As a long-time Food Network aficionado, I have witnessed
the coming and going of many cooking shows and chefs. Some of today’s familiar faces have
been around for as long as I can remember while others have been replaced or
changed shows. While the actual food (cooking, preparation, etc...) aspect is obviously important, what really makes a successful cooking show is the chef; the way that they interact with the food and how they relate this to the viewers. Below is a list of my favorite cooking shows that are no longer
being produced (but which I will continue to watch online and in syndication
forever).
Coming up with this list was not easy; there have been
so many wonderful shows that I have enjoyed watching over the years. I have
attempted to put these in order, though they are open for debate. Some are old,
some are recent but they are all very good. Here it goes!
10) Yan Can Cook: This is a show I used to enjoy
watching because of his sense of humour and speed. He had some mad really impressive
knife skills and always kept his show lively and upbeat. Here is a video of
Martin himself making tasty potstickers!
9) Kylie
Kwong: Heart and Soul: A great show from Chinese Australian chef Kylie Kwong. I
loved the style of the show and in particular, her interesting food creations. She utilized a variety of interesting and unique ingredients with skill and offered a slew of contemporary and traditional
Chinese dishes.
8) The Wild Chef: This show was sadly very short lived; you will likely remember it since it only debuted in 2008 and was still playing
on TV until pretty recently. I really liked this show because it was something completely
different. Martin was cooking in ways that no other chef on TV had up until
that point – pickled sturgeon gizzard (recipe here),
whelks in herb sauce, and the list goes on and on! While he has recently come
under some scrutiny for his use of foie gras, I think he’s an impressive and
creative chef doing amazing things (with maple and meat in particular).
7) Molto Mario: While the set-up of this show wasn’t
my favorite – Mario Batali cooking for two to three
people in a tiny, rustic-looking kitchen – his recipes always had a
regional flare and he would often provide a story as to where in Italy they originated. Despite his orange crocs, I enjoyed watching him cook and it’s too bad that he isn’t on any shows right now (though he was until recently an Iron Chef). He did
a collaborative cookbook with Gwenyth Paltrow a few years back and I could
totally see them making a show together (beyond a tour of Spain). Here is his recipe for Spaghetti
with Artichokes and Pancetta.
6) Emeril Live: This was a great show! Tell me you
didn’t ask your parents for a trip to the Emeril Live studio every year for
Christmas growing up? Emeril had a live band, he said “BAM” and other hilarious
expressions and loved to kick it up a notch. He was my favorite chef for a long
time growing up and I miss his show and his enthusiasm for his work. Here is the recipe for Emeril’s
Essence as well as a video of him in Chicago back in 1999.
5) The Surreal Gourmet: They probably could have just
called this show the Toastermobile because it is easily the most memorable aspect of
the show. Watching Bob Blumer cook in a tiny mobile kitchen, sometimes with up
to two people in there, was lots of fun and the food was always interesting. Bob has this great,
chill personality and he knows how to speak to his audience. He made some
really interesting meals and always kept it fun and light. Was this the first
ever food truck? Probs. Did he once have an episode entitled "Carb Your Enthusiasm"? Yup!
4) Food Jammers: Super cool Canadian show with three
young guys who made one-of-a-kind contraptions to use in cooking and brewing!
It was a funky
show that featured great indie music and lots of local sights in Toronto.
Side note: Once I saw Nobu Adilman, one of the food
jammers, riding his bike around Kensington market. I instantly froze and was
totally star struck.
3) Iron Chef (Original Japanese version): The original
Iron Chef first premiered in 1993 and was eventually dubbed and aired in
Canada. A LOT of Friday nights growing up (elementary through to university)
were filled with staying up late to watch Iron Chef. I loved the Chairman’s
enthusiasm, the incredible ingredients and of course the commentators (i.e., Fukuisan!) I actually haven't been able to get into the American version because, though fun and entertaining, just doesn't compare. Here is a
clip of this classic!
2) The Urban Peasant: Oh The Urban Peasant… this show will
always have a special place in my heart. This show played when I got home from
school on the CBC and I watched it religiously. I loved watching
James Barber messily move about the kitchen, joking with his audience and
often receiving guests (like the mailman a la Mr. Dressup). Plus there is something about his Canadian/British accent that I
find so endearing and comforting. This show played a big role in my love of
food (and food TV) and I hope Mr. Barber is happily resting in foodie heaven.
1) Two Fat Ladies: This is my number one because it is
just such a great show on so many levels. Have you ever seen it? The premise is
basically two ladies, namely Clarissa Dickson Wright and Jennifer
Paterson who drive around on a motorcycle with a sidecar across the
United Kingdom, cooking historical and unique meals for groups of
people. They detest grocery stores, Jennifer always has her nails perfectly
manicured and they will cook with virtually any ingredient. They make jokes
about men and always finish the episode with a casual conversation and a
beverage (though never alcoholic for Clarissa). Their friendship comes through
in their cooking and in their conversation.
They loved food, all kinds of food and I will always love watching their show.
