Who is your favorite chef?

[awesomeapril]

Who is your favorite chef and why? They don't have to be celebrities or on TV.

[mcnerd]

Me, because I like the taste and preparation of the food. Its exactly the way I like it. He is lacking in the cleanup afterwards though.

[Big Daddy's House]

It should come as, or be of no surprise to anyone. Given that my name here was adopted from his show, Big Daddy's House - the one and only Aaron McCargo Jr., my favorite and most honored TV chef!! :D

Because I think he brings a completely new style of cooking to to his show. Big bold flavors and taste, as he always likes to refer to his cooking as.

[awesomeapril]

listed in no particular order;
Harold McGee (he's more of an author though)
Julia Child
Alton Brown
Jamie Roraback (my instructor)
Miki Wood (my other instructor)
...I guess that's more than one. :D

[Max Sutton]

My favorite chef on TV is Giada DeLaurentiis. I like how she shows how to prepare meals and explains why she uses certain ingredients. As a novice cook I've learned a lot from watching her TV show EVERYDAY ITALIAN.

[neonle]

my favorite chef is damodaran principal of mgr catering institute.

[elvis2010]

My fav chef would have to be Chef Michael Smith (Chef At Home). He shows the regular person how to cook. Also takes you out to the local grocery store and shows you how to buy and what to look for when you are buying your groceries. Also shows you what you need and don't need to save you money you might waste. He takes you to a regular grocery store, not some upscale grocer that most of us never shop at.

[Big Daddy's House]

I also like Ming Tsai because of his authentic Asian style of cooking.

I truly miss his show that used to be on the Food Network - East Meets West!

[nonyio]

Ming Tsai, I like him too~~

[bikecactus]

My favorite is Anthony Bourdain. I learned about through his show No Reservations. Ever since I saw one episode, I wanted to find out more about him. So I bought his books, searched for him online, watched more of his show. I've actually never seen him cook like a regular TV chef, but to me he seems like he's so passionate about food that he's traveling the world to sample everything. That to me is dedication.

[Len-NJ]

Favorites chefs based on eating at their restaurants regularly:
Eric Rippert - Le Bernardin
John Besh - August
April Bloomfield - Spotted Pig
Scott Boswell - Stella!
Donald Link - Cochon

Favorite chefs/cooks on TV that I watch and learn from:
Anthony Bourdain (even though he doesn't cook anymore)
Mario Batali (LOVE Spain - On The Road Again)
Gordon Ramsey (f Word)
Nigella Lawson (Queen of Food Porn)
Rick Bayless
Steven Raichlen
José Andrés
Bobby Flay
Ina Garten

[Bacchus]

Alton Brown

[receptenwijzer]

Like Piet Huysentruyt , a Belgian TV cook .

[robertras]

I like Michael White (http://behindtheburner.com/expert/michael_white.html) - there is his complete bio

[prabax]

Not yet to find my favorite chef.

[Chris50]

My favorite chefs are Wolfgang Puck and Bobby Flay.

[QSis]

I love to watch Bobby Flay the most. Love him.

I probably make more Rachel Ray's recipes than anyone else's (lower cal recipes).

I WISH I could eat more of Paula Deen's and Ina Garten's hi-fat recipes!

Lee

[awesomeapril]

ohoh! I forgot Michel Richard, I have yet to eat at one of his restaurants, but it's on my bucket list.

[martfay2010]

My favorite would be Ina Garten, Giada and Bobby Flay. I think they prepare simple meals and you can actually cook it yourself.

[officerange123]

Hi...my favriot chef is chef zakir...because he can make all types of dishes like Asians cuisines , French cuisines , Italian cuisines etc

[toothlesscook]

Don't care for Bobby Flay or Emeril at all. I do like to watch chefs where I can learn basic or do it from scratch recipes no matter who the chef is. Rachel Ray had me glued to the food channel where I found Good Eats. Good Eats started me hooked on cooking. Nice to learn a bit of the science and history behind dishes. Burt Wolf has some non-cooking shows that are excellent about the history and chemistry of cooking too.

[Ashwell]

I haven't heard about Zakir..my favorite is Mallika Badrinath. She is specialist in vegetarian foods. Very creative chef.

[HattoriHanzo]

Atul Kochhar 1 star Michelin chef... Awesome modern Indian cuisine

[bhardy501]

I like most of them. I really like Paula Deen because she reminds me of a Great Aunt that we would always go see on Holidays and during the summer when we were out of school. She was an awsome cook and had a wonderful personality much like Paula. I like getting ideas from all of them. The Neelys are just fun to watch, they have such a good interaction.

[Big Daddy's House]

Paula is from Georgia as well.

[Roberta]

My favorite chef is my mother. Even when cooking budget meals she made them taste like the most expensive gourmet in the world. She just had that touch. And her authentic (she was first generation Hungarian) chicken paprikash and cabbage rolls were the greatest ever. I have never had anything as wonderful at any restaurant. My maternal grand parents were just simple peasants. And the best food my grandfather made was Hungarian Greasy Bread. Not exactly fare the food police of today would condone. And it was an entire fall ritual. Rake leaves, burn them curbside (now banned in most cities) fry slab bacon over the fire and make Greasy Bread. Greasy Bread is basically just a poor man's and woman's bruschetta. I can still remember the grease running down my chin as well as the smell of fall leaves burning.

[Chowhound]

That's a great answer, Roberta.

[Big Daddy's House]

My mom was a great cook as well, and she, also, was from Georgia. Her and my dad.

[bhardy501]

Other than food network cooks, I would have to say my favorite cooks were and are members of my family. I really liked Roberta's post. I decided to move this over from my blog. Sorry for it being so long.

I come from a long line of great cooks, not chefs, cooks. I learned so much from my Grandmother, Ruby H., she was an awesome cook. She cooked with all the traditions of a southern cook. She made biscuits for every meal and corn bread at least once a day. Made homemade banana pudding at least once a week. That was my Grandfathers favorite desert. Most of her dishes had a little bacon grease added for flavoring and there were lots of southern fried goodies at most meals. During the summer they always had a huge garden so we grew up with fresh veggies. Fried green tomatoes are still on the top of my favorites list. We would also have stuffed bell peppers, of course the peppers would come straight out of the garden. Fresh corn (white field corn only no yellow stuff), Green beans (Rattlesnake beans are the only way to go when growing your on), fresh tomatoes, multiple kinds of peppers from mild and sweet to just plain hot and many more veggies of all variety. I don't think people can truly appreciate veggies until you have fresh veggies straight out of the garden. The things she could do with those fresh veggies were out of this world. I have tried to duplicate some of the things she made but they were only imitations not duplications. She taught me how to make Salmon Croquettes, which I love. I can actually get them very close. Another influence on my love for cooking was my Dad. He could make about anything he set his mind to. He wasn't afraid to try combinations, sometimes they worked, sometimes they didn't. My Mother is still a big influence in my cooking as well as a lot of other things I do in my life. She is an amazing woman as well as a great cook. There were so many other relatives that were great cooks that I cant list them all.

Then there were the times growing up that we would go to family reunions. They were times to see family that you hadn't seen in a long time. A time to catch up on things going on in there lives and remember the people that had passed on. While everyone was talking in little groups about family and people or ball games, hunting season or what ever subject was in there group. There was a group of (normally) women that was putting the dishes brought from home out on the tables and getting drinks and deserts together and ready. Then someone would ask the blessing. At this point some of the finest southern dishes you could find would have the lids removed and unwrapped. The children's plates were fixed and plates for some of the elder family members that couldn't stand long enough to fix there on would be made. Then everyone else would line up and fix their plates and get drinks then find themselves a seat. Where just moments before there was endless chatter of conversations and sounds of children running and playing now there is just the sounds of people enjoying a great meal together. It impressed on me at a young age the importance of some of these meals. That they weren't just for nourishment but they were for spending quality time with family and bringing people closer together. Fellowship, friendship and lots of love were being passed around the tables. Smiles lit up faces and everyone was satisfied and happy.

Now our family get togethers seem like they have gotten a lot smaller. A lot of the older family members have gone on to their reward and our family has spread out and new families formed. Even so , when we get a chance to get together great cooking and a wonderful meal are still the center of attention. Maybe one day when we have grand children we will have big family get togethers again. I am sure they will still revolve around having a meal and catching up. Even though our family gatherings have gotten smaller the fellowship, friendship and love has not lost any of its strength over the years.

Its for these reasons that I enjoy cooking. Whether its for my family or a group of friends. Its the fellowship, friendship and the love that makes it all worth it. I still have a lot to learn and will never rate up with my Grandmother or my Mom or Dad, but will strive to make my own dishes that my family and friends will walk away with that satisfied feeling and a smile on there face. To hear the words "boy that was good, did you try the _____?"

[Roberta]

bhardy501 - I can commiserate. There were very few meals in our house that were not sit down family meals. There has been some research recently that indicates that children where there is a sit down meal with the family even just a few times a week, get better grades, tend not to get into gangs or drugs.

You were talking also about baking. I remember watching along with my two brothers, my grandmother make donuts from scratch and eating them fresh out of the hot oil with powdered sugar sprinkled on top. Those were so good.

Loved your reminiscing.

[bhardy501]

Thanks for the good words. I can remember fresh homemade peach pies fresh out of the hot oil with sugar sprinkled on top.

[awesomeapril]

To bhardy501 and Roberta,
Awwww. so sweet.:)

[stormbind]

Anthony Worral-Thompson is my preferred celebrity chef, but his food is so unhealthy!

I won't forget a BBC commentator's statement about a different British chef: he looks like someone put a chef's hat on a walnut. Any guesses who that might be? :)

[DaveSal]

Chef Kevin Cottle. He is a great chef in Connecticut. Was runner up on Hells Kitchen season 6. Check out his site....http://www.chefkevincottle.com

[hishighness]

My fav chef would have to be Chef Michael Smith (Chef At Home). He shows the regular person how to cook. Also takes you out to the local grocery store and shows you how to buy and what to look for when you are buying your groceries. Also shows you what you need and don't need to save you money you might waste. He takes you to a regular grocery store, not some upscale grocer that most of us never shop at.I can't say it any better myself so I'll just refer to my fellow user. Michael Smith is great for regular people like me who can barely cook shake and bake.

[cobichef]

ok, a very tough one, my fav well known cheff is gordan ramsay and my overall fav is a man called dave morgan, he livesin the city i live in [plymouth, uk] and own two establishments called morgans and chambers, both very nice with the average price for a good main course and about 10 english pounds

[Semigourmet]

I also really like Ramsey, but also like to cook dishes from, Rachel Ray, Tyler Florence, and Emeril Lagassi. I would love a kitchen and garden like Ina Gartens. LOL talk about a dream!!

[TinyArmy]

Definitely not a "chef" chef but I have an incredible affinity for Nigella Lawson's cooking style (and her taste in food).

[hannah.george67]

My favorite chef on tv is Nigella LAwson. This is because, whatever I have tried out from her list of recipes has always turned out perfect. Also she doesnt mention weird ingredients or complicated utensils. Everything she recommends is usually lying around your house or available in the neighborhood grocery market.

[Village Idiot]

Would anyone be surprised if I said Bourdain?

[CreekCorner]

The guy that host American Iron chef and Good eats. He knows his stuff

:cool::cool::cool:

[SwisCooking]

I love recipes from Gordon Ramsey, Nigella Lawson, Jamie Olvier, Marco Pierre White, Bourdain, Anna Olson, Michael Smith, Antony Worrall Thompson, Martha Stewart, Antonio Carluccio and more...

U will find here http://swiscooking.webs.com/

:p

[sunilgupta]

Sanjeev kumar is my favorite chef.
he make Delicious food.

[Carly]

Heston Blumenthal- beacuse of the crazy foods he creates! Heston's feast were great to watch!

[Big Daddy's House]

Sanjeev kumar is my favorite chef.
he make Delicious food.



Please remove those spamming links from your sig. Thank you.

[Big Daddy's House]

The guy that host American Iron chef and Good eats. He knows his stuff

:cool::cool::cool:




Alton Brown.

[crazyjack]

Hello everyone ,
my favorite chef is Christian J. Fischer.
because he tells about very delicious and easy recipes.

[nate_zn]

Nigella Lawson and Reza Mahammad... For their pure fabulousness!

[Jamónster]

Also a fan of Alton Brown.
I've really been enjoying watching old episodes of Iron Chef (not the silly American one) on that new Cooking Channel. Lots of fun.
I'm a fan of Thomas Keller. I have had the privilege of eating at the French Laundry and have 2 of his cookbooks.
I see that Michael Symon has a show coming out on Cooking Channel. Looks like it could be a good one. I enjoy him.
Also a long time fan of Caprial Pence. Sadly her restaurant in Portland, Or had to close due to the economy. That was always a destination for us when we would travel to Portland to visit our son.

[Beans]

Alton Brown - He makes food science easy to understand without talking down to his audience. Also, only one uni-tasker allowed in the kitchen.

[mars777]

Alton Brown, hands down. Mayhaps his attempts at humor sometimes fall flat, and the other people talking to him may seem silly, but I really like him and his show. Also, lots of interesting info re: history of the discovery, use, etc. of certain foods. Always informative and interesting. He has a pleasing, engaging personality. I'd let him move into my neighborhood no problem.

Mike

[chrissss]

Gordon Ramsay.

Because of him I am cooking now. I saw a few chefs on tv before, and none of them captured me. They just made a dish, I thought it would taste nice, and thats it.

With Gordon Ramsay he just makes me want to cook. I love the passion he has for food.

note*= I am talking about Gordon Ramsay in the F word. Not in Hells kitchen, K nightmares, Masterchef, etc etc etc

[LuvsToCook]

My Mom would be first on the list of course....second, would be Julia Child.

[abi_csi]

Jamie Oliver, he keeps it simple, basic and so easy.

[LuvsToCook]

My favorite is Anthony Bourdain, really loves how to cook. :)

[saltworks]

My favorite is Anthony Bourdain. I learned about through his show No Reservations. Ever since I saw one episode, I wanted to find out more about him. So I bought his books, searched for him online, watched more of his show. I've actually never seen him cook like a regular TV chef, but to me he seems like he's so passionate about food that he's traveling the world to sample everything. That to me is dedication.

100% agree with you bikecactus, i've read his book and watch his show. Anthony Bourdain LIVES fully, not being afraid to eat and drink adventurously

[abi_csi]

I said Jamie Oliver, but after reading loads of his recipe's on using leftovers from the holiday season, and trying some I have to say Nigel Slater has an unrivalled passion for food. Google him if you're not sure who he is.

[saltworks]

i checked Nigel Slater out, very impressive. He has a chick pea with chorizo hearty stew that looks like a perfect winter dish.

[MrPumpkinKing]

A tend to use a lot of Jamie Oliver recipes - so i guess Jamie is the winner. I also like Marco Pierre!

[portston]

Alton Brown, because he makes it into a science.

[foodsalespro]

Being from Louisiana, my favorite chef is John Folse. He has a great respect for the tradition of cajun cooking. He also teaches how the different nationalities that settled Louisiana influenced the culture and cuisine.

[HBKMensa]

Not saying he is the best chef in the world, but Guy Fieri has been a breath of fresh air in his shows and he seems very appealing to the male audience willing to learn to cook

Bobby Flay still the man, every time I tune into Iron Chef he seems to be on there its no coincidence! They want to take him on bobbyflay.com bobbyflay.org

[abi_csi]

Mr Simplicity - Jamie Oliver.

[Leanne]

Gordon Ramsay
Jamie Oliver
Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall
Michel Roux Jr

Yeah, I know............I don't get out enough!!! LOL. :p

[amme.smaill]

My favourite chef is Paleo. He claims that his recipes make you feel better and help you sleep. I so did not believe this until I got one of his cook books. It works! He is very clever his foods are tasty and none of this no wheat no gluten no anything nonsense. He has just realised a new book and you can get it as e-book. Even though there is nothing like a sticky cookbook where you have been pawing through the pages on countless occasions! I have the link to it if anyone wants to nosey I strongly reccommend him though. http://d33e1s4as5wzzmeoqm9zpdyj6z.hop.clickbank.net/:rolleyes:

[Lynsaf]

I like a few but I'd put Chef Wan of Malaysia as my favorite as he presents with humor. His shows are lively and when he cooks, he makes cooking look like a breeze. I also admire him for his passion in cooking, despite holding an accounting tertiary qualification.

[deepfryerdan]

I realllly like Alton Brown. I'm a bit of a geek and combines the science of cooking with his recipes.

[Ishantgupta]

My favorite chef is my MOM she prepared delicious food for me every time. Food doesn't have salt and spice but my mother's love makes this food delicious for me.

[david123]

I like Jamie Oliver easy recipes. but my favorite chef is my mother with her best home made fried chicken.
http://kentuckyfriedchickenrecipe.org/

[dtaylor]

I have two.

Marco Pierre White - Because his stock pots have helped so much getting that little more flavour into my dishes.

Gordon Ramsay - He is pretty cool, Knows what he is talking about. And he says f**k a lot lol.

[smalot11]

Im loving jamie oliver and his 15 minute meals at the moment.

[Crishmartin]

Sheriff Blaylock, of Classic Foods Tx

[wynter]

i guess i'd say ramsey as i dont have the food cooking networks yet so am not aware of too many celebrity chefs yet. I have watched and enjoyed several of his shows though.

[danny]

Im loving jamie oliver and his 15 minute meals at the moment.

Yeah me too.

[marrieann]

My favorite chef is an europian - Rudolph van Veen, he shows you where the food comes from, how to prepare it, technics.

[LaVitaDolce]

I think I posted somewhere in here about Giada. She's still my favorite.

[Scotchefgirl]

Julia & Jacques .. The dream team I watched in my early foodie days. Also, my culinary Chef Instructor, he was hard but fair and taught the respect of food and pride in your dishes.

[Keisha]

Elise Bauer!

[nounou001]

Unfortunately, I did not know the cook I like! I only find that they all very strong!

[Jelloblow]

the Salvodor Dali of kitchen - Sr. Ferran Adrià, the Spanish master because of his extraordinary passion for his calling.

[Saddletramp]

Mine would be Justin Wilson.

[Big Daddy's House]

I guarrontie it!!!!!!