Mine is Ina Garten; her recipes are almost always so attainable, generally easy - and ALWAYS delicious!, I find she’s an ‘easy’ watch, so warm and friendly I love her home decor, her vast ‘assortment’ of friends. and I find Jeffrey adorable! He’s so appreciative of every morsel set before him; I think he’s a Yale professor. I always find it fascinating that they chose not to have children - a bold choice, even today.
One of my many favorite recipes is her Beatty’s Chocolate Cake - it is literally To Die For!!!
So rich, moist and chocolatey - yum!
So many I enjoy - I’ll need to read some other responses to really think about this.
I will say that I was an early very big fan of Rachael Ray - I don’t really follow her today or nor am I ever watching tv in the morning for her show - BUT I ADORED $40 A Day (food, not cooking) and 30 Minute Meals (cooking). The one recipe I use over and over from her is not really “cooking” - its a delicious granola that I make on a regular basis - pantry staple!
I love Ina but have really been enjoying Michael Symon’s Cooking at Home series. Originally covid quarantine cooking at home on Facebook and Instagram every night for 42 nights. Now also on food network tv on Sundays. All about techniques and how to use what you have instead of being a slave to a recipe.
I too love Ina, but during SAH have loved watching David Leibovitz’s apero hour on Instagram. He is so funny, informative and entertaining- loved it when his partner Romain joined in. Sadly it has come to an end but it was great fun. I’ve actually thought about purchasing Masterclass - has anyone done that?
Ina is my favorite. Almost all of her recipes turn out well for me. Also, I recently discovered Samin Nosrat. She’s not a TV chef, although she does have a documentary on Netflix–Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. She writes for the NY Times and worked at Chez Panisse in Berkeley. I love how creative she is and that she uses herbs and spices in new and creative ways. I’m a fan.
Another Ina fan. I find her really approachable and her recipes easy to follow. Her roast chicken is one of my favorites, as it is Jeffrey’s. I always make her turkey gravy at Thanksgiving.
I’ve always been surprised by the # of people loving Ina. I respect her recipes and skills - I just always found her personality too chill and reserved to keep me interested. Again, the results of her cooking, great without a doubt.
So I think this question CAN BE sort of two part - your favorite tv chef to watch/be entertained by…and/OR…your favorite tv chef’s recipes and cooking results or style of cooking.
Well for entertainment alone - Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party! I think it was on VH1. Not really a show to learn how to prepare anything, but definitely a guilty pleasure. Personally I’d love to hang out with Ina.
My favorite TV chef of all time is Julia Child! She set the standard. There was a recent six episode series on our PBS channel called Dishing with Julia where they had newer celebrity chefs watch and discuss some of her earliest episodes. It was great!
Way back when she had a series called Dinner at Julia’s. I taped (actual tapes) every episode and bought the book.
Great idea for a thread. I have a long list of chefs who I love for different reasons:
Julia Child - the OG who started it all. Enough said. My copy of her book The Way to Cook is well-worn. Lots of great recipes; hard to choose a favorite.
Jacque Pepin - another trailblazer and close friend of Julia. I had the honor of meeting them both during a signing of their book Julia and Jacque Cooking at home.
Giada - Love her simple approach to Italian cuisine. Her Shrimp Fra Diavola is a favorite recipe.
Diana Kennedy - the high priestess of Mexican cuisine who has inspired many. She may not exactly be a TV chef but I love her books.
Rick Bayless - great recipes presented in a way that provides a thorough understanding of the history of the dish
Jose Andres - just a great human being. Love all that he is doing through his charity World Kitchen.
Has anyone watched Camp Bakeaway on the Food Netflix. It follows the format of the Great British Bakeoff and it’s set at Martha Stewart’s Bedford New York home.
My 87 year old mother has a love-hate relationship with Giada. She believes she is a good chef and her food is very appealing but my mom cannot stand her personality! It’s so funny!
We watched Food Network Star for years each summer when our kids were growing up. I believe that was an avenue to all three of kids loving trying new foods and seeing cooking in a positive light. I don’t think it’s on anymore?
Ina’s recipes never fail to deliver. Jaques Pepin, love him, grew up with him and went to school with/was friends with his daughter. Have a bit of a crush on Geoffrey Zakarian and love his Thanksgiving mule recipe!
Nobody can beat Julia Child for the entertainment value and how she started the entire thing. But I don’t think I can make a single one of her recipes. When she cooked with Pepin is was doubly entertaining.
I really like Lidia. I have a few of her cookbooks and have also learned lots of little tips and tidbits from watching over the years. Also, met her at a cookbook signing once and have been to her restaurant in NYC.
Two others that do simple food that I enjoy watching are Nick Stellino and May Ann Esposito. Both are so down to earth. My daughter meet Nick at an event and thought he was very nice.
I also really enjoy Mike Colameco’s show. It is more of a restaurant show than a cooking show. I find I learn so much about food, wine, and the restaurant business. His travel episodes are the best.
Yet another Ina fan here. Also love Jacques Pepin. I follow him on Facebook and watched him make a very simple but tasty looking soup recently. He’s been demonstrating many easy dishes, some made with leftovers and/or pantry items. Watching those videos has been quite calming lately.
I’ve been watching the cooking shows on PBS for decades. Long time fan of Julia Child, Jacques Pepin and Mary Ann Esposito. Jacques Pepin’s knife skills are mesmerizing. My mother remembers when our local PBS station first started airing The French Chef back in the 1960’s. She has a well worn copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I remember watching Graham Kerr’s Kitchen back in the 1990’s. It was the first show about healthy cooking that I could remember. It was way ahead of its time.
I love her home decor, her vast ‘assortment’ of friends. and I find Jeffrey adorable! He’s so appreciative of every morsel set before him; I think he’s a Yale professor. I always find it fascinating that they chose not to have children - a bold choice, even today.