The only things I know about umami comes from those Kikkoman commecials, the ones that talk about umami being the fifth taste (after sweet, salty, sour, and bitter). Last night's Next Iron Chef was all about that, and they even had Iron Chef Morimoto as a judge.
What did you think? The show is down to its final three contestants. Can you picture one of them standing next to other Iron Chefs like Morimoto, Flay, Cora, Batali, and Symon in Kitchen Stadium?
For Top Chef fans, especially the ones disapointed by Top Chef Masters, tonight is a big night. It's the premiere of Top Chef: Las Vegas, when we get back to the regular version of the show. Here's a preview of the first episode (and you can meet the contestants and see more previews here).
I could probably write something about politics, sex, healthcare, education, or religion and it wouldn't be as controversial as what I'm about to say: Anthony Bourdain is wrong and Sandra Lee is right.
If you haven't been keeping track of the things Bourdain has been saying about the Food Network host, here's a quick summary. Bourdain wrote some unkind things about Lee and her Semi-Homemade Show (and some other Food Network hosts) a couple of years ago. Among other things he called her "pure evil," a "hell spawn," and said "she must be stopped." Ouch. There's also this video of Bourdain at a food festival dumping on Lee, and now Bourdain has written on his blog about his recent brief encounter with Lee. at the premiere of Julie & Julia.
One thing that I was wondering while watching this episode was ... is Emeril Lagasse even on Food Network anymore? I know there are repeats of his shows still running, but I wasn't aware that he was still doing new things (his show now airs on Fine Living).
It seems like The Next Food Network Star just started, but here we are already down to the final four contestants. One of these people - Jamika, Melissa, Jeffrey, or Debbie - is going to have their own show on the channel. The season finale is only three episodes away. Who do you think is going to win? Who do you think should win?
Every single season - hell, every single episode - the dramatic announcer of Hell's Kitchen tells us that "this will be the most explosive episode of Hell's Kitchen ever!" or "for the first time on Hell's Kitchen..." But this season, all of those proclamations might actually be true.
Of course, that's not necessarily a good thing, because it could easily turn into The Real World or Big Brother and be more about the confrontations and the personality conflicts than the actual cooking and choosing of a chef. I mean, in the first two episodes alone there are more confrontations and yelling and accusations and fisticuffs - yes, fisticuffs - than in whole seasons of other cooking reality shows.
We're really down to the nitty-gritty on The Next Food Network Star. After tonight's elimination, we're down to four contestants, and just think: one of them is going to have their own show on Food Network.
None of these people strike me as having the presence of a Guy Fieri, but he was raw once too so maybe one of these people will really shine in the next few weeks and the coming months.
Top Chef Masters returns to Bravo tonight (after a week off), but some fans aren't into this more "professional" edition of the reality show and are waiting patiently (or maybe not too patiently) for the "real" Top Chef to return. You only have about six more weeks to wait.
Top Chef Las Vegas will premiere on August 26. According to the press release, we're going to see a lot of stars in this season too (only not as contestants, of course), including Penn & Teller, Todd English, Natalie Portman, Wolfgang Puck, Charlie Palmer, Daniel Bouland, and Nigella Lawson. Padma Lakshmi will be back as host, along with judges Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, and Toby Young (who a lot of fans don't seem to like that much, at least in his role here).
This could be a very fun season, considering what Las Vegas is like (as famous now for its restaurants as its gambling).
No, the next Food Network star isn't going to be Rachael Ray. She already has several shows on the network. "Rachael Ray" was the title of last night's episode, as the remaining contestants had to go on her show and do a team cooking presentation.
Does someone know if this episode is going to air or will it air when new episodes of the show start up again? It would be weird for the episode to air after the winner of NFNS is crowned.
The hell? I've been really enjoying Next Food Network Star so far this season, and was all set to watch it last night. And then I just completely forgot that it was on. I can't even remember what I was watching last night at that time. I think it was another Andy Griffith Show marathon. It was the episode where Barney misunderstood something and screwed everything up.
So how was this "Dinner at Ina's" episode? This is going to be one of those times where I don't even read your comments until I watch the episode, which I'm going to do right now.
I'm really enjoying this season so far. It has a good mix of drama, guest stars, good challenges, and actual food being made. What did you think of this episode? Were Brett and Teddy right in what they said about Melissa, or did they only help a little and she probably could have done it on her own? I think she accepted their help not out of panic but just because they offered and anyone would in that situation, though it would have been nice if she had mentioned that to the judges.
So last night we had the premiere of Top Chef Masters, which is supposed to keep us satisfied until the regular Top Chef returns. But it's a different show. The judges are different, and the contestants are actually well-known, successful chefs already, so the food is going to be better and the arguing is going to be less. It's not bad. I was hoping for all of the contestants to compete at the same time and not be split up into groups like this, but it's actually refreshing to see the pros do it. What did you think?
I'm not a big reality show fan, but if it involves food I might just watch it. Tonight Bravo debuts Top Chef Masters, which is Top Chef only with some of the best chefs in the country, including Wylie Dufresne, Rick Bayless, Cindy Pawlcyn, Anita Lo, and Art Smith. Here's a clip from the show. I wonder if this is going to be more foodie-oriented than trash talk/arguing-oriented?
Food Network is launching a bunch of new shows on their web site Food2.com, but this one looks to be the most promising. It's based on the really fun web site/book The Amateur Gourmet, and features Adam Roberts, well, cooking food. But it's done in a more realistic way than most food shows, the way that a lot of people cook in real life. Below he teaches us how to make an omelet.
Food Network has a bunch of new shows coming up (along with renewals of shows now on the air). One of them has a former sports figure as the host/star. Can you guess what it is?
a.) What Would Brian Boitano Make?
b.) Healthy Life with Chris Evert
c.) In the Fridge with William "The Refrigerator" Perry
The only things I know about umami comes from those Kikkoman commecials, the ones that talk about umami being the fifth taste (after sweet, salty, sour, and bitter). Last night's Next Iron Chef was all about that, and they even had Iron Chef Morimoto as a judge. 
I could probably write something about politics, sex, healthcare, education, or religion and it wouldn't be as controversial as what I'm about to say: Anthony Bourdain is wrong and Sandra Lee is right.
So we're down to two. 
It seems like The Next Food Network Star just started, but here we are already down to the final four contestants. One of these people - Jamika, Melissa, Jeffrey, or Debbie - is going to have their own show on the channel. The season finale is only three episodes away. Who do you think is going to win? Who do you think should win?
We're really down to the nitty-gritty on The Next Food Network Star. After tonight's elimination, we're down to four contestants, and just think: one of them is going to have their own show on Food Network. 
Top Chef Masters returns to Bravo tonight (after a week off), but some fans aren't into this more "professional" edition of the reality show and are waiting patiently (or maybe not too patiently) for the "real" Top Chef to return. You only have about six more weeks to wait.
No, the next Food Network star isn't going to be Rachael Ray. She already has several shows on the network. "Rachael Ray" was the title of last night's episode, as the remaining contestants had to go on her show and do a team cooking presentation. 
I'm really enjoying this season so far. It has a good mix of drama, guest stars, good challenges, and actual food being made. What did you think of this episode? Were Brett and Teddy right in what they said about Melissa, or did they only help a little and she probably could have done it on her own? I think she accepted their help not out of panic but just because they offered and anyone would in that situation, though it would have been nice if she had mentioned that to the judges.
Food Network is launching a bunch of new shows on their web site Food2.com, but this one looks to be the most promising. It's based on the really fun web site/book The Amateur Gourmet, and features Adam Roberts, well, cooking food. But it's done in a more realistic way than most food shows, the way that a lot of people cook in real life. Below he teaches us how to make an omelet.
Food Network has a bunch of new shows coming up (along with renewals of shows now on the air). One of them has a former sports figure as the host/star. Can you guess what it is?
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