I worship the ground that Ina Garten walks on. I actually have a cooking webseries on YouTube, and it's partially because I love all things Ina. Yeah, I snagged a couple of things from her show for my own, but it's still all me in the end.

Falling into the shortlist after Ina, for me, is Trisha Yearwood and Ree Drummond. They're Oklahoma gals. I loved Paula Deen, all the 20-year-old mess aside (and her hot-A.F. song Bobby Deen). I simply cannot stand Giada De LaEthnicWhenItCounts, Guy Hack Fieri.

Of course, who doesn't love Nigella's naughty sound bites?? Dave Lieberman had a great show for a while, Michael Chiarello taught me about - if nothing else - grey salt, and Amy Thielen was simple and great midwestern food.

But my question here is, who is your favorite HGTV cooking host?

The only one I watch regularly is Chopped, I like most of those judges. Alex Guarnascheli is a favorite although I have to say, I didn't really like her as host of her own cooking show.

I use their online recipe tool sometimes and the ones I have found best for home use are the ones from Alton Brown and Ina G. They're simple, made up of common ingredients, and they work. Emeril's recipes are good too, when they work, but be prepared to go to the specialty store for ingredients, and challenge your own cooking ability, if you go there.

I don't get to see it hardly anymore. A new one I hadn't known before I just got introduced to is Pioneer Woman. Hey, when you can get it done with the simple stuff you find at the regular grocery store, that's a serious plus.

I like Mystery Diners. Not sure if it's real or not, feels staged.

kpowers said:

I like Mystery Diners. Not sure if it's real or not, feels staged.

It totally feels staged.

PS - Prince related...

I was in the middle of filming a batch of shows when Prince passed away. In the show, there's a picture on the wall behind me. Just a general café type photo. I decided to start using one of my album cover frames, and putting up Prince albums instead. I missed putting up For You, so I started with Prince, and that started airing in July. I have my shows laid out when they're going to air, so I was able to put up certain album covers for certain shows. Ultimately, they are in sequential order.

I realized I'm missing a few things on vinyl, like Diamonds and Pearls, soI used the laserdisc of the video collection instead. Same with Graffiti Bridge LP, so I used the LD. There is a show airing November 4, and that will have the lyric insert from 1999 so "All The Critics.." is in the background. Similarly, the show nearest Christmas will be "Another Lonely Christmas" 12". I plan on using 1999 The New Master on the December 30 show. It'll probably be the last one I'll put up for these purposes.

I have to say, it was sort of funny to go back & watch the show about Sausage Peppers & Onions, and there's a naked Prince on the Lovesexy record hovering over my shoulder behind me. LOL

I'm with you on Ina Garten - she'll outchef anyone. Her recipes and Alton Brown's are always reliable.

Special mention to PBS's Lidia Bastianich - I've never made any of her dishes, but her restaurants are phenomenal, while still somewhat affordable.

Take-your-spatula-and-stick-it-up-your-ass list: Bobby Flay, Giada what's-her-name, and Guy Fieri.

B1tchierThanEver said:

I'm with you on Ina Garten - she'll outchef anyone. Her recipes and Alton Brown's are always reliable.

Special mention to PBS's Lidia Bastianich - I've never made any of her dishes, but her restaurants are phenomenal, while still somewhat affordable.

Take-your-spatula-and-stick-it-up-your-ass list: Bobby Flay, Giada what's-her-name, and Guy Fieri.

HAHAHA I love this. I love Lidia, and I love America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Country.

I like watching Chopped, Cuthroat Kitchen, Junk Food Flip, Mystery Diners, Restuarant: Impossible and Thieves Inc.

TrivialPursuit said:

B1tchierThanEver said:

I'm with you on Ina Garten - she'll outchef anyone. Her recipes and Alton Brown's are always reliable.

Special mention to PBS's Lidia Bastianich - I've never made any of her dishes, but her restaurants are phenomenal, while still somewhat affordable.

Take-your-spatula-and-stick-it-up-your-ass list: Bobby Flay, Giada what's-her-name, and Guy Fieri.

HAHAHA I love this. I love Lidia, and I love America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Country.

I went to Lidia's restaurant in NYC. My best culinary experience while there and what a cosy welcoming environment. Too bad Chris Kimball is leaving America'ss Test Kitchen and Cook's Country; the show won't be the same without him.

purplethunder3121 said:

Too bad Chris Kimball is leaving America'ss Test Kitchen and Cook's Country; the show won't be the same without him.

That's incredibly unfortunate. Sounds like he's already gone, and that the 2016 shows had already been filmed.

TrivialPursuit said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Too bad Chris Kimball is leaving America'ss Test Kitchen and Cook's Country; the show won't be the same without him.

That's incredibly unfortunate. Sounds like he's already gone, and that the 2016 shows had already been filmed.

I know--Test Kitchen was my favorite cooking show for years... I love the whole team. I don't know if I will continue watching without Chris. He may be developing a new show though... It seems as though his departure occurred when the company for both shows decided that a CEO was needed to make decisions. I guess Chris didn't care for that. I don't think it was necessarily because he couldn't negotiate a new contract...

I love Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives... A friend and I have been to almost every place Guy has visited in our city.

TrivialPursuit said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Too bad Chris Kimball is leaving America'ss Test Kitchen and Cook's Country; the show won't be the same without him.

That's incredibly unfortunate. Sounds like he's already gone, and that the 2016 shows had already been filmed.

Christopher Kimball made America's Test Kitchen, literally....but he does have a new venture called:

Milk Street Kitchen

http://www.177milkstreet.com/

you can even get a free issue of their new magazine. I heard a television or web series is also in the works.