The Food Network

[Deleted]

I know Batali and FN parted ways. I'm not sure if Morimoto is still with FN anymore.

I hate fondant. I think it tastes like paste. I also hate watching the chefs on Ace of Cakes handle it. I do love playing the "who's stoned" game while watching though!

I've tried to watch Ina a few times, but she always put me to sleep. I've heard her recipes are awesome.

[chonies]

I love Ina, and am glad that everytime I turn on the tv lately she seems to be on it. At first, I really disliked her, but I'm totally warming up to her. I saw an episode the other day where she asked her butcher for advice, and he seemed not only happy to see her, but Ina seemed genuinely interested in him as a professional. And Geoffrey is a doll.

[Cranky Old Broad]

Jan 15, 2009 11:50:30 GMT -4 @nycole said:

I know Batali and FN parted ways. I'm not sure if Morimoto is still with FN anymore.

I was wondering...do you know why Batali left FN? I really liked him.

[svetlanamonsoon]

Jan 15, 2009 20:03:20 GMT -4 Cranky Old Broad said:

I was wondering...do you know why Batali left FN? I really liked him.

From what I understand he didn't leave but was let go by FN. He's still on Iron Chef (barely) but they're not making new episodes of any of his solo shows. I only knew him from Iron Chef for a long time but have recently watched all of his PBS series Spain...On The Road Again and fell in love with him as a chef.

I think his "firing" by FN was all part of their stupid plan to dumb down the talent level at the network.

[Cranky Old Broad]

That's a shame. So many of their new shows are lame with really crappy hosts. They should keep the "old" talent, IMO.

[svetlanamonsoon]

Jan 15, 2009 21:50:37 GMT -4 Cranky Old Broad said:

That's a shame. So many of their new shows are lame with really crappy hosts. They should keep the "old" talent, IMO.

Agreed. I never thought Bobby Flay would be the FN talent I had the most respect for and especially not the one I had the most fun watching.

[canuckcutie]

Ina's lemon bar recipe is to die for. I get rave reviews everytime I make them and it is so, so easy. I want to tackle her carrot cake cupcake recipe next.

[biondetta]

Jan 15, 2009 21:34:30 GMT -4 svetlanamonsoon said:

Jan 15, 2009 20:03:20 GMT -4 Cranky Old Broad said:

I was wondering...do you know why Batali left FN? I really liked him.

From what I understand he didn't leave but was let go by FN. He's still on Iron Chef (barely) but they're not making new episodes of any of his solo shows. I only knew him from Iron Chef for a long time but have recently watched all of his PBS series Spain...On The Road Again and fell in love with him as a chef.

I think his "firing" by FN was all part of their stupid plan to dumb down the talent level at the network.

You should try and find some of his actual cooking shows. He really is a very good Italian chef. Italians are extremely picky about their food and have so many rules it makes my head spin, but on the other hand, real Italian food wipes the floor with the stuff other people claim is Italian. He studied there and really has an understanding of what makes a good meal, as well as the history and awareness of the different regions where different foods first started. Plus, he's a bit more down to earth in his earlier shows like Molto Mario. I found him a bit over the top in some of the episodes I've seen of On the Road, but that could be residual Gwyneth stank rubbing off on the others.

[tabby]

You should try and find some of his actual cooking shows. He really is a very good Italian chef.

Yeah, Mario makes excellent, authentic food. His business partner for at least some of his restaurants is Joe Bastianich; he's the son of Lidia Bastianich, who has had a couple of excellent cooking shows on PBS.

[margojata]

Jan 16, 2009 12:56:40 GMT -4 tabby said:

You should try and find some of his actual cooking shows. He really is a very good Italian chef.

Yeah, Mario makes excellent, authentic food. His business partner for at least some of his restaurants is Joe Bastianich; he's the son of Lidia Bastianich, who has had a couple of excellent cooking shows on PBS.

I wish they'd give Joe his own show. He was sort of a hard-ass judge on an Iron Chef I saw recently. I really liked him.

Molto Mario is a good show. It's been on and off the Fine Living Network recently. It's a shame that they're going in a nutty direction (hello, Neelys, SHUT UP). My favorites are the old school FN hosts - Mario, Emeril, Tyler Florence, Bobby Flay.