Favorite Celebrity Chef

[jglass]

Who is your favorite celebrity chef?

My husband and I really like Giada De Laurentiis's recipes.
I have her cookbook Everyday Pasta and recently ordered Family Dinners.

[chef_boy_RD]

I like Rachael Ray because I can learn a lot from her (she does come across a little obnoxious at times), but also Bobby Flay is one of my favorites because he's a champ on the grill

[Jafo232]

I would have to say probably Bobby Flay and Tyler Florence..

[chef_boy_RD]

Ooh another good one too. Was it Tyler that made some of the new dishes on the Applebee's menu?

[Jafo232]

I believe I saw that on a commercial, yeah.

[jglass]

I like Bobby Flay but that man puts hot peppers in everything.
Tried some of Tyler's recipes..always yummy. I have his cookbook Tyler's Ultimate ordered.
I like Rachael Ray ok but sometimes she just gets on my nerves.
Love Paula Deen even though her accent was a little hard to get used to. Its like when I see someone from KY on tv and their accent is so thick. Im sure I probably sound just as bad lol.

[chef_boy_RD]

I like Bobby Flay but that man puts hot peppers in everything.

That's the best part of his cooking, I love it hot. Some of my friends can't stand the amount of hot sauce I use, but I suppose its an acquired taste

[jglass]

I love hot food.
I was on meds for a year and a half to heal up my ulcer.
I dont want it back lol.
I use jalapenos with the seeds and membrane taken out in small amounts in my dishes.
Still love wasabi on my sushi though..
I think your dishes would probably kill me lol.

[Mama Mangia]

Love the boys - the Carrubba's! Damian and Johnnie - my God they are like family to me! And they guy on BBQ America - he goes to some really nice places with some really good foods. Beeba and MaryAnn Espesito make a lot of good things - reminds me of days gone by.

PBS station.

I was turned off by the Food Network by several of their cooks - CiCi Carmichael, Sara Molten, Martha Stewart, Sandra Lee, etc.

I used to get a charge out of the Two Fat Ladies - their stories alone were funny.

I don't care for Wolfgang Puck, Rachel Ray, Giada, Yan Can Cook, Bobbie Flay.

Paula Deen is ok.

Emeril I like - when he is cooking in his kitchen and not on the show set.

I'm done (for now!)

[KYHeirloomer]

What do we mean by celebrity?

Is it being on TV? Or is it being known in the food world as a great chef?

If we mean being on TV, then is it based on the "star" being a great chef or merely a great entertainer?

If we base it on being a great chef I think that leaves out most of the Food Network stars. I'm mean let's face it, Giada thinks she's on the Playboy Channel. And if I was half as impressed with Tyler Florance as he is impressed with himself I would be twice as impressed as I am. Sandra Lee isn't even a cook, far as I'm concerned, let alone a great chef.

What impresses me abut a chef is his/her knowledge about food, and their talent combining it in tasty and exciting ways. Among the more well-known chefs this would include people like Jacques Pepin, Rick Bayless, and John Besh. Get away from the TV, and you start talking about people like Heinz Beck, Ana Sortun, and JoAnne Weir.

I'm also impressed by chefs who turn out incredible meals under less than ideal conditions. Imagine, for instance, feeding 30 people out of a galley about half the size of a typical home kitchen. Quite a stunt, you may think. Now imagine doing that for three meals plus snacks, every day for weeks at a time.

Our own Shipscook does that for a living.

There are an awful lot of sea-going folk who think she's celebrity enough for anyone's plate.