Where's all the chefs going ?

[ibcheft]

I started many years ago watching the Food Network to learn how to cook like a chef in a 5 star restaurant, not like my momma who has been cooking semi homemade since the early 50's, I know how to cook like her, that why I was watching food network. As a child I use to watch PBS, Justin Wilson, then came Julia and other shows, looks like that is were food network is headed. I am at a loss as what is next all we seem to have is competitions and home style cooking which neither of these will fit my mode of need to know. I know there are many out there who prob lay can use what information they are offering (seems far little of that) but there are many of us older watchers who are looking for the gourmet and restaurant style of dishes and food for home. Whats with Paula Dean it has gotten to were if I want to see a soap opera with rubbing, flirting, and sexual undertows that is what I would watch, she needs to go back to her kitchen and cook at least it was entertaining. Just a word from a disappointed network fan

[Callisto in NC]

I think it's a matter of times change. I love the food network as it is now. I can cook what Guy Fieri makes, I can cook what Rachel Ray makes (although not in 30 minutes). I don't think the average person, who they really need to target, wants the gourmet stuff (look how poorly the Gourmet Next Door is doing). Granted, Semi-Homemade is too remedial for me, but the rest is a good mix.

[Food Network Fan]

I am hoping maybe they will turn this around. They hired a woman a couple of years back that seemed to want to change everything to target younger and more male viewers. In doing so I think they are losing the base they already had and for some reason they don't seem to want to keep. I think this woman has seriously damaged the network and they should go back to what made them a success. I would prefer to see genuine instruction on real food as well. Anyone can read a mix and make something.

[BerryBaby]

Agreed! Everything in a box or bag, comes with directions. I don't need to watch a show in order to know this.

I do enjoy Bobby Flay's grilling. I've learned quite a bit from his show, Boy Meets Grill.

The RR, Sandra Lee, Paula, Robin Miller (leftovers made five ways), I can do without. Their shows are all fluff.

Bring back the REAL CHEFS!!!

[bluejeanz]

My viewing is way down from where it used to be. I guess my favorite show would have to be Barefoot Contessa. Granted, she's not an accredited chef but I like her style of cooking which, to me, is several steps up from the two who seem to be hogging the daily schedule; RR and Paula. They used to be two of my favorites when they were 'new' but they've gradually lost all credibility. All RR is today is a 'brand'; no more, no less.


I noticed there's a new show on with some foreign guy (English/Aussie?) similar to Tyler's old show "Food 911" called "Rescue Chef" (I think). This will be more 'entertainment' value than anything else but I'm going to give it a go.


Personally, I think there are entirely too many "challenge" shows and how many times can you recycle an "Unwrapped"? The FN has gone the way of network/cable TV with too many reality shows. And I still see those "Top 5" shows with that lame Bobby character every now and then. If they want to interest the viewers, how about running some of the old original series like "Monday thru Friday", "Taste" with David Rosengarten, the original "How to Boil Water" and that series where they used to have the chef-of-the-day. There were many old shows that'd be worth watching again because the FN has so many new viewers.

[MiseEnPlace]

Originally Posted by bluejeanz

My viewing is way down from where it used to be. I guess my favorite show would have to be Barefoot Contessa. Granted, she's not an accredited chef but I like her style of cooking which, to me, is several steps up from the two who seem to be hogging the daily schedule; RR and Paula.

My viewing a way down too.
I like Ina, though she doesn't have the 'chef' pedigree she actually cooks (unlike Semi-homemade ) and makes interesting dishes I might make (unlike RR and Paula). Most of the high profile hosts aren't about cooking they're about catch-phrases and gimmicks. The FN's only saving grace--for me--is they resigned Alton.

While Alton doesn't refer to himself has a chef, he does have a culinary degree, and if he wasn't on FN I know my viewing would be zero because there's just not much on the network these days for people who actually can and like to cook. If Good Eats wasn't on weeknights at 8pm, the prime times schedule would have no cooking instruction shows only food-entertainment. Granted, I watch Iron Chef America and Feasting on Asphalt which are food-entertainment shows... but I watch for Alton and if he wasn't on them, I'd pass them by.

Unfortunately, IMHO, the network is trying too hard to broaden their demographics and is forgetting about the long-time viewers who made it successful. It's more about entertaining than cooking these days. How many challenge shows are there?

[BerryBaby]

Way too many challenge shows and they show them over and over again.
They are boring.

[MayQueen]

Saturday and Sunday are poor days for watching TV so I'll watch just about anything on FN. But they show the very same programs on both days all the time. Doesn't make sense since most people are home both days.