United Tastes of America

[punkgirl107]

Is it just me or does anyone else find Jeffery annoying? He speaks to the camera as if he is speaking to small children and his enthusiasm seems fake. I like the concept of the show and have found some interesting places that I would love to try but the host is a huge turn off.

[Phaedrus]

I just saw the episode on chicken wings this morning. Why am I watching this as I get ready for work? No idea.

But he made a major mistake. He was talking about a place where they made Taiwanese street food and they had this special chicken wing dish. Then he made a comment about how he loves chicken wings and Thai food.

EPIC FAIL!!

If there was a doubt as to his competency, this is it. AND if he misspoke, they could have edited the comment out, which they didn't. So the producers are idiots too.

[dolly52]

I do not watch UTA, I find it annoying how Jeffery chimes in before the chef/cook is finished describing the dish, to me he appears way to slimey and a know it all.

[Phaedrus]

punkgirl, I am soooo glad he annoys you too. I really like the places he goes to and the stuff that he brings out about the food. This is one show that is actually pretty enlightening when they go to different restaurants and they manage to point out some interesting facts.

And I think Jeffrey Saad is pretty sincere, I just can't stand his demeanor and ways of communicating. It isn't exactly condescending, but he verges on that. I just really hate the way he tries to show enthusiasm. Granted, it is pretty hard to do that take after take, but it just seems so glib and superficial.

So it is a tradeoff for me. Love the content, is OK with the host, but really ticked off at the style.

[shell22]

Right there with you..love the content, but the host can get annoying if you pay close attention'. My husband CAN'T stand him, says he is a "close talker" and hates his expressions and mannerisms. I always thought he got the shaft on NFNS, but he is a little over the top on this show.

[alkapal]

i saw the beer show recently. i thought it was excellent -- other than the host saying "wow" whenever he tastes someting. ;-).

it was informative and went to three or four different places. it showed how the beer was made, nuances and then how chefs used it in various ways.

he interviewed the brewers and cooks with a good knowledge of food and cooking, and he had ability to see how the beer process is analogous to the cooking process, and then how beer notes were enhanced and reflected in food. i learned a lot new about beer making, and got some cooking ideas.

i liked the show and will definitely watch it again.

[Sandwich_Sister]

Agreed. but I laughed when you mentioned of often he says "Wow!". I never noticed it until you pointed it out. lol

[iL Divo]

we watch Huell Howser in our household because the show is about California.
every time we watch HH we notice his over use of the word wow.
but let's face it, we all say wow.
what's the big deal? another thing, JS has a tv show, apparently someone thinks he's doing a good job.

[alkapal]

yeah, we all say "wow." but he needs to get over it. he is too smart to just use such a term over and over and over again. he makes a nice interpretation of flavors once he tastes it, so…… well…just a tweak…..to eliminate the "WOW" factor. ;-).

[Phaedrus]

Do you remember the name of the restaurant that served the Boulevard beer inspired dishes? I assume it is in Kansas City but I missed the name.

[iL Divo]

since they don't want us to bash I won't.......but........ :)
but I do like the show....

[Sandwich_Sister]

I actually like the show and I like how he describes the food.

It reminds me of the history of food... plus food travel

[Mayor of Melonville]

I liked Jeffery on TNFNS (where he was somehow aced out by Melissa D'Arabian), but his current show does not seem to be suited to him. He's much better when he's cooking and speaking to the camera.

There are already too many of these tour shows. Guy's DDD, Tom Pizzica's rip-off, Man vs Food, etc.

[punkgirl107]

That is another show I really don't like and partly because of the host, Outrageous Food. I liked both Jeffery and Tom on the Next Food Network Star but not on their new shows. I wanted to like them but just can't.

[ooroger]

Agree - these shows are all the same. The host will visit a place known for home-cooked food/big portions/generic cuisine, see the chef make the dish, and then turn to the camera to deliver the big O - "Oh wow, that sure is tasty".

There is no innovation - just a standard formula that works time and time again.

Wait....that's TV.

[paulj]

Forget about the manners of the host for a moment. Do you learn anything from the show?

This is one of the more informative 'site visit' shows, in part because each episode has a focused theme. And Jeffery does get involved in the cooking, and asks intelligent questions. It reminds me some of 'Tyler's Ultimate'.

[alkapal]

i agree -- jeffrey is intelligent and he asks good questions. and he isn't a show off, either. (YAY).