From Michael Ruhlman’s website, a blast at The Food Network by Anthony Bourdain. The telegenic chef takes a few potshots at the folks on the air at The Food Network. Among the highlights:
PAULA DEEN: I’m reluctant to bash what seems to be a nice old lady. Even if her supporting cast is beginning to look like the Hills Have Eyes–and her food a True Buffet of Horrors. A recent Hawaii show was indistinguishable from an early John Waters film. And the food on a par with the last scene of Pink Flamingos. But I’d like to see her mad. Like her look-alike, Divine, in the classic “Female Trouble.“ Paula Deen on a Baltimore Killing Spree would be something to see. Let her get Rachael in a headlock–and it’s all over.
THAT ACE OF CAKES GUY: Hey…He’s got talent! And…he seems to be a trained chef! And he’s really making food–and selling it in a real business! I think…I like it! If I have one reservation, it’s that I have no idea if the stuff actually TASTES good. It LOOKS really creative and quirky–and I’m interested but…I mean…it’s like construction going on over there from what we’re told and shown. One suspects that the producers don’t want to waste valuable time talking about anything so technical as food–on “Food” Network.
Other than being gripped by the fear that comes from realizing that Paula Deen does indeed resemble Baltimore’s most famous transvestite, I’m amazed he didn’t comment on any of her recipes. The woman makes a bread pudding with a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts and slathers everything in a pound of butter.
She cooks like Elvis ate.
Considering that much of his blog is concerned with the food quality coming from the Food Network, I wonder why he didn’t mention a thing about her cooking.
Thanks to the USAToday’s Pop Candy blog for the catch!
6 Responses
The Ace of Cakes guy IS a trained chef.
When you see him in cake competitions on TVFN…the judges seem to like the taste of his cakes. And you get to see him use hardware. One once fell completely apart during a competition. I do think it would be nice for them to talk more about how the cakes taste of Ace of Cakes….but it is nice to see the inner workings of a food related business and a bunch of…true artististic types with interesting styles..
I always wondered about that – he makes some of those cakes a week in advance. I know that layer on top keeps moisture in, but how good can something you cut with a chainsaw really taste? The answer might be ‘Awesome’…but I dunno. Anyone ever eaten any of his stuff?
I don’t know about Paula Deem. But I do like Rachel Ray. She may not be a trained chef and doesn’t pretend to be but I think she brings an enthusiasm to cooking I think that has been somewhat lost. Her dishes are good. I don’t understand why people think she’s so annoying she may have a lot of publicity but she’s good at what she does.
Professionally decorated cakes are decent, but usually not droolworthy…I’m sure you guys have been to wedding-type affairs where they have cakes like this. They have to be a little stiffer to begin with to stand up to all the stuff they put on them…and when you buy a cake like that, you’re definitely paying for the supplies, time, and effort it takes to make it look perfect. (Disclosure: my mom works with a professional cake designer, and she has been to Food Network competitions with her.)
Of course, the really good professionals (the ones they put on the Food Network) are always striving to make the best tasting cakes possible, given the constraints…and they do a pretty good job, IMHO. 🙂
It sounds to me as if Anthony has been dabbling in the food dye: Green…with envy!
I can only say you must be trying to “COMPENSATE’ for your inadequancies aka SPS elsewhere. Paula Deen is just real. And you are a real wuss. Women and men love her..so who loves you? …ha.