients lastly the steps....My aunts find me playful and interested in may things. I like to cook and to learn different cuisines. In our family me and dad only know how to cook. Unfortunately my mom knows little and simple dish like fried fish..lolz! When I got my own family it is a big help. I'm the one cooking and my husband and son like it.
@ada8may21 (2404)
• Philippines
14 May 10
I am into cookery program. Every weekdays once I gets home, I see to it that I checked the program in the lifestyle network before checking the local program.
I like watching martha stewart and ellie. Every weekend I would like to watch this little italian lady, I forgot her name.
@udaymohan (437)
• India
14 May 10
Like you, I also see cookery programs and I like some of them very much. I have learnt number of recipes and sometimes, I surprise my wife and children when I produce such items. In fact, such recipes give you an idea to how to cook a particular dish, but I occasionally experiment by putting a few of my own spices/herbs, and I improve the same preparation which gives altogether a new taste. Try it and surprise your family. Cooking gives you a satisfaction which I enjoy.
Happy cooking.
@zedrick_11 (931)
• Philippines
14 May 10
sometimes, when i feel cooking another dish to eat..
i also like watching cooking competition shows like Iron Chefs..
its amazing how they flip food and making the pan sizzle with fire..
@Steinway (307)
• United States
14 May 10
I love Food Network. Here not too long ago, they had a show called "Mexican Made Easy". And I did actually bake some Chocoflan after I seen it on the show, and it really didn't turn out half bad. One of my favorite cooks on FoodTV is Guy Fieri. I like his style and his food. Even though, I really haven't tried any of his recipes. I like Rachel Ray, too. I usually end up watch the cookery shows on weekends when there is nothing else on.
@Gemini68nOhio (133)
• United States
13 May 10
Yes we do. I got this thing about eatting and watching the food channel. We learn some things from them, but not a whole lot. Those people aren't any different than you or i cooking in the kitchen and making up stuff as we go along. Barefoot Contessa is kind of annoying to me. She's so perfect and that's not a compliment either. Oh and the Jeffrey this and the Jeffrey that, i'm sure that there're times when that man would love some junk food or to just eat at Golden Corral or something. Does anyone have any imput on why Tyler is always in a hurry?
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
13 May 10
I used to love cooking but, after 30 odd years, I really cant be bothered with it anymore. Consequently, I very rarely watch any cookery programmes (so that cuts down my TV viewing quite considerably!) My husband watches them but hasn't ever attempted any of the recipes.
@Ambitiouslyleiah (591)
• United States
13 May 10
I like most of the cooking shows, but i ussually dont cook anything i see on them, i might get a good idea every now and then. we call our skillets, frying pans too... haha.
