I see things through different eyes than most people, especially when it comes to Cooking Shows and Movies.
In the last couple of years, as Chefs have become the craze…. and locally people consider me to be a ‘Celebrity Chef’, I have come to realize my lot in life is to guide people into a healthier lifestyle. To give them, to give you a real understanding of everything vegetable to really understand what each little piece of a salad does for you, to understand that when you’ve got a cold, that cheese and milk creates mucous, and oregano oil can break it up and make it go away.
I’ve been says for years that ‘Food is your Best Medicine’. I’ve even done shows, that others later copied called “Cancer Fighting Foods”. Guess they also thought it was a good idea, but wish they didn’t steal my exact recipes and presentation! lol
I guess imitation is the best form of flattery. So I’ll go with that.
When I see a movie about Chefs, I find it disappointing that how little of the joy is shown. It’s always about ‘story’ and misses the point. You take any good Chef and behind that you will see a better story…. that in the kitchen, you have a chance to create, a chance to absorb yourself in something you can control. It’s like a form of therapy for me and I think, most of us who cook for a living.
And then it’s about the joy. The joy of feeding people and watching them enjoy. These last couple of movies that have come out about Chefs show nothing much about the food. I mean, if I’m watching a movie about an Indian Chef, I want to hear about his spice combinations. Yes?
YES CHEF!
Cooking shows on TV? They aren’t much better. Cake Wars? And other shows where the host gives you money to buy ways to trip up your competition? I don’t think so. It’s of no interest to me whatsoever. In my world, what the food industry on TV is evolving into is motivated by men sitting in offices thinking they know what people want to watch.
I’ve had this ongoing problem with watching food shows in general anyway. At a certain point, I could cook as good as anyone on TV. I met Wolfgang, Gordon Ramsey, Bobby Flay, Giada and a few other ‘Celebrity Chefs’. Live and up close? Except for Gordon, I wasn’t that impressed. Some time I will tell you my knowledge about Gordon Ramsey. I think it would surprise you.
For the last 6 or 7 years, I have had to selectively pick people I could learn something from. The only Chef’s I’m still interestested in are The Barefoot Contessa and Alex Guarnaschelli. (I also watch Diners, Drive ins and Dives, just to see what other chefs are cooking). And oh yes…. Top Chef gets my attention too.
And I must say that while I record everything, except for anything Alex is cooking or Top Chef, I hit delete, delete, delete until I hit on a topic of interest.
So that’s my rag about the industry I’m in. What’s your opinion?
Happy Eating,
Chef Marian