My favorite FN personalities

One of the most important parts to a good cooking show is the host. If you don't like the host, you're not going to like any of the show. So, I thought I'd tell you who my favorite personalities on Food Network are.

1. Alex Guarnaschelli: I LOVE Alex because she has a fierce likability to her that anybody will graviy to. Her show is The Cooking Loft where she teaches to young cooks, she's also a judge on Chopped, and being the executive chef of Butter doesn't hurt either.


2. Nigella Lawson: I'm not sure if she's still on Food Network, but when she was I loved her. Her show was Nigella Feasts, and she had a warm playfullness to her that I loved.


3. Ina Garten: Ina is very real and down-to-earth. She doesn't ever seem too or fakely happy. And everything she says sounds like she means it.


4. Ingrid Hoffaman: I love Ingrid Hoffman's energy and vivacity. It's odd for me to love a newcomer as much as I love her. Her new show is Simply Delicioso and she seemed like a pro on her pilot episode.

Always, Matthew

The Best Thing I Ever Ate

This show has a GREAT concept, but I was worried about how they were going to approach the idea and execute it. Luckily IT WORKS.

Concept: A When I heard the idea of this show, I was excited, Don't you ever wonder what is the best thing top chefs ate? But then worried. However, they did it perfectly. I was wondered how long they could keep this going. But they had all kinds of chefs and tv personalies, and different categories of foods.

Entertainment Value: A- This show is very entertaining. They keep each story short enough to keep us interested and move on to the nest person and food. Defianately keeps the interest.

The Best Thing I Ever Ate airs Tuesdays at 9:30pm 8:00c.

Always, Matthew

New show I'm excited about

So, in the fall, there are always new shows coming to Food Network. But this one looks intriguing. It's called The Next Iron Chef, and it's a competition show to determine who will join the others on Iron Chef America.

It's like a cross between The Next Food Network Star and Chopped. It's a full season competion like NFNS but with proffesional chefs, and tougher challenges.

The Next Iron Chef premiers Sunday, October 4, 9:00p 8:00c.

Always, Matthew

Chopped

Chopped is a new competition show on Food Network similar to The Chopping Block on NBC, both airing near the same time so there's no real "first". But the premise is, four proffesional chefs compete and make a three course meal, each one in 30 minutes. And each course has at least 3 mystery ingredients they must use in their dish. Each time they finish a course, they go to the chopping block where judges taste their dish and one chef gets 'chopped'.

Premise: A- it has a good and lasting premise that's not too complicated or simple. And the challenges are HARD. can you make a gourmet entre or dessert in 30 minutes? (Rachel Ray is not gourmet).

Host: B+ The host of Chopped is Ted Allen, a fairly new personality to Food Network, and already the host of 2 shows. He's good in Chopped. He has a nice likability to him that's not too much.

Entertainment Value: A This show is ADDICTING! The show goes by like nothing, and they hold your interest like a suction cup. If you want to be entertained on tv, watch this show.

Chopped is on Tuesdays at 10:00p 9:00c.


Always, Matthew

Ten Dollar Dinners

The winner of The Next Food Network Star was revealed last week, being Mellisa d'Arabian, and her show, Ten Dollar Dinners premiered yesterday. The premise of the show is different than her original idea, Kitchen Survival Guide. It's 'Four people, Ten bucks, Infinate possibilites' and it's hard to think of how an entire three couse meal can be ten dollars. But she actually did it.

Host: B+ Mellisa d'Arabian is a good host because she is still a mother to her kids, and is relatable to most of the people who will be using these recipes. She's not as crazy as she used to be, and has plenty of secrets and tips for the artisans.

Food: A- The food on the show, even though it only costs ten dollars, actually tasted good. And what made it even more appealing was how easy it looked. Every dish had under ten ingredients in it. The Applesauce Granita only had two and it looked delicious. But the best was the potato torte.

Entertainment Value: B+ The show was pretty entertaining compared to other in the kitchen shows, but there were a few moments where Mellisa's mind trailed off, or some akward silences, but for the most part it held my interest and I think it will hold yours too.

Ten Dollar Dinners airs on Sundays at 12:30.

Always, Matthew

I know I'm not alone

I (as you might have guessed) LOVE Food Network. I love cooking, I love wathcing the shows, and I love the hosts. But I know I'm not alone. So I decided I should make a blog about my journey through shows, hosts, and cooking. I also want you bloggers out there to share your recipe succeses of failures, and why YOU love Food Network. Check my blog out once in a while, and share with me!

Always, Matthew