As I mentioned earlier today, I'm a fan of Food Network. When there doesn't seem to be anything on the major networks or I don't want to bother to pull out a DVD, the first cable network I'll channel-surf to is Food Network (then TCM). The shows manage to be entertaining even if you don't use the information in them, but I'm getting a lot of my recipes these days from the network and their web site.Now they've launched a magazine to go along with the channel.
Food Network Magazine has a ton of recipes (of course - what, you expected sports scores?), and in the first issue even promises that you'll "cook like a star." I'm assuming they mean Food Network stars like Ina Garten and not Andy Dick. It looks like they're going more for the quick and easy, helpful route with their recipes and features and not fancy dishes or in-depth recipes. More Every Day with Rachael Ray than Bon Appetit. But that's OK. There are plenty of food magazines to go around for everyone.
Oh, interested in the pumpkin pie recipe on the cover above? Here's the recipe.
I can understand why some longtime viewers and professional chefs (like Anthony Bourdain) no longer enjoy the channel, but I still love it. Sure, Rachael Ray has too many shows and they've gone off into the reality competition show route way too much and I wish that Sara Moulton was still on, doing her live cooking show every night at 7, but it's still a fun network. Alton Brown always does something interesting, Unwrapped and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives are both great, and how can you dislike Paula Deen? I think the number of real chefs on the network has declined, but overall it's still very food-oriented and useful.
I will also defend Sandra Lee and her tablescapes and her use of canned goods until the end of the Earth!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-14-2008 @ 8:38PM
Midnight13 said...
Food Network is such a guilty pleasure. I don't know how many people actually still watch any of the shows with the intent of cooking what the cooks are cooking. I watch Iron Chef because its hectic and fun to watch the competition of it, and I watch "Everyday Italian", Giada is cute. I think most of the appeal are the hosts more then what they are actually cooking. People didn't care what Emiral is cooking, they just like his peronsality.
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10-15-2008 @ 9:11AM
Philip said...
I find myself watching Food Network more than any other channel (well, it's actually Food Network Canada, but most of the shows are the same - although I don't know who Sandra Lee is, so I guess that particular show doesn't play here). I don't think I could be bothered to buy the magazine, though.
And how could you make a poll and not include Tyler Florence?
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10-15-2008 @ 9:31AM
RobynS8971 said...
Guy is my number one love, and he actually went to my favorite diner i Hatboro, PA! Alton is a close second, I especially enjoyed "Feasting on Asphalt", and he's give my 2 bachelor son's a lot of practical knowledge for the kitchen. It's more food science that cooking, but his recipes are great!
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10-15-2008 @ 9:53AM
CaptKahunah said...
Where's the love for "ace of cakes"?
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10-15-2008 @ 10:12AM
ladytex said...
I don't use the recipes, but I love NFNS, Iron Chef, and the Challenges.
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10-15-2008 @ 11:05AM
Jussup said...
Their website is really good too!
And I love Giada De Laurentiis- very cute and great recipes that make you feel like you are Tuscan!
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10-15-2008 @ 3:13PM
CJ said...
And if you ever prepared on of Sanrda Le's recipes as she makes them, you'd have a monster case of food poisoning...
Other that that, the Food Network is one of my favorite channels. Favorite people? Guy, Paula, Alton, and the whole Ace of Cakes staff.
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10-17-2008 @ 11:59PM
mso said...
I really enjoyed watching Robert Irvine on Dinner Impososible every week, but now Michael has taken over and i don't really watch it anymore. my favorite parts about the food network show were watching Dinner Impossible with Robert Irvine, Paula Deen, and Rachel Ray. I would really appreciate it if you would bring back Robert Irvine. Can you tell me what happened to him, why he is no longer the star of the show. I love your magazine, though as you might have guessed i would love it even more if it had an article about Robert Irvine! Thank you.
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