The Daily OrangeHot stuff: Television cooking shows teach how to take the shortcut to a lover's heart this Valentine's Day
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Posted: 2/9/09, 4:51 AM EST Section: Clicker
"Top Chef: New York"
Wednesday, 10 p.m. on Bravo
Thrown into a foreign kitchen with ingredients bought on a budget, contestants on Bravo's reality show "Top Chef" are always one mistake away from elimination - or losing a finger.
Now in its fifth season, Bravo's last surviving competition for professionals (rest in peace, "Project Runway") scours the globe for the world's best culinary innovators. Some are classically trained in French techniques; others grew up cooking next to grandma and learned everything through experience. All are competing for the title and prestige of being the next "Top Chef."
For these knife-wielding contestants, it comes down to the final seconds as all the elements make their way to the plate. The food not only has to look good, but it has to taste good, too.
Each episode tests the chefs' technical skills against the clock and the judges' palates. The panel of judges consists of famed food critics and chefs with a guest judge, like superstar restaurateurs Rocco DiSpirito or Eric Ripert.
Elimination challenges deal with all aspects of today's kitchen maven - technique, taste, on-camera personality - while dealing with the pressure cooker of the contest. Viewers might not learn how to cook, but it's at least entertaining.
Whether it's for a boyfriend or a girlfriend, take note from their successes and failures in the kitchen. And, be extra creative in the kitchen this Valentine's Day.
"30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray"
There are two schools of thought about Rachael Ray: Either you could eat her up with a spoon, or you think the cutesiness in "30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray" is a bit hard to stomach.
In the moments when she's not shouting with her hands or using catchphrases like "yum-o!", Rachael Ray has a good thing going. Her casual cooking show is just right for the modern cook-by-necessity.
On "30 Minute Meals," Rachael Ray runs around her kitchen showing every step of preparation for simple dinners and desserts. The show usually starts with her gathering all her equipment and ingredients in one shot (this keeps her hands momentarily occupied and gives the viewer some relief). The recipes are posted on foodnetwork.com in advance so viewers can buy the ingredients and cook while they watch - if they can keep up.
Wednesday, 10 p.m. on Bravo
Thrown into a foreign kitchen with ingredients bought on a budget, contestants on Bravo's reality show "Top Chef" are always one mistake away from elimination - or losing a finger.
Now in its fifth season, Bravo's last surviving competition for professionals (rest in peace, "Project Runway") scours the globe for the world's best culinary innovators. Some are classically trained in French techniques; others grew up cooking next to grandma and learned everything through experience. All are competing for the title and prestige of being the next "Top Chef."
For these knife-wielding contestants, it comes down to the final seconds as all the elements make their way to the plate. The food not only has to look good, but it has to taste good, too.
Each episode tests the chefs' technical skills against the clock and the judges' palates. The panel of judges consists of famed food critics and chefs with a guest judge, like superstar restaurateurs Rocco DiSpirito or Eric Ripert.
Elimination challenges deal with all aspects of today's kitchen maven - technique, taste, on-camera personality - while dealing with the pressure cooker of the contest. Viewers might not learn how to cook, but it's at least entertaining.
Whether it's for a boyfriend or a girlfriend, take note from their successes and failures in the kitchen. And, be extra creative in the kitchen this Valentine's Day.
"30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray"
There are two schools of thought about Rachael Ray: Either you could eat her up with a spoon, or you think the cutesiness in "30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray" is a bit hard to stomach.
In the moments when she's not shouting with her hands or using catchphrases like "yum-o!", Rachael Ray has a good thing going. Her casual cooking show is just right for the modern cook-by-necessity.
On "30 Minute Meals," Rachael Ray runs around her kitchen showing every step of preparation for simple dinners and desserts. The show usually starts with her gathering all her equipment and ingredients in one shot (this keeps her hands momentarily occupied and gives the viewer some relief). The recipes are posted on foodnetwork.com in advance so viewers can buy the ingredients and cook while they watch - if they can keep up.
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