Nov
10
Published in
Food Network, Anthony Bourdain by
April
April is the author of the The Hungry Engineer food blog.
Whether you consider him a self-possessed blow-hard or a quick-witted, worldly-wise, culinary sage, Anthony Bourdain is a catalyzing force in the food entertainment world. His books, TV shows, and overall persona rarely fail to inspire a strong reaction. Reference the Food Network. My understanding is that following his infamous rant in early 2007, nearly all references to him were removed from the Food Network's website. (Editor’s Note: A search on the Food Network site reveals that Anthony Bourdain has been completely expunged!)
He began his television career on the Food Network with A Cook's Tour, a TV series not unlike his current Travel Channel show, No Reservations. Bourdain and the Food Network parted ways when, after only two seasons, the network wanted to take A Cook's Tour in a more local, less exotic direction.
But is this what inspires his ire at the Food Network and its stable of "food personalities"? I don't think so. Perhaps like MTV and its departure from the music videos I grew up loving, the Food Network seems to have taken a departure from the cooking shows that initially helped teach us to cook.
From my vantage point, it seems to be more about over-produced contests, restaurants and shortcuts these days. Is the sometimes campy FoodTV that taught me so much about cooking early on still around?
I think it is - you just have to know where to look.
Number one on my list of shows that are excellent for teaching someone to cook is Good Eats. Alton Brown is a dorky, mildly sarcastic, lo-fi genius. He tells you ~about~ food. He doesn't just lay down the goods, cook 'em up, and then show you the beautiful dish he's prepared. No! He explains the science behind the things he's cooking.
Alton brings in a nutritional anthropologist to explain the origins of various foods and techniques. He does it with a healthy dose of humor and some of the goofiest props and set designs I’ve ever seen. (Editor's Note: April's got a serious crush on Alton).
Another chef that I'm fond of watching is Jamie Oliver (Jamie at Home). He's excited about food, and he wants you to be excited too. He combines richly flavored ingredients to make wonderful food, much of which can be created even if you don't have a great deal of time. He does a fantastic job of showing you what can be accomplished with just a small amount of effort in the kitchen.
Now for those I'm not so fond of on the Food Network: Sandra Lee (Semi Homemade) and Rachael Ray (30 Minute Meals). Is Sandra Lee's gussying up of canned foods a good a way to cook? Sure - I often make use of convenience foods when I'm too busy. Does it need its own television show? I don't think so. I also find Rachael Ray incredibly annoying, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a Bourdain fangirl - she seems to occupy a lot of air time.
I got out of the habit of tuning in when it seemed all I ever got to see was Dinner Impossible and Unwrapped. Obviously someone's watching those shows or the network wouldn't continue to air them, but I don't mind telling you they simply aren't my cup of tea.
What do you think of The Food Network? Comment below.
woo!
written by kang, November 10, 2008
Great post!
written by Foong, November 10, 2008
Why Anthony Bourdain Hates the Food Network
Published in
Food Network, Anthony Bourdain by
April
April is the author of the The Hungry Engineer food blog.
Whether you consider him a self-possessed blow-hard or a quick-witted, worldly-wise, culinary sage, Anthony Bourdain is a catalyzing force in the food entertainment world. His books, TV shows, and overall persona rarely fail to inspire a strong reaction. Reference the Food Network. My understanding is that following his infamous rant in early 2007, nearly all references to him were removed from the Food Network's website. (Editor’s Note: A search on the Food Network site reveals that Anthony Bourdain has been completely expunged!)
He began his television career on the Food Network with A Cook's Tour, a TV series not unlike his current Travel Channel show, No Reservations. Bourdain and the Food Network parted ways when, after only two seasons, the network wanted to take A Cook's Tour in a more local, less exotic direction.
But is this what inspires his ire at the Food Network and its stable of "food personalities"? I don't think so. Perhaps like MTV and its departure from the music videos I grew up loving, the Food Network seems to have taken a departure from the cooking shows that initially helped teach us to cook.
From my vantage point, it seems to be more about over-produced contests, restaurants and shortcuts these days. Is the sometimes campy FoodTV that taught me so much about cooking early on still around?
I think it is - you just have to know where to look.
Number one on my list of shows that are excellent for teaching someone to cook is Good Eats. Alton Brown is a dorky, mildly sarcastic, lo-fi genius. He tells you ~about~ food. He doesn't just lay down the goods, cook 'em up, and then show you the beautiful dish he's prepared. No! He explains the science behind the things he's cooking.
Alton brings in a nutritional anthropologist to explain the origins of various foods and techniques. He does it with a healthy dose of humor and some of the goofiest props and set designs I’ve ever seen. (Editor's Note: April's got a serious crush on Alton).
Another chef that I'm fond of watching is Jamie Oliver (Jamie at Home). He's excited about food, and he wants you to be excited too. He combines richly flavored ingredients to make wonderful food, much of which can be created even if you don't have a great deal of time. He does a fantastic job of showing you what can be accomplished with just a small amount of effort in the kitchen.
Now for those I'm not so fond of on the Food Network: Sandra Lee (Semi Homemade) and Rachael Ray (30 Minute Meals). Is Sandra Lee's gussying up of canned foods a good a way to cook? Sure - I often make use of convenience foods when I'm too busy. Does it need its own television show? I don't think so. I also find Rachael Ray incredibly annoying, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a Bourdain fangirl - she seems to occupy a lot of air time.
I got out of the habit of tuning in when it seemed all I ever got to see was Dinner Impossible and Unwrapped. Obviously someone's watching those shows or the network wouldn't continue to air them, but I don't mind telling you they simply aren't my cup of tea.
What do you think of The Food Network? Comment below.
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written by kang, November 10, 2008
I was just at your blog at hungry engineer oggling at the pumpkin soup!!
written by Foong, November 10, 2008
I absolutely love to watch Jamie Oliver cook. He made it so easy. I don't think we have Food Network here so I can't comment on that! 
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@Foong - He does prolly make it look easier than it actually is, but I've always found his recipes to be relatively straightforward - and very flavorful.
@Shae - Thanks letting me clutter up your blog with my rambling!