Food Network Says Arrivederci & Buone Cose to Molto Mario and OK to Star Power "Left-Overs"
I'm going a bit off topic today, but I just can't let this go without a comment, I'm sad. Sad for the demise of a great show, and the possible beginning-of-the-end for Food Network as I knew it.
I have just read in the New Yorker that Food Network is going to be saying "addio" to Mario. Apparently he's been sold out after ten years for an over-large and excessively toothy smile and gratuitous cleavage.
I'd just like to say "thank you" to Mario for trying to teach me all the down and dirty of Italian cooking. For helping me to understand the differences between regional Italian cuisines as well as their cooking techniques, and, most of all, thank you Mario for not over-Americanizing it. You made learning about Italian cuisine and cooking techniques interesting, fun, and challenging at the same time.
So now I'm left with Giada. Pretty Giada. The Everyday Italian gal who slices an onion perfectly (at least two times during every show), says "I love that" when she adds a seasoning or a sprinkle of chopped parlsey, and gets excited when she's made something that "looks pretty". I'm always amazed that she never has to taste a vinaigrette before she puts it on the salad. Would a real chef not taste his food before it is finalized? Might it not need a bit more salt?
No, the food doesn't have to be tasted. This is the perfectly choregraphed Food Network. With every recipe tried, and re-tried and tried again and every single action on film scripted, reviewed, re-shot and reviewed yet again there is no room for error. Just once, I've told my husband repeatedly, I'd love to see one chef on the Food Network spit out their food and say "wow, that's pretty bad."
Just what is prompting the Food Network to get rid of real chefs like Mario and Sara Moulton for the sake of entertainment? Of course it's ratings and the type of audience they're trying to attract. It's the dumbing-down of American food. Let's face it, most American's who ate at Chi-Chi's thought they were getting "real" Mexican food.
Now where will I turn? To Rachel's 30 minute meals? I think not. Although I have seen a few good recipe ideas watching Rachel I have learned no techniques. I can find millions of quick and easy recipes doing online searches. Will I turn to the Showman Emeril? Nope. This guy is way too flamboyant for me. Besides, I'm jealous that I don't have a 3 or 4 piece band in the corner of my kitchen and I don't have anyone applauding me when I put the garlic in the frying pan to saute with the onions.
From what I gather by this latest move the Food Network is trying to reach a whole new audience. One who is dazzled by style, not substance. These are people who don't own cookbooks and who eat pre-packaged grocery store foods. These are people who never stray from what their mom's cooked, who have never cooked an artichoke or used balsamic vinegar in a recipe. These are people in awe of what they see, and, it's ratings that pay the bills. (By the way, it's no secret what audience Giada is trying to seduce... it's the only cooking show my husband doesn't mind me having on when he's in the room.)
I've also noticed Food Network's excessive use of their "star power" in way too many shows. I consider these the Food Network "left-overs." Ok, why do I need to see Paula, Rachel, Giada, and Bobby over and over and over in the same day? I've already heard their views on food and seen their cooking techniques dozens of times. I have been introduced to sons and daughters and wives and husbands. I've seen these Food Network stars sharing an afternoon with their toddlers, blubbering with surprise on a Paris rooftop and snuggling with their husbands and buying $500 custom shoes. ENOUGH!!!!
Hello Fine Living channel.
I have just read in the New Yorker that Food Network is going to be saying "addio" to Mario. Apparently he's been sold out after ten years for an over-large and excessively toothy smile and gratuitous cleavage.
I'd just like to say "thank you" to Mario for trying to teach me all the down and dirty of Italian cooking. For helping me to understand the differences between regional Italian cuisines as well as their cooking techniques, and, most of all, thank you Mario for not over-Americanizing it. You made learning about Italian cuisine and cooking techniques interesting, fun, and challenging at the same time.
So now I'm left with Giada. Pretty Giada. The Everyday Italian gal who slices an onion perfectly (at least two times during every show), says "I love that" when she adds a seasoning or a sprinkle of chopped parlsey, and gets excited when she's made something that "looks pretty". I'm always amazed that she never has to taste a vinaigrette before she puts it on the salad. Would a real chef not taste his food before it is finalized? Might it not need a bit more salt?
No, the food doesn't have to be tasted. This is the perfectly choregraphed Food Network. With every recipe tried, and re-tried and tried again and every single action on film scripted, reviewed, re-shot and reviewed yet again there is no room for error. Just once, I've told my husband repeatedly, I'd love to see one chef on the Food Network spit out their food and say "wow, that's pretty bad."
Just what is prompting the Food Network to get rid of real chefs like Mario and Sara Moulton for the sake of entertainment? Of course it's ratings and the type of audience they're trying to attract. It's the dumbing-down of American food. Let's face it, most American's who ate at Chi-Chi's thought they were getting "real" Mexican food.
Now where will I turn? To Rachel's 30 minute meals? I think not. Although I have seen a few good recipe ideas watching Rachel I have learned no techniques. I can find millions of quick and easy recipes doing online searches. Will I turn to the Showman Emeril? Nope. This guy is way too flamboyant for me. Besides, I'm jealous that I don't have a 3 or 4 piece band in the corner of my kitchen and I don't have anyone applauding me when I put the garlic in the frying pan to saute with the onions.
From what I gather by this latest move the Food Network is trying to reach a whole new audience. One who is dazzled by style, not substance. These are people who don't own cookbooks and who eat pre-packaged grocery store foods. These are people who never stray from what their mom's cooked, who have never cooked an artichoke or used balsamic vinegar in a recipe. These are people in awe of what they see, and, it's ratings that pay the bills. (By the way, it's no secret what audience Giada is trying to seduce... it's the only cooking show my husband doesn't mind me having on when he's in the room.)
I've also noticed Food Network's excessive use of their "star power" in way too many shows. I consider these the Food Network "left-overs." Ok, why do I need to see Paula, Rachel, Giada, and Bobby over and over and over in the same day? I've already heard their views on food and seen their cooking techniques dozens of times. I have been introduced to sons and daughters and wives and husbands. I've seen these Food Network stars sharing an afternoon with their toddlers, blubbering with surprise on a Paris rooftop and snuggling with their husbands and buying $500 custom shoes. ENOUGH!!!!
Hello Fine Living channel.
posted by Cathy K | 4:32 PM
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