Table Talk

By Rodney

March 11, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

“Yum-O.” Lord, it just makes my skin crawl.

I agree in part - were it not for her own admission of “cook” vs. “chef” I’d be far less inclined to like her.

But there’s something that makes you like her. Her openness, maybe? That far-too-perky-coffe-and-donuts mentality of hers?

As for her 30 Minute Meals show … well, there are people that can benefit from it. Just like there are people who benefit from the more basic instructional shows. I, on the other hand, would rather watch America’s Test Kitchen because they can actually teach me something I didn’t know. No need for the basics.

(Blais-fan all the way here - can’t wait for tomorrow night!)

By Jason

March 11, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Is that a typo or did it reall read cum chef????

By red

March 11, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

I like Dave Lieberman, Guy Fieri, Paula Deens old shows and I have to admit Rachel Ray too. Even though she gets on my nerves with all the gabbing she does I’m inclined to watch her more than any other Foodnetwork show. Somehow in my mind I’m thinking “Nobody’s that darn happy!” but then again, maybe she is.

By Love the Rach

March 11, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

From a male point of view - Giada deLaurentis is obviously fantasy cook-girl number one but Rachel looks like the kind of girl who’d be a lot of fun. I’d love to date her if she wasn’t married. Kylie Kwong is also up there - she’s sexy in a sultry, mysterious kind of way. She would know how to warm you up on a chilly night.

By red

March 11, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

I didn’t get that perky optimist-cum-TV chef statement either.

By Carri

March 11, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

My husband, who enjoys cooking and watching cooking shows, adores Rachael Ray. I, on the otherhand, must agree with Meridith on this one. She really gets on my nerves with all of her cutesy sayings, like “yum-o” and “sammies”. How about “puke-o”? I find her quite annoying, but she does have some good recipes. Maybe I’m just a little jealous too!

By red

March 11, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

Puke-O. LOL!!!! Thanks for the laugh Carri!

By Carri

March 11, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

You’re welcome Red! Hey, I really like Guy Fieri too. He is all over the Food Network lately and has really done very well since winning the Next Food Network Star. He cracks me up!
I really like Paula Dean, but her laugh is kind of like fingernails on the chalkboard for me. And is it me, or is Giada’s smile really fakey looking?

By Belinda

March 11, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

Oh Meredith, I think she stole your lief too! I blame Oprah!

I think Nigella rocks, though

By Teacher, Too

March 11, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

I’m rather tired of RR. She’s just everywhere! I think she’s overexposed. Right-o on the puke-o!

Carri- I’m with you on Giada’s smile. How many teeth does she have to show when she smiles?

I love Paula Deen- she slightly raunchy in real life and doesn’t deny it. Read her book- it’s rather interesting.

I find it interesting that the Food Network cooks are popping up everywhere right now. Paula and Giada were both on the Today Show when they were in Miami. On Sunday, it was a “Guy” marathon. I think I watched three of his shows in a row! And now he’s doing the TGI Friday’s commercials.

Wow- Food Network sure has taken off!

By Columbia25

March 11, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Oh, come on, did you really need to bring up the weight thing? She looks fine.

But her catch phrases do bug me to no end.

By George

March 11, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

The word “cum” is a Latin preposition that means “with.” In English phrases it is used to mean “with or in combination.” Thus the phrase could translate as “a combination of optimist and TV chef” in smooth English.

By NoDogInHunt

March 11, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

RR makes me want to not eat. All that hand flailing and the aforementioned annoying sayings. She is what my father referred to as a “hard woman”.

My favorite TV cook is Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa. She is calm, proficient, and doesn’t try to ingratiate herself. SHe is showing you a recipe…not trying to be your friend. And Paula Deen..she is the real deal…cooked with her once on her show (pulled from audience). She is a riot and very genuine. I prefer her cooking show to the “Party” show…and notice how she works that Southern accent on “Paula’s Party”. Paula…Lady & Sons in downtown Decatur…HELLO???

By Lamont Sanford

March 11, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Forget that chubby Oompa Loompa and her yum-o crap. Travel channel has the best food shows on tv now… Anthony Bourdain - No Reservations Andrew Zimmern - Bizarre Foods

Foodnetwork has become a mickey mouse club…boring and great for the soccer mom in OTP. Alton Brown is the only decent one there.

By Tom

March 11, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

I’ll bet ya’ dollars to donuts Rachael’s a dang FREAK!!!

:-)

By Sonya

March 11, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

There is a show for everyone on foodnetwork TV. Fortunately, we have the freedom to not watch the ones that grate on our nerves. Thank goodness for the freedom of choice.

By ramona

March 11, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

Meredith, where did you teach baking?

By Becky

March 11, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

Love to watch Rachel..Don’t really care for Giada, to fake..I enjoy watching most all of the chefs on Food Network..No we don’t need a Lady & Son’s in Decatur, I would never be small again..LOL

By Carri

March 11, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

Hey Sonya…what a killjoy! We were having fun trashing Rachael! Sorry we all can’t be goody-goody. I do love Alton Brown, ‘tho. He’s my favorite!!! I keep hoping to run into him at Harry’s one of these days:)

By Sonya

March 11, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

Hey Carri…Don’t misunderstand, I am enjoying this RR bash blog! I turn the RR EVOO bottles backwards whenever I see them in the stores!

By Reds

March 11, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Rachael drives me batty, but sometimes I can’t help but be glued to the tube when she is on. I hate it. The “E.V.O.O” and all that crap… makes me want to puke.

Alton Brown is by far my favorite though, and I do love Guy Fieri. There was a time when I couldn’t stand Paula Deen, but she has grown on me. Of course, this was when Emeril was all over the place. I have to agree with Lamont though, Travel Channel has some awesome foodie shows.

By Greg

March 11, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

She’s a beautiful looking woman. Thats all I need her to do, look good. I won’t be eating her food, listening to her talk, or requiring her to think about anything important. So the least she can do if she is gonna be on my tv all the time is look good. She definately is doin that. Thanks Rachel..now if you could fix the rest of the obnoxious people doing shows into atleast “eye pleasing” I could return volume to me tv. Oprah makes me wish for cataracts, and thats before she touts her own praises, and tries to push a trojan horse into office.

By Greg

March 11, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

btw, in the pic, it looks like she’s getting her belly rubbed…..nice lay out Newsweek! thats week one, in class 101…watch the hands!

By Sandra Lee Gets my Vote

March 11, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this

Sandra Lee (“Simply Homemade”) gets my vote as favorite TV chef.

She’s blond, attractive, has nice recipes that are practical—and is holding up rather well for a woman in her forties (I’m guessing).

Plus, she always prepares an adult beverage as part of her ensemble. What’s not to like?

By Van

March 11, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

I have nothing against Rachael Ray, although it does seem that I can’t turn an aisle at the grocery store without running into her picture on a box of whatever.

My favorite TV food host is Alton Brown. I have learned more from his shows than any of the others. He keeps things entertaining and knows how to explain the science of food with humor. I also like that he lives in the Atlanta area and uses local sets.

By atlfoodfan

March 11, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

So, there’s only one Atlanta chef, battling it out on the premiere of Top Chef, that is worthy of a mention? Tsk tsk.

By Truxter

March 12, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

Don’t believe one optimistic word from any public figure about the economy or humanity in general. They are all part of the problem. Its like a game of Monopoly. In America, the richest 1% now hold 1/2 OF ALL UNITED STATES WEALTH. Unlike ‘lesser’ estimates, this includes all stocks, bonds, cash, and material assets held by America’s richest 1%. Even that filthy pig Oprah acknowledged that it was at about 50% in 2006. Naturally, she put her own ‘humanitarian’ spin on it. Calling attention to her own ‘good will’. WHAT A DISGUSTING HYPOCRITE SLOB. THE RICHEST 1% HAVE LITERALLY MADE WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. Don’t fall for any of their ‘humanitarian’ CRAP. ITS A SHAM. THESE PEOPLE ARE CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEMS THEY PRETEND TO CARE ABOUT. Ask any professor of economics. Money does not grow on trees. The government can’t just print up more on a whim. At any given time, there is a relative limit to the wealth within ANY economy of ANY size. So when too much wealth accumulates at the top, the middle class slip further into debt and the lower class further into poverty. A similar rule applies worldwide. The world’s richest 1% now own over 40% of ALL WORLD WEALTH. This is EVEN AFTER you account for all of this ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS from celebrities and executives. ITS A SHAM. As they get richer and richer, less wealth is left circulating beneath them. This is the single greatest underlying cause for the current US recession. The middle class can no longer afford to sustain their share of the economy….. Their wealth has been gradually transfered to the richest 1%. One way or another, we suffer because of their incredible greed. We are talking about TRILLIONS of dollars. Transfered FROM US TO THEM. Over a period of about 27 years. Thats Reaganomics for you. The wealth does not ‘trickle down’ as we were told it would. It just accumulates at the top. Shrinking the middle class and expanding the lower class. Causing a domino effect of socio-economic problems. But the rich will never stop. They will never settle for a reasonable share of ANYTHING. They will do whatever it takes to get even richer. Leaving even less of the pie for the other 99% of us to share. At the same time, they throw back a few tax deductible crumbs and call themselves ‘humanitarians’. Cashing in on the PR and getting even richer the following year. IT CAN’T WORK THIS WAY. Their bogus efforts to make the world a better place can not possibly succeed. Any ‘humanitarian’ progress made in one area will be lost in another. EVERY SINGLE TIME. IT ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WORK THIS WAY. This is going to end just like a game of Monopoly. The current US recession will drag on for years and lead into the worst US depression of all time. The richest 1% will live like royalty while the rest of us fight over jobs, food, and gasoline. Crime, poverty, and suicide will skyrocket. So don’t fall for all of this PR CRAP from Hollywood, Pro Sports, and Wall Street PIGS. ITS A SHAM. Remember: They are filthy rich EVEN AFTER their tax deductible contributions. Greedy pigs. Now, we are headed for the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time. SEND A “THANK YOU” NOTE TO YOUR FAVORITE MILLIONAIRE. ITS THEIR FAULT. I’m not discounting other factors like China, sub-prime, or gas prices. But all of those factors combined still pale in comparison to that HUGE transfer of wealth to the rich. Anyway, those other factors are all related and further aggrivated because of GREED. If it weren’t for the OBSCENE distribution of wealth within our country, there never would have been such a market for sub-prime to begin with. Which by the way, was another trick whipped up by greedy bankers and executives. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. The credit industry has been ENDORSED by people like Oprah, Ellen, Dr Phil, and many other celebrities. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. Now, there are commercial ties between nearly every industry and every public figure. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for their ‘good will’ BS. ITS A LIE. If you fall for it, then you’re a fool.. If you see any real difference between the moral character of a celebrity, politician, attorney, or executive, then you’re a fool. WAKE UP PEOPLE. THEIR GOAL IS TO WIN THE GAME. The 1% club will always say or do whatever it takes to get as rich as possible. Without the slightest regard for anything or anyone but themselves. Reaganomics. Their idea. Loans from China.. Their idea. NAFTA. Their idea. Outsourcing. Their idea. Sub-prime. Their idea. The commercial lobbyist. Their idea. The multi-million dollar lawsuit.. Their idea. $200 cell phone bills. Their idea. $200 basketball shoes. Their idea. $30 late fees. Their idea. $30 NSF fees. Their idea. $20 DVDs. Their idea. Subliminal advertising. Their idea. Brainwash plots on TV. Their idea… Prozac, Zanex, Vioxx, and Celebrex. Their idea. The MASSIVE campaign to turn every American into a brainwashed, credit card, pharmaceutical, love-sick, couch potatoe, celebrity junkie. Their idea. All of the above shrink the middle class, concentrate the world’s wealth and resources, and wreak havok on society. All of which have been CREATED AND ENDORSED by celebrities, athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and politicians. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for any of their ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS. ITS A SHAM. NOTHING BUT TAX DEDUCTIBLE PR CRAP.. In many cases, the ‘charitable’ contribution is almost entirely offset.. Not to mention the opportunity to plug their name, image, product, and ‘good will’ all at once. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. These filthy pigs even have the nerve to throw a fit and spin up a misleading defense with regard to ‘tax revenue’. ITS A SHAM. THEY SCREWED UP THE EQUATION TO BEGIN WITH. ITS THEIR OWN DAMN FAULT. If the middle and lower classes had a greater share of the pie, they could easily cover a greater share of the federal tax revenue. They are held down in many ways because of greed. Wages remain stagnant for millions because the executives, celebrities, athletes, attorneys, and entrepreneurs, are paid millions. They over-sell, over-charge, under-pay, outsource, cut jobs, and benefits to increase their bottom line. As their profits rise, so do the stock values. Which are owned primarily by the richest 5%. As more United States wealth rises to the top, the middle and lower classes inevitably suffer. This reduces the potential tax reveue drawn from those brackets. At the same time, it wreaks havok on middle and lower class communities and increases the need for financial aid.. Not to mention the spike in crime because of it. There is a dominoe effect to consider. So when people forgive the rich for all of the above and then praise them for paying a greater share of the FEDERAL income taxes, its like nails on a chalk board. If these filthy pigs want to be over-paid, then they should be over-taxed as well. Remember: The richest 1% STILL own 1/2 of all United States wealth EVEN AFTER taxes, charity, and PR CRAP. A similar rule applies worldwide. There is nothing anyone can say to justify that. Anyway, there is usually a higher state and local burden on the middle class. They get little or nothing without a local tax increase. Otherwise, the red inks flows like a waterfall. Service cuts and lay-offs follow. Again, because of the OBSCENE distribution of bottom line wealth in this country. I can not accept any theory that our economy would suffer in any way with a more reasonable distribution of wealth. Afterall, it was more reasonable 30 years ago. Before Reaganomics came along. Before GREED became such an epidemic. Before we had an army of over-paid executives, celebrities, athletes, attorneys, investors, entrepreneurs, developers, and sold-out politicians to kiss their asses. As a nation, we were in much better shape. Lower crime rate, more widespread prosperity, stable job market, free and clear assets, lower deficit, ect. Our economy as a whole was much more stable and prosperous for the majority. WITHOUT LOANS FROM CHINA. Now, we have a more obscene distribution of bottom line wealth than ever before. We have a sold-out government, crumbling infrastructure, energy crisis, home forclosure epidemic, 13 figure national deficit, and 12 figure annual shortfall. ALL BECAUSE OF GREED. I really don’t blame the 2nd -5th percentiles. No economy could ever function without some reasonable scale of personal wealth and income. But it can’t be allowed to run wild like a mad dog. GREED KILLS. Bottom line: The richest 1% will soon tank the largest economy in the world. It will be like nothing we’ve ever seen before. and thats just the beginning. Greed will eventually tank every major economy in the world. Causing millions to suffer and die. Oprah, Angelina, Brad, Bono, Drew, and Bill are not part of the solution.. They are part of the problem. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE HUMANITARIAN. EXTREME WEALTH HAS MADE WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. WITHOUT WORLD PROSPERITY, THERE WILL NEVER BE WORLD PEACE OR ANYTHING EVEN CLOSE. GREED KILLS. IT WILL BE OUR DOWNFALL. Of course, the rich will throw a fit and call me a madman. Of course, their ignorant fans will do the same. You have to expect that. But I speak the truth. If you don’t believe me, then copy this entry and run it by any professor of economics or socio-economics. Then tell a friend. Call the local radio station. Re-post this entry or put it in your own words. Be one of the first to predict the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time and explain its cause. WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE.

By Pat

March 12, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

I love Rachel Ray’s show better than 30 min meals. I think some people don’t get her because she is real. Part why I like her is she is from Upstate NY as I use to live so I can relate to her! My fav is Tyler Florence who is so passionate about his food! Next is Giada, Jamie oliver and Maro Batali. I use to like Paula Deen but her “Paula’s Party” I don’t like as she is to rauchy. It’s like watching Aunt Bee being raunchy. I don’t think that is attractive for her. I do love Ladies & Son’s though!

By puckfan

March 12, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

Comment on Giada’s smile.
Giada = The Joker a la Jack Nicholson. I am fan of Jamie Oliver and Tyler Florence. Two of the HOTTEST looking chefs on the Food Network! Sweet “eye candy”!

By Robin

March 12, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

O.k., first, Sandra Lee is not a chef, nor does she eat. Alcohol is the only thing that makes her eyes light up like a bonfire. Second, no, you can’t avoid Rachael Ray if you want to; she is everywhere, and shouts at you from the t.v when you least expect it. Those of you who like her manic (and grunting, manly) style and think one of her uncooked messipies slopped in a prop bowl looks yumm-o! should enjoy her before she burns out.

By Karen

March 13, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Being someone that is challenged not to burn boiling water, I love Rachel Ray. She gives me the courage to cook. I must admit I can’t get them done in 30 minutes like her, but I still make the effort and most times do well. I read an article about when Rachel Ray got married she flew everyone to the wedding and paid everyone’s expenses. She wouldn’t consider letting anyone pay for themselves…Yes, she makes $16 million/year, but at least she shares it with her friends. She is a breath of fresh air with her honesty about what she can and can’t do. Robert Irvine from the former show Dinner Impossible could learn a thing or two from her. I also like Robin Miller… she makes it easy… For someone like me, these ladies make the kitchen a whole lot less scary…I am grateful for both of them. There are others I like, but I would never try to make the things they do…I only wish Ace of Cakes of located closer to Atlanta…I would order from them in a minute.

By meridith ford

March 13, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Truxter: Dude, calm down. George: Thanks for the explanation. Ramona I taught at Johnson & Wales University in providence, RI.

I’ve got my idea for a show: Buzz writer Rich Eldredge and I are going to pitch the Food Network with a treatment called “Too Drunk to Cook.”

By Alvin

March 14, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

Best TV Chef? Bourdain. Funny man, respects culture, loves the simple things, no B.S. Coincidentally he also despises Rachael Ray.