467542 Sat Dec 08 06:33:11 -0800 2007 210 33 Food Media and News 0 3190164 There has been a lot of grousing about the food network on the board, not least from me. I just took a look at the website for the American network, and something struck me: it seems that the Canadian network is still introducing new *cooking* shows with real chefs, not mere personalities, whereas, from my quick perusal of the website, and the comments made here, that seems not be the case in the US. Here, we've got Heston Blumenthal's In Search of Perfection, Anthony Sedlak doing The Main (good food, but hyperkinetic editing), and Ricardo Larrivee (a Quebec guy who really knows his stuff, but would never fly in the US - his accent is too thick, his linguistic faux pas would be very odd if you are unacquainted with French, his personality too Quebecois). Is FN Canada doing a better job? Any thoughts on this? Am I correct, or is this a misperception on my part? Ciao, hounds. Sat Dec 08 06:33:11 -0800 2007 91415 hungry_pangolin 1 3190179 My guess is that your right on. If you check out most of the cable TV networks, the top (most informed and informing) shows are done in Canada. That's true from children's shows on PBS, to cooking and decorating shows pretty much across the cable TV board. If I could, I would try to make an argument on behalf of U.S. originated shows by citing the writer's strike as a possible detriment, but too bad... Canada's excellence originates long before the WGA started talking about a possible strike. Historically, Canada had a real edge financially on production costs, but now, with the crumbling dollar and (gasp!) equality between the Canadian and U.S. dollars, it will be interesting to see if the Canadian edge holds after (when/if) the WGA strike ends. Stay tuned! Sat Dec 08 06:43:50 -0800 2007 3190164 112096 Caroline1 1 3193813 A few years ago I would've said unequivocally that it's the US FTV that's better. The Canadian one had gone way down hill and although they had more "Cooking" shows, the level of the hosts left something to be desired. Canadian Living Cooks was the worst. The one woman just couldn't string together a sentence to save her life. She was a great cook but a poor TV host. There was also another woman who had a Sara Moulton type show that had an ego like you wouldn't believe. Absolutely ruined what couldve been a good show. I really only watch the US FTV now so I can't tell you which is better now. Considering the new US FTV has gone so far down in the ladder. PBS is still the way to go but alas, they've moved the best stuff to HD from what I can see and we haven't as yet taken the plunge. DT Sun Dec 09 19:28:06 -0800 2007 3190164 11291 Davwud 2 3194869 The Sara Moulton wannabe was Christine Cushing, and not only did she have a huge ego, she was often wrong. I suspect that her second banana was the one who did the real work on that show. Agreed about Canadian Living Cooks: decent food, bad presenters. It's just that this season, FN Canada has introduced some very good new shows that actually address real cooking, which seemed contrary to the general perception on this board. Yesterday's episode of In Search of Perfection (Heston Blumenthal) on steak and salad was fascinating. I'm going to attempt his 24 hour steak with mushroom ketchup. I salivated through the entire episode. Mon Dec 10 08:35:51 -0800 2007 3193813 91415 hungry_pangolin 3 3195251 As I said above, I haven't watched FTV Canada in a few years so I couldn't comment on the new shows. One other thing that really irritated me was "Chef at Home." Michael Smith is good and all and I loved "The Inn Chef" but the camera angles on C@H bugged the crap out of me. DT Mon Dec 10 10:14:51 -0800 2007 3194869 11291 Davwud 4 4304257 Agreed, Michael Smith is good, great approach to food. Really basic approach with a very learned understanding of technique and just generally gets it. Oh yeah and Ricardo's got chops too. But I gotta say why do they gotta bring in their kids and family all the time, it's so corny. But other Cancon? French Food Lady - sorry but you are boring and you add little interest to old standards. Anna the Splenda Lady - Much better focus now than old show that talked about chocolate or whatever for half an hour. The Heat - Just not a well-made show, sorry dude you should know better than to get hair stylin' tips from David Adjey if you're going on TV Mark MacEwen even though you seem like you have a lot to offer and seem like a staight-up guy. Restaurant Makeover - I just hate this show and it's stale formula and mall design. Lynn Crawford however needs her own show - most competent and entertaining woman I've seen on TV in a while. My main problem is what foreign shows we get in Canada, no Jacques Pepin? No Jamie Oliver? What happened to Kylie Kwong? Keep the Tyler action coming though... Wed Jan 07 10:17:09 -0800 2009 3195251 210997 Sui_Mai 5 4305710 Kylie Kwong is back with the My China series - awesome show! And those contrived gatherings that the hosts always cook for bug the heck out of me - especially Anna Olson's...blahhhhhh Wed Jan 07 16:53:00 -0800 2009 4304257 14403 Pizza Lover 5 5063510 Disagree about French Food at Home. I find her endearing and the recipes are basic but appreciative of good food. I've also made the galette from her show and it's one of my favourite recipes for entertaining. Mon Sep 28 07:04:04 -0700 2009 4304257 23415 pescatarian 3 3211900 OMG I sooo want to try his pickled mushrooms nad mushroom ketchup!! I think we get a lot more UK shows than the US does as well. not the least on FTV. Makes my parents really jealous (they're Brits living in the states) Sat Dec 15 23:27:49 -0800 2007 3194869 69079 starlady 3 3749479 Christine Cushing still has her own show "Christine Cushing Live", which I can't watch. I think the lady Dave was thinking of on "Canadian Living Cooks" was Elizabeth Baird, who likewise drove me crazy. However, the worst - by far, by a mile, by a universe or two - was any show featuring the execrable Ken Kostick. He had two, IIRC, "What's for Dinner?" with a nearly as annoying female host, and another whose name I can't remember where he invited guests. He makes Ms. Ray seem positively enchanting by contrast. Wed Jun 04 12:16:05 -0700 2008 3194869 48210 KevinB 4 3773786 Ken Kostick! What a friggin' meat puppet! And his co-host was Mary Jo Eustace, now best known for having been jilted by her husband, Dean McDermott, in favour of Tori Spelling. Christine Cushing Live is in reruns. No new episodes. Thu Jun 12 08:38:23 -0700 2008 3749479 91415 hungry_pangolin 4 4304269 Seriously, who in the world watches Christine Cushing - and for an hour?!?! Wed Jan 07 10:19:56 -0800 2009 3749479 210997 Sui_Mai 5 4305699 No-one - that's why it's on at 6 am re-runs. And Sui_Mai - you are on a roll today! Wed Jan 07 16:50:04 -0800 2009 4304269 14403 Pizza Lover 2 4320499 Rest assured (sad to say) that the USA version of FTV has gone downhill in recent years of late as well. The channell was much more appealing in its earlier days, by virtue of its simplicity. It has become too slick, too merchandised, and I knew it was over when they entered the dark tunnel of "reality TV". Really a shame. It held such promise, but I guess it is a "business" and in that respect, a very successful one. But there's a lot less reason to watch these days. Mon Jan 12 18:39:40 -0800 2009 3193813 116047 The Professor 1 3211282 Food Safari seems to be only shown in Canada, right? I know it's an Australian show but it's my favorite at the moment. They do a lot in a half hour and go to both professional and amateur cooks. I've eyed Blumenthat with suspicion since the fish and chips episode where there was a huge gap between the "perfect" batter and the fish. It's not perfect if it has a big air pocket! I might as well cook the batter and fish separately and layer them. Sat Dec 15 16:35:51 -0800 2007 3190164 15832 sharonanne 2 3220189 I haven't watched enough FN US to make a judgement but I don't think FN Canada is that fantastic - why you ask - two words: Food Jammers That show is an embarrassment. I loathe it. Tue Dec 18 16:49:50 -0800 2007 3211282 16210 shana 3 3220449 I agree, there are lamentably few shows I tune into on FN Canada, they're either pretty good or God awful (the Food Jammer guys, unfortunately are neither entertaining, witty, or barring that much eye candy). Tue Dec 18 18:32:57 -0800 2007 3220189 10980 Blueicus 3 3220494 It's true, I don't even know why they keep showing their shows. But does the US get the Thirsty Traveler? One of my favourites. Tue Dec 18 18:49:37 -0800 2007 3220189 106268 whackamole 4 3226307 We got thirsty traveler 2 years ago, I think on FN. ? Or something like it. Someone on here will know.... Thu Dec 20 13:48:31 -0800 2007 3220494 88683 stellamystar 4 3227015 TT comes on Fine Living TV in the US. One show I miss on FTV Canada was The Food Hunter with Pete Luckett. I don't know why that show didn't do well. Engaging host showing the origin of great food. I loved it. DT Thu Dec 20 18:16:40 -0800 2007 3220494 11291 Davwud 3 3255137 Funny... I love that show... not for the food of course but for the DIY stuff that goes with it... and I don't know who pick the music on that show but it is worth watching the show just to listen to it. But then I guess I am a bit of a food geek too... Wed Jan 02 17:23:23 -0800 2008 3220189 154149 Magictofu 2 3745721 Agreed. I think Food Safari is one of the best shows on FN Canada. Possibly the best. Which doesn’t say too much I guess, since most of their programming has become godawful over the last few years. And from what I understand, FN US is even worse. Tue Jun 03 11:52:27 -0700 2008 3211282 25243 magic 2 5062470 I like Food Safari, too, especially it being Austrailian...makes you really listen to what's being said. Sun Sep 27 15:48:27 -0700 2009 3211282 114094 sojo16 1 3230893 There's also Laura Calder's show, French Food at Home, which doesn't air in the US, I believe. Sat Dec 22 10:56:31 -0800 2007 3190164 13175 xtal 2 4054363 You are right--it doesn't. I caught it when in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, and liked it. She was making various terrines. A couple of "precious" moments but by and large a good, low key demonstration of the food and techniques. Tue Sep 23 05:01:37 -0700 2008 3230893 109573 coney with everything 3 4304292 Really? When I think of what could be done with a show on French food from a young fresh perspective I am gobsmacked by how lam-o this is. Francophiles are obsessives and perfectionists for the most part and this show is so humdrum. Like seriously - that loopy Parisian font is about as lazy-french as you can get. Wed Jan 07 10:26:11 -0800 2009 4054363 210997 Sui_Mai 4 4307045 I liked it because US FN has zero French cooking shows--it's a classic cuisine and there should be one show about it. Her show was basic enough for novices, which is the FN audience. Jacques Pepin, Julia Child levels of cooking are aspirational; I can't think of one show on US FN which could be considered "aspirational" cooking. Wolfgang Puck's and Jacques Torres' shows didn't last too long... I will say that I didn't watch the whole show, but the terrines looked fun and do-able. Maybe Rachel Ray can do a show devoted to a 30 minute terrine. Thu Jan 08 07:47:55 -0800 2009 4304292 109573 coney with everything 2 4306083 Something about the way Laura speaks makes it difficult for me to watch her. I don't know if she's nervous on TV, but she doesn't seem right for the role. To each their own, though. I'm sure plenty of others love her, if even if it's for her cleavage. Wed Jan 07 19:03:07 -0800 2009 3230893 103439 eller 3 5062936 I find her very knowledgable and fun. I really enjoy the show. She doesn't seem overly canned and sound-byte ready. Sun Sep 27 20:06:24 -0700 2009 4306083 114094 sojo16 4 5063521 I like her also. I also don't think it's too basic as someone mentioned earlier. I am not a basic cook, and I just find that it is simple yes, but in a way that showcases the love of good simple food. Mon Sep 28 07:07:30 -0700 2009 5062936 23415 pescatarian 5 5171383 I don't watch her too often, but I like that she dresses demurely. With her rather impressive embonpoint, if the show was being aired in the US, I'm sure the producer would want her to wear something low-cut like Giada, or something tight with lots of midriff shots, like Nigella. Tue Nov 10 17:32:04 -0800 2009 5063521 1104506 FrankD 6 5188539 What? How do you not see her boobage all over the screen in those tight t-shirts she wears? Tue Nov 17 09:15:57 -0800 2009 5171383 210997 Sui_Mai 1 3233247 I am in Canada and I like the some of the Canadian shows - French Food at Home, Chef at Home and Ricardo (occasionally - too much cream and butter for my taste). Sun Dec 23 16:22:14 -0800 2007 3190164 149096 blue bike 2 3362425 I don't mind the recipes and ideas, but I get so distracted by the way Laura Calder talks. She opens her mouth so wide! All you can see is teeth! And there's something with the way she pronounces 't's' that bothers me. I just can't watch. Sun Feb 03 20:47:46 -0800 2008 3233247 161585 miss_bennet 1 3236004 I fully agree that Food Jammers is crap... pointless crap. The inspiration of my original posting was that FN Canada was actually inroducing new *cooking* shows. I didn't mean to imply that it was as good as in The Golden Age. I'd like to know what Pete Luckett is up to these days. Tue Dec 25 10:50:24 -0800 2007 3190164 91415 hungry_pangolin 2 3380397 PL has an excellent and thriving grocery chain on the east coast. hope he opens one here (TO) soon! http://www.petesfrootique.com/ Chow! HL. Sat Feb 09 10:34:23 -0800 2008 3236004 49536 HarryLloyd 1 3248905 With the sale of Alliance Atlantis (FN Canada parent company) to Canwest Global (soul-less Cdn media giant), I fear that the overall quality may suffer if the focus changes from the love of food to the love of money. Regardless, prepare for longer commercial breaks, endless programming promos for other channels, and super-imposed promos flying around taking up 1/3 of the screen DURING the show you are trying to watch. Mon Dec 31 06:27:27 -0800 2007 3190164 59608 El Puerco 1 3254919 I'm not aware of the full range of FN shows from the US and I find that I don't tune in to FN Canada very often. If nothing grabbed me on the hundreds of available channels, I used to tune to Food TV. I don't do that any more because I don't find very much that I want to see. I guess that's my long winded way of saying that the Canadian Food Network is no longer worth watching either. I don't know whether you have all of the Oliver shows, or Blumenthal, or the English version of Ramsay. These have their moments. The Michael Smith shows have good content. However, his delivery isn't the greatest. I enjoyed the Inn Chef and Chef at Large. His newest show, Chef at Home, is a good idea done (IMO) poorly. Anna Olson has her moments. Ricardo is rather good, though I agree he couldn't succeed in the US and a recent show where he had little children deep frying donuts gave me pause. I quite liked Cook Like a Chef, but that's gone also. In Canada, we are gifted with never ending episodes of Restaurant Makeover, which is discussed ad nauseum in other threads. Food Jammers is a travesty. Cushing was a bitch. As far as I'm aware, we don't have Sandra Lee or Paula Deen. I think where I'm going with this stream of consciousness is that Canada is slightly different, but not necessarily better, and is heading rapidly down the same drainpipe. Wed Jan 02 16:18:01 -0800 2008 3190164 23411 embee 2 3255169 Cook like a chef is on in the middle of the night, like 2am I think. I occasionally catch it. Wed Jan 02 17:31:44 -0800 2008 3254919 69079 starlady 3 5171392 Now they run back to back episodes from 7 to 8 am I think it's a great show for learning techniques. . Tue Nov 10 17:34:14 -0800 2009 3255169 1104506 FrankD 2 3255205 Actually, because FN Canada has introduced a few new (actual) cooking shows, I'm not certain that it's headed down the same drainpipe. That said, I don't think that FN Can has a 'critical mass' to take it in a different direction, either. Hence my original question... I'm still uncertain. Unfortunately, we do have Paula Deen. I agree with you on the pointless crime of Food Jammers. I've already slammed Christine Cushing in previous posts as a know-nothing-know-it-all, so I won't be redundant. BTW, for those who speak French, Ricardo Larrivee's French programme is, stylistically, simpler and better than his English one on FN, though I dislike the product hawking on the French version. SRC at 11am EST. Wed Jan 02 17:40:23 -0800 2008 3254919 91415 hungry_pangolin 3 3255468 I think I like more of the shows that appear on Food Network Canada. I like French Food at Home, Chef at Home (I know others don't, but I don't mind it), I don't mind Ricardo (he needs to make some new shows because I'm tired of watching the same ones). I use Anna Olsen's recipes often when I bake. I did enjoy watching Christine Cushing, not sure why, but I did. It's hilarious what you say about Canadian Living because despite the good recipes occasionally, I could never get over Elizabeth's stuttering. I do use Daphna's recipes sometimes though. Food Jammers is horrible, horrible. I've never watched it for more than 5 min. I think it's good that we get more BBC shows sooner, because I often enjoy those. I think we had Nigella way before US FN, maybe I'm wrong. I've always enjoyed Jamie. On the US FN, I like Ina Garten, I watch Iron Chef, etc. but I can't think of much else that I like. p.s. it's not on either FN, but there's this show called Foodies that appears on Global, I think, on the weekends. I've come across it occasionally. It is a fine example of what NOT to do with a cooking show. Wed Jan 02 19:12:30 -0800 2008 3255205 23415 pescatarian 4 3256897 Didn't know about Foodies. Thanks for that, pescatarian. I'll take a look to watch the mistake. Thu Jan 03 09:34:27 -0800 2008 3255468 91415 hungry_pangolin 4 3257843 I can't believe you mentionned that show. Foodies is maddeningly awful. Everything about it is bad. I watch it just to get angry at it. That being said, it is on par with all of CanWest's home decorating, renovation and gardening shows. Thu Jan 03 12:58:39 -0800 2008 3255468 18488 SnackHappy 5 3257918 Well, I did mention it as an example of what NOT to do with a cooking show! I can't bear to watch more than 2 min at time when I've caught it in passing. I honestly don't believe that the host has actually made the food she's cooking before she makes it on air and her commentary is laughable. Thu Jan 03 13:16:53 -0800 2008 3257843 23415 pescatarian 6 3366739 The host was one of the judges on the Next Great Chef show, and I believe they kept saying she was a pastry chef. Not sure how much experience she's had otherwise.... Tue Feb 05 09:30:19 -0800 2008 3257918 14229 anonymoose 5 4067821 Agreed 100% Sun Sep 28 11:50:47 -0700 2008 3257843 224081 BamiaWruz 4 3373437 I hope that Food TV Canada picks up more of Ramsay's shows aired on Channel 4 in the UK. I was lucky enough to catch most of 'The F Word' series he was in and got to see him mentoring various cooks of different levels in a far less gruesome competition than what 'Hell's Kitchen' was about. As well, viewers saw part of his personal life- his family and the lambs he was keeping in his back yard. The show I detest the most, which is produced in Canada is 'Eat Shrink and Be Merry'. I recognize the niche opportunity to show viewers a more healthy way to eat but there's got to be a way to do it without those sisters. To me, they're like nails on a chalkboard in a way I can't really explain...I guess maybe they don't seem to take their role in the show seriously? Thu Feb 07 09:01:40 -0800 2008 3255468 103439 eller 5 3374109 Re: the sisters - that's their shtick. If you look at the cookbooks they made before their show began, you'll see cartoons and cutesy names through all of them. I saw a commercial the other day that said FN Canada is going to be broadcasting Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Treatment. He's been in the UK food news so much lately; it will be interesting to see what his shows are like. Thu Feb 07 11:42:06 -0800 2008 3373437 14229 anonymoose 6 3374332 I haven't watched the shows but have all their cook books and they have a lot of good stuff for those of us who have to watch their "waste" lines. DT Thu Feb 07 12:43:17 -0800 2008 3374109 11291 Davwud 6 3374743 I haven't seen River Cottage Treatment yet, but the River Cottage series are fantastic. Especially the first three: Escape to River Cottage, Return to River Cottage and River Cottage Forever. Treatment looks quite a bit different from his other series in that it's a reality-type show. I'm sure I'll like it though I love pretty much everything he does. Thu Feb 07 14:28:31 -0800 2008 3374109 18488 SnackHappy 5 5188936 LOL what ? you don't like Cheese? C'mon where's your funny bone. You think cooking healthy is a bag of fun? The info they are dishing out in their cookbook is very serious. They've done their research and it shows. The cheese is just a topping. All their nutritional information is solid. We haven't tried all the receipes in their cookbook but everything so far has been super delicious. So what's not love... lower salt and fat and calories yet retaining flavor and tastiness. Watching calories is not a barrel of laughs and at least the sisters are putting forth good ideas that make dry topics more appealing to deal with. Maybe you could get better aquainted with them though other sources.... you might find you would like them or least the information they are putting out. Tue Nov 17 11:01:02 -0800 2009 3373437 244710 chewy_bakah 3 4304315 You bring up an interesting point. What do the Quebecois people watch and can we get it in Toronto? Wed Jan 07 10:30:13 -0800 2009 3255205 210997 Sui_Mai 3 4320467 Paula Deen's show makes me feel sick. The burger with glazed doughnuts... no words, no words. Mon Jan 12 18:29:53 -0800 2009 3255205 202405 tjr 4 4410630 They serve that burger at a baseball stadium near my house - a minor league team. Thu Feb 12 09:12:24 -0800 2009 4320467 127407 kprange 1 3362104 I don't like how shows on Food Network Canada are becoming more and more 'entertainment' like. To clarify, any shows that do not teach you how to cook, but rather you just watch them cook, or worse, construction (I'm referring to you Restaurant Makeover... if i want construction i'll turn to HGtv thank you!), Iron Chef America (it's good for cheering on our Canadian competitors, but once again i'd like to see more teaching, although Alton does give a good run through of the theme ingredient and techniques used by chefs), Throwdown, Glutton For Punishment (I miss, the Surreal Gourmet), who the heck is this Fink Guy, Dinner Impossible, you get the idea... bring back Molto Mario!!! On Saturdays I really like PBS, I get my gastronomical fill with Julia Child, Lidia Bastianich, America's Test Kitchen, Rick Bayless.. which makes me wonder: why can't Foodtv CAN have such shows? Sun Feb 03 17:45:53 -0800 2008 3190164 74336 sugarcube 2 3368419 i friggin' LOVE dinner impossible...he is great!!! Tue Feb 05 16:58:05 -0800 2008 3362104 115315 chiuchiu 3 5189016 What do you mean you can't learn anything from these shows? Don't be a sour square. How many "cooking shows" could you really have on food network? I love dinner impossible too. Have you tried to cook for a large group .. ok maybe not 200 or 1000 but a huge family. It's hard to get the timing right. Just get a PVR and record only cooking shows and you'll be a happy camper Tue Nov 17 11:22:19 -0800 2009 3368419 244710 chewy_bakah 2 3387317 Food Network Canada has made a point of moving away from instructional shows and toward "food as entertainment." Why? Because that's where the money is! They figure they can get bigger ratings in prime time from shows such as Restaurant Makeover (the popularity of which astounds and depresses me) and Top Chef than from Julia, Lidia et al. And you know, they're right - they make money hand over first. Face it, the casual viewers they're after are far more interested in Ramsay's tantrums than in his braising technique. That said, there's still lots of good stuff on the Food Network for those who are serious about food: Heston Blumenthal, At the Table With, the Thirsty Traveller, etc. Mon Feb 11 15:42:01 -0800 2008 3362104 48857 estragon 3 3392567 They're just following what FN US has done. "Challenge" shows. "Reality" shows. It's all just fluff. DT Wed Feb 13 05:32:08 -0800 2008 3387317 11291 Davwud 2 5062939 I loved Molto Mario!! I still feel like I know Mario from watching that show. The dump, stir and chat format is out, nowadays, though. And no one would put someone like Mario on the air anymore. Sun Sep 27 20:09:20 -0700 2009 3362104 114094 sojo16 1 3380038 I watch Food Network Canada less and less now (I have a DVR, so I still catch shows like In Search of Perfection, At The Table With, and other goodies), but it is so much better than the US Food Network. I have a friend that gets the US version on satellite and the programming seems like it's just Emeril Lagasse, Rachel Ray, and that ol country lady, on rotation several times a day, and those three are the most annoying TV personalities in the world to me. We get those shows too here in Canada, but thankfully not four times a day each, seems we get a little bit of everything up here, good Canadian shows, some US, and some awesome shows from the UK and even some Aussie shows. One thing I that is really missing on FN though, is a good Asian cooking show (no Martin Yan or Kylie Kwan was it?). Also, I miss Anthony Bourdain, he's on the Travel Channel though, but you need digital cable for that, and my DVR isn't compatible with it. Sat Feb 09 07:48:57 -0800 2008 3190164 17070 xianzhong 2 3395818 In spite of his continual disdain, Bourdain has arrived at FN-US, 10:30 EST on Tuesdays, in an unfortunate vehicle called "A Cook's Tour" which displays every unfortunate character flaw he has. He's much cooler than you are, dontcha know, and in 30 minutes takes advantage of every opportunity to demonstrate it. Wed Feb 13 20:29:25 -0800 2008 3380038 165882 beltwaybump 3 3396252 He hasn't really arrived at Food Network. That show is seven years old and Bourdain left FN in 2002 to make a new show for Discovery Travel called No Reservations. Thu Feb 14 04:59:26 -0800 2008 3395818 18488 SnackHappy 4 3771951 Jealous now -- I would love to see Cook's Tour -- can't get it on DVD, FN Canada has no plans to show it. AB before he was a chef celeb... oh yeah. Wed Jun 11 16:57:12 -0700 2008 3396252 169233 grayelf 2 4304360 Canadian FN is on some crazy rotation too with Rachel Ray and Giada and the annoying French food lady on in the am and before dinner - but that's CanWest Global for ya - they're all about bottom line over quality. I totally agree with you - bring back Tony B and Kylie Kwong! Wed Jan 07 10:37:40 -0800 2009 3380038 210997 Sui_Mai 1 4052983 Just my 2 cents on the best and worst shows on FN Canada. Good: The Main, with Anthony Sedlak. Delicious looking food, with the general rationale of the preparation and techniques explained nicely. An engaging host. Unusual accent though. Scottish?) In Search Of Perfection: The best show on the FN. My main complaint is his is too time constrained to show everything properly in 30 minutes. (So I look it up on Youtube) Tyler's Ultimate: A somewhat humourless host, but he pulls off some nice looking dishes with good explanations. Iron Chef America: Just fun to watch. Alton's commentary is also quite interesting and occasionally useful. Bad: Rachael Ray - Annoying and fake and basically useless. Paula Deen - really fatty gross looking food and her accent is ridiculous. Neutral: Laura Calder: a bit geeky and with an annoying way of speaking through her teeth. Her food is a little boring. Meh. Ricardo: Meh Michael Smith: Chef At Home. I like the content of his show, but he constantly sounds as though he's talking (condescending) to a two year old. Also has a way of oversimplifying international cuisines. "Oh, just add some 5-spice powder and soy-sauce". Mon Sep 22 14:03:13 -0700 2008 3190164 168520 pizzatheorem 2 4084100 Re: Michael Smith - "Aromatics" Said. In. Every. Episode. Sun Oct 05 19:32:21 -0700 2008 4052983 103439 eller 3 4304376 and "Gabe". Wed Jan 07 10:40:54 -0800 2009 4084100 210997 Sui_Mai 4 4320453 Chef at Home: The Drinking Game 1. Take a shot every time Michael Smith says "flavour." 2. Take a shot... It doesn't matter, you'll be under the table in 5 minutes or less. Mon Jan 12 18:25:02 -0800 2009 4304376 202405 tjr 2 4304368 Just caught the Mooking guy's show (from Nyood?) and it is interesting. Plus how cute is he? Wed Jan 07 10:39:46 -0800 2009 4052983 210997 Sui_Mai 3 4304550 He reminds me of "Turtle" from Entourage, and not in the good way. Wed Jan 07 11:23:06 -0800 2009 4304368 10980 Blueicus 4 5062947 Bump Sun Sep 27 20:11:55 -0700 2009 4304550 114094 sojo16 3 4305075 really? the way he constantly says "obedient ingredient" bugs me. ANd the fact that he sings his own theme song.... I've watched the show a couple times and I have to say that the only thing I put in EVERYTHING in a meal is S&P not sechuan peppercorns or something like that. Wed Jan 07 13:28:15 -0800 2009 4304368 69079 starlady 4 4340473 He used to go by the name of MC Mystic when he was in a group called Bass is Base. :) They had a couple hits way back in the early 90s. Mon Jan 19 19:54:23 -0800 2009 4305075 16363 mogo 2 4306067 Re: Anthony Sedlak's accent, which I don't hear., btw. He was born and raised in Canada (British Columbia). Wed Jan 07 18:57:02 -0800 2009 4052983 98493 JamieK 3 4320456 It's not so much his accent in general as the way he pronounces certain words. I also think he uses a lot of words to try to sound hip, but it's kind of laughable (eg: "Get your gear!") Mon Jan 12 18:26:08 -0800 2009 4306067 202405 tjr 4 4321034 He's the only west-coast Canadian I've heard speak that way. Very odd. Mon Jan 12 23:43:55 -0800 2009 4320456 10980 Blueicus 4 4501575 I just saw his show, and he *is* revealing an accent. Sounds maybe S. African or Aussie crossed with surfer dude. I'm from Van and while we may have a wee drawl, it ain't like that. Kills the show for me. His red wine flank steak recipe however, is one of my faves of all times (I got it from the newspaper though). Fri Mar 13 10:13:27 -0700 2009 4320456 210997 Sui_Mai 2 4320746 "her accent is ridiculous" Its called Southern and many of us talk that way. Mon Jan 12 20:15:16 -0800 2009 4052983 11854 LaLa 1 4054231 I like that they have more british shows but then it's not really to THEIR credit =/. The only Canadian only show I like is French Food at Home. I hate that guy in a trailer...ugh Tue Sep 23 01:14:01 -0700 2008 3190164 212885 AngelSanctuary 1 4058297 Continuing with the real Chef trend is the upcoming show on Food Network Canada with Chef Roger Mooking (Nyood in Toronto), Everyday Exotic, aimed at de-Mystifying ingredients (such as Saffron etc) coming this fall... Wed Sep 24 11:20:39 -0700 2008 3190164 172355 FrancoYYZ 2 4061304 Anyone see the commercials for The Wild Chef? It's got Martin Picard from Au Pied de Cochon and his sous chef wandering around the wilds of Quebec.... the dishes he makes look oddly interesting. Thu Sep 25 11:59:40 -0700 2008 4058297 14229 anonymoose 3 4086532 I saw the first episode the other day, they drive around in the woods w/ his pickup carrying a commercial grade stove, in the dead of winter. He proceeds to cook things like muskrat and civet. All delivered in a stilted Quebecois English. Definitely not US FN friendly. It's a great show..... Everyday Exotic meanwhile is pretty pedestrian, your typical instruction show. I would say the ingredients are exotic if you've shopped in chain supermarkets your entire life. Funny thing is he hums a lot while prepping..... Chef Abroad seems to be mirroring A Cook's Tour/No Reservations, minus the ascerbic wittyness. They seem to have good fixers, interviewing a lot of interesting people. Mon Oct 06 17:40:49 -0700 2008 4061304 14629 aser 4 4091054 I saw it too and thought it was hilarious! Any show that can do a muskrat Chinese bbq over an open fire in the middle of winter has my attention. Wed Oct 08 12:07:57 -0700 2008 4086532 14229 anonymoose 3 4089850 I saw the first episode andd it was awesome. Best new show in a long time. Tue Oct 07 23:22:12 -0700 2008 4061304 18054 acook1230 4 4338969 love it. great idea. Mon Jan 19 11:06:06 -0800 2009 4089850 210997 Sui_Mai 1 4065144 love theirs much better than ours. much more to choose from in my opinion and not the same old same old, watch it every time I am in canada which is very often Fri Sep 26 20:50:29 -0700 2008 3190164 23096 iL Divo 1 4067834 I like food network Canada, Food Safari is one of my fav. shows, it's amazing!! Canadian shows I am not too interested in: The main (it's good but too much meat for my taste, though when I catch it I'll watch it) French food at home: It's ok every now and then but too slow and boring. Fresh and Sugar: I honestly can't stand. Some recipes are ok but I don't think she's that great of a pastry chef and that's clear on sugar, sometimes she just throws things on the plate or doesn't seem to pair things together properly. Chef at home: I like this show, but I agree with the reviewer who said he acts like he's talking to a 2 year old, I'd say someone who is getting into cooking might find his show helpful. I like his other show, Chef at large and am looking forward to his new show Chef abroad. Ricardo: I love him, his personality and he's just entertaining to watch. I watched almost all of his shows, I like the little trips he takes, learned quite a few things about food. It's nice to see local things and learn about Canada. Love most of the british shows, they're really brilliant. Sun Sep 28 11:59:37 -0700 2008 3190164 224081 BamiaWruz 2 4089718 I have to agree with your assessment of Anna Olsen, though in general her recipes are fine she doesn't really act like a person who's had years of experience as a pastry chef and instead acts like a semi-competent home baker (especially when she demonstrates things like piping or other similar skills). And yes, I do think FN Canada is generally superior to the American version... for one I have to thank CRTC for regulating Canadian television to have to include "Canadian Content", though a lot of the good shows on the network aren't Canadian. Tue Oct 07 21:09:26 -0700 2008 4067834 10980 Blueicus 1 4091956 Personally I think Canada has a one up on Food network US, The Next food Network star tv show proves it. They are looking for people who they think can host another Paula deen type show for their mostly folksy audience. My fiance and I were positive Lisa would win NFNS because she was by a long shot the most qualified and I was looking forward to getting some of her fancy recipes and seeing something we don't see every 30 minutes on the FN. I know people complain about Paula a lot and I am not a fan but she is the most popular host on the food network. 4 ingredient recipes seem to be what American's mostly go for. Anna olson Fresh is a descent show and the recipes are good. Ricardo and The Main are also good, although Anthony Sedlac's accent is beyond strange. Wed Oct 08 17:31:31 -0700 2008 3190164 113687 mlukan 2 4093339 Anthony Sedlak has an accent? I don't hear it. I do like his show though. Ricardo is ok I can't watch him all the time though, same for Laura Caulder, she's OK although I have gotten some good tips from her. Anna Olsen looks sooooo uncomfortable on TV, I can't watch the intro to her show where she states that she and her friends are playing Charades so she has to make soup etc.. she pauses in weird places like she's watching a teleprompter that is too slow. I do have to say in the summer time I love watching Rob Rainford on Licenced to grill, he's fun and I've gotten lots of great ideas from him. Thu Oct 09 10:05:40 -0700 2008 4091956 69079 starlady 2 4222099 OMG he has the most annoying accent EVER. He cooks well enough but his accent and hand gestures annoy the hell out of me. It's "hot" not "hoat" HOT THOT THOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT THOT THOTasdadsda AHHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Thu Dec 04 23:00:07 -0800 2008 4091956 146613 Evilbanana11 3 4304391 I think he and Rachel Ray share the same life coach. Just saying. Wed Jan 07 10:45:54 -0800 2009 4222099 210997 Sui_Mai 1 4094306 I was just in Canada and watched Food Network for a little while. I agree with you. I thought the shows were better and more interesting - they were cooking "different" things!!!! imagine that. Thu Oct 09 16:31:34 -0700 2008 3190164 127407 kprange 2 4212195 If you think it was good now, it was far better 4-5 years ago. Although I’ve no doubt that it’s much better than Food Network US, the rise of reality/makeover/competition shows has made Food Network Canada almost unwatchable in my opinion. I remember the days when FNC used to be about food. Shows about food are now in the margins. Used to be on 24/7 back in tha day….. now I barely watch it. Mon Dec 01 12:12:23 -0800 2008 4094306 25243 magic 1 4218641 I don't watch much tv, but when I was with friends in Ontario, Canada, last spring I saw a fair amount of the Canadian Food Channel. I especially liked Laura Calder, but there were quite a few other really intelligent and inspiring shows. I came home thinking I'd try watching our Food Network a bit, and I find it ranges from celebrity cooking to food as a spectator sport. There are exceptions, but not at times when I am free to watch tv. But then, in the U.S. we have so many channels and so little that is worth watching. Wed Dec 03 16:28:23 -0800 2008 3190164 53369 Father Kitchen 1 4222108 Best shows on FN Canada: Tylers ultimate Diners Drive-ins and Dives Food Safari The F word Top Chef Worse: The Main (Host annoying as HELL) Chef at Home(Host rapes you with his eyes) Any food network challenge( So boring) I enjoy almost every show that comes out of the UK. Hosts are charismatic and the editing/music, overall production destroys most US and Canadian shows. Thu Dec 04 23:06:08 -0800 2008 3190164 146613 Evilbanana11 2 4229289 I agree with you EB, I am also wondering what's up with Chef MS of Chef at home. Gad, who was the brainstormer that hired him and why? GR of the F Word, is someday soon, going to pop a vein in his head, he gets sooooooooooooooooooo angry. I hate cussing, it's awful, but love him to pieces, go figure. Mon Dec 08 09:39:21 -0800 2008 4222108 23096 iL Divo 2 4304628 Kudos to FN Canada for showing Top Chef at the same time Bravo is showing it down in the US. Last year I had to download it from a newsgroup. Now if only they could do the same thing with the new AB No Reservations episodes that started this week - no indication the Travel Channel Canada is picking it up any time soon - too cheap to buy first-run I guess. Wed Jan 07 11:41:54 -0800 2009 4222108 20205 mramage 3 4319758 Check the Discovery Channel on Sundays for No Reservations. But it's not running at the same time as the US broadcasts; yesterday's episode was Egypt. Mon Jan 12 14:35:36 -0800 2009 4304628 14229 anonymoose 4 4319823 Thanks, but that is from a previous season - Discovery seems to be also running behind, but then again I believe Discovery Canada and Travel Canada are owned by the same media group and just swap shows. I'll cross my fingers and hope somebody posts tonight's episode. Mon Jan 12 14:54:13 -0800 2009 4319758 20205 mramage 2 4320459 Michael Smith's eyes are pretty terrifying. Mon Jan 12 18:27:10 -0800 2009 4222108 202405 tjr 1 4306110 My favourite FN Canada at the moment are Sedlak's The Main and Smith's Chef At Home. I don't understand how Sedlak is annoying or hear an accent. I find his food suggestions appealing and am charmed by the way he twirls pots and pans before setting them carefully down in alignment with his other items. Michael Smith, well maybe I'm new just started watching but I learned two new things from watching his show today and am grateful. Anyone who cooks seriously knows you don't have to follow a recipe (unless you're baking) but I love the way he simplifies it and makes it seem easy to understand. And he's cooking at home, so what's wrong with mentions of his wife or sone? Wed Jan 07 19:17:30 -0800 2009 3190164 98493 JamieK 2 4307097 I used to find Michael Smith a little annoying in that he used to talk to the audience like everyone was a 3-year-old. But, I think he lost that somewhere along the way, (experience in front of the camera usually helps), and now find I enjoy his show ALOT. There was an AMAZING show on, I think last week, from Alton Brown called Feasting on Waves...it was like a 5 hour marathon or something, and my husband and I just sat there and watched it all...it was fabulous. Kind of like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives show, but with Alton Brown, and in the Caribbean....anyway, I'm sure many booked their vacations after watching that. And looking outside the window, I'm ready to book mine. Thu Jan 08 08:02:30 -0800 2009 4306110 15543 Raquel 3 4340561 I also enjoyed the feasting on Waves Marathon. Alton is the best. I'm dying for a johnny cake. It's nice to see whats beyond the resort buffets. Mon Jan 19 20:32:00 -0800 2009 4307097 113687 mlukan 3 4397962 The early The Inn Chef shows are dreadful. MS seems so uncomfortable and yes, condescending. DT Sun Feb 08 07:58:15 -0800 2009 4307097 11291 Davwud 2 4320462 I like Michael Smith's show too. I'm not a big fan of Sedlak, though I don't mind the show itself. Mon Jan 12 18:28:16 -0800 2009 4306110 202405 tjr 2 4340496 I like watching Michael Smith too -- he does tend to throw in those tips here and there that I don't seem to hear from other chefs. Heston Blumenthal's show is awesome. Wonderfully informative. Sedlak is alright -- food is interesting, but his hyperness sort of tires me out. The other show I quite liked was Good Deal with Dave Lieberman, where they focused on good meals made on the cheap. Me and my bank account appreciate this consideration very much. Mon Jan 19 20:06:19 -0800 2009 4306110 16363 mogo 3 5062952 Dave Lieberman is super cute, and makes wholesome, nutritious food. I loved that promo when it refered to him as "extra virgin". Sun Sep 27 20:14:04 -0700 2009 4340496 114094 sojo16 1 4397963 Is there a reason why FTV CA can't develop some more Canadian cerntric programing?? Things like a Canadian version of DD&D or a show where a chef/host travels the country highlighting regional fare?? DT Sun Feb 08 07:59:44 -0800 2009 3190164 11291 Davwud 2 4398646 Davwud - that would be the ultimate. Imagine watching traditional cooking methods by West Coast Native Communities, periogi making in Manitoba, a stop off in markham to see that guy in Pac Mall who makes that dragon's hair candy, sugaring off in Quebec and off to NFLD for a little flipper pie... and that's just for starters. I love the food in this country! I remember watching some tv show like cooking with grandma or something where a guy travelled around to spend an afternoon with different ethnic grandmas to learn the secrets of their cooking... it would be like that concept, just better executed & higher production values. Sun Feb 08 13:29:33 -0800 2009 4397963 11551 Apple 3 4399014 You could do a half hour show on a certain type of food. Take poutine. Go to a great place in Quebec somewhere. Have the show focus on getting the right type of curd. Getting the gravy just right. Making fries from scratch. Or how about mussels?? Show how their cultivated. Show how their farmed. Show how to prepare them. Show foods unique to Canada and start to celebrate our culinary history. Instead of rehashing old shows or focusing on a different part of the globe. DT Sun Feb 08 16:04:58 -0800 2009 4398646 11291 Davwud 4 4438254 Remember the Great Canadian Food Show? Remember Chef at Large? Of course they didn't cover everything, but those shows did exist. Fri Feb 20 23:28:38 -0800 2009 4399014 10980 Blueicus 5 4438996 We loved C@L. I don't remember the GCFS. Another show that we really liked was The Food Hunter with Pete Luckett. It wasn't on long from what I can tell. DT Sat Feb 21 09:51:20 -0800 2009 4438254 11291 Davwud 6 4441444 The Great Canadian Food Show - one of the cheesiest shows ever on television with Carlo Rota - sometimes it was so painful to watch but just like a car wreck you couldn't turn away. I think the "low cost" cooking show format has mostly run its course - regardless of the personality hosting the show. Personally I find the travelogue shows - such as Jose Andres, Mark Bittman, much more informative and entertaining. Sun Feb 22 10:36:18 -0800 2009 4438996 14403 Pizza Lover 7 4441744 It was like a car wreck you couldn't look away from, of course I was a teenager back then and I thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread (or whatever was popular back in those days). Sun Feb 22 12:42:05 -0800 2009 4441444 10980 Blueicus 8 4441809 I think it's now "The coolest thing since vinyl records" but I'm not sure. Now I remember the GCFS and it was dreadful. I couldn't stand CR. However, I think the format could work with a better host. Carlo is an actor, not a foodie. DT Sun Feb 22 13:03:52 -0800 2009 4441744 11291 Davwud 9 4441936 GCFS may be cheesy to the max, but there were at least five seasons of it and the reruns continue to this day on the CBC. Carlo Rota certainly does have some food cred, as he pretty well grew up in the business and his father was a very good chef (Dante Rota, ex original Windsor Arms/Noodles in Toronto). I ran into him several times at a Toronto supermarket when he was living here. He's certainly much more entertaining in Little Mosque on the Prairie than as host of GCFS. Indeed, he was more entertaining waiting in the checkout line at Loblaws. Sun Feb 22 13:56:38 -0800 2009 4441809 23411 embee 10 4442295 Perhaps we agree that he was simply miscast as the host there. DT Sun Feb 22 16:15:49 -0800 2009 4441936 11291 Davwud 10 4442564 embee - being on the CBC says it all (not to mention having to fill the airwaves with cheap $$$ Canadian content ) Sun Feb 22 18:09:54 -0800 2009 4441936 14403 Pizza Lover 11 4442687 lol Sun Feb 22 19:08:21 -0800 2009 4442564 23411 embee 12 4452864 okay - since we are reviving old canadian cooking shows - I actually really liked the urban peasant. I don't know why - maybe because James Barber is so grandfatherly... When I watch 24 now and see Carlo Rota - it makes me think back about his old days on Canadian tv. how far he has climbed from the depths of the CBC to pinnacle of Fox Television network ! ;) Wed Feb 25 20:13:44 -0800 2009 4442687 11551 Apple 2 4407982 In one word: MONEY. As in, Food Network Canada doesn't have the same type of budget as their U.S. counterparts. Not that they are doing anything spectacular with their dough. If you think of it in terms of percentages, we are roughly 10% of the U.S.'s market. So, if Food TV U.S. has a budget of $100,000 to make a decent show, Canada only has $10,000. Now think how slick that will look.... But it would be nice. I see they've resurrected the 'family restaurant' theme, this time Chinese instead of the Greek family. Seems like a one-trick pony to me, unless anyone really likes it? They should have kept the Greek family - at least they had some action with breaking plates! Wed Feb 11 13:15:20 -0800 2009 4397963 15543 Raquel 3 4413098 Actually, I find the new Family Restaurant to be hilarious. Much better than the Greek family. The mom especially is a real piece of work. Maybe it helps I understand Cantonese and Mandarin too... The hard working eldest son, the slacking ricer younger bro, the daughter dating a non-Chinese, it hits all the stereotypes of a Chinese Canadian family. The loud mom wearing the pants in the relationship....loving it, haha. The slow-mo shots of Roger Mooking (Everyday Exotic) sprinkling things onto the plate bugs the hell out of me for some reason. His plating is really bad. Thu Feb 12 21:49:39 -0800 2009 4407982 14629 aser 4 4414646 Ah, that must be the secret ingredients then; being Greek, (and having grown up and owned restaurants all my life) I related better to the Greek family! Actually, many of those stereotypes ring true to both cultures, and I'm sure to many others. It just seems kinda the same to me, that's all. The daughter in the Greek family was also dating a non-Greek, the Mom was working a restaurant on her own, the son was in charge of one and said he worked the hardest etc. etc. I guess they're going through the ethnic groups of Canada....maybe next we'll have an East Indian restaurant family! Fri Feb 13 11:13:38 -0800 2009 4413098 15543 Raquel 5 4475100 I enjoy both family's but I will say that this new season with the Quon's is a lot funnier though and has more high paced entertainment. I do relate to the children in this family because my siblings and I communicate to each other like they do but the parents aren't like mine, but do remind me of other Asian parents I've known. I'm surprised to say this but damn, that mother of theirs is a lot more annoying than mine, haha. Wed Mar 04 23:00:24 -0800 2009 4414646 17070 xianzhong 1 4437238 @LaLa, I'm sorry for offending you about the accent. Paula's accent is about as strange as a Cockney accent to me. It's that unusual. I guess it's easier to point out differences than similarities. Sorry for that. Anyway, I thought I'd update my stance on FN Canada. On a scale of 1-3, 3 being the highest, I downgrade Sedlak to a 2. He seems to lack something. Maybe I've gotten better as a cook, and his recipes seem more banal or perhaps it's with him I don't know. I put Michael Smith at a 2 as well. He's got a generally good show, but his personality is still lacking. The new show by Roger Mooking is abyssmal IMO. It's supposed to be Asian inspired but instead, he chooses an "obedient ingredient" annoyingly referenced throughout the show and creates, I don't know what, but it doesn't look appetizing. 1/3 On a high note, they're currently showing a program called "Cook Like A Chef" which is intensely useful--they show high profile chefs cooking interesting dishes while explaining everything clearly. It's a bit older but better than any other program on the FN since "In Search Of Perfection" disappeared. 3/3 Fri Feb 20 15:32:15 -0800 2009 3190164 168520 pizzatheorem 2 4438256 I've always thought Cook Like A Chef was an extremely pretentious show, even if sometimes informative. "Yes Chef, Yes Chef"... man, they weren't working in a restaurant... they were prepping a couple of plates of food for a show. Fri Feb 20 23:31:07 -0800 2009 4437238 10980 Blueicus 3 4443147 Oh, I so disagree. For pure instruction, this is the best show on Food Network. These guys explain every detail, warn of pitfalls, tell you why things need to be done in a certain order, tell you how to check for intermediate doneness, etc. After I watch one of these shows, I feel that I've actually learned something, and got some great ideas to modify to my own ingredients (use veal shank instead of lamb, for example). The camerawork is great - they really get close so you can see exactly what's being done. The "yes chef" from the assistants gets boring, but that's how these guys are addressed in their regular kitchens, and I bet it feels completely normal to the staff. Finally, it has the best music on any FN show, Canada or US. Mon Feb 23 05:37:19 -0800 2009 4438256 48210 KevinB 4 4443481 I agree with you. I found the "yes chef" routine embarrassing in the context of a scripted, taped program on a quiet set with a few assistants, but I thought the instructional content and the other production values were great. I suspect it wasn't too successful, though. This type of cooking show format has never been repeated. The guy who created it is now doing a BBQ show featuring Matt Dunigan. I suppose this show is also innovative in its own way, but I can't stand to watch it. Mon Feb 23 07:55:20 -0800 2009 4443147 23411 embee 5 5065935 I read that they sold that show to a number of foreign markets even those that don't generally have a lot of interest in other cuisines, e.g. Italy. It was a well-made show. (The bowing and scraping "yes chef" crap was pretty lame.) Chris Knight I think his name was. That's a shame that he's reduced to that Matt Dunnigan show. Have never been able to stomach more than a couple minutes of it so not having seen the credits didn't realize it was him. One of the chief flaws of Cdn FN is it's filled, in primetime anyway, with all these objectionable, uncompelling, often loud, unappealing male chefs, many of whom don't even have good food knowledge. A little gender balance couldn't hurt. Mon Sep 28 23:07:07 -0700 2009 4443481 1093156 cinnamon girl 6 5074186 Oh man, I can't stand that Road Grill show either... the host's loud and somewhat obnoxious. Fri Oct 02 06:33:36 -0700 2009 5065935 10980 Blueicus 4 4452876 Yes, chef is irritating, but I learned alot! Cook like a chef is where Rob Rainford got his start. And not only is he great, he easy on the eyes. Wed Feb 25 20:15:28 -0800 2009 4443147 11551 Apple 5 4454235 Nice looking, but way too perky. Can't watch even though I know he's a great bbq-er. Thu Feb 26 09:47:53 -0800 2009 4452876 210997 Sui_Mai 3 4475094 I don't see why you feel the show is pretentious because of that. That's just the way cooks talk in a professional kitchen. Would like the assistants to say, "okay dude, sure dude" instead? I for one don't enjoy the show as much because of the overuse of the slow-mo close ups and semi-softcore pornographic filming style. Wed Mar 04 22:53:55 -0800 2009 4438256 17070 xianzhong 4 4476929 Puhleeze... the show didn't take place in a hotel or restaurant/pseudo-restaurant kitchen like in the F Word, it was a sound stage where they were prepping a few plates of food for the camera. Thu Mar 05 12:50:59 -0800 2009 4475094 10980 Blueicus 5 4500027 If I were to do that show with my chef and I was assisting him, I'd still address him like I'd normally would while working at the restaurant, which would mean I would say, "yes chef!". I don't understand why' you would expect that to change with anyone else that cooks in the industry just because it's on TV. Still working, still cooking food, just a new setting. I would just treat the show as if I was doing a private catered dinner or something. There's nothing wrong with professionalism. Though I personally dislike titles and would prefer not to be addressed as chef if and when I ever become one. Thu Mar 12 20:03:52 -0700 2009 4476929 17070 xianzhong 6 4500073 It is the same as in any work situation. If your boss tells you to do something, you say "Yes, Sir" ......if you are smart. Thu Mar 12 20:19:16 -0700 2009 4500027 251167 billieboy 2 4475275 "Cook Like A Chef" is horrible; it just aged badly. Thu Mar 05 04:29:57 -0800 2009 4437238 11828 Maximilien 1 4505042 Worst show is Food Jammers, by far... What a horrible idea that was.. The Asian guy in it was an actor on Trailer Park Boys, though I don't like "The Main" guy at all either Overall though, I get both Food Network US and Food Network Canada....and Canada is much, much better. Food Network US is nothing but Rachel Ray and Giada lately If I hear the words "Yumm-O" or "Eee Vee Ohh Ohh" once more, I will put my fist through my HDTV Sat Mar 14 15:01:42 -0700 2009 3190164 115105 duckdown 1 4510729 While clicking a link for a recipe I ended up on Canada Food Network and I loved it. It seemed so much "realer" than ours and I loved the recipes and chefs. It's bookmarked for me now. I rarely to never use Food Network anymore, it's just getting silly and too light for me. Mon Mar 16 15:59:04 -0700 2009 3190164 253735 bayoucook 1 5062960 David Rocco's Dolce Vita is back, and David is even more handsome as a dad. I really like this show and have missed it for the past couple years. I could do without seeing so much of Nina, his wife, but David is very nice indeed. Sun Sep 27 20:16:46 -0700 2009 3190164 114094 sojo16 2 5065946 But he isn't much of a cook. And I hate how he tries to pretend he's not Cdn hoping to break into that much larger US market. Before he had the Cdn show he had a PBS show and he pretended to come from Seattle. Turned out he'd lived there a year or something as a teenager. The only reference to being Cdn in his Italian show was to mention how stupid Cdn farmers were for giving his family their zucchini flowers. Nice. Now that he wants to mimic Jamie Oliver and do an Ontario school kids thing, he'll no doubt become Mr Canuck. . .lol . . .Given that his show benefits from Cdn financing and tax credits he should rethink his schtick. Actually, I think the wife is the best part of the show. Didn't she create the show? The show has its charm. It's just too bad he weren't a better cook. "Croquet" for "croquette" was pretty funny though. Mon Sep 28 23:17:15 -0700 2009 5062960 1093156 cinnamon girl 1 5063468 FN Canada seems to have more variation in it's programing. They don't use the same five or six people over and over again in different formats of the same shows. They also assume that it's viewers have half an ounce or so of brain power and are not complete morons as the US network does. Mon Sep 28 06:47:53 -0700 2009 3190164 23758 Withnail42 2 5064450 I'm US citizen and no moron here................? Mon Sep 28 12:01:10 -0700 2009 5063468 23096 iL Divo 3 5064768 I think that Withnail42 is saying that the US network assumes that the viewers are morons - not that the viewers actually are. Mon Sep 28 13:37:43 -0700 2009 5064450 23415 pescatarian 4 5065955 Yes I agree - he's writing about the FN's assumptions about their audience. Mon Sep 28 23:23:08 -0700 2009 5064768 1093156 cinnamon girl 2 5065952 I wouldn't say they credit their audience with much brain power. It's practically an endless loop of the most condescending host on earth - Michael Smith, that Guy Fieri guy, and shows about how to make cheese doodles and candy. And as mentioned above, during prime time there are virtually no shows by women. Does American FN have more gender equality during prime time? I seem to hear of more women hosts. But maybe they're all on during the day on USFN too. Mon Sep 28 23:21:58 -0700 2009 5063468 1093156 cinnamon girl 3 5066217 During prime time here the shows are mostly from the US. Tonight it's Good Eats and Iron Chef. At other than prime time there are Anna Olson, Laura Calder and Christine Cushing. I'm not overly fond of any of them but they are women. Tue Sep 29 05:52:07 -0700 2009 5065952 15832 sharonanne 4 5067064 Yes it's prime time programming I have the issue with. And a lot of it IS USFN but what Cdn content there is evenings is the men. Not good modelling for young women who'd like a career in food. I have no idea how or why M Smith enjoys the domination of that network that he does. Anna Olson's show Sugar was good if you're into baking. I learnt a lot from it. And while I didn't like LCaulder's show at first, I came to like it a lot. She actually makes the brioche dough instead of telling you to go find some frozen or from your local bakery. Also they lost the "nauseacam" so popular on MSmith's show after the first season. (The same people seemed to work on her show as his.) You should give it another try. The new Olson show isn't the greatest . . . lame food. Tue Sep 29 10:51:25 -0700 2009 5066217 1093156 cinnamon girl 5 5067110 Is it better to have crappy American shows with men as the host or shows with crappy women hosts. I think not. How is showing a lousy female host good modelling?? Unless you want to produce more lousy female hosts. DT Tue Sep 29 11:03:29 -0700 2009 5067064 11291 Davwud 6 5068379 Who said anything about crappy women hosts? And anyway, why shouldn't both genders get a kick at the can? Lots of those hosts we consider crappy aren't considered so by others. If you don't think it's important for women to get the same opportunities and rewards as men, where do you draw the line? How about certain races? Should they be kept out too since you've already decided they're going to be "crappy"? So in your world (mainly) white men should be privileged here . . . and get to line their pockets. Way to go! Tue Sep 29 20:28:47 -0700 2009 5067110 1093156 cinnamon girl 7 5068723 My point is, why not get better hosts period. Women or men. A good host is a good host IMO and a bad one is bad. I don't care what gender/race they are. Why can't we aspire to a better show or host or even a better FTV. That's all I'm saying. DT Wed Sep 30 04:06:19 -0700 2009 5068379 11291 Davwud 8 5070916 and my point remains that more women deserve a place in prime time . . . not simply "women or men which ever's the best" etc., b/c there's always going to be that old chestnut of: --- while they'd love to hire more ___ fill in the blank ____, there just weren't any ______ who were "as good". Whether they improve the quality of their programming or not isn't the issue - as much as we would all love to see them do so. Wed Sep 30 18:20:05 -0700 2009 5068723 1093156 cinnamon girl 9 5071475 And I just see how it's helpful to hire someone simply because they're a woman. DT Thu Oct 01 04:15:58 -0700 2009 5070916 11291 Davwud 10 5073313 huh? Thu Oct 01 16:46:25 -0700 2009 5071475 1093156 cinnamon girl 7 5069810 Yikes. Talk about missing the intended point. Wed Sep 30 10:43:30 -0700 2009 5068379 25243 magic 5 5067113 I agree, people seem to be slagging Laura Caulder's show, but I think she actually has some good recipes and it's really about the food. I also agree that Sugar was a better show, great for bakers and that her new show is lame. I have tried to watch it a couple times. I think she's trying to be too slick in this one and the recipes are usually boring. I also tried a recipe from it for ricotta gnocchi and it was just so-so. Tue Sep 29 11:04:10 -0700 2009 5067064 23415 pescatarian 6 5068385 Yes she does make it about the food. And her recipes always work. Also, I enjoy how she explains something of the food culture instead of just making another get-dinner-on-the-table-quickly recipe. I think you're right abt the AO show trying to be slick. There's that format around where every episode has to be built around an event and I guess she's jumping on that bandwagon. There's nothing very fresh about those dishes she churns out. Countryside's nice though. Tue Sep 29 20:33:02 -0700 2009 5067113 1093156 cinnamon girl 7 5094986 Actually, I love Laura Calder. I find her genuine (unlike Giada), and she really does know what she's talking about (unlike Christine Cushing, who no longer has a going concern on FN, I believe). To be slightly piggish, I think that Ms Calder's pretty sexy, too. Sun Oct 11 09:44:03 -0700 2009 5068385 91415 hungry_pangolin 8 5095891 While Laura Calder is likable (and a darn good writer) her show is really getting long in the tooth - she's basically been rehashing the same recipes. And poor Christine Cushing - where's the love for her on this board? Sun Oct 11 17:54:02 -0700 2009 5094986 14403 Pizza Lover 9 5095923 She has plenty of love......for herself. DT Sun Oct 11 18:11:47 -0700 2009 5095891 11291 Davwud 9 5152253 CC is annoying and pretentious and targets a very unhip Rosedale-ish demo. No fun. I've dissed Calder before, but she does have a passion for French food and quality in general, and what's not to like about that? Good techniques too. Tue Nov 03 10:13:11 -0800 2009 5095891 210997 Sui_Mai 10 5153480 Does Laura Calder have more than 1 type of outfit. Wears the same thing every episode. Tue Nov 03 16:19:45 -0800 2009 5152253 113687 mlukan 11 5154787 LOL - although she has expanded her wardrobe in Season 3 and looks much sharper for it. And I do agree with Sui Mai - Calder clearly has a point of view on what she does and likes and that's good to see these days. Wed Nov 04 07:53:31 -0800 2009 5153480 14403 Pizza Lover 11 5170785 I know whatcha mean. I think Giada sasses up her cleave much better. Tue Nov 10 13:09:19 -0800 2009 5153480 210997 Sui_Mai 10 5190210 I think it partly that she is improving a lot. I used to hate her (Calder) and hate, hate, hate her forced smile. She seems to have managed to get more genuine and less forced recently and is actually pleasant to watch. More of her dry wit is coming across as well. Also, it certainly helps that she seems genuinely interested in the food she cooks and in educating her audience without being patronizing and belittling (like M Smith). Tue Nov 17 18:37:13 -0800 2009 5152253 24055 Atahualpa 1 5131915 Anyone catch premiere episode of Big Chef takes on Little Chef? Heston Blumenthal tries to revive Britain's Little Chef restaurant chain. I loved the first episode and hope they'll actually allow us to watch the entire series. Mon Oct 26 10:46:50 -0700 2009 3190164 1104460 Restaurant Dish 2 5132173 I saw it and I'm with you. I hope we see the rest of the series. I feel very sorry for Heston. You have the boss saying he immediately bonded with Heston, won't give him information and wants cuisine that's more out there. On the other hand the customers won't even try smoked salmon in their scrambled eggs. Then there's the manager who thinks Little Chef is fine just as it is, thank you, ignoring the empty tables. I am impressed at how cool Heston is, especially when he was hung up on. Mon Oct 26 12:04:41 -0700 2009 5131915 15832 sharonanne 3 5132544 Great, glad I'm not alone in this. And yes, his calmness struck me also. He's quite the opposite of Gordon Ramsay's style - not that all Brit chefs are the same, but just saying. The boss seems like a typical corporate guy. If he didn't want a little 'out there', then why did he hire Heston Blumenthal of all people! If there is one criticism I do have of Heston, it's that he maybe didn't realize how old school the customers really are at Little Chef and by trying to give them lamb tongue in their hot pot might be a little too adventurous. My hunch is that he'll go the Jamie Oliver route and try to ease them in with more 'safe' dishes with a bit of a twist. Mon Oct 26 14:04:08 -0700 2009 5132173 1104460 Restaurant Dish 4 5180633 I''m hooked on BCLC too. Heston B's "Perfection" show didn't grab me but this one has. And I love the actor who narrates, Gina McKee, so that is a bonus. Fri Nov 13 22:58:13 -0800 2009 5132544 169233 grayelf 5 5190215 I love Heston every which way. I loved his Perfection series – nice to see someone admit to trying to perfect duck skin for 5 months and still fail at doing it to his satisfaction. Little Chef just seems to cement for me how genuine, likable, remarkably grounded, and sensible Heston truly is. Tue Nov 17 18:41:00 -0800 2009 5180633 24055 Atahualpa 1 5152279 Caught David Rocco's Dolce Vita last night on Food TV Canada. Not sure if this is a new series of his? Looks like. Is it just me or is he trying really, really, hard to look/be hip? I really love what he cooks, love the way the show is shot, but I just can't get over his hipster look. Anyone? Or am I alone in this? Last night's major annoyance for me was him wearing his ski touque in the house while he was cooking. Unless you're cooking outside in a Quebec sugar shack, there's really no reason for this. Tue Nov 03 10:20:07 -0800 2009 3190164 1104460 Restaurant Dish 2 5154776 Rocco's new look is lumberjack goes on an Italian adventure - and what's with the way he cooks these days? Sitting down, cutting on coffee tables - it's absurd. And while we're on the subject of Rocco - why the heck does he get Government of Canada tax credits for a show filmed entirely in Italy? Some post production work in Canada does not impress me. Wed Nov 04 07:50:05 -0800 2009 5152279 14403 Pizza Lover 3 5154840 Interesting take. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but you described it perfectly. I guess you're not a fan. Yes his cooking 'style' has become a bit bizarre these days but I do really like what he cooks - it's rustic Italian at its best. As for the tax credit, well, it IS Canada and budgets are low so most of the Cdn made shows get the credit. I do think they stipulate that a chunk of post-production must be done in Ontario by Cdn citizen but they also have provisions with international productions too. I can't say I'm too bothered by this, at least it's going towards a food program which I enjoy. Instead of my other tax dollars which I have no idea where they go actually. Wed Nov 04 08:07:57 -0800 2009 5154776 1104460 Restaurant Dish 3 5155088 I have an issue with the tax credits too PL. My above post sounded like a bit more of a put-down than I intended but I stand by my comments on his whole "Canadian identity" ambivalence - when he's benefiting from tax credits and everything else the country has to offer. I'm hardly a raving nationalist but geezh, does he have to pretend NOT to be Cdn while bellying up to the trough? Have you noticed if it's a co-production? It's possible there's Italian money/incentives invested too. And as you allude to with "some" Cdn post work . . . post production's become a pretty moveable feast in the past 7-8 yrs. They wouldn't even necessarily have had to do it ALL in one place. As you point out, it's filmed entirely in Italy . . . how does it benefit Canadian taxpayers? Wed Nov 04 09:08:04 -0800 2009 5154776 1093156 cinnamon girl 4 5155157 As with anything in life, there are ways around the "rules". But just so we're clear, here are the guidelines: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who Is Eligible? A qualifying production company is a Canadian corporation which is Canadian-controlled, has a permanent establishment in Ontario, and files an Ontario corporate tax return. In addition, the individual producer of the production must have been an Ontario resident for tax purposes at the end of both of the two calendar years prior to commencement of principal photography. What Types of Production Are Eligible? An eligible Ontario production is a production which: *has 6 Canadian content points (unless it is an official treaty co-production) is predominantly shot and posted in Ontario (Note: There are exceptions for documentaries,interprovincial co-productions and international treaty co-productions) *spends at least 75% of its total final costs on Ontario expenditures if for television, is suitable for a minimum 30 minute time slot (except children’s programming) *has an agreement with an Ontario-based distributor or a Canadian broadcaster to be shown in Ontario within 2 years of completion (broadcast must occur between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., except for children’s programming) *is not in an excluded genre (such as news or current affairs, talk shows, game shows, sports shows, awards shows, fundraising shows, reality television) What Expenditures Are Eligible? Eligible Ontario labour expenditures consist of: *Salaries and wages paid to Ontario residents; Remuneration paid to: a) corporations that are personal service companies subject to tax in Ontario for the services of an Ontario resident, b) sole proprietors or freelancers subject to tax in Ontario, c) partnerships, for the services of a partner subject to tax in Ontario, and d) taxable Canadian corporations with a permanent establishment in Ontario for the services of their employee(s) who are Ontario residents; and Reimbursements by a wholly-owned production company to its parent company for labour expenditures, as above, that were paid by the parent company on behalf of the production company. Ontario residents are individuals who were resident in Ontario for tax purposes at the end of the calendar year prior to commencement of principal photography. The labour expenditures of a corporation for the purposes of the OFTTC must be reasonable and must be included in the cost of the production. Labour expenditures must not only be incurred but must also be paid in the taxation year (or within 60 days after the end of the taxation year) for which they are being claimed. Eligible labour expenditures include those incurred from the production commencement time (PCT) until the end of post-production. Productions can claim eligible labour expenditures possibly as early as two years prior to the commencement of principal photography. This may include labour expenditures for script development. Wed Nov 04 09:26:36 -0800 2009 5155088 1104460 Restaurant Dish 5 5156643 thanks - I used to work in the industry and have laboured over their application on many occasions. Seeing it here kind of gives me a cold chill . . . lol . . . I wasn't really questioning the legality of that show getting it. But you're right: you and many people enjoy it so that's how taxpayers benefit. And frankly, I like the travelogue aspect of it when I do watch it. There's no question it's a well-made series (IMO). :-) Wed Nov 04 16:48:16 -0800 2009 5155157 1093156 cinnamon girl 2 5155048 Yes it's a new show or season of the old one maybe. I see him all the time in the Yorkville area and that's how he's always turned out so it doesn't seem to be abt the show's wardrobe dept. Wed Nov 04 08:57:56 -0800 2009 5152279 1093156 cinnamon girl 1 5158522 is there a chef called Christine Cushing? Or did I make that name up? I seem to remember something similar. whatever show she has bugs me sort of no end. ordinarily, I really enjoy the Canada version of Food channel. was there this weekend and will be in Canada 4 more times before the end of the month. I look forward to finding the food network channel. lots of shows I'm not familiar with so I'm quite intrigued. I don't like the constant repeats, if I watch sugar at a certain time of day, I'm most assured same show will be on later too. meaning same episode. but that lady chef is very nervous on her show and it's hard to watch. anyone know the name of it that I'm speaking of? I love restaurant makeover too.Love chef Lynne with her tattooed palms. Thu Nov 05 11:17:18 -0800 2009 3190164 23096 iL Divo 2 5160043 Yes there was a Christine Cushing on Food tv but you must have seen reruns at some freakish time of the day - early morning maybe? . . . lol . . . Anyway, that show lasted maybe 3 seasons; I think it was cancelled 2003/4. It was a similar format to Sara Moulten's now defunct Cooking Live but Sara was much more knowledgeable. The Sugar episodes are old now too and is only on (when they run it at all) in the daytime. Yes there are a lot of repeats to include the western time zones, since most of these specialty channels aren't really "networks" as they call themselves. Thu Nov 05 21:30:30 -0800 2009 5158522 1093156 cinnamon girl 3 5160487 Now 'that' was a show....Sara Moulton's Cooking Live. Excellent format, excellent knowledge, and excellent guests. Why can't FOOD TV both U.S. & Canada be like that again?! Fri Nov 06 06:41:15 -0800 2009 5160043 1104460 Restaurant Dish 4 5167741 I loved that show too. It must have been grueling to do every day and live no less during the dinner hour. Once I discovered what a gold mine it was (after about 2 episodes!), I never missed one even if it meant watching the repeat at night. I really respected her saying she didn't know the answer when asked something by a caller. CC used to just give any answer when she didn't know something ... problematic. Did you see that article abt the dumbing down of the Food network in the New Yorker a few years ago? Sara's was one of the shows they mentioned that was banished in favour dumbed down tv. Sad. Mon Nov 09 12:33:29 -0800 2009 5160487 1093156 cinnamon girl 5 5168188 Yes I did see that article, and it truly is sad what Food Network has become. But I have to think that somehow the numbers support it. Which baffles me because I have yet to hear anyone say they love watching Food Network. Sure there are shows we all love, but to watch it all the time? Those days are gone. I used to be able to say that but not anymore. As long as they keep getting decent enough number of viewers, they'll keep showing crap, but I'm sure having been in the business you already know this and thus why you are so frustrated by it also! But then again, I think most of TV has gone to shit lately, not just Food TV. But that's another story.... Mon Nov 09 14:37:41 -0800 2009 5167741 1104460 Restaurant Dish 3 5160592 I swear I saw an ad for a new Christine Cushing show. I wasn't that fond of her so I didn't rewind or check the schedule for it but i have seen it more than once. Fri Nov 06 07:18:49 -0800 2009 5160043 15832 sharonanne 4 5167718 Yes I saw that ad too. t looks like very very basic cooking - showing people who don't know how to do simple things . . . a couple of guest civilians each episode maybe? That sort of stuff just frustrates me so I tend to avoid it. Mon Nov 09 12:27:50 -0800 2009 5160592 1093156 cinnamon girl 5 5168196 There's a big reason why Christine Cushing isn't on Food Network Canada, and that reason is Christine Cushing. Have heard that the ego has landed there, even though she talks a good talk about how humble she is etc. etc. Until she figures out how to play the corporate game, she won't be on there again as far as I know. Having watched one episode of 'Fearless in the Kitchen' I can't see her TV career going anywhere else either. She'd better keep getting those corporate and food board gigs. Mon Nov 09 14:40:17 -0800 2009 5167718 1104460 Restaurant Dish 6 5168506 "the ego has landed" . . . too funny. I didn't realize she'd burned her bridges at FN Cda. It makes sense given how they DO tend to hold onto their favourites forever. I saw a couple of her bottled sauces in Whole Foods - they cost the earth for, what looks like, pretty pedestrian tomato sauces. Further to your incredulity as to who the FN's demographic is - who's buying these sauces?!?!?! I read (maybe it was in that Michael Pollan NYT's Aug. article, but can't be sure), that the US FN has been going after male viewers the past few years, with great success and that was the reason for so many of the silly macho shows and competitions. Forget what age group. Yeah, I long for the golden age of Food TV too . . . sigh. Mon Nov 09 16:35:16 -0800 2009 5168196 1093156 cinnamon girl 6 5171347 I think o just had a memory breakthrough. On CC's show she had on Debbie Travis who did her family hot pot. Ultra condescending toward the guest was CC. And her hot pot looked wonderful as I recall CC didn't seem very impressed Tue Nov 10 17:14:43 -0800 2009 5168196 23096 iL Divo 7 5171351 Don't remember seeing that exact episode, but yep, seems pretty accurate! Tue Nov 10 17:16:45 -0800 2009 5171347 1104460 Restaurant Dish 8 5171702 And really unknowledgeable too. Every time she had on someone from the UK she'd say something about how the food's got a lot better lately. Well, they started having their food "renaissance" in the 80s just like we did. Not to mention their good food writers of the 60s and 70s (E David, Grigson et al). I always felt a bit embarrassed for the guests that all she did was spout stereotypes and knew nothing about the food. Could she not have done a tiny bit of research? Maybe watch a couple of Nigella's shows before having her as a guest? The mind boggled. Tue Nov 10 19:56:46 -0800 2009 5171351 1093156 cinnamon girl 2 5163392 Christine Cushing has a new show on W Network - Fearless in the kitchen. Her personality is as annoying as ever. Sat Nov 07 10:33:51 -0800 2009 5158522 149096 blue bike 3 5163509 People always get on CC. I don't know, I never found her to be that bad. I wouldn't go so far as to say she's my top FN personality (not even close), but I don’t know, I don't see what's so horrendous or obnoxious about her. And her food's good enough I guess. Her new show isn't exactly reinventing the wheel, I will say that. If I were to start up a new vehicle for myself, if I were her, I think I'd have developed something a bit different. But hey, that's just me. Overall though, I don't find her to be that bad. Sat Nov 07 11:48:27 -0800 2009 5163392 25243 magic 4 5163853 Here's my personal favourite about her that tells me so much about her personality. Her old show had a "Highlight of the Night" at the end of the show. One show had a guy open a champagne bottle with a sword. The HON was her doing the pan flip sauteing mushrooms. How egotistical do you have to be?? DT Sat Nov 07 15:08:43 -0800 2009 5163509 11291 Davwud 5 5164205 Haha, I always thought that was more slightly lame than egotistical. But hey, what can you do..... :) Sat Nov 07 18:40:09 -0800 2009 5163853 25243 magic 6 5164874 Can't it just be lame AND egotistical? :) Sun Nov 08 07:55:03 -0800 2009 5164205 10980 Blueicus 7 5171358 I also seem to remember a chef lady with very wirey hair that I wanted to jump in the TV and fix in the worst way. Bad bad bad hair. Last name maybe Weire? Tue Nov 10 17:18:58 -0800 2009 5164874 23096 iL Divo 8 5171369 Joanne Weir, maybe? http://www.joanneweir.com/tv-shows/joanne-weir-cooking-class.html Thankfully, she's not Canadian :) Tue Nov 10 17:24:37 -0800 2009 5171358 1104460 Restaurant Dish 9 5171451 Yes that's her. She made not much of an impression on me. so I didn't want to watch regularly. Tue Nov 10 18:02:47 -0800 2009 5171369 23096 iL Divo 1 5171483 Since some one mentioned the lack of Asian cooking shows, whatever happened to Ming Tsai? I found his show quite watchable. And for nostalgia freaks with plenty of time on their hands, one of the non-food networks (Omni? Sun TV?) is playing reruns of "Wok With Yan". It's hilarious to look at his wardrobe (did people really wear plaid pants?), listen to his schtick, and check out the audience, who seemed to have been bused in from a seniors home. And Anthony Sedlack - isn't his show based in Montreal? I'm not surprised he picked up a bit of a lilt. And I like Chuck's Day Off - his cooking is pretty simple, but he's just so enthusiastic, I find I like him. And I like Ricardo too, although my kids insist he's gay. Tue Nov 10 18:15:35 -0800 2009 3190164 1104506 FrankD 2 5171487 Simply Ming. Saturday mornings on PBS out of Buffalo. http://www.ming.com/simplyming DT Tue Nov 10 18:17:22 -0800 2009 5171483 11291 Davwud 2 5171707 What is that weird accent of anthony sedlak's? is he doing a bit of english? he's mentioned cooking there . . . he kind of over-enunciates everything. Often i have to turn it off b/c it's sucks the life out of everything. Tue Nov 10 20:00:11 -0800 2009 5171483 1093156 cinnamon girl 2 5175315 wow, you mentioned many I've not heard of. Ming Tsai, I never did like. Don't know why, he just got on my nerves. Not saying he can't cook, I'm sure he does a brilliant job just not watchable to me. I love Martin Yan, and yes, Yan Can Cook Thu Nov 12 07:24:29 -0800 2009 5171483 23096 iL Divo 2 5188576 I'm pretty sure the Sedlack show is Vancouver-based. (I don't think "Here on the Main" is referring to St. Laurent). His voice is very different, can't place the accent - must be a hybrid. Definitely nothing to do with French Canada though. Good chef though, just not lovin' the soundtrack piping in all the time. Ricardo is just great. Best show on Food. Love the parts with suplliers/producers etc. He is pretty damn charming too. Tue Nov 17 09:26:05 -0800 2009 5171483 210997 Sui_Mai 3 5189571 Apparently he has been travelling back and forth to Toronto to tape The Main. He is part of a new venture (exec chef) in Vancouver called The Corner Suite Bistro De Luxe that is set to open at the end of Nov after the usual city hall related delays. From Sedlak's (no C) bio on Food Network Canada -- that accent you hear is apparently pure Vangcooverite, though he was born in Prince George (northern BC): Chef Anthony Sedlak grew up in North Vancouver, British Columbia. At the age of 13 he obtained his first job as a busboy at Lupins Café, one of the restaurants atop Grouse Mountain, in exchange for a snowboard pass to the resort. Very quickly Anthony discovered his love for food and started working as a line cook. At 15, Anthony became the youngest cook at on the mountain to be proficient on all stations in the restaurant. Next he enjoyed great success at the resort’s flagship dining room, The Observatory, working his way up from 2nd cook to 1st cook and then Chef de Partie, all the while completing the Culinary Arts Program at Carson Graham Secondary School in North Vancouver. Later, he completed his BC Chefs’ Apprenticeship through Vancouver Community College. Tue Nov 17 14:06:13 -0800 2009 5188576 169233 grayelf 4 5190871 That's funny about the accent. I'm grew up in West Van (right next to North Van) and thought I detected the Deep Cove dude (small subculture of mountain bikers and boarders in N. Van) in there (but mixed with a little warbling Dutchman or something). I'm familair with the Vangroovy twang (some people still think I'm American or something) and his thing is a whole other thing. Anyway, I can handle the accent (barely) if he just would chill on the song! Love the recipes - Especially red wine marinated flank steak - turns out beautiful every time. Wed Nov 18 05:53:45 -0800 2009 5189571 210997 Sui_Mai 3 5189717 Agree Sui Mai re the music . . . not only is it extremely repetitive - hence annoying - it's plagiarized. The show never gave the author credit or anything. They just lifted it. Tue Nov 17 14:56:02 -0800 2009 5188576 1093156 cinnamon girl 3 5190187 You're right - as an ex-Montrealer, whenever I hear "the Main", I think about St. Laurent. You mean there's another one somewhere else?! Tue Nov 17 18:26:55 -0800 2009 5188576 1104506 FrankD 4 5190874 No, they use the phrase "the Main" to refer to the course he's cooking. I don't like the concept much, too try-to-be hip. Wed Nov 18 05:56:42 -0800 2009 5190187 210997 Sui_Mai 5 5191374 Now I'm curious and may actually tune in to see what y'all are talking about. Deffo interested in checking out his new resto venture too when it finally opens. Wed Nov 18 08:36:00 -0800 2009 5190874 169233 grayelf