Who (or what) do you think is the best tv chef (or cooking program) and why?

I have to go with Jacques Pepin: a great chef, a great teacher, someone who really has depth and knowledge, and is great in front of the camera (or in a live class). His career started out in the French Kitchen as apprentice, he was the personal chef to a French Prime Minister, he has been involved in the American food and cooking world for decades. His books and TV shows are clear, informative, and enjoyable. You LEARN from Pepin every time you see him.

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Permalink Reply by Janna on September 9, 2008 at 7:15pm: Hands down, Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations." Not only does his show shed light on beautiful and (sometimes) untouched travel destinations, it also encompasses history, culture, and humor. I also find him to be the most accessible and grounded of the hoard of recent celebrity chefs.

I do also love that his show reads like an informal journal entry with wit and simplicity. "Kitchen Confidential" is likewise a great read.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gavan Murphy on November 4, 2008 at 3:27pm: I agree with Janna--No Reservations is a great show indeed. In addition to showcasing interesting food and travel destinations, Bourdain is refreshing to watch as himself--he's just so cool. There are many TV chefs who put on a fake persona for the sake of ratings (i.e. Ramsay, though he's great as himself in the BBC shows). Jamie Oliver is another "real" chef putting out good work. I like how he showcases his garden, picking fresh veg then cooking them outside. It demonstrates where the food comes from and in a world full of processed boxed foods, I think it's quite refreshing to see his passion.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chiffonade on March 2, 2009 at 7:29pm: I have a couple of favorites but lately I've been watching a lot of Ina Garten. I think she's a good teacher and makes great food. As far as her on-camera personality, I love her nighttime FM DJ voice and I also like the way she spoils her husband. She's more than proven herself in the culinary world by having successfully run the Barefoot Contessa specialty store in the Hamptons.

There are only a handful of really good TV chefs these days and a plethora of amateurs who need to go into another field.

I'm glad TVFN found it fit to give Daisy Martinez a show. She was always amazing on PBS and along with Anne Burrell, represents one of the few cooking personalities with any real "chops" to speak of.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dana Moos on March 2, 2009 at 8:29pm: I currently love Ina Garten as well. I also really like Tyler Florence. But for classics, I love the old Jacques Pepin and Julia Child episodes that used to air on PBS. They used to focus on the food and the preparation, not the persona like today's TV cooking shows. That's the difference between entertainment and the culinary arts...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chiffonade on March 6, 2009 at 9:04pm: LOVE the PBS series! The great old Julia shows, and I loved the Great Chefs series. ATL is doing something like that now called This Is Atlanta Cooking. They highlighted a restaurant called Ria's Bluebird Diner and BF and I drove there early one Sunday morning. I got to shake the chef's hand and tell her I saw her on TIAC. The guy on the next stool said, "I don't mean to interrupt but I saw that same show and that's why I'm here!" I have an old book from the Great Chefs of the West series. One of my favorites.

Pepin's method of finely chopping garlic with salt, then smearing it on the cutting board with the flat part of a chef's knife is something I do about every 48 hours. :D; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Souper on May 16, 2009 at 10:25am: I enjoy The Barefoot Contessa (Ina G.) for her easy to follow recipes and her no-fuss attitude for entertaining, yet always presenting her dishes beautifully. I am amazed by her transition from the business world into the culinary world. (interesting bio on the Foodnetwork)
Ina is a favorite go-to inspiration for me in both cookbooks and the Foodnetwork site on-line.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Souper on May 16, 2009 at 10:27am: Janna said:
Hands down, Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations." Not only does his show shed light on beautiful and (sometimes) untouched travel destinations, it also encompasses history, culture, and humor. I also find him to be the most accessible and grounded of the hoard of recent celebrity chefs.

I do also love that his show reads like an informal journal entry with wit and simplicity. "Kitchen Confidential" is likewise a great read.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Souper on May 16, 2009 at 10:28am: Janna said:
Hands down, Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations." Not only does his show shed light on beautiful and (sometimes) untouched travel destinations, it also encompasses history, culture, and humor. I also find him to be the most accessible and grounded of the hoard of recent celebrity chefs.

I do also love that his show reads like an informal journal entry with wit and simplicity. "Kitchen Confidential" is likewise a great read.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Souper on May 16, 2009 at 10:31am: I enjoy Anthony Bourdain "No Reservations" perhaps not for all of his food choices, but I find is cocky attitude entertaining. He definitely goes places I would never venture to. He does like to travel on-the edge!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Souper on May 16, 2009 at 10:39am: Jacques Pepin is a classic. I am enjoying his new program on PBS "Fast Food My Way". I enjoy his recipes and enjoy watching him cook with his daughter, Claudine. His food creations are easy to follow and often informs on proper cooking techniques. His cookbooks are a great addition to any "foodies" library.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Souper on May 16, 2009 at 10:45am: I am a very big fan of Mario Batali. What a character, so entertaining, so knowlegeable on food from his experiences of living in Italy and Spain. Extremely successful in owning so many restaurants in NYC.
I enjoyed his PBS special on Spain with Gwenyth Paltro, Mark Bittman and Spanish actress Claudia (?). This multi-part series was beautifully photographed, full of history and definitely all about food and wine throughout Spain. A must see. A beautiful book to purchase, too.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peter on July 10, 2009 at 11:57pm: You guys may not have seen her but my current favourite is Rachel Allen She is always enthusiastic, clear and straightforward in her instructions and the food is straightforward and unfussy. ( and she tastes as she goes along!)

I quite like Bill Granger as well for his enthusiasm and fresh simple food but he is perhaps selling a lifestyle more than recipes . . .; ▶ Reply to This